Former Canes Shawnbrey McNeal & Dajleon Farr Join Chargers

The Chargers have 20 undrafted rookies who will begin the uphill battle for roster spots at orientation this weekend. However, only a very few have a chance to make the 53-man roster in September. To beat the odds, a player has to have the perfect combination of talent and opportunity.

The undrafted rookie with the best chance to stick is SMU's Shawnbrey McNeal. He will try to take advantage of the fact San Diego traded up three times during the draft, leaving the team short on selections and unable to acquire a third running back.

The depth chart behind Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles consists of waiver-wire pickup Marcus Mason, 2009 undrafted free agent Curtis Brinkley and McNeal.

McNeal (5-foot-9, 194 pounds) transferred from Miami to SMU as a junior and posted 236 carries for 1,188 yards (5.0 ypc) and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 31 balls for 283 yards and two scores. He entered the draft as a junior due to his family's financial hardships; he was told by league officials he would likely be selected between rounds four and six.

McNeal's snub makes him one of San Diego's most motivated players. He will look to carve a niche on special teams and possibly contribute as a third-down back and change-of-pace runner.

The third offensive player to watch is tight end Dajleon Farr. Like McNeal, Farr is a Miami transfer. Farr relocated to Memphis for his senior season, where he started five games and caught 14 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Ironically, Farr will compete with another former Hurricane, seventh-round pick Dedrick Epps, for the tight end position made available by the offseason departure of Brandon Manumaleuna.

Farr (6-foot-5, 252 pounds) is far from a finished project, but he has athleticism and experience on special teams. If tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski can help to polish Farr's skill-set, he has a chance to stick as the No. 3 tight end.



(sdg.scout.com)