With the team not choosing any offensive tackles in this draft, they sought their fortune in undrafted free agency. That's where they uncovered a tackle who would be hard to miss in a crowd - 6-6, 346-pound Erle Ladson.
The Bronx New York native was a fifth year senior who appeared in 48 games over four years at Delaware. He earned the starting job to begin his junior season and started the final 23 games of his college career at left tackle for the Blue Hens. As a senior, he won the Blue Hen Touchdown Club's Offensive MVP. He was also invited to play in the NFLPA College All Star game.
Not a lot of NFL scouts were hot on the trail of Ladson. Probably mostly due to his emergence not coming until his senior season at a non-FBS school.
For being a FCS school, Delaware is very well-respected. They had won two FCS National Championships in 2007 and 2010. They also won a Division I-AA championship in 2003. They have produced some good NFL talent over the years including Ravens QB, Joe Flacco, Broncos cornerback Mike Adams, and former Raiders great, Rich Gannon.
These days few players fly under the Radar completely, especially not a 6-6, 346-pound left tackle. There's a saying among scouts; "Small guys must prove they can play. Big guys must prove they can't." And with his size, someone would have taken a chance on him in the draft.
Tony Sparano prides himself on finding untapped talent either in the low round of the NFL draft or undrafted free agency. Ladson has the physical attributes, now he just needs to show he has the talent to translate to the NFL.
Ladson was joined by fellow undrafted free agent Danny Kistler out of Montana as the two rookie offensive tackles on the team.
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