Multiple Cincinnati Bearcats Sign as Undrafted Free Agents
By Chris Bains
Overall the Bearcats had a tremendous performance in the NFL Draft. Four Cincinnati players were selected which is the most for this program since 2009 when six Bearcats were taken. Derek Wolfe started off the weekend going 36th overall to the Denver Broncos. It was the highest any UC player has gone since Bob Bell was taken 21st overall way back in 1971. Runningback Isaiah Pead was the second to go who was taken 50th overall by the St. Louis Rams. Surprisingly John Hughes was taken later in the 3rd Round by the Cleveland Browns at 87th overall. It was anticipated that he would have to wait until a few rounds later but I was happy to see him selected so early. Finally, tight end Adrien Robinson who made a name for himself at UC’s Pro-Day was picked 127th overall by the New York Giants.
We found out that Robinson was the final Bearcat to be selected in the Draft but the insanity from the weekend was far from over. Four more Cincinnati players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. They are..
Zach Collaros to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are pretty well set at quarterback with Josh Freeman being the presumed starter for at least the next few seasons. But that shouldn’t stop Zach Collaros from earning a roster spot this spring as a 3rd or 4th string quarterback. Height will always be his Achilles heel to succeeding in the NFL for the simple reason that there is a presumption among most pro coaches that quarterbacks must be at least 6’2″ and 230 lbs. That preconceived notion of the ‘ideal quarterback’ will cause most teams to shy away from him. So I’m glad the Bucs decided to take a chance on him because he does possess pretty solid arm strength, character, and leadership. All the best to Zach.
Monte Taylor to the Seattle Seahawks
It’s no secret that the Seahawks were looking for a pass rusher after selecting West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft. It’s nothing against Irvin – Bearcats fans know how disruptive of a lineman he is – but he was taken high relative to pre-draft estimations. Anyways, that pick was a dead giveaway that Seattle had interest in getting better at pressuring the quarterback. Thus explains why Monte Taylor is heading to Seattle. The big defensive end was a 3rd down specialist at Cincinnati who checked in during obvious passing situations. He was able to simply pin his ears back and focus on pulverizing the quarterback. Taylor will have a chance to make a career out of that for the Seahawks.
D.J. Woods to the Tennessee Titans
The Cincinnati wide receiver has worked his tail off in the offseason to hone his game and become NFL ready. Even though he was passed over during the three-day NFL Draft he wound up signing with the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. Woods brings a ton of experience to Nashville but he saw his stock fall over the course of his senior season. I think part of that was his move from inside to outside receiver. D.J. isn’t a big player but is very fast. In the slot before the 2011 season he used that tool constantly to burst past linebackers, nickelbacks, and safeties. I fully expect the Titans to try him out inside and I’m sure they will be impressed by his big play abilities deep down the middle of the field.
J.K. Schaffer to the Jacksonville Jaguars
There was an outside chance that Schaffer would have been drafted in the later rounds today. But there were a ton of linebackers in this draft class and he is a bit on the smallish side for NFL standards. None the less Schaffer boasts a sparkling resume at Cincinnati, has an incredibly high football IQ, and is fast enough to defend the pass. The Jaguars are getting a stellar athlete in the former Bearcat. It was truly a shame to not see him selected after all the blood, sweat, and tears he poured onto Carson Field in the past four seasons. But I don’t think there’s a chance the Jacksonville coaching staff keeps him off the roster this Fall.