UDFA Talk

Posted: July 25th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 18 Comments »

Let’s talk about UDFA targets. I think the Eagles are hurt by having such a young team and consecutive deep drafts. Agents aren’t as likely to steer guys our way with so many young players already in place. If we can land a couple of quality UDFAs I’ll be happy. I think we’ll sign 10-12. RB is the position where I think we’ve got the best chance to land a top shelf guy. I also hope we land a good DT. Most of the guys we sign will be more camp bodies than anything else.

Here are my Top 10 UDFA targets for the Eagles:

1. RB Darren Evans – Va Tech – 6’0, 227

Evans had a great year in 2008, but got hurt and missed all of 2009. Led the team in rushing in 2010, but had to share carries. Good size. Can be tough runner.

2. RB Nic Grigsby – Arizona – 5’11, 199

Only a medium sized RB, but has excellent speed. Has durability issues, but could be real good as a role player. Ran for almost 3000 yards in college. Also caught 85 passes. Can contribute in the passing game.

3. DT Ollie Ogbu – Penn State – 6’1, 295

Lacks ideal size, but uses that to his advantage by playing with great leverage. Might not be starting material, but could be good rotational player. Willing to do the dirty work. Does have enough quickness to be disruptive.

4. DT Cedric Thornton – Southern Ark. – 6’3, 309

Big frame, which is something that Jim Washburn likes in his DTs. Thornton played DE in college. Impressed me at the Senior Bowl where I thought he had the quickest burst off the ball of any DT. Bill Parcells is a big fan of Thornton’s.

5. CB Kendric Burney – UNC – 5’9, 185

One of my favorite CBs in the whole draft, but only runs in the 4.7 range. Shows up on game day. Might be able to play in the slot or in a Cover 2 system. Small guy, but could move to Safety. Finished his career with 11 INTs, 17 TFLs. Very good hitter and tackler.

6. LB Adrian Moten – Maryland – 6’2, 230

Playmaker. We can use all those types at LB we can get. Had 6 INTs, 5 FFs, and 15.5 TFLs in his career. Could play WLB or SAM in our system.

7. DE Alex Albright – Boston College – 6’5, 255

Albright had 8.5 sacks as a Freshman, then struggled to get to the QB in the ensuing years. I love his frame and motor. We’ve got small speed rushers. Take a chance on a guy with some size.

8. RS Phillip Livas – La Tech – 5’7, 180

PR and KOR. Ran back 4 punts and 4 kickoffs for TDs in his career. Could also contribute as WR. Small, but quick and elusive.

9. FS Deunta Williams – UNC – 6’2, 205

One of my favorite Safeties in the whole draft, but broke his ankle in the bowl game. Bad break. Has excellent potential.

10. TE Zack Pianalto – UNC – 6’4, 255

Another Tar Heel who played well and showed lots of NFL potential, but got hurt. Complete TE. Can block and catch. Does have durability issues.

List of UDFA Targets

RB Nic Grigsby – Arizona
RB Darren Evans – Virginia Tech
RB Mario Fannin – Auburn
RB Brandon Saine – Ohio State
QB Josh Portis – Ca. (PA)
QB Ryan Colburn – Fresno State
WR Chris Hogan – Monmouth
WR Tyler Beiler – Bridgewater
WR Armon Binns – Cincinnati
WR Jimmy Young – TCU
WR Ricardo Lockette – Fort Valley State
WR Dane Sanzenbacher – Ohio State
WR Chris Matthews – Kentucky
TE Zack Pianalto – UNC
RS Phillip Livas – La Tech
RS Shaky Smithson – Utah

DE Justin Trattou – Florida
DE Mario Addison – Troy
DE Alex Silvestro – Rutgers
DE Eddie Jones – Texas
DT Ollie Ogbu – Penn State
DT Cedric Thornton – Southern Arkansas
DT Martin Parker – Richmond
DT Miguel Chavis – Clemson
DT Lolomana Mikaele – Arizona
DT John Graves – Virginia Tech
LB A.J. Jones – Florida
LB Adrian Moten – Maryland
LB Matt Berning – CMU
LB Elijah Joseph – Temple
S Anthony Walters – Delaware
S Joe Lefged – Rutgers
S Byron Landor – Baylor
S Jeron Johonson – Boise State
CB Kendric Burney – UNC
CB Kevin Rutland – Missouri
CB Carl Gettis – Missouri
CB Jason Teague – TCU
CB Josh Gatlin – North Dakota State
CB Sterling Moore – SMU
CB Vance Cuff – Georgia
CB Jarrod Williams – Rhode Island

18 Comments on “UDFA Talk”

  1. 1 Rallo said at 10:03 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    Thoughts Grain Cooper?

  2. 2 Tommy Lawlor said at 10:08 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    UPDATE

    CB Kendric Burney to Panthers.

    TE Z Pianalto to the Bills.

  3. 3 DB said at 10:17 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    I’d love to get Moten. Devine too.

    Tommy, any ideas why Devine didn’t get drafted?

  4. 4 D3Keith said at 10:20 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    Beiler says he’s signing with the 49ers.

  5. 5 makarov said at 10:24 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    Graig Cooper of Miami tore his ACL in Dec 2009. This makes perfect sense.

    Andy loves him some bad knees.

  6. 6 D3Keith said at 10:25 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    Looks like we got Thornton. 10 minutes ago this would have meant nothing to me, now I’m kinda excited. (clearly I’m easily influenced)

    NEPatriotsDraft by Matthewcelder
    Cedric Thornton (DL, Southern Arkansas) to the #Eagles
    2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

  7. 7 Kevin said at 10:31 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    Tommy- I posted this in the Manic Monday thread but seems a little more appropriate here.

    2 questions

    1. I see Eagles signed UDFA Greg Cooper, do you like that and can you give any insight?

    2. Have you heard any compensation for Kolb in a trade from your sources? If so, are you comfortable with it?

  8. 8 Cliff said at 10:35 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    I’m a Hokie, so I’m a huge Darren Evans fan, but he always seemed like the type of back who needed a bunch of carries to get going. Does that concern you as a target for this team?

  9. 9 Tommy Lawlor said at 10:51 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    Posted Cooper thoughts.

    RE: Kolb compensation

    I’ll post something about that later tonight in previewing tomorrow’s likely trade.

  10. 10 Sokhar said at 11:50 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    Arggh, don’t torment us like that Tommy! We need our 8-ball of Kolb Trade Rumor now….Don’t make us beg…

  11. 11 eliagraphics@aol.com said at 3:10 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    whats your guess on the Eagles getting Jonathan Joseph from bengals to solve our CB problem. I love Nnamdi, but his price is too high, this way we can try to get Charles Johnson DE from Panthers, think he’ll stay but worth a try. thanks

  12. 12 eliagraphics@aol.com said at 3:12 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    Also didnt finish, sorry, but thinking about Devlin QB delaware, really liked when he was with Penn state and had to come in for Clark, looked promising. what do you think.

  13. 13 eagleizeit said at 3:29 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    Tommy,
    Wouldn’t it help if Reid said they’d listen to offers for Vick, like he did for McNabb last yr. to increase Kolbs value and so Vick won’t have the upper hand in long term negotiations. It would look like we have lots of faith in Kolb and make teams think a little since we did actually trade McNabb last yr when no one thought we would (coming off a great season). Maybe Arizona or Seahawks will give a 1st and 2nd being worried that someone might give up a lot more and soon for Vick. You don’t think the Colts would consider Kolb with Peytons more serious injury do you?

  14. 14 brza said at 4:54 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    No interest in taking a flyer on Mark Herzlich? With the roster at 90 and so much uncertainty at LB wouldn’t it be worth a shot? Or do you think his agent is probably looking for a team with less youth at LB for a better shot of sticking around?

  15. 15 Tommy Lawlor said at 8:50 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    @ elia…

    JoJo might be target, but if DRC comes in Kolb trade as expected, that would solve the CB situation.

    No need for Pat Devlin. We’ve got young QB in Mike Kafka already in place.

  16. 16 Tommy Lawlor said at 8:52 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    @ eagleizeit…

    “Putting” Vick on the market just as a negotiating ploy isn’t wise. You open a crazy can of worms that the Philly press would never let go of. After 10 years we still heard about Donovan getting booed on draft day by 30 idiotic fans.

  17. 17 Tommy Lawlor said at 8:54 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    @ brza…

    Juan Castillo wants LBs that can run. Herzlich can’t run right now. Way. Too. Slow.

    He needs to play for team that will put him on the LOS and let him mix it up with blockers.

    I do hope his speed comes back over time, but he’s just not a good fit for new scheme.

  18. 18 marty mullen said at 11:56 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    Tommy-
    What about Pat Devlin QB?