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For 256 young men, their dream has finally come true--to be drafted and admitted into the exclusive club of NFL players! Alas, countless others sadly did not hear their name called over the three-day event. Disheartening as it may be, plenty of undrafted players have made big impacts in years past. Need me to jog your memory? How about the likes of Kurt Warner, James Harrison, Victor Cruz, and Wes Welker, just to name a few great players that started from the bottom. So, who’s next?
In this article we are going to break down six players, three running backs and three wide receivers that didn’t hear their name called that could make a big impact during the season.
These longshots all have their reasons why they weren’t drafted. That’s behind us all. Today we are going to talk about their skill sets and what they bring to an NFL roster. Some of the higher quality players that went undrafted have already been scooped up by savvy GMs, so for those already on teams I will include their NFL team and the players above them on the depth chart. Without further ado, let's give the leftovers a little love.
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Running Backs
Josh Adams, Notre Dame: signed by the Philadelphia Eagles
In his last season for the Irish, Adams amassed 1,430 yards and nine TD on 206 carries and added 13 receptions for 101 yards. At 6’2", 213 lbs he is a load! He has good speed once he reaches the second level or has a “runway” to take off from. This most likely will not translate to the NFL well, as holes tend to close much faster than college. Adams fell seven yards short of the Notre Dame single season rushing record. He is excellent in pass protection and offers little as a pass catcher. He looks to be a 1st and 2nd down bruiser who will see most of his work inside the five yard line.
1.) Jay Ajayi, 2.) Corey Clement, 3.) Darren Sproles, 4.) Wendell Smallwood, 5.) Josh Adams.
Bottom line: The Eagles like to utilize ALL of their tailbacks. The potential for a Blount-type short yardage specialist role is high.
Akrum Wadley, Iowa: signed by the Tennessee Titans
Probably someone who should have been drafted. Akrum Wadley is today's 3rd down back, he’s 5’10 194 lbs electric in the open field, and has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield or in the slot. In his tenure at Iowa, Wadley accrued 2872 yards rushing and 28 rushing TD’s on 536 attempts for an average of 5.4 YPC. Accompanied by 761 yards receiving with seven touchdowns, by way of the pass on 71 receptions averaging almost 11 yards per catch! He doesn’t have the body type to be a 1st-2nd down guy--that’s not who he is. Guys like Dion Lewis, Duke Johnson and Chris Thompson all have had fine careers playing Wadley’s game; he will find a roster.
1.) Derrick Henry 2.) Dion Lewis 3.) Khalfani Muhammad 4.) Akrum Wadley.
Bottom line: He has the perfect mentor in Dion Lewis to show him how to find success in this league. Likely will not see the field right away on offense without an injury to Lewis or Henry. Potential as a kick/punt returner is possible be aware in leagues that offer point for return yards.
Phillip Lindsay, Colorado: signed by the Denver Broncos
5’8 190lbs plays like he weighs 20 lbs heavier and he has avoided injury since high school. He ran 4.39 at his pro day and amassed a staggering 4,859 scrimmage yards in his time at CU. Also, he is the only player in the program's history to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Played well at the East-West shrine game; fifty one yards on twelve carries. After all of that, he not only received no invitation to the combine, but proceeded to go undrafted. To say he has something to prove is a complete understatement. Dubbed the “Tasmanian Devil” for his boundless energy and work ethic, Lindsay will look to make a name for himself as a dynamic change of pace back with some nasty.
1.) Devontae Booker 2.) Royce Freeman 3.) De’Angelo Henderson 4.) David Williams 5.) Phillip Lindsay.
Bottom line: A steep climb for sure lies ahead for Lindsay. Joining fellow rookie Royce Freeman in the fold, there will be plenty of competition. I think Lindsay has the best traits as a 3rd down back and could give new QB Case Keenum a much-needed dump-off target.
Wide Receivers
Allen Lazard, Iowa St: signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars
The greatest receiver in Iowa St history! He’s 6’5 226 lbs and he is the schools leader in receptions (241) as well as receiving yards (3,360). The 2017 captain also added a first team all-BIG 12 selection to his final year of school. Lazard’s game is a physical one, as he uses his large frame to get separation on smaller corners and has the hands to finish the process. On tape he looks lanky and seems to lack that final gear to pull away from defenders in the open field. He’s most likely a situational receiver for snaps in the redzone. His height weight and body control should help him carve out a role early in his career.
1.) Donte Moncrief 2.) Marquise Lee 3.) Dede Westbrook 4.) Keelan Cole 5.) D.J. Chark 6.) Allen Lazard.
Bottom line: One thing Lazard has going for him is no one on this roster can play the ball in the air like him. Come training camp Lazard has a good chance of forcing the Jags to keep six wide receivers.
Byron Pringle, Kansas St: signed by the Kansas City Cheifs
A shining star on an offense that lacked a consistent passing attack. Pringle had some trouble with the law in his early years, which is why he will be a 25-year-old to start the season. In his final year at Kansas St, Pringle not only was a standout receiver but an excellent return man as well. He had 16 returns for 417 yards (26.1 average return), and one touchdown, as well as garnishing 30 targets through the air for 724 yards, and six touchdowns.
1.) Tyreek Hill 2.) Albert Wilson 3.) Demarcus Robinson 4.) De ’Anthony Thomas 5.) Jehu Chesson 6.) Byron Pringle.
Bottom line: I love the landing spot. The Chiefs have had recent success developing their wideouts in the past years. No. 2 on the depth chart, Albert Wilson, was undrafted out of Georgia St in 2014. Pringle will have a chance to compete right away in a wide receiver core that is unsolidified.
Jester Weah, Pittsburgh: signed by the Houston Texans
Another big physical receiver with hoops experience. 6’2 211 lbs, with a thirty eight inch vertical and he runs a 4.43 40-yard dash. He displays strong hands and body control to win at the point of attack at the next level. In Weah’s career his totals read seventy seven receptions for 1566 yards over twenty yards a catch! He added 14 TD as well, which are substandard numbers but the big key is the 20.3 yards per catch. It shows his ability to catch the deep ball and even though the numbers in college don’t wow. He has the traits to have an impact rookie campaign.
1.) DeAndre Hopkins 2.) Will Fuller V 3.) Chris Thompson 4.) Braxton Miller 5.) DeAndrew White 6.) Bruce Ellington 7.) Keke Coutee 8.) Jester Weah.
Bottom line: As you can see, it will not be easy to carve a role out in this lineup, but I think that his talent will allow opportunity to strike. Playing with a talented quarterback should do wonders for Weah and hopefully he can show off in training camp and earn the right to play on Sundays.
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