Tag: UDFA

B/R picks the wrong UDFA with best chance to make Saints’ final roster

Dallin Holker is a good pick, but Mason Tipton is the right choice for a Saints rookie with the best chance to make the roster:

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine laid out every team’s undrafted free agent with the best chance to make each roster. His pick for the New Orleans Saints was a good pick, but not the best selection. Ballentine selected tight end Dallin Holker, who did lead the Saints’ undrafted rookies in guaranteed money back in April.

Prior to training camp starting, that felt like the obvious answer. Seven days through training camp and wide receiver Mason Tipton has climbed to top of the UDFA totem pole.

Tipton has been the show-stealer throughout training camp and has made a few explosive plays through his connection with Spencer Rattler. Tipton is a speedster with the desire to show he’s more than a one trick pony. He’s a receiver who can “run the entire route tree” after leading Yale’s offense the last few years.

Holker was selected because of how open the tight end position is. Juwan Johnson is injured, and Taysom Hill will play all over the field. That leaves Foster Moreau and an open spot for one other player.

The former Yale wide receiver walks into a similarly open room at wide receiver. The Saints are headlined by Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but there’s no sure thing after those two young stars.

Tipton has had the performances throughout camp and a favorable opportunity in the locker room to be considered the UDFA with the best chance to make the roster.

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Alvin Kamara light? Blake Watson brings impressive receiving skills to Broncos

Blake Watson is not “the next Alvin Kamara,” but he has impressive receiving skills that Sean Payton can maximize in his offense.

Following the 2024 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos signed Memphis running back Blake Watson as an undrafted free agent. Watson, who was one of two Division I running backs with 50 catches last fall, was considered one of the top UDFAs available after the draft.

In addition to rushing for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, Watson also hauled in 53 receptions for 480 yards and three scores last fall. The Broncos will undoubtedly take a look at the RB’s receiving skills during training camp and preseason this summer.

“Being an extra receiver, that’s something I like to do, and I’m glad they want to do that with me,” Watson said in May.

Thanks in part to his ability to make plays as a receiver out of the backfield, Watson has drawn some comparisons to New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara. Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked if he sees similarities between the two backs this spring.

“No,” Payton said before acknowledging some similar skill sets. “Look, we use that ‘Joker’ term a little bit. That was one of the traits though that stood out. He was one of those guys again in the seventh round, sixth round [was available, and] we saw a player that was natural catching the ball. That was a big draw. When we read a player, that was a draw to his vision. What’s the vision? So now we’re learning more about him.

“I’m not making the comparison, but when [the Saints] drafted Kamara, we saw that vision, but we didn’t realize the other things in the running game. The first handoff in the preseason I think against the Chargers, he went 52 yards for a touchdown. And we were like, ‘Man, we can hand the ball off to him.’ But if you asked me the traits that attracted us to Blake, it was certainly that that we saw in the passing game, and you saw pretty good football IQ too. So good question.”

Similarly to how he handled the Bo Nix and Drew Brees buzz, Payton likely does not want to create lofty expectations by making unfair comparisons. Watson doesn’t have to be “the next Kamara” to make an impact in Denver’s offense, but he could be asked to do similar things.

“I think I’m a do-it-all-type of guy,” the rookie said. “Whatever the team needs me to do, I’m going to be able to do it. I’m excited to play my role.”

First things first, Watson will need to focus on making the active roster in a very crowded running back room. His competition for a spot on the 53-man roster includes Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, fifth-round pick Audric Estime and Tyler Badie. Watson figures to have a future in Denver, but his first season might begin on the practice squad.

He’ll get his chance to impress once training camp begins next week.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Kyle Hergel is the Saints Player of Day 60

Countdown to Kickoff: Kyle Hergel is the Saints Player of Day 60. The rookie from Boston College has some experience that could give him an edge:

There are 60 days left until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 season, which makes the current owner of the No. 60 jersey our Saints Player of the Day. But what must Kyle Hergel do to make the team in 2024? The undrafted rookie has some experience in similar systems that could help him out when the Saints regroup for training camp in  a few weeks. Let’s get to know him better:

  • Name (Age): Kyle Hergel (24)
  • Position: Offensive guard
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 315 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 7.83
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $798,333
  • College: Boston College
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
  • NFL experience: Rookie

Hergel played a ton of snaps as a starter at right guard through his first four years in college (two at North Dakota, two at Texas State) before transferring to Boston College in 2023, where he started at left guard. What’s interesting is that he worked with offensive line coach Matt Applebaum last season, who spent the 2022 staff on Mike McDaniel’s Miami Dolphins staff. There’s a lot of overlap between the offense McDaniel runs and what Klint Kubiak is installing with the Saints, both of them being former Kyle Shanahan assistants.

That experience with Applebaum may have given Hergel a slight edge over his competition. He’s fighting for a roster spot with other undrafted rookies like Nouri Nouili and Sincere Haynesworth, as well as seventh-round draft pick Josiah Ezirim and last year’s undrafted free agent Mark Evans II. While only one or two of those players might make the 53-man roster, it’s likely several of them could return to the practice squad. But the Saints can’t keep everyone. Hergel must set himself apart during training camp and show he has the skills to thrive in Kubiak’s offense.

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Check out these highlights of Broncos rookie RB Audric Estime

Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime will aim to impress this summer and make the 53-man roster.

The Denver Broncos used a fifth-round pick to select Notre Dame running back Audric Estime in the NFL draft earlier this offseason.

Estime (5-11, 233 pounds) rushed 210 times for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games with the Fighting Irish last fall.

“It’s been amazing — a dream come true,” Estime said during rookie minicamp when asked about joining the team. “It honestly hit now [that] I got drafted. It felt good but it doesn’t hit until you get here. I’m just blessed and thankful for the opportunity here.”

Estime won’t be a lock to make the 53-man roster, but he’ll get a chance to win a role this summer.

“I want to show them that I’m a reliable person,” Estime said. “I’m a hard worker. I’m going to be the same dude every day. I’m just going to be a team player, whatever the team needs, I’m going to do. I’m [going to] do my best ability to help the team win.”

Check out his highlights below:

With Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine both scheduled to become free agents in 2025, Estime has a chance to earn a long-term role in Denver.

“I have the opportunity now I just have to take advantage of it,” he said.

Estime and his teammates will report for training camp later this month.

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos CB Quinton Newsome

Broncos undrafted cornerback Quinton Newsome will aim to turn heads this summer.

After the 2024 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos signed undrafted free agent cornerback Quinton Newsome.

Newsome (6-2, 185 pounds) comes to the Broncos as an established college player from the University of Nebraska, having played in 53 games, starting 35 of them from 2019-2023.

In his career with the Cornhuskers, Newsome totaled 148 tackles (94 solo, 55 assisted), seven tackles for loss, three sacks, 18 passes defensed and one interception. His lone interception came during the 2023 season, against Illinois.

Newsome’s most productive season came in 2022 when he had a career-high in tackles for loss (four), sacks (two), passes defensed (10), forced fumbles (one) and games played (12). Check out his highlights below:

While Newsome may not be an instant starter, there is precedent for an undrafted free agent to start at cornerback and make a big impact on Denver’s defense. The most recent example is Broncos starting nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian. McMillian started only one game in 2022, and that was enough for Denver coaches to take notice. McMillian is now a key member of the Broncos’ secondary.

Newsome is a longshot to make the 53-man roster, but he’ll get a chance to impress this summer. If he doesn’t end up on the active roster, Newsome could be a candidate for the practice squad, which is where McMillian began his career three years ago.

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Check out this film of new Broncos OT Frank Crum

Frank Crum was one of the top UDFAs available this spring. Here’s film from his time at Wyoming.

The Denver Broncos added another front-range son to their 90-man roster after the 2024 NFL draft when they signed University of Wyoming left tackle Frank Crum as a college free agent.

Crum (6-7, 315 pounds) was a big presence protecting passers for college football’s Cowboys from 2018-2023. A Laramie, Wyoming native, Crum decided to play for his hometown college after a solid high school career.

In six seasons, Crum played a total of 43 games, making him one of the most experienced college football veterans on the Broncos’ current roster.

During his time at Wyoming, Crum was instrumental in helping two Cowboy running backs break 1,000 rushing yards in a season: Xazavian Valladay (2019, 2021) and Titus Swen (2022)). Wyoming also was ranked No. 17 in the nation in rushing offense in 2020.

Check out his film below:

Crum was one of the top UDFAs available this spring, but he is still going to be a long shot to make the 53-man roster in 2024. The Broncos have gone out in recent offseasons to pay for veteran offensive linemen like Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers. He’ll face an uphill battle, but if Crum performs well, he could carve out a backup role on the Denver offensive line.

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos TE Thomas Yassmin

Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin will be an intriguing player to watch at Broncos training camp this summer.

The Denver Broncos made the move after the 2024 NFL draft to sign undrafted free agent tight end Thomas Yassmin.

Yassmin (6-5, 251 pounds) was a teammate of Denver’s seventh-round draft pick, wide receiver Devaughn Vele at the University of Utah.

Before playing with the Utes, Yassmin had no previous experience playing football; instead, Yassmin, an Australian native, played rugby in high school.

After switching to football, Yassmin saw his most productive action beginning in 2022, when he played in all 13 games, starting six times. Yassmin had 13 catches for 301 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 23.2 yards per catch.

In 2023, Yassmin played in five games before suffering a season-ending injury. Before his injury, he caught eight passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Check out his highlights below:

Although head coach Sean Payton’s system calls for big-bodied tight ends, Yassmin is in the middle of a very crowded tight end room that includes third-year man Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins. Yassmin will have to make a big impression in training camp if he is going to make the roster.

As part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, Yassmin could make the team’s practice squad without counting against the 16-player limit. He’ll be a player to watch this summer.

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Saints waive undrafted rookie Nathan Latu to make room for new signings

The New Orleans Saints waived Nathan Latu to make room for new signings. The undrafted rookie from Oklahoma State will be looking for his next opportunity:

Letting go of young players so early in their careers is an unpleasant side of the business, but that’s life in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints waived defensive end Nathan Latu on Thursday to open a roster spot for veteran cornerback Mac McCain. Offseason rosters are capped at 90 players, and the Saints were at capacity after waiving cornerback Faion Hicks last week while signing tight end Jesper Horsted.

Latu had signed with them in late April as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State, but he didn’t participate at rookie minicamp, OTAs, or last week’s mandatory minicamp. He may have been dealing with an undisclosed injury. The Saints only guaranteed $3,000 of his contract so there won’t be much of an impact on their salary cap by releasing him.

Still, it’s a disappointing end to his time in New Orleans. But that’s the case for many young pros as teams churn the bottoms of their depth charts over the summer. They’ll be recruited hard by NFL teams in the hours after the draft in April and cast aside by roster cuts in August if they can’t make a quick (and positive) impression. Good luck to Latu in wherever he lands next.

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Minnesota Vikings waive UDFA WR Devron Harper

On Monday night, the Vikings waived UDFA wide receiver Devron Harper. The Mercer Bear signed shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft.

On Monday night, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 out of Houston reported the Minnesota Vikings waived UDFA wide receiver Devron Harper. The Mercer wide receiver signed with the Vikings shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft.

Harper participated in the Vikings rookie minicamp and organized team activities since signing with the team. He was one of 13 wide receivers on the team, so expect him to be the first of many moves made regarding the position in the coming weeks.

Harper produced well at Mercer in his three years for the school. He accumulated 4,358 all-purpose yards and scored 23 total touchdowns on 159 receptions. He also returned 54 kicks and is the school’s all-time leader in punt return yards (625).

He was expected to potentially be a candidate to return kicks for the Vikings due to his experience and the recent changes to the kickoff.

Do not be surprised to see Harper pop up on another roster after working his way through waivers because of that experience and work he has on special teams.

Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. makes unique list gathered by PFF

The likelihood of finding a valuable UDFA is low, but it does happen every year, 2023 was the Viking’s year when they landed Ivan Pace Jr.

The likelihood of finding a valuable UDFA is low, but it does happen every year, 2023 was the Viking’s year when they landed Ivan Pace Jr. Now, the rest of the NFL is taking its turn in recognizing the talented linebacker and what he brings to the table.

Pro Football Focus is compiling all sorts of lists and rankings during the offseason, their latest was rather unique. The renowned football organization decided to build an All-2000’s team made up of players born in the year 2000 or later.

Yes, it made us feel old, too.

Only one Viking made the list, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. PFF, mentioned the high grade he earned and provided some other sound reasoning for his inclusion.

“(Ivan) Pace burst onto the scene in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. He picked up five total pressures on 15 pass-rushing snaps over the first two weeks and remained an asset as a pass rusher throughout his rookie campaign, as his 109 pass-rushing snaps ranked sixth among linebackers.”

Pace Jr. is expected to see his role expand much more in 2024. Brian Flores and the rest of his defensive staff came in last year and made an immediate impact. The emergence of the undrafted linebacker played a role in that, and the team recognizes that.

2024 will be a big year for Ivan Pace Jr., one way or another.