Michael Cole

Assortment of Rookies Invited to Minicamps

We’ve been keeping track of team’s official undrafted free agent signings (today we had signings by the Jets, Bears and Colts). Considering the number of prospects available, team’s will also invite players to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

There have been a handful of successful players who had to initially audition for teams, including Hall of Famers Night Train Lane and Marion Motley. Of course, it’s very unlikely for a player to overcome such adversity, but the signings are still notable.

Below is a list of players who will be brought in for mini tryouts, most coming from The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson:

  • Cowboys invited Citadel defensive back Brandon McCladdie (Twitter).
  • Redskins invited Maine outside linebacker Michael Cole (Twitter).
  • Giants invited East Carolina strong safety Chip Thompson (Twitter).
  • Raiders invited Central Washington guard Mike Nelson (Twitter).
  • Raiders invited Memphis defensive tackle Johnnie Farms (Twitter).
  • Packers invited Oklahoma State linebacker Shaun Lewis and Memphis quarterback Jacob Karam (via Twitter of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein).

Wilson’s Latest: Schaudt, Presley, Cole

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun has spent the last several weeks providing updates on pre-draft visits, private workouts, and prospects drawing interest from specific NFL teams, ranging from first-round locks to potential undrafted free agents. He has a few more tidbits for us this morning, via Twitter, so let’s dive in and round them up….

  • Minnesota State edge rusher Chris Schaudt is receiving interest from the Browns, Raiders, Vikings, Rams, Texans, Cowboys, Eagles, and Broncos. Wilson had reported over the weekend that Schaudt, who played defensive end in college, was being considered by several 3-4 teams as an outside linebacker.
  • Akron defensive end Albert Presley has drawn interest from the Dolphins and Buccaneers.
  • The Texans and Cardinals have interest in Maine outside linebacker Michael Cole, who also worked out for the Giants last month.
  • Citadel defensive back Brandon McCladdie has generated interest from the Panthers, Rams, Chiefs, Cowboys, and Texans.
  • The Jaguars and Giants are among the teams interested in East Carolina strong safety Chip Thompson.

Draft Rumors: Bishop, Webster, Archer, Carr

Northern Illinois defensive tackle Ken Bishop is set to work out for the Dolphins, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Bishop, an All-Mid-American conference selection projected as a later-round draft pick, had 59 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and an interception last season. Here’s the latest draft news..

  • The Lions are hosting defensive end Larry Webster for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Webster, who stands at 6’6″, 252 pounds, had 12.5 sacks for Bloomsburg University in 2013 and boasts a 4.58 second 40-yard-dash time.
  • Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter) spoke with Kent State running back Dri Archer, who says that he has workouts scheduled with the Dolphins, Patriots, Cardinals, and Colts.
  • Fresno State standout quarterback Derek Carr has met with Raiders, Titans, Vikings, and Browns since last night, tweets Marek Warszawski of the Fresno Bee (on Twitter). 
  • Stanford safety Ed Reynolds has meetings scheduled with the Lions and Falcons, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). Reynolds has a 38-inch vertical jump and ran a 4.41 second 40-yard-dash earlier today at his pro day.
  • The Giants will work out Maine outside linebacker/defensive end Michael Cole on April 10th, a league source tells Aaron Wilson. Cole had eight sacks last season and finished his career with 29 sacks, making him the all-time sack leader for the Black Bears.
  • One scouting director gave Albert Breer of NFL Network (Twitter link) a rundown of what he was looking for from Michael Sam today at the linebacker’s Pro Day. “He needs to show good movement in linebacker drills — Bend quickness and good feet and quickness in pass rush drills. Hopefully he is staying in good shape and not letting that go.”