Free Agency, The Mock Drafts, 2017 (Continual Updates)
Greetings to all. BBQ hopes your week is off to a great start. As we continue to look at free agency and the recent draft, today will be devoted to evaluating the future potential of each undrafted free agent. We have eight players to consider today.
These evaluations are highly subjective, but we will attempt to look into the future and see what kind of impact each player will have with the Redskins. Will there be any long term starters? Will there be players who provide depth? Who will be a practice squad hero? Who will have a short career in football? Who will have memories of lasting one summer in the NFL?
Later this week, we will look at the career evaluations of the 2017 free agents.
We will also look at the rookie training camp coming this Friday through Sunday and provide updates on the various observations from reporters and pundits.
Let’s get right to it.
Undrafted Free Agent Evaluations
Brandon Banks, DE, UNC-Charlotte
A camp body. A practice sled. A pad and helmet carrier. A Gatorade bottle provider. Probably doesn’t make the practice squad. Interesting name.
Tyler Catalina, G, Georgia
Catalina goes about 6-6, 330 (after adding about fifteen pounds of bulk). He has a decent chance of making the practice squad and possibly to the roster within a year or two. Could be in direct competition with Kyle Kalis.
Levern Jacobs, WR, Maryland
The team has many fine receivers and he is quite a bit shorter than all of them. Even making the practice squad is a longshot. BBQ wonders if his nickname is “Ryan Grant”.
Kyle Kalis, G, Michigan
He could be a candidate for the practice squad. Needs to add about ten to fifteen pounds of bulk. He could be worth the time and effort to invest in training and developing for the future. Could be in direct competition with Tyler Catalina.
Zach Pascal, WR, Old Dominion
In a roster full of tall and talented receivers, Zach Pascal has an outside chance of making the roster. However, he likely lands on the practice squad for now. Could work his way to the 2018 roster.
Ondre Pipkins, DT, Texas Tech
It’s unlikely that he makes the final fifty-three. Once a five star recruit for college, he had a subpar career at the next level. He may land on the practice squad, but that is iffy.
James Quick, WR, Louisville
He did well in a pass happy system in college. He will not be on the roster and being on the practice squad is not likely to happen either.
Fish Smithson, FS, Kansas
The strongest candidate to make the roster of fifty-three (at least for now). Has always proved the naysayers wrong. Even with a substantial number of free safeties currently on the roster, Smithson actually has a chance. At the very least, he will have a spot on the practice squad.
Rookie Camp Tryout Players
Nico Marley, SS/OLB, Tulane
Mario Yakoo, G, Boise St.
Jameel Jackson, DB, Grambling
Cass Weitl, DE, Northwest Missouri St.
Verlan Hunter, WR, Grambling
Players amongst the tryout candidates to watch are Yakoo and Weitl.
Some of these career observations could be too optimistic. Some could be too pessimistic. How do you think the careers of these players will unfold? Feel free to agree or disagree. Too, feel free to post any of your career evaluations and expectations of these UDFAs.
Later this week, we will do career evaluations for the new free agents signed during the offseason.
See you as we go along.
Hail To The Redskins!