After every draft there is a scramble as NFL teams look to scoop up talent that slipped through the cracks and weren’t selected. While teams may sign a few Undrafted Free Agents (UDFA) or a dozen, each season sees some of these seemingly forgotten young men make the Week 1 53-man rosters of various NFL teams. Here we look at which UDFAs have the best chance to stick with opening day rosters of teams in the NFC North.
2016 NFC North Undrafted Free Agent Predictions
Detroit Lions
Quinshad Davis, Wide Receiver, North Carolina
Davis is the type of young talent that failed to show consistency during his college career, likely leading to his fall out of the 2016 NFL Draft. Standing 6’4”, Davis offers major size at a position that just suffered a major blow with the retirement of Calvin Johnson. While Davis is no Johnson, he does stand two inches taller than the rest of the wide receiver cast in the Motor City. Davis will need to show progression as camp develops to stick as a long term project for the Lions.
Cole Wick, Tight End, Incarnate Word
Wick comes to the Lions after showing unexpected athleticism during his pro day work outs. Coming from a small, relatively unknown school likely contributed to his undrafted status. He stands 6’6”, bringing great size to the position in addition to blocking skills that were highly praised during mini-camp. Veteran Tim Wright and fellow undrafted rookie Adam Fuehne stand as the major competition and Eric Ebron’s injury could open the door if Wick can translate his workout athleticism to on the field ability.
Green Bay Packers
Geronimo Allison, Wide Receiver, Illinois
The Packers boast a plethora of players with potential at the wide receiver positions yet none with a guaranteed roster spot outside of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Allison’s competition at the position is fierce yet Green Bay has developed players in the past. The uncertainty at the bottom of the depth chart plays in Allison’s favor. The Packers started camp earlier than any other team giving Allison a chance to have already flashed potential in front of the coaching staff. Where Allison will have to contribute in some way is special teams as other receivers have shown return skills in the past.
Joe Callahan, Quarterback, Wesley College
The Packers have often carried a young developmental arm on the back end of the roster, which pits Callahan in a battle with Marquise Williams for a roster spot. Callahan played in a NCAA Division III program, yet put up monster numbers with over 5,000 yards passing and 55 touchdowns in a single season. He is a good athlete with good arm strength that could develop into a NFL quality back-up down the road. In the meantime he will have to shine in the preseason to latch onto a roster that features arguably the NFL’s top passer in Aaron Rodgers.
Chicago Bears
Ben Braunecker, Tight End, Harvard
The former first-team All-Ivy League selection takes his talents to the Windy City in hopes of filling the Bears’ needs at tight end. Chicago heads towards the 2016 season with Zach Miller as the starter, Rob Housler as the likely number two and countless question marks that follow. Braunecker finished among the top of his position at the NFL Combine yet didn’t hear his name called on draft weekend. He will need to prove he can compete against upper level competition and contribute on special teams to debut in a Chicago uniform.
Dan Buchholz, Center, Duquesne
Buchholz entered training camp as the number three center behind Ted Larson and Hroniss Grasu. Then Grasu suffered a torn ACL and will likely miss the entire 2016 season. This opens the door for the massive Buchholz to show off his small school talents to the Bears coaching staff. He played left tackle in college but will make the move inside in an attempt to make a roster. A first-team All-Northeast Conference player, Buchholz could be one of many fringe players that can capitalize on the misfortune of another player.
Minnesota Vikings
Tre Roberson, Defensive Back, Illinois State
A former college quarterback, Tre Roberson finds himself with the tall task of converting to defensive back at the Pro level. He caught on quickly at camp, showing the athleticism and moves needed to complete the position change. His experience at quarterback will give him an understanding of how to read offenses and his natural ability offers him ample opportunity to transition. If he can continue to make progress he could latch on to the back end of an improving Vikings defense.
Jhurell Pressley, Running Back, New Mexico
The Vikings certainly do not need a running back at the top of their depth chart where All-Pro Adrian Peterson resides. Even the number two spot is likely set with Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata taking the few reps that Peterson doesn’t take himself. However, that does not eliminate the fact that Peterson is on the back end of an illustrious career and in a run first offense like the Vikings you can never have too many running backs. Pressley is a talented runner with great vision and speed (4.38 40-yard dash) that needs some developing. He lacks receiving skills and could develop on the back end of the roster or even the practice squad should the Vikings elect not to carry more than three backs.
