The Undrafteds

Here’s ColtPlay’s look at the first set of undrafted free agents, I’m sure there’ll be more to come:
Javarris James HB Miami
Numbers: 6002/214/4.59, 4.24 shuttle, 7.07 3-cone, 36-inch vertical, 32-inch arms, 9 5/8-inch hands
2009 stats: 103-409-6 rushing, 13-85-0 receiving
Yeah, Edgerrin’s little cousin. Makes coaches’ hearts break because he does everything well and is a hard worker and a good kid who appears to lack the athleticism to be special.

Brandon James HB Florida
Numbers: 5072/186 14 reps
2009 stats: 20-109-0 rushing, 24-215-1 receiving, 33-244-0 punt returning, 29-756-1 kick returning
Too small and fragile to be a real halfback, this James has a legitimate shot at being a return specialist and occasional offensive contributor on offense if he can show some toughness, durability and the ability to keep his ego in check

Blair White WR Michigan State
Numbers: 6022/209 1.50 ten, 2.60 twenty, 4.49 forty, 18 reps, 33.5-inch vertical, 6.69 3 cone, 4.03 shuttle
2009 stats: 70-990-9 receiving, 1-27-0 punt returning
I’m actually surprised this guy wasn’t drafted. He won’t set the world on fire, but can run routes, catch the ball, has some shiftiness and will play on special teams. This guy could surprise.

Tim Hiller QB Western Michigan
Numbers: 6040/229 1.65 ten, 2.78 twenty, 4.97 forty, 18 reps, 32.5-inch vertical, 9’10” broad jump, 4.54 shuttle, 7.10 three cone
2009 stats: 514-319-3,249-23-13 passing, 39-(-101)-0 rushing, 0-(-5)-0 receiving
From the waist up, he’s a perfect quarterback, but below that he reminds me of the old Kids in the Hall character M. Piedlourd (Mr. Heavyfoot), Hiller can’t sense the rush and doesn’t have the feet to do anything about it if he did, he could be effective as an NFL No. 3 if he has limited exposure

David Caldwell SS William & Mary
Numbers: 5104/212 1.52 ten, 2.60 twenty, 4.58 forty, 24 reps, 39.5-inch vertical, 10’10” broad jump, 4.07 shuttle, 6.69 three cone
2009 stats: 41 tackles, 17 assists, 2.0-13 TFL, 1.0-12 sacks, 3 PBU, 1-0-0 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble, 2-29-0 kick returning
Outstanding athlete was very productive at small school, a former halfback, he also played corner and was William & Mary’s primary kick returner before concentrating on safety as a senior, smart, hard-working kid could make it on specials

Mike Newton FS Buffalo
Numbers: 5101/197 1.50pd ten, 2.55pd twenty, 4.48pd forty, 9 reps, 10’0 broad jump, 4.09 shuttle, 6.94 3 cone
2009 stats: 52 tackles, 33 assists, 1.0-22 TFL, 2-30-0 interceptions, 8 PBU, 1-24-0 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
Had this guy on one of my mocks; gifted, hard-hitting safety who needs to learn more about coverage and play diagnosis before he can contribute on defense in the NFL

Thad Turner CB Ohio
Numbers: 5103/188 1.56 ten, 2.62 twenty, 4.51 forty, 14 reps, 41-inch vertical, 10’3” broad jump, 4.26 shuttle, 7.20 three cone
2009 stats: 34 tackles, 26 assists, 0.5-2 TFL, 1-4-0 interceptions, 6 PBU
Aggressive, hard-hitting corner isn’t the most fluid guy around but excels in the short-area press and could succeed on specials

Jeff Linkenbach T Cincinnati
Numbers: 6062/312 5.10 forty, 22 reps, 27.5-inch vertical, 8’2” broad jump, 7.69 three cone
2009 stats: 14 starts
Here’s another guy I had on a mock or two; experienced, effective starter who doesn’t have natural feet or bull strength, but managed to stonewalls lots of big-name pass rushers in college. And when you consider how immobile Tony Pike was and how high-powered their offense was, that’s quite a feat. Personally, I have no idea how Linkenbach went undrafted – with coaching and conditioning he has an outside chance to become an NFL starter

Brett Swenson K Michigan State
Numbers: 5076/180
2009 stats: 19-22 on field goals, 44-45 on extra points, 66-4,087-7 on kickoffs
He was actually the top kicker on my list for the Colts. He won’t help you on kickoffs or placements over 50 yards, but the Colts have McAfee for that. Deadly accurate and with a rare level of concentration under pressure, Swenson is a rare talent.

Vuna Tuihalamaka LB Arizona
Numbers: 6011/230 1.61 ten, 2.74 twenty, 4.70 forty, 18 reps, 33.5-inch vertical, 9’4 broad jump, 4.64 shuttle, 7.25 three cone
2009 stats: 45 tackles, 27 assists, 5.5-19 TFL, 1-0-0 interceptions, 3 PBU
The Colts bring in a guy like this every year: An undersized tackling machine who could be the next Gary Brackett or could be the next Mike Tuailiili.

A couple of late adds:

Brandon King CB Purdue
Numbers: 5096/195 1.59 ten, 2.62 twenty, 4.59 forty, 23 reps, 9'11 broad jump, 4.28 shuttle, 6.87 three cone
2009 stats: 25 tackles, 5 assists, 2.0-14 TFL, 3-25-0 interceptions, 5 PBU, 1-0-0 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
Stout corner has great skills, but lacks height and long speed; could work better at free safety.

Andrew Tyshovnytsky T Fordham
Numbers: 6041/317 1.68 ten, 2.81 twenty, 4.91 forty, 33 reps, 28-inch vertical, 9'2 broad jump, 4.83 shuttle, 7.99 three cone
2009 stats: 11 starts
Exceptionally athletic tackle prospect who protected John Skelton's blindside; will need extensive coaching, but has a shot