Texans sign 6 of top 50 undrafted Rookie FAs

[nunusguy]

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/res...undrafted.html
**********************************
Well not officially, but according to one well know NFL Draft website RB Darius Walker, DE Victor DeGrate, QB Jared Zabransky, LB Jon Abbate, C Enoka Lucas, & FB Cory Anderson are among this years top 50 undrafted FAs.
I dunno, but that might speak highly of Rick Smith and his crews ability to uncover some prospects who are under the radar ? Atleast somebody thinks so.
Might be a couple of these guys make the team ? Maybe more ?

[Texans Horror]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/res...undrafted.html
**********************************
Well not officially, but according to one well know NFL Draft website RB Darius Walker, DE Victor DeGrate, QB Jared Zabransky, LB Jon Abbate, C Enoka Lucas, & FB Cory Anderson are among this years top 50 undrafted FAs.
I dunno, but that might speak highly of Rick Smith and his crews ability to uncover some prospects who are under the radar ? Atleast somebody thinks so.
Might be a couple of these guys make the team ? Maybe more ?

Nice find, nunusguy.

Sometimes these guys pan out. Walker is probably in the best position to do something because of the way the Texans trade out runners, so who knows? Except for the Zabransky pick, I think it says most about how much the team needs competition in those areas. This adds two backs, one center, a quarterback, and two guys to trying out on the defensive line.

The Texans have definitely addressed the question of depth. My only concern between the draft and the undrafted pick-ups is whether or not the Texans are getting quality. That remains to be seen, and I am hopeful that our starters are just that good. That with a year behind them in the system, the defense especially should start clicking on all four cylinders and be one of the best defenses in the AFC - definitely the best in the AFC South.

The reason I hope for this is that I don't see much happening on offense after the Texans' by-week. I just expect the core running-back duo of Green/Dayne to be beat-up and abused by then, which means no balance on the offense.

I'd go further into it, but I'm way off-topic already. Glad the Texans have picked up some good rooks to compete during training and spring practice.

[Ole Miss Texan]

That's really good news and I'm a pretty optimistic guy while being sorta realistic.

Signing 6 of the top 50 undrafted free agents is equivalent to saying:

The houston texans signed six players that were ranked between #256 and #305 of the best prospects in the draft. Thats ALOT of players that were drafted before them.

With that said, I think Smith is doing a very good job in scouting talent, with last years FA during the season, this draft, and udfas. I think a lot of players that went undrafted are probably impressed with houstons facilities, new coaches, general manager, and that they have a better chance of making the team here than elsewhere. I sure hope some of these guys end up being quality guys and contribute to the team for a few years or longer..I like who we've gotten so far.

[PapaL]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

they have a better chance of making the team here than elsewhere. I sure hope some of these guys end up being quality guys and contribute to the team for a few years or longer..I like who we've gotten so far.

I think this is the biggest reason right there. Odds of making an NFL team are small. By going to team that has a lower talent level, your chances are increased. Is it the UDFA talent Smith is bringing in or is that the players we have/had were just that sorry? Probably a mixture of both but we're getting slightly better every year.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by PapaL

I think this is the biggest reason right there. Odds of making an NFL team are small. By going to team that has a lower talent level, your chances are increased. Is it the UDFA talent Smith is bringing in or is that the players we have/had were just that sorry? Probably a mixture of both but we're getting slightly better every year.

If that were the case, then we should have had our best crop of UDFA's in year 1. We have more depth and talent now then at any time in our history, yet at least on paper, we got by far our best crop of UDFA's. So, I'm not sure I can totally agree with your thesis.

In my view, that may play a role, but it's more about other things. A guy like Cory Anderson understands the way we use our FB is going to fit the strengths of his game more than many teams. Guys at all levels also want to play for a winner, or at least an up and coming team, and I think players recognize that with the change at QB and more talent coming in, that this is now a team on the rise. Add to that, great facilities, good climate, good coaching, and good FO and owner, and it's apparent why these guys choose to come here.

The last piece is money, and we have no idea if the Texans perhaps simply offered more in the final analysis than the other teams pursuing these players.

[PapaL]

Originally Posted by Porky

If that were the case, then we should have had our best crop of UDFA's in year 1. We have more depth and talent now then at any time in our history, yet at least on paper, we got by far our best crop of UDFA's. So, I'm not sure I can totally agree with your thesis.

In my view, that may play a role, but it's more about other things. A guy like Cory Anderson understands the way we use our FB is going to fit the strengths of his game more than many teams. Guys at all levels also want to play for a winner, or at least an up and coming team, and I think players recognize that with the change at QB and more talent coming in, that this is now a team on the rise. Add to that, great facilities, good climate, good coaching, and good FO and owner, and it's apparent why these guys choose to come here.

The last piece is money, and we have no idea if the Texans perhaps simply offered more in the final analysis than the other teams pursuing these players.

They're Undrafted for a reason. If they were any better (on paper) they would have been drafted. UDFA are typically role players. Who is the last superstar that was an UDFA?

[STEEL BLUE TEXANS]

In the last 4 years the Ravens have had 4 players start on their defense that were undrafted free agents.


Will Demps
Marques Douglas
Kelly Gregg
Bart Scott (pro bowler and all pro)

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by PapaL

They're Undrafted for a reason. If they were any better (on paper) they would have been drafted. UDFA are typically role players. Who is the last superstar that was an UDFA?

While I understand your way of thinking, you have to also know that the draft used to be quite a bit longer and there were guys who make the team as a late round draft choice, I.E. Mark Schlereth who has a 10th round pick and won three super bowls (1 w/ Washington and 2 w/ Denver) as a starting offensive lineman.

I do not have a complete list but .... Jake Delhomme and Kurt Warner were undrafted and so was Preist Holmes. Granted it is more difficult now a days because of all the research and info a team will have on players, but that is not to say a guy can not contribute greatly to a teams success.

[kiwitexansfan]

Originally Posted by STEEL BLUE TEXANS

In the last 4 years the Ravens have had 4 players start on their defense that were undrafted free agents.


Will Demps
Marques Douglas
Kelly Gregg
Bart Scott (pro bowler and all pro)

Nice insight there Steel Blue.

I think we just need to look at last year where off the street guys came in at DT and played a substantial role for us to show that Smith knows what to look for in a player that isn't wanted by others.

I fully expect some of these guys to make the practice squad if not the roster itself and be contributors.

[Hottoddie]

Originally Posted by PapaL

They're Undrafted for a reason. If they were any better (on paper) they would have been drafted. UDFA are typically role players. Who is the last superstar that was an UDFA?

Not that it happens too often, but it does happen.

Antonio Gates
Kurt Warner
Rod Smith
Priest Holmes
Willie Parker
Adam Vinatieri
Adewale Ogunleye
John Randle
Richard Dent (drafted in the 8th round of the '83 draft, would've been an UDFA in today's draft)

[Hottoddie]

According to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports, we signed 3 of his top 10 UDFA's.

Walker
Anderson
Zabransky

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6760130

[Porky]

Originally Posted by PapaL

They're Undrafted for a reason. If they were any better (on paper) they would have been drafted. UDFA are typically role players. Who is the last superstar that was an UDFA?

I would be willing to bet you that the Texans, and many other teams, had draftable grades on a good number of these players. Perhaps in the Texans case, all of them. There are only so many spots, and when your turn comes up in any given round you make your choice. You can only choose once. It's silly to think it means that somehow Zac Diles is a better player than Jon Abbate. In fact, I'll wager you that it is more likely Abbate makes it over Diles.

In any case, this isn't about superstars. It's about seeing who can stick, and add talent and depth. Not to say that one couldn't become a starter, or even a star. Unlikely yes, but impossible? No, and others have already pointed out some of the other stars who went undrafted.

[jgl35]

Originally Posted by PapaL

I think this is the biggest reason right there. Odds of making an NFL team are small. By going to team that has a lower talent level, your chances are increased. Is it the UDFA talent Smith is bringing in or is that the players we have/had were just that sorry? Probably a mixture of both but we're getting slightly better every year.

In '03, the year Philadelphia when to the Super Bowl, the following UDFA made the team.
S Clinton Hart-- now with San Diego
CB Roderick Hood-- 3rd CB who signed this year as a UFA with Ariz.
C Jamaal Jackson-- starting center
WR Greg Lewis--3rd wr
RB Reno Mahe--back up rb. Punt returner
S Quintin Mikell-- back-up at both Strong and Free safety
DT Sam Rayburn-- just released this week.
Only Jackson was placed on the PS after "injury" in training camp. The rest played.

[Hagar]

Originally Posted by Hottoddie

According to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports, we signed 3 of his top 10 UDFA's.

Walker
Anderson
Zabransky

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6760130

Football Futures had Walker and Abbate on its list.

Undrafted Free Agents

I like Abbate. Everything I've read so far has talked about his toughness and his motor. If for no other reason, we keep him for special teams play.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by PapaL

They're Undrafted for a reason. If they were any better (on paper) they would have been drafted. UDFA are typically role players. Who is the last superstar that was an UDFA?

As the Texans have few "super stars" on the team, an UDFA only has to beat out the worst player at his position. Then he has a job and theoretically we have a better player. Beside a lot of us just like to root for an under dog to make the team.

[Dallas_Texan]

The question is .... should our faith in Smith/Kubiaks eye for talent also make us feel a lot better about Jacoby Jones, Fred Bennet, and Brandon Harrison? Everyone thinks they had a great eye for talent in the undrafted players but blasts our draft. What gives?

[Texanmike02]

One of the publications online (ourlads i think) did an article about undrafted free agents. Something like 27% of the players in the nfl were drafted in the 1st round... 2nd was 2ndrounders at like 24%. The shocker was 21% were UDFA. When you look at the depth chart, among either starters or 2nd teamers it was about the same ratio. I'm not vouching for the statistics, just making a point. Additionally, of the players drafted every year, 1/2 of them will be around after their rookie contract... hell only 66% make it through the first year.

Mike