Who's this year's UDFA on the 53?

[patchick]

Every year, a UDFA makes the Patriots roster straight out of camp:

2010: Fletcher, Love
2009: Hoyer
2008: Guyton
2007: Gutierrez
2006: Woods
2005: Wright
2004: Gay

It seems like the early leader for 2011 is the massive TE Will Yeatman. Can any camp observers suggest other candidates to keep an eye on?

 

[crowell33]

This guy:

As always, Rutgers DE Alex Silvestro does whatever it takes | NJ.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKEf2p4w_PY

 

[Sciz]

Tarpinian!

 

[jah]

Love also made it in 2010. I say Tarpinian and maybe Yeatman.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Not to burst anyones bubble but with the amount of draft picks and free agents along with the shortened off season I dont see any UDFA making the 53 out of camp.

 

[sbpatfan]

Not to burst anyones bubble but with the amount of draft picks and free agents along with the shortened off season I dont see any UDFA making the 53 out of camp.

I feel the same way. Although, maybe that opinion will change after seeing some preseason games. But at this point, there has been very little information on he UDFAs. All the reporters want to talk about is Al and Ocho.

 

[BritPat]

There's a lot of stuff on Yeatman, if you care to look. He's wowing everybody.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

A bit of Debbie Downer but usually somebody gets injured and an unexpected opening arises for a UDFA especially if he can play STs now while developing

 

[Froob]

There's a lot of stuff on Yeatman, if you care to look. He's wowing everybody.

Is lee smiths spot in jeropardy then or will they keep 4?

 

[captain stone]

Who's this year's UDFA on the 53?

Whichever DE/OLB produces the best.

I wish I could say the same about a C/G, but we don't have anybody there worth keeping.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Is lee smiths spot in jeropardy then or will they keep 4?

I thought they would keep four [GRONK, Hernandez, Crumpler, Smith]; I still think they'll keep four, with Yeatman in place of Crumpler.

 

[Mark Morse]

Its going to be awfully difficult for an UDFA to make the 53 man roster out of camp. No rookie camp, no OTA's.

I don't see any chance that Yeatman makes it. I'm not even sure Lee Smith will make the team. They may decide to keep Manieri who was a TE at Pitt until last year when he made the switch to OT. Remember Solder switched from TE to OT so he too could be the 3rd TE.

Tarpinian will have to beat out Tracy White as that designated ST player.

Silvestro, from reports I have read has been impresive. He would need to beat out Mark Anderson as the "pass rusher".

The best chance they have is making the Practice Squad and getting called up during the season like Sergio Brown did last year.

 

[Off The Grid]

Not to burst anyones bubble but with the amount of draft picks and free agents along with the shortened off season I dont see any UDFA making the 53 out of camp.

Don't worry, Jeff. Despite your arrogant belief that you can "burst anyone's bubble", there's actually precious little chance of anyone of sound being discouraged by your testimony.

Your Lebronesque narcissism ~ ~ aside, you present a very valid Argument, though I don't, personally, see it that way.

***

My man is Yeatman, of course.

 

[patchick]

Its going to be awfully difficult for an UDFA to make the 53 man roster out of camp. No rookie camp, no OTA's.

I don't see any chance that Yeatman makes it. I'm not even sure Lee Smith will make the team. They may decide to keep Manieri who was a TE at Pitt until last year when he made the switch to OT. Remember Solder switched from TE to OT so he too could be the 3rd TE.

...

The best chance they have is making the Practice Squad and getting called up during the season like Sergio Brown did last year.

I think Yeatman has a real shot. IFAIK Maneri hasn't played a snap at TE with the Patriots, and Solder has his hands full training for LT without practicing at TE. If Yeatman outplays Smith (which early reports suggest is possible) his path is clear. Or they could carry 4 with just 4 RBs.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

I would say any DE. We need them!!

 

[PatsCanDoIt]

I think Corey Woods should have a good opportunity. I have heard good reports about Silvestro and Yeatman. I'd like to see what Clay Nurse can do as well.

 

[patchick]

Love also made it in 2010.

Thanks, will edit.

 

[Urgent]

I don't think Yeatman will end at TE, but who knows. I'd guess PS and try to convert to T. Lee Smith offers more upside as blocking TE.

I'd guess DE/OLB Aaron Lavarius, who can play the Tracy White role on ST while competing for a third-down rusher role.

 

[jah]

Another addition for the list in 2008 was BJGE. Sergio Brown for 2010 (but I don't know if he made the initial 53).

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Another addition for the list in 2008 was BJGE. Sergio Brown for 2010 (but I don't know if he made the initial 53).

He didn't, but the Patriots definitely wanted him (they gave him >$10K for a signing bonus). They got him on the PS, boosted his PS salary to $250K, and then signed him to the 53 in October on a four-year(!) deal that included escalators in the fourth year.