So, to no one's surprise, there were no Falcons taken during the draft this weekend. The only player who even had a remote chance at being drafted was Joseph Davidson, and you just don't see punters drafted that often.
In fact, he had a worse day than might have been imagined. Not only did he not get drafted, but he also wasn't signed as a UDFA, instead getting a mini-camp invite.
For all I know, that's the common route for punters, but I was surprised.
A UDFA is a player who is invited all the way through to training camp and is someone the team wanted to lock up. Mini-camp invites are really long shots, and in fact the teams don't even announce a "release" when the player doesn't make it.
Teo Redding was similarly invited to the Lions mini-camp and Ryan Hunter to the Chiefs.
More likely, Hunter will play in the CFL. He's a high priority as a Canadian citizen and is expected to be one of the top draft picks in their draft, which is coming up soon.
For the MAC, there were five players picked in the draft:
3rd round, 92nd overall OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Western Michigan) by the Pittsburgh Steelers
5th round, 157th overall TE Tyler Conklin (Central Michigan) by the Minnesota Vikings
5th round, 170th overall DB/KR Darius Phillips (Western Michigan) by the Cincinnati Bengals
7th round, 227th overall LB Quentin Poling (Ohio) by the Miami Dolphins
7th round, 249th overall QB Logan Woodside (Toledo) by the Cincinnati Bengals
UPDATE: See the comments below and credit to the commenter...Redding is on a UDFA. Also, I have seen elsewhere that Hunter was a UDFA as well.
According to this link on Redding's Twitter he signed as a UDFA. Mlive also reported same.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/Ybwt_Ty11/status/990371613752332289
Redding has ZERO chance of making Lions. Let’s be honest... his production at BG was not great so why would we think he will be productive in the NFL...... just more wishful thinking about the talent level at BG. I don’t thinK we have a single player on our current 2018 roster that will be NFL bound any time soon. Despite the staff’s rhetoric the talent level is still inadequate in each class.
ReplyDeleteI would agree. Having said that, I'm thrilled to see him get a shot.
ReplyDeleteIf Yu Guys think Teo Redding don’t have a shot of making the team I gotta say Yu Guys doesn’t know Football. Look at how many times the ball was thrown his way. Look at how many he caught.Teo Redding don’t drop the Ball.
ReplyDeleteIf Teo was that good he would’ve been utilized more by both HC’s. He’s a decent “talent”, and I wish him the best, but I do not think he is NFL worthy is all. There are another 50 to 80 guys of equal physical ability and skill level in 2018 pool. There is never a shortage of NFL “near misses” each year. I hope TR catches on with team but I just caanot see it happening. He could lock into a practice squad and move up from there in a couple years... doubtful.
ReplyDeleteHe has an opportunity that 90 percent of us don't get. Good luck teo. Hope you make it.
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