Undrafted gems
Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com notes that a player doesn't have to be drafted to have a successful NFL career, and he predicts a few players from 2009 who might fall into that category.
Safety Marcus McClinton of Kentucky, who signed with the Patriots after the draft, is on the list.
The point of Pasquarelli's main article is that some of the NFL's best teams aren't afraid to devote a roster spot to an undrafted player -- going against perception and expectation based on draft status.
I would include the Patriots on the list. Over the last five years, here are the top players they signed immediately after the draft that became key contributors:
(List doesn't include others, such as Stephen Neal and Wes Welker, as those undrafted players started their careers with other teams or left the Patriots before returning.)
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Mike
I know he didnt contribute as much as Gary Guyton last year, but you might be able to place Vince Redd into the category as well. Time will tell.
Mike,
The player I'm intrigued with here and feel that is worth mentioning here is LB, Antonio Appleby. At 6'3'' and 251 pounds S.I. online had him listed as a projected fifth round pick and had this to say about him in there pre-draft analysis:
"Appleby has been a terrific linebacker at Virginia, yet he is overshadowed by the many headliners in the program. He offers definite possibilities at the next level, and it would not at all be a surprise if Appleby develops into a starter on the inside of a 3-4 defense."
Mike,
Another interesting stat is how many former practice squad players end up starting at least one game or playing meaningful minutes in the playoffs. I'm always surprised on a team as deep as the Patriots that there are a few guys like this every year. I seem to remember that one year the Patriots has two guys start the year on the practice squad and end it starting in the Super Bowl.
Mike, do you know WHY any of these guys went undrafted? Small schools? Lack of production in college? Poor measurables? Played behind a star (or starsa la Cassel)? It just seems like if a guy is capable of becoming a solid starter, there has to be SOME reason as to why he wasn't drafted. I'm sure it varies by player, but there must be some kind of system for finding these guys, some kind of common thread that indicates they might be able to do it but don't get noticed (small schools would be the best bet, in my opinion).
Sorry, I wouldn't include the Patriots on this list. Gay was OK, and Wright has been OK, but none of them have had the impact of the players in Pasquarelli article. The Patriots have been outstanding at bringing in veterans, but the draft and free agents.....not so much.
Mike, whats the deal with Stephan Neal? Where did he start off because i always assumed he was signed as an undrafted free agent by New England?
stephen neal started as a iggle i think
Google it DD
Jim, I'd have to disagree. Randall Gay is a starting NFL CB, and he's easily the equal of Gary Brackett, who has never really been more than a low-level starter. He gets a fair number of tackles...but he's a MLB...he's supposed to. Also, Dominic Rhodes had a good year in '01, but besides that one campaign, he's only broken 500 yards in a season twice since then. He also wasn't good enough to avoid having the Colts go get Addai in the first round, and then they cut him the next year. He's a solid backup, which is what the Patriots have mostly found. I think all of those guys belong in the conversation.
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