NFCN: Four UDFAs to Watch

By Kent Lee Platte

Image Source

Every year during OTAs and minicamps, there are usually one or two Undrafted Free Agents that really stand out on any given team.  Sometimes those players really pan out, for instance Victor Cruz was a huge standout after going undrafted in 2011 though injuries delayed his breakout season.  Sam Shields and Aaron Berry both went undrafted, but went on to start for NFCN teams.  Other times, they look like they'll make a splash only to fizzle out such as Lions standout Ricardo Silva last season.  Today I'll be addressing Undrafted Free Agents in the NFCN that have either stood out in some way or have a great chance to make the roster based on the team's present needs.  Universally these players had dropped in the draft for one reason or another, be it questionable injury history or a poor showing at the Combine, but in the end NFL teams have excellent scouting departments who are able to identify traits in these players that makes them a fit for the team that signs them.  The NFCN is a tough division, boasting multiple playoff teams nearly every year and all four NFCN teams having made an appearance in the past few years.  The players that I name here have a good chance to shine or be swallowed up by one of the NFC's powerhouse divisions.

Trevor Coston

Image Source

Coston has a good chance to make the Bears for two reasons.  One, he has had a strong showing in camp, making big plays over the middle and showing exceptional range.  Two, the Bears have struggled to field a decent backfield for a very long time, though they've shown no lack of trying.  There are three players fighting for the starting jobs, neither of which are set in stone, Wright, Conte, and Steltz.  The Bears also drafted Brandon Hardin in the 3rd round, but there's a good possibility they keep 5 Safeties on their roster this season.  In the pass happy NFCN, a Safety with good range and athletic ability is a huge plus.  Trevor Coston also has good hands, coming up with 12 Interceptions with the Black Bears.  There's always knocks on players who go undrafted, and Coston is no exception.  He plays smaller than his size, which isn't good for a guy all of 5'10".  He won't be confused with a run stuffer or hard hitting Safety, either, and was referred to as 'soft' by many NFL scouts.  Still, the only NFCN with an established run game coming into the 2012 season is the Bears, and Coston won't have to face them if he's on the team.  His abilities against the pass should be just enough to secure himself a roster spot and special team play this season.

Patrick Edwards

Image Source

The drafting of Ryan Broyles in the second round of the 2012 draft pretty much cemented the Lions starters at the Wide Receiver position.  The depth behind that, however, is wide open and the sheer amount of receivers fighting for those spots ought to tell fans that the Lions consider that position an important one in need of upgrade.  A surprise Undrafted player was Patrick Edwards out of the University of Houston.  Edwards was amazingly productive in a system that favors the passing game.  Edwards finished his career at Houston having improved every year, finishing with 1752 yards and 20 TDs, posting a total of 43 TDs his entire career.  He has impressed in OTAs, beating 3rd round pick Bill Bentley on a go route for an impressive catch and TD in his first outing.  He has also been taking 2nd team KR duties behind Titus Young.  Edwards is fast and shifty, but despite his production he went Undrafted likely due to his size, concerns about Houston's system not translating to the NFL, and a gruesome injury (WARNING) he sustained back in 2008.  He has a great chance to make the team as the Lions 5th or 6th receiver and potentially Kick Returner. 

Dezman Moses

Image Source

There aren't many Packer fans who would argue the pass rush as being a strong point in 2011.  Despite going 15-1, the team's pass rush was stagnant all year.  Moses has been making waves since arriving at the Packers' OTAs this offseason.  The Packers drafted Nick Perry with their first round selection in 2012 to act as a pass rusher opposite Clay Matthews, but we all know that it's more than just the starters, but the depth that matters.  The Packers have been known for developing their undrafted Free Agents, most recently Sam Shields who rose from the ranks of undrafted to become a starter for a Super Bowl team as Nickelback.  UDFA Graham Harrell is poised to be their next offensive story, as he's the incumbent #2 QB at the moment, and Dezman Moses is making headlines for all the right reasons at just the right time at just the right position for the Packers.  The Packers couldn't get anything going with veterans Erik Walden and Frank Zombo last season.  Moses isn't too shabby in coverage either, the quality of the video is poor, but check out this grab.  With Perry poised to fill that starting spot, Moses will likely fill in as backup to one or both spots on passing downs, but like any UDFA will  have to make noise on Special Teams to keep a roster spot. 

Quentin Saulsberry/Corey Paredes

Image Source

The Vikings have two players that have been making some noise in camp, and I feel like cheating a little bit today.  Center/Guard prospect Quentin Saulsberry and Linebacker Corey Paredes both have a decent chance of making the Vikings final roster.  While I feel Saulsberry is the better player of the two and more likely to make the team, Paredes has been working extremely hard and getting better with every day of practice, so I felt he deserved a mention.

The Vikings have a surprisingly very good Center in John Sullivan, mentioned here from PFF.  Their depth at Guard and Center, however, is more than questionable.  Saulsberry was another player who was a surprise when he went undrafted. Projected as high as the fourth round, Saulsberry just slid and slid until there was nowhere further to go.  He was immediately grabbed by the Vikings, however, who got a steal in potential.  Not technically sound or functionally strong, Saulsberry relied almost entirely on his motor and effort, something that made him very well respected from his peers and coaches.  I think this mentality and drive is enough to wrench a roster spot from a potentially better player in camp.  A project, Saulsberry will take some time to develop, but the payoff could be very good for the Vikings if they keep him.

Corey Paredes comes into a crowded position at LB (11 on the roster) which is part of the reason I have Saulsberry above him.  The position as a whole is very weak, however, which ups his chances.  Only two spots are locked in for Greenway and Erin Henderson.  The position was largely ignored by the Vikings this offseason, even in the draft where they only drafted NCSU's Audie Cole in the 7th round.  With a position group this thin, it becomes easier for an undrafted player to make an impact and earn a roster spot, and Paredes has been doing just that, making a nice grab on a Joe Webb pass and returning it for a Pick Six.  Paredes is a severely limited athlete, and being undersized doesn't help his prospects.  Regardless of that, he's a hard worker who has proven he will work hard and do what he's asked to.  That kind of gusto could be just enough to make a roster spot where he can prove himself on Special Teams.