{"id":66555,"date":"2026-04-27T04:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T08:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=66555"},"modified":"2026-04-27T08:20:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:20:49","slug":"morse-final-patriots-draft-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/04\/27\/morse-final-patriots-draft-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Final Patriots Draft Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picking next to last in the draft is difficult.\u00a0 You have to watch the runs on certain positions somewhat helplessly.\u00a0 Tackle and EDGE positions were positions of need for the Patriots. \u00a0Eliot Wolf and the Patriots staff were the most aggressive I have seen them in decades and moved up in both the 1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup> rounds to get their guys!\u00a0 If the team hadn\u2019t traded up to 28 and jump ahead of Kansas City and San Francisco, I would have taken Jacas at 31 anyway.\u00a0 I never wrote about Caleb Lomu because I never expected him to be available for the Patriots at the back of the Draft and because he played only Left Tackle.<\/p>\n

Carter Bahns of CBS Sports really liked the Patriots’ draft and gave it an A- grade, the best in the Division.\u00a0 \u201cMight this draft be a sign of things to come for Will Campbell? Just one year after the Patriots selected him No. 4 overall, they took a left tackle in the first round and another one in the sixth (actually, Crownover is a Right Tackle). Campbell struggled at times as a rookie, especially in the playoffs, and now that Lomu is in the picture, the Patriots could move him inside to a guard spot. At the same time, the Lomu pick might have nothing to do with Campbell at all. Morgan Moses is 35 and likely not long for the starting job at right tackle, and Lomu could simply be his successor.\u201d<\/p>\n

TRADE UP with Buffalo for 1-28 and 4-125 (Skyler Bell).\u00a0 Buffalo trades pick 28 and takes TJ Parker.<\/p>\n

1-28 Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah<\/strong> – I called Lomu\u2019s selection questionable because it opens up a new discussion of Will Campbell\u2019s ability to play Left Tackle.\u00a0 I never scouted Lomu because he was a Left Tackle.\u00a0 There is no guarantee that Lomu can switch to Right Tackle either.\u00a0 Eliot Wolf stated that they worked out Lomu on the right side, and they were satisfied. \u00a0\u00a0Turns out that Lomu is a pretty good Left Tackle with one exception.\u00a0 He is not mean enough.\u00a0 When I first saw his interview after being selected, I thought he was in Jr High.\u00a0 I was impressed by how well spoken Lomu is.\u00a0 Lomu is just 21 years old and should be able to get a red-shirt year behind Morgan Moses, and is a very good depth piece. \u00a0They have a potential true swing tackle.\u00a0 Draft Grade A<\/p>\n

TRADE UP with Los Angeles Chargers for 2-55, giving up 2-63, 4-131, and 6-202<\/p>\n

2-55 Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois<\/strong> – Gabe Jacas is Todd McShay\u2019s favorite player in the draft.\u00a0 McShay posted a video extolling the virtues of Jacas as a nasty NFL player.\u00a0 I particularly loved the trade-up for Gabe Jacas. \u00a0\u00a0When looking at the draft after round 1, I wrote down 10 names of EDGE players according to Dane Brugler, who could go in Round 2.\u00a0 The way the EDGE players were flying off the board in the 2nd<\/sup> round, I was hoping the Patriots would muse some of their Draft Capital and move up. I had targeted the pick around 50 to get the trade done, and lo and behold, the Patriots did it.\u00a0 I was banging the table when they made the trade, and I was so excited to grab Jacas.\u00a0 Jacas’ position coach at Illinois was former Patriots DE coach Joe Kim.\u00a0 Jacas has the size, speed, and overall nastiness to be a 3-down dominating EDGE.\u00a0\u00a0 He will have the opportunity to contribute at least on 3rd<\/sup> down and be an insurance policy for Harold Landry should he not be able to recover from his knee injury. \u00a0Draft Grade A+<\/p>\n

3-95 Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame<\/strong> \u00a0\u2013 This from Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAn assistant coach I know well strongly disagreed with his placement (in Giardi\u2019s TE Rankings), texting, \u201cAt worst, he\u2019s the third-best tight end in the class,\u201d then added, \u201cIf you can\u2019t find a way to make this kid part of your offense and get more out of him, you shouldn\u2019t be coaching offense.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Raridon has huge hands (10.68\u201d) and a big catch radius (79.68\u201d) to go along with 4.62 speed, which shows that Raridon\u2019s upside in the Pros is higher than what he achieved at Notre Dame.\u00a0 The 40 time should answer any lingering questions about Raridon\u2019s two ACL surgeries. \u00a0\u00a0Those happened in high school and as a freshman in college.\u00a0 He played two full seasons in 2024 and 2025.\u00a0 The way the board had been played, there was a run on TEs in the 2nd and 3rd<\/sup> rounds.\u00a0 The Patriots couldn\u2019t move up again and were forced to stick and pick at 95.\u00a0 Raridon was a bit of a reach, but that was due to the fact that the Patriots had no 4th round picks left after the two trade-ups in rounds one and two.\u00a0 There was also an early run on TEs, which forced them to take Paridon early.\u00a0 Dane Brugler had him as his #9 TE and a 4th<\/sup> round projected selection.<\/p>\n

I know that Nick Cattles of Locked On Patriots Podcast<\/em> is ecstatic about the selection of Raridon.\u00a0 He selected Raridon in his final Mock Draft broadcast last week in the 3rd<\/sup> round.\u00a0 Being a Golden Domer fan, Cattles was pumping his tires all week leading up to the draft.<\/p>\n

Eliot Wolf said about Raridon\u2019s injury history of two ACL tears on the same leg, \u201cthe Pats medical staff checked him at the combine and again on his 30 visit, and no red flags were raised.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mel Kiper had this to say about Raridon.\u00a0 \u201c(Raridon) was another one of my guys this year. He has a big 6-foot-6 frame and can make plays down the field. It was probably a round early on him, but considering the other much-worse reaches on tight ends on Day 2, I’m OK with this move, especially since it helps Maye.\u201d\u00a0 Draft Grade B+<\/p>\n

I felt that the Patriots punted on Day 3.<\/strong>\u00a0 They selected players who would be replacements for Special Teams for the Special Teams snaps they lost when they allowed players to walk.<\/p>\n

\"Karon<\/p>\n
(PHOTO: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

5-17 Karon Prunty, CB, Wake Forest<\/strong> \u2013 The Patriots had thought they had found themselves a gem and a potential special-teams ace.\u00a0 \u00a0They even brought Prunty in for a Top 30 visit.\u00a0 Then they discovered that they had competition for Prunty (Green Bay 30-visit), and they panicked and took Prunty at the end of the 5th<\/sup> round.\u00a0 I discovered that Patriots Defensive Cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton recruited Prunty out of High School when he was Director of Player Personnel-Defense at Virginia Tech.<\/p>\n

Prunty also has some skill as a pass defender, too.\u00a0 His stats for 2025 were 40 Tackles 1 INT and 8 PBUs.\u00a0 \u00a0Draft Grade D<\/p>\n

TADE 6-191 to JAX for 6-196 and 7-245<\/p>\n

6-196\u00a0 Dametrious Crownover, RT, Texas A&M<\/strong> \u2013 According to Chad Graff of the Athletic, \u201cthe Patriots take a fun swing in the sixth round, taking a flier on an offensive tackle with off-the-charts length who will need time to improve.<\/p>\n

Even though they chose an offensive tackle in the first round last year (Will Campbell) and again this year (Caleb Lomu), they still took Crownover with the hope that they might be able to develop his traits.<\/p>\n

Crownover projects as the team\u2019s No. 4 offensive tackle, so he probably won\u2019t have to play this season. But it\u2019s hard not to think about what could be with an offensive lineman with an 86-inch wingspan who ran a 5.14-second 40-yard dash at 319 pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dane Brugler\u2019s analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n

With his large frame and humongous wingspan, Crownover looks the part of an NFL tackle and has adequate movement ability and strength. He displays twitch out of his stance to get into position in pass pro or drive defenders from their spot as a run blocker, specializing on inside zone. However, his upright hips and erratic hands quickly cause problems, and his recovery skills aren\u2019t yet on an NFL level.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t care what you say, where there is smoke, there is fire!\u00a0 Selecting a mammoth Right Tackle that could replace Moses Morgan in a year, while also taking a Left Tackle in the 1st<\/sup> round tells me that Will Campbell could be moving inside to Left Guard.\u00a0 The Patriots have covered themselves if Mike Onwenu is injured or walks after becoming an Unrestricted Free Agent after the conclusion of the 2026 season.\u00a0 They can move Elijah Vera-Tucker to Right Guard, Campbell to Left Guard and Lomu to Left Tackle.\u00a0 Crownover is an older player at 25-years old.\u00a0 Draft Grade A+<\/p>\n

TRADE 6-198 to MIN for 7-234 and 2027 6th<\/p>\n

\"Behren<\/p>\n
(PHOTO: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

6-212 Namdi Obiazor, LB, TCU <\/strong>\u2013 The Pats finally take a Linebacker.\u00a0 Obiazor is athletic and can play inside despite being 6\u20192.6\u201d, 229-pounds.\u00a0 He runs an excellent 4.53 40-yard dash and has large 101\/2<\/sup>\u201d Hands.\u00a0 \u00a0While at TCU for 4 years, he had 40 starts and is a little older (24), having spent 6 years in college.\u00a0 \u00a0 For the past three seasons, he has had over 80 tackles in each season while starting all those games in the three seasons.\u00a0 A former Safety turned LB.\u00a0 He has the speed to blanket TEs in coverage.\u00a0 His biggest contribution will be on Special Teams.\u00a0 Draft Grade C<\/p>\n

7-234 Behren Morton, QB, Texas Tech<\/strong> \u2013 Why did we take this QB?\u00a0 I was worried when I learned they had brought him in for a 30-visit.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t see what the Patriots brass saw.\u00a0 There were, IMHO, better QBs available before they took him.\u00a0 Morton could have been a UDFA signing.\u00a0 Dane Brugler had Morton as the #19 QB in this awful QB Draft Class.\u00a0 His projection was for Morton to sign as a UDFA.\u00a0 He is barely over 6\u20192\u201d and 218 pounds and can\u2019t run (4.89 40).\u00a0 Very productive in his 5 years at Texas Tech.\u00a0 He led them to a 26-10 record as a starter.\u00a0 Threw for 8.989 yards in his career with 71\/28 TD\/INT ratio.\u00a0 Although he did not have a good playoff game, he led the Red Raiders with a 22-4 TD ratio and 66% completion percentage in his final year.\u00a0 Morton was a two-time captain and was described as a natural leader.\u00a0 Three-time Honorable Mention in the Big 12.\u00a0 \u00a0His RAS was an awful 5.40.\u00a0 Draft Grade F<\/p>\n

7-245 Jam Miller, RB, Alabama<\/strong> \u2013 Dane Brugler said, \u201cMiller has the build and athleticism to be a reliable one-cut runner, but he must improve as a receiver and blocker to see quality NFL playing time. Scouts are bullish about his potential on special teams, which will help separate him on a roster.\u201d\u00a0 Another Special Teams player.\u00a0 He can\u2019t do much worse than the duo we shoved out there in the Super Bowl.\u00a0 D\u2019Ernest Johnson and Efton Chism were the slowest pair in the entire league.\u00a0 They should have kept pick #198 and taken Eli Heidenreich.\u00a0 If Miller is just going to be a return man, then Heidenreich could have done that as well as being a backup RB and Slot Receiver.\u00a0 Heidenreich is faster and has an outstanding 6.55 3-cone drill.\u00a0 Major mistake and another wasted pick. Draft Grade F<\/p>\n

7-247 Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE, Boston College<\/strong> – \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t know what they saw in Hutchins.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t do anything well.\u00a0 He has special teams production and also played TE for a season at BC.\u00a0 He will be in a fight with Bradyn Swinson for a spot on the roster.\u00a0 They should have taken Michael Heldman instead.\u00a0 \u00a0They should have drafted a punter like Brett Thorson.\u00a0 Draft Grade F<\/p>\n

Day Three was a disaster as far as I was concerned.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t adequately address the needs at Safety, Guard, or Punter.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t like their choice at Running Back.\u00a0 The Linebacker appears to be a Special Teams only player.\u00a0 Why would you draft a mammoth Right Tackle if you had just selected a player with your 1st<\/sup> pick to play Right Tackle?\u00a0 \u00a0The disaster of Day 3 shouldn\u2019t take away from what they did in the first two days.\u00a0 \u00a0I would have taken a shot at Uah Bernard, the freak athlete from the International Pathway Program, who has never actually played football.\u00a0 Philadelphia took the chance and picked him at 251.<\/p>\n

\"Will<\/p>\n
(PHOTO: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Vrabel Away at Counseling on Day Three<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> spent Saturday at the 2026 NFL Draft making trades and selecting six players, but head coach Mike Vrabel was not in communication with the team, according to Eliot Wolf.\u00a0 He stated they had no contact with Vrabel throughout the day. They spent time the night before mapping out a strategy.<\/p>\n

Relative Athletic Score (RAS) <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Caleb Lomu\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.90<\/p>\n

Gabe Jacas\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.59<\/p>\n

Eli Raridon\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.46<\/p>\n

Karon Prunty\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.66<\/p>\n

Dametrious Crownover\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7.67<\/p>\n

Namdi Obiazor\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.13<\/p>\n

Behrens Morton\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5.40<\/p>\n

Jam Miller \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7.17<\/p>\n

Quintayvious Hutchins\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5.15<\/p>\n

Overall, the Patriots had the #22 of 32 teams’ RAS scores.\u00a0 The top 4 picks were good, but the Day Three picks dropped the ranking significantly.<\/p>\n

Draft Grades <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Draft grades are mixed but generally positive.\u00a0 I have seen a B+, A-, B+, and a B.\u00a0 So generally, a B\/B+ average.\u00a0 The 1st<\/sup> three picks were outstanding, but the disaster of Day Three brought the overall grade down.<\/p>\n

Patriots Rookie Camp <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Patriots will bring their rookie class, Undrafted Free Agents, and select invited tryout players in for a Rookie Mini Camp on May 8-10.\u00a0 The Patriots have 90 players on their roster, but one player, OL Lorenz Metz, is their International Pathways Program player, and he carries a roster exemption.\u00a0 This means they have one roster spot available.\u00a0 The Patriots like to have this spot available as an incentive for those players who are trying out for the team.<\/p>\n

Patriots UnDrafted Free Agent Signings (10)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jacob Rizy, OG, Florida State<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rizy is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman with local ties. He started his collegiate career at Harvard. He transferred to Florida State in 2024. Rizy made starts at left guard, right guard, center, and right tackle.<\/p>\n

Kyle Dixon, WR, Culver-Stockton<\/strong><\/p>\n

A small-school prospect, Dixon is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound outside receiver. He caught 83 passes for 1,282 yards with 12 touchdowns last season. Dixon finished with 143 receptions, 2,394 yards, and 24 touchdowns over the last two seasons at the NAIA level. \u00a0\u00a0At Mizzou pro day, Dixon ran a 4.50 40-yard dash, 40.5 Vertical Jump, and 10\u2019 11\u201d Broad Jump.<\/p>\n

Dixon is signing with the Patriots on a deal worth $252,500 in guarantees. The guaranteed contract is highly unusual for a player who has never played above the NAIA level.<\/p>\n

Channing Canada, CB, TCU<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 6-foot-1 cornerback, Canada started every game for TCU last season. He finished with 30 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup. He earned First-Team Academic All-Big 12 honors in 2023. Canada ran a 4.36 40 at the TCU Pro Day.<\/p>\n

Nick DeGennaro, WR, James Madison<\/strong><\/p>\n

DeGennaro is a 6-foot, 190-pound receiver who caught 28 passes for 500 yards with five touchdowns last season. He started his career at Maryland. In 2024, he transferred to Richmond, where he caught 40 passes for 576 yards and four touchdowns. He ran a 4.40 40-yard dash, 4.22 Short Shuttle and a 6.99 3-cone drill at his Pro Day.\u00a0 His 4.22 SS would have been the 9th-best overall and the 3rd-best amongst WRs at the combine.<\/p>\n

Myles Montgomery, RB, Central Florida<\/strong><\/p>\n

Montgomery is a 5\u2019 9.7\u201d, 205-pound running back who was productive last season for Central Florida. A team captain, he ran for 705 yards, 4.9 YPC, with four touchdowns. He also added 17 catches for 182 yards.\u00a0 At his Pro Day, he ran a 4.44 40- yard dash and a 4.25 SS.\u00a0 Started his career at Cincinnati for three years before transferring to UCF for his last two.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t play until his 5th<\/sup> and final year.<\/p>\n

Cameron Dorner, WR, North Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dorner is a 6\u20190.6, 188-pound receiver who finished with 50 catches, 845 yards, and six touchdowns. He earned Third Team All-American Conference honors. Dorner spent his first three seasons at Division II Shepard University. \u00a0\u00a0Dorner ran a 4.57 40-yard dash and a 6.96 3-Cone drill at his Pro Day.<\/p>\n

Tanner Arkin, TE, Illinois<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arkin is a 6-foot-4, 265-pound tight end who started the last two seasons for Illinois. A two-time team captain, he caught 13 passes for 144 yards last year. Arkin ran a very slow 4.88 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.<\/p>\n

David Blay, DT, Miami <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Patriots dip into their Miami connections to add a nose tackle, who comes in a different shape than Khyiris Tonga as more of a penetrator. The 6\u2019.23\u201d, 292-pound DT ran a 5.07 40- yard dash and put up 27 reps on the Bench Press at his Pro Day.\u00a0 Blay was an All-ACC Honorable Mention for his one season at Miami.\u00a0 He started his career at Division II West Chester and then transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he was selected 1st Team All-Conference USA.\u00a0 Dane Brugler had this to say. \u201cBlay needs to be more purposeful with his hands in all phases, but his short-area quickness could land him in an NFL rotation after time on the practice squad. \u201c<\/p>\n

Kenneth Harris, CB, Oklahoma State <\/strong><\/p>\n

A sixth-year senior, Harris has spent some time at safety over his collegiate career at both Arkansas State and Oklahoma State.\u00a0 The 5\u2019 11.6\u201d, 192-pound DB ran a 4.45 40 at his Pro Day and an impressive 9.41 RAS, which is 182 out of 3069 CB from 1987 to 2026.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Kibble WR Georgetown <\/strong><\/p>\n

A team captain for the Hoyas last season, Kibble had a career year with 63 receptions, 1,002 yards, and four touchdowns. The 6\u2019.04\u201d 199-pound, 4.45 40-yard dash receiver finished his Georgetown career fourth in program history with 2593 career receiving yards.<\/p>\n

Rookie Camp Invite<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Korey Foreman, edge rusher, Fresno State\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Fresno State announced that Foreman has been invited to attend the Patriots’ rookie minicamp. Foreman\u2019s a 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher who had 20 tackles and three sacks last season. In 2021, Foreman was a 5-star recruit and ranked No. 3 in the nation by ESPN. He signed with USC, spending three seasons there.\u00a0 Foreman ran a 4.82 40-yard dash, but plays faster than timed speed.<\/p>\n

Jordan Kwiatkowski LB Central Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n

A two-time All-MAC selection, Kwiatkowski played in 47 games with 25 starts for the Chippewas. The 6\u20190.3\u201d, 229-pounder registered 255 tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles during his college career.\u00a0 Kwiatkowski is slow, running a 4.84 40-yard dash.\u00a0 However, he did a 6.98 3-Cone drill (quickness and change of direction), which is amazing compared to the 40.\u00a0 Anything under 7 for receivers and backs is good.<\/p>\n

This is not an outstanding UDFA class like last year\u2019s class was. \u00a0Last year, there were 5 UDFAs who could have made the team.\u00a0 \u00a0This is a different year, and the roster is much better than it was a year ago.\u00a0 It appears that the Patriots used their three 7th-round picks on players they would have signed as UDFAs, but selected them in the Draft rather than have to compete for their services with other teams as UDFAs.<\/p>\n

Last season, they kept two UDFA on the Opening Day Roster (Elijah Ponder and Efton Chism).\u00a0 They picked up UDFA Corey Burden at cutdown day, and he remained on the 53- man roster all season.\u00a0 Lan Larison and Brock Lampe were UDFAs who had a good chance of making the team but were put on IR during Training Camp and lost for the year.\u00a0 CJ Dippre, Mehki Butler, Jeremiah Webb, and Brandon Crossley were waived at Cutdown Day and signed to the Practice Squad.\u00a0 Dippre was elevated and signed to the 53-man roster during the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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