Denver Broncos 19 Rookie Free Agent Signings
By Brad James
2016 NFL Draft: The Denver Broncos have reportedly agreed to contracts with 19 contracts with undrafted rookie free agents…
DOVE VALLEY, Colo.– After the NFL Draft every year, there are many undrafted rookie free agents who are available to sign with any NFL team they choose to. It’s akin to sifting through the rummage bin at Wal-Mart for all the cheap candy which, despite the lower rate, tastes just as good in certain cases.
In any event, per a report from Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post, the Denver Broncos signed 19 undrafted free agents Saturday evening, one of which shares an alma mater with me: Southern Utah tight end Anthony Norris.
The other signees are Oklahoma linebacker Frank Shannon (47 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT in 2015), Eastern Washington guard Aaron Neary, Oregon State defensive tackle Kyle Peko (45 tackles, 4.5 for a loss in 2015), Georgia long snapper Nathan Theus, Sacramento State tackle Lars Hanson, Holy Cross receiver Kalif Raymond, Oklahoma receiver Durron Neal (2 rec, 53 yards in 2015), Iowa tight end Henry Krieger Coble (35 rec, 405 yards, TD in 2015), defensive end Shaneil Jenkins out of Division II Shepherd of Sheperdstown, W. Va., Wyoming defensive lineman Eddie Yarbrough (55 tackles in 2015), Miami (Fla.) defensive lineman Calvin Heurtelou, (27 tackles, 3 tackles for loss in 2015), Utah State nose guard David Moala (4.5 sacks in 2015), Division II Sioux Falls defensive back John Tidwell (46 career passes defensed), Memphis receiver Mose Frazier (135 rec, 1,599 yards, 8 TD’s in his collegiate career), Georgia Southern safety Antonio Glover (6 INT’s, 56 tackles in 2015), Duke safety Dwayne Norman, (1 sack, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles in 2015), Louisiana Tech defensive end Vontarrious Dora, and Portland State linebacker Sadat Sulleyman, a Ghanaian national who, per goviks.com, the Portland State athletic department Website, is “an excellent pass rusher with his athleticism, strength and speed.
At Southern Utah, Norris had 20 receptions for 196 yards on the season and had a good reputation as a blocker.
In any event, all of these players will have a chance to compete, but, to be perfectly honest, most of them will be camp fodder although you have to like the chances of a few of them, such as Norman, because of his propensity to do lots of things well, especially as one adept at forcing turnovers.
Still, these players are given the opportunity to fulfill their NFL dreams, however slight the chance may be. It bears mentioning that many undrafted players have gone onto successful NFL careers, such as former Broncos receiver Rod Smith, former Rams, Giants and Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle and numerous others in NFL history.
Here’s a great link to all the great undrafted NFL players in history: http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000567319.
In any case, it’s apparent that the Broncos have fortified their strong positions and given numerous NFL aspirants the chance to fulfill their dreams. Thus, at the end of the day, it’s a win-win scenario for everyone and at 5,280 feet, it’s all about winning.