Cardinals keeping DT Dykes

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Chaney High graduate Keilen Dykes

By Joe Scalzo

The Chaney graduate has been signed to Arizona’s practice squad.

Keilen Dykes woke up Saturday morning with his NFL future very much in doubt.

The Chaney High graduate, who had signed with the Arizona Cardinals as undrafted free agent in April, felt he had played well enough this summer to earn a spot on the team — even if it was just on the practice squad.

But he also knew he was on the bubble.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Dykes. “I was just hoping things would work for the best.”

His parents back in Youngstown spent the day pacing around their house, waiting for word. At 1 p.m. in Arizona — 4 p.m. in Youngstown — his coaches told him he did not make the 53-man roster.

That was the bad news.

The good news was, they were planning to sign him to the eight-player practice squad.

“I was just happy to have a job,” Dykes said on Monday afternoon in a phone interview from Arizona. “I wasn’t one of the 53, but it was a starting point. I took the news in stride and I knew I had to keep working.

“I’m just glad I’m still out here and I still have a chance.”

Dykes, a two-time first team All-Big East selection at defensive tackle, earned his position the hard way.

He wasn’t invited to February’s NFL combine and he wasn’t selected in April’s draft despite being projected as a late-round pick.

But his size (6-4, 295), strength and upside appealed to the Cardinals’ coaches, who invited him to camp.

He soon realized he was good enough to play at the top level.

“There’s always that moment at first [when you’re not sure],” he said. “But it’s football, baby. I’ve been playing this my whole life.”

Dykes was one of two players with area ties who made the practice squad on Monday.

Former YSU running back Marcus Mason signed with the Ravens after being released by the Redskins on Saturday.

NFL teams can keep up to eight players on the practice squad, which practice with the team during the week but do not travel with the teams or suit up for games. The minimum salary for practice squad players is $5,200 per week for 17 weeks or $88,400 per season.

By comparison, the NFL minimum rookie salary is $285,000.

Teams can activate practice squad players at any time — usually when a regular gets hurt — and those on the squad can sign with any team at any time without compensating the host team.

Dykes will usually participate in about 15 to 20 plays per practice — mimicking the defense of that week’s opponent — and take part in individual drills.

“It’s an easy gig, but at the same time, I really want to get out there on that field,” Dykes said. “I’m just glad to be in the system. I like the team and I think they can do something real good this year.

“I’m just going to take it as it comes. My time will come sooner or later.”

The four area players selected in April’s draft all made their respective teams. Third-rounders John Greco (an offensive lineman with the Rams from Boardman High), Antwaun Molden (CB, Texans, Warren Harding) and Mario Manningham (WR, Giants, Harding) joined fourth rounder Mike McGlynn (OL, Eagles, Fitch). Also, Mount Union wideout Pierre Garcon, made the Colts after being selected in the sixth round.

Other Mahoning Valley natives in the NFL are Jets WR Brad Smith (Chaney), Steelers DB Anthony Smith (Hubbard), Seahawks OL Steve Vallos (Boardman), Colts DB Marlin Jackson (Sharon) and Ravens LB Prescott Burgess (Harding).

scalzo@vindy.com