Pats All-Undrafted Team and the NFL All-Undrafted Team

[shatch62]

Was thinking about how important the draft is and my mind shifted to players that were not drafted but are major contributors to their teams. On the Pats alone I can name Welker, Neal, Guyton, Wright, Bodden and McGowan just off the top of my head. While all of these guys are not on Welkers talent level they all are starters (or at least spot starters). Made me wonder about other teams and was shocked to see some of the name that went undrafted. Here is a partial list of 'good' undrafted players.

QB: Tony Romo (Dal), Kurt Warner (Ari)
RB: Ryan Grant (GB), Fred Jackson (Buf), Pierre Thomas (NO)
WR: Wes Welker (NE), Miles Austin (Dal), Davone Bess (Mia)
TE: Antonio Gates (SD)
OT: Jason Peters (Phi), Tyler Polumbus(Den)
G: Brian Waters (KC), Stephen Neal (NE)
C: Jeff Saturday (Ind), Shaun O'hara (NYG)

DE: Adewale Ogunleye (Chi), Juqua Parker (Phi), Cullen Jenkins (GB)
DT: Pat Williams (Min), Mike Wright (NE), Tony Brown (Ten)
OLB: James Harrison (Pit) Cameron Wake (Mia)
ILB: Bart Scott (NYJ), Gary Guyton (NE), David Hawthorne (Sea)
MLB: London Fletcher (Was), Antonio Pierce (NYG)
CB: Leigh Bodden (NE), Jabari Greer (NO)
S: Brandon McGowan (NE), Ryan Clark (Pit) Atari Bigby, GB
K: Dave Akers (Phi)
P: Ben Graham (Ari)
RS: Josh Cribbs (Cle)

That all undrafted team should win 11-12 games on talent alone. Makes you wonder what the hell scouts are looking for when they draft.

 

[BritPat]

Re: Pats All Undrafted Team and the NFL All Undrafted Team

Was thinking about how important the draft is and my mind shifted to players that were not drafted but are major contributors to their teams. On the Pats alone I can name Welker, Neal, Guyton, Wright, Bodden and McGowan just off the top of my head. While all of these guys are not on Welkers talent level they all are starters (or at least spot starters). Made me wonder about other teams and was shocked to see some of the name that went undrafted. Here is a partial list of 'good' undrafted players.

QB: Tony Romo (Dal), Kurt Warner (Ari)
RB: Ryan Grant (GB), Fred Jackson (Buf), Pierre Thomas (NO)
WR: Wes Welker (NE), Miles Austin (Dal), Davone Bess (Mia)
TE: Antonio Gates (SD)
OT: Jason Peters (Phi), Tyler Polumbus(Den)
G: Brian Waters (KC), Stephen Neal (NE)
C: Jeff Saturday (Ind), Shaun O'hara (NYG)

DE: Adewale Ogunleye (Chi), Juqua Parker (Phi), Cullen Jenkins (GB)
DT: Pat Williams (Min), Mike Wright (NE), Tony Brown (Ten)
OLB: James Harrison (Pit) Cameron Wake (Mia)
ILB: Bart Scott (NYJ), Gary Guyton (NE), David Hawthorne (Sea)
MLB: London Fletcher (Was), Antonio Pierce (NYG)
CB: Leigh Bodden (NE), Jabari Greer (NO)
S: Brandon McGowan (NE), Ryan Clark (Pit) Atari Bigby, GB
K: Dave Akers (Phi)
P: Ben Graham (Ari)
RS: Josh Cribbs (Cle)

That all undrafted team should win 11-12 games on talent alone. Makes you wonder what the hell scouts are looking for when they draft.

To be fair, scouts can't predict things like injuries, and nor can they get a true picture of the guy's mental outlook. He might say he's a hard worker - is he? How much fire in his belly does he have? Plus we still place too much stock on measurables.

Then the most important thing is the coaching - nearly all of those guys have landed on teams that have been good or very good - coaching can make a hell of a difference. If a guy lands in a bad situation with bad coaches, chances are he will do nothing.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

Re: Pats All Undrafted Team and the NFL All Undrafted Team

everyone knows it's a lottery and the college and pro games are quite different, history has shown it is hard to project talent.

 

[DarrylS]

Re: Pats All Undrafted Team and the NFL All Undrafted Team

I think 23 of our 53 are UDFA....

 

[baller90]

11-12 wins? That team would be super bowl favorites and would have a chance to go undefeated. You have Pro-Bowl caliber players at nearly every posistion. Thats amazing all those guys weren't cosidered good enough to be picked even late in the 7th round.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Gates/Harrison/Cribbs are all from Kent State. Maybe it's WHERE they are scouting.

Edelmann is also from Kent State.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gates/Harrison/Cribbs are all from Kent State. Maybe it's WHERE they are scouting.

Edelmann is also from Kent State.

And, as much as he may be despised, so is Dean Pees, so it's not exactly surprising that the HC of Kent State called up Pees and said, "You have to take a look at this kid." The Pats did, and fell in love with him.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

And, as much as he may be despised, so is Dean Pees, so it's not exactly surprising that the HC of Kent State called up Pees and said, "You have to take a look at this kid." The Pats did, and fell in love with him.

What's also interesting with this list is the number of "projects". Harrison played several years as a special teamer before his chance. Welker/Romo were projects. Gates was a bb player/ Neal a westler and Peters a TE in college.

Player development has evolved and not totally for the best.

 

[DaBruinz]

Not sure how you have Akers on that list and not the Pats former kicker..Adam something or other...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Not sure how you have Akers on that list and not the Pats former kicker..Adam something or other...

Because I don't think you want Vinatieri kicking today.