Which UDFA will make the Chargers Roster?

The 2018 draft is well and truly behind us now but not everyone gets the call that they're all waiting for. For some, Sunday comes and goes, and after the undoubted disappointment of not being selected, the undrafted rookies have to sit and wait. They hope for any offers to join a team as an undrafted free agent and whilst it's then an even longer shot to make it as a pro, it's a shot nonetheless.

Some of the best players in league history have gone up from going undrafted to rising right to the top. This summer saw Antonio Gates leave the Chargers, a prime example of what can be, even if your name isn't announced on draft weekend. The former Kent State basketball star is a lock to wear a good jacket and be inducted to pro football's Hall of Fame and is without question one of the greatest Chargers of all time.

The Chargers have a long and proud history of giving a chance to undrafted players and developing them into stars. From Gates in 2003 to finding ing a diamond in the rough last year in Austin Ekeler, the Chargers seemingly have this fine art down to a tee.

Los Angeles signed 21 players to undrafted free agent deals after the draft and these are the four who I believe have the best chance of making the final 53 man roster in 2018.

Tony Brown, CB, Alabama

Tony Brown said himself that he was pretty shocked to go undrafted. Now it's all about how he reacts to that disappointment, will it fuel the chip on his shoulder? Or will it contribute to more bad decisions? Such as the ones that Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban talked about the young defensive back needing to eliminate… like fighting in practice or pushing an Auburn fan following a loss.

The tools have always been there and even after a short time on the practice field, that was apparent to Chargers HC, Anthony Lynn, who said Brown's skill set was “off the charts”. Brown performed well at the Combine too, running a 4.35 second 40 yard dash and has the versatility to play either Corner or at Free Safety. Brown is also feisty and physical so could be ideal for a Special Teams role, which again helps his quest for a roster spot.

So why didn't someone use a 7th round pick on him? Well aside from the hot headed incidents above (and there are more than just those two), Brown was never a full time starter for the Crimson Tide, only getting on the field in nickel and dime alignments. The amount of “splash” plays wasn't really that impressive either, so there isn't enough wow moments on tape to make scouts and General Managers sit up and take notice.

However, I do believe Brown has a reasonable chance at making the roster or at least the practice squad. He comes from a big collegiate programme and let's face it, in the modern NFL, Nikel Corner is all but a starting position, so the fact he doesn't really play outside should affect him too much. The Chargers have a deep group of DB’s though so it's going to be a competitive camp battle at the very least, only time will tell.

Zach Crabtree, OT, Oklahoma State

Like most fans, I fully expected the Chargers to address Offensive Tackle in the draft. Joe Barksdale has been inconsistent, has has trouble staying on the field and it was thought he could be on his way out. Los Angeles have Barksdale, Michael Schofield and Sam Tevi as possible Right Tackles going into training camp, none of which are sure fire, franchise right tackles.

Zachary Crabtree was a 5th year senior at Oklahoma State who started 45 games for the Cowboys and for the most part his job was to protect Mason Rudolph. It's a job he did well and was a pretty key cog in a productive offense. Oklahoma State became the first offense in Big 12 history with a 4,000-yard passer (Rudolph), a 1,000-yard rusher (Justice Hill) and two 1,000-yard receivers (James Washington and Marcell Ateman)

Crabtree is tall and lean with good weight distribution and long arms. With this in mind he has the physical dimensions to do well in the NFL but he would need to become more athletic if he was to make the Chargers roster. Anthony Lynn likes athletic linemen who can put their athleticism to use by pulling and making blocks at the second level in the run game.

Crabtree is regarded as a good leader by the coaches at Oklahoma State and he actually won the Vernon Grant Award which is awarded to the player who shows the greatest leadership, spirit and enthusiasm.

It would be a slow process as Crabtree is certainly a project but he has the work ethic and personality to work his way up the depth chart should he make the team, whether he can beat out any of the current Tackles remains to be seen.

Brandon Facyson, CB, Virginia Tech

The former Hokie has good size at 6”2’, 203lbs with arms that are a little short of 33 inches. He uses these attributes well, playing in a physical manner in coverage and also when tackling ball carriers. He's also been very productive at Virginia Tech with 39 passes (Virginia Tech’s all time record) defended, 5 interceptions and a forced fumble. Facyson is also l well thought of by his coaches, regarded as mature and intelligent, with no off field concerns. Sounds good doesn't it?

So why wasn't a Corner with ideal size, high level college production and no red flags, taken in the draft? Two things; a long injury history and a 4.53 40 time which points to a lack of explosive athletic ability. These traits scare the heck out of General Managers and Defensive Co-ordinators when evaluating prospects. If you're picking someone to have to run with some of the fastest and most athletic humans on the planet, you're going to want them to be able to run if you're going to spend some draft capital on them.

Like Tony Brown, Facyson faces an uphill battle to get on to the Chargers roster due to the depth at the position and could benefit from time on a practice squad. There are some nice elements there but are there enough?

Steven Richardson, DT, Minnesota

Tom Telesco used a third round pick on Justin Jones in April's draft however, Defensive Tackle is another position that could use some filling out on the Chargers’ roster. Corey Luiget is suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season and Brandon Mebane is getting up there in age. With this in mind, I feel Steven Richardson out of Minnesota has a chance to make the team.

Richardson was a four year starter for the Golden Gophers and he had a predictive career in Minnesota with 103 tackles, 29 for loss and 12.5 sacks in his collegiate career. Add in 5 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries and you're looking at a player who affects the game in the trenches. Richardson wasn't invited to Indianapolis for the scouting combine but at Minnesota’s pro day he displayed his immense strength, throwing up 31 reps on the bench press. To go along with his strength he also plays with low pad level which makes up for his lack of height (he only stands at 5”11’).

Richardson draws comparisons to Aaron Donald because of his stature but that's really where the comparison ends. Aside from his strength, Richardson is a pretty average athlete with very few pass rush moves, he generally wins with effort and the fact that his motor is always running hot. Maybe Richardson could be a player who develops athletically once he's in a pro training and weight programme?

Pass rush moves can be taught with good coaching and the Chargers certainly have a great D Line coach in Giff Smith. So I feel optimistic about Richardson's chances to eventually carve out a role, should he make the roster or practice squad. Upon being given a UDFA contract by the Chargers Richardson said, “All I needed was a door opened”. Well the door has been opened, now it'll be interesting to see if he walks through it…

Will anyone make it?

Given that the Chargers have such a fantastic record with undrafted free agents, I think someone will make it out of the 21 they signed, whether it will be any of these 4 guys remains to be seen…

If I was put on the spot and asked who has the best chance, I'd go for Richardson. For the Cornerbacks, it's so difficult as the Chargers are so deep there and even their 5th Corner, Michael Davis, is well thought of by the coaching staff.

Richardson plays at a position of relative weakness for the Chargers and has shown he can be productive. The coaches have shown that they can develop talent at his position too; Darius Philon was a 6th round pick and will probably start in place of Corey Luiget in week 1. So maybe they will feel they can take another bit of clay and mould him.

Whoever makes this final roster is going to have to work for it from now until September and that should make training camp really fun to watch, so keep your eyes on these undrafted guys.

Written By Lee Wakefield, NFL Analyst, LA Chargers