UDFA Update

Posted: May 7th, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 5 Comments »

The Eagles made their list of UDFA signings official on Friday. It was the same group we expected. In the past, players would negotiate with multiple teams and even sometimes make multiple commitments. That made for confusion. Things seem better controlled now. Let’s take another look at the UDFAs with some additional thoughts.

LB Ben VanSumeren
WR Joseph Ngata
OL Trevor Reid
CB Mekhi Garner
CB Eli Ricks
WR Jadon Haselwood
TE Brady Russell
OL Chim Okorafor
P Tyler Zentner

LB Ben VanSumeren – Michigan State – 6-2, 231

Went to Michigan as a RB and left Michigan State as a LB. Probably the first guy to pull that off. Only started 10 games in his college LB career, but he is a special athlete with a lot of potential. Has outstanding agility. More than a few DBs would like his ability to change directions so smoothly and quickly. Can fly when he’s in the open field. Ran 4.45 at his Pro Day and you see that on tape. Can be a physical player. Is comfortable playing in traffic and fighting off blockers.

The downside with VanSumeren is that he’s not instinctive at a position where instincts are important. You need to know where the ball is going to be. Some of that is film study, but part of it is feel. The other issue is tackling. VanSumeren attacks his target aggressively, but tackling doesn’t look natural to him. It seems like he’s thinking about it as he does it (wrap up, drive through the runner and put him down with authority).

I watched VanSumeren in the Shrine Game and thought he looked good. He’s got the potential to be a starting LB in the NFL. I think he’s got a good shot to win a roster spot, but I don’t think he’d push for playing time this year. Reed Blankenship had 49 starts coming into the NFL and that experience helped him to be ready to play. VanSumeren has the athleticism, size and raw ability to play in the NFL, but he will need work to clean up a few issues in his game.

WR Jadon Haselwood – Arkansas – 6-2, 215

Interesting prospect who could push for a roster spot. Played at Oklahoma in an Air Raid offense until he transferred to Arkansas and played in their run-based offense. Led OU in receiving in 2021 and Arkanas in 2022. Beyond the numbers, has value because of his versatility. Can play in the slot or outside. Sometimes would line up in the backfield and either take a hand-off or go out on a route. Caught 121 career passes.

Ran 4.55 at his Pro Day, which is solid for his size, but you don’t see that speed on tape. More quick than fast. Had a 3-cone time of 6.98 and you do see that quickness and agility. Those are important traits for someone who lives in the slot. Haselwood has good RAC ability. Can be elusive and get by the initial defender. Just lacks the burst to create big plays. More of a chain-mover than playmaker.

Showed signs of physicality in college, but he’s an inconsistent blocker and doesn’t seek out contact. If you’re looking for Zach Pascal, the ability is there, but will need to play with an edge more consistently. Could push for a roster spot if he’ll embrace blocking and playing on STs.

WR Joseph Ngata – Clemson – 6-3, 217

If you’re going to take a chance on a big receiver, find someone from Clemson. They’ve put more than a few into the NFL. Ngata caught 88 passes in his CU career and has a solid combination of size and speed (4.54). You put on the tape and see him make some tough catches. He is big and physical. He plays to his size. You see NFL potential.

Unfortunately there are issues as well. He does not have good body control, which I feel is the most important trait for a WR. Ngata rounds his cuts, which can work in the ACC, but will not work in the NFL. Receivers need to make hard cuts in order to get separation. Ngata struggled to get separation in college. Some of this can be developed with good coaching in the NFL, but I think Ngata’s lack of ideal agility will limit him. Uphill battle to make the roster.

OL Trevor Reid – Louisville – 6-4, 311

When a 2-year starter at LT for a power 5 team has a great Pro Day showing and still goes undrafted, you know there are some issues. Reid started 24 games for UL, all at LT. Played in the Shrine Game after the season and was LT there. Gifted athlete. You see that on tape and at his Pro Day. Has 34 5/8 inch arms, which is the kind of length you want at OT. There is a lot to like about Reid.

Reid didn’t play football until high school so he is still learning. He’s put on 70 pounds since then so he’s had to adjust to playing as a bigger body. He was able to maintain his athleticism and that’s why the NFL is interested. Reid is agile, but doesn’t have smooth footwork. He plays too fast overall. Jeff Stoutland will need to slow him down and get him more technique-oriented. There are times when Reid looks natural in pass pro. You will also see him look good coming off the ball and blocking a LB up the field on a run. Reminds me a bit of LeRaven Clark, who was a backup for the Eagles.

Reid’s immediate future will be determined by how he takes to Stoutland’s coaching. If he is a great student, I could see room for Reid on the roster. I think the practice squad is a lot more likely. Reid will need time to learn and develop.

CB Mekhi Garner – LSU – 6-2, 212

Transferred from Louisiana to LSU for his senior season and had a solid year. Finished his college career with 26 PDs and 3 INTs. Has the size you want in a corner and is a physical player. The problem is movement ability. Ran 4.55 at the Combine, which is the bare minimum for a corner. Posted solid agility numbers, but you don’t see quick feet on game tape. Sometimes will get caught flat-footed as receivers make moves/cuts. Good hitter. Inconsistent tackler. Not shy, but needs to wrap-up more consistently.

I can see why the Eagles have interest. Garner is a big, long corner who is comfortable playing off. I think that’s where he is at his best. Let him keep his eyes in the backfield and then break on the ball. Some have speculated he could play safety and I agree that makes some sense. The Eagles are keeping him at corner for now. That’s the more premium position so you see what he does there before moving him. I like him as a scheme fit, but raw talent is an issue.

CB Eli Ricks – Alabama – 6-2, 188

Wild career. Elite recruit coming out of high school who went to LSU. Then had 4 INTs as a freshman and looked on his way to greatness. Dealt with some injuries in 2021 and then transferred to Bama for 2022. Played in 10 games but only started 5. It is important to note that he played more as the season went along. That shows trust from the coaches and also that Ricks stayed focused and kept working.

Ricks ran 4.55 at his Pro Day. His 3-cone time was 7.44, which is dreadful for a DB. His game tape shows a player with quick feet and good agility. Maybe he was chugging beers with Landon Dickerson before the drill. In a case like this, focus on the tape. You see a player who can press and stick with receivers. He has good length. Willing tackler.

Josh Jobe came to the Eagles last year as a UDFA corner from Bama. He was able to make the team and contribute on STs. Ricks has legit NFL talent for the coaches to work with. Watch his LSU highlights and he’ll remind you of James Bradberry with his length, ball skills and nose for the ball. You can see why the Eagles had interest in him. Ricks is a project, but the natural talent is there.

TE Brady Russell  – Colorado – 6-3, 247

32-game starter who caught 78 passes for 799 yards in his career. Has good RAC ability, but isn’t special athletically. Good effort as an in-line blocker. Doesn’t always win, but will battle. Does a solid job of blocking on the move.

Older player. Will turn 25 in August. Ran 4.79 and did 21 reps. Longshot, but could be a good practice player. Plays hard and does have some ability.

OL Chim Okorafor – Benedictine (KS) – 6-6, 315

From the Eagles website:

He played two seasons of basketball at Cal Poly Pomona, then transferred to Riverside City Community College in 2019, Missouri Southern in 2020, and Pitt State after that. He landed in Kansas at Benedictine for the 2022 season, playing three games.

That’s an unusual background. Was physically dominant at the levels he played at. Just destroyed the guys he went against. Has 34 7/8 inch arms. His size, length and natural ability make him an interesting project.

I think his basketball background has helped him have good feet for a big guy. Nothing special athletically. Major uphill battle because of the upgrade in competition, but has raw tools worth trying to develop. Has potential at both G and T.

P Tyler Zentner – Kansas State – 6-2, 199

Served as punter, kicker and kickoff specialist for KSU. Averaged 43.4 yards per punt for his career. That number was 44.5 for 2022. Never had a punt blocked in his career. 57 of 127 career punts were downed inside the 20. Had 39 career punts of 50 or more yards. Made all 11 FGs in 2022, with a long of 53 yards.

I don’t know enough about kicking to offer any kind of expertise. Here are some thoughts from the guys at Puntalytics.

In 2022 Zentner finished with an overall pEPA of 0.15, good for 22nd in the FBS and 5th among draft-eligible punters (behind MSU’s Bryce Baringer, Rutgers’ Adam Korsak, Miami’s Lou Hedley, and Oklahoma’s Michael Turk). Zenter posted an open-field score of 0.18 (5th), and a pin-deep score of 0.09 (3rd, ahead of Turk and Baringer).

The bottom line: Zentner’s highs are outrageously high, but his lows are worrisome. He will need to improve his consistency, and add a few yards to his baseline punt without sacrificing hangtime or placement. He will also need to improve his sideline control, as NFL returners will be less forgiving of down the middle punts. He definitely has a shot, and to us he was the best UDFA bet in the 2023 class.

Should be good competition for Arryn Siposs.

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5 Comments on “UDFA Update”

  1. 1 Eagles News: Peter King’s NFL power rankings have Philadelphia in the top spot - Camel News said at 12:25 PM on May 8th, 2023:

    […] UDFA Update – Iggles BlitzWR Jadon Haselwood – Arkansas – 6-2, 215. Attention-grabbing prospect who might push for a roster spot. Performed at Oklahoma in an Air Raid offense till he transferred to Arkansas and performed in their run-based offense. Led OU in receiving in 2021 and Arkanas in 2022. Past the numbers, has worth due to his versatility. Can play in the slot or outdoors. Typically would line up in the backfield and both take a hand-off or exit on a route. Caught 121 profession passes. Ran 4.55 at his Professional Day, which is stable for his measurement, however you don’t see that pace on tape. Extra fast than quick. Had a 3-cone time of 6.98 and also you do see that quickness and agility. These are vital traits for somebody who lives in the slot. Haselwood has good RAC means. Might be elusive and get by the preliminary defender. Simply lacks the burst to create large performs. Extra of a chain-mover than playmaker. Confirmed indicators of physicality in faculty, however he’s an inconsistent blocker and doesn’t search out contact. For those who’re in search of Zach Pascal, the means is there, however might want to play with an edge extra persistently. May push for a roster spot if he’ll embrace blocking and taking part in on STs. […]

  2. 2 Eagles News: Peter King’s NFL power rankings have Philadelphia in the top spot - News Load said at 12:29 PM on May 8th, 2023:

    […] UDFA Update – Iggles BlitzWR Jadon Haselwood – Arkansas – 6-2, 215. Attention-grabbing prospect who might push for a roster spot. Performed at Oklahoma in an Air Raid offense till he transferred to Arkansas and performed in their run-based offense. Led OU in receiving in 2021 and Arkanas in 2022. Past the numbers, has worth due to his versatility. Can play in the slot or exterior. Typically would line up in the backfield and both take a hand-off or exit on a route. Caught 121 profession passes. Ran 4.55 at his Professional Day, which is stable for his dimension, however you don’t see that velocity on tape. Extra fast than quick. Had a 3-cone time of 6.98 and also you do see that quickness and agility. These are vital traits for somebody who lives in the slot. Haselwood has good RAC capacity. May be elusive and get by the preliminary defender. Simply lacks the burst to create huge performs. Extra of a chain-mover than playmaker. Confirmed indicators of physicality in faculty, however he’s an inconsistent blocker and doesn’t search out contact. In the event you’re on the lookout for Zach Pascal, the capacity is there, however might want to play with an edge extra constantly. Might push for a roster spot if he’ll embrace blocking and enjoying on STs. […]

  3. 3 Eagles news: Peter King's NFL power ratings have Philadelphia in the lead - uuldesign said at 12:29 PM on May 8th, 2023:

    […] UDFA Update – Iggles BlitzWR Jadon Haselwood – Arkansas – 6-2, 215. An interesting prospect that could pay for a spot on the roster. He played for Oklahoma in an air offense until he moved to Arkansas and played in their run-based offense. He led OU in receiving in 2021 and Arkanas in 2022. Beyond the numbers, he’s valuable because of his versatility. Can play in the slot or outside. Sometimes they line up at the back and take in or out on a driveway. She caught 121 career assists. He ran a 4.55 on Pro Day, which is solid for his size, but you don’t see that speed on tape. faster than fasting. He had a 3 cone time of 6.98 and you see that speed and agility. These are important traits for someone who lives in the slot. Haselwood has good RAC ability. He can be elusive and the initial defender gets it. Just lacks the drive to create great plays. More than just a game maker. He has shown physical signs in college, but is an inconsistent blocker and does not seek communication. If you’re looking for Zach Pascal, the ability is there, but you’ll need to play edge more consistently. He could pay for a place on the roster if he were to adopt bans and play on STs. […]

  4. 4 Eagles information: Peter King's NFL energy scores have Philadelphia within the lead - starkedsf said at 1:17 PM on May 8th, 2023:

    […] UDFA Replace – Iggles BlitzWR Jadon Haselwood – Arkansas – 6-2, 215. An enchanting prospect that would pay for a place at the roster. He performed for Oklahoma in an air offense till he moved to Arkansas and performed of their run-based offense. He led OU in receiving in 2021 and Arkanas in 2022. Past the numbers, he is treasured as a result of his versatility. Can play within the slot or outdoor. Once in a while they line up on the again and soak up or out on a driveway. She stuck 121 profession assists. He ran a 4.55 on Professional Day, which is cast for his measurement, however you do not see that velocity on tape. quicker than fasting. He had a three cone time of 6.98 and you spot that velocity and agility. Those are vital characteristics for any person who lives within the slot. Haselwood has just right RAC skill. He will also be elusive and the preliminary defender will get it. Simply lacks the pressure to create nice performs. Greater than only a sport maker. He has proven bodily indicators in faculty, however is an inconsistent blocker and does now not search conversation. If you are in search of Zach Pascal, the power is there, however you’ll be able to want to play edge extra constantly. He may just pay for a spot at the roster if he have been to undertake bans and play on STs. […]

  5. 5 Eagles information: Peter King's NFL energy rankings have Philadelphia within the lead - wow-onyx said at 4:38 PM on May 8th, 2023:

    […] UDFA Replace – Iggles BlitzWR Jadon Haselwood – Arkansas – 6-2, 215. A captivating prospect that might pay for a place at the roster. He performed for Oklahoma in an air offense till he moved to Arkansas and performed of their run-based offense. He led OU in receiving in 2021 and Arkanas in 2022. Past the numbers, he is precious on account of his versatility. Can play within the slot or out of doors. Infrequently they line up on the again and absorb or out on a driveway. She stuck 121 profession assists. He ran a 4.55 on Professional Day, which is cast for his measurement, however you do not see that pace on tape. sooner than fasting. He had a three cone time of 6.98 and you notice that pace and agility. Those are essential characteristics for any individual who lives within the slot. Haselwood has just right RAC skill. He will also be elusive and the preliminary defender will get it. Simply lacks the power to create nice performs. Greater than only a recreation maker. He has proven bodily indicators in school, however is an inconsistent blocker and does now not search verbal exchange. In case you are in search of Zach Pascal, the power is there, however you can wish to play edge extra persistently. He may pay for a spot at the roster if he had been to undertake bans and play on STs. […]