Which of our UDFAs will stick?

[TheRealJoker]

Seeing as there's not too much to talk about at this time of the season I guess we should start talking about the UDFAs our teams have signed.
More often than not we'll never hear from these guys again. But every so often you find a diamond like Antonio Gates. I am more excited about this year's UDFA class than in previous years because this draft had so many similarly rated players in the mid-late portion of the draft and it caused a lot of players that can contribute to go undrafted.
My picks on the Texans for guys that hopefully can stick and maybe be a diamond are:
Jon Abbate LB Wake Forest - Undersized MLB that was the leader of the Wake Forest defense and came out a year early. Didn't work out well but when you watch him play you can tell he's a high motor player with great football instincts like a Teddy Bruschi or Zach Thomas. I think he'll make the team and be a special teams ace.
Enoka Lucas G/C Oregon - I was suprised he slipped out of the draft because I think he can make a lot of team's active rosters as a backup interior OL and can develop into a solid starting OL. I hope he'll be that solid starting OL for the Houston Texans.
Corey Anderson FB Tennessee - Last year we carried 2 FBs in Leach and Cook and this year I think we might do the same with one of the best lead blocking FBs in college football on the roster. This guy is a sledgehammer going through the line, I really like the pickup. If he can contribute on special teams he'll stick imo.
Jared Zabransky QB Boise State - This guy can scramble and just finds ways to win. Not the greatest prototypical QB but you gotta take a fiery leader like him if you get the chance to be an emergency QB. I've read some teams think he can play WR, if that's the case than some gadget plays are in order!!! The only thing stopping him is that Kubiak carried 2 QBs last season and I believe Denver usually only takes QBs on their active roster. I think he's a lock for the practice squad if we dont carry 3 qbs, he's on the cover of NCAA football 08
Darius Walker RB Notre Dame - Probably a homer pick because we have a crowded backfield already, but I like him as a 3rd down back. Good blocking/vision/receiving skills

[TheRealJoker]

Honorable mentions include:
Brandon Mitchell FS Ohio State - Started for the Buckeyes at the weakest position on the Texans roster.
Victor DeGrate DE Oklahoma State - If he can show off his pass rushing skills in the preseason he might have a shot at doing the same in the regular season.
Tavo Tupola OT Utah - Captain of the Utah OL but its a numbers game, welcome to the practice squad.
Derrick Roberson CB Rutgers - Hell of an athlete but might be too raw for the NFL.
Eric Wilbur P Florida - I hope someone beats out Chad Stanley!!!
We also signed a lot of other players but I think they'll be camp fodder.

[Porky]

Seeing as there's not too much to talk about at this time of the season I guess we should start talking about the UDFAs our teams have signed.
More often than not we'll never hear from these guys again. But every so often you find a diamond like Antonio Gates. I am more excited about this year's UDFA class than in previous years because this draft had so many similarly rated players in the mid-late portion of the draft and it caused a lot of players that can contribute to go undrafted.
My picks on the Texans for guys that hopefully can stick and maybe be a diamond are:
Jon Abbate LB Wake Forest - Undersized MLB that was the leader of the Wake Forest defense and came out a year early. Didn't work out well but when you watch him play you can tell he's a high motor player with great football instincts like a Teddy Bruschi or Zach Thomas. I think he'll make the team and be a special teams ace.
Enoka Lucas G/C Oregon - I was suprised he slipped out of the draft because I think he can make a lot of team's active rosters as a backup interior OL and can develop into a solid starting OL. I hope he'll be that solid starting OL for the Houston Texans.
Corey Anderson FB Tennessee - Last year we carried 2 FBs in Leach and Cook and this year I think we might do the same with one of the best lead blocking FBs in college football on the roster. This guy is a sledgehammer going through the line, I really like the pickup. If he can contribute on special teams he'll stick imo.
Jared Zabransky QB Boise State - This guy can scramble and just finds ways to win. Not the greatest prototypical QB but you gotta take a fiery leader like him if you get the chance to be an emergency QB. I've read some teams think he can play WR, if that's the case than some gadget plays are in order!!! The only thing stopping him is that Kubiak carried 2 QBs last season and I believe Denver usually only takes QBs on their active roster. I think he's a lock for the practice squad if we dont carry 3 qbs, he's on the cover of NCAA football 08
Darius Walker RB Notre Dame - Probably a homer pick because we have a crowded backfield already, but I like him as a 3rd down back. Good blocking/vision/receiving skills

These are the guys I am most focused on as well as far as having a legit shot at the final roster. Not only was there a lot of guys similary rated, but according to at least one of the major sites, we got 6 oout of the top 50 UDFA's. With 32 teams, we really should have about 1.5 out of the top 50. This is a great haul of udfa's. NOw, having said that, these are still mainly developmental and depth and ST types, but still we need help with adding depth to the roster as well as top end talent.
My guess is Abbate, and Anderson make the final roster. Walker and Lucas will be right on the borderline but definetely at least make the practice squad, and wouldn't surprised if both of them made the roster either. Jared Z is probably practice squad this year, with a chance to develop from there.

[66cobra]

Being his adoptee, I gotta believe that Abbate is going to make the team.
That said, I think that Zabransky, Enoka Lucas, and Corey Anderson will make it as well. Practice squad will have Walker, DeGrate, and Wilbur on it.

[threetoedpete]

Being his adoptee, I gotta believe that Abbate is going to make the team.
That said, I think that Zabransky, Enoka Lucas, and Corey Andersonwill make it as well. Practice squad will have Walker, DeGrate,and Wilbur on it.


Everyone execpt Mitchell will be cut out of summer camp. Zabranski ,Anderson and Lucas to the practice squad.

[BATTL3_R3D]

I'm not too sure.

I think Walker is a guy Kubes feels given some time will be a Terrell Davis type back. And seeing Green is a 2yr or less fix, it would make sence to have either 4 RBs or keep him on the PS this year to learn and gain alittle weight. He has height, but at only 209, he is a little light for full time duty.

After that we have gray areas, I would think all DBs will get a shot to make the team(by beating out the ones we have), otherwise get cut.
And both the DT and OL will get shots to see if they can produce.
Zabransky is an emergencey clause. He needs work, but should Shaub play bad. Look for him to get a shot next year. I think Sage might be leaving, if not this season than next. After all, he averages 3yrs a team, and thats about up. And we can see now that Kubes dosen't see him as a starter(or why get Shaub at the price we did).

The rest will be gone, but don't be shocked to see a guy like Gado cut to keep Walker. And the same thing in the other areas.

[Zagen30]

I'm not too sure.

I think Walker is a guy Kubes feels given some time will be a Terrell Davis type back. And seeing Green is a 2yr or less fix, it would make sence to have either 4 RBs or keep him on the PS this year to learn and gain alittle weight. He has height, but at only 209, he is a little light for full time duty.

After that we have gray areas, I would think all DBs will get a shot to make the team(by beating out the ones we have), otherwise get cut.
And both the DT and OL will get shots to see if they can produce.
Zabransky is an emergencey clause. He needs work, but should Shaub play bad. Look for him to get a shot next year. I think Sage might be leaving, if not this season than next. After all, he averages 3yrs a team, and thats about up. And we can see now that Kubes dosen't see him as a starter(or why get Shaub at the price we did).

The rest will be gone, but don't be shocked to see a guy like Gado cut to keep Walker. And the same thing in the other areas.

Yeah, after the Kubiak interview earlier today, it sounds like Coach K's high on Walker (but not Johnny Walker). I expect him to at least make the PS, if not the opening day roster, based on what Kubes has said.

[BATTL3_R3D]

I heard that also, and Walker was i belive the 8th or 10th ranked RB in the draft(I had a list, lost it).


But he is a TD clone(but needs more size):
4.55 40(TD was a 4.6 I think)
Good vision
Decent burst
Only makes afew cuts, but will make a guy miss.
Runs with his pads down
5' 9" (TD is 5" 10" but listed at 5' 11")
209lbs(TD was about 210lbs)...let him learn and gain 5lbs he could be a monster.
Down hill runner
Gets to the hole well and through it.

Walker might just be the shocker of the whole offseason as far a a great player for a steal. Imagine if he is a TD type in a year...and we got him as a FA at low cost. Talk about Texans being talked about as SMART(for a change).

Take a read of his ND records and stats: http://www.houstontexans.com/team/player.asp?player_id=304


Not too bad considering ND plays some good schools.

[ReliantTexan]

I heard that also, and Walker was i belive the 8th or 10th ranked RB in the draft(I had a list, lost it).


But he is a TD clone(but needs more size):
4.55 40(TD was a 4.6 I think)
Good vision
Decent burst
Only makes afew cuts, but will make a guy miss.
Runs with his pads down
5' 9" (TD is 5" 10" but listed at 5' 11")
209lbs(TD was about 210lbs)...let him learn and gain 5lbs he could be a monster.
Down hill runner
Gets to the hole well and through it.

Walker might just be the shocker of the whole offseason as far a a great player for a steal. Imagine if he is a TD type in a year...and we got him as a FA at low cost. Talk about Texans being talked about as SMART(for a change).

Take a read of his ND records and stats: http://www.houstontexans.com/team/player.asp?player_id=304


Not too bad considering ND plays some good schools.
Yeah and didn't he have the highest vertical jump among the RB's at the combine,which means he's explosive.

[keyser]

I heard that also, and Walker was i belive the 8th or 10th ranked RB in the draft(I had a list, lost it).

SI.com had him as the 8th best, and projected him for middle of the 3rd round. Fox had him as the 11th best, and projected him for the 4th round. ProFootball Weekly had him as a 5th rounder. In any case, and regardless of how he pans out, the Texans did a great job getting him as an UDFA.
Abbate was the other really good pickup (as far as predicted value). SI had him going in the early 5th, Fox in the 3rd, and PFW in the 6th/7th. The only other UDFA that all 3 of those predicted being drafted was Terry Richardson (early 7th by SI, 5th by Fox, 6/7 by PFW). Some of the other UDFAs we picked up were ranked as high as 5th rounders by one of those, but were also labeled undrafted by others.
As far as which UDFAs will stick, I think only Abbate will make the roster (primarily for special teams), and that Zabransky will be the 3rd QB (which might be on the 53-man roster, or might be on the PS). I'm betting several others (maybe 4-5 of them - Anderson, Lucas, Walker (if he clears waivers), Mitchell, and one of the WRs) are on the practice squad at the beginning of the year. To me, Walker is the most interesting. He'll be in a crowd of 4 young players competing for 1 or 2 slots, and if he shows some flashes, he could easily get in there. Personally, though, I'm betting that at least one of the others beats him out.

[BATTL3_R3D]

Personally, though, I'm betting that at least one of the others beats him out.
__________________________________________________ _______________

I highly doubt it, but anything CAN happen. With the way Kubes is about him, they may cut Gado, Taylor and Lundy to be sure he is on the roster. But, I see him this year as PS, unless an injury brings him in at the #3 RB.
Thats just my feeling, but it also seems to be Kubes is thinking that way too.

[El Tejano]

They better talk about total yards if Walker makes the team.
I think Abbate replaces Troy Evans as the LB on ST.
I always think you can't have enough DBs so give me the Mitchell kid too.

[beerlover]

we should have a better idea in about three weeks. my guess would be Abbate (replace Wong) Lucas (replace Hodgdon) & Walker (replace Samkon/Lundy).
Anderson on practice squad (unless Cook cut) along with Zabransky. the rest will all have to fight scratch & claw their way out of mini-camp to make the 53 man roster or 8 man practice squad.

[painekiller]

The guys that should make the 53-man roster:
Jon Abbate, LB - Zach Thomas Jr. has arrived.
Cory Anderson, FB - I bet he doesn't have time to fumble the ball in crucial situations.
Jared Zabransky, QB - we need a guy with his winning attitude and leadership ability on the sidelines on Sundays.
Eric Wilbur, P - Stanley should be boarding a bus to Nowheresville shortly after TC.
Enoka Lucas, C - very good technician. I also can't stand Mike Flanagan.
Brandon Mitchell, FS - could make the active roster and compete for serious PT.
The guys that make the practice squad:
Derrick Roberson, CB - we should keep a close eye on him. he could develop quite nicely.
Victor DeGrate, DE - only 249 lbs., but is a pass rusher no doubt.
Tavo Tupola, OT - Captain of Utah's OL. Project tackle.


So of the guys you have the team keeping, which vetern is cut to allow the UDFA to keep a job?

[painekiller]

This not a hard question.
I see Enoka Lucas, C replacing Hodgdon
Cory Anderson, FB - replacing Cook or practice squad
Jon Abbate, LB replacing Rainer (was not on the active roster last season), so why did we draft Diles over Louis Leonard?
Jared Zabransky, QB will have to play special teams or WR some to secure #3 QB position Replaces Porter (who is not starting on his NFLe team to a nonroster guy) but does Zabransky get the nod over Brad Van Pelt?
Eric Wilbur, P - boy we hope so, Chad Stanley
Brandon Mitchell, FS could beat out John Walker, might push Simmons but doubtful.
Some of these guys will be on the practice squad.
All I can say is we need a long snapper that can play another position. Roster spots are getting tighter, and we are a young team.


Lets talk draft picks:
Okoye makes Travis Johnson put up or be cut.
Jacoby Jones - 4th WR right now at best. Pushes Anderson out the door?
Fred Bennett - current dime back (IMO) pushes Dexter McCleon out
Brandon Harrison replaces Roc Alexander
Brandon Frye must be able to play OG also to keep a spot, its a numbers game. If Spencer is healthy, he starts, then Black & Salaam, how many OTs will we carry? Salaam helps now, Frye could be a nice add later.
Kassey Studdard - practice squad
Diles - practice squad.

[BigTimeTexanFan]

Abbate is one of those guys that has to prove himself in everything he does and there is a special kind of fire in guys like him. Not the biggest, fastest, or strongest, but strives to play the best he can everytime. Guys who are naturally gifted sometimes rely on that as a crutch. Guys like Abbate have to work hard at everything they do. I believe he makes this team.

[El Tejano]

I liked the video on houstontexans.com from the 06-04-07 OTAs. Gary Kubiak sounds as if he has been really impressed with Darius Walker stating "the kid from Notre Dame can play." Also listening to Darius Walker saying how suprised he has been to see himself picking up the system so quickly, makes me think we might see some good things from him. I think Walker will stick.

[painekiller]

Brandon Frye must be able to play OG also to keep a spot, its a numbers game. If Spencer is healthy, he starts, then Black & Salaam, how many OTs will we carry? Salaam helps now, Frye could be a nice add later.

Brandon Frye will NOT be moving to OG. He'll start out the season on the PS and go from there. He's got way too much upside and he's extremely athletic. He just needs repetitions, which he'll get on the PS. He may very well be our starting RT next season, with Winston moving over to LT.
(
If you read what I wrote you will see I have Frye as a backup to multiple positions. Not making him a guard, making him a backup that plays multiple positions. Helps him make the roster. We have 6 OT in camp and the limits to the gameday roster make keeping 5 of them next to impossible. In order for a 2nd day rookie to make the team he need to be versatile.
BTW Frye fits the OLT mold better then the ORT mold. And he needs time to develop at the LT position. 4 tackles make the team, based on last year. Spencer Winston Black and who?

[nunusguy]

This not a hard question.
I see Enoka Lucas, C replacing Hodgdon
Cory Anderson, FB - replacing Cook or practice squad
Jon Abbate, LB replacing Rainer (was not on the active roster last season), so why did we draft Diles over Louis Leonard?
Jared Zabransky, QB will have to play special teams or WR some to secure #3 QB position Replaces Porter (who is not starting on his NFLe team to a nonroster guy) but does Zabransky get the nod over Brad Van Pelt?
Eric Wilbur, P - boy we hope so, Chad Stanley
Brandon Mitchell, FS could beat out John Walker, might push Simmons but doubtful.
Some of these guys will be on the practice squad.
All I can say is we need a long snapper that can play another position. Roster spots are getting tighter, and we are a young team.


Lets talk draft picks:
Okoye makes Travis Johnson put up or be cut.
Jacoby Jones - 4th WR right now at best. Pushes Anderson out the door?
Fred Bennett - current dime back (IMO) pushes Dexter McCleon out
Brandon Harrison replaces Roc Alexander
Brandon Frye must be able to play OG also to keep a spot, its a numbers game. If Spencer is healthy, he starts, then Black & Salaam, how many OTs will we carry? Salaam helps now, Frye could be a nice add later.
Kassey Studdard - practice squad
Diles - practice squad.





Brandon Frye will NOT be moving to OG. He'll start out the season on the PS and go from there. He's got way too much upside and he's extremely athletic. He just needs repetitions, which he'll get on the PS. He may very well be our starting RT next season, with Winston moving over to LT.

Interesting projection/prediction for our future OT tandem. This of course implies Spencer does not make it back, which remains a very real possibility, and perhaps the most likely.
The pundits blasted the Texans as expected for not using a first day pick on an OLine, but we may have picked up a couple of real winners later. I like Frye's potential, and Enoka Lucas may be the best OLineman we got from this years rookie crop who could make the team as a C/G.

[painekiller]

and Enoka Lucas may be the best OLineman we got from this years rookie crop who could make the team as a C/G.
I agree, and I see Hodgdon as good as gone. Lucas had better be quick cause he isn't fast.

[philyphreak2127]

I think if Zebransky can play WR he should be kept on the active roster any player willing to learn more than one position to stay on a team that can actually play those positions decent enough deserves a shot besides he could end up filling a role similar to Matt Jones =or Randel El but more like a Seneca Wallace his first 2 seasons. He could be the 3rd qb and play reciever and slowly develop as a reciever into someone who could actually maybe work in as the 5th reciever. I like players that are able to switch positions and play more than one thing because it saves roster spots, they already have guys like Roc Alexander who plays corner, and safety, Jason Simmons who does the same. Danny Clark, Shawn Barber, and Zach Dilles all play more than one linebacker spot, Babin, who plays defensive end and can stand up these players all save a spot for other players and they help depth tremendously that is why I think Zebransky will make the roster, Chris Taylor who can line up at tail back or full back will make the roster over players like Lundy, Van Pelt, and Porter.

[philyphreak2127]

I also like Darius Walker he has the potential to make them team as well if he beats out Chris Taylor and they keep Anderson instead. But that is kind of a long shot I think he will be cut and end up on someone elses roster or practice squad due to his starting experience in the NFL caliber offense that Charlie Weis runs maybe he will end up in New York or New England.

[Insideop]

Seeing as there's not too much to talk about at this time of the season I guess we should start talking about the UDFAs our teams have signed.
More often than not we'll never hear from these guys again. But every so often you find a diamond like Antonio Gates. I am more excited about this year's UDFA class than in previous years because this draft had so many similarly rated players in the mid-late portion of the draft and it caused a lot of players that can contribute to go undrafted.
My picks on the Texans for guys that hopefully can stick and maybe be a diamond are:
Jon Abbate LB Wake Forest - Undersized MLB that was the leader of the Wake Forest defense and came out a year early. Didn't work out well but when you watch him play you can tell he's a high motor player with great football instincts like a Teddy Bruschi or Zach Thomas. I think he'll make the team and be a special teams ace.
Enoka Lucas G/C Oregon - I was suprised he slipped out of the draft because I think he can make a lot of team's active rosters as a backup interior OL and can develop into a solid starting OL. I hope he'll be that solid starting OL for the Houston Texans.
Corey Anderson FB Tennessee - Last year we carried 2 FBs in Leach and Cook and this year I think we might do the same with one of the best lead blocking FBs in college football on the roster. This guy is a sledgehammer going through the line, I really like the pickup. If he can contribute on special teams he'll stick imo.
Jared Zabransky QB Boise State - This guy can scramble and just finds ways to win. Not the greatest prototypical QB but you gotta take a fiery leader like him if you get the chance to be an emergency QB. I've read some teams think he can play WR, if that's the case than some gadget plays are in order!!! The only thing stopping him is that Kubiak carried 2 QBs last season and I believe Denver usually only takes QBs on their active roster. I think he's a lock for the practice squad if we dont carry 3 qbs, he's on the cover of NCAA football 08
Darius Walker RB Notre Dame - Probably a homer pick because we have a crowded backfield already, but I like him as a 3rd down back. Good blocking/vision/receiving skills

Good post Joker. These are most of the same ones I'm hoping can make it also. I do think Zebransky is a real long shot to make the active roster because I'm pretty sure Kubes will carry only 2 QB's, but he could make the PS. I think Walker will be on the PS also, but alot depends on how Lundy and Gado perform in TC. I know Gado is one of Sherman's boys from GB, but I still think he is the odd man out.
If they decide to use Taylor as a FB/RB then I don't see Anderson making the 53 man roster, but he should be on the PS, especially if Cook gets cut (and I think he will).
I don't know how good Wilber (the Punter) is, but I hope he is good enough to make the team. Just don't think Stanley has the leg anymore. JMHO!