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Washington Redskins: Three possible undrafted free agent gems in 2018

By Ian Cummings

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 15: Ralph Webb #7 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates after the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 15: Ralph Webb #7 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates after the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Washington Redskins helmets on the sideline during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on November 23, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Washington Redskins helmets on the sideline during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on November 23, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – Ferris State DL Zach Sieler

There’s a very, very good chance you’ve never heard of Zach Sieler. On one hand, that makes sense. On the other hand, now that I’ve brought him up, you should probably remember his name.

Sieler joined the Ferris State Bulldogs, hardly one of Michigan’s prestigious football programs, as a walk-on in 2015. Now, in 2017, he’s leaving for the NFL Draft one year early, after posting 19.5 sacks in 2016 and earning NCAA Division II All-American honors twice over his three-year career.

Yes, 19.5 sacks in one year. A former walk-on.

Talk about exceeding expectations.

An engineering major at Ferris State, Sieler regularly engineered big plays for the Bulldogs with his dominant physical traits. His production dipped a bit in 2017, as opposing defenses did all they could to neutralize him, but he still came away with 7.0 sacks and 21 tackles for loss.

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Sieler’s size jumps off the page immediately. At 6-foot-6, 290, Sieler’s frame is already up to par with NFL standards. His size and length are similar to Anthony Lanier’s as a rookie a couple years ago, but one would argue that Sieler has a more athletic frame. Sieler is lightning fast off the snap. There are many draft-eligible Division I defensive ends who don’t have the burst that Sieler displays.

Sieler’s inhuman jump off the snap gives him an edge from the start of the play, and from there, he uses his hands and his brute strength to block the offensive lineman from gaining leverage again. Particularly in his 2016 season, Sieler was a monster for opposing linemen. He was in the backfield so much, he might as well have been paying rent for it.

His numbers did drop in 2017, and this drop, against Division II competition, is likely one reason that Sieler is projected to be a free agent. But it’s important to note that Sieler is the only player even close to NFL-caliber on Ferris State’s roster. Teams likely doubled teamed him every chance they got, and with no help, Sieler’s production was limited.

With an NFL-caliber supporting cast, it’s exciting to think about what Sieler can do. He’s very worth a Day 3 pick, but coming from a small school, he’s likely to slip through the cracks and go undrafted. The Washington Redskins should not hesitate to call him and lock him up when he does. He’s relentless.

Don’t believe my hype about Sieler? Take a look at his 2016 highlights on Hudl. Many plays will leave you with your jaw hanging open. Sieler can be a force to be reckoned with at the next level. With the Washington Redskins, he would immediately provide rotational value as a 3-4 end or a 4-3 tackle, and with Jim Tomsula coaching him up, he could be a special player.

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