Arizona:Roshon Vercher, Fresno State, BranDon Snow, Penn State, Tim Castille, Alabama, FBs
The Cardinals have invited three FBs to their camp, so it would seem that they see the position as an area of need. Logic would say that at least one of these three will be able to make the team as a backup, and the clubhouse leader would have to be Castille, as he has the potential to be a short yardage back whereas Vercher and Snow have only shown the ability to block
Atlanta: Renardo Foster, Louisville, TCoach Petrino is looking to move away from the small and quick lineman that were utilized in their zone blocking schemes in recent years. So, what better way for him to do that than to bring in a 300 plus pound road grader from his former school? Now, hopefully this won't go like it did when Steve Spurrier kept bringing in old Florida guys...
Baltimore: Nick Leeson, Virginia Tech LS
So what is the best way to make an NFL squad? Fill a specialized skill, whether that be KR, PR, kickoff specialist, pass rush specialist, or in Leeson's case long snapper. Leeson is considered to be one of the best long snappers to come out of college in recent years, so he will likely catch on somewhere in the league.
Buffalo: Duane Coleman, Clemson CB
The Bills needed a corner to help with the loss of Nate Clements in free agency, and Coleman might be a guy to help. An intriguing athlete that started out at RB at Clemson, Coleman could also catch on as a gunner on special teams.
Carolina: Jessie Daniels, LSU, S
Carolina was in desperate need of a safety going into the draft, and did not fill the spot with any of their picks. Daniels played next to LaRon Landry during his collegiate career, and LSU has been a factory for NFL athletes in recent years.
Chicago: Dave Ball, New Hampshire WR and Chris Leak, Florida QBThe Bears grabbed two of the most talked about undrafted free agents in Ball and Leak. Ball broke Jerry Rice's NCAA TD records, but has been labeled as too slow to be anything more than a possession receiver at the next level. Leak should be able to push Kyle Orton for the #3 QB spot, and you can't help but like the prospect of the Bears having two flawed Florida QBs on the roster.
Cincinnati: Greg Estandia, UNLV, Ryan Hamby, OSU, David Jones, LSU, Bristol Olomua, Texas Tech TEs
Just as it is obvious that the Cardinals are looking to get a FB from their undrafted crop, it is also apparent that the Bengals are looking to get a blocking TE on their roster from this group. None of the four stand out from the pack, but Hamby would be the early favorite to stick on the roster.
Cleveland: Tyrone Moss, Miami RBJamal Lewis is only signed to a one year contract, and the RB position behind him is quite uncertain as the Browns did not draft a runner during the draft. If Moss can prove his worthiness in mini-camp, he could potentially make a place for himself in Cleveland as the 2nd string RB for the foreseeable future.
Dallas: Jackie Battle, Houston FB
Battle is one of the classic FB/RB tweeners, as critics would say that he does not have enough blocking skill to be an NFL FB. The big plus for Battle is the fact that he is one of the faster FBs to come out of college in a long time. 4.42 40 yard dash kind of fast. That is not a misprint. Battle could turn into a situational pass catcher on 3rd down and goal line situations for the Cowboys.
Denver: Selvin Young, Texas RB
I would be afraid of any back that Denver deems worthy of bringing into camp. Very, very, afraid.
Detroit: Reggie Ball, Georgia Tech WR/KR
The Lions now boast two WRs from Georgia Tech in their rookie class. The path for Ball to get onto the roster will be decidedly harder than Calvin Johnson's. Ball does not have anywhere near elite speed, and will need to exhibit great hands in order to get a spot in the Lion's final 53.
Green Bay: Jerry Babb, Lou. Laf. QB
Green Bay has had a degree of success with a certain Cajun QB in the past, and with his oncoming retirement the Packers will be looking to stock the depth chart behind presumptive heir to the throne Aaron Rodgers.
Houston: Jon Abbate, Wake Forest LBYou have to root for Abbate, but it was a terrible choice for him to come out early from Wake Forest. It didn't help either when he ran a 5.0 40 on an injured hammy at the scouting combine. Hopefully Abbate will be able to prove all of his critics wrong and show that his poor pre draft performance is not an indicator of his future as a pro.
Indy: Justin Zwick, Ohio State QB
Zwick is looking to step into the easiest free money job in all of sports: backing up Peyton Manning. I mean, if the only time I ever saw the field was against the Houston Texans with a five TD lead, I think that would be a pretty good way to make a living.
Jacksonville: Tony Pudewell, Nevada TE
The Jaguars have been looking for an impact TE ever since Kyle Brady left, and the jury is still out on Mercedes Lewis. Pudewell was rated as high as #15 in this years TE class.
Kansas City: Josh Swogger, Montana and Jeff Terrell, Princeton QBs
With the end of Trent Green's tenure in Kansas City in sight, the #3 QB spot for the future of the franchise is up for grabs. The battle between Swogger and Terrell to be the backup to the backup in KC could be one of the most competitive of all of the rookie mini camp match ups.
Miami: Geoff Pope, Howard CB
Corner may not necessarily be a huge position of need for the Dolphins, but there is this to say for Pope's chances of making the roster. He was the fastest man at the scouting combine, with a 40 clocking in at 4.29. That kind of speed is going to get you a look from a lot of teams. I mean, world class speed alone is getting Justin Gatlin a shot in Tampa.
Minnesota: Braden Jones, Southern Ill. TE
Jones is one of the more intriguing undrafted prospects. He started his college career as a LB at Northwestern, but after facing a variety of off field troubles was dismissed from the team. He then moved to Southern Ill. and switched to TE. His hands are decent, but the biggest plus for Jones is his speed, as his 4.59 time in the 40 ranks behind only Greg Olsen among this year's TE crop.
New England: Matt Gutierrez, Idaho St. QB
If the Patriots deemed Gutierrez worthy of an invite, there is probably some potential left in the former Michigan player. I mean, between Matt Cassell and Tom Brady the Patriots have shown that if nothing else they know how to get value out of their late round QBs.
New Orleans: Walter Thomas, NW Miss. CC DTYou may have heard some of the pre draft buzz about Thomas, the hulking 374 lb tackle that runs a 4.8 forty and can do a back flip. Yeah, a back flip. Thomas is another "character case", as he was kicked off of the Oklahoma State team and then barely played at NW Miss because of further off field troubles. If Thomas is able to get his head on straight however, he could develop into a force to be reckoned with for years to come for the Saints.
New York Giants: Michael Matthews, GT TE
All you need to know about Matthews: he told the media that he was looking forward to challenging Jeremy Shockey for the starting job...this year. I guess there is something to be said for confidence.
New York Jets: Jesse Allen, VT FB
Allen was coveted by the Giants as well, and should make a run for a roster spot as a decent receiver and blocker out of the backfield.
Oakland- Josh Shotwell, Cal Poly LB
To be honest, I am not at all energized by any of the invitees brought in by the Raiders. Shotwell probably has the best shot of any of the rookies to make the Raider's roster.
Philly: Marques Murrell, App. St. DE
The Eagles were in need of some more pass rushing help off of the ends, and Murrell fits that description. Murrell was a 1-AA All American the past two seasons at Appalachian State, and could help the Eagles in a situational role as a 3rd down pass rusher.
Pittsburgh: Gary Russell, Minn. RBRussell's stock was a lot higher prior to being kicked out of school in Minnesota last season, and the Steelers may have found themselves with one of the bigger steals of the undrafted free agent class. Russell was the second half of the 1-2 punch for the Gophers two seasons ago, paired with Lawrence Maroney. And I think we all know how that is working out in New England.
San Diego: Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech WR
Many would argue that Hicks is merely a product of the Red Raider's system, much like many of the QBs to come out of Lubbock the past few seasons. The Chargers are in big need of WRs to help take the pressure on offense off of Tomlinson and Antonio Gates.
San Fran: Luke Getsy, Akron QB
The backup QB position in San Fran has been in a bit of flux recently, and Getsy has a good shot to continue the recent success of MAC QBs in the NFL. Getsy has a decent shot at the #3 QB spot.
Seattle: Joe Newton, OR. St. TE
After the Jerramy Stevens troubles the past few seasons the Seahawks find themselves with some uncertainty at the TE position. Newton has a decent shot at making the roster and making a contribution to the passing game at some point in the near future.
St. Louis: Drew Tate, Iowa QBTate is one of those QB prospects that I just do not understand why people are so low on him. I think that anyone who saw his bowl game performance a few years back would agree that he has some potential at the next level. With Marc Bulger not getting any younger and Ryan Fitzpatrick standing as the main opposition to the backup job, Tate could make the team as a #3 and then challenge for a greater role in the future after Bulger leaves.
Tampa Bay: Zac Taylor, Neb. QB
I am putting Taylor here if only because the thought of the Bucs putting another QB on their roster just cracks me up.
Washington: Justin Hickman, UCLA DE
The Redskins biggest need heading into the draft was pass rush help, specifically from the DE position. So what did the Redskins do with their draft picks? They did not draft a single DE. Not a one. Insane. To be honest, I would have much rather had Jamaal Anderson than LaRon Landry. Yes, Landry is a much better player. The Redskins however, had 19 SACKS THE ENTIRETY OF LAST SEASON. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Does nobody in the front office understand this? Killing me Redskins, absolutely killing me. Back to Hickman. He is going to make the team. Take it to the bank. He had 12.5 sacks last season for the Bruins, and although he has less than ideal size he does have the proverbial nose for the QB. Of all of the players on this last, Hickman may well get the earliest chance to make a contribution this season.
