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McShay's top 10 undrafted prospects
While the 2016 NFL draft has come to an end, there's still unfinished business as undrafted free agents will be available for teams to sign.
Here is my ranking of the top 10 undrafted prospects, along with scouting reports from Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl that ran in my pre-draft Top 300. The player's Scouts Inc. grade is in parentheses.
1. Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Minnesota (Grade: 70)
What he brings: There are concerns about the undersized Boddy-Calhoun's durability as he tore an ACL in 2013 and missed two games with a knee injury last season. He doesn't match up well with bigger physical receivers either, but he has the skill set to develop into an effective nickelback. He has above-average instincts, outstanding short-area man cover skills and the ball skills to develop into a playmaker. Boddy-Calhoun is also an adequate run-stopper who improved his tackling last season.
2. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke (68)
What he brings: Cash is an instinctive and physical safety more suited to align near the box. He shows quick recognition skills and playmaking instincts as a run defender and does a nice job of working through traffic in pursuit. He displays some tightness in coverage and will have some physical limitations if he is asked to hold up as the last line of defense in coverage. Cash could develop into a quality hybrid safety or outside linebacker. Expect him to make a big impact on special teams.
3. Tyvis Powell, S, Ohio State (64)
What he brings: There's a lot to like about Powell's frame and top-end speed. He has the potential to develop into a ball hawk. He's a clutch performer who won the defensive MVP in the 2014 national championship game. However, he doesn't play quite as fast as his timed top-end speed (4.46) and he doesn't show great fluidity in coverage. He's also just an average run-defender, despite his 6-foot-3, 211-pound frame.
4. Ben Braunecker, TE, Harvard (60)
What he brings: Braunecker is coming off a breakout senior season at Harvard in which he caught eight touchdown passes in 10 games and averaged 17.7 yards per catch. His ability to make the jump to the NFL from the Ivy League is obviously a concern. He's a raw route runner and -- to an even greater degree -- blocker at this point. But there's a lot to like about his frame, competitiveness and upside, making him an intriguing developmental prospect.
5. Devon Cajuste, WR, Stanford (59)
What he brings: An injury history raises concerns about Cajuste's ability to stay healthy at the NFL. He's also a tweener who doesn't have great top-end speed for a receiver and lacks the strength to effectively block as an halfback. Cajuste is a big target, however, and his ability to line up on the outside or inside allows the offensive coordinator to create favorable matchups. He also has the long arms, frame and big hands to win 50-50 balls.
6. Trae Elston, S, Mississippi (59)
What he brings: A four-year starter and combine snub, Elston is undersized with shorter arms. He doesn't match up well with bigger receivers and tight ends. On the other hand, he tested well at his pro day, he has good range and he's fluid enough to match up with some slot receivers. He flashed above-average ball skills last season. He's also an above-average run-stopper who plays bigger than his size and doesn't shy away from contact.
7. Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois (59)
What he brings: A team captain, Ferguson caught a total of 137 passes over his past three seasons despite missing three games with a shoulder injury in 2015. He has the ball skills, burst and versatility to develop into a productive change-of-pace and third-down back. He doesn't project as an every-down back, however, as he doesn't have the power or size to regularly grind out yards between the tackles. In addition, his frame and injury history raise concerns.
8. Jason Fanaika, DE, Utah (58)
What he brings: Fanaika is a versatile edge defender who brings a physical demeanor. He lacks ideal height and length, but he has a compact build with above-average power around the edge and has good instincts to find the ball as a run defender. Fanaika lacks elite initial quickness as pass-rusher, but he flashes active hands, quality speed-to-power capabilities and a relentless motor. He has a chance to become a valuable reserve on the edge of a front seven.
9. Antwaun Woods, DT, USC (58)
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What he brings: Woods is a 4-3, run-stopping nose tackle. He is on the shorter side and doesn't have ideal length for the position, but he plays with natural leverage and good power in his upper body. He doesn't have great lateral range, but he is a very good hand fighter who sheds blocks and disrupts between the tackles. Woods also flashes a quality quickness and power combination to occasionally create disruption from the interior. He stood out at the NFLPA All-Star game, where he was the best player on the field throughout the week.
10. Chris Brown, WR, Notre Dame (57)
What he brings: Brown has a good size-and-speed combination for the position. He took a step as a route runner in 2015 and had career highs in catches (48), receiving yards (597) and touchdowns (4) last season. He has above-average play speed for the position but needs to continue to develop his strength and become more consistent catching the ball. Brown has a chance to develop into a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver who can play in the slot and outside the hashes.
While the 2016 NFL draft has come to an end, there's still unfinished business as undrafted free agents will be available for teams to sign.
Here is my ranking of the top 10 undrafted prospects, along with scouting reports from Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl that ran in my pre-draft Top 300. The player's Scouts Inc. grade is in parentheses.
1. Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Minnesota (Grade: 70)
What he brings: There are concerns about the undersized Boddy-Calhoun's durability as he tore an ACL in 2013 and missed two games with a knee injury last season. He doesn't match up well with bigger physical receivers either, but he has the skill set to develop into an effective nickelback. He has above-average instincts, outstanding short-area man cover skills and the ball skills to develop into a playmaker. Boddy-Calhoun is also an adequate run-stopper who improved his tackling last season.
2. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke (68)
What he brings: Cash is an instinctive and physical safety more suited to align near the box. He shows quick recognition skills and playmaking instincts as a run defender and does a nice job of working through traffic in pursuit. He displays some tightness in coverage and will have some physical limitations if he is asked to hold up as the last line of defense in coverage. Cash could develop into a quality hybrid safety or outside linebacker. Expect him to make a big impact on special teams.
3. Tyvis Powell, S, Ohio State (64)
What he brings: There's a lot to like about Powell's frame and top-end speed. He has the potential to develop into a ball hawk. He's a clutch performer who won the defensive MVP in the 2014 national championship game. However, he doesn't play quite as fast as his timed top-end speed (4.46) and he doesn't show great fluidity in coverage. He's also just an average run-defender, despite his 6-foot-3, 211-pound frame.
4. Ben Braunecker, TE, Harvard (60)
What he brings: Braunecker is coming off a breakout senior season at Harvard in which he caught eight touchdown passes in 10 games and averaged 17.7 yards per catch. His ability to make the jump to the NFL from the Ivy League is obviously a concern. He's a raw route runner and -- to an even greater degree -- blocker at this point. But there's a lot to like about his frame, competitiveness and upside, making him an intriguing developmental prospect.
5. Devon Cajuste, WR, Stanford (59)
What he brings: An injury history raises concerns about Cajuste's ability to stay healthy at the NFL. He's also a tweener who doesn't have great top-end speed for a receiver and lacks the strength to effectively block as an halfback. Cajuste is a big target, however, and his ability to line up on the outside or inside allows the offensive coordinator to create favorable matchups. He also has the long arms, frame and big hands to win 50-50 balls.
6. Trae Elston, S, Mississippi (59)
What he brings: A four-year starter and combine snub, Elston is undersized with shorter arms. He doesn't match up well with bigger receivers and tight ends. On the other hand, he tested well at his pro day, he has good range and he's fluid enough to match up with some slot receivers. He flashed above-average ball skills last season. He's also an above-average run-stopper who plays bigger than his size and doesn't shy away from contact.
7. Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois (59)
What he brings: A team captain, Ferguson caught a total of 137 passes over his past three seasons despite missing three games with a shoulder injury in 2015. He has the ball skills, burst and versatility to develop into a productive change-of-pace and third-down back. He doesn't project as an every-down back, however, as he doesn't have the power or size to regularly grind out yards between the tackles. In addition, his frame and injury history raise concerns.
8. Jason Fanaika, DE, Utah (58)
What he brings: Fanaika is a versatile edge defender who brings a physical demeanor. He lacks ideal height and length, but he has a compact build with above-average power around the edge and has good instincts to find the ball as a run defender. Fanaika lacks elite initial quickness as pass-rusher, but he flashes active hands, quality speed-to-power capabilities and a relentless motor. He has a chance to become a valuable reserve on the edge of a front seven.
9. Antwaun Woods, DT, USC (58)
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What he brings: Woods is a 4-3, run-stopping nose tackle. He is on the shorter side and doesn't have ideal length for the position, but he plays with natural leverage and good power in his upper body. He doesn't have great lateral range, but he is a very good hand fighter who sheds blocks and disrupts between the tackles. Woods also flashes a quality quickness and power combination to occasionally create disruption from the interior. He stood out at the NFLPA All-Star game, where he was the best player on the field throughout the week.
10. Chris Brown, WR, Notre Dame (57)
What he brings: Brown has a good size-and-speed combination for the position. He took a step as a route runner in 2015 and had career highs in catches (48), receiving yards (597) and touchdowns (4) last season. He has above-average play speed for the position but needs to continue to develop his strength and become more consistent catching the ball. Brown has a chance to develop into a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver who can play in the slot and outside the hashes.
