UDFA Gems

[DavethePanther 37]

The Carolina Panthers have 3 Undrafted Free Agents that have a chance to stick.

 

Who are the ones for your team, if any.

 

Carolina's Are

 

Robert Lester S Alabama. Not sure why he didn't get drafted but has a chance to actually start or at very minimum make the team. Been a good find and a baller....

 

Melvin White CB Louisiana Lafayette Shown some good skills in mini-camps and could vie for a backup roll and special teams.

 

White and Lester were acknowledged early by Rivera saying he was impressed with them

 

Linden Gaydosh DT Calgary The #1 pick in the CFL draft. Had great measurables.

6'0" 305

40 yd dash 5.22

225 Bench Press 36

Broadjump 8' 7"

Vertical 33.50"

3 Cone 7.44 seconds

Shuttle 4.45 seconds

 

Showed some great quickness and power.

 

I know that this is during padless mini-camps but clearly a good sign.

 

Speculation is 2 of these guys will make the final roster. 1 of them to the practice squad.

[monkey48 1]

Colby Cameron as well. Almost certain to replace Clausen. May well even steal Anderson's back-up job.

[DavethePanther 37]

Colby Cameron as well. Almost certain to replace Clausen. May well even steal Anderson's back-up job.

 

I am hoping so. They might keep Clausen and move Cameron to the P.S.

 

These players really make up for only having 5 picks in the draft.

[monkey48 1]

I can' see the point in keeping Clausen, he has shoed no reason why he deserves to stay o the roster. If you watch Cameron's tape from college he has the ability t be Cam's back-up for the next decade, if not longer.

[DavethePanther 37]

I can' see the point in keeping Clausen, he has shoed no reason why he deserves to stay o the roster. If you watch Cameron's tape from college he has the ability t be Cam's back-up for the next decade, if not longer.

 

Don't disagree one bit. It would seem he has more tools than Clausen but many seem to think he'll last through his contract. We are already paying him to do nothing. We are still on the hook for his salary (cap wise) for 2013 so why pay someone else to do nothing when we probably will be able to put him on the Practice squad for a fraction of what it would cost to be on the 53 man roster.

 

Gives him an opportunity to learn from not only Cam but Anderson as well.

[monkey48 1]

There is a risk if he goes on the PS that he might chose to go elsewhere. Also, if Cam does g down then I want Cameron on the field, over both Clausen and Anderson.

[KempBolt 498]

Kwame Geathers, DE/NT, Georgia: Geathers was a good get for the Chargers as an undrafted FA. He's been billed as a nose tackle, but at 6'5" I doubt he can play with good enough leverage to stick there, despite being 340 lbs. I'm guessing he starts his career as an all-purpose backup and, if he ever starts, winds up as a 5 technique DE that moves inside on passing downs when we go to an even front. But he's massive, has a lot of natural power, impressive quickness for his size, and flashed dominance at times in 2012. Needs a lot of work as a technician, but he's in a good position to get it as a backup.

 

There are other names I like on our list like Josh Johnson, Kenny Okoro, Jahleel Addae, Byron Jerideau, and Nick Becton. But none of them possess the raw talent that Geathers does and they are all less likely to make the 53 man roster. And I doubt they have starting potential. We often like to gush about our UDFA's when they look good in shorts or project to start right away. But my observation has always been that if a UDFA is starting as a rookie, it usually says more about the depth chart being really weak at that position that it does about them being a starting caliber player.

[Piggly Wiggly 960]

I give Zach Sudfeld (TE, Nevada) and Kenbrell Thompkins (WR, Cincinnati) the best chances at making the Pats roster. Could also see Mark Harrison (WR, Rutgers) landing on the practice squad.

 

Also FWIW, I think TJ Moe has a pretty good shot at making the 53-man roster in 2014. He was originally my favorite UDFA signing this year, so it's unfortunate he got injured in mini camp.

[KempBolt 498]

Sudfield is an interesting prospect- I think that was a good get on the Pats' part. I could see them making use of him.

[Crash 105]

I like lerentee McCray for the broncos who was a OLB/DE from Florida. I believe it was joekel who said McCray was the hardest DE to block this past year

[KempBolt 498]

That's because McCray was one of the few players in CFB to make Joeckel look genuinely bad. Great first step, just oft injured, undersized, and inconsistent.

 

I wanted the Chargers to bring him in though. I think he can develop into a pass rush specialist.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

 

[Crash 105]

That's because McCray was one of the few players in CFB to make Joeckel look genuinely bad. Great first step, just oft injured, undersized, and inconsistent.

 

I wanted the Chargers to bring him in though. I think he can develop into a pass rush specialist.

He could be a very good 3rd down rusher. Denver has 3 or 4 UDFA that may make our roster. Had a good crop this year

[FartWaffles 1,857]

CB A.J. Bouye, Central Florida

RB Cierre Wood, Notre Dame

RB Dennis Johnson, Arkansas

 

It's tough to say really since Training Camp hasn't even started yet, but these three UDFA guys have made some sort of positive news about themselves so far. Wood and Johnson will likely be competing for the 3rd RB spot.

[KempBolt 498]

I thought the Texans did well in getting both of those running backs.

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

Ryan Otten, TE, San Jose State: One of upcoming first rounder David Fales' favorite targets. Great receiving threat. I honestly expect him to win the #2 TE job when preseason is over and done with. He doesn't have much competition, but he's very skilled regardless. Needs some work on his blocking, but then again they said the same about Marcedes Lewis coming out of college and he's arguably the best blocking TE in the NFL. Was pretty surprised Otten didn't get drafted.

 

Lonnie Pryor, FB, Florida State: Do it all type player. Solid blocker, and runner. Good hands out of the backfield. Workhorse, he'll give you all and more. He has no competition at the FB spot honestly, so IMO he's a lock.

 

Tobias Palmer, WR, NC State: Jags are pretty stocked at WR, one of the only positions where that's the case. But this guy offers special return ability. He absolutely annihilated Clemson (although who didn't?) and set ACC records for total yards, off long TD catches and returns. Raw at WR however (came up in HS as a RB originally, explaining his superior vision in the return game.) Tends to body catch too much, iffy in route running, but he has blazing speed. Might be the fastest guy on the team. He'll have to wow in the return game and beat our drafted rookies Denard Robinson and Ace Sanders at either PR or KR to get on the team. Unless he does great as a coverage team gunner or something.

 

Matt Scott, QB, Arizona: Another guy who many were surprised went undrafted. Developmental project. He's made big strides since rookie mini-camp, and is being reported as getting better with each practice. Good arm, athletic, can be used in run option formations, tough all or nothing type. Accuracy needs to get more consistent (has some mechanics issues, especially on deep balls.) He'll have to show he can be as good as Gabbert or Henne (whoever the loser is for the starting job) to make the team. Kafka is there too, so he'll have to be as good as him too. Likely won't make the final 53 and if he doesn't he's a practice squad lock.

 

LaRoy Reynolds, LB, Virginia: Rangy quick LB, just like Gus Bradley likes. He'll likely have to earn a spot on the team via Special Teams. I think he's got a solid shot as the Jags are light at OLB (though that may change after teams make cuts, since the Jags might pick up guys on waivers that'll jump ahead of him.)

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

I thought the Texans did well in getting both of those running backs.

 

Agreed. Dennis Johnson was massively underrated.

[FartWaffles 1,857]

Agreed. Dennis Johnson was massively underrated.

Yeah both he and Wood were considered at the very least worth a late round flier, so it was a delight to see the Texans land them both as UDFAs. At this moment the media that has watched these minicamps project Wood to earn the 3rd RB spot saying that he looks like the most talented/complete runner overall.

 

I'm quietly rooting for Dennis Johnson. I love his rugged running style that actually reminds me a bit of MJD. I think he can win a job as a KR, which at this point would be extremely valuable for the Texans.

 

This run Dennis Johnson puts on Florida's D at 1:30 is just so damn sexy!

 

Either way I'm really hoping that whoever doesn't win the 3rd RB job ends up on the Practice Squad.

Edited July 3, 2013 by FartWaffles

[KempBolt 498]

Yeah both he and Wood were considered at the very least worth a late round flier, so it was a delight to see the Texans land them both as UDFAs. At this moment the media that has watched these minicamps project Wood to earn the 3rd RB spot saying that he looks like the most talented/complete runner overall.

 

I'm quietly rooting for Dennis Johnson. I love his rugged running style that actually reminds me a bit of MJD. I think he can win a job as a KR, which at this point would be extremely valuable for the Texans.

 

This run Dennis Johnson puts on Florida's D at 1:30 is just so damn sexy!

 

Either way I'm really hoping that whoever doesn't win the 3rd RB job ends up on the Practice Squad.

 

Please cut Johnson. You're being selfish.

[DavethePanther 37]

There is a risk if he goes on the PS that he might chose to go elsewhere. Also, if Cam does g down then I want Cameron on the field, over both Clausen and Anderson.

 

I believe he is a special player but I think he will clear waivers and make it to the Practice Squad. If he was that good he would have been drafted. I hear you, though. And he could be a great find. Over Clausen YES over Anderson NO.

 

It is like Chris Leak and nameless other good college QBs that just don't have it. Not saying he doesn't just trying to keep it as realistic as I can.

[SolomonGrundy 10]

I really like Aaron Hester. Big physical CB with good speed. UCLA had 2 very good CBs with him and Price. He'd fit well in a press scheme. Jacksonville did good with Pryor, great replacement for Greg Jones. Offers the same versatility Jones did.

[RANGA+ 1,210]

I really hope Lawrence Okoye works out. The dude is a physical beast and definitely seems to have the right attitude coming into the NFL. If he works out at DE, it would be straight up scary.

[DavethePanther 37]

We get so caught up in our own teams we don't realize the hidden talent that is out there.

 

Thanks for all the posts, would love to see someone from each team post their UDFA who might have a good shot at making the 53 man roster or even the Practice Squad.

 

Teams boost and beat their chest over their draft picks on day one and two of the draft but a good GM is the one who finds those gems in rounds 4-7 and the UDFA market.

 

Carolina for instance only had 5 picks in the draft this year. To pull out three possible UDFA that make the roster is like having a full compliment of draft picks.

[housemd 338]

Brian Arnfelt, DE, Northwestern

Alan Baxter, LB, Northern Illinois

Reggie Dunn, WR, Utah

Nik Embernate, OT, San Diego State

Mike Farrell, OT, Penn State

Mike Golic Jr., OL, Notre Dame

Cordian Hagans, DE, Louisiana-Lafayette

Chris Hubbard, G, UAB

Omar Hunter, DT, Florida

Luke Ingram, LS, Hawaii

Joe Madsen, C, West Virginia

Curtis McNeal, RB, Southern Cal

Anthony Rashad White, DT, Michigan State

Ivory Wade, C, Baylor

J.D. Woods, WR, West Virginia

 

These are the Steelers UDFA signings. I'm not familiar with most of these players except Madsen, Golic Jr, Rashad White and of course Farrell from Penn State.

 

Madsen is very mobile but looking at his measurements,seems like he should add some pounds.

 

I honestly didn't expect to see Rashad White as an UDFA and he can really be called a gem. Watched him a few times at Michigan, very good against the run and can disrupt thr QB occasionally. Would be nice to see him on the team.

[monkey48 1]

Okoye is a boom or bust guy, that is what you want from a UDFA, especially if you are in a situation similar to where SF are. I also really liked the Matt Scott signing.