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Ten undrafted free agents to keep an eye on once the lockout ends

 05.01.11 at 1:05 pm ET
By

Jeff Maehl (AP)

Teams are unable to go after undrafted free agents right now because of the lockout, but when the doors are opened again, here are 10 available names the Patriots might be interested in:

Oregon wide receiver Jeff Maehl: We have been big supporters of Maehl for a long time. His dependable hands (he had 24 receiving touchdowns at Oregon, tied for the most in team history) and his agility (he had the fastest 3-cone drill time among all wide receivers at the combine) make him an attractive choice.

LSU wide receiver Terrence Toliver: Toliver played and started all 13 games for the Tigers, leading LSU in receiving with 41 catches for 579 yards and five touchdowns. He also killed it in the 3-cone drill at the combine, posting the third-best time among all wide receivers.

Missouri center Tim Barnes: Barnes met with the Patriots before the Tigers’ Pro Day, and New England ran his offensive line drills at that workout. A 6-foot-4, 298-pounder, he was a first-team All-Big 12 pick.

Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn: The Patriots usually bring in at least one rookie quarterback as an undrafted free agent, and Colburn’s Fresno State connection — Bulldogs’ coach Pat Hill was a former Belichick assistant, and Belichick has selected several FSU players the last few years — could be the sort of thing that attracts him to New England. (For what it’s worth, Colburn also passes the rule of 26-27-60.)

Boston College offensive lineman Rich Lapham: The New Hampshire native and nephew of former Bengals offensive lineman Dave Lapham had a knee problem that dogged him throughout the pre-draft process, but before the injury, he was considered a mid- to late-round pick. According to a league source, the Patriots had expressed an interest in him prior to the draft.

Maryland tight end Will Yeatman: Yeatman just screams developmental prospect for the Patriots. A former college lacrosse star who played college football at both Notre Dame and Maryland, the 6-foot-7, 275-pounder has the size to transition to tackle in the NFL.

Oregon defensive end Brandon Bair: Bair is 26 — spent two years on an LDS mission between high school and college — but has been celebrated by NFL Network Mike Mayock as “the ideal developmental 5-technique” defensive end in the NFL.

Rutgers safety Joe Lefeged: The Patriots did very well selecting a defensive back out of Rutgers with great special teams experience last year in Devin McCourty, and Lefeged is in the same mold — McCourty blocked seven kicks while at Rutgers, while Lefeged blocked four in his college career. He set all sorts of special teas marks with the Scarlet Knights.

Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich: The local product everyone was rooting for went undrafted, but is now regarded by many to be the best linebacker available. The truth is that the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder is likely in a better situation now than if he was drafted as a late-round pick on Saturday. At this point, he will likely have several offers to choose from as an undrafted free agent.

Marshall inside linebacker Mario Harvey: An undersized (5-foot-11, 250 pound) overachiever, he finished his college career as the fifth-leading tackler in Marshall history. He wasn’t invited to the combine, but drew the attention of the New England staffers who watched him work out at Marshall’s Pro Day.

Read More: 2011 NFL Draft, Brandon Bair, Jeff Maehl, Joe Lefeged Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Crowell

    How about Zach Hurd from UConn ?

  • corey

    How about Mayo’s brother?

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... Shane

    I’m glad Maehl is up there but what about Dane Sanzenbacher (sp?). I can see how Dane went undrafted but how did Alex Wujciak go undrafted. I mean, he had over 100 tackles in three straight seasons at Maryland, what more does this guy gotta do to get some love?! He is a frecking boss! I was blown away by some of those no name LBs who got drafted over this guy….. Who the hell is Jonas Mouton, like really?!??!

  • Dano

    If you would have asked me before draft would you take”in no particular order” Mallett,Solder Dowling,Vereen,Ridley and Cannon also a #1 and #2 next yearIwould say thats awesome.Grade A+ basically other teams can’t believe how good Pats did.The rich get richer.For Herzlich he should go to Buffalo they could really use a linebacker and they had a solid draft.Herzlich will find a niche in NFL somewhere and given the chance he’ll do real well.

  • Jimmy Freeze

    Draft thoughts while doing yardwork today…

    I think I figured out why BB doesn’t want to pick a prototypical “pass-rusher”…

    They are hard to find…look at the hit vs bust rate-around 10%-pretty bad

    Even if you find one, you probably spent a really high pick

    If you find one, you will have to pay them huge money (see Julius Peppers)

    If you find one, the instant they become a FA, they will demand huge money or will be stolen by another team (Julius Peppers)…what do you think Clay Matthews would get as a free agent??? Tom Brady money, that’s what.

    Most of all…a smart offensive coach/scheme can neutralize the impact of the stud pass-rushing outside linebacker. Notice that Rex Ryan didn’t go for an OLB in the draft either. He and BB have figured out that if they have big, quick tackles, and TE’s…plus, a wealth of good defensive backs, they can accomplish the same results. Remember that the Pats played Chicago and Green Bay last year…Peppers and Matthews had 1 sack between them. Peppers is making 14M per year and Matthews will make that much in free agency…and both were taken with #1 picks…alot of capital expended for 1 sack in 2 games

    Thats why they chose Solder over Castonzo…Solder is bigger and faster

    That’s why they took Ras-I Dowling (bigger CB)…so they can have up to 5 capable cover guys to cover the 5-wide sets loaded with 6-3 to 6-5 receivers
    McCourty/Bodden/Arrington/Butler/Wilhite/Dowling and cover the inevitable injuries

  • patpatriot2011

    Terrible draft. I give it a D+. The Patriots have not a playoff game since 2008 primarily because they don’t have a pass rush to put pressure on the QB or a fast WR who can catch the ball. You can have the best QB in the planet, but that doesn’t do much for you if the opposing team can march up and down the field and control the clock. The Jets also exposed the Patriots offense in the playoffs by flooding the middle of the field and playing the outside WRs man-to-man knowing that they couldn’t be beat deep.

    I also don’t understand why they drafted two RBs when they already have the Law Firm and Woodhead. I could see maybe drafting one RB, then moving to either a top 7 defender or OL.

  • Joe

    I heard the same thing at this time last year patpatriot2011 and how did that work out??? I have no problem with the Patriot’s brass selecting who they select based on the past success. Yes, there have been some clunkers mixed in, but that happens everywhere. There are so many other factors that come into play: the system Belichick uses, free agents, undrafted free agents, injured players coming back, salary considerations when compiling a deep roster etc.. Finally, for those who cry the Patriots haven’t won a playoff game in four years, I say look at the entire body of work and the win loss record of this team since Belichick has taken over. The Pats are in the hunt for the Super Bowl year after year. I lived through 70′s, 80′s and 90′s and appreciate this organization.

  • Dano

    Mark Herzlich is rated as the 8th highest player for this years draft that did not get drafted. I am sure he will find a NFL team.Actually there are alot of good players left alot of underclassman came out this year.

  • Joe

    Jeff Maehl will be the best undrafted player from this class. He will find a home and bring the noise when called upon.

  • cb

    patriot 2011 you make too much sense,

    re “The Patriots have not a playoff game since 2008 primarily because they don’t have a pass rush to put pressure on the QB or a fast WR who can catch the ball. You can have the best QB in the planet, but that doesn’t do much for you if the opposing team can march up and down the field and control the clock. The Jets also exposed the Patriots offense in the playoffs by flooding the middle of the field and playing the outside WRs man-to-man knowing that they couldn’t be beat deep. ”

    as for the grade, its too early in my mind to give them a very bad grade or a very good one till at least the playoffs, if not longer, if these guys need longer to get on the field. i start with a solid c minus for not addressing de and olb near the top of their 9 picks, for many reaches- picks too early, and because every pick was pretty much a risky pick.

  • Jim Keddy

    Most of the guys you mention are among the highest ranked UDFAs.
    They will command a decent sized bonus. I doubt the Patriots will
    enter the bidding. They will sign mostly unknowns strictly to fill
    out their roster.

  • Mike

    Scott Lutrus LB from UConn will be on his list ….

  • Keith B

    I had to respond to patpatriot2011 giving the patriots a d+ for this years draft. Everyone knows it takes two to three yeard to rate a draft. If you look at the pats track record the have hit more then missed on the draft and I don’t think there is any doubt that they have earned the benifit of our doubts……IN BILL WE TRUST !!

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  • Losing streak

    Bruins and Canadians both blew a 3 goal lead. 37 seconds. Must have worn both teams out. real bad showing.

  • Fab4ever

    Is it me or do the B’s have a difficult time holding big leads? They seem to sit back and lose whatever it is that makes them dominate…this was disturbing…they did this more than a few times last season……time to get back on the good foot Claude…time for somebody in that clubhouse to take control….The good thing? If Max Pacioretty is on Twitter, someone needs to tweet; “Hey Max, the mighty Habs are up by one in the standings and the B’s still have 3 games in hand….

    • Troll Hunter

      Their offense is just so hard to get a grasp on. They start off like a house of fire and don’t score the rest of the game. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again you just can’t keep winning 2-1 or 3-2 games. They need another proven goal scorer they can stick on that second or third line.

      • Fab4ever

        I agree….and I still believe they’ll be players come the deadline….they need help on that power play, period…we know that….

        • Troll Hunter

          100% sure Chiarelli will make at least one move for another scorer. Just not much production sans Marchand.

  • Bruinman86

    Brutal loss.  You would think the Bruins would have finished these guys off after how they were bounced by them last year in the playoffs.

    • Fab4ever

      Brutal….they were killing them in the first period…just skating rings around them, hitting..then they morphed into a college team…I don’t get it….somebody needs to get vocal in the clubhouse…they play the Leafs next..they ain’t the Rangers but….

      • Bruinman86

         There have been a few holes in the defense this year.  Neither Boychuk or Ferrence have been great so far. Hamilton has been a little up and down – to be expected as a 19 year old rookie.  Defensive mistakes stand out even more when the offense struggles to score.  So packaging a few of the guys plus maybe a David Krejci might score them the necessary players needed to improve this team. 

  • NYCBruinsFan

    Tough loss for the Bruins tonight.  After looking so good in the first quarter its hard to believe they let a three goal lead go and then lose in OT.  So many great things about this game (Marchand’s penalty shot, Chara and Dougie’s goals, Thortons fight) and then to lose.  

    Oh well, well take a point.  Get some rest and then on to the Leafs Thursday night.

  • Boring Media Hype

    Bah…..this team is a house of cards that will come tumbling down

    • Fab4ever

      They’re not a “house of cards”…..far from it…..it’s a loss, albeit a disturbing loss but they ain’t folding….come on…

  • benchwarmer

    Rask is a risk.

  • Geetsolboy

    Rask was awful in this game. I thought three of the four goals were soft. Still doesn’t take the rest of the team off the hook for allowing that three goal lead to evaporate. Brutal loss.

  • mike

    Sometimes Julien’s defense first system proves to be their downfall can’t stop attacking after the first period. Need to do something with the 3rd line…Not a good game by Rask… That being said, beat Toronto and you have 3-4 games in hand on Montreal..

  • Nemo

    Rask allows too many rebounds and loose pucks.  It’s like he’s fighting it all of this time.  Too bad they couldn’t afford to keep Benny on the third line.  Kelly and Peverley don’t seem as effective.

  • Jscmith

    Very disappointing.  Rask was not real sharp, the third line is not productive at all …again, and where has the Krecji lines intensity gone.  They used to dominate after a goal against or killing a penalty.  The second line is the only line producing as of late.  Very bad loss blowing another third period lead.

  • AcieEarl

    I was at the game and in the 1st period, they had the crowd out of it.   They were dominating the game.  In the 2nd and 3rd periods, they looked flat.  Like they were sitting on a 3-goal lead and Washington stepped it up.  They have dangerous players on that team and when they put it together, they can play well as they showed. 

    I think the B’s will be players at the deadline for some O help, possibly Iginla or Brassard

  • Christophercarey92

    Just curious, does Marchand get a power play goal or a short handed  goal??

    • http://twitter.com/actiontoyxpress ATX

      it was a sh goal

  • http://www.facebook.com/derek.lee.82 Derek Lee

    This is why i don’t watch. they have zero offense and an anemic power play. Until they bring in a true scoring threat, they are going nowhere.

    • Troll Hunter

      You might be right.

  • NYCBruinsFan

    Come on everyone. The B’s have the 4th most points in the entire league even playing 3to4 less games played than the other league leaders. We’re having an awesome year so far despite the lockout and short season. While I hate seeing us lose to the Habs and the Caps the way we did, we have a very strong young team with great leaders and depth. God have mercy on any other team in the Eastern Conference and the NHL when Seguin, Lucic, Krejci, Kelly, and Bergeron start scoring like we all know they are capable of.

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