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Jim Dedmon/Linked Press
Whereas the 2021 NFL draft ended on Saturday, the annual selection job wasn’t over with the final opt. Groups scrambled after the draft to signal undrafted free brokers, treating many of them bask in extra draft picks with a stamp payment.
It has change into an increasingly frequent practice to pay top undrafted free brokers bask in gradual draft picks in jabber to ship them into the fold. Why? Because undrafted gamers can relish enormous stamp.
Take working support James Robinson to illustrate. He produced extra than 1,400 scrimmage yards in 2021 after no longer hearing his name called on draft day.
So a lot of talented undrafted free brokers relish already signed, along with Duke working support Deon Jackson, who used to be reportedly paid handsomely to stamp up for the Indianapolis Colts.
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Jim Dedmon/Linked Press
If followers had been questioning how grand emphasis the Colts will placed on the urge this season, the signing of Jackson would maybe well provide the reply. Indianapolis already had Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins on the roster. In line with NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the Colts are giving Jackson presumably the most attention-grabbing signing bonus of any undrafted free agent.
“Duke working support Deon Jackson bought a $45,000 signing bonus from the Indianapolis Colts as a priority free agent, highest signing bonus for an undrafted rookie this year, per a league source,” Wilson tweeted.
Jackson, who rushed for 682 yards closing season, used to be clearly valued by the Colts, most likely for his special groups likely. Jackson returned kicks 23 kicks in 2018.
Nonetheless, or no longer it’s no longer likely that Jackson will carve out a principal offensive role as a rookie, given the Colts’ depth at the working support tell.
Year 1 Prediction: 174 speeding yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 25 receiving yards, 15 kickoff returns
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Matthew Hinton/Linked Press
Jackson is no longer presumably the most attention-grabbing undrafted free agent who has signed a astronomical deal. In line with NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero, the Cleveland Browns signed traditional Florida Boom defensive form out Marvin Wilson to a deal that entails a $30,000 signing bonus and $162,000 in guarantees.
Wilson, who used to be a dominant defender in 2018 and 2019, likely slid out of the draft as a consequence of an underwhelming 2020 advertising and marketing campaign in which he battled weight points. Nonetheless, he has the bodily likely to be an attractive NFL contributor.
“Fashioned 5-megastar recruit who flashed actual energy, abilities and motor in 2019 to support that score up. Nonetheless, Wilson wore extra weight in 2020, which slowed him and made him grand less efficient,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein wrote.
Wilson have to relish an early opportunity to fabricate in Cleveland, which parted with defensive tackles Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson within the offseason.
Year 1 Prediction: 34 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
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Ron Jenkins/Linked Press
Fashioned TCU safety Ar’Darius Washington is additionally reportedly getting some assured cash as an undrafted free agent. In line with Drew Davison of the Citadel Fee Celebrity-Telegram, Washington will receive a $15,000 signing bonus and $100,000 in guarantees.
Washington, who used to be regarded as grand of a sixth- or seventh-spherical opt by Zierlein, have to gain into the defensive rotation as a third safety or nickel nook. He’s moderately undersized (5’8″, 176 lbs) nonetheless has the physicality and instincts important to slot in Baltimore.
“Washington falls properly below the desired measurables for a security, nonetheless he performs with prominent instincts and aggression in the total lot he does,” Zierlein wrote. “He has actual foot quickness and in actual fact reads play pattern and quarterback intentions with clear eyes.”
Washington’s aggressive form of play and tackling potential—he had 37 tackles in 10 video games closing season—have to own him a natural fit on special groups.
Year 1 Prediction: 38 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception
