After every draft there is a scramble as NFL teams look to scoop up talented players that slipped through the cracks and went undrafted. While teams may sign a few undrafted free agents (UDFA) or a dozen, each season some of these seemingly forgotten young men make the Week One 53-man rosters of various NFL teams. Here we look at which UDFAs have the best chance of sticking on the opening day rosters of teams in the AFC North.
2016 AFC North Undrafted Free Agent Predictions
Baltimore Ravens
Matt Skura, C, Duke
Skura is pegged as an intelligent player with quick feet who could latch on as depth behind starter Jeremy Zuttah. He will need to add strength, which could be what holds him back this off-season. Skura will likely have to beat out Ryan Jensen, the current backup, or show ability to play multiple positions on the interior of the line.
Victor Ochi, OLB, Stony Brook
Ochi compiled 13 sacks as an edge rusher to lead the FCS this past season. However, like many pass rushers and linebackers that fell out of the draft, he comes in undersized. This was despite his third-round grade. Yet that hasn’t kept other pass rushers, such as Dwight Freeney, from being successful. With pass rushers a premium in the NFL, don’t be surprised to see Ochi sneak onto the roster as a depth player this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Canaan Severin, WR, Virginia
The top end of the Steelers wide receiver depth chart is filled out, even with Martavis Bryant suspended for the season. However, you can never have enough depth at any position. Severin adds size to the position, standing at 6’2″, and excels as a route runner, which rookie wide receivers typically struggle with. If he can shine this preseason, there is likely a spot on the bottom of the depth chart that Severin could snag.
Paul Lang, TE, Michigan State
The retirement of Heath Miller robbed quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of a favorite weapon and some depth at the tight end position. Lang’s potential roster spot could depend on whether the Steelers keep three or four at the tight end position. He has good size and could provide additional depth at an underrated position on the Steelers offense.
Cleveland Browns
Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M
Son of former NFL player Bruce Matthews and nephew of Clay Matthews, Mike Matthews was a surprise undrafted free agent considering his pedigree. The Browns lack depth on the offensive line with the center position in flux, giving Matthews not only a chance at a roster spot but also a potentially significant role.
Brad Craddock, K, Maryland
Craddock comes into training camp to compete with incumbent kicker Travis Coons. A 2014 Lou Groza award winner, Craddock was nearly perfect in his junior season before struggling his senior year. The drop in accuracy likely contributed to Craddock’s fall out of the draft. If he can best Coons in an open competition during training camp, Craddock will open the season as the Browns kicker.
Cincinnati Bengals
Darren Harris, LB, Michigan State
Harris slipped through the draft due to his size (5’11″) despite his early down production. The Bengals have plenty of depth at the linebacker position, especially after they drafted Nick Vigil, but the suspension of Vontaze Burfict could open the door for Harris to latch on to the roster.
Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green
Johnson comes out of Bowling Green as a project with some impressive tools. He throws an impressive deep ball yet his mechanics leave a lot to be desired. However, many NFL teams take fliers on project quarterbacks to develop and Johnson has a chance to latch on at the back end of the Bengals roster.
Other Undrafted Free Agent Predictions
2016 AFC East Undrafted Free Agent Predictions
2016 AFC South Undrafted Free Agent Predictions
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