Some Young Players I think Could Surprise

[ColtsFanMikeC]

Just browsing through our roster here are some guys I expect to make a push for some of the last spots on the final 53 or for the practice squad:

 

C: Jonathan Harrison -- ranked the 9th overall center in last year's draft and named captain by his teammates at U. Florida -- started at left guard prior to moving to center his senior year -- at 6'4" 308 lbs, he seems to fit what Grigson is looking for in big and versatile OL

 

OL: Ulrick John -- 7th round from Georgia State - his big knock is that he needs to increase his lower-body strength -- he was GSU's top OL the past 2 seasons and held his own vs. some very tough competition -- if our strength coaches have worked well with him, I won't be shocked to see him crack our 53 -- though, I think he was drafted as more of a 'project' and expect him to start the season on the P.S.

 

DE: Tyler Hoover -- undrafted from Michigan State... Mich State's defense was excellent last year and they had great secondary play, part of that should be credited to good d-line play -- Hoover had 4 sacks and started all of the games last year and at 6'4" 297 lbs., he may be a good fit for our rotation which occasionally calls for a big body that can generate some pass rush in the middle

 

DE: Nnamdi Obukwelu -- undrafted from Harvard -- so obviously pretty smart -- he had 4.5 sacks in 9 games as a senior and has good size at 6'3" 303 lbs. Like Hoover, he seems to fit what we are looking for as far as versatile DL -- hasn't played the best talent being from the Ivy League, but he has played well against what he has faced -- I expect him to make our P.S. as a development project

 

DT: Zach Kerr -- undrafted from U. Delaware -- this guy was a beast in the FCS -- I expect him, McKinney, and Jeris Pendleton to be in a very tight battle for the last DT/NT spot on this roster

 

DB: Qua Cox -- undrafted from Jackson State -- has been a full time starter since his sophomore year -- good size at 6'0" 185 lbs for a corner -- I know a lot of people have talked about him on here, but if he doesn't make the roster I will be shocked if we don't keep him on the P.S. (assuming he doesn't get swooped by another team)

 

DB: Loucheiz Purifoy -- undrafted from U. Florida -- early in his career some projected him as a 1st rounder -- off the field issues and a bad pro-day (4.6+ forty) hurt his draft status as well as a sub-par senior year. If this guy has his head on straight, he is a play-maker and a heckuva an athlete.

 

DB: Dewey McDonald -- undrafted from Cali, PA -- hasn't played great competition but has shined and he is a physical beast -- same as Cox, if he doesn't make the 53, I'd be shocked if we don't try to keep him on P.S.

 

RB: Zurlon Tipton -- undrafted from Central Michigan -- at 6'0" 234 lbs. this guy is a monster. He finished his career with 7 straight 100+ rushing yard games including a 4 TD, 216 yard performance over Eastern Michigan. Has been plagued by injury a little bit, but if healthy the guy is a freak. At full health in his junior year he had 20 td's and 1,500 yards.  If for some reason Ballard doesn't come back fully healthy or if he starts on the PUP, I won't be shocked to see Zurlon in a very close battle for the 3rd RB spot.  Not sure how he is as a blocker, but if he can block well, I wouldn't be shocked to see him get tossed into the FB competition as well.

 

WR: Ryan Lankford -- undrafted from U. Illinois -- he is tiny at 5'11" 163 lbs, but he is a burner (sub 4.4) and he is a freak athlete -- injuries hurt him his senior year, and WR is probably the deepest position on our roster -- but I think he has a shot at this roster if he can prove himself as a KR/PR in pre-season (he averaged over 33 yards per punt return at U of I -- that would be ridiculous if he can translate that number to the NFL)

 

 

[Smonroe]

The roster is pretty solid, I'll be surprised if two of those guys make it. Kerr has the best shot IMHO. One of the three DBs you listed may make it.

Got to love the preseason, it's the best reality show out there.

[Tom Moroney]

Harrison, John, Kerr, Obukwelu, Cox and MacDonald should all at least make the PS with one or two breaking the 53.

[akcolt]

 Wide receiver Eric Thomas, 6-1, 209 pounds, is the Sun Belt Conference's all-time leader with 29 career touchdowns, surpassing T.Y. Hilton's previous record of 24from his time at Florida International University. As a senior, he caught 66 passes for 993 yards and finished the year ranked 10th nationally after catching 12 touchdowns. Thomas led the country at one point in the season with a touchdown reception in eight straight games. He finished his Troy career ranked third all-time in school history with 197 receptions, third with 2,655 career receiving yards and second with 29 touchdown receptions. He was named an All-Sun Belt first-team selection prior to participating in the Senior Bowl, NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl and the Medal of Honor Bowl.

 

I kind of like this guy I think Nobody posted some video of him shortly after the draft. Think he might hit the PS allow us to keep 5Wr's

[Yoshinator]

 Wide receiver Eric Thomas, 6-1, 209 pounds, is the Sun Belt Conference's all-time leader with 29 career touchdowns, surpassing T.Y. Hilton's previous record of 24from his time at Florida International University. As a senior, he caught 66 passes for 993 yards and finished the year ranked 10th nationally after catching 12 touchdowns. Thomas led the country at one point in the season with a touchdown reception in eight straight games. He finished his Troy career ranked third all-time in school history with 197 receptions, third with 2,655 career receiving yards and second with 29 touchdown receptions. He was named an All-Sun Belt first-team selection prior to participating in the Senior Bowl, NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl and the Medal of Honor Bowl.

 

I kind of like this guy I think Nobody posted some video of him shortly after the draft. Think he might hit the PS allow us to keep 5Wr's

Thomas is rock-solid for sure. Him and Tony Washington are the two WR's that I'm watching in camp. 

[HtownColt]

Henoc Muamba, Khaled Holmes, Jack Mewhort, Da'rick/Moncrief all will have stellar camps/preseason...McNary will too of course

Really hoping Thornton will too

[ColtsFanMikeC]

I am interested to see about Muamba -- I didn't put him on my list because it seems like he's already been getting a lot of hype so I wasn't considering him a 'surprise' but I am certainly interested in what he'll bring to the table. I will be rooting for him, for sure.

[Caleb3502]

Eric Swoope is another that I think has a shot as TE #3 on our team if he out-plays Saunders and Doyle

[Caleb3502]

Swoope is 6'5'' 220 lb.  Just needs to put on more weight.  Has good height for a TE and has a 35'' vertical.  

[texascolt]

I would like to see Muamba tried out as an OL and maybe fill in for Mathis.

[ColtsFanMikeC]

I didn't include Swoope on the list b/c I think he's been talked about a lot -- it sounds like he has great potential, but I think he is nothing more than a practice squad guy to start the season (he said so himself when we signed him) -- I could see him being somewhat like Adongo last year, where we have to activate him towards the middle-to-end of the season to keep him from being swooped up by another team if he looks to be a player in the pre-season.

 

From the coaches quotes about him after the OTA's or Rookie Camp (I can't remember which), he sounds like he is a terrific athlete -- now we just have to turn him into a bigger, stronger and more polished football player.

[Patagonia Chris]

I would like to see Muamba tried out as an OL and maybe fill in for Mathis.

 

Is this serious?

[ColtsFanMikeC]

Is this serious?

I think he meant OLB instead of ILB. not OL.

[Bravo]

I didn't include Swoope on the list b/c I think he's been talked about a lot -- it sounds like he has great potential, but I think he is nothing more than a practice squad guy to start the season (he said so himself when we signed him) -- I could see him being somewhat like Adongo last year, where we have to activate him towards the middle-to-end of the season to keep him from being swooped up by another team if he looks to be a player in the pre-season.

From the coaches quotes about him after the OTA's or Rookie Camp (I can't remember which), he sounds like he is a terrific athlete -- now we just have to turn him into a bigger, stronger and more polished football player.

Swoop was great today at camp! Made some great catches and looked like he's been playing football for multiple years

[SOMDColtsfan]

Great write up! Barring injuries there`s going to be some tough decisions to make on that final 53 cut.

[PrincetonTiger]

Nice list but it is going to be tough for a couple of those guys due to number of vets ahead of them

[BlueCollarColts]

I think they will keep Loucheiz Purifoy to try to unlock his potential. They did it with Da'Rick Rogers. 

[Smonroe]

Swoop was great today at camp! Made some great catches and looked like he's been playing football for multiple years

Great to know. Of course we have to see if he can block, take a hit, and shed a block. Won't know that until the preseason. I think the Bengals had a similar guy on Hard Knocks last year. Great potential but got knocked down every time when they went live hits.

What a great story if Swoopes works out!

[Bravo]

Great to know. Of course we have to see if he can block, take a hit, and shed a block. Won't know that until the preseason. I think the Bengals had a similar guy on Hard Knocks last year. Great potential but got knocked down every time when they went live hits.

What a great story if Swoopes works out!

Yeah that is true we will have to wait and see until Sunday or Monday but he for sure has some talent.

[Hoosiernsavga]

I think Purifoy or Cox will make the roster. We are very thin in the secondary and we need depth badly.

[BleedBlu8792]

Swoope is 6'5'' 220 lb.  Just needs to put on more weight.  Has good height for a TE and has a 35'' vertical.  

 

From my understanding he's already up to 240ish.. Having looked at the video of him from TC, I think it's safe to say he's definitely gained weight.

[akcolt]

.

 

WR: Ryan Lankford -- undrafted from U. Illinois -- he is tiny at 5'11" 163 lbs, but he is a burner (sub 4.4) and he is a freak athlete -- injuries hurt him his senior year, and WR is probably the deepest position on our roster -- but I think he has a shot at this roster if he can prove himself as a KR/PR in pre-season (he averaged over 33 yards per punt return at U of I -- that would be ridiculous if he can translate that number to the NFL)

This is the type of guy I would look for as a 6th WR. The 6th WR isn't seeing the the field much as a WR unless there are a lot of injuries. If we could find a real PR/KR to go with Adam and Pat special teams would be a really good unit.

[CroatianColtsFan21]

Eric Swoope is another that I think has a shot as TE #3 on our team if he out-plays Saunders and Doyle

 

i think there's no way swoope beats out either saunders or doyle.. 

 

we have our 2 starters at te; a complete te in allen and a receiving te who can't block if his life depended on it - fleener.. since we already have so many receiving threats in wr's, te's and rb's, i'd say  the 3rd te will likely be a blocking te - doyle..

 

i'm guessing that mastering the techniques of blocking is not something you pick up in a few months, so swoope is most likely headed for ps..

[CroatianColtsFan21]

Great to know. Of course we have to see if he can block, take a hit, and shed a block. Won't know that until the preseason. I think the Bengals had a similar guy on Hard Knocks last year. Great potential but got knocked down every time when they went live hits.

What a great story if Swoopes works out!

 

it was the dolphins 2 years ago i think, but you are accurate in the description of his play and the uphill battle he couldn't overcome..

[Smonroe]

it was the dolphins 2 years ago i think, but you are accurate in the description of his play and the uphill battle he couldn't overcome..

You're right! Eerily similar to Swoope's story too.

This is from the Wiki, sounds familiar doesn't it?

"After signing with sports agent Michael Ballard of MB Sports, Brown participated in the pro-day[4] at Brigham Young University on March 29, 2012, where he had the best numbers of any athlete at the event with his 39" vertical leap, 10' 3" broad jump, and 4.43-second 40-yard dash. After Brown’s impressive showing, he received calls from the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts, with the Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and Miami Dolphins being the first teams to invite him to private workouts."

[lollygagger8]

Purifoy and Kerr are my picks for closest to making the actual roster. 

[Horse Shoe Heaven]

I would figure most of these guys are practice squad guys. A lot of talent in camp and barring injury a pretty tough squad to make. I think Purifoy, and McDonald are the best bets to make the team, as they have paths so to speak if they play well. Very intrusted in Tipton,Kerr and seeing them play!

[Gibbons180]

Zurlon Tipton reminds me a lot of Arian Foster, the measurables, undrafted, style of running. In no way am I saying he is gonna be the next arian foster but I say give him a shot, especially with ballards injury. feel for ballard. very excited for camp and pre-season.

[MacDee1975]

The roster is pretty solid, I'll be surprised if two of those guys make it. Kerr has the best shot IMHO. One of the three DBs you listed may make it.

Got to love the preseason, it's the best reality show out there.

 

This happens every year.  People always have this love affair with 8-10 undrafted free agents and inevitably completely overvalue them.

[Smonroe]

This happens every year.  People always have this love affair with 8-10 undrafted free agents and inevitably completely overvalue them.

Not all, but most are undrafted for a reason. Exceptions happen, but it's rare.

[akcolt]

Zurlon Tipton reminds me a lot of Arian Foster, the measurables, undrafted, style of running. In no way am I saying he is gonna be the next arian foster but I say give him a shot, especially with ballards injury. feel for ballard. very excited for camp and pre-season.

I agree after the Ballard injury I watched all the film I could find on the kid it is obvious he was a man among boys. His senior day game 200+ yards 4td's. One was ridiculous ran right over the safety. It will be interesting to see what happens when he plays with the big boys. 

[akcolt]

Not so much with the Foster comparison as he might be able to play.

[ColtsFanMikeC]

This happens every year.  People always have this love affair with 8-10 undrafted free agents and inevitably completely overvalue them.

 

 

Not all, but most are undrafted for a reason. Exceptions happen, but it's rare.

 

I agree -- it is rare, but it does seem like almost every other year we have an undrafted guy come in and make plays for us (Jeff Saturday, Gary Brackett, Terrence Wilkins, Ryan Lilja, Dominic Rhodes, Melvin Bullitt, Jerrell Freeman, even Vinatieri was an UDFA to start his NFL career -- those are just a few guys that come to mind in recent history) and almost every year at least one undrafted player makes our roster or serve valuable roles on our practice squad (see Da'Rick Rogers, Daniel Adongo, Jeff Linkenbach, Sheldon Price, Mario Harvey, Josh Lenz, Griff Whalen, Weslye Saunders, Jack Doyle, Joe Reitz, Matt Overton, Xavier Nixon, Josh McNary, Josh Gordy, Cassius Vaughn, Delano Howell, Sergio Brown for a quick list of UDFA's who were part of our 53 man roster at least once last season -- Mike Adams, the S we just signed was an UDFA to start what has become a successful career).  Just FYI, our final roster of the season had 17 of our 53 man roster who were UDFA's to start their career (32.1% or almost 1/3 of our final roster).

 

Anyway, yes it is rare for an UDFA to come in and become a stud or a starter, but they are extremely important pieces to making us a good team.  If nothing else, if we can bring these guys in and they can improve competition in camp, then they are doing a great thing for our team as a whole.  They are also critical for depth in case of freak injuries (e.g., Ballard) and important to have around to improve depth in general. They are also critical at times just as 'camp bodies' - for example, Cody Parkey has no real shot at making this team as a K if Pat and Adam stay healthy, but it is nice to have him in camp for a little bit of competition and for us to have the option to rest Adam's leg in the pre-season if he needs a little rest.

 

I think, for the most part, we are sound with our starters (QB - Luck, RB - T. Rich/Bradshaw, WR - Wayne, TY, Nicks, TE - Allen/Fleener, OT's - Castonzo, Cherilus, C - Holmes, OG's - Thornton/Mewhort/Thomas -- DL - Redding, Jones, Chapman, OLB -- Walden/Werner/Mathis, ILB -- Freeman/Jackson, CB -- Davis, Toler/Butler, S - Landry and Howell/Adams, P - McAffee, K - Vinatieri, LS - Overton) -- however, there may be a few surprises in there or injury/suspensions/etc. may shake things up significantly, but more likely than not we aren't going to see a UDFA step into a starting role in week 1. 

 

We still have room for competition and improvement for back-ups and special teams -- we certainly can use improvement in depth in the defensive backfield (Qua Cox, Louchiez Purifoy, Dewey McDonald all have legitimate shots at cracking our 53, IMO), we rotate our D-Line, so we can always use competition and fresh legs there (I expect Kerr to be in a serious battle with Jeris Pendleton and Brandon McKinney for our last roster spot for the d-line) -- our O-Line was arguably the worst position on our team last year, in part due to injuries but also due to serious lack of talent and depth (I fully expect Harrison to seriously challenge making this roster as a backup center) -- our WR corps is deep but after the first 4 (Wayne, TY, Nicks, Moncrief) there is a battle and we don't know if we'll go with 5 or 6 WR's (I'd say Rogers has a hand up at the 5th spot and probably Whalen at the 6th, but if one of these young guys can come in and prove to be more valuable on ST's than Whalen, I won't be shocked to see them be given serious consideration -- I think people forget sometimes that Whalen was a UDFA at one point and may be less of an athlete than some of these young UDFA WR's -- if we keep 6 WR's the 6th WR should only be used as a WR as emergency depth and what will set them apart to make our roster will be special team contributions -- so, I do think some of these WR's do have a shot at our roster and definitely a shot at the PS).  LB is another area where we have depth concerns -- a lot of people predict we will keep 10 LB's (let's say 11 to start the season with Mathis not counting toward a roster spot) - we currently have 12 players listed as LB on our roster (I'd say 13 because I think Jonathon Newsome is an LB not a DE) -- this means Henoc Muamba, who I didn't list as a surprise, would have a very good shot at making this team as someone who was never drafted, it also means McNary, Adongo, and Freeman (all former UDFA's) have a very good shot to make our team -- our LB's are actually kind of weird (only Kelvin Shepard, D'Qwell Jackson, and Bjoern Werner were selected higher than the 5th round).

 

With Ballard's bad news, we are going to see competition for the 3rd and maybe 4th RB spot -- Rainey and Herron are familiar with our system but have had their injury problems in the past meaning that Davin Meggett and Zurlon Tipton (both UDFA's to start their career) will be seeing reps and having a chance.  I personally like Rainey and think he could be used as a KR and in a similar role as D. Brown was last year (he is really the only 'change-of-pace' speedster of this group), but I worry a little bit about his health.  I would guess Tipton has a better shot at the P.S. for right now, but he is definitely a bruising RB and I think very much in the mold of what Pagano likes to see in a football player, so with Ballard's injury I think he will be a guy to watch out for.

 

So yes, it will be a long shot for many of these players to make the 53, although I think at least 1/2 dozen of them have very legitimate shots -- but beyond that is our practice squad where I think we will see several other UDFA's.  I am not 'falling in love' with any of the UDFA's, I posted the originial because I think we should be keeping our eyes on several of the UDFAs as they do provide a lot of value to this team and several may even wind up cracking our 53.

[ColtsBlueFL]

This happens every year.  People always have this love affair with 8-10 undrafted free agents and inevitably completely overvalue them.

 

Every year brings hope anew.  Everyone that buys lottery tickets has enthusiasm that in 'their' tickets is the jackpot winner.  When it all plays out, it almost never is, with rare exceptions.  But there's that hope that still remains for next time...