Wisconsin sent a remarkable 12 UDFA players into the NFL this offseason, and each has a different level of likelihood to stick in the NFL. One in particular who seems to have a strong chance and is making a big case is former Badger Vinny Anthony II. The Falcons love the versatility of Anthony and are excited about all the ways he can add to their offense and special teams unit. In the first game of the preseason, he showed he can be a receiver and a kick returner for the Falcons.
One Atlanta Falcons expert, Clint Goss of Blogging Dirty, after the big game, the first NFL preseason game on Sunday, said, "Vinny Anthony is practically forcing the Falcons to keep him on their roster." Due not only to his ability to take off kick returns but also to how he's practicing.
The big point from Goss is that Anthony is actually the second-leading receiver in training camp. "The AJC's Daniel Flick reported that ex-Wisconsin WR Vinny Anthony II is producing in training camp, tied with Jahan Dotson for second on the team in receptions through 11 practices." Anthony has 15 receptions and is only behind Drake London, who has 19. That's impressive for a UDFA.
Vinny Anthony is projected to make the Atlanta Falcons final roster by Falcons expert
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For Goss, he sees that Anthony slipped through the cracks because his final year at Wisconsin was nothing to write home about (no surprise there), and he doesn't bust off the page with his immeasurables. Anthony wasn't overly impressive in the NFL Combine, but what he does do well will matter for the Falcons. He is great at running routes and has a burst in the "short to intermediate speed" category. In other words, perfect for getting open on most routes.
None of this comes as any surprise to Wisconsin fans; he's been a mainstay in the Wisconsin offense for years, and he would have been elite had he had a quarterback any of the years he was catching balls. Anthony's problem at Wisconsin was the cycle of quarterbacks and the injuries that kept going down. And yet, game in and game out, practice in and practice out, Anthony was reliable.
Anthony didn't have the huge statistical years, but he proved he could get open, find a burst, and even be a guy who wouldn't fumble the football. Now the Atlanta Falcons fans are seeing it, and Goss thinks that it's very likely that Anthony not only makes the team but actually adds value to the offense and special teams.
Anthony still has to prove that he can make it on the roster by how he finishes the NFL preseason. There are a few more games to go, but his start with 90 yards in kick returns and one catch on three targets does help boost his stock a little. As the preseason goes on, he will get more opportunities, and what he does with those opportunities will be what matters.
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