Packers to sign UDFA QB Jalen Morton

The Packers are adding Jordan Love and Jalen Morton to the quarterback room in Green Bay.

Jordan Love won’t be the only new quarterback in Green Bay in 2020.

The Packers will also sign Prairie View A&M quarterback Jalen Morton in college free agency, according to HBCUSports.com.

Morton (6-4, 226), a two-year starter, went undrafted. The Packers took Love in the first round and will now plan to bring Morton to training camp as the fourth quarterback after releasing Manny Wilkins on Monday.

Morton threw 33 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions and rushed for 16 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Prairie View A&M. He finished his career with 64 total scores.

“It’s a great opportunity to be considered for their team, and it’s a chance to showcase what I’m able to do,” Morton said. “I’m happy, grateful and blessed. I can’t do anything but thank God, and at the end of the day I’m a Packer now. I’m ready to contribute to the team and culture with my talent and help us win games. I’m excited to learn about the offense and the Green Bay organization.”

Morton’s coach, Eric Dooley, believes the Packers new quarterback “checks all the boxes as far as size, athleticism and ability to play the position and read defenses.”

Morton was Dane Brugler’s No. 31 overall quarterback in the 2020 draft class.

Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on Morton: “While the stats might say he is a dual-threat quarterback, that could have been more a function of his team’s offense than his particular set of skills. Morton has the size and arm talent of a pocket quarterback with above-average athletic ability. He has the potential to make pro throws, but getting through his progressions and playing with proper eye discipline are not his strong suits currently. He has developmental tools and traits but must elevate his post-snap fundamentals in order to have a shot at competing at the NFL level.”

The Packers are also signing Prairie View A&M tight end Jordan Jones.

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Lions release 4 players to make room for UDFAs

The Detroit Lions announced they have released four players in order to create room for their 2020 unrestricted free agents.

The Detroit Lions announced they have released four players in order to create room for their 2020 unrestricted free agents: running back Tra Carson, guard Casey Tucker, punter Matt Wile, and long snapper James Fischer.

After drafting two running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft — D’Andre Swift in the second round and Jason Huntley in the fifth — Carson was sitting seventh on the Lions depth chart and was squeezed out of the 90-man roster.

The same fate fell true for Tucker, who saw his place on the depth chart compromised by the addition of two draft picks at his position — Jonah Jackson in the third round and Logan Stenberg in the fourth.

After signing UDFAs Aaron Siposs (punter) and Steve Wirtel (long snapper) the Lions had three punters and three long snappers on the roster, and with roster space at a premium, Wile and Fischer were casualties of a numbers game.

The Lions roster is now at 90-players as the veterans begin their virtual offseason programs today.

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos WR Kendall Hinton

Here are highlights of new Broncos wide receiver Kendall Hinton.

The Denver Broncos signed seven college free agents after the draft, including wide receiver Kendall Hinton. Here are highlights from Hinton’s senior season at Wake Forest.

Hinton (6-0, 195 pounds) spent time at quarterback in college before transitioning to receiver. Denver gave him a $10,000 signing bonus, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Hinton is an exciting player but he will be joining a crowded wide receiver room that already includes Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Diontae Spencer, Tim Patrick, DaeSean Hamilton, Juwann Winfree, Tyrie Cleveland, Kelvin McKnight, Fred Brown, Trinity Benson and Zimari Manning.

With so much competition at his position, Hinton will probably have long odds to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster. Hinton is an exciting player, though, and he should be able to make the team’s practice squad after totaling 3,447 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns while in college.

To view all seven of the Broncos undrafted free agent signings, click here.

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos CB Essang Bassey

Here are highlights of new Broncos defensive back Essang Bassey!

The Denver Broncos signed seven college free agents after the draft, including defensive back Essang Bassey. Here are highlights from Bassey’s senior season at Wake Forest:

Bassey (5-9, 191 pounds) was one of the top undrafted free agents available this year. During his final three seasons at Wake Forest, Bassey broke up 35 passes, the most of any defensive back in college football during that timeframe.

Bassey’s competition for a roster spot in Denver will include Duke Dawson, De’Vante Bausby, Davontae Harris, Shakial Taylor and Isaac Yiadom. A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan (assuming he’s healthy) will probably be locks to make the roster, as will be third-round pick Michael Ojemudia.

If he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, Bassey would be a strong candidate for the practice squad. Given that some pre-draft predictions had him being a fifth-round pick, Bassey seems to have a good chance of making the team.

To view all of the Broncos’ undrafted free agent signings, click here.

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UGA great Tavarres King has helping hand in Berry College standout signing UDFA contract

Former Georgia football WR Tavarres King had a helping hand in Berry College WR Mason Kinsey signing a UDFA deal with the Tennessee Titans.

Following the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft, Berry College (Rome, Ga) wide receiver Mason Kinsey signed a free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans. Kinsey is the only Division III player in 2020 to sign as a free agent and the first Vikings player in history to sign with an NFL team.

The Habersham Central High (Mt. Airy, Ga) product claimed his third consecutive All-Conference first-team honor and was named a D-III third-team All-American. The Demorest, Ga. native holds program records in nearly every receiving category, finishing his career with a Southern Athletic Association record 3,343 receiving yards and 50 receiving touchdowns. The 6-foot, 195-pound wideout led Berry to a 9-2 record and the Vikings’ fourth consecutive conference championship. For his efforts, Kinsey received an invitation to the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl, the only D-III player selected.

During his freshman year in high school, due to a lack of reps, Kinsey was about to give up on football and focus on basketball. Georgia wide receiver Tavarres King, then a senior, stepped into the picture.

King persuaded Kinsey he had a future in football and should transition from running back to receiver. King, a former Habersham Central 4-star recruit, Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and one of the SEC’s top receivers, saw something in Kinsey and proceeded to lend his advice and backing.

With King’s guidance and support, Kinsey went on to become a two-time all-region selection and Habersham Central’s second all-time leading receiver behind King. He declined a preferred walk-on offer to Mercer and enrolled in Berry to pursue a sports management degree and an opportunity to play football.

“He’s like my big brother and I love him to death,” Kinsey told Forbes.com of his relationship with King. “He has really helped me out and I definitely would not be the player I am today without him. I give a lot of props to him.”

Kinsey’s desire and hunger to put in the work makes him stand out and King took ealy notice of his work ethic.

“That’s what I love about Mason,” King told Forbes.com. “He is real hungry, real eager to learn and a hard-working kid.”

During his tenure at the University of Georgia, King caught 135 passes for 2,602 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns, good for ninth in career receptions, fourth in career yardage and third in career receiving touchdowns. A former fifth-round draft choice of the Denver Broncos, King played six years in the NFL for five teams, with his last stop in Minnesota in 2018.  King knows the NFL scouting system.

“I would tell him all the time, if you are good, they will find you,” said King. “It’s all about making plays and making the most of his opportunities. Mason has done that to this point and I expect him to continue to do that.”

Read Forbes’ story on King and Kinsey here.

Report: Seahawks to sign UDFA running back Anthony Jones

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Seattle Seahawks plan to sign running back Anthony Jones to a contract following the 2020 NFL Draft.

Former FIU running back Anthony Jones is reported to be set to sign a contract with the Seattle Seahawks after surviving a bullet to the face in a drive-by shooting in 2018. ESPN’s Adam Schefter delivered the news the Seahawks will be signing Jones as an undrafted free agent.

Jones was hospitalized and intubated following the incident. He told the Associated Press that he questioned why something so tragic could happen to him specifically.

“That first night, I asked God, ‘Why me?'” Jones said. “I did. You know I did. I just wished I could rewind time, man. Why me? I don’t ever do anything to anybody. I’m a good dude. I respect everybody. I’m a respectful man. My momma raised me right. I’ve never done anything to anybody. I just want to play football, graduate, get my degree and help my family.”

Doctors told FIU head coach Butch Davis that the bullet passed through Jones with no crucial structural damage inflicted.

“The doctor at the hospital when it happened told me, ‘Coach, I’ve been doing this for like 18 years and I’ve never seen anybody survive this,'” Davis told the Sun-Sentinel. “And then he described the bullet wounds, where they went, what they didn’t touch. For that shot to go through and not hit any organs, any bones, any nerve tissue, he said it’s a miracle. It honestly is a miracle.”

At the very least, Jones will get an opportunity to show what he can do at the professional level.

“I have that chance now,” Jones said.  “A second chance.”

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Broncos landed one of the top undrafted free agents available

The Broncos have agreed to terms with cornerback Essang Bassey, who was one of the best undrafted free agents available this year.

Broncos general manager John Elway has a good history of signing undrafted free agent gems. His list of successful UDFA signings includes cornerback Chris Harris, outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and running backs C.J. Anderson and Phillip Lindsay.

This year, Elway might have landed another gem.

After the draft ended, Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield published a list of the best undrafted free agents available. Wake Forest cornerback Essang Bassey (5-9, 191 pounds) was among the prospects Schofield thought should have been drafted. Bassey agreed to terms with Denver on Saturday.

“He moves well, is confident in zone coverage and keys on the eyes of the quarterback at a high level,” Schofield wrote of the undrafted cornerback. “Bassey tested well at the Combine, with a 6.95-second three-cone drill which might bode well for a move inside to the slot.”

During his final three seasons at Wake Forest, Bassey broke up 35 passes, the most of any defensive back in college football during that timeframe. Before the draft, NFL.com predicted that Bassey would be a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick so it’s clear that he was a valued UDFA.

We are tracking all of the Broncos’ undrafted free agent signings here.

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Georgia football CB Tyrique McGhee signs UDFA deal

Georgia football CB Tyrique McGhee did not hear his named called during the 2020 NFL Draft, but the UGA DB has found a new home.

Tyrique McGhee did not hear his named called during the 2020 NFL Draft, but the Georgia cornerback has found a new home.

McGhee has signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent, the franchise announced on Saturday night.

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McGhee came to Georgia as a 3-star cornerback out of Peach County High School (Fort Valley, Ga.) in the class of 2016.

Kirby Smart wasted no time getting McGhee on the field, as he saw action in all 13 games his freshman season.

Between 2016 and 2019, McGhee played in 55 Georgia games and had two career interceptions.

Congratulations, Tyrique, and best of luck in the NFL. Go Dawgs.

Broncos signing undrafted free agent OL Hunter Watts

The Broncos are signing undrafted free agent offensive lineman Hunter Watts.

The Denver Broncos are signing undrafted free agent offensive lineman Hunter Watts, the Central Arkansas football program announced on Twitter on Saturday evening.

Watts (6-8, 320 pounds) appeared in four games as a freshman, eight games as a sophomore, 11 games as a junior and 12 games as a senior. He was not invited to the NFL combine earlier this offseason.

In an interview with Damond Talbot of NFL Draft Diamonds last summer, Watts said his best trait was his mentality, perhaps with some of his inspiration coming from “Rocky Balboa,” a character in the film Rocky.

“He was hard working and never let any obstacles get in his way to reach the overall goal,” Watts told Talbot of Balboa, a fictional boxer.

Watts will likely compete with Jake Rodgers, Tyler Jones, Calvin Anderson, Ka’John Armstrong and Quinn Bailey for one of Denver’s backup offensive tackle positions.

The Broncos have signed five undrafted free agents so far. We are tracking all of Denver’s undrafted free agent signings here.

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Georgia football UDFA tracker: Who’s signed? Who’s available?

A look at which Georgia football players have signed undrafted free agent deals following the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Georgia Bulldogs had seven players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

#4 OT Andrew Thomas to the Giants

#29 OT Isaiah Wilson to the Titans

#35 RB D’Andre Swift to the Lions

#111 OG Solomon Kindley to the Dolphins

#167 QB Jake Fromm to the Bills

#190 TE Charlie Woerner to the 49ers

#255 (very last pick) LB Tae Crowder to the Giants

It took until the very last pick of the NFL Draft for a Georgia defender to get taken — surprising considering UGA’s 2019 defense ranked first in America.

But plenty of Georgia Bulldogs did not hear their name called during the draft.

I would have bet you that safety JR Reed, kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, defensive tackle Tyler Clark and wide receiver Lawrence Cager would have went.

But in the end, they did not.

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A majority of the undrafted Dawgs have signed undrafted free agent deals.

Here is who they have signed with as undrafted free agents:

K Rodrigo Blankenship: Colts

WR Lawrence Cager: Jets

WR Tyler Simmons: Texans

RB Brian Herrien: Browns

S JR Reed: Jaguars

TE Eli Wolf: Ravens

Georgia players remaining include:

DL Tyler Clark

DL Michael Barnett

DL David Marshall

DL Justin Young

DB Tyrique McGhee