clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

UConn Football Undrafted Free Agent Pickups

None of UConn's NFL hopefuls heard their names called in this weekend's NFL Draft, but five will have a shot in camp with teams across the league.

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

The NFL Draft came and went this past week, and no Huskies were selected in any of the seven rounds for the first time since 2006. However, that does not mean they were not considered by many teams. Five Huskies to date have been able to land roster spots or tryouts, including three of them with the New York Giants.

Let's take a look at how these situations bode for their changes to eventually make their respective teams' 53 man rosters.

Andrew Adams and Junior Lee, S, Giants - Both Adams and Lee are going to New York, and each has a chance to make the team for different reasons. Lee is a gunner who may be able to find a spot as a special teamer, while Adams can serve as a rotational third or fourth option in this defense. Adams also may get a look at cornerback since he has versatility to play there and it is a need for New York.

The Giants are thin at safety, as only third round pick Darian Thompson and last year's second round pick Landon Collins have guaranteed spots. Cooper Taylor is a solid special teamer, and Nat Berhe has only been around for three seasons, but either could be cut if Adams or Lee flash.

Adams' biggest mark is probably Berhe, and I think if he outperforms him, he has a shot to sneak onto the 53 man roster. Lee will need to make his impact felt on special teams to have a shot. At the end of the day, though, one or both should find a spot on the Giants practice squad even if they do get cut.

Kenton Adeyemi, EDGE/DT, Texans - Adeyemi chose to join the Texans after courting multiple offers and the player figures to serve as a 3-4 defensive end in Houston's two-gapping scheme. He has strong hands at the point of attack and the flexibility to potentially do JUST enough to make this team.

The Texans do not have a lot of depth behind J.J. Watt, so Adeyemi has an opportunity to stick on this roster. He may be able to even battle with the likes of Brandon Dunn and Jeoffrey Pagan to earn a starting left end spot if he gets lucky. Adeyemi has the tenacity and stoutness to stick here, and he may have the best shot of any Husky to make the team that signed him.

Julian Campenni, DT, Colts - Campenni had received some late round buzz previously, but ended up sliding out of the seven rounds. The Colts came calling, though, and although the team has a lot of depth on their defensive front, Campenni can still find a way onto their roster with strong preseason play.

Campenni will probably have to find his way as a gap-shedder and nose tackle if he is going to stick in Indianapolis. The Colts have Stanford alumnus David Parry starting there, but behind him is only Zach Kerr and 2016 draft pick Hassan Ridgeway. Kerr is an effective player, but Campenni has a chance to knock him off if he performs well. This will be a position battle to watch in the future.

Graham Stewart, LB - Stewart was a late addition to the Vikings' free agent crop, and much of that may be due to the strength of his second Pro Day at Yale, where he performed much better than at his UConn Pro Day. Stewart figures to be a SAM linebacker at the next level, taking on linebackers and using his strength to create backfield disruption. He will also likely need to make an impact on special teams.

The Vikings are deep at the linebacker position, with a full complement of starters and young depth. If Stewart wants to make the roster, he will have to compete with the likes of Edmond Robinson, Brandon Watts, and Travis Lewis to maybe, just maybe, sneak on as a specialist. Stewart is a long-shot, but if he can put together some good practices and preseason tape, maybe he sneaks onto a roster this year. Minnesota also picked Missouri's Kentrell Brothers in the fifth round.

UPDATE: Stewart has actually chosen to go to the New York Giants per a tweet from UConn Football.