Between the NFL Draft and the Post-Draft Mini Camps, one of the most underrated periods in football occurs: The signings of un-drafted rookies.
Of course, there is a reason hundreds of NFL prospects don’t hear their name called during the draft.  Some have a history of injuries. A few names are discarded due to character concerns.  Many are deemed “just not good enough”.
While the chances of un-drafted rookies making the final roster of a team is very small, there are a few that will no only make it but possibly have a Hall of Fame career.
Kurt Warner…James Harrison…Antonio Gates….Jeff Saturday…these guys among others are examples of taking a huge advantage of a small opportunity.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed 14 rookie free agents after the draft.  This is where they addressed the cornerback and offensive line positions many felt were overlooked during the draft.
The Eagles are investing a lot in the developmental skills of defensive backs coach Dick Jauron and offensive line coach Juan Castillo.
After looking at the scouting reports and a few highlights, I’m giving each player a rating from 1 to 10 (10 being the highest chance) on the possibility of them making the team.
Charles Alexander-DT (LSU)
Jeff Owens and Antonio Dixon are better run stuffing tackles and will compete against each other. Alexander and Trevor Laws are better pass rushers and will battle for the fourth spot that is rarely used (The Eagles like to use defensive ends inside on passing downs).
Chance of making final roster: 5
Zipp Duncan-G (Kentucky)
Duncan is a pass blocking lineman who will challenge Mike McGlynn, Max Jean-Giles and others for a reserve spot.  Although Duncan’s known to be very strong, Andy Reid normally prefers bigger lineman.  Duncan has an uphill battle ahead of him.
Chance of making final roster: 3
Austin Howard-T (Northern Iowa)
In order to prevent guards from shuffling to tackle when a starter goes down, a reliable backup is needed at tackle.  Howard is going to challenge King Dunlap and Fenuki Tupou for this spot.
Chance of making final roster: 4
Kevin Jurovich-WR (San Jose State)
Jurovich is a route runner with good hands.  His scouting report reminds me of Brandon Gibson last year.  His special teams play will determine whether he makes the team or not. Jurovich started his college career as a safety which may help on coverage teams.
Chance of making final roster: 6
Jeraill McCuller-T (NC State)
See Austin Howard.
Chance of making final roster: 4
Josh Morris-CB (Weber State)
Morris has decent size and speed.  His strength is man coverage which caters to the Eagles. Morris will challenge both Geoffrey Pope and Dimitri Patterson for depth at corner.
Chance of making final roster: 7
David Pender-CB (Purdue)
At 6’0”, 180lbs, Pender has idea size for an NFC East corner.  According to his scouting report he doesn’t seem to fit the Eagles scheme and may draw to many penalties.
Chance of making final roster: 4
Pat Simonds-WR (Colgate)
The Eagles have spent the off season scouting quite a few taller receivers.  At 6’5”, 222lbs, Simonds definitely fits the mold.  Special teams play will determine if he can beat out Hank Baskett and fellow rookie Riley Cooper.
Chance of making final roster: 3
Blue Cooper-WR (Tennessee-Chattanooga)
The same school that produced Terrell Owens, don’t expect the same results.  Cooper has decent size at 6’2”, 185lbs, but he averaged less than 10 yards/catch (9.8 YPC) his senior year.
Chance of making final roster: 2
Joey Elliott-QB (Purdue)
Elliott is a prospect who could be a good fit for the Eagles offense.  Because the Birds will focus on developing fourth round draft pick Mike Kafka, Elliott will likely be on the practice squad.  If another team doesn’t sign him away, he may be the 3rd string QB in 2011.
Chance of making final roster: 1
Chris Zardas-FB (Massachusetts)
Zardas has good size, but as long as Leonard Weaver’s healthy all other fullbacks are practice squad material.
Chance of making final roster: 1
Devin Ross-CB (Arizona)
A very good tackling corner who at first was a mid-round prospect, Ross’ highlights reminded me of Sheldon Brown.  He’ll present a challenge for depth in the secondary.  Ross is currently my pick to most likely make the 53 man roster.
Chance of making final roster: 8
Eric Moncur-DE (Miami-FL)
Moncur is smaller than some WILL linebackers and isn’t fast enough to transition to that position.  With the defensive ends ahead of him, he might be cut before training camp even begins.
Chance of making final roster: 0
Keithon Flemming-HB (West Texas A&M)
Flemming is a versatile running back who can rush, catch and has experience returning kicks.  If he’s proves he can pick up a blitz his future could be bright in Philly.
Chance of making final roster:
Nice write ups..
For whatever it’s worth,
My offer to be the on the Field as the “Time/Time-Outs/Challenge Calls Manager” is still on the Table
for the Eagles… The only Cost is to fly me to the games and maybe a meal and a beer or two afterwards….Many games will beclose this season and this is a critical area for the Eagles that has to beimproved if they are to win the close games… (They can no longer afford to botch,mismanage the
clock, misuse their Time-Outs and or Challenge Calls)
Maybe with K Kolb in there running the Offense, these will be drastically reduced, but this is one are of the Football team that has to improve and improve dramatically….
The Eagles did a good job of bringing in a bunch of young guys to compete at many different positions. We should have an improved football TEAM this year and hopefully win their way into a polished unit by mid season. I agree with G’s assessment that the 2 young corners here could take the place of hangers on like Pope and Patterson. If Hobbs or M Jackson show too much injury rust we could see our corners look like this.
A Samuel, M Harris, J Hansen, Our 4th rounder this year, and 1 or 2 of these RFA guys.
These are “camp guys.” They’re only present to give team members a rest.
Drummer – was that the case with Q Mikell and Jamal Jackson? Time will tell.
We should pick up Pacman to play corner
I wished we traded to the Panthers for Safety C Harris who was just traded this week to the
Chicago Bears for a LB who has mostly been a back-up…
We could have sent them Jordan and maybe throw in Demps and get a decent starter Chris Harris
who brings a little physicaltiy to the back end of the Defense…
Ha, check this out – Jamarcus Rusell v. Kevin Kolb…..http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/29/jamarcus-headlines-a-dreadful-quarterback-class/
Drummer- Some might be “camp guys” but I think that the roster spots inhabited by Pope and D Patterson are ripe for the taking if a younger guy shows he can do the job. Truth be told if any of these guys really shine they could pressure Hanson and Hobbs right out of town. Heck (totally unlikely) Asante might start feeling the heat if young guys are really getting after it and willing to give their all and a team is interested in trading.
Do I wish we had D Revis at one corner and Namdi on the otherside with a Dawk (in his prime) and an Ed Reed (in his Prime) back in the secondary? Shure but hey lets let these guys show us what they got after all, every star was just a rookie at one point.
The best part of this time of year is dreaming about what might happen with all the new additions and this year we get more of that than any other. I am excited again because this is not the same old same old that almost everyone complained about! Get after it guys and show us something this year. In the Army I learned that one of the most valuable guys could be PVT Nobody stepping up and doin the do to change/ save/ end a life at the exact moment destiny called. Sometimes the reason they can is because they were too young to hesitate when a vet might. Older guys (Asante/Dieon creep) might make business decisions instead of making plays that younger players have a hunger to make and prove themselves. The Hall of Famers never lose this feeling of needing to prove something and leave it all out there every game. Heck look at Favre do you think it is all money? For many players that might be but at 40 to take that beating with the money he has in the bank- no it’s about proving that he still has IT! Joe Paterno as a coach could have called it quits honorably 10-15 years ago but no he Loves the challenge and the job. If only we all could have a job we would give it all for.
These guys are cheap, so I know Lurie is licking his chops on this low dollars per pounds sides of meat. With this value we can plug these bums in legitimate rolls, and maybe coach up a center to play turnstile in the middle of our offensive line. They’re big and cheap. Remember that reciever Greg Lewis who Reid held on to for over 6 years that couldn’t warm the bench after being traded to the Superbowl winning Patriots? He was an undrafted free agent too. That was value for years to come. I wonder how long he would have lasted if they had to actually pay him. I’m excited!!!!!
Greg Lewis was the only Eagle to catch a TD in the superbowl in 2004. Greg Lewis made one of the greatest plays of the year last year for the vikings.
Greg Lewis was not and will never be a number one receiver but he was solid.
Andy Reid once said “I know what I have in Greg Lewis”. That is a great complement as it shows how a coach was able to DEPEND on a depth player to give what he had and make plays when called upon.
SONG YOU ARE THE BIGGEST HATER!