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Every year, there are a couple of undrafted players who are able to hang around an NFL team and eventually become an impact player. Sometimes those players become Cameron Wake, and sometimes they provide depth for a few years at a position. Whatever the ceiling for a player, there always seems to be at least one or two who hang on to the Miami Dolphins' roster, and usually ends up fighting for playing time.
Who could those players be this season? According to Pro Football Focus, there are two good candidates among Miami's initial signees. A few days ago, PFF identified their "10 Defensive UDFAs to Like," (they also posted a "10 Offensive UDFAs to Like" article) with two Dolphins signings making the list.
Zach Vigil, LB, Utah State, Miami Dolphins
Utah State’s Vigil was out second-highest graded linebacker in this class, with two eye-popping performances against Wake Forest and Air Force standing out. His work against the run was his calling card, finishing the year with a Run Stop Percentage of 12.9%, 10th in the class, while his total of 58 tackles resulting in defensive stops against the run was bettered only by TCU’s Paul Dawson.
Mike Hull, LB, Penn State, Miami Dolphins
Another linebacker who impressed against the run, Penn State’s Hull finished the year with a Run Stop Percentage of 13.1%, the seventh-best mark in this class, on his way to finishing 12th overall in our linebacker grades. He wasn’t just limited to standing out against the run, though, with his Yards Allowed Per Coverage Snap average a mere 0.31 yards, also the seventh-best in the class.
Two run-stuffing linebackers who graded well against the rest of the country. Sounds like exactly the kind of players Miami needs to add. They will likely need time to continue to develop, but, if they can show enough in minicamp and training camp, perhaps both Vigil and Hill can provide solid depth at the position, contribute on special teams, and eventually begin looking to compete for a starting role.