Categories: Arizona StateArticleFootball

Post-draft Sun Devils signings analysis

(Photo: ASU Athletics)

The 2013 NFL Draft has come and gone and much to the surprise of many Arizona State fans, not a single Sun Devil was selected. The news isn’t all doom and gloom, though. Several members of the team will be trading in their Maroon and Gold for a new set of colors after being signed as undrafted free agents immediately following the draft.

Here is how I think each player fits with the team they signed with, and what the odds are that each player makes the team he signed with.

Brandon Magee – Dallas Cowboys

Magee will have opportunities in Dallas. Nobody is really sure what the Cowboys are doing. One thing we do know is the Cowboys are switching from a 3-4 base scheme to a 4-3, and that can only be good news for Magee. I’m not shocked Magee wasn’t drafted. He lacks ideal height, has short arms, had a devastating injury two years ago and could also go play baseball. I do think Magee has a real chance of making the Cowboys as a backup and special teams contributor.

Chances he makes the team: 75 percent

Keelan Johnson – Miami Dolphins

This is a good situation for Johnson. Reshad Jones was quietly one of the better safeties in the NFL last season, but behind him the Dolphins are rather weak. Starter Chris Clemons is a liability in coverage, Jimmy Wilson is strictly a special teamer, and Kelcie McCray didn’t dress in a single game during his rookie season. Johnson should, at worst, beat McCray for the fourth safety spot, and I bet he gets a chance to dress a few times this year while the Dolphins figure out if they really want to keep watching Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez run around Clemons.

Chances he makes the team: 95 percent

Cameron Marshall – Miami Dolphins

I don’t know how I feel about this one. One thing I do know is that the Dolphins were one of the first teams to show interest in Marshall. The two have talked several times over the last couple of weeks. Miami also has a glaring need at running back. Lamar Miller is the starter, but behind him the team doesn’t have anything. Reggie Bush signed in Detroit and Daniel Thomas is slower than molasses. The Dolphins did select Mike Gillislee (5th round) out of Florida, but he is a different back than Marshall. Bottom line is this: Thomas is on the hot seat and if he is cut, Marshall should make the team. I just think there were better spots for him.

Chances he makes the team: 70 percent

Deveron Carr – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This could end up being a great spot for Carr. The Buccaneers were atrocious in pass coverage last season, but they obviously got the memo. The Bucs traded for corner Darrelle Revis, drafted highly rated corner Jonathan Banks and signed safety Dashon Goldson, but they still need more. Ronde Barber is gone and Eric Wright should become a cap casualty after the Bucs grievously overpaid last season. I don’t think Carr will ever be a good NFL player, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be the fourth or fifth corner and contribute as a gunner on special teams.

Chances he makes the team: 45 percent

Brice Schwab – Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Apparently Sun Devils have to be signed in pairs. Schwab was brought in to be a practice squad player, and even that might be a stretch. To complicate matters, the Bucs boast one of the better offensive lines in the NFL. Schawb’s best bet would be to go in and compete enough to impress league personnel, then be claimed by a team on waivers who is in need of o-line depth.

Chances he makes the team: 0 percent

Jamal Miles – Jacksonville Jaguars

Sorry Jamal, but this just isn’t meant to be. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, Jacksonville needs playmakers. But the Jaguars have their two primary targets in Cecil Shorts III and Justin Blackmon. They also just drafted Ace Sanders and Denard Robinson. In other words, they just drafted two small, fast players who don’t run good routes and probably will do most of their damage in the return game. Sound familiar? Miles’ best shot at a professional football career is in Canada.

Chances he makes the team: 0 percent

Rashad Ross – Tennessee Titans

Ross actually impressed a lot of people at the San Francisco 49ers local pro day two weeks ago. He runs better routes than Miles and is also a speed demon. The problem is Ross also signed with a team that has a ton of receivers. The team already has established veterans Kenny Britt and Nate Washington, and second-year receiver Kendall Wright is a star in the making. Damian Williams is a nice possession receiver and the team drafted Justin Hunter in the second round. Add Marc Mariani, who is also the return man, and Lavelle Hawkins, and Ross is facing the same uphill battle as his former teammate Miles.

Chances he makes the team: 0 percent