After the draft: looking at Houston’s UDFA’s
Yesterday, I briefly profiled half of the 16 undrafted free agents that were signed by the Texans. Today I will go through the rest of the list. So without further ado…
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Ka’imi Fairbairn, K, UCLA
It’s hard to get too excited about a kicker, but at least we didn’t trade up in the second round to get one like the Buccaneers. Nick Novak is Houston’s kicker, but he doesn’t have a particularly strong leg. Why not bring a guy in who can compete for the job?
Fairbairn finished the 2015 season by winning the Lou Groza award, which is given annually to the nation’s best placekicker. He made 41 straight field goals of 35 yards or less, and 16 straight of 40 or less. He also set a Pac-12 record by hitting a 60-yarder.
Joel Heath, DT/DE, Michigan St.
In typical Texans fashion, they couldn’t go through an offseason with getting at least one former Spartan. This year it is Heath, a 6-6, 293 lb. defensive end. Heath started 24 consecutive games in East Lansing. He finished his career with 60 tackles, 10.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Might he be the answer at defensive end opposite of J.J. Watt?
Soma Vainuku, FB, USC
Vainuku is a 6’0, 255 lb. bruiser at fullback. He will compete with Jay Prosch at the position. Vainuku is known more for his special teams play, than for his work with the offense while at USC. He blocked three punts in 2013 and was named All-Pac 12 First Team. In 2015, he again excelled and was named USC’s special teams player of the year. He was largely underutilized in the running game.
Tevin Jones, WR, Memphis
Jones, 6-2, 225 lbs., hails from League City, TX. In four years with the Tigers, Jones caught 90 passes for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 14 yards per reception. He was also a standout special teams’ player.
Arturo Uzdavinis, OT, Tulane
At 6-6, 316, Uzdavinis put up some impressive numbers at his pro day. His 35” vertical and 9’9” broad jump would have put him near the top amongst all offensive linemen, had he been at the combine. Uzdavinis started 36 games for the Green Wave during his career. He has good athleticism, but will need some time to develop.
Ufomba Kamalu, DT/DE, Miami
Kamalu (6-5, 295) played two years at Butler Community College before going to Miami. He started all games as a senior and compiled 47 tackles and one interception. He is a bit of a project, but has good size and is versatile enough to play all along the line.
Shakeel Rashad, ILB, North Carolina
Rashad (6-2, 235) played most of his Tarheel career as a bandit linebacker. He didn’t really excel until he was switched to a true inside linebacker as a senior. In 2015, Rashad was second on the team with 126 tackles. He also had 8.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
Cleveland Wallace, CB, San Jose St.
Wallace played two years for the Spartans after transferring from Washington. In 2014, he was second team All-Mountain West after averaging a little over one pass breakup per game. Wallace has good speed and ball skills, but lacks the physicality to deal with bigger NFL receivers. He most likely would fit in as a nickel corner.
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