Undrafted and unphased: Key rookie free agent signings
Written by Heegos, Monday April 27 2009
The best day of the NFL offseason isn't the first day of the draft. Hell, it’s not even Day 2, where guys like Terrell Davis and Tom Brady were selected. No, it's the Monday following the draft where teams fight to fill the practice squads with undrafted free agents. Here's one guy on each team who may be worth keeping an eye out for in training camp.
AFC East
New England Patriots - QB Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
Though his numbers dropped significantly from his junior year to his senior season, Hoyer will be in good hands with Bill Belichick. At least Hoyer started in college.
Miami Dolphins - G Mark Lewis, Oregon
It never hurts to have depth on the offensive line, and the 6-4 300 pound Lewis does just that. That, and look at the guy. He needs to be on an NFL team.
New York Jets - TE J'Nathan Bullock, Cleveland State
The Jets get bonus points for signing a guy who didn't even play football in college. The 6-3 power forward (though he was listed at 6-5 in the CSU media guide), worked out for scouts a couple weeks before the draft. He only posted a 4.8 40, but showed good hands. As we've seen with Antonio Gates, the ability to box out and fight for rebounds can translate well in the red zone.
Buffalo Bills - T Joel Bell, Furman
Though Bell didn't pick up football until 2001, he shows good size (6-7, 315), strength, (27 reps at the combine), and explosion off the ball (30" vertical). The Bills didn't draft a tackle, even after trading Pro Bowler Jason Peters to Philadelphia.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs - LB Bobby Abare, Yale
An Ivy League education may have brought him to Yale, but toughness and a nose for the ball bring Abare to Kansas City. He may lack size and speed needed to be an impact player, but GM Scott Pioli knows it's not always a player's physical ability that keeps him on the roster.
San Diego Chargers - CB Wopamo Osaisai, Stanford
More track star than cornerback, Osaisai has raw athletic talent and speed that would make Al Davis swoon. If he makes the squad, he could contribute on special teams right away. With decent depth at CB, including fifth round selection Brandon Hughes, Osaisai has time to develop defensively.
Oakland Raiders - S Michael Mitchell, Ohio
Mitchell has a solid speed at the safety position and is a big hitter. A huge steal as an undrafted free agent, as many experts had him going somewhere between the fifth and seventh rounds. Wait… Oakland drafted him in the second round? Really? OK, let's try this again.
Oakland Raiders - LB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic
Solid run-stopper, good tackling form, ideal for special teams.
Denver Broncos - DE Rulon Davis, Cal
Davis is a bit injury prone, but when on the field shows good explosiveness and can get to the quarterback. Davis' toughness come from having served three years in the Marines before heading for Berkeley, including a tour of duty in Iraq.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Ramon Foster, Tennessee
Foster's size (6-6, 325) is outstanding for a right tackle, but his lack of speed may hurt his chances of making the roster. Then again, the Steelers are looking for anyone who can keep Ben Roethlisberger off his back.
Baltimore Ravens - WR Eron Riley, Duke
Baltimore addressed most of its need in the draft, but did not take a receiver. Riley is not the threat that Joe Flacco needs, but he is a big target with good hands. A solid route runner who's not afraid to go over the middle can make an NFL roster.
Cleveland Browns - QB Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
A prolific passer from a wide-open offense, Harrell should adapt to new coach Eric Mangini's offense. Plus his addition to the roster should make it easier to deal either Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson.
Cincinnati Bengals - WR Quan Cosby
Cosby isn't the heir apparent to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but on a team lacking depth at WR, he has a good chance to make the roster. Like Riley in Baltimore, Cosby's hands and willingness to take a hit will go a long way.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts - TE/FB Colin Cloherty, Brown
Cloherty should fit nicely with the Colts as a TE/FB hybrid, similar to Ben Utecht's role a couple seasons ago. He needs to improve his blocking to really excel, but should be able to do that with pro coaching, even if he lands on the practice squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars - S Kevin Patterson, Wake Forest
Patterson may not be the biggest safety, but his ability to play in the box is key. He played both safety and cornerback at Wake, but isn't fast enough to play CB in the NFL. But that experience should be a positive when fighting for a spot.
Houston Texans - RB Arian Foster, Tennessee
Foster had a huge junior season, posting 1,193 yards and 12 TDs on 245 carries. His senior year wasn't as productive, going for 570 yards on 131 carries and only one score after losing carries in a three-man backfield. Today's NFL calls for a two-back rotation and Foster could very well find himself splitting carries with Steve Slaton if he beats out fellow FA signing Jeremiah Johnson from Oregon.
Tennessee Titans - WR Dudley Guice, Northwestern State
A small-school receiver, Guice did not participate at the NFL Combine, put posted a 4.4 40 at his pro day. At 6-3 Guice should have a chance to catch on with the Titans, despite the team drafting Kenny Britt in the first round and Dominique Edison in the sixth.
NFC East
New York Giants - CB Vince Anderson, Webber International
Anderson garnered a bit of attention right before the draft, from the Giants, Pats and Chiefs, with late round potential. His biggest attribute is his size (6-2, 205) and he can lay a big hit.
Philadelphia Eagles - K/P Sam Swank, Wake Forest
Most kickers who enter camp behind an established starter rarely make the team, but with David Akers losing a little leg with age, Swank could land a spot as a 50-yard+ specialist.
Washington Redskins - QB Chase Daniel
Daniel, a 2007 Heisman Finalist, lacks ideal size for an NFL QB, but is a playmaker. His yardage numbers may be inflated from playing in a spread offense, but a 72.9 completion percentage his senior season is no lie.
Dallas Cowboys - G/T Michael Turkovich, Notre Dame
Playing multiple positions is always a great way to make a roster, and Turkovich should not be an exception to the rule. Adding depth to the strong side, Turkovich shows good footwork and gets good push in run blocking.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks - RB Devin Moore, Wyoming
Moore fits the Darren Sproles mold: small, shifty and could make an immediate impact on special teams. While Seattle is still searching to replace Shaun Alexander, Moore could provide a nice change of pace behind Julius Jones.
San Francisco 49ers - DE Pannel Egboh, Stanford
The Niners didn't select a pass rusher like most experts projected, but with a good camp, Egboh could find his way into the crowded rotation up front. The biggest knock against Egboh is his lack of motivation, but coach Mike Singletary is know for getting his players to give there all, every down.
Arizona Cardinals - CB Michael Ray Garvin, Florida State
Garvin will not make the team as a defender, but as a kick returner. The former Seminole was named first-team Sporting News All-American as a return man. With Steve Breaston's increased role (which could grow more if Anquan Boldin is traded), Arizona will be looking for an explosive kick returner to fill his shoes.
St. Louis Rams - T Phil Trautwein, Florida
Trautwein could make the roster on size alone, standing 6-5 and weighing 307 lbs. He needs to learn to defend against the speed rush if he wants to see the field.
NFC North
Chicago Bears - RB Tyrell Fenroy, UL-Lafayette
A small back with good hands, Fenroy was a four-year starter and rushed for over 1,000 yards in each season. His speed doesn't match his size (only 5-8, 205 with a 4.55 40), but his pass-catching ability should help him in his quest to make the team.
Green Bay Packers - LB Willie Williams, Union College
The former University of Miami recruit faced a slew of legal problems on his way to suiting up for Union College. There is no doubt Williams has talent, but it's finally time for him to mature if he wants to realize his dream of playing in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings - RB Ian Johnson, Boise State
Johnson has all ready lived one dream: scoring the game-winning two-point conversion in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl to beat Oklahoma, then proposing to his cheerleader girlfriend immediately after the win. Now, he has a new goal: make an NFL roster. His work ethic and determination shouldn't make that a problem. Johnson knows he'll never be Walter Payton, but did tell the Idaho Statesman, "I’m going to go out there right now and try to make the Pro Bowl on special teams."
Detroit Lions - WR D.J. Boldin, Wake Forest
Boldin may make the team on name alone. Anquan's little brother doesn't possess the same size, but he led Wake with 81 catches for 848 yards.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB DeAngelo Willingham, Tennessee
The JUCO transfer has decent size for a corner (5-11, 210) but doesn't have outstanding speed. Then again, in the Tampa 2 zone, speed isn't a necessity. Willingham will have to fight hard to make the squad, but aging starters should work in his favor.
Atlanta Falcons - LB Derek Nicholson, Florida State
Nicholson led the Seminoles in tackles the past two seasons, but that hasn't meant as much lately as it used to. Atlanta needs depth at linebacker and Nicholson could provide that if he has a good preseason.
Carolina Panthers - QB Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
Cantwell looked ready to replace Brian Brohm as the starter in Louisville, but struggled with his consistency. He has the arm strength and the size to be and NFL quarterback, but will need time to develop into a smart passer.
New Orleans Saints - G Cedric Dockery, Texas
Dockery is a big man at 6-3, 320, but his lack of strength is a concern. A man that size shouldn't get pushed around as much as Dockery does, but proper coaching and strength training should help him earn a roster spot, and maybe even playing time.
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3 comments
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WTG 'Pamo! Way to be timely too homie. Keep it up, dude. bAbel.
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Love this stuff! Great job!
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You are dead on about Quan Cosby. I understand that his measurables weren't to the NFL's liking, but the guy catches EVERYTHING thrown his way. He will make that roster. You can bank on that.