Assessing Every Indianapolis Colts UDFA's Chances of Making Final Roster
The Indianapolis Colts have historically gotten a high amount of production from undrafted free agents.
Former general manager Bill Polian was famous for unearthing gems, with guys like Jeff Saturday, Ryan Lilja, Gary Brackett and Dominic Rhodes becoming key parts of the Indianapolis squads. Ryan Grigson has operated in a similar manner in recent years, signing Jerrell Freeman out of Canada and seeing undrafted rookies Jonotthan Harrison and Zach Kerr play big roles last season.
This year, the team signed 15 undrafted free agents immediately following the NFL draft. Some of these players will go on to make the team and be valuable players, while others were brought in simply to be camp bodies.
Of the 15 UDFAs, which have the best chance of making the 53-man roster and fulfilling their NFL dreams?
QB Bryan Bennett
1 of 15
Former Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Bryan Bennett has all the looks of an NFL quarterback. He's 6'2", 211 pounds and has plenty of athleticism and arm strength.
Unfortunately, the athlete doesn't show a lot of the other side of quarterbacking. Bennett's accuracy is lacking to say the least; he completed less than 50 percent of his passes as a senior. He also needs to improve his pocket presence and footwork.
The other hard part for Bennett is that the Colts already have a backup quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck, and they won't be keeping three signal-callers on the final roster. Perhaps, however, Bennett can show enough potential for growth to earn a practice squad spot. Otherwise, his only chance is an injury to one of the other two.
Chances: 5 percent
WR Quan Bray
2 of 15
A versatile player, former Auburn wide receiver Quan Bray can contribute as a slot receiver, special teams player and gadget player in the backfield. Bray had a nation-leading punt return average in 2014, per CBS Sports. However, Bray doesn't have great measurables and didn't produce much as a receiver in college.
Then there is the Colts' depth at receiver, where Andre Johnson, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and first-round pick Phillip Dorsett have the first four roster spots locked up. Even if the team keeps six receivers (five is more common), former CFL star Duron Carter and returning Griff Whalen likely have the inside track on those final spots.
Chances: 10 percent
CB Donald Celiscar
3 of 15
In today's NFL, you can never have enough cornerbacks. The Colts showed that in the 2015 draft by selecting a cornerback in the second round, despite having a group of three solid corners locked in for the year. Still, the Colts need depth, and even with third-round pick D'Joun Smith taking the fourth spot, the fifth and final spot is up for grabs.
This is where former Western Michigan CB Donald Celiscar comes into play. For one, he's well-versed in press coverage, having played mostly press in college. He's not a stellar athlete from a measurables standpoint, but he has great feet and times his bursts extremely well.
Throw in his versatility and ability to potentially move back to safety, and you get a strong chess piece for the Colts depth chart.
Chances: 60 percent
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OLB Cody Galea
4 of 15
A former Aztec of San Diego State, Cody Galea was a three-year starter for one of the best defenses in the nation and compiled 50 tackles and three sacks as a senior.
Galea moved inside as an off-ball linebacker at times at San Diego State, but he also played many snaps as a 4-3 defensive end. He's not a quick-twitch pass-rusher, but with his versatility, he could play a role in just about any defense.
Linebacker is a spot where undrafted free agents commonly make the roster, in large part because of the special teams duties. But the Colts are very deep at outside linebacker, with Robert Mathis, Trent Cole, Erik Walden, Jonathan Newsome and Bjoern Werner likely making the roster.
With five outside linebackers usually making the roster, the only chance Galea has is if Mathis appears on the PUP list to start the season or if the team moves him inside.
Chances: 10 percent
OLB Zack Hodges
5 of 15
The 2014 Ivy League Co-Defensive Player of the Year, former Harvard pass-rusher Zack Hodges was a terror as a senior and racked up 8.5 sacks. Hodges is a strong athlete and bursts off the line quickly with a surprisingly effective spin move. While he is raw, Hodges has the potential to be a future pass-rusher in the NFL with the right training.
He's one of the more high-profile UDFAs for Indianapolis, but Hodges faces an uphill battle. As noted for Galea, the position is crowded in Indianapolis. Hodges could make the roster if Mathis starts the season on the PUP list as he recovers from injury, but it's more likely that Hodges starts his career on the practice squad.
Chances: 20 percent
CB Josh Mitchell
6 of 15
One of the big-school prospects to make the Colts' list of UDFAs, former Nebraska cornerback Josh Mitchell has a chance to make the roster with the Colts' need for depth in the secondary. One thing that might hold him back, however, his is size.
Mitchell weighed in at just 173 pounds at the Nebraska pro day, and he told the Omaha World-Herald's Rich Kaipust that it was the heaviest he'd ever been. With the NFL's fascination with size at wide receiver, it may be difficult for Mitchell to match up.
Still, Mitchell did flash natural talent while at Nebraska, and several teams offered him UDFA deals, per Kaipust.
Chances: 35 percent
WR Ezell Ruffin
7 of 15
Another San Diego State prospect, Ezell Ruffin is a stocky prospect at 6'0", 218 pounds. He uses his size to his advantage in blocking and catching passes over the middle. Ruffin also understands routes and angles fairly well, although he doesn't necessarily have the quickness and agility to take advantage of defenders.
As mentioned previously, the wide receiver position is stacked in Indianapolis. If Ruffin wants to stick in Indianapolis, his best chance will be through the practice squad. Of course, Ruffin can always use the preseason to showcase his talents for other teams as well.
Chances: 10 percent
CB Al-Hajj Shabazz
8 of 15Former West Chester University of Pennsylvania cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz may not have gotten much publicity during his college career, but the potential is there. Shabazz looks the part at 6'2", 200 pounds, and does a good job of using his length to break up passes. He could use some more teaching in his technique, as Shabazz is not the quickest or fastest player, but there is ability to be drawn out.
I'm not sure how Shabazz would translate to safety, but he could certainly make the roster as a fifth cornerback. However, with all the competition for that spot, a year on the practice squad might make more sense.
Chances: 25 percent
TE Jean Sifrin
9 of 15
One of the most high-profile undrafted free agents of the year, former Massachusetts tight end Jean Sifrin was named first-team All-MAC last year and has apparent talent. He's a former basketball player with athleticism to spare, and while he needs refinement in his route-running and play comprehension, he has the ability to make spectacular plays.
The Colts have been collecting raw athletes recently, with Sifrin being the latest former basketball player to come in to play tight end. The team signed Erik Swoope out of Miami last year, and he had zero football experience. Sifrin is 27, which hurts, but his experience may give him an edge over Swoope.
Still, the practice squad might make the most sense for 2015 with Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen and Jack Doyle on the roster.
Chances: 10 percent
TE Justin Sinz
10 of 15
Coming from just down I-65, former Purdue tight end Justin Sinz comes to Indianapolis with the tall task of making a roster stocked with athletic tight end talent. Sinz is a reliable prospect with four years of experience. He didn't rack up many numbers at Purdue, but he also was in some stagnant offenses with horrific quarterbacking.
Still, Sinz wasn't used often as a blocking tight end at Purdue, and he may find it hard to stand out amid the Colts' plethora of athletic receiving prospects at tight end. If he does have an edge, however, it's his experience and football knowledge, which may allow him to have an immediate advantage.
Chances: 5 percent
S Robert Smith
11 of 15
Former Clemson safety Robert Smith wasn't an incredibly popular prospect, but he was a two-year starter in college and didn't miss a single game over four years. Smith became a leader in his junior and senior years, quarterbacking the defense from the back end. He's a hard-hitting safety with decent instincts, although his athleticism is lacking.
Smith has the intangibles to make the roster, and fortunately for him, it's a thin position. Mike Adams, Dwight Lowery and fourth-round pick Clayton Geathers will likely make the roster, but a fourth safety spot is up for grabs. Smith will be competing with Dewey McDonald and Winston Guy for the spot.
Chances: 40 percent
ILB Junior Sylvestre
12 of 15
One of the biggest combine snubs from this predraft season, former University of Toledo outside linebacker Junior Sylvestre was an all-around weapon in college. Whether it was rushing the passer with a variety of moves, dropping back into coverage or whatever else, Sylvestre was the ultimate chess piece for the Toledo coaches.
Sylvestre could be that for the Colts too, but he may have to consider a position change. He was an outside linebacker in college, but at just 6'0", 233 pounds, he'd be too small to play outside linebacker in the Colts' 3-4. He'd even be small as an inside linebacker, but he would be able to use his athleticism in coverage and moving around as the Colts confuse opposing offenses.
Fortunately, inside linebacker is a little less crowded than outside, but with Nate Irving and rookie Amarlo Herrera already having a head start, Sylvestre will still find it to be an uphill battle.
Chances: 20 percent
RB Abou Toure
13 of 15The second player the Colts have acquired from the University of Tennessee-Martin in the last few years, Toure impressed coaches enough in rookie minicamp that they cut Terrell Hartsfield in order to make room for him, as he was there on a tryout basis. Toure gained over 1,100 yards in his senior year at UT-Martin.
Running back is a position where UDFAs can make an impact in training camp, especially as the Colts save the tread on Frank Gore's tires. However, there are seven running backs on the roster, and Toure has plenty of competition.
Chances: 10 percent
RB Tyler Varga
14 of 15
Another high-profile undrafted free agent out of the Ivy League, former Yale running back Tyler Varga has some stereotypes to overcome in the NFL. As a white running back, he sometimes gets pigeon-holed as a fullback, but he was a good running back in college, and that shouldn't get overlooked.
Varga has good change-of-direction skills and is instinctive. Varga also has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield. Still, he's strong and willing to change to fullback, and that might be the most viable solution for him in the NFL, where his athleticism isn't special.
In Indianapolis, he makes sense because of his potential at both spots. The fourth running back spot will be up for grabs, with Varga, Vick Ballard and Zurlon Tipton being the leaders for the roster spot.
Chances: 30 percent
C Brandon Vitabile
15 of 15
The Colts still have a hole to fill at center, and while you figure they have their main candidates with Jonotthan Harrison and Khaled Holmes, the undecided nature means an UDFA could have a shot. Harrison was one just last year, after all.
Hence former Northwestern center Brandon Vitabile, a pass-protection specialist who mirrors well and has very good footwork. Vitabile doesn't have the ideal arms and isn't quite the run-blocking monster that the Colts would ideally want, but he offers something the team has lacked at the position in pass protection. He could end up being a bigger competitor than people expect.
Chances: 15 percent
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