PPF Loves Phins Undrafted Rookies
According to PFF, Miami scored two Undrafted Rookies with excellent potential
After the 3-day-draft last week, the Dolphins quickly went to the phones to lock up Undrafted Rookies…
… And PFF believes they did a bang-up job.
This is a crucial step in this regime’s process.Must be successful in this phase to have a chance at success.
Miami added players at positions across the board… with an extra dose of Offensive Lineman. Two of the UDFAs ranked by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s 10 best Undrafted Rookies: Wide Receiver Preston Williams from Colorado State and Guard Deion Calhoun from Mississippi State.
A key to Miami’s “small ball” approach is finding quality Undrafted Rookies
Sportsbook Lines Software is betting that at least one undrafted player will earn a roster spot for the upcoming season.
At 6’4” and 210 pounds, Preston Williams is an intriguing prospect because he’s a big target. The former track and field star has open field speed in spades, but he’s a raw prospect. He broke out last year with Colorado State with his 96 receptions for 1,345 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Some knocks on his game are that he relies too much on his body to make receptions, doesn’t always catch contested balls at its high point, and is raw on his route running. In addition, he tore his ACL and served a suspension for an offseason misdemeanor assault charge that forced him to sit out the 2017 season.
Previously reported by the Coloradoan, “The receiver was suspended for much of last season following arrests for harassment, tampering and domestic violence after an altercation with a former girlfriend. Williams allegedly shoved her multiple times during an argument at an off-campus apartment the two shared, according to Fort Collins police reports. He was arrested again three weeks later by CSU police for violating a restraining order after the first arrest.”
Stadium Film put together this tape of Williams 2018 Highlights
Obviously, there are multiple reasons Williams went undrafted.
However, you can’t teach size and speed, which Williams has in spades, and talent always offers a second chance in the NFL.
Miami has a pretty solid wide receiver core. Getting stashed on the Practice Squad is Williams’ likeliest fate. But, he could make it interesting come the camp battle. The current 5th and 6th receivers on our roster, Ricardo Louis and Brice Butler, aren’t locks.
Now wouldn’t that be something if he outperforms DeVante Parker?
M.J. says, “I love me some Deion Calhoun!”
Deion Calhoun is a 6’3” 320 pound Guard that played in the dominant SEC Conference. Of the 4 undrafted Offensive Lineman that Miami signed he appears to have the best chance to make the 53 man roster. That he fell out of the draft was a surprise to PFF. They had him graded as 4th Round talent and were high on his size and athleticism.
Calhoun has quite an impressive stat line:
In 4 seasons with a total of 1,135 pass blocking snaps, Calhoun only allowed a paltry 3 sacks with two coming last season. Of his total 11 career penalties, 5 came last season.
Calhoun has the potential to be a quality pass blocker. His weakness is more in the run blocking game. He has the size for it, but something in his strength or technique is off. One trick ponies won’t find a spot in this new Dolphins scheme. Can the Dolphins staff get him right? If so, he could be quite the gem for this team. Paired with Michael Deiter, Miami may have solved their issues at the interior Offensive Line.
This film on Calhoun was put together by DeludedYinzer.
Miami has been very successful at finding ‘gems’ over the years
All Undrafted Rookies go unpicked for one reason or another. However,
year after year, Miami has found some hidden gems in the undrafted field of players. Can these two youngsters turn into another class of successful finds for this organization?
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about these two players’ chances of making our 53 man roster?
