The Washington Redskins have had some success picking from the undrafted free agent pool in recent years. They’ll look to continue that success this year.
For a team in need of depth, with seemingly not enough options in the ensuing offseason to fill al present needs, sometimes it takes an unexpected contribution or two to help the team beat its own trajectory.
The Washington Redskins are more than a standard successful offseason away from truly being a threat. But with undrafted free agents providing an unexpected impact, much like Corey Clement did with the Super Bowl-winning Eagles last year, the Washington Redskins can distort their own projection, and beat the test of time.
Who might provide that same value for the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent addition in 2018? In 2016, it was Robert Kelley and Anthony Lanier who stood apart. In 2017, Fish Smithson and Tyler Catalina stood out among the rest. In 2018, who are three undrafted free agent steals the Washington Redskins can’t afford to miss out on? Turn the page, and take a look.
No. 3 – Vanderbilt RB Ralph Webb
The Washington Redskins found a steal in Robert Kelley two years ago, but regardless of Kelley’s success, relative to his draft status, he always lacked the quickness and patience to be a featured back for the Washington Redskins.
There are plenty of options that bring value in the NFL Draft, but if the Washington Redskins are confident in Robert Kelley and Samaje Perine as suitable depth players, and they feel that they’re better off using their draft picks on other positions, then they must make bringing in Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb a priority following the NFL Draft. Here’s what I had to say about Webb in a recent article detailing draft running backs:
"Ralph Webb is one of my favorite underrated prospects in this draft. At 5-foot-10, 202, he’s a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with a running style that resembles an angry bee. He has a nice whir to his movement, always moving his feet to stay on edge. And when the field opens up, he explodes forward. He can diagnose quickly at the line and initiate devastating cuts, making the most out of what the defense gives him. His burst is somewhat inconsistent, but when he gets his feet set, he’s dangerous."
Webb has the burst at the line, as well as the lateral quickness and agility, that Kelley has lacked throughout his time with Washington. Webb has natural motion that has been underrated by teams up to this point in the draft process, and if he can bulk up a bit, he can be a very good addition for a team like Washington. He wasn’t the all-time leading rusher at Vanderbilt for no reason. Webb has talent, and while inconsistent, his burst can sometimes be classified as elite. Webb should promptly find himself a role to thrive in when teams come calling after the draft. The Washington Redskins would do well to be one of those teams.
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.
No. 1 – Ohio LB Quentin Poling
Even with Zach Brown locked up for the next three years, the Washington Redskins should look to add a little more depth to their linebacker unit in the NFL Draft, or afterward, if they fail to address the need there. One player that is egregiously underrated is former Ohio linebacker Quentin Poling.
Poling isn’t a perfect prospect. He’s a bit undersized, standing at 6-foot-0, 231, and his level of competition in the MAC will raise concerns, although successful linebackers have emerged from the same conference.
Aside from his limited flaws, there is one word that automatically comes to mind when studying Poling: Production. Over four years as a starter with the Ohio Bobcats, Poling amassed 373 total tackles, 43.5 tackles for loss, 18.0 sacks, seven interceptions, 15 pass deflections, and five forced fumbles. That is quite a stat line.
Poling’s impact doesn’t stop with numbers, either. The level of respect he receives from local Ohioans is nearly unmatched. They recognize not only the impact that Poling has on the field, but also the devastating impact losing him will undoubtedly have. According to an article by Andrew Gillis of The Post-Athens, the contrast between a defense with Poling and a defense without Poling was stark.
"In 2015, Poling left the game against Western Michigan with a hip injury. The Broncos rushed for 401 yards in the second half alone en route to a 49-14 Bobcats loss. The following two weeks, Ohio lost twice and allowed 103 points in the two games. Not coincidentally, in Poling’s first game back, Ohio shut out Kent State 27-0."
Poling is a player who lacks a bit of size, and he may not be the best athlete in the NFL Draft, but he makes up for it with his motor, his football I.Q., leadership, and experience. There’s a reason Poling gave such an impact to a MAC team: Because he’s not a MAC player. He’s a true NFL prospect. And whoever swipes him up in the undrafted pool is going to get a steal. For the Washington Redskins, who could use depth and some young talent to groom as Brown and Foster grow older, Poling would be a perfect fit.
Next: 2018 NFL Draft running back value rankings
The Washington Redskins have made a habit out of being active in the undrafted free agent frenzy in recent years. With all the talent that will inevitably be left to claim, the Washington Redskins would do well to carry that trend into 2018; the additions made in the days after the Draft, as the Eagles and so many other teams have taught us, can ultimately be the difference.