Diamond in the Rough Part 3: Giants sign UDFA Melvin Lewis
Melvin Lewis (DT) Kentucky 6’3/325: Junior-college transfer who started the past two seasons, finishing his senior season with 20 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. Played in just 6 games last year after fracturing a fibula in October. Big, wide-bodied lineman who shows a good degree of quickness in his game.
Fires off the snap, plays with good lean and keeps his feet moving. Takes on and controls double-team blocks, impossible to move off the point and displays power in his lower body. Shows the ability to bull rush blockers off the line, looks overweight and poorly conditioned; lacks balance and on the field too much. Coming off a serious injury, Lewis is a wide bodied gap occupier who could line up at nose tackle if healthy and physically prepared for the rigors of the NFL.
Final Thoughts: Many productive players have started their NFL career as an UDFA such as: LBer James Harrison out of Kent State, QB Jeff Garcia out of San Jose State, WR Wayne Chrebet out of Hofstra, QB Tony Romo out of Eastern Illinois, OG Larry Little out of Bethune-Cookman, OC Jeff Saturday out of North Carolina, LBer London Fletcher out of John Carroll, RB Priest Holmes out of Texas, Kicker Adam Vinatieri out of South Dakota State, RB Arian Foster out of Tennessee and list goes on and on; you get the picture.
My point being is that maybe, just maybe GM Jerry Reese has found a diamond in the rough in this group. Only time will tell if any of these prospects emerge and become a productive or possibly a dominant force in the NFL.