2008 UDFA List: Offense
We all know about the rookies who were drafted, but what about the Undrafted Free Agents (UDFAs) that the team has brought on board?
With the rookie players in Hofstra as of last night for meetings, here’s the list of contracted and players trying out for the Jets as best I can manage. Since the team refuses to give out names officially yet, these have been scoured from Teh Intarwebs.
First up, the offense, which looks to have about ten players in house today, mostly skill position players. To me, it looks like they are serious about finding a RB to challenge Jesse Chatman (better get your pass-pro game on), a backup Center, and a backup bruising fullback.
We’ve included some short scouting detail on the players after the jump.
Danny Woodhead — RB — Chadron State
Metrics – Height: 5?8? Weight: 197 40 Time: 4.38
Scouting: Was passed over by Callahan’s staff in Nebraska. Record holding rusher for D-II. Has good vision for running lanes, excellent athlete in terms of balance, speed and catching abilities. Played in D-II … can he transition to the NFL game? Size makes people wonder about durability and being able to run inside. Needs to work on blocking in pass recognition. Could initially challenge for a special teams spot.
Josh Abrams — RB/ST — Ohio University
Metrics – Height: 6′0″ Weight: 200 40 Time: N/A
Scouting: The Jets have been serious about signing potential special teams players this offseason. Abrams is a kick return specialist and has broken a number of records in this regard. Against Miami (Ohio) Abrams had 196 yards of total returns with a 49 yard per return average, scoring on a 93 yard return in the 4th quarter.
Kareem Huggins – RB – Hofstra
Metrics – Height: 5′8″ Weight: 189 40 Time: 4.47
Scouting: Ninth player in school history to rush for 2,000 yards in a career. Missed two of the last three games with an ankle injury, rushed for 957 yards and nine touchdowns on 178 carries, and had 26 kickoff returns for 641 yards and tied the school record with two returns for touchdowns in 2007. Huggins could be a special teams contributor for the Jets initially.
Charles Sullivan -WR – Hofstra
Metrics – Height: 6′1″ Weight: 201 40 Time: 4.68
Scouting: Four year player who had a great freshman and senior season, not fast of the line, but a solid receiver who could play as a team’s 5th receiver initially. Sullivan is best suited as in a timing offense. Can find the soft spot and has good catching abilities in adjustment.
Justin Valentine – FB – Minnesota
Metrics – Height: 6′0″ Weight: 230 pounds 40 Time: 4.69
Scouting: Likely a short yardage specialist, Valentine would have to make the club in that capacity or as a lead blocker. The team is clearly looking for some options with a few other large running back signings in this area. Part-time starter the past three seasons. Seldom-used ball-carrier who totaled 14/42/1 on the ground as a senior after 17/42/4 the previous year. He’s well-built lead blocker with solid size/speed numbers. Quick out of his stance, squares into defenders, and displays good jolt at the point. Breaks down well and plays with good pad level. Displays nice awareness and picks up assignments.
Jehuu Caulcrick – RB/FB – Minnesota
Metrics – Height: 6′0″ Weight: 254 pounds 40 Time: 4.69
Scouting: Another thumper style back, Caulcrick is an excellent athlete for his size, measuring 35″ in his Pro Day’s vertical jump. Caulcrick totalled 21 TDs in his senior season, and could be used like Valentine as a goal-line specialist or mop-up player. NFLN’s Mike Mayock stated that if he was paired with a smaller back “in the right kind of scheme, he can be effective.”
Prechae Rodriguez – WR – Auburn
Metrics – Height: 6′4″ Weight: 208 40 Time: 4.63
Scouting: Another tall WR, the Jets are loading up on this body-type it seems this offseason. Was unable to start his senior year, but did have an impressive play against Alabama for a game winning TD in 2007. Would have to be a special teams standout to make the team.
Alan Turner – WR – Southern Illinois
Metrics – Height: 6′0″ Weight: 205 40 Time: 4.48
Scouting: In the draft or via free agency, the Jets have recongnized the need to get taller at the receiver spot. Turner led the Salukis with seven touchdown catches in 2007, and played in all 14 games catching 46 passes for 672 yards, averaging more than 14 yards per catch.
Paul Raymond – WR – Brown
Metrics – Height: 5′9″ Weight: 179 40 Time: 4.42
Scouting: In addition to being an Ivy Leaguer, Raymond runs track collegiately and is the smaller receiver type. Fastest man in the Ivy League by winning two Heptagonal Championships in the 60-meter dash. Raymond ranked second in the Ivy League and ninth in the nation with 97.8 receiving yards per game. His 978 receiving yards rank eighth at Brown. The best day of his career came against URI, with six receptions for 221 yards. Raymond is also a Kickoff returner.
Chris Hopkins – TE - Toledo
Metrics – Height: 6′5″ Weight: 255 40 Time: 4.82
Scouting: Awarded conference honors after his sophomore and junior seasons, but a down year in 2007 took him off many draft charts. Hopkins has previously shown himself to be a productive pass-catcher, yet he is a marginal athlete with limited upside in the NFL. Hopkins is agood sized who gets off the snap into routes quickly, solid position blocker who shows explosion point of attack. Hopkins lacks speed and the ability to make plays in the secondary.
Brett Byford – OC - Nebraska
Metrics – Height: 6′3″ Weight: 300 40 Time: 5.26
Scouting: Leader of the offensive front, Byford was a team captain and saw most of his playing time his Junior and Senior seasons. Since the Jets need a backup Center and due to Callahan’s familiarity with Byford from Nebraska, this might be a player to pay attention to as a guy who makes the practice squad or active roster.
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Only Byford and Caulcrick have a legitimate shot of making this team…
Agreed, except I think Woodhead can really challenge Caulcrick for that spot. Rest of them will b gone by the regular season.
Woodhead, Caulcrick and Byford all make the squad.
Woodhead had the fastest ever clocked 40 time at Lincoln, the kid is a burner and he’ll be kept on as a 4th back, possibly groomed into returning some kicks.
Caulcrick is a beast, should be a Zack Crockett type and with Richardson aging, hes a good West coast FB to start 2 yrs from now.
Byford, the reasons are obvious. Callahan. Familiarity, Bill likes him and Byford was a captain for a Big 12 school which is an accomplishment by itself. I actually think he will be a terrific backup at center and could be versatile playing guard and maybe pushing Moore to develop further. Byford has a great mean streak and should be a solid lineman.
Abrams is gonna make it, its not post but he ran a 4.3 even. With that speed, the NFL doesn’t turn their head away and he was invited back, its looking like the Jets are going his way.