Meet the UDFA’s

Friday, May 12th the Raiders announced the signing of 11 undrafted free agents.

​

Every year it seems that at least 1 to 2 guys get roster spots. Last year we saw significant minutes played by numerous UDFAs the Raiders signed. Cornerback Sam Webb made 3 starts for us (out of necessity), linebacker Luke Masterson made 7 starts for us and will see more this season, and safety/linebacker Isaiah Pola Mao appeared in 11 games and per reports is going to remain a part of this defense, and linebacker Darian Butler appeared in 15 games in 22. It is safe to conclude that some names on this list will be making the final roster on August 29th when we have to go from 90 men to 53. 

David Agoha-Defensive Line NFL IPP Nigeria

Height: 6’4″ Weight 252

There isn’t a ton of David Agoha, for the most part, he is going to be a developmental player. Born in Bende in Abia State, Nigeria. He was first noticed for his basketball abilities but he earned himself a name at the NFL Africa Camp in Ghana. For the most part, I would be shocked if he made the final 53, just with the lack of playing time, but he may stick around on the practice squad, giving the kid a chance to learn the game. By all accounts he is a freak athlete, maybe with some years of playing, he can do something. 

McClendon Curtis-Guard UT Chattanooga

Height: 6’6″ Weight: 325

As opposed to Agoha, there is a ton on McClendon Curtis. He has been one of the players that talking heads have said “I can’t believe he went undrafted” Depending on what drafting database you look at he had grades as high as a 4th round grade on him too as low as 6th round, so the Raiders signing him is a very good thing, especially with the state of our guards. Appearing in 11 games in 2022 filling the role of RG and LT, posting an overall PFF grade of 83.3. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that he was targeted by this staff who loves linemen that can be used at multiple spots. He is going to be the leader in the clubhouse of all the UDFAs to make the roster. It is a perfect opportunity for him seeing as the right side of our line is completely unsettled and he was a highly touted UDFA, it’s the obvious answer, but it’s obvious for a reason, I would expect him to make the 53. 

Jaydon Grant-Safety Oregon State

Height: 6’0″ Weight 190

A prospect that many may not have heard of, heck Dane Bruglerat the Athletic took the time to write profiles on 33 safeties, and Grant was not one of them. Grant was the 94th-ranked safety on his board. That is not to say he is not a good player, but it tells me he went exactly where he was supposed to go. Posting a PFF grade this year of 78.3, while appearing in 12 games for the Beavers. One thing to point out about this man is he has played in a ton of football games; he was at Oregon State for 6 seasons and appeared in 51 games in that period. A stat to note with him is he had 6 pass breakups in the 2022 season, which is something this staff has emphasized. Just because he is a relatively unknown prospect does not mean he isn’t going to make the team, but with the number of players we have at safety: Epps, Moehrig, Smith, Pola-Mao, player favorite Roderic Teamer, plus Duron Harmon as of right now is a FA, that we could sign cheaply, I think this young man is in for an uphill climb to make this roster (side note saw a picture of Moehrig on Instagram, the dude looks much bigger, the kid has been in the gym) 

Azizi Hearn-Cornerback UCLA

Height: 6’1″ Weight: 204

Hearns is another relatively unknown prospect with the highest grade I could find on him was a 7th-round evaluation, similar to Grant doesn’t mean much, outside of that his path to the NFL isn’t surprising. Hearn has bounced around during his time in college, starting at Arizona before transferring to Wyoming and then moving on to UCLA for one last year. He, like Grant, is a well-seasoned prospect playing in a ton of games, 50 total. What is interesting about Hearn is was about to record 21 pass breakups in his 50 games, yet never record an interception, this past season he posted a PFF coverage grade of 68.8, not ideal, but he was a UDFA player. What he has going for him is the Raiders CB room is wide open, more than most position rooms on this roster. Hearn will get his chance to earn a roster spot.

Brock Martin-Defensive End Oklahoma State

Height: 6’2″ Weight: 240

Martin is on the lighter side for a defensive end with only 240 in weight. What should come as zero shock to anyone at this point, the dude played in a ton of games, 62 of them (this staff has a type) According to Dane Brugler he had Martin as the 59th-best defensive end in this class, 4 spots behind fellow UDFA signee George Tarlas. Per PFF Martin recorded 4 sacks, 8 QB hits, and 17 hurries in 2022 while posting a PFF grade of 76.1. What is eye-popping is during the 2021 season the young man recorded 9 sacks. The Raiders are looking for help at the defensive end, and how it stands today they have 3 spots there locked up between Maxx, Chandler, and Tyree Wilson, but after that, it is wide open for anyone. One thing I will observe, the kid looks heavier than 240. 

Jordan Perryman-Cornerback Washington

Height: 6’0″ Weight: 198

As I do these write-ups on the UDFA guys I am learning more about them and looking into different things. I pull up their measurables, statistics, PFF grades, pre-draft rankings, etc. Right off the jump, Perryman has a 77″ wingspan, that’s awesome, love corners with long arms. Now pre-draft wise he was ranked behind Hearn on the Bugler’s big board as the 79th-ranked cornerback.  With all that said, he comes from Washington, which is known to put good secondary guys in the NFL. Perryman started his college career at UC Davis before transferring to Washington, he was an accomplished player at UC Davis, earning first-team honors in 21 and second-team honors in 20. PFF grades are not the end all be all, but they help when you haven’t watched a prospect, and in his lone season at Washington he posted a coverage grade of 51.3 and had one pass breakup and no interceptions. He will get his shot to make this roster, like Hearn, hopefully, we get to see the UC Davis Perryman and not the Washington Perryman. With that said, I see him as a long shot to be on the final 53.

Adam Plant-Defensive End UNLV

Height: 6’5″ Weight: 263

This dude had 8 sacks last year, I’m no draft evaluator, but that’s dam good for a college student, especially someone that was a UDFA. Plant was a TCU transfer, and compared to the other UDFAs we signed, hasn’t played a ton, appearing in 29 games (that’s tongue in cheek, 29 is plenty of games, the staff has just signed a ton of guys who were 5th or 6th-year seniors) Athletic profile wise is fits the bill, 80-3/4 wingspan, good height, and weight, I wish the 40 was better, only 4.79. Unlike Tyree Wilson, he was exclusively an outside edge guy, with 598 snaps lined up outside the tackle and only 84 over the tackle, and 15 in the B Gap. However, like Martin, he will get his chance. I can’t emphasize this enough, EDGE 4, EDGE 5 and if they want an EDGE 6 are all wide open, Malcom Koonce is not a lock to be on this team. 8 sacks is a ton of sacks for a college edge, he is someone I am excited to see in camp.

John Samuel Shenker-Tight End Auburn

Height: 6’3″ Weight: 242

Poor JSS, he will be overlooked again and again because he is a rookie tight end with Michael Mayer, who has already become a fan favorite. JSS meets the criteria for a majority of our UDFA signings, with 37 career games in five seasons at Auburn. Not crazy athletic, and won’t jump off the page when you look at him. But with all that said, most teams will carry at least 3 tight ends, as it stands today, including JSS, we have 6 rostered. I am not buying the OJ Howard “hype” I could see him being one of those surprise vet cuts you get at the end of camp. The best way to look at it is 4 guys are fighting for 1 more slot, maybe 2. I don’t foresee him making the roster but I see a world where he is on our practice squad and fighting for a spot in 2024.

George Tarlas-Defensive End Boise State

Height: 6’3″ Weight: 253

52 career games, I don’t even need to mention it. What I do have to mention is he only appeared in 7 games for Boise State in 2022 and still registered 4 sacks and 6 tackles for loss. Not only that but his PFF grade overall is 78.2, which is higher than most UDFAs that you will see. Before playing at Boise State in 2022 he was at Weber State for 4 years, registering 19 sacks, 2 ints, and 8 pass breakups. Stats-wise, this kid was extremely productive and didn’t miss a beat when moving up a level in competition. Unfortunately, he was forced to miss the remainder of his season at Boise State due to a hip injury. I am getting in front of this watching a camp battle between Tarlas, Plant, and Martin could be something very fun to watch.

Drake Thomas-Linebacker NC State

Height: 5’11” Weight: 223

McClendon Curtis is not the only UDFA getting some buzz, Drake Thomas is another one that the fanbase seems to be high on. Right off the jump, yes he is short, not the ideal size you want. But he had a fine career at NC State, making first team all acc in 2021 and second team in 2022. In four at NC State, he was able to rack up 19.0 sacks, with 6 coming in 21 and 7.5 in 22. PFF grade-wise, he finished this season with an 80.5 defensive grade, once again high for someone who went UDFA. What he has going for him is a lack of talent in our linebacker room, that is no mystery. He will get a chance to make the team, especially if he can showcase on special teams. During the draft process, someone compare him to Will Compton who carved out a nice little career for himself. Hopefully, that is what happens here, however, I think his lack of size and athleticism will land him on the practice squad to start the 2023 season.

Dalton Wagner-Offensive Tackle Arkansas

Height: 6’8″ Weight: 320

SIX FOOT EIGHT INCHES TALL. That is a monster of a human being, just a mountain, like how do you get that big? I won’t shy away from this, I love this kid, and it’s based solely on his size. It’s the idea of Trent Brown, you don’t need to be the most athletic or most skilled, you’re a mountain to go around so be okay at it and you’ll be in a better spot than most. Now with that being said his wingspan is only 83-1/4″, still big, but for being the tallest Tackle in the draft I wish he has the top 5 largest wingspans. One thing to know about him is he is a right tackle, played there for Arkansas in 2022 posting a PFF grade of 80.5. Now he is not a perfect prospect, he was a UDFA after all, as expected with someone of that size he can seem disjointed at times and plays too straight up, again he is 6’8″. Again because of the uncertainty of the right side of our offensive line, I think he will have a good chance of making this roster, along with McClendon. 

At the end of it, all these guys control their own destiny. I believe this staff picks the best players to be on the 53-man roster, regardless of seniority, contract, or past success. Any one of them can be the next Sam Webb or Luke Masterson. My uneducated prediction is McClendon Curtis and Adam Plant make the 53-man roster, while we see Drake Thomas and Dalton Wagner elevated to the active roster at some point this season. Sound off in the comments, what do you think?