Three former Tigers sign free-agent contracts

The NFL draft ended around 5:45 p.m. Sunday. But NFL teams’ search for talent didn’t stop then.

That was good news for a trio of former AU stars. Tight end Cole Bennett, noseguard Josh Thompson and fullback Carl Stewart all went undrafted, but signed free-agent contracts in the hours after the draft.

Bennett signed with the Houston Texans, which currently have three other tight ends under contract. Bennett could compete with 14-year NFL veteran Mark Bruener as the team’s top blocking tight end.

Thompson, who signed with the St. Louis Rams shortly after the draft, chose the team over two other suitors because of its thin depth chart at defensive tackle. The Rams have just four defensive tackles under contract. Backups Claude Wroten and Clifton Ryan combined for 40 tackles last season.

Stewart signed with Tampa Bay, one of the few NFL teams that still regularly uses a fullback. The Buccaneers used sixth-year pro B.J. Askew and fourth-year pro Byron Storer at the position last season. The two spent most of their time blocking, but combined for 20 catches in 2007.

Several other Tigers could sign professional contracts in the coming days. Wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez reportedly has a tryout scheduled with the New York Jets, while linebacker Eric Brock and cornerback Zach Gilbert may also sign soon.

Five AU players were drafted over the weekend: Defensive end Quentin Groves and cornerback Patrick Lee were second-round picks, defensive tackle Pat Lee was a third-rounder, cornerback Jonathan Wilhite went in the fourth round and offensive tackle King Dunlap in the seventh.

NFL teams begin post-draft minicamps in the second week of May. Drafted and undrafted rookies alike will report to those camps to begin the process of competing for roster spots.

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