UDFA Roster Predictions: Offense

Most of the talk this offseason has been centered around Blake Bortles and the rest of the 2014 draft class, as it should be. Caldwell and Co. appear to have put together another great class on paper and it's easy to get excited about the team they have been putting together. What gets lost in all this, however, are the other 19 players that the team has brought in to training camp. While many of them will be cut by the end of it, there's always the chance that a few will end up on the final roster come final cuts. Here are the offensive UDFAs along with my predictions on their roster chances.

Stephen Morris, QB, Miami

Career Stats, Combine Performance, Notable Achievements:

Completions	Attempts	Percentage	Yards	Yards/Attempt	Touchdowns	Interceptions	Passer Rating
551	955	57.7	7896	8.3	49.30	30	137.8

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
4.63	30.0"	111.0"	7.36	4.49	N/A

• Set Miami's single-season total offence record in 2012
• Second QB in school history with two 3,000 yard seasons
• 2013 All-ACC third team
• ACC record for most passing yards in a game with 566

Overview:

Stephen Morris comes to the Jaguars with a two year history of working with OC Jedd Fisch. While this probably factored into the signing, Morris has enough talent to be an NFL Quarterback. While a strong arm and the ability to make plays makes him an interesting prospect, Morris struggles with accuracy and anticipation. Too often he would throw behind his receivers or try to gun the ball in when a lighter touch was needed. Morris also seemed to struggle under pressure and would leave the pocket too early.

Prediction:

Morris comes into training camp in a position to battle with Ricky Stanzi for the third QB roster spot. It appears like it will be a tight battle, and if Morris loses out Jacksonville will most likely try to stash him on their practice squad.

Terrance Cobb, RB, Cumberland

Career Stats, Pro Day Performance*, Notable Achievements:

Rushing	Attempts	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Attempt	Yards/Game
	634	4414	53	7.0	13.2
Receiving	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Reception	Yards/Game
	23	324	2	14.1	8.3

*Pro Day stats unavailable

• Lead NAIA with 1991 Rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in 2011
• 2011 NAIA All America first team
• Senior Season cut short due to injury

Overview

With a small school prospect like Terrance Cobb it's hard to find information to effectively evaluate his talents. Using this highlight tape I was able to get a decent look at his skill set, but it won't give the clearest picture. It appears that Cobb is a very hard runner and will attack the hole fast as possible. He fights for extra yards where he can and has great breakaway speed once he gets to the next level. While breakaway speed is a good indication of success, its hard to gauge if this is mainly a product of playing in a lesser football division. One knock against Cobb is that he doesn't appear to make many cuts with the football. His go to move is straight ahead running where he will try to run through his man and then break free.

Prediction:

With the four running backs ahead of him on the Jaguars roster, it is going to be an uphill battle to land a spot. His best chance is to end up on the practice squad, but it remains to be seen if the Jaguars will dedicate a spot towards the position.

Allen Hurns, WR, Miami

Career Stats, Combine Performance, Notable Achievements:

Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Reception	Yards/Game
121	1891	14	15.6	52.5

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
4.55	31.0"	120"	7.23	4.50	14

• 2013 All-ACC second team
• 2013 Jack Harding Team MVP
• Fourth player with 1,000 yard season in school history

Overview:

Allen Hurns is another player who worked with Jedd Fisch while he was at Miami, which can only help his chances of making the roster. Hurns has good size at 6'3" and is has good speed to match. He excels on catching the short pass, with ability to adjust for bad throws, and making plays after the catch. Hurns has trouble creating separation in man coverage and is average in his route running. While he has the ability to make people miss, he isn't a player who will burn by a defender either before or after the catch.

Prediction:

Hurns already appears to be making an impression with the Jaguar's coaching staff so far this off-season. That, coupled with the likely suspension of Ace Sanders, puts Hurns in a good position to make the final roster. He will have have to battle, but i believe he will end up on the practice squad if not the final roster.

Damian Copeland, WR, Louisville

Career Stats, Combine Performance, Notable Achievements:

Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Reception	Yards/Game
116	1521	7	13.1	44.7

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
4.50	40.0"	120"	6.53	3.90	12

• Lead team in receptions in 2012 and 2013
• Missed 2011 season due to injury

Overview:

Copeland projects as a slot receiver due to his small stature and his quickness in space. He has sure hands a large vertical which give him a large catch radius on errant throws. He is most successful when he gets the ball on short passes in space and uses hard work to beat the defender. Copeland doesn't run great routes and struggles to create separation in tight man coverage. He is also soft in his blocking and would not lock up the defender enough to help his running backs.

Prediction:

Damian Copeland's roster chances largely depends on the Wide Receiver situation in the coming weeks. He will get his chances to show what he can do, especially in the slot with Sanders out, but I have a hard time seeing him make the final roster.

Nathan Slaughter, WR, West Texas A&M

Career Stats, Pro Day Performance*, Notable Achievements:

Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Reception	Yards/Game
174	1978	14	11.4	42.1

Kick Returns	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Return
47	1381	3	29.38

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
4.34	44.5"	138"	7.18	4.18	16

*Did not Participate in Combine

• Lead division in Yards/Return in 2013
• Top 3 all time Division II Yards/Return
• Second on team in receiving yards in 2012

Overview:

Nathan Slaughter's main strength is his tremendous ability has a kick returner. He possesses top end speed and a great vision to allow him to be electrifying in the return game. As a receiver Slaughter excels on down field passes such as go routes. He has reliable hands and is able to maneuver to make the catch despite his small (5'9") frame. He also appears to excel at blocking and is willing to work to make the play. He lacks good route running ability, but that may stem from only running a small route tree. He is small for a receiver but his athletic ability could make up for it in the right situation.

Prediction:

Slaughter's roster chances rest on his return ability. With Sanders facing suspension it seems like his main competition will be with Tandon Doss. If he beats out Doss and can flash some receiving ability, he will find a spot on the Jaguar's final roster.

Marcel Jensen, TE, Fresno State

Career Stats, Combine Performance, Notable Achievements:

Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Reception	Yards/Game
48	708	8	14.8	21.5

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
4.85	35.0"	115"	7.38	4.60	24

• Three blocked kicks in his career
• 2013 All-Mountain West second team, 2012 honorable mention
• 2011 Academic All-WAC team

Overview:

Jensen not only possesses great size (6'6", 259 Lbs) but he is very effective in using that size to his advantage. He is a very physical player and will out-muscle defenders in both the pass and the run game. Jensen also displays a good burst off the line and sure hands to make him a solid asset as a receiver. At times he seems a little stiff when blocking or running routes, but this is most likely because he has only played three years at the position. He is a raw prospect, but he has everything you want in a Tight End. He is a force in the run game and displays enough as a receiver to show he is headed toward a starting job down the line.

Prediction

Marcel Jensen has displayed enough to show he can develop into a reliable starter and he can also contribute on special teams as it happens. I believe he will land a spot as the #3 TE.

Reggie Jordan, TE, Missouri Western

Career Stats, Combine Performance, Notable Achievements:

Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Reception	Yards/Game
52	679	17	13.1	16.6

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
4.77	30.0"	116"	7.22	4.30	24

• 2013 All-MIAA second team, 2012 Honorable mention
• 11 touchdowns in 2012

Overview:

Good size and good hands give Jordan a good catch radius in the passing game. He also possesses good speed and great quickness for a Tight End and knows how to use this to his advantage. He also shows good blocking ability in the run game and is able to overpower defenders easily. While he has the tools to succeed, he still needs to learn how to use them effectively. He struggles with running routs and finding the soft spots in the defense, and he struggles to maintain a low center when blocking. With the right coaching he can improve on his flaws, which should be relatively easy to fix.

Prediction:

Jordan has a chance to make the roster depending on how the coaching staff feels about both Marcel Jensen and him. I think that he will get beat out for the roster spot but could land on the practice squad if the Jaguars want to keep an extra Tight End.

D.J. Tialavea, TE, Utah State

Career Stats, Pro Day Performance*, Notable Achievements:

Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Reception	Yards/Game
30	198	5	6.6	6.4

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
4.95	32.5"	109"	7.46	4.62	22

*Did not Participate in Combine

• Mainly played Tight End, but took snaps at Tackle as well
• Tight End of the Week 9/14/13 Honorable mention

Overview:

D.J. Tialavea is a blocking Tight End with a hint of pass catching ability. He has very good size for a blocker and is able to make some good plays, but he doesn't always use his strength effectively. He lunges too much for blocks and will go after defenders too high which causes him to lose his leverage. In the passing game he only had 30 career receptions which is indicative of his ability. Too often he would get knocked off his path and overall was a very poor route runner. With the right coaching he can develop as a run blocker, but is too much of a project for minimal gains.

Prediction:

I don't see Tialavea making the final roster. With two TEs who have pretty much locked up roster spots and two more UDFAs that are more developed, I believe Tialavea will get cut.

Josh Wells, OT, James Madison University

Career Stats*, Pro Day Performance**, Notable Achievements:

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
5.25	32"	114"	7.50	4.59	24

*No Stats available **Did not Participate in Combine

• Started at QB, converted to TE, then DL, and then finally OT
• Started every game during the 2012 and 2013 seasons
• 2013 All-CAA second team

Overview:

Josh Wells has good size (6'6" 315 Lbs) and strength for his position, but really excels athletically due to recently switching to Tackle. As a competitor who works hard for every block, Wells could find himself in a back-up role this season. He struggles with some athletic pass rushers due to poor footwork, but this could be smoothed out with some good coaching.

Prediction:

Due to the limited numbers of Offensive Tackles on the Jaguar's roster, Wells could land a roster spot if he can prove he can handle NFL talent. He has a lot to prove to get to that point, however, and I believe his best chance is to end up on the practice squad.

Tyler Shatley, G, Clemson

Career Stats*, Pro Day Performance**, Notable Achievements:

40 YD	Vertical	Broad Jump	3 Cone	Shuttle	Bench Reps
5.17	30.5"	110"	7.95	4.66	40

*No Stats available **Did not Participate in Combine

• Converted to Guard from Defensive line before the 2012 season
• 2013 All-ACC third team
• 2012 Academic All-American
• 2012 Strength & Conditioning All American
• 60 knockdowns in 25 starts

Overview:

Tyler Shatley is a bruiser on the Offensive Line with his ability to use his strength very well. He shows good instincts for picking up blocks and has very good footwork despite only playing at the position for two years. He fires off at the point of attack on running plays and by all accounts seems to be a very hard worker. His is lacking athletically, but his footwork and technique appear to keep getting better and there's little reason to believe he can't keep improving.

Prediction:

While there is very little tackle depth on the roster, there is more competition at guard. Despite this, I think that Shatley has a very good shot to make the roster if he shows he can service as a solid back up as he continues to develop.