Miami is always an attractive place for Free agents. They get their shots. So which guy(s) do you think have a shot to make the team and contribute down the line..... My two are: Matt Cole: I don't claim to be real knowledgable about McKendree football, but Matt Cole blazed his 20 yard shuttle and ran verified 4.48 at Northwestern's Pro Day before Covid shut everything down. He is well built and His highlight reel shows a tough kid that is a ST's ace. You cannot see much other than he clearly outclasses his competition from a speed perspective. He had 41 tackles over his career and 31 his junior and senior years. He also has some upside as a slot receiver. Given that shuttle quickness I would give him a long look. The WR room is full so he could equally wash out early because the offensive line in particular takes a while into camp to show out.....but he could sneak his way onto the roster... he reminds me so much of Matthew Slater. the other is Bryce Sterk. He catches everyone eye because of his athletic abilityity. He ran a "slower than he looks" 4.69 which is plenty straight line fast but he also posted a 7.07 60 yard cone drill which means he is also quick and agile. I like the idea of him giving TE a shot as he has upside at that position and I don't think its advanced enough to be an edge pass rusher....He is really twitchy and agile in his rush so those skills sorta translate. All athlete right now but he is a damn good one.
the WR's after DVP, Preston, and Wilson, everyone is fair game. I'd say kirk can easily take grants spot, he does everything grant does, except can catch and is bigger, and is a lot cheaper.
Kirk Merritt is an interesting kid....was on some recruiting radars out of HS and went to Oregon then transferred to Texas A/M got into some legal issues around indecent exposure, went to a Juco and ended up at Arky State....he also came out of HS listed at 5-10/180 and lists now at 6-1/218...Rivals had him as a 4.4 type guy out of HS and supposedly he ran sub 4.4 at Arky State pro Day. All I have seen is highlight tapes but he shows out as a sorta shifty guy, so he is an interesting good call.....
Without knowing much of the players themselves, but reading the roster ... big interior DL always have a decent shot, so Benito Jones might be able to stick as a bottom end rotational piece. Merritt might have a role if he can challenge the more expensive back end roster guys like Wilson and Grant. Grant especially, as we took some return-capable guys in the draft may be on the hot seat. Sterk at TE ... I can see him get stuffed on the practice squad as he develops for a year or two, but I don't see an immediate impact or roster spot.
I'm looking at Kirk Merritt WR as one to keep an eye on also. Bryce Sterk will be interesting to see the TE attempt. I can see him being a good blocker but watching film on the Edge he locks up and wins a lot of those match ups, I don't see much speed but he never quits early. If he can catch this might be a good swap for him.
combine ran a 4.33 he was top 5 in every measurable for position, mostly first or 2nd. his issue is his off field issues, which probably lessened his coaching, so he's probably a bit raw as well.
HOpefully in 2021 the NFL goes for a XFL type kick off and this guy looks to be a good special teamer.
I would say Matt Cole as my first, if he can consistently make catches like that and contribute as a kick returner he has a good ****. My second choice is Benito Jones, just have a feeling we stole one there.
I'm not gonna lie. If I were an undrafted player, I don't think I would want to go to Miami. We have brought in soooo many free agents and draftees. This is gonna be a tough roster to crack. Moreover, with Covid-19, we are looking at an abridged offseason. I think that actually plays to the benefit of players that we actually drafted. This year in particular, they might just make the team on potential alone. Merrit seems to be the most impressive guy and the easy answer to this question, but look at the people he will need to beat out: DVP Wilson Williams Hurns Ford Grant Heck, he will probably need to beat out Perry too. If you look at the guys on this list, a lot of them already have guaranteed money coming to them this year. He will need to look significantly better to make the squad. I think the only way that there is an opening is if we trade one of these guys in the preseason, but I see that as unlikely too. I think Flores is gonna want to compete immediately and will want vets.
I don't think Kirk Merritt was a combine invitee..I think those numbers are Pro Day numbers, but I might be wrong.....not sure when was in attendance at the Arky State Pro Day so those might be "grain of salt numbers"....I am interested in his height as it is reported all over the board.
Merrit athletically is elite. No questions at all about what a stud he is in that regard... Growing up getting his **** together and turning that into results on the field are another story. Even among NFL players his talent is off the charts.