NFL Draft: Day 3 Signings

FROM WES BUNTING:

With the 257th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel selects…the Washington Redskins? Yes, there is such a thing as day three in the draft, but this time all the undrafted free agents are the ones doing the picking. With a very talented group of potential prospects going undrafted this year, let’s break down which free agents have the best shot at sticking on their new rosters and possibly contributing in the near future.

Joel Bell, OT, Furman: Buffalo Bills

The Bills failed to address the void left by Jason Peters at offensive tackle, but they were still able to get one of the most intriguing lineman prospects via the free agency route. Bell is a big, long-armed player who’s a gifted straight-line athlete and knows how to create movement in the run game. He should be a nice fit in chilly Buffalo, where the Bills want to establish the run. I can definitely see him finding his way on the Bills roster and vying for a starting tackle spot, preferably on the right side.

Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue: San Francisco 49ers

There was considerable talk about the 49ers finding a potential complement to RB Frank Gore in the run game, which they did with third-round pick Glen Coffee. But adding someone like Sheets can only enhance the overall versatility of an offense. Sheets is an explosive, third down back who catches the ball well out of the backfield and knows how to create plays in space. Plus, he’s a very solid return man and can make his living in the special teams game as well. He can definitely win a roster spot on the 49ers’ depth chart and find his niche quickly.

Mitch King, DT, Iowa: Tennessee Titans

I’m absolutely dumbfounded that an explosive, hard-working guy like King went undrafted. Not only is he a player who can consistently make a living in an opponent’s backfield, he’s the kind of lunch-pail guy coaches love. Either way, the Titans got a great value in the free-agent market, and I can certainly see King in the defensive line rotation next season in Tennessee. It’s no secret that the Titans need to add some bodies inside to replace the likes of DT Albert Haynesworth, and even though they drafted Sen’Derrick Marks in the second round, it wouldn’t surprise me to see King outplay Marks come training camp.

Darry Beckwith, ILB, LSU: San Diego Chargers

If there’s one spot on the San Diego defense that I thought needed an upgrade and that the Chargers failed to address, it was middle linebacker. Beckwith was ranked as a top-five MLB on my board, but I guess teams didn’t think he possessed the range or fluidity to contribute and make plays sideline-to-sideline in a 4-3 scheme. However, I think his physical, downhill style is a nice fit in the Chargers’ 3-4 defense, and his deficiencies in space will be hidden a bit by the scheme. Beckwith is a player worth watching, as the Chargers have a great track record of finding these free-agent types who can fit in their defense.

Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State: San Francisco 49ers

If there was one need the 49ers failed to address, I think it was finding a potential right tackle replacement for Marvel Smith. Boone came to Ohio State touted as the second coming of Orlando Pace, but after failing to take his game to the next level and having a couple of run-ins with the law, this one-time potential first day pick fell completely out of the draft. But make no mistake, Boone is a big, physical tackle who has the length and power to drive defenders off the ball. He’s a bit stiff in pass protection, but he possesses heavy hands, and when he locks on, the battle is over. If he can put his past problems behind him -- and that’s a big if -- the Niners may have found themselves a very good right tackle.

Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee: Houston Texans

There was plenty of speculation before the draft that the Texans needed to find a big running back to complement Steve Slaton. Well, the draft came and went and the Texans still didn’t have that player. The signing of Foster won’t create many waves in the media, but he’s a nice fit for the Houston zone-blocking scheme. He’s a big, good-looking back who doesn’t run with much power, but he has the body control, vision and patience to wait for a lane to open and hit the hole. He isn’t a burner, but the zone-blocking scheme has taken a number of lower rated backs with less than stellar tools and turned them into productive NFL runners, and maybe Foster is the next in line. 

Andrew Davie, TE, Arkansas: New York Jets

As I pointed out all draft season, the Jets had only one tight end on their roster and needed to find someone who could play as an on-the-line Y and punish defenders as a blocker. Davie is a 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end who did his fair share of run blocking at Arkansas the past couple of years. He possesses good lower body strength and consistently gets his hands inside to turn defenders away from the play. In addition, he can also long snap and might be able to save the Jets a roster spot. There isn’t anything pretty about Davie’s game, but he’s the type of physical blocking tight end they need on their roster.

Edwin Williams, C, Maryland: Washington Redskins

If there was one main need I thought the Redskins had to address on draft day, it was to add more youth and talent to their aging offensive line. They have quite the collection of veteran starters, as only left guard Derrick Dockery is under the age of 30. Williams is a great fit who instantly adds the type of athleticism and depth Washington needs inside. He’s a fluid, long-armed center who holds up well in pass protection and can deliver a nasty punch in the run game. I think he has the ability to definitely start in the league and should instantly give the Redskins a talented interior swing lineman.

Ramon Foster, OT, Tennessee: Pittsburgh Steelers

Foster is a right-tackle-only prospect, but he’s a big, long-armed lineman who can get movement in the run game and anchor vs. the bull rush. It’s no secret that the Steelers struggled protecting the passer last year and enter the 2009 season with the same two tackles (Max Starks and Willie Colon) who were responsible for a lot of that pressure. I’m not saying Foster has the ability to come in and beat out either of them, but he’s the kind of lineman who fits the Steelers’ scheme very well and is capable of working his way into a more prominent role in the future.

Pannel Egboh, DE, Stanford: San Francisco 49ers

Egboh is an interesting project in the 49ers’ 3-4 defense, but at 6-6, he certainly has the frame and length to handle the defensive end spot. The only concern is his lack of base strength since he weighs just 276 pounds. However, he’s a smart kid who really seems to understand the game and plays with a sort of controlled rage on the outside. I think he may need to “red shirt” this upcoming season in order to add at least 20 pounds, but down the line I can see him using his length to control and shed blockers as a solid five-technique defensive end.

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