This UDFA class is absolutely stacked with talent, more than usual. For whatever reason, plenty of quality talents fell undrafted. Is the next Kurt Warner or Night Train Lane among this class? Probably not, but Let’s get to ranking the top 10 UDFA signings this year.
10. Tegray Scales, LB, Los Angeles Rams
Despite not drafting until round three, the Rams came away with a solid haul, capped off by Scales. He doesn’t exactly fill the hole left by Ogletree but has skills to be a good NFL backer. Scales lacks great size or speed but his instincts, tackling ability, and motor should lead him to become a solid NFL contributor.
9. Simmie Cobbs, WR, Washington Redskins
The Redskins added another toy for Alex Smith to use with the addition of Cobbs. He is a big bodied possession receiver with great hands but lacks great play speed. He will be a valuable red zone threat for a Redskins team who lacks a reliable target in the end zone.
8. D’Montre Wade, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Wade was one of my sleepers coming into the draft and he found his way onto the Chiefs after the draft. He is a small school corner with great size, speed, and ball skills. He has to improve in press man coverage to stick as an outside corner in the NFL. Wade has the upside to one day steal a starting job on the Kansas City Chiefs.
7. Kevin Toliver, CB, Chicago Bears
LSU teammate Donte Jackson overshadowed Toliver this year but I don’t think that warranted him going undrafted. He has the perfect size for an NFL corner at 6’2″ 190 pounds and great physicality. His lack of great ball skils could see him making a potential move to safety in Chicago.
6. Allen Lazard, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen Lazard is a 6’5″ big bodied possession receiver. He was very productive in college but his lack of play speed and route running could limit him at receiver in this modern NFL. I think the Jaguars should move him to tight end. A 6’5″ 230 pounds, Lazard could become a dangerous receiving threat at the tight end position in the years to come. Jacksonville signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins this offseason but they could always use more tight end depth.
5. Hercules Mata’afa, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings had an incredible UDFA class, including Washington State edge rusher Hercules Mata’afa. He is an interesting case, as he lined up as an inside rusher in college but won’t have the size to play there in the NFL. His pass rushing ability and great motor could have him living up to the expectations set by his name.
4. Trenton Thompson, DT, Cleveland Browns
Thompson’s production was limited last season due to his health. He struggles to stay healthy and was clearly playing through pain. Despite this, he performed very well at the combine and could be a very intriguing gap penetrator for the Browns. They traded away Danny Shelton and could use a defensive tackle to play next to Larry Ogunjobi.
3. Holton Hill, CB, Minnesota Vikings
Holton Hill has the height, weight, speed, toughness, and cornerback skills to have been considered a day two pick. Clearly, that did not materialize. His concerning red flags were too much for any team to justify wasting a draft pick on Hill. He reportedly failed a drug test at the combine and has been known to have maturity issues over his career. If the Vikings can get him on track, they may have a gem and a starter in Hill.
2. Akrum Wadley, RB, Tennessee Titans
Wadley doesn’t have good size but is a supreme athlete, has excellent elusiveness, very quick feet, and is a big play waiting to happen. Some team absolutely should have drafted Wadley. The Titans got a steal in Wadley, adding to their already very good draft class. The Titans are committed to Derrick Henry as their feature back. A spell back combo of Wadley and Dion Lewis could form one of the best running games in the NFL.
1. Quenton Meeks, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
I was absolutely shocked when nobody drafted Quenton Meeks. The 6’1″, 210-pound corner is long and physical with great technique. He lacks great speed, but I don’t think that alone warrants him to go undrafted. The Jaguars lost Aaron Colvin this offseason; Meeks adds to their cornerback depth immediately. He will be a valuable piece for this Jacksonville defense in the coming seasons.
Honorable Mentions
Josh Adams, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Deontay Burnett, WR, Tennessee Titans
Jake Wieneke, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Steve Ishmael, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Skyler Phillips, OG, Seattle Seahawks
Poona Ford, DL, Seattle Seahawks
Jeff Holland, EDGE, Broncos
Skai Moore, LB, Colts
Tony Brown, CB, Los Angeles Chargers
J.C. Jackson, CB, New England Patriots
Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, the AFC South Division Editor, and head NBA editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_, @FPC_NBA and @FPC_Colts.
