Briefly breaking down the top undrafted free agent signings so far
Green Bay Packers: QB Chase Rettig, RB Rajion Neal
The Green Bay Packers always had interest in adding a developmental QB, and they signed one in undrafted free agency instead of spending a draft pick on one. Chase Rettig had a nice career at Boston College, and he looks like a practice squad guy as a rookie with the Packers QB grouping seemingly filled out on the actual 53-man roster. Rajion Neal also looks like a practice squad guy, as the Tennessee product has some interesting all-around ability.
Chicago Bears: QB Jordan Lynch
A full-blown practice squad project, Jordan Lynch was one of my favorite players to watch at Northern Illinois, and it isn’t surprising to see the Bears scoop up the local prospect after reading pre-draft rumors about the potential link. But make no mistake, actual draft pick David Fales is clearly the guy Marc Trestman is focused on developing as a QB; Lynch’s position in the NFL will be different and could include a hybrid role.
Detroit Lions: QB James Franklin, OT Cornelius Lucas
The Detroit Lions always had interest in adding a backup QB after Shaun Hill went to the St. Louis Rams this offseason, and it will be interesting to see if James Franklin can be a quality backup. I doubt it, but he Lions have a great group of QB gurus in place. At this point in time, the Mizzou passer has to be a practice squad guy. The Lions UDFA signing of LaAdrian Waddle last year was a ridiculous steal, as he is now an excellent starting tackle for the Lions. Nobody should be expecting that kind of an impact out of a rookie UDFA at tackle (let alone most rookies), but Cornelius Lucas is an intriguing tackle. The Kansas State product will at least make the practice squad due to his potential, and we’ll see if he can make the roster. At this point, Lucas is clearly one for the future.
Minnesota Vikings: OT Antonio Richardson, QB/WR Kain Colter, OT Austin Wentworth, TE A.C. Leonard, WR Erik Lora
The Minnesota Vikings sure were busy scooping up undrafted free agents yesterday, and I’m still shocked Tennessee Volunteers OT Austin Richardson went undrafted, while his teammate on the right side went to the Miami Dolphins in the first round (to be fair, there was a forest fire linking Ja’Wuan James to the Dolphins). Richardson had a second-round grade from some analysts, and I would be surprised if he doesn’t crack the roster. Kain Colter is a full-blown practice squad guy in about the same boat as Lynch, though Colter has more pro potential than the former NIU QB. Wentworth was Derek Carr’s only legit blocker at Fresno State, but he’s a toss-up. A.C. Leonard looks like a steal, as he should have been drafted. Erik Lora was Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite target at Eastern Illinois, and he’s a fast WR with good hands who should crack the Vikings 53-man.
Seattle Seahawks: S Dion Bailey, DE Jackson Jeffcoat, QB Keith Price
So the Super Bowl champs should be arrested on two accounts of grand theft, because I don’t know how Dion Bailey and Jackson Jeffcoat managed to go undrafted; it’s hard to logically explain it. Bailey is a poor tackler, but he has good ball skills and amazing instincts. If you watch his tape at USC, you’ll see his excellent recognition skills, as he does a great job of flowing to the ball and reading plays; it will be fun to see how the Seahawks develop him. Jeffcoat is a solid edge rusher who will be a nice rotation guy for the Seahawks after a good career with the Texans Longhorns. Keith Price is very much a developmental guy, but the “local” prospect has intriguing ability worth trying to tap into.
San Francisco 49ers: LB Shayne Skov, DE Morgan Breslin
What a surprise, the San Francisco 49ers added some more talented players. After another phenomenal draft, Trent Baalke added two big-name defensive players from the Pac-12 in undrafted free agency, stealing Bay Area prospect Shayne Skov from the Oakland Raiders grasps. With top ILB prospect Chris Borland and Skov under wraps, the 49ers are more than prepared to deal with NaVorro Bowman‘s injury and definitely have the ability to slow him down if needed. I hated Skov’s tape at Stanford and view him as a very limited player, but he has great intangibles and should have been drafted. Morgan Breslin might be an even bigger steal, as the only reason why the USC edge rusher didn’t receive more hype was because of a hip injury. Watch him closely in August.