With the Lockout now over (or damn close to it), it’s time to talk some football that doesn’t involve lawyers, revenue split, rookie wage scale, 18 game season, and everything else that made the NFL off-season shrink by almost three-fourths. Now, we get onto the next step after the draft (in a normal year), free agency. And while the NFL veterans may be the most notable of the bunch to have their phones ringing off the hook, the former NFL Draft prospects turned teamless after being undrafted in late April are also up for grabs for teams.
Smart teams will find the balance of signing the NFL free agents as well as hopefully stumbling upon the next Tony Romo, LeGarrette Blount, Arian Foster or one of the many other undrafted free agents that have gone onto NFL success.
1 . Kendric Burney – CB – North Carolina
-Not a fit for every team, Burney could be an instant starter for a Cover 2 team, or be a great nickel cornerback tackler/special teamer for the other teams in the NFL. He likely won’t be highly coveted early, but teams like the Bears, Colts, Bucs, and Lions all could be intrigued.
2 . Derrick Locke – RB – Kentucky
-Mocked the UFL in the past and said he wouldn’t play for a league like that, Locke actually wasn’t making that bold of a statement, considering he’s one of the best available rookies for an NFL team. Extremely quick feet, there’s no reason he can’t be a better version of Jacquizz Rodgers, another small back who was drafted.
3 . Martin Parker – DT – Richmond
-One of the best 3-4 defensive ends in this draft in my opinion thanks to his length and ability to use his quick hands to get through double teams, he’ll need to get a little stronger and bigger for that role in the NFL. The team that grabs him, maybe the Jets, Steelers, or a team like the Bears that likes versatility, could have a 1-2 year project player that pays huge dividends.
4 . DeAndre McDaniel – S – Clemson
–Should be one of the, if not thee, top undrafted players that teams will be going after. He has the athletic ability, tackle finishing, closing speed, and production to make you believe he can be a starter down the road in the NFL, and at worst could be a very solid rotational and special teams safety.
5 . Mario Harvey – OLB – Marshall
-One of my favorite prospects the past two years, Harvey is a vicious hitter and has the size to be a very productive strong side linebacker. Only average in coverage and doesn’t have a lot of range there, Harvey could be a perfect fit for a team like the Giants or Eagles.
6 . Deunta Williams – S – North Carolina
-Smooth athlete who can play centerfield as both a tackler and cover man, was hurt substantially by injuries and his senior year suspension, he has the talent to make an impact early in the NFL and potentially a long term free safety starter.
7 . David Mims – OT – Virginia Union
-The only offensive line prospect who has the potential to play left tackle in the NFL, for what Mims lacks in quickess, refinement, and foot speed, he makes up for in length, hand strength, lateral blocking ability, and pass blocking consistency. Teams like Carolina, Arizona, and New York Giants all could use Mims.
8 . Armon Binns – WR – Cincinnati
-Unsure why his stock never rose as a prospect, reminds me a lot of a Brandon LaFell, who played well as a rookie with Carolina last year, and a less athletic Terrell Owens type player. Binns could be a very solid intermediate receiver who can add depth early, but still could have a long shelf life in the NFL because of his ball grabbing and physicality as a receiver.
9 . Mark Herzlich – OLB – Boston College
–The fan favorite of the undrafted free agents, Herzlich showed signs of recovery towards the end of last year, but he still didn’t show that he was fully recovered from his year away from football due to his recovery from cancer. Obviously a feel good story for everyone, he could fit as an inside linebacker for a team like Dallas or San Diego.
10 . Jake Kirkpatrick – C – TCU
-One of my favorite centers in this past year’s draft, Kirkpatrick was a consistent force on a TCU offesnive line that lead the way for the production of the Horned Frogs as they went to a BCS game last year.
11 . Jeron Johnson – S – Boise State
–Under rated athlete for his position, Johnson could be an excellent special teamer to start, but has the versatility and football IQ to last in the NFL as a solid backup or a fringe starter in the NFL down the road.
12 . Terrence Tolliver – WR – LSU
-One of the top senior receivers in the 2011 Draft in the pre-season, lackluster breakaway speed and not overly flashy with the ball in his hands, he can still be a solid possession receiver in the NFL.
13 . Cedric Thornton – DT – Southern Arkansas
–Some charater and attitude concerns based on his history and in me talking to him, Thorton can fit as both a 3-4 defensive end and 4-3 defensive tackle, and the Bears, Packers, and Cowboys all make sense for him.
14 . Pat Devlin – QB – Delaware
-Lots of rumors why he fell on draft day, from his tardiness to his Pro Day to his lackluster arm strength, teams could still view Devlin as the best rookie quarterback remaining. San Francisco, Green Bay, Cleveland, and Washington all could be interested.
15 . Kris O’Dowd – C – USC
-Highly touted prospect throughout his career, he never really showcased great movement or overall athletic ability as a blocker. Still, his experience and leadership are undeniable.
16 . Jarriel King – OG – South Carolina
–Outstanding size for an NFL lineman, he compares in someways to a guy like Jeff Otah, but still very raw and needs a lot of work before he can contribute to an NFL team.
17 . Lester Jean – WR – Florida Atlantic
-A favorite sleeper of many such as myself in the draft community, Jean could be one of the first players signed among this group because of his versatility and willingness as a receiver. Look for Miami, Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Minnesota to be interested.
18 . Joe Lefeged – S – Rutgers
-A do everything safety in college, Lefeged looks like at worst he could be a great special teamer, but has the work ethic and motivation to be a starter eventually in the NFL.
19 . Josh Bynes – ILB – Auburn
-One of the defensive leaders for an Auburn defense that, of course, won the BCS National Championship a season ago, he lacks great coverage ability and versatility, but teams like the Giants, Redskins, Chiefs, and Bengals make sense.
20 . Eric McBride – ILB – Richmond
-Rangy cover 2 linebacker, he’s undersized and not a fit for most systems. However, for teams like Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, and Detriot, he could find a niche as a fringe starter and solid rotational linebacker.
21 . Colin Baxter – C – Arizona
22 . Ryan Jones – CB – NW Missouri State
23 . Kevin Hughes – OG – SE Louisiana State
24 . Darren Evans – RB – Virginia Tech
25 . Davonte Shannon – S – Buffalo
26 . Scott Lustrus – ILB – UConn
27 . Davon Morgan – S – Virginia Tech
28 . Josh Portis – QB – California (PA)
29 . Courtney Smith – WR – South Alabama
30 . ZaVious Robbins – WR – Hardin-Simmons
31 . Patrick DiMarco – FB – South Carolina
32 . Derrell Smith – ILB – Syracuse
33 . Brian Lainhart – S – Kent State
34 . Pierre Allen – DE – Nebraska
35 . DeQuin Evans – DE – Kentucky
36 . Andrew Lewis – DT – Syracuse
37 . DeAndre Brown – WR – Southern Miss
38 . Graig Cooper – RB – Miami (FL)
39 . Tim Barnes – C – Missouri
40 . Kyle Hix – OT – Texas
41 . Ian Williams – DT – Notre Dame
42 . Steven Friday – DE – Virginia Tech
43 . Devon Torrence – CB – Ohio State
44 . Kendall Smith – ILB – Florida state
45 . Cameron Bradfield – OT – Grand Valley State
46 . Daniel Allen – DE – Southern Conn. St.
47 . Adam Froman – QB – Louisville
48 . Darvin Adams – WR – Auburn
49 . Mike McNeil – TE – Nebraska
50 . Matt Murphy – OG – UNLV
51 . Chad Spann – RB – North Illinois
52 . Orie Lemon – OLB – Oklahoma State
53 . Ray Dominguez – OT – Arkansas
54 . Owen Spencer – WR – NC State
55 . Marquis Kirkland – ILB – Villanova
56 . Brandon Bair – DT – Oregon
57 . Mike Hartline – QB – Kentucky
58 . Henry Hynopski – FB – Pittsburgh
59 . Jeff Maehl – WR – Oregon
60 . Jerrard Tarrant – S – Georgia Tech
61 . John Graves – DT – Virginia Tech
62 . Ricardo Lockette – WR – Fort Valley State
63 . Ben Chappell – QB – Indiana
64 . Charlie Gantt – TE – Michigan State
65 . JC Brignone – C – Mississippi State
66 . Elisha Joseph – DT – Temple
67 . Stephen Skelton – TE – Fordham
68 . Eric Gordon – OLB – Michigan State
69 . Brian Duncan – ILB – Texas Tech
70 . Ugo Chinesa – DE – Oklahoma State
71 . Will Hill – S – Florida
72 . Donald Buckram – RB – UTEP
73 . Schuylar Oordt – TE – Northern Iowa
74 . Adam Grant – OT – Arizona
75 . Alex Linnenhol – C – Oregon State
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76 . Anthony Bratton – S – Delaware
77 . Alex Wujiciak – ILB – Maryland
78 . Bryant Browning – OG – Ohio State
79 . Zane Taylor – C – Utah
80 . Kendell Lockett – DE – Ole Miss
81 . Niles Brinkley – S – Wisconsin
82 . Dane Sanzenbacher – WR – Ohio State
83 . Lucas Patterson – DT – Texas A&M
84 . Jimmy Young – WR – TCU
85 . Adrian Taylor – DT – Oklahoma
86 . Carl Johnson – OG – Florida
87 . Mario Fanin – RB – Auburn
88 . Damien Berry – RB – Miami (FL)
89 . Scooter Berry – DT – West Virginia
90 . Michael Morgan – OLB – USC
91 . Terrell Zachary – WR – Auburn
92 . Ricky Lumpkin – DT – Kentucky
93 . Kevin Kowalski – C – Toledo
94 . Mario Butler – CB – Georgia
95 . Justin Winters – OLB – Buffalo
96 . Justin Boren – OG – Ohio State
97 . Vance Cuff – CB – Georgia
98 . Ryan Winterswyk – DE – Boise State
99 . Brandon Peguese – OLB – Hampton
100 . Odrick Ray – DT – Tulsa
101 . Preston Dial – TE – Alabama
102 . Alan Pelc – OT – North Carolina
103 . Jon Freeney – DE – Rutgers
104 . Allen Reisner – TE – Iowa
105 . Scott Tolzien – QB – Wisconsin
106 . Lawrence Marsh – DT – Florida
107 . Jacob Sims – OT – South Florida
108 . Zack Hurd – OG – UConn
109 . Zach Pianalto – TE – North Carolina
110 . Soeren Wendland – OT – Liberty
111 . Kyle Miller – TE – Mount Union
112 . Mark Dell – WR – Michigan State
113 . Detron Lewis – WR – Texas Tech
114 . Shaun Draughn – RB – North Carolina
115 . Thomas Claiborn – OG – Boston College
116 . Adrian Moten – OLB – Maryland
117 . Jay Valai – S – Wisconsin
118 . Brandon Bing – CB – Rutgers
119 . Derrelll Johnson-Koulianos – WR – Iowa
120 . Tori Gurley – WR – South Carolina
121 . Andre Holmes – WR – Hampton
122 . Jeff Van Camp – QB – Florida Atlantic
123 . Yaky Ibia – DT – Towson
124 . Anthony Walters – CB – Delaware
125 . Ben Thayer – TE – Eastern Michigan
126 . Ryan Pugh – C – Auburn
127 . Ollie Ogbu – DT – Penn State
128 . Armon Robinson – WR – Miami (OH)
129 . Angus Quigley – RB – Kansas
130 . Jerrod Johnson – QB – Texas A&M
131 . Corey O’Daniel – OT – Gardner-Webb
132 . Zac Etheridge – S – Auburn
133 . Colby Whitlock – DT – Texas Tech
134 . Noel Devine – RB – West Virginia
135 . Weslye Sanders – TE – South Carolina
136 . Jai Eugene – S – LSU
137 . Pat Lazear – ILB – West Virginia
138 . Tysonn Poots – WR – Southern Utah
139 . Taylor Potts – QB – Texas Tech
140 . Stafford Gatling – DE – Ohio
141 . Lawon Scott – DE – Ole Miss
142 . Kamar Aiken – WR – UCF
143 . Nick Claytor – OT – Georgia Tech
144 . Thomas Weaver – DT – Villanova
145 . Kris Adams – WR – UTEP
146 . AJ Jones – OLB – Florida
147 . Shaky Smithson – WR – Utah
148 . Matt Asiata – RB – Utah
149 . Chris Walker – DE – Tennessee
150 . Quinten Davie – OLB – Northwestern
151 . Ryan Bartholomew – C – Syracuse
152 . Chris Matthews – WR – Kentucky
153 . Charlie Noonan – DT – Rutgers
154 . Theo Sherman – OG – James Madison
155 . Cobrani Mixon – OLB – Kent State
156 . Terrence McCoy – WR – Texas A&M
157 . Dreu Young – TE – NC State
158 . Derek Hall – OT – Stanford
159 . Nick Reveiz – OLB – Tennessee
160 . Alex Frye – CB – Wake Forest
161 . Ted Laurent – DT – Ole Miss
162 . Mike Cannon – OG – New Mexico
163 . Armondo Allen – RB – Notre Dame
164 . OJ Murdock – WR – Fort Hays State
165 . Jabari Fletcher – OLB – Appalachian State
166 . Alex Albright – DE – Boston College
167 . Darrin Wells – CB – Notre Dame
168 . Tavarious Polo – CB – Florida Atlantic
169 . Dwight Dasher – WR – Middle Tenn. State
170 . Brandon Saine – RB – Ohio State
171 . Christian Anthony – DE – Grambling State
172 . John Griffin – RB – Massachusettes
173 . Courtney Harris – DE – North Alabama
174 . Dorian Wood – OLB – Kent State
175 . CJ Gable – RB – USC
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