Official 2017 UDFA Thread

BobDigital said:

So tell me if I am wrong but the general agreement is 4 or so of these guys as far as we know have a legit shot to really be something. That correct?

With Jacob Hollister-TE, Josh Augusta-DT, Harvey Langi-LB and Jason Thompson-S being the big "gets"?

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The biggest “get“ in my book is David Jones. If he can stay healthy might be the steal of the draft. Projected 3rd round before injury. Still can't believe he's actually here. Amazing character, intelligent player, humble leader, loved by all.

Excellent both in coverage and in the box . If all goes well he could be the true heir of Devin McCourty.

in case you missed it - here a little something on him:

Official 2017 UDFA Thread

Kenneth Sims said:

I like Dwayne Thomas too. He's not the biggest or fastest, but he's a football player. I would not be shocked if he carved out a Logan Ryan like role for himself with the Patriots.

There's going to be a lot of angst on this board come cutdown to 53 day hoping some good players can make it to the practice squad.

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I just started watching the 'Bama/LSU game from last year today with the idea of starting my 2018 research. Two of the first three big defensive plays by LSU were made by Dwayne Thomas.

Edit: Posted this reply before seeing @long distance 's post.

long distance said:

The biggest “get“ in my book is David Jones. If he can stay healthy might be the steal of the draft. Projected 3rd round before injury. Still can't believe he's actually here. Amazing character, intelligent player, humble leader, loved by all.

Excellent both in coverage and in the box . If all goes well he could be the true heir of Devin McCourty.

in case you missed it - here a little something on him:

Official 2017 UDFA Thread

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I hope Jones makes the team. My wife was a prof at Richmond for 30 years. They have a pretty good FCS Division I football program, winning the national championship in 2008.

NormZauchin said:

I hope Jones makes the team. My wife was a prof at Richmond for 30 years. They have a pretty good FCS Division I football program, winning the national championship in 2008.

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If he gets in shape for pre-season I guess it will be very difficult to sneak him to PS (like w Foster, KGH, LeBlanc last year).

One possible scenario would be starting him on PUP, depending on how he's rehab is going . but missing TC would not be good for him + there will be some fierce competition at S and he better enter early..

So, yes, let's hope he makes the 53. FS is stacked w D-Mac and Harmon but I could see Foster scenario for him - since he brings some FS/SS versatility (that Richards didn't fulfil) + return game.

So now we know what they think of Killings



(Foster and J Jones among those last year IIRC)

I wonder why they don't add another round or two with how many UDFAs there always are.

patchick said:

At this point it looks like 5-way battle for the 3rd TE spot: Hollister, Housler, Lengel, O'Shaughnessy, Williams. Anybody want to take a stab at handicapping the race?

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Best chance (roughly equal):

LENGEL, age 26 ... 6077/269 ... 32/vj, 117"/vj, 4.33/ss, 7.26/3c
... Pats' experience ... 2 of 3 tgts/22 yds, 1 TD ... 82 snaps (+36 on ST) in 6 games

O'SHAUGHNESSY, age 25 ... 6042/248 ... 35/vj, 116"/lj, 4.38/ss, 7.20/3c
... NFL experience ... 8 of 12 tgts, 86 yds (long of 30) past 2 seasons in KCY ... elite special teamer

Long shots:

HOLLISTER, age 23 ... 6035/239 ... 36.5/vj, 121"/lj, 4.34/ss, 7.12/3c
... good college receiving production (no idea about his blocking), needs to make the NFL transition

HOUSLER, age 29 ... 6053/248 ... 37/vj, 117"/lj, 4.21/ss, 6.90/3c
... NFL experience ... 105/168, 1133 yds, 1 TD in ARZ (2011-2014), 4 total receptions in 2015 (CHI & CLE), out of football in 2016 (AFAIK)

WILLIAMS, age 27 ... 6056/278 ... 25.5/vj, 96"/lj, 4.90/ss, 8.15/3c (OG-level athleticism)
... Pats' experience ... 3 of 6 tgts/26 yds ... 447 snaps (+ 164 on ST) in 15 games (2015), IR in 2016

Froob said:

I wonder why they don't add another round or two with how many UDFAs there always are.

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Can't sell enough commercials.

UFAWA (Undrafted Free Agents With Attitude)

DJ Foster
DJ Dean
DJ Killings
ft. 2 Kings
and special guest appearance by Max Rich
.

Froob said:

I wonder why they don't add another round or two with how many UDFAs there always are.

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It used to be longer -- I believe the 7-round format dates from 1994. I'm pretty sure that it's the NFLPA that pushes for fewer rounds. In general, a player is better off as a priority UDFA who gets to choose his most promising landing spot than as a 9th-round draft pick.

patchick said:

It used to be longer -- I believe the 7-round format dates from 1994. I'm pretty sure that it's the NFLPA that pushes for fewer rounds. In general, a player is better off as a priority UDFA who gets to choose his most promising landing spot than as a 9th-round draft pick.

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While the number of rounds was more, the actual number of picks (A maximum of 256) has been the same for quite some time..

long distance said:

So now we know what they think of Killings



(Foster and J Jones among those last year IIRC)

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From what I've read, he was the leader of the secondary and the one who broke down film and lined up the other players. Very smart. Our kind of guy.

Which also means some risk to expose him to waivers for PS

long distance said:

Which also means some risk to expose him to waivers for PS

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Very possibly means that Coleman is in trouble..

DaBruinz said:

Very possibly means that Coleman is in trouble..

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Yeah, it would seem that Gilmore, Butler, Rowe, C. Jones are locks. J. Jones could be a freebee as a mostly ST guy. That's like last year (with Gilmore replacing Ryan). That leaves one more and on the face of it Killings will have a really good shot. We'll see how he plays.

Angelpats said:

UDFA have it hard. They have to compete to earn their playing time. Nothing is given. 1st rd picks are given every chance to succeed so it's much harder to get into the HOF as an UDFA than the number one pick.

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Perhaps more frequently than most fans realize, 1st round "ego picks" made by owners or GMs will continue to receive more first-team practice reps and playing time than UDFAs/late-round draftees long after the coaches have realized that the "lower pedigree" player is actually better.

Fortunately for us, BB doesn't work that way.