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Top 20 Rookie UDFA's.........................
Top 20 undrafted free agents not loaded with sudden impact
- By Gil Brandt NFL.com
- Senior Analyst
- Published: July 21, 2011 at 01:23 p.m.
- Updated: July 21, 2011 at 02:50 p.m.
- Liked: 0 | Comments: 36
These undrafted free agents will go fast
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US Presswire photos Derrick Locke, Pat Devlin and Mark Herzlich (left to right) should all be on NFL rosters soon.
The lockout has made this a difficult and trying offseason for college players who went undrafted. Rookie free agents are some of the players who benefit the most from the offseason team activities that take place in May and June. Because those didn't happen, it's unlikely an undrafted free agent this season will have the impact LeGarrette Blount had with the Buccaneers last season.
As you look over my list of the top 20 available UFAs, keep this in mind: The two positions that are the easiest to come in and play right away are running back and cornerback; the two most difficult are quarterback and wide receiver.
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With running backs, the hardest thing they have to learn is blitz pick-up, but otherwise the learning curve is by far the easiest. With corners, the learning process is not as great as it is at other defensive positions. A guy who is athletic and knows how to break on the ball has the chance to play early.
It's difficult for receivers because of the multitude of coverages they see and the split-second decisions they have to make each down. And obviously, the learning curve for quarterbacks is extremely high. One thing going in their favor, however, is how much passing is dominating the game in college, so the transition is easier now than it was 10 years ago, as Sam Bradford showed last season.
Here are the top 20 undrafted free agents who will be snatched up in short order:
1. Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware: Has size needed to succeed at the position, to go with accuracy and football intelligence.
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2. Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College: His battle against cancer is well documented and speaks to his hunger to play. If healthy, he can play all downs.
3. Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky: Has quickness and speed needed for success at running back.
4. DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson: Has all the traits needed to be a good safety.
5. Jake Kirkpatrick, C, TCU: A former high school basketball player who is strong and smart and has traits that remind some of Colts veteran Jeff Saturday.
6. Mario Fannin, RB, Auburn: Oustanding speed and pass-catching ability. Makes a lot of plays.
7. Nick Bellore, LB, Central Michigan: Very competitive linebacker. One of the all-time top tacklers in the MAC. Great special teams player.
8. Willie Smith, OT, East Carolina: Smart offensive tackle with long arms and good athletic ability. Excellent pass blocker.
9. Ray Dominguez, G, Arkansas: Strong guard who has the chance to start for someone in his second year.
10. Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon: Needs to add weight but has the frame to do so. Very active.
11. Sealver Siliga, DT, Utah: Strong at the point of attack and reminds some of another Utah product, Dolphins defensive tackle Paul Soliai.
12. Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Ohio State: Slot receiver who will catch the ball across the middle and has outstanding hands.
13. Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina: Lacks great speed but makes up for it with quickness and ball skills. Very good tackler.
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14. John Clay, RB, Wisconsin: Strong, inside runner in the mold of Blount.
15. Ian Williams, DT, Notre Dame: A four-year starter at Notre Dame who is very strong and athletic.
16. Ricardo Lockette, WR, Fort Valley State: Teams love speed, and he is the fastest player available of all undrafted free agents.
17. Scott Tolzien, QB, Wisconsin: Smart quarterback with good but not great arm. Has been very successful with accuracy and ability to hit the right receivers.
18. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia: Not tall, has great speed, production and hands. Possible WR/KR prospect.
19. Kyle Hix, OT, Texas: Long arms, very strong. Doesn't have good enough feet to play LT but could be good on right side.
20. Zach Hurd, G, Connecticut: He played guard at UConn but his best position might be as a RT because of his size and strength.
Last edited by soulman; 07-21-2011 at 03:14 PM.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
BearStuff 
I'll take a number 5, a number 9, a number 13 and a side order of fries.
LOL, do you want anything to drink with that sir?
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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McDaniel, Sanzenbacher and Kirkpatrick interest me. I also wouldn't count us out on Herzlich at all, considering our WLB is wide open as of now and he would be landing in a spot that offers a legit chance to compete, two great mentors/protection for his early career and a coach who has shown he is not afraid of going young on D or count you out because of where you were picked.
Outside of that list I'm high on Mario Fannin, Deunta Williams, Anthony Bratton, Darvin Adams, Martin Parker, Mario Harvey, Darren Evans, Ugo Chinasa, Scott Lutrus, Eric Gordon, Derrell Smith, Pierre Allen and Deandre Brown.
Last edited by lklrlolnlilklsox; 07-21-2011 at 04:38 PM.
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Originally Posted by
lklrlolnlilklsox McDaniel, Sanzenbacher and Kirkpatrick interest me. I also wouldn't count us out on Herzlich at all, considering our WLB is wide open as of now and he would be landing in a spot that offers a legit chance to compete, two great mentors/protection for his early career and a coach who has shown he is not afraid of going young on D or count you out because of where you were picked.
Outside of that list I'm high on Mario Fannin, Deunta Williams, Anthony Bratton, Darvin Adams, Martin Parker, Mario Harvey, Darren Evans, Ugo Chinasa, Scott Lutrus, Eric Gordon, Derrell Smith, Pierre Allen and Deandre Brown.
Thanks for the input sox. Nobody follows these guys any better than you so it's appreciated. I have a couple of questions though.
Why another Safety, McDaniel, as opposed to a CB like Burney. Burney fits the description of a Lovie Smith type to a tee. Why a WR who seems like a smaller version of Earl Bennett? Is it based on his being that small quick route runner that Martz likes? Another Wes Welker type maybe?
Getting Herzlich's name on a contract would be great and Mario Fannin is on the top 20 list. Both seem to fit the description of guys we like to bring in. The other guys you list I'm not familiar with but I'm relatively certain that we'll look at at least one OT, an OG or OG/OC, a CB, WR and RB.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
soulman Thanks for the input sox. Nobody follows these guys any better than you so it's appreciated. I have a couple of questions though.
Why another Safety, McDaniel, as opposed to a CB like Burney. Burney fits the description of a Lovie Smith type to a tee. Why a WR who seems like a smaller version of Earl Bennett? Is it based on his being that small quick route runner that Martz likes? Another Wes Welker type maybe?
Getting Herzlich's name on a contract would be great and Mario Fannin is on the top 20 list. Both seem to fit the description of guys we like to bring in. The other guys you list I'm not familiar with but I'm relatively certain that we'll look at at least one OT, an OG or OG/OC, a CB, WR and RB.
Burney is a slow, soft midget. No thanks. I'm just a fan of the two safeties I listed, no more, no less. Plus I just don't believe in Steltz.
Of all the undrafted WR's, Sanzenbacher's tape is easily the most impressive to me. He came up big whenever his team needed it an his route running and zone recognition are both very good. Give me a guy with his football IQ and his propensity for the clutch play to learn under Martz and I think we have something to look forward to on our PS.
As far as OL goes, I'm not too impressed by any of the UDFAs. That's not to say we shouldn't go out and grab an upside guy for our PS, but there's no one I think has a chance at the 53-man roster this year. JA needs to do something in UFA there, no doubt, UDFA isn't a big concern to me.
I also forgot to mention Punters, I want us to target that in UFA, but we need to grab one of those seven or so worthwhile Ps in UDFA even if we do.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
lklrlolnlilklsox Burney is a slow, soft midget. No thanks. I'm just a fan of the two safeties I listed, no more, no less. Plus I just don't believe in Steltz.
Of all the undrafted WR's, Sanzenbacher's tape is easily the most impressive to me. He came up big whenever his team needed it an his route running and zone recognition are both very good. Give me a guy with his football IQ and his propensity for the clutch play to learn under Martz and I think we have something to look forward to on our PS.
As far as OL goes, I'm not too impressed by any of the UDFAs. That's not to say we shouldn't go out and grab an upside guy for our PS, but there's no one I think has a chance at the 53-man roster this year. JA needs to do something in UFA there, no doubt, UDFA isn't a big concern to me.
I also forgot to mention Punters, I want us to target that in UFA, but we need to grab one of those seven or so worthwhile Ps in UDFA even if we do.
Thanks! I see the value of a guy like Sansenbacher moreso because he is the type of guy Martz seems to cherish. Even if Martz leaves it sounds like he still the kind of clutch WR every team needs. If he can play ST's maybe we replace Davis with him after a year on the PC.
I'm with you on the punters as well. Weatherford could be a UFA target but there must be a few rookies worth looking at if we can't land him.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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I think we do a good job with the PS generally. I hope we can just find a potential stand in here or there and find a ST player. Is Kirkpatrick an option for a PS C?
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Originally Posted by
lklrlolnlilklsox McDaniel, Sanzenbacher and Kirkpatrick interest me. I also wouldn't count us out on Herzlich at all, considering our WLB is wide open as of now and he would be landing in a spot that offers a legit chance to compete, two great mentors/protection for his early career and a coach who has shown he is not afraid of going young on D or count you out because of where you were picked.
Outside of that list I'm high on Mario Fannin, Deunta Williams, Anthony Bratton, Darvin Adams, Martin Parker, Mario Harvey, Darren Evans, Ugo Chinasa, Scott Lutrus, Eric Gordon, Derrell Smith, Pierre Allen and Deandre Brown.
For some reason I liked Lutrus' combine plus he's a LB so he's worth a look.
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
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I want John Clay. He's an absolute battering ram, and if he can be taught how to pick up a blitz, he could be third back we need and we could cut Chester Taylor.
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