Seattle Seahawks 747.
Over the course of 44 years, the Seattle Seahawks have made several undrafted free agents into stars. Some of the best players in franchise history weren’t drafted. Among the Seahawks UDFA alumni are Jim Zorn, Doug Baldwin, Jon Kitna, Joe Nash, Dave Krieg, and Eugene Robinson. Just because a player went undrafted doesn’t mean they can’t make a Seattle roster.
The Seahawks won 11 regular-season games in 2019 and went two rounds deep into the playoffs. It was a good season and revealed the strength of their roster. During this offseason, the team overall fared well in free agency. They are both talented and deep. This year, it will be hard for an undrafted free agent to make the roster. Then again, they signed some players who may end up making an impact.
Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State – As a senior at Washington State in 2019, he was phenomenal, his numbers were something out of a video game. Anthony Gordon completed 493-of-689 passes (71.6 percent) for 5,579 yards and 48 touchdowns. Coming from a Mike Leach system, he can make reads and work his receiver progressions. The big question Gordon faces is will the Seattle Seahawks keep two or three quarterbacks on their roster.
Eli Mencer, Edge, SUNY-Albany – Mencer might as well have been named menace. Last year, he tortured opposing offenses for the Albany Great Danes. The edge rusher had 24 tackles for loss, including 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. At 6-1, 230-pounds, he lacks the size of an NFL pass rusher. His mission is even tougher because Seattle used two draft picks on edge players when they selected Darrell Taylor of Tennessee in the second round and Alton Robinson of Syracuse in the fifth.
Gavin Heslop, Albany Great Danes.
Stony Brook University on Long Island, isn’t a school known for producing big-time professional players. The Seawolves’ most prestigious NFL player is tight end Will Tye, who had 94 receptions for 897 yards from 2015–17 playing for both New York teams. Gavin Heslop might change that dynamic.
A cursory look at Heslop’s college stats shows a decrease in production from his sophomore to senior seasons. Digging a little deeper reveals the reason why. The more Heslop played, the less opposing quarterbacks threw in his direction. As a result, he had fewer chances to make plays.
Heslop has good size for a cornerback at 6-0, 200-pounds. At his pro day, he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. That isn’t great, but not bad either. What makes him stand out is his “compete level.” The Yonkers, NY native is a physical cornerback who will battle receivers all the way downfield. He has a good closing burst with the strength to break up passes. He also isn’t afraid to come up to play the run.
It will be hard for Heslop to get playing time in the defensive backfield as a rookie. There are quality corners on the Seattle Seahawks roster ahead of him. With time, he can be useful in covering the slot. Until that happens, Heslop will be a significant contributor on special teams.
Josh Avery, Southeastern Missouri Redhawks.
It’s almost unfair that Josh Avery moves as well as he does for his size. He is 6-4, 325 pounds, and has a 30-inch vertical jump. Additionally, Avery can squat 530-pounds, bench 465, and clean 325. All the above numbers show he is an athletic freak. Where he lacks is in technique.
Playing at an FCS school, Avery went under most team’s radar leading up to the draft. He didn’t get an NFL combine invitation and due to COVID-19, and SEMO’s pro day was sparsely attended. The Seahawks didn’t travel to Cape Girardeau to watch Avery live, but they must have liked what the saw on tape because they signed him.
He is raw and will need work to reach his potential. The good news is technique can be taught. Physical attributes, such as size, strength, and athleticism, can’t. Avery is very coachable, and that will be important when he finally gets his chance on the Seahawks practice field.
There are several intangibles Avery possesses that will help in his development. First and foremost, hard work doesn’t scare him. At the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, the big lineman was asked what he was doing to prepare for the draft. His answer was conditioning and watching himself on film to find areas in which he could improve.
When studying up on Avery, one question Draft Diamonds asked him stood out. They asked him, “What do you worry about, and why?” His reply was very mature for a young man and showed his character.
“I worry about providing properly and my family safety.”
A man who is playing for his family’s welfare is someone to be taken seriously. Avery very well could make the transition from the SEMO Redhawks to the Seattle Seahawks.
Aaron Fuller, Washington Huskies.
U-dub fans have seen Aaron Fuller make some amazing Odell Beckham Jr.–esque catches throughout his Washington Huskies career. As much as he has delighted them with highlight-reel plays, Fuller also frustrated them greatly, dropping the easiest of passes. He’s like the Forest Gump box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.
Fuller didn’t become a starter at Washington until his junior year, but his 159 career catches are sixth all-time for UW. The five players ahead of him and the one behind him all went on to play in the NFL. He also had 2,051 receiving yards (7th) and 13 TDs (tied 12th).
At the pro level, Fuller won’t burn defensive backs with his 4.59 speed. Instead, as a good route-runner, he can work the slot to find space between the hash marks and fight for contested balls. Fuller must improve his concentration. His biggest obstacle, however, will be physical cornerbacks. At 5-11, 185-pounds, he can get knocked off of his assigned route in press coverage.
His biggest asset to the Seattle Seahawks will be in the return game. Number one receiver Tyler Lockett has done more than his share, the past few years, running back kicks and punts. Because he has been used so much on special teams, Lockett has taken more of a pounding than he should have, he could use a break. Fuller can more than adequately fill the punt return job. As a senior, he had an impressive 11.5-yard average and took one to the house.
Do you think any of these UDFAs have a shot at making the Seattle Seahawks roster in 2020? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.