How Many UDFAs Will Make the Roster?

[mayoclinic]

The Pats have a tradition of UDFA rookies making the roster, and often contributing significantly. Mike Wright, Pierre Woods, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Dane Fletcher, Kyle Love. Right now it seems to me that 4 UDFA rookies are in serious competition for roster spots:

- RB/KR Jeff Demps
- RB Brandon Bolden
- DT/DE Marcus Forston
- DE Justin Francis

Demps has gotten the most publicity recently, and Bolden has surprised so far with his burst, explosiveness and receiving skills. But the defensive rookies have also looked good. Pro Football Weekly recently gave a shout out to Forston and Francis:

ProFootballWeekly.com - Francis, Forston playing well in Pats camp

How many of these guys do you see making the "final 53"? Are there any other UDFAs likely to crack the list?

 

[Matthew Jones]

Demps seems like a lock, and Bolden seems to have a fair shot as well. At this point I would be surprised to see Marcus Forston or Justin Francis on the final 53-man roster. Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, and Jonathan Fanene are locks at defensive tackle, and Forston is probably behind Ron Brace, Brandon Deaderick, and Gerard Warren. The Patriots will probably have to cut at least one or two tackles; right now my bet would be Warren because of his age/practices missed due to injury. Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, and Jake Bequette are locks at defensive end; Trevor Scott also played well last week. Scott and Jermaine Cunningham were noticeably more athletic than Francis. I could see either or both of those two players landing on the practice squad.

 

[mayoclinic]

At this point I would be surprised to see Marcus Forston or Justin Francis on the final 53-man roster. Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, and Jonathan Fanene are locks at defensive tackle, and Forston is probably behind Ron Brace, Brandon Deaderick, and Gerard Warren. The Patriots will probably have to cut at least one or two tackles; right now my bet would be Warren because of his age/practices missed due to injury. Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, and Jake Bequette are locks at defensive end; Trevor Scott also played well last week. Scott and Jermaine Cunningham were noticeably more athletic than Francis. I could see either or both of those two players landing on the practice squad.

Forston is definitely behind Deaderick. But I could make an argument that his ceiling is higher than Brace or Warren's right now, and that he could stick as a 5th or 6th DT/DE, especially if Pryor starts the year on PUP. I thought that Forston might be a long-term successor to Pryor as a pass-rushing interior lineman when the Pats signed him. If Pryor came back after week 6 Forston would still be eligible for the PS. Not a given by any means, but it wouldn't shock me.

As for Francis, I think he's clearly behind Cunningham right now. As with Forston, the question is whether the team keeps a 5th DE/OLB. With Andre Carter looking less and less likely (and PUP being more likely even if he is signed), it would come down to Francis vs. Scott. I'm not sure how that one would play out right now.

As you say, I could see either or both guy landing on the PS, and I would be fine with that. But it wouldn't completely shock me if one or both snuck on to the roster.

 

[captain stone]

As of now, I vote for Demps & Ebner. Bolden may now be on the outside because of Demps;
and Francis may need an injury or 2 to make the 53.

 

[TyronePoole]

Ebner's not a UDFA

 

[UK_Pat37]

Demps seems like a lock, and Bolden seems to have a fair shot as well. At this point I would be surprised to see Marcus Forston or Justin Francis on the final 53-man roster. Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, and Jonathan Fanene are locks at defensive tackle, and Forston is probably behind Ron Brace, Brandon Deaderick, and Gerard Warren. The Patriots will probably have to cut at least one or two tackles; right now my bet would be Warren because of his age/practices missed due to injury. Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, and Jake Bequette are locks at defensive end; Trevor Scott also played well last week. Scott and Jermaine Cunningham were noticeably more athletic than Francis. I could see either or both of those two players landing on the practice squad.

What is it with People assuming that Jeff Demps is a lock????

He doesn't really seem like anything right now. We haven't seen him practice and we haven't seen him play in a game. He's currently very underweight and he needs to pile on a good 10lbs. at least.

What I think we can assume is there isn't room on the roster for him and Woodhead. They're one and the same. It would be a complete waste of a roster spot to have both. Woodhead gets the nod for me over Demps naturally but if we take both, I'll be sorely disappointed.

I would rather take one of those two and Bolden to compliment Ridley and Vereen. I personally have projected three RBs and a FB for now with Bolden missing out until he flashes more than what he showed us against the Saints.

I may have to take the FB out though given we don't have any practicing! If Fells can now stay healthy and perform he will take up that spot up soon enough.

For me the only two who significantly stand a chance are Bolden and Francis...and Francis didn't impress me a great deal against the Saints so I want to see more of him.

 

[strngplyr]

Demps' partner in crime down at Florida got knocked off the field on his first play against Indy tonight.

 

[fester]

What is it with People assuming that Jeff Demps is a lock????

He doesn't really seem like anything right now. We haven't seen him practice and we haven't seen him play in a game. He's currently very underweight and he needs to pile on a good 10lbs. at least.

What I think we can assume is there isn't room on the roster for him and Woodhead. They're one and the same. It would be a complete waste of a roster spot to have both. Woodhead gets the nod for me over Demps naturally but if we take both, I'll be sorely disappointed.

What Demps offers that Woodhead does not is world class speed that has translated to the football field. Woodhead is fast, but compared to the rest of the NFL, not amazingly faster than his peers. Demps has the chance to be the fastest guy on the field by several percentage points.

And we have seen Belicheck take chances on pure, raw speed (Bethel Johnson, Chad Jackson) every now and then even if the only value he gets from that raw speed is in the kick-off return game.

On the other hand, Woodhead can block, he can take a hit, and he knows the offense and has trust with Brady built up. If it is a choose 1, I'm putting my money on Woodhead, but I don't think Demps is initially competing against Woodhead for a spot. I think he is competing against the ST only guys for a spot.