Washington Redskins 2016 UDFA's: Who Can Make The Team?

Right after the draft ends the frenzy for signing undrafted college players start. There were some good players available that went undrafted and a lot of fans understandably wanted familiar names. I had only heard about 2-3 guys on this list but after a bit of research Scot McCloughan and the Redskins scouting staff have managed to bring in a solid group of young undrafted players. 

McCloughan himself said that a team's foundation is built upon late round draft picks and college free agents. Let's get to know the guys we signed and I'll give you my take on who is likely to stick around all the way to the final 53.

Redskins 2016 UDFA's

Most Likely To Be Out The Door First

Kenneth Spigner, DB, NM Highlands
Why?
Ken Spigner hails from Miami, Florida. He's a 5-10 / 185 lb defensive back that has experience playing both cornerback and safety. His production at NM Highlands was somewhat lackluster at the D2 level this year (33 tackles, 1FF, 1INT, 8PD). Spigner has special teams experience which should help him in camp but ultimately I can't see him beating many guys out due to his average measurables, athleticism, and football IQ. 

See his work here

Joe Kerridge, FB, Michigan
Why?
This is tough because I believe Kerridge can make an NFL roster. Watching him play is so fun. He blocks with authority and plays to the whistle and definitely has a little nasty to him. I like using fullbacks in running plays but that's simply not the style of Jay Gruden. Darrel Young was a fine fullback and was phased out of the offense. Most of the time he only played 2-4 snaps. I like Kerridge but if we aren't going to designate a roster spot for a fullback I don't see him here for long.

See his work here

Rob Kelley, RB, Tulane
Why?
Kelley is a big back 5-10 / 220 lbs. He's a little hard to figure out. It doesn't seem he was ever a featured part of Tulane's offense, at least his production wouldn't suggest he was. His tape though provides intrigue. He looks fast and explosive enough to provide a good burst and churn out positive gains. He also can catch out of the backfield and has a nice little jump cut. Though Kelley has good size and speed for his size I could see the staff giving more chances to Johnta Hebert, and Travis Greene based purely on a production and talent basis to challenge Mack Brown for a 4th RB spot.  

See his work here

Shiro Davis, DE, Texas
Why?
Some fans may disagree but the DE / OLB positions on this team are kinda stacked. Shiro Davis is your typical tweener prospect. Too small to play as a DE in a 3-4 base and lacking the athleticism to stand up and rush as an OLB. A knock on Davis was his effort on every play. I think he's one of the first cuts because the Redskins have better options already on the roster or trying to make the team. 

See his work here

Kelly Mason, LS, Kentucky
Why?
While I can see why the Redskins might want to take a look at another long snapper I can't see Mason staying long in Washington for several reasons. First, Nick Sundberg is only 28 and has been nothing but consistent with his duties since joining the Redskins. Second, (and I could have outdated information) Mason is listed at 235 lbs which is very light for the guy handling your field goal and punting snaps. Just can't see him gaining much ground here.

See his work here

Most Likely To Make It Through Camps and Through Preseason

Anthony Lanier, DE, Alabama A&M
Why?
It's said that Anthony Lanier was coveted by Doug Williams. The Redskins made him their first UDFA signing immediately after the draft. It's easy to see why he was liked when you watch him. Lanier has some serious explosion off the snap, he shows good vision and played both DT and DE while at Alabama A&M. If Lanier can at all improve his fluidity when rushing off the edge he may have a shot to make some plays in the preseason as an OLB not unlike Preston Smith and here is why:

Alabama A&M defensive end Anthony Lamar, before 23 NFL teams at Samford Pro Day, ran 4.72 at 6-4 7-8, 267, 18 reps, 10-inch hands

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 8, 2016

His athleticism has tested similarly to Preston Smith's. If he can translate that on the field at a different position he could be at minimum a practice squad stash. 

See his work here

Andre McCullouch, WR, Rocky Mountain
Why?
McCullouch is a 6-0 / 204 lb WR with some nice speed. Coming all the way from the NAIA by way of Rocky Mountain McCulloch was used on a variety of routes including go's, fades, and slants. What stands out about McCullouch is that he uses his body well in boxing defenders out, he has good footwork and route running ability, and his hands seem pretty sticky. McCullouch should put his athleticism to work on coverage abilities on special teams. He is definitely one to keep around to compete with Laron Byrd and Rashad Ross. (I'm also assuming heavily a roster spot will open up with the release of Andre Roberts).

See his work here

Reggie Diggs, WR, Richmond
Why?
Diggs is 6-3 / 214 lbs. He catches the ball naturally and with ease. He had great production at Richmond catching over 80 balls and going for over 1,000 yards receiving. He has solid route running and leaping ability and aside from being asked to cover on special teams might see a few redzone targets in the preseason. Diggs should stick around to challenge for that 6th WR spot up for grabs (again assuming Andre Roberts is gone).

See his work here

Geno Matias-Smith, DB, Alabama
Why?
Matias-Smith is a 6-0 / 198 lb safety. He's a tackling machine and did a lot of dirty work at Alabama. I think the coaches will love his effort and physicality but (never thought I'd say this) the Redskins might be nearing a critical mass in regard to box safeties. I think he gets a chance to show his stuff coming from a winning program and having high tackling production but unless he can make a few impressive picks or breakups during practices and camp I can't see him being more than a practice squad stash.

See his work here

Michael Cooper, TE, Indiana
Why?
What Cooper does in camp and in preseason is going to be critical. He's 6-5 / 260 lbs. This might sound nuts but he may have a legitimate chance to beat out Logan Paulsen and possibly make Vernon Davis or Niles Paul uncomfortable. Cooper wasn't a large part of Indiana's offense but he has good hands and is nice after the catch. What's most impressive about Cooper is his blocking ability. He doesn't just go through the motions, he's trying to put a guy on the ground. With Derrick Carrier likely to start the season on the PUP list going into the season with a TE group of Reed, Paul, Davis, and Cooper isn't out of the question. 

See his work here

Joe Gore, OT, Clemson
Why?
Joe Gore is a serial waist-bender but a pretty athletic RT. He's 6-6 300 lbs. He's I think he'll stick around through camps and the preseason because the Redskins are looking for a swing tackle to groom with the departure of Tom Compton and are probably looking to upgrade their tackle depth and create competition for Takoby Cofield and Ty Nsekhe. Gore could also show his versatility by playing some guard he has relatively short arms for being so tall and is light weight wise for a tackle. He needs a lot of coaching up so I don't see him making the final roster. He could be a practice squad stash.

See his work here

Kevin Bowen, OT, East Central
Why?
Kevin Bowen is an interesting LT. He moves well for being such a big man. I got various reading on his height but it seems he's between 6-7 and 6-9 and he weighs 330. Bowen can move people and plays to the whistle on the run. He has your standard technique issues but he looks like an excellent piece of clay to mold. I even like him a bit better than Joe Gore. 

See his work here

Johnta Hebert, RB, Prarie View A&M
Why?
Hebert has a good chance to make some good impressions in the preseason. He has great change of direction ability, can cut on a dime and has some nice breakaway speed. He also offers some versatility. He can catch out of the backfield or lined up outside or in the slot. He also has numbers to back up his talent. In the past two seasons he's rushed for 2,000 yards and 24 TDs. He's also piled up 844 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. He has a good shot at competing for the 4th RB slot. 

See his work here

Donzale Ashley, FS, Ashland
Why?
He's listed at 6-0 / 222 lbs but Ashley can do a little bit of everything. He can come up and play the run in the box, he can drop back and cover in zone coverage, and he can affect field position with his play on special teams. He has a shot to make a practice squad run if he continues his solid tackling production in the pro's and covers kick-offs and punts like the madman he is. 

See his work here

Most Likely To Make It To The Practice Squad / Final 53

Ejiro Ederaine, LB Fresno State
Why?
6-3 / 242 lbs. Might be the most underrated player of this group. Over the past few years Ederaine has had 159 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 2 INTs, 4 PDs, and 2 FF. That's solid production. What's more impressive is that Ederaine played through several shoulder injuries in 2014 and still produced. He has quickness, length, and strength rushing for the edge and I think if he can make a few plays in the preseason he has a solid chance of making the team as a reserve OLB.

See his work here

Maurice Harris, WR, Cal
Why?
Harris was overlooked and probably should have been drafted. Teammates Kenny Lawler, and Trevor Davis were drafted in the late rounds. Harris was a solid option for Jared Goff at Cal. At 6-3 / 195 lbs Harris has good body control and excellent leaping ability. He also has a bit of breakaway speed and short area quickness. He has good has and immediately screams redzone target. He has a real shot to make the team because he was asked to run a full route tree at Cal and he is good at adjusting to the ball in the air. 

See his work here

Travis Greene, RB, Bowling Green
Why?
Travis Greene is slippery. He makes so many guys miss on a consistent basis and seems to find a way to net a positive gain most of the time. He has a 2nd and 3rd gear and can get past the second level quickly. A cherry on top is his production at Bowling Green. In the past 3 seasons he's rushed for 3,838 yards and 38 TDs. He's also racked up 567 receiving yards and 5 TDs. Greene might make the roster based on his elusiveness, big play ability, production, and experience playing power conference opponents. A major factor working against him is his size he's 5-10 / 185 lbs.

See his work here

Tevin Carter, S, Utah
Why?
I wrote a draft profile on Carter that you can read here. I said pretty much what I'm going to say here about him there. He'll stick with the team if his passion and effort translate on special teams. His tackling ability, position versatility, and coverage ability work in his favor. A lot of fans wanted Cash as a poor man's Su'a Cravens well Carter is that just with the appropriate mass. 

Dominick Jackson, OT, Alabama
Why?
Jackson has the most polish possibly of any of the guys that signed UDFA contracts. He's a former JUCO player that transferred to Alabama and won a starting role and played both G and tackle. He has the measurables the Redskins are looking for at 6-5 / 313 lbs and 33" arms. Jackson is a powerful blocker in the run game and (call me crazy again) could challenge for a roster spot especially in the event Long is moved to center and former teammate Arie Kouandijo becomes the starter at LG. Josh LeRibeus and or Kory Lichtenstiger should watch their backs.

See a great block here

I hope I provided you guys with enough info to learn about these players a bit more. Make sure to vote in the poll below!