The 2018 UDFA class produced some very good prospects for the Washington Redskins and not just camp fodder, but how do they compare to the 2019 class of UDFAs and which group is better?
Undrafted free agents (UDFA) can be a valuable resource for all teams as they look for players who can fill out the rosters and practice squads. Many of these athletes typically end up on the practice squad and help a team prepare for upcoming games each week. These unsung heroes can be promoted to the roster later in the regular season as a team deals with injuries, suspensions, or even the sudden retirement of player.
On the other hand, most of these players rarely last more than one summer or two and end their dreams of playing in the NFL much sooner than they would prefer. The 2018 class of UDFAs for the Washington Redskins produced several good players, and a few of them were able to find a spot on the roster and practice squad. Can the 2019 class of UDFAs produce similar results this season? Let’s compare the two groups of and see what impacts they could have for the Redskins.
Redskins 2018 UDFAs
With training camp opening this week, the Redskins will take the inflated roster of 90 players to Richmond and begin the process of forming the opening day roster.
The 2018 UDFAs had quite an impact on training camp and the preseason last summer. Each year, a fan favorite or two emerges from the lesser known players and the hype typically exceeds the actual talent. Last summer proved to be an exception. Casey Dunn, Matt Flanagan, Danny Johnson, Darvin Kidsy, Timon Parris, Cam Sims, and Elijah Wellman were part of the Redskins 2018 UDFA class and these players are currently on the roster.
Fan favorites last year were Danny Johnson and Cam Sims. Both players were on the opening day roster, but Sims suffered a season ending injury on the very first play of the regular season opener. Johnson remained a fixture on the roster until an injury sidelined his season in mid-December. Sims and Johnson face another uphill climb to make the roster in 2019, but they are proof that UFDAs have every chance to wear the burgundy and gold on Sundays.
Dunn, Flanagan, Kidsy, and Parris were stashed on the practice squad for much of the 2018 season. As injuries began to take a toll on the Redskins, each of these players were promoted to the roster and saw playing time down the stretch. Dunn was solid. Flanagan flashed potential. Kidsy didn’t play much, but he was there if needed. Parris did struggle somewhat, but he also gained some valuable experience.
Wellman was not a part of the team after training camp, but he was re-signed last winter and has another chance this summer. These seven players are back and hope to continue their NFL careers, but how do they compare to the 2019 class? Will the 2019 group have a similar impact? Let’s take a look.
Redskins 2019 UDFAs
The following players are 2019 Redskin UDFAs: RB Craig Reynolds, OT Blake Hance, TE Donald Parham, ILB B.J. Blunt, OT Brian Wallace, FS JoJo McIntosh, OG Jerald Foster, CB/FS Deion Harris, DT/DE Ryan Bee, DE Austin Maloata, WR Steven Sims, DE Jonathan Bonner, and WR T.J. Rahming. While it will be difficult for these players to match the success of the 2018 class, they will certainly press for playing time over the next six weeks. Will any of them be on the opening day roster? How many will be signed to the practice squad? Let’s take a brief look at the mythical Riggo’s Rag Crystal Ball.
Ryan Bee could have a shot and will try to impress the coaching staff in the second half of summer. His size is similar to former Redskins great Dave Butz. For now, that is where the comparisons end. Jacob Camenker believes Bee has a chance and we’ll have a good idea by late August. Donald Parham is an interesting prospect, but is very raw. The tight end from Stetson is unlikely to make the roster for now, but he possesses the kind of upside that could make him a worthwhile project to develop. He could be stashed on the practice squad for a year or two.
Is JoJo McIntosh ready for primetime? My roster prediction from last month indicates that it is possible. He faces some long odds, but the same can be said for six players from the 2018 UDFA class. Is a small school prospect about to turn training camp and the preseason upside down? B.J. Blunt, the pride of McNeese St. University, could make the most of his opportunity after Reuben Foster went down with a season ending injury in the spring.
The 2019 UDFA class appears to have some hidden gems, but these players are confronting some massive expectations if fans think they will rival what the 2018 UDFAs were able to accomplish. The edge for now goes to the players from 2018. In a few weeks, the new players could make major inroads to their counterparts. We’ll start to get some answers very soon.