Keeping It Heel
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NFL Draft: Undrafted Tar Heels round up

By Brandon Griffin

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NFL Draft has come and gone. However, there are still some Tar Heels who need homes. Where did four undrafted Tar Heels end up?

As you know the NFL Draft is over.

North Carolina did really well having six former Tar Heels get drafted in the seven rounds.

Of course not getting drafted does not mean your career is over. Usually, another 200 to 250 players get picked up in the next couple days following the draft as undrafted free agents.

Their journey to the NFL is a little harder, as most don’t make the final cuts, but any chance is better than none. Plus a lot of these guys make the practice squad which gives them reps and opportunities later to make the team due to injuries.

Four Tar Heels went undrafted and signed as UDFA. Where did each one go?

Lucas Crowley; Center

The former Tar Heels lineman was quickly picked up the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals line allowed 41 sacks last season, seventh in the league.

With a quarterback getting up there in age, good protection is a must.

Crowley joins fellow former Tar Heel TJ Logan, but will have a much harder time making the team. Current center, AQ Shipley, is a six-year vet and just signed a two-year deal.

Crowley will need to show versatility to make this team.

Bug Howard; Wide Receiver

Howard joins the Indianapolis Colts receiving core. Last season Howard had 53 receptions for 827 yards and eight scores. He is going to a team with a great quarterback in Andrew Luck.

However, he is also going to a team that finished fourth in receiving yards, though only one of their top four had over 1,000 yards receiving last season.

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Bug Howard (84) runs after a catch in the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Bug Howard (84) runs after a catch in the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Also, at 6-foot-3, he automatically becomes the tallest receiver on the team. This could give him an advantage in red zone opportunities during the preseason.

Des Lawrence; Cornerback

Lawrence signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie following the draft. Last season he had 37 total tackles, two for a loss, and a sack. He also had eight passes defended.

The Lions were in the middle of the pack last season against the pass, though near the bottom in interceptions. Lawrence didn’t have a ton of picks last year, ok he had zero, but did have three in his career.

He also defended 25 passes, so even though he didn’t catch them, he was getting his hands on the ball. Detroit was 18th in the league last year in defended passes.

Nick Weiler; Kicker

The leg ended up finding a home with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last season Weiler made 15 of his 21 field goal tries. He also hit 51 of his 52 extra points.

Jacksonville probably signed Weiler to be an offseason leg. Teams do this to take the stress off their regular kickers during the long practices.

Weiler will have a chance though with the Jaguars. Their current kicker missed seven field goals last season and three extra points. They may view Weiler is a better and cheaper alternative.

Whether any of these guys makes it is unknown. However, just the fact that they are on the team gives them all a chance to make real a dream they probably all had when they first put on their helmet, be an NFL star.

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