Craig Stephen Mager (born June 11, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas State Bobcats.[1] As a senior in 2014, Mager earned Second-team All-Sun Belt Conference.[2] He attended Luling High School, where he played football, basketball, and ran track.
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | June 11, 1992 Luling, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Luling | ||||||||||
| College: | Texas State | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2015 / round: 3 / pick: 83 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Mager was raised by single mother Cathy Mager, who died on June 15, 2007.[3]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 11+1⁄2 in (1.82 m) |
201 lb (91 kg) |
29+3⁄4 in (0.76 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.44 s | 1.53 s | 2.58 s | 4.07 s | 6.83 s | 38 in (0.97 m) |
10 ft 10 in (3.30 m) |
17 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine[4][5] | ||||||||||||
San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers
edit2015
editThe San Diego Chargers selected Mager in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.[6] He was the 13th cornerback selected in 2015.[7] On May 14, 2015, the Chargers signed Mager to a four-year, $2.99 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $330,790.[8]
Throughout training camp, Mager competed against Steve Williams, Chris Davis, Greg Ducre, Richard Crawford, Manny Asprilla, and Lowell Rose.[9] Head coach Mike McCoy named Mager the fifth cornerback on the Chargers' depth chart, behind Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers, Patrick Robinson, and Williams.[10]
On September 20, 2015, Mager made his professional regular season debut in the Chargers' 24–19 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. He missed five games after suffering a torn hamstring (Weeks 4–8).[11] On November 9, 2015, he recorded two combined tackles and deflected a pass as the Chargers loss 22–19 at the Chicago Bears. He made his first career tackle on wide receiver Marquess Wilson after he made a 15-yard reception.[12] On December 24, 2015, Mager earned his first career start and recorded a season-high four combined tackles during a 30–14 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He finished his rookie season with nine combined tackles (eight solo) and two pass deflections in ten games and two starts.[13]
2016
editMager entered training camp in 2016 competing against Casey Hayward and Jahleel Addae for the job as third cornerback. Mager was named the fourth cornerback in the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Verrett, Flowers, and Hayward.[14]
On October 2, 2016, Mager made two combined tackles, a pass deflection, and made his first career interception off of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees during a 35–34 loss. The following week, he collected six combined tackles in the Chargers' 34–31 loss at the Oakland Raiders. He missed Weeks 8-9 after suffering a concussion during a 33–30 overtime victory at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7.[15] On November 27, 2016, Mager made a season-high seven combined tackles in a 21–13 loss at the Houston Texans. Mager missed the last three games of the season after suffering a shoulder and elbow injury in Week 14. On December 31, 2016, the Los Angeles Chargers placed Mager on injured reserve.[16] He finished the season with 31 combined tackles (20 solo), deflected four passes, and made one interception in eight starts and 11 games.[17]
2017
editMager entered training camp on the roster bubble and competed for a roster spot against Desmond King, Trovon Reed, Trevor Williams, Brandon Stewart, Randall Evans, Michael Davis, and Jeff Richards.[18] He suffered a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the end of training camp and first two preseason games.[19] On September 3, 2017, Mager was waived by the Chargers and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[20][21] He was promoted to the active roster on December 16, 2017.[22]
2018
editOn September 15, 2018, Mager was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.[23] He was released on September 26, 2018.
Denver Broncos
editOn December 19, 2018, Mager was signed by the Denver Broncos a two-year deal.[24] On April 18, 2019, the Broncos released Mager.[25]
References
edit- ^ "Features: Mager learns to cope with pain to succeed at Texas State | San Marcos Record". Archived from the original on June 14, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
- ^ "UL Lafayette's McGuire Headlines All-Sun Belt Conference Teams and Individual Award Winners". www.sunbeltsports.org. Sun Belt Conference. December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
- ^ "Texas State-ex overcomes mom's death to become draft surprise". San Antonio Express-News. May 16, 2015.
- ^ "Craig Mager Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ "Craig Mager College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Henne, Ricky (May 1, 2015). "Chargers Land CB Craig Mager in Third Round". Chargers.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Craig Mager contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Ourlads.com: San Diego Chargers depth chart: 07/01/2016". ourlads.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "San Diego Chargers Week 1 Depth Chart". boltbeat.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Chargers rule out Craig Mager, Tourek Williams, and Eric Weddle". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "NFL Game Center: Week 9-2015: Chicago Bears @ San Diego Chargers". NFL.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "NFL Player stats: Craig Mager (2015)". NFL.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Ourlads.com: Los Angeles Chargers depth chart: 10/01/2016". ourlads.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Chargers lost Reid to knee injury in OT win at Atlanta". apnews.com. October 25, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Chargers' Carlos Fields: Promoted to active roster". CBSSports.com. December 31, 2016.
- ^ "NFL Player stats: Craig Mager". NFL.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Ourlads.com: Los Angeles Chargers depth chart: 07/01/2016". Ourlads.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ Eric Williams (August 23, 2017). "Chargers CB Craig Mager healthy, just in time to fight for roster spot". espn.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ Henne, Ricky (September 3, 2017). "Bolts Add Pair of Players via Waivers". Chargers.com.
- ^ Henne, Ricky (September 4, 2017). "Bolts Bring Geremy Davis, Craig Mager Back on Practice Squad". Chargers.com.
- ^ Henne, Ricky (December 16, 2017). "Chargers Sign Craig Mager to Active Roster". Chargers.com.
- ^ "CB Craig Mager to the IR". BoltsFromTheBlue.com. September 15, 2018.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (December 19, 2018). "Broncos place CB Chris Harris Jr. on injured reserve, sign CB Craig Mager". DenverBroncos.com.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (April 18, 2019). "Broncos sign OL Jake Brendel and CB Trey Johnson, release CB Craig Mager". DenverBroncos.com.