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The UDFAs


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The UDFAs

Posted: May 16th, 2021 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 323 Comments

The rookie minicamp has led to a lot of talk about DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson. The draft picks are getting their first chance to show what they can do. The Eagles also have undrafted players in action. Let’s talk about them and how they fit in.
 
 

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JaQuan Bailey – DE – Iowa State – 6-2, 246

Tough. Productive. Bad athlete. Bailey had 44 TFLs, 25 sacks and 4 FFs in his career. He did that more with toughness and hustle than anything else. ISU runs a 3-3-5 defense and generally had Bailey as a DE. He was used to eat up blocks so that DBs and LBs could have better rush opportunities. Put on the Oklahoma game and you’ll see Bailey double-teamed a lot. He was triple-teamed on multiple plays. That wasn’t due to Bailey’s dominance, but rather ISU’s scheme, which at times is bend but don’t break and only rushes two or three guys. Bailey is undersized, but battled on every snap. He plays bigger than he is. Occasionally he was used as a LB. He dropped into coverage a couple of times, but didn’t look good in space.

Bailey got the top signing bonus of the UDFAs so the Eagles must think he is worth taking a chance on. DEs with poor athleticism rarely pan out in the NFL so Bailey has an uphill battle. He will love coming to a true 4-3 scheme where he is actually allowed to attack up the field on a regular basis. Bailey does have a good motor and he will make his share of hustle plays. At the very least, he could develop into a good practice player.

Trevon Grimes – WR – Florida – 6-4, 220

Grimes might have the best chance to win a roster spot. He was a star receiver in high school and had a productive career at Florida, after transferring from Ohio State. Grimes said one of the keys to him signing with the Eagles was the presence of QBs coach Brian Johnson, who coached him at UF. Grimes isn’t just big. He ran 4.49 at his Pro Day and is a good athlete. The Eagles have a bunch of speedy receivers, but don’t have much in the way of size. Grimes instantly becomes the biggest wideout. He knows how to use his size. He can go up and make tough, contested catches. He’s good in the red zone (9 TDs in 2020). Grimes has NFL ability, but he will have to battle for a job. The Eagles do have a lot of young receivers on the roster.

Jamie Newman – QB – Wake Forest – 6-3, 234

Newman was thought to be a Top 100 pick at this time last year. He had transferred to Georgia after graduating from WFU. Newman wanted the chance to play in a pro style offense so he could show what he could really do. He decided to opt out of the season due to the pandemic. Newman did go to the Senior Bowl, but was very rusty and struggled. It surprised me that he went undrafted. Newman has legit NFL potential. He’s big and strong. He has a good arm. Newman has good mobility. He will make throws into tight windows. He’s not afraid to take chances. Newman will make some very impressive throws.

Now let’s talk about the issues. Newman played in a unique offense at WFU. It is hard to say how much of that will translate to the NFL. He had a bad habit of holding the ball too long. That led to unneccessary sacks. He only completed 60 percent of his passes. That number should be higher in today’s college game. Newman threw 11 INTs in 2019. That’s more than you’d like for a QB who only threw 361 passes.

The real mystery with Newman is decision-making and his ability to process information. We don’t know if he can do that at the NFL level. His college scheme was different and he didn’t play with top talent. Newman does have NFL ability. If he’s not able to win a roster spot, he might be ideal for the practice squad.

 

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Jhamon Ausbon – WR – Texas A&M – 6-2, 217

Grimes is big and fast. Ausbon is just big. He ran 4.72 at his Pro Day. I’d love to tell you that he plays faster than he times, but that’s not the case. You see a 4.7 guy on tape as well. Ausbon didn’t create much separation in college, but he was a productive receiver (66-872-5 in 2019). He knows how to work short and intermediate routes. Ausbon is comfortable with being tightly covered. He’s able to make contested catches. That skill will help him in the NFL, where most receivers have to deal with that issue.

Very few receivers who run 4.7 make it in the NFL. You wonder if Ausbon could add weight and try to be a TE/H-back type. One thing going for Ausbon (and Grimes) is that the new coaching staff had success with big receivers in San Diego and Indy. Maybe they’ll know how to use his skill set. Ausbon can play outside or in the slot and that will help him as well.

Kayode Awosika – OG – Buffalo – 6-3, 307

Awosika was a 3-year starter, playing both right and left tackle. He doesn’t have the length to play OT in the NFL so he’ll move to the inside and play OG. Awosika is an outstanding run blocker. He is tough, strong and physical. He does an excellent job of sustaining blocks. When he locks on, he’s going to block until the play is over. Awosika is relentless and nasty. Pass protection isn’t a strength, but he got the job done.

Awosika could find a home on the inside. He’ll have to learn how to deal with quick, athletic DTs. I think anchoring vs bigger DTs should come more naturally to him. The Eagles have a deep, talented OL so Awosika will have to really impress to win a spot. That could happen. Jeff Stoutland will love his blocking style and mentality. Awosika could be a good fit for the practice squad this year and more of a roster threat next year.

Jack Stoll – TE – Nebraska – 6-4, 247

Stoll has NFL potential, but he wasn’t even the best TE at Nebraska. He’s got okay size, solid athleticism and good receiving skills. He will make some tough catches. Stoll shows good RAC ability. There just isn’t anything compelling about him. He caught 61 passes in his college career. Maybe you can argue Nebraska didn’t use Stoll enough.

The Eagles TE situation is wide open after Dallas Goedert. Zach Ertz will be traded or cut. The team could bring back Richard Rodgers. If not, there are a bunch of young guys competing for spots. Stoll will be one of them.

Harry Crider – C – Indiana – 6-3, 307

The least compelling of the UDFA signees. 2-year starter who played both G and C. Average size. Solid athlete. Solid college player. Crider has good feet. He’s good on the second level, which is important to the Eagles. Crider did 31 reps at his Pro Day, showing good upper body strength. He’s got a lot of competition for a roster spot.

*****

 

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Instead of bringing in a UDFA corner, the Eagles signed Meadors. He’s been around the NFL for a couple of years. The Eagles are still very thin at CB so Meadors will have a legit shot to win a job if he plays well.

*****

Back to the UDFAs.

Bo Wulf wrote up his take on them for The Athletic.

***

Thor Nystrom is a UDFA guru. He ranked the Eagles with the 6th best class in the NFC. Here are some of his thoughts.

I think the NFL was a bit too quick to forget about Newman’s 2019 season. That year, in a hyper-speed offense that rarely threw screens, Newman showed off a sniper rifle. He ranked as PFF’s No. 6 graded quarterback on throws 10-plus yards downfield and No. 2 (behind Trevor Lawrence) on graded throws beyond 20 yards. Newman also had 22 big-time throws against just four turnover-worthy passes, a fabulous ratio. For some context, Mond had only 25 big-time throws over the last two seasons combined.

Newman is a big dual-threat who will also hurt you outside the pocket. It’s a real shame we didn’t get to see him in Georgia’s pro-style system with superior athletes in 2020. My guess is Newman is a Day 2 pick if that had happened, probably Round 2. Newman’s decision to opt-out gives the Eagles a highly-intriguing developmental option behind Jalen Hurts for the cost of free. Newman’s bonanza upside is David Garrard. You’ll recall that Mr. Garrard needed a few years to learn before seeing an NFL field. No different here.

And

Awosika was a three-year starter for Buffalo at offensive tackle who’s going to kick inside at the next level due to his lack of length. Awosika was one of the MAC’s best run-blocking tackles over the past three seasons (Jaret Patterson wracked up all kinds of yards running behind him) — his transition to guard should be a smooth one. I expect him to stick.

It will be interesting to see how these guys pan out.

http://igglesblitz.com/2021/05/the-udfas-2/

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