Tag: undrafted free agent

Here’s why Broncos selected Derrek Tuszka near the end of the NFL Draft

Here’s why the Broncos used a seventh-round draft pick on pass rusher Derrek Tuszka.

The Denver Broncos selected North Dakota State edge defender Derrek Tuszka in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday. Denver initially reached out to Tuszka’s agent to talk about the possibility of signing him as a college free agent after the draft.

After learning of interest from other teams, the Broncos opted to select Tuszka with pick No. 254 instead of trying to get into a bidding war with other teams.

“Towards the end of the draft here this afternoon, I was getting a bunch of calls,” Tuszka said during a Zoom conference call with reporters on April 25.” They reached out to my agent and were kind of talking about free agency, but with the number of free agent offers that I was having they found it was in their best interest to take me right towards the end there.”

Tuszka probably would have been one of Denver’s top UDFA targets had they not drafted him. The Broncos ended up signing seven UDFAs.

Tuszka (6-4, 251 pounds) was a productive pass rusher at NDSU, totaling 29.5 career sacks. He’ll compete for a backup outside linebacker job in Denver this offseason.

“I don’t try to get too fancy,” Tuszka said of his pass rushing. “It all starts with a good off. When you’re thinking about too many moves that you might have, it slows you down. I keep it pretty simple and just play football.”

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4 undrafted free agents who could make Chargers 53-man roster

Who will be the diamond in the rough player for the Los Angeles Chargers this season?

The Chargers added six new members throughout the course of the weekend in the 2020 NFL draft. Following the event itself, they notched an additional 19 undrafted free agents who will all be fighting for a roster spot.

Los Angeles has had a great amount of success on bringing in hidden gems that went undrafted, including safety Adrian Phillips, tight end Antonio Gates and running back Austin Ekeler.

With that, here are four that could see their names on the 53-man roster when the 2020 season rolls around.

Joe Gaziano – DE – Northwestern

William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Every year, there’s always a defensive end that lights it up during training camp and preseason and makes the 53-man roster. That should be no different this year, especially because the future remains to be seen with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram since their contracts are up after the 2020 season.

At 6-foot-4 and 281 pounds, Gaziano constantly makes his presence known at rushing the passer and defending the run.

He shows the ability to convert speed to power in the pass game. He has some heavy hands in the run game, setting a firm edge while fighting pressure. With a plus initial first step and big boy power, Gaziano is able to overwhelm offensive linemen and put them on their backs at times.

Gaziano also has some alignment versatility, possessing the profile to work inside, too. In 52 games at Northwestern, he recorded 153 tackles, including 48.5 tackles for loss, 30 sacks, 15 passes defensed and eight forced fumbles.

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Packers signing Florida State CB Stanford Samuels III in UDFA

The Packers are adding a cornerback in undrafted free agency, signing Florida State’s Stanford Samuels III.

The Green Bay Packers signed one of the top undrafted free agents available following the 2020 draft.

Cornerback Stanford Samuels III agreed to sign with the Packers, according to Florida State football’s official Twitter account.

Samuels (6-0, 187) produced 24 pass breakups and eight interceptions over 37 games and 24 starts with Florida State. He was an early entrant into the draft but didn’t get drafted.

At the combine, Samuels ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds – the slowest time among cornerbacks – and didn’t do any jumps or agility testing, likely tanking his draft stock.

According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, Samuels is an experienced press corner with a long wingspan (almost 77″) and ball skills. Brugler ranked Samuels as his 26th best cornerback in the class.

Considering his lack of speed and lapses in man-to-man coverage, some have considered Samuels a potential candidate to move to safety at the next level.

Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on Samuels, whom he considered a potential future starter: “Tall, slender, man-cover corner who is disruptive and physical from press but needs to rely on technique and footwork to avoid penalties at the next level. Stat services dinged him for catches and yards allowed that should have clearly gone on the safety’s tab. He plays with good instincts and athleticism to make plays on the football and is a challenging matchup on 50/50 balls. He possesses the necessary traits to fit into a variety of coverage schemes, but teams will want to see better effort and consistency in run support. Samuels might find starter’s work within the first couple of years in the league.”

The Packers didn’t draft a cornerback, opening the door for Samuels to compete for a roster spot. Veteran Tramon Williams remains unsigned.

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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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Zach Shackelford signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zach Shackelford has found a new home in Tampa Bay as an undrafted FA. He will now be on an offensive line trying to protect Tom Brady.

Zach Shackelford was one of the leaders for the Longhorns’ last season, pairing nicely with quarterback Sam Ehlinger. The center out of Belton, Texas went into this year’s draft hoping to be a late-round draft pick.

Instead, he has found a new home in Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent. Shackelford will now have the chance to protect one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady. Provided he works his way up the depth chart.

He joins first-round pick Tristian Wirfs out of Iowa as new members of the Buccaneers’ offensive line.

Shackelford signing with the Bucs now makes five new Longhorns in the NFL. Three were drafted, while Malcolm Roach was able to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Fighting for a position to make the team, Shackelford’s experience should help him. He started in 40 of the 43 games he played in, while also earning first-team All-Big 12 honors along the way. Either at center or somewhere else on the offensive line, Shackelford should be able to help protect Tom Brady.

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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.

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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3 undrafted free agents who have a chance to make Texans’ final roster

If the Houston Texans have three undrafted free agents with a good shot at making the final roster in September, it is these guys.

The Houston Texans began signing undrafted free agents after the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft Saturday.

Undrafted free agents have a tougher time than ever to make NFL rosters at the end of preseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the league’s offseason workouts and practices. Coach and general manager Bill O’Brien believes this will make it more advantageous for veterans when it comes to roster construction.

Nevertheless, here are three of the Texans’ undrafted free agents who have a shot to make the final roster in September.

1. TCU G Cordel Iwuagwu

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-3, 309 pounds, Iwuagwu is virtually the same height as Greg Mancz, just an inch shorter. Iwuagwu could help the Texans get younger along the interior offensive line. In fact, he could be a Mancz starter kit as he also worked on adding the center skill set to his toolbox. Adding Iwuagwu would help the Texans transition from Senio Kelemete. It is unfathomable to believe Iwuagwu could start over Zach Fulton at right guard.

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Baltimore Ravens sign son of legendary pro wrestler

The son of pro wrestling legend Rick Steiner has signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent.

Pro wrestling and professional football have intersected many times. The Baltimore Ravens added another page to that book Saturday when they signed an undrafted free agent from Kennesaw State.

The Ravens added Bronson Rechsteiner after the draft. A 6-foot, 230-pound running back from the Georgia school is the son of former pro wrestler Rick Steiner.

A 2019 All-America selection by HERO Sports, Rechsteiner helped lead Kennesaw State to the most successful start-up program in college football history during his four-year career. He appeared in 48 games and helped the Owls capture two Big South Conference championships, make three straight appearances in the FCS Playoffs and capture four FCS Playoff victories.

Rechsteiner led the No. 1 rushing attack in all of FCS football in 2019 with 909 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, and 8.1 yards per carry. He set a KSU school record on Sept. 21, 2019, at Missouri State, rushing for 221 yards on 10 attempts, including an 85-yard touchdown to lead a comeback victory.

He had three 100-yard rushing games and completed the only pass of his collegiate career, a 60-yarder for a touchdown.

Rechsteiner dazzled in his NFL Pro Day performance on the campus of Kennesaw State, with 35 reps on the bench, 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 6.95 seconds in the three-cone drill. His performance on the bench would have ranked No. 3 among all players at the NFL combine and No. 1 among running backs, clearing every player at his position by six reps.

His uncle Scott Steiner, aka Big Poppa Pump, congratulated his nephew along with others.

Rechsteiner’s highlight reel features the theme of WWE legend and current exec Triple H.

If things don’t work out with the Ravens or in the NFL, Bronson Rechsteiner would love to follow his father and uncle into the wrestling ring.

If you forgot what the Steiner Bros. were capable of in the ring, watch:

 

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.