2011 NFL Draft Results: Predicting Which Undrafted FAs Will Sign to Which Teams
The 2011 NFL draft is over, and we are still in a state of NFL limbo that has no undrafted free agency signing period.
However, whenever that period begins, you can expect a flood of transactions in a very short period of time. There are a lot of talented prospects that went undrafted this weekend, and plenty of teams that didn't address all their needs with their picks.
With that, let's take a look at just 20 players that could contribute, and where they could end up.
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Terrence Toliver, WR LSU to the Carolina Panthers
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The Panthers did a great job of acquiring a lot of talent to improve their football team. One thing that they're still unsure about, though, is the status of Steve Smith as a member of the Panthers. They have an opportunity to get an explosive receiver in Terrence Tolliver, who can also greatly impact the kicking game in much the same way Smith did early in his career.
Without a whole ton of depth at receiver, Toliver could compete for starting time from the very beginning. There's a laundry list of receivers on their depth chart, but none of them pop off the page.
I'm sure Cam Newton would love throwing to the speedster that used to be one of his rivals.
DeAndre McDaniel, S Clemson to the New York Jets
2 of 20
The Raiders are never averse to bringing around a guy with some character issues if he can contribute to the team, especially on defense.
McDaniel was once considered a mid-round prospect, but dropped out of the draft entirely due to those character concerns. He may not have been worth the risk of a draft pick, but McDaniel could be worth a flier as an undrafted free agent signing if the Jets feel he can contribute.
Derrick Locke, RB Kentucky to the Denver Broncos
3 of 20
The Broncos currently have eight running backs on their roster, about seven of which are career backups, and Knowshon Moreno better start putting something together quick, or he may be considered one in the near future.
With that, Derrick Locke has an opportunity to compete for playing time if picked up by the Broncos. He is a versatile back, the likes of which John Fox could fall in love with. He's a little bit undersized, and as such he's not a very physical guy, but he has some jets on him.
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Steven Friday, OLB Virginia Tech to the San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers made Aldon Smith their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft in an endeavor to improve their pass rush. They could add another solid pass rusher in Steven Friday in undrafted free agency.
He doesn't have the talent to be an every-down starter in the NFL. If he did, he would have been drafted. He might be able to give you something as a situational guy, plugged into sub packages to take advantage of his strengths.
Jeff Maehl, WR Oregon to the Chicago Bears
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Like the Broncos with their running backs, the Bears have a lot of wide receivers on their depth chart, but absolutely none that jump off the page. They didn't draft a single pass-catcher for Jay Cutler in this year's draft.
Maehl isn't exactly the fastest receiver out there, but has sure hands. What's more, he's absolutely fearless going over the middle. The Bears could use a few of those guys in their offense. His separation skills aren't off the charts, but he's what we like to call a "football player."
Mark Herzlich, OLB Boston College to the Cleveland Browns
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Most of the Browns' draft picks were on defense, as is typically the case with a team that is switching defensive alignments. Even still, most of their draft picks were players who were supposed to translate better into a 3-4 alignment, not the 4-3 they want to run in 2011.
Mark Herzlich would be a great fit at outside linebacker, a talented and underrated player who went undrafted despite being named the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Were it not for the huge setback of cancer in 2009, Herzlich could have been a second- or third-round pick this year.
As it is, he'll be a great steal for some team.
Noel Devine, RB West Virginia to the Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins could potentially lose both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to free agency. They added Daniel Thomas, but they are a run-heavy offense and need to add more depth at running back to make that work.
Devine gives the Dolphins a speedster at running back, the likes of which they haven't had in awhile. He may not be the biggest back, but he knows how to use his speed and agility to make defenders miss in the open field. If the Dolphins can scheme him into the offense, he'd be a very valuable free agent pickup.
Craig Marshall, DE South Florida to the New England Patriots
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The Patriots had one opportunity after another to address their biggest need: a pass rusher. They waited until the sixth round and picked up the most obscure prospect from the most obscure school Bill Belichick could possibly find. Is Central Arkansas DE/OLB Markell Carter a diamond in the rough? Who knows.
Still, adding more bodies to a pass rush that was inept in 2010 could be a priority for Belichick. In terms of the best pass rushers available on the board, Craig Marshall could be up there. He has exactly the right size for the position, at 6'5" and 270 pounds. Even as just an edge rusher, Marshall could find his way into some playing time.
Darren Evans, RB Virginia Tech to the St. Louis Rams
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Evans gives the Rams another running back with a similar style to Steven Jackson. He's a plodder between the tackles that runs behind his pads well.
So what, then, would he add to the Rams? Depth at running back. Jackson is their only talented back at the moment and adding another bruiser between the tackles could really do them some good.
He has a strong character and loves football. He will come in, work hard, learn the system and compete for playing time. What more could you ask for from an undrafted free agent?
Adrian Moten, LB Maryland to the Detroit Lions
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I'm very surprised Adrien Moten went undrafted. There aren't very many linebackers with the same type of athleticism as him, and one had to figure there would be a team in the league ready to take a chance on him.
He is a smaller linebacker, but knows how to make the right reads and has great instincts. He would compete for playing time in a Detroit linebacking corps that's searching for youth, as well as identity.
Armon Binns, WR Cincinnati to the Cincinnati Bengals
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This would be a great hometown story for Bengals and Bearcats fans to root for. It makes sense, too. The Bengals quite simply haven't drafted well at the position, and though adding AJ Green should help, this is an offense that is in flux at many positions. Wide receiver is definitely one of those.
Personally, I was surprised Binns went undrafted. He had a great season in 2010, with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. He came on strong in the past two seasons, with over 14.5 yards per reception both seasons and 21 total receiving touchdowns.
At 6'2", 210 pounds, Binns can take advantage of smaller defensive backs.
Corbin Bryant, DT Northwestern to the Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jaguars struck gold last year at the No. 10 overall spot with Tyson Alualu, who was considered a reach at the time. Still, they need more on the defensive line. There would be no reaching involved for Bryant, a player that could compete for a spot next to him.
It's not as though Bryant was an elite pass rusher at Northwestern, with just four sacks in his five-year career. Without drafting a single defensive linemen, the Jaguars have really perpetuated their weaknesses up front. Jack Del Rio must be very comfortable in the guys he has on the team at present. Adding a body to the competition on the defensive line couldn't possibly hurt.
Josh Bynes, LB Auburn to the Washington Redskins
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This is another guy who I'm not sure why he went undrafted. Bynes had some highly productive years in the SEC, a conference that runs the ball as well as it defends the run. He had two sacks and seven interceptions in three years as a starter and went over 100 tackles in '09.
He's a little undersized at 6'2" and 235, but he could make the Redskins that much better in pass defense from their base 3-4.
Ryan Winterswyk, DE Boise State to the Seattle Seahawks
14 of 20
The Seahawks are always making player transactions, and Carroll could use to add a defensive end to their competition. That being said, Winterswyk had a down 2010 but really looked good for three years leading up to that point. In his first three years, he logged 18 sacks combined, including nine in his junior year.
He didn't exactly dominate against top competition, but the raw talent is there. I'm surprised he went undrafted.
Scott Tolzien, QB Wisconsin to the Miami Dolphins
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I doubt the Dolphins are going to find their next quarterback in undrafted free agency, but they can't be happy at all with the production of Chad Henne. The worst part is, without drafting a single quarterback, they haven't given him any reason to work harder than he already is. His job is all but secure for 2011.
Tolzien is an efficient quarterback, completing a high percentage of his throws. He had 32 touchdowns and 17 interceptions as a starter and completed over 64 percent of his passes in both seasons as a starter, including a whopping 72 percent last year.
The Dolphins want efficiency out of their quarterback, and they might finally get some with Tolzien.
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR Ohio State to the Tennessee Titans
16 of 20
The Titans picked up their quarterback for the future in Jake Locker at the eighth pick, and now it's time to give him some weapons to play with. Kenny Britt has played well but isn't living up to the first-round billing.
Sanzenbacher has come on stronger every year with the Buckeyes, and had a breakout season last year with 55 receptions for 948 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 17.2 yards per catch. He's only 5'11", but he'd make a solid option in the slot.
Brandon Bair, DE Oregon to the Philadelphia Eagles
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The Eagles' pass rush has been pretty woeful. They just can't manufacture pressure like they once could. Bair would at least give them some competition there. He has the right build for the position in the Eagles' defense.
Most importantly, Bair has big-game experience. As in, the big game. The BCS National Championship. The Eagles could use that poise on their roster for big games, especially after what happened against the Packers.
Will Hill, S Florida to the New York Jets
18 of 20
The Jets could use some help in the defensive secondary, and Hill has a good deal of talent. With 96 tackles in the past two years, it's clear he can provide a great deal of run support even if pass defense isn't his strong suit.
There are some character concerns here, but I don't think Rex Ryan or Mike Tannenbaum will care much. Building a high-character locker room isn't exactly high on their priority list, as evidenced by drafting Kenrick Ellis in the third round.
Jeron Johnson, S Boise State to the Minnesota Vikings
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The Vikings still haven't fixed their problems in the secondary. Johnson is a talented safety in man-to-man coverage and can cover slot receivers and tight ends with ease. At 5'10" and 212, he's a little small but packs a mean punch in the defensive backfield.
As is the case with any undrafted free agent, he has work to do on his technique, but he could make an NFL roster for his special teams production as well.
Bryant Browning, OG Ohio State to the San Diego Chargers
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When a team adds players in undrafted free agency, it's wise to add guys with high character. Those are the guys that could end up being the most value, because they'll work extra hard to make the team, and they won't want to do anything to blow their opportunity.
Browning could use some work on his technique, but he has the right toughness and work ethic to make an impact in the NFL. He also played against some top competition in the Big Ten.
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