Two Undrafted Rookies To Keep An Eye On

De’Veon Smith has a lot of buzz as an undrafted rookie... but is it more than hype and hope.

De’Veon Smith has a lot of buzz as an undrafted rookie… but is it more than just hype and hope.

Undrafted rookies accounted for 22 roster spots in the 2016 Patriots lineup

The Miami Dolphins are starting their OTA’s this week, and even though there is no contact or pads, at least we will finally get to see our team on the field in action.

The Dolphins signed 14 undrafted rookies after the draft, and even though each of these players is a long shot to even make the 53 man roster, the Dolphins have recently kept a couple of undrafted rookies each of the last few seasons.

Of the 14 undrafted rookies, there are two in particular that I will be keeping a close eye on during OTA’s and minicamp to see if they have what it takes to earn themselves a roster spot. Those two players are (the Smith boys) Michigan running back De’Veon Smith and Georgia safety Maurice Smith.

De’Veon played for one of the top programs in the nation for the last 4 years. However, last year was his best season where he ran for 846 yards, 10 touchdowns, a 4.7 yards per carrying average, 16 receptions for 66 yards, and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention.

He’s a larger sized Running Back at 223 pounds and a north-south runner that has the ability to break tackles. His biggest weakness is that he lacks speed, and sometimes this means he can’t create his own holes to run through.

Miami has their workhorse in Jay Ajayi, and Kenyan Drake will get some snaps this season because he has shown that he has explosive home run threat that Ajayi lacks. In addition, Miami also has Williams who carved out a nice niche for himself in the Redzone.

Undrafted players are cheap and don’t cost picks, so it’s a win-win when they make it

However, Miami kept four running backs on the roster last year, and if Smith can be a bruiser at the NFL level, then Adam Gase may be able to find a specific use for him.

Maurice Smith started his college career at Alabama in his first three years with them, he played in 24 games. But in his senior year, he decided to transfer to Georgia, so he could get more playing time. Most pay per head review sites will agree that this move worked out well for him because he started 12 games and was able to be very productive with 50 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.

Considering that the Dolphins secondary was decimated by injuries by the end of last season, Miami might stock up on depth. Maurice definitely has a lot of big game-time experience under his belt, to help make his transition to the NFL a bit smoother than most Rookie secondary players. So depending on how he performs in OTA’s and minicamp, and if he can contribute on Special Teams, he might be able to steal a roster spot.

What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ and pay per head review sites’ thoughts about the Smith boys possibly making the team or anyone else you guys think has a shot to make the team?

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6 comments

  • Dunner

    Maurice makes it and De’Veon goes to the practice squad unless he can beat out Storm Johnson, which may still place him on the practice squad.

    Watch out for LBer: Praise Martin-Oguike. Temple players have fared pretty well in the NFL lately.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjR7bjdwzhw

    Watch out for WR: Drew Morgan. This kid is just a football player, the kind of player that Gase covets. I know our WR room is chuck full, but I see both Ford and this kid Morgan making it; meaning that Grant is the odd man out. Watch his YouTube piece and your hair will stand!!!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMx3l6VmOVM

  • Steve

    Jim Harbaugh was NFL 2010 Coach of the year and coach his 49er’s team to the Supper Bowl trust in the talents of Michigan running back De’Veon Smith.

    2016 highlight’s
    https://youtu.be/vgqI9nGg5Q4
    2015 highlight’s
    https://youtu.be/g3ia-WLGJKo

  • Samson

    I wonder if they won’t keep one less RB so they can keep an extra WR. The other smith I can see making at for special teams and depth. They spent to much for Caroo and Grant had his moments. They seem to like the kid they drafted this year also. Will be interesting though

    • admin

      Samson I was wondering about that too. I think if Smith really shines, they keep 4. But, yeah, Ford could make it tough. This could end up a very interesting cut down this year. I think Grant, as you said, has a place and is the lynch pin to the WR core depth chart… if he keeps fumbling returns, say goodbye Grant and hello Ford.