Assessing Every Philadelphia Eagles UDFA's Chances of Making Final Roster
The Philadelphia Eagles only came away with six players in the 2015 NFL draft. However, they supplemented their incoming talent and filled out the 90-man roster with 16 undrafted free agents, all of whom are competing for a spot on the team, a handful of whom actually have a chance.
Obviously, making an NFL team as a rookie free agent is not the most common path, but it’s not unthinkable, either. Last season, Trey Burton did just that for the Eagles, thanks in large part to his contributions on special teams. This year, Burton is expected to be the No. 3 tight end on the depth chart.
There’s no real science to predicting which UDFAs will make it. A lot of it depends on special teams, some on team needs. From time to time, an organization will throw a little extra money at a premium UDFA, which can be telling.
At this point, it’s a lot of guesswork, as we don’t even have complete scouting reports on many of these players. That being said, we attempt to address each of these prospects' chances of making the final roster using easy-to-understand and frank terminology with some analysis behind the thinking.
Which players do you think have the best shot at making it?
Rasheed Bailey, WR, Delaware Valley
1 of 16
A local prospect, Rasheed Bailey possesses pro size (6’2”, 205 lbs.) and led Division III football with 1,707 yards receiving and 19 touchdown catches in 2014. An intriguing player, for sure, but aside from proving he can hang in the big leagues, Bailey likely needs to excel on special teams to warrant a roster spot.
Chances: Minimal
Brett Boyko, OG, UNLV
2 of 16
The first clue a team is interested in retaining an undrafted free agent is guaranteed money. According to Mark Eckel for NJ.com, Brett Boyko is one of two UDFAs the Eagles enticed with such a bonus. Granted, it was only $20,000, a pittance in the NFL, but Philadelphia’s need for young, talented offensive linemen is also telling here. Boyko is no sure thing, but he’ll have every opportunity to make the roster.
Chances: Excellent
Malcolm Bunche, OG, UCLA
3 of 16
Malcolm Bunche has the advantage of playing a position where the Eagles desperately need talent. However, losing starting jobs at left tackle and left guard as a senior at UCLA doesn’t bode well for his immediate NFL future. It sure seems like Bunche is only a candidate for the practice squad at best.
Chances: Almost Zero
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Mike Coccia, C, New Hampshire
4 of 16
The New Hampshire connection can’t hurt Mike Coccia, as it’s where Chip Kelly got his start as a football coach. Coccia has the size (6’3”, 302 lbs.) to play at the next level, but he must show he can handle larger defenders than he faced in Division I-AA. The lack of established depth at center behind Jason Kelce suggests the kid may have a shot.
Chances: Mild
Devante Davis, WR, UNLV
5 of 16
That Devante Davis went undrafted is somewhat surprising. His senior year wasn’t spectacular and marred by injury, but he recorded 87 receptions for 1,290 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior at UNLV. Possesses quality size (6’3”, 220 lbs.), but he didn’t run particularly well at the combine and scouting reports make no mention of special teams contributions.
Chances: Minimal
Jordan Dewalt-Ondijo, LB, Duke
6 of 16
Jordan Dewalt-Ondijo played defensive end for Duke, but at 6’4”, 240 pounds he translates to an outside linebacker in Philly’s scheme. That’s still undersized, and with only 10.0 sacks in four seasons of college football, he clearly has a long way to go as a pass-rusher. The Eagles need help at this position, but there’s almost no way Dewalt-Ondijo is ready to produce in the NFL.
Chances: Almost Zero
Andrew Gleichert, TE, Michigan State
7 of 16
Andrew Gleichert recorded just eight receptions in three seasons for Michigan State. At 6’5”, 264 pounds, the Eagles likely view him as a blocking tight end. Unless he’s also a superior special teams performer, that’s a tough road for Gleichert to make the roster in 2015.
Chances: Minimal
John Harris, WR, Texas
8 of 16
A late-bloomer of sorts, John Harris went from seven receptions in his first three seasons at Texas to 68 as a senior, going for 1,051 yards and seven touchdowns. Harris has nice size for an NFL receiver at 6’2”, 218 pounds, but like the receivers before him, his chances of making the roster almost certainly boil down to special teams.
Chances: Minimal
Cole Manhart, OG, Nebraska-Kearney
9 of 16
Similarly to Coccia, Cole Manhart’s first major test will be proving he can handle the level of competition, in this case coming from a Division II school. Manhart certainly has the size (6’6”, 310 lbs.), and the Eagles most certainly have the need along the offensive line, so it’s difficult to completely rule the young man out.
Chances: Minimal
B.J. McBryde, DE, Connecticut
10 of 16
B.J. McBryde only managed to crack the starting lineup as a senior at Connecticut, which is telling in itself. He never recorded a sack and finished his college career with just 2.0 tackles for a loss. McBryde has compelling size at 6’5”, 304 pounds, but he is extremely raw otherwise, while Philadelphia’s defensive line is extremely talented.
Chances: Almost Zero
Raheem Mostert, RB, Purdue
11 of 16
With DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles on the roster, it’s going to be an uphill task for any other running back to make the roster, let alone an undrafted free agent. Meanwhile, Raheem Mostert only carried 136 times in four seasons at Purdue. Then again, Dane Brugler’s scouting report for CBSSports.com mentions Mostert was a “special teams standout,” which means the kid has a shot if the Eagles carry four backs.
Chances: Minimal
Travis Raciti, DT, San Jose State
12 of 16
Travis Raciti was the other undrafted free agent the Eagles gave guaranteed money to. However, earning a spot on the defensive line—arguably the club’s biggest strength—is no easy task. Raciti presumably will be locked in a battle with veteran Brandon Bair and 2014 fifth-round selection Taylor Hart for a roster spot, which could go any way. Then again, Raciti could also slim down and potentially play outside linebacker, versatility that could go a long way toward cracking the roster.
Chances: Good
Denzel Rice, DB, Coastal Carolina
13 of 16
After an offseason overhauling the secondary, winning a job as an undrafted defensive back in Philadelphia is no easy task. Coming from Division I-AA Coastal Carolina likely doesn’t do Denzel Rice any favors, either. Rice has the height at 6’0”, but at just 185 pounds, one would imagine he must first bulk up to play at this level, among other things.
Chances: Almost Zero
Kip Smith, P, Oklahoma State
14 of 16
Kip Smith has to be the most punter name ever, right? The Eagles would take a cap hit if they released Donnie Jones, who is one of the better punters in the league, therefore it would appear Smith is in camp merely as an extra leg for training camp.
Chances: Almost Zero
Eric Tomlinson, TE, UTEP
15 of 16
Like Gleichert, Eric Tomlinson is primarily a blocking tight end, although a bit more productive as a receiver, hauling in 49 passes over the past two seasons. It’s clear the Eagles are thinking about life without Brent Celek, who is 30, but barring exceptional special teams play, Tomlinson seems like another developmental player headed for the practice squad at best.
Chances: Minimal
Justin Tukes, TE, Central Florida
16 of 16
As we wrap up, it’s another blocking tight end in Justin Tukes. Tukes recorded 30 receptions in four seasons at Central Florida. As with so many of these undrafted free agents, his chances of making the roster this season rest almost entirely on how much he can contribute on special teams.
Chances: Minimal
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