Best 2016 NFL Undrafted Free Agent Signings

By Ha Kung Wong

Twitter: @FBGarbageTime

The 2016 NFL draft is long over and many teams have started offseason OTAs.  We’ve discussed in detail the best and worst draft picks across the NFL, but the true wildcards may be those who weren’t drafted at all.  Don’t believe me?  How about considering Tony Romo, Jeff Saturday, Adam Vinatieri, Arian Foster, Wes Welker, James Harrison, Antonio Gates, Warren Moon and Kurt Warner?  All of them were once undrafted free agents (“UDFA”), and look at the impact they had on the NFL.  So who could be next?  Let’s take a look at the best UDFA signings so far in 2016.

Jeremy Cash – SS – Duke

Carolina Panthers

Pro Day Results

Bench Press – 13 Reps

Jeremy Cash is money in the bank.  Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.

Cash has shown promise since he started five games as a freshman at Ohio State all the way through his time at Duke.  In 2013, his first full year at Duke, he impressively racked up 121 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions.  And he demonstrated consistency on defense by following that up with 111 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2014.  In recognition of his accomplishments, Cash was a second-team All-ACC player, as well as second team All-American in both 2013 and 2014.

In 2015, Cash took it to the next level with 101 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 4 pass break-ups, and 3 forced fumbles, gaining recognition as a consensus All-American. He was also a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski and Jim Thorpe Award, and was named the the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.  With all this on his resume, some thought he could be a first round draft pick.  But unfortunately, Cash suffered a series of injuries, including with his right wrist (which required surgery), hamstring and groin, that derailed his final year at Duke, inhibiting him from playing the Pinestripe Bowl and effecting him during the offseason.  Even with the rash of injuries and the surgery, some expected Cash to be drafted as high as the 4th round, so the Panthers landing him as a UDFA is a terrific value.

At 6′ and 200 lbs., he’s a bit of an inbetweener when it comes to playing safety, so it’s no surprise that the Panthers intend to use him as a linebacker instead.  His closing speed and propensity to effectively finish tackles will help him succeed as a linebacker, but only time will tell if he’ll be able to make the transition effectively in the NFL.  Though if I had to place a bet, I’d be betting on Cash the whole way.

Landon Turner – OG – North Carolina

New Orleans Saints

NFL Combine Results

40 Yd. Dash – 5.58 Sec    Bench Press – 30 Reps    Broad Jump – 88.0 Inches

20 Yd. Shuttle (Pro Day) – 4.95 Sec    3-Cone Drill (Pro Day) – 8.2 Sec

At 6 ‘4″ and 325 lbs., Turner has the right size to slot in immediately along any offensive line. Although he was a three-plus year starter for North Carolina at right guard who was third-team All-ACC his junior year and first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC in his senior year, he also was able to play all along the offensive line in college.  His versatility is likely his greatest asset and had some draft pundits predicting he could go as high as the 4th round.  There are perhaps some concern that his size inhibits his ability to be effective in pass protection, but with an veteran QB behind center who doesn’t hold on to the ball too long, say perhaps someone like Drew Brees, his power should more than make up for it.

The Saints have an obvious need for offensive linemen, particularly at guard, and they didn’t address that need in free agency or the draft.  With this in mind, getting Turner as a UDFA is a steal, and he’ll likely be active early in the season.

Peyton Barber – RB – Auburn

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Combine Results

40 Yd. Dash – 4.64 Sec    Bench Press – 20 Reps    Broad Jump – 111.0 Inches

Vert. Jump – 32.5 Inches.   20 Yd. Shuttle – 4.21 Sec    3-Cone Drill – 7.00 Sec

60 Yd. Shuttle – 11.65 Sec

Remember Marion Barber who led the NFC in TDs while playing for the Cowboys in 2006 and who went to the Pro Bowl in 2007?  Well, he just so happens to have a second counsin by the name of Peyton.  Peyton Barber totaled 1,017 rushing yards and 13 TDs (on a whopping 238 carries) in his sophomore year at Auburn.  That was good for the 4th most rushing TDs in the SEC in 2015.  But, in part since there was going to be a backlog of RBs at Auburn next year, Barber decided to leave early for the NFL.

The numbers and exceptional vision support being a productive RB between the tackles in the NFL, but there were some concerns regarding his explosiveness and acceleration.  One would think he put some of those concerns to rest with his Combine performance, as he had the 3rd best 20 Yd. Shuttle and the 4th best 3-Cone Drill among RBs.  But that didn’t turn out to be the case, with Barber becoming a UDFA.

The other knock on Barber may be his limited receptions, as he only had 11 total during his 2 years at Auburn.  Plus Tampa Bay signed Doug Martin back to big money, and still have Charles Sims and Mike James on the roster, so opportunity may be scarce.  Regardless, Barber has the physical tools and skills to be successful, and if he can contribute on special teams to make the final roster, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him steal third downs and perhaps more from Martin at some point.

Josh Ferguson – RB – Illinois

Indianapolis Colts

NFL Combine Results

40 Yd. Dash – 4.48 Sec    Bench Press – 21 Reps    Broad Jump – 120.0 Inches

Vert. Jump – 34.5 Inches  

Ferguson wasn’t breaking any school records, but he was a consistent producer throughout his time at Illinois. He amassed more than 1,000 yards of total offense in both 2013 and 2014 and scored 21 total TDs over that time.  This included an impressive 1,162 total yards as a junior in 2014 (735 rushing, 427 receiving on 50 receptions).  A shoulder injury his senior year caused him to miss 3 games, but he certainly would have broke 1000 total yards again had he stayed healthy, as he had 988 total yards and 5 total TDs in just 9 games.  At 5′ 10″ and 200 lbs., Ferguson isn’t the biggest back, but his agility and elusiveness provided for his success in college and should translate for teams in the NFL looking for a change-of-pace or pass catching back.

He has the ability to quickly change directions and gain significant yards after catch. That’s something that the Colts could really use, in light of aging Frank Gore and unreliable Boom Herron being their current primary options.  If Ferguson gets up and running quickly, I could see him grabbing third down and passing down duties before long.  If nothing else, he could also function on special teams as a kick/punt returner or even out of the slot as a WR in a pinch.  Maybe he’s not an every down player, but he certainly can be a playmaker in the NFL, perhaps along the lines of Darren Sproles or Ronnie Hillman (when Hillman was productive).

Glenn Gronkowski – FB – Kansas State

Buffalo Bills

NFL Combine Results

40 Yd. Dash – 4.71 Sec    Bench Press – 17 Reps    Broad Jump – 120.0 Inches

Vert. Jump – 33.0 Inches.   20 Yd. Shuttle – 4.45 Sec    3-Cone Drill – 7.10 Sec

60 Yd. Shuttle – 11.95 Sec

How could we not talk about “Baby Gronk”?  Or is it “Glonk”?  Whatever you want to call him, just don’t make comparisons to his brother Rob, because Glenn is a totally different type of player (and much less attention seeking).  Glenn was a fullback at Kansas State, playing in every game the last three seasons.  Fullbacks don’t generally generate a lot of offensive stats, at least not for themselves.  But that’s not why a team would want one.

And regardless of having the mostly thankless job of being a good fullback, Glenn has done a solid job run blocking and pitching in on offense when necessary.  For his efforts, he did manage an all-conference honorable mention (5-194, three receiving TDs) by league coaches in 2013, an all-conference first team pick (5-99 receiving and a TD) by coaches in 2014, and a second-team all-conference pick (5-76 receiving with a TD and 11-45 rushing with a TD) in 2015.

At the end of the day, the Bills got a good value run blocker and pass catcher.  Perhaps he could even be a John Kuhn-type with Peyton Hillis (in his prime) upside.  But “Glonk” has a ways to go before he finds consistent opportunity in the NFL.  As a UDFA though, he’s well worth the risk.  And heck, if nothing else, big brother Gronk will certainly vouch for him.

BONUS UDFA

Paul James – RB – Rutgers

Pro Day Results

40 Yd. Dash – 4.73 Sec    Bench Press – 4 Reps    Broad Jump – 119.0 Inches

Vert. Jump – 34.5 Inches   20 Yd. Shuttle – 4.46 Sec    3-Cone Drill – 7.15 Sec

Who knows where in the draft James would have been selected had he stayed healthy at Rutgers.

James was a stand out RB at Rutgers before an unfortunate torn right ACL in the fourth game of his 2014 season against Navy.  Prior to that, though, he led the team in 2013 with a team leading 881 yards and 9 TDs and a 5.6 yard per carry average, and started off his 2014 with a huge 173 yard and 3 TD game against Washington State.  Had he avoided injury, who knows how high he could have gone in 2014.

After surgeries, James managed to return to Rutgers for 10 games in his senior year, totaling 544 rushing yards and 5 TDs, ranking 7th in the Big Ten in rushing yards per attempt (5.5).

He had a tryout with both the Browns and the Ravens, but so far, no takers, which to me seems obscene.  The Browns currently have Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. as their lead backs, but if James can stay healthy, he’d likely have a shot to prove that he wasn’t just a college flash in the pan.  And the Ravens aren’t deep at RB either.  Regardless, someone should give James a shot.

tagged with