Tonight marks the start of the second week of preseason games in the NFL. It is also the second opportunity for former UCLA Football players (who are now rookies) to impress coaches, earn jobs or move up the depth chart.
Earlier last week we broke down the NFL debut of former UCLA Football LB Myles Jack with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Let’s continue with those breakdowns and wrap up the rest of the former Bruin rookie class.
First we had two rookies that did not receive any playing time. Tennessee Titans OLB Aaron Wallace has been nursing a high ankle sprain and although he was out of his walking boot at the time of the first game, he did not dress. However word from Titan’s camp is that Wallace has looked very good and will likely see action in the second week of games.
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Tampa Bay Bucs OL Caleb Benenoch also did not see any action. The Bucs are very deep across the offensive line and despite Benenoch being a very talented specimen, he is buried on the depth chart. Unless he works his way up the depth chart, he could end up being the casualty of camp cuts.
Next: Clark gets his first
DT Kenny Clark
Kenny Clark got his first taste of game action for the Green Bay Packers when they took on the Cleveland Browns. The first round pick came into the game around the 3:00 minute mark in the first quarter and played through the rest of the half.
Against the run Clark was a non-factor although that doesn’t mean he can’t develop in that role more. He also struggled to get off blocks but often the play ran away from him.
I had him with one tackle in his limited game action. He was overshadowed by former UCLA defensive lineman and fellow first round pick Datone Jones who GoJoeBruin.com predicted to have a break out season earlier this offseason.
The Packers have to replace B.J. Raji who surprised the team with retirement at the end of the season and so Clark will have plenty of opportunities and playing time the rest of this preseason.
Next: Payton must have patience
WR Jordan Payton
At UCLA Jordan Payton was the clear go to target. The same cannot be said for his time with the Cleveland Browns thus far. In his first NFL game, Payton was nowhere to be seen and in fact seemed to be passed up by fellow rookies Ricardo Louis and Rashard Higgins.
Payton did get into the game but with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter. On the one play he was in, his quarterback, former USC Trojan Cody Kessler, was sacked for a safety. Not a fantastic debut for either player.
The Browns, despite drafting three receivers, still don’t have the best depth at the position and Payton should receive more playing time as preseason continues but will have to continue working hard to impress the coaches.
Next: Duarte makes the most of his time
TE Thomas Duarte
The Miami Dolphins‘ 7th round pick Thomas Duarte initially saw time on special teams but started the second half of the game against the New York Giants. He is clearly much bigger than he was at UCLA and was being used as both an inline blocking tight end and an H-back.
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His blocking is still a work in progress but he reminded me a lot of former Colt TE Dallas Clark who was also not a traditional tight end. Clark got by in the league by walling defenders off instead of punishing them into the ground and that’s what Duarte will have to do.
Duarte was targeted twice and ended the night with one catch for a 16 yard touchdown. Clearly he’s a much deadlier receiving option than a blocker but showed he’s working hard to be as versatile as possible. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him factor into a larger part of the Dolphins’ game plan going forward.
Next: Perkins gets some touches
RB Paul Perkins
Former UCLA RB Paul Perkins got into the game with under 40 seconds in the first half and receiving two consecutive draw plays where he got to demonstrate his ability to run between the tackles which drew cheers from the crowd.
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He returned in the second half but didn’t look as definitive in his runs. He still ended his night with a solid seven carries for 36 yards for a 5.1 average. However the black mark on his night was a fumbled exchange between him and backup QB Logan Thomas.
If he can clean those little mistakes up, Perkins will no doubt receive plenty of playing time going forward despite the deep backfield in New York.
Next: Devin Fuller seeing the field in the ATL
WR Devin Fuller
The Atlanta Falcons appear to have made a solid choice with their 7th round pick when they selected WR Devin Fuller. The team cut Devin Hester which helped open up return opportunities as well as receiver reps.
In his first game action Fuller was on the field in the first quarter as a returner and saw a lot of special teams action both as a gunner and returner. In the third quarter he got onto the field as a receiver.
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He only had one catch but it went for 17 yards and played well in the offense. He ran well and made every effort to block downfield on run plays.
However he missed a block on a quick receiver screen that ended with his fellow receiver being blasted in the rib cage. Fuller should continue to receive more reps on the field and as a returner and I can’t see him not making the team with the versatility he offers .
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OL Alex Redmond
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Alex Redmond as an UDFA this offseason after he left UCLA before its bowl game. Redmond was a stellar freshman but never developed the potential he showed in his first year on campus. The Bengals are hoping they can develop him.
Redmond came into the game at the start of the third quarter at left guard and played in much the way he did at UCLA. He had some solid snaps demonstrating his strength but then had a few plays where his speed and athletic ability were limited.
Among those bad snaps were a holding penalty that brought back a solid run. Redmond could be a serviceable back up but could be relegated to the practice squad as he gets stronger and works on his craft.
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Across the country, K Ka’imi Fairbairn was knocking down field goals and extra points for the Houston Texans. Signed as an UDFA, Fairbairn is “locked” in a battle with incumbent starter Nick Novak.
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Fairbairn was perfect on his attempts which included a 45-yd field goal and an extra point. While the Texans already have a kicker, if Fairbairn shows to be the younger, more consistent and most importantly, the cheaper option, he could make this team.