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Odds Are Stacked Against Amba Etta-Tawo, But Here’s Why He’ll Make It

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

Dec 6, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars logo on a jacket during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars logo on a jacket during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Amba Etta-Tawo didn’t get drafted, but he did sign a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Will he make it on the final 53 man roster?

Here’s the good news, Amba Etta-Tawo finds himself on a NFL roster. The bad news? He’s one of 13 wide receivers on the Jacksonville Jaguars (per Jaguars.com). More bad news, he came in as an undrafted free agent, so he’s starting on the bottom.

Seeing him go undrafted was a pretty big surprise for me, for multiple reasons. According to the pre-draft grades from Todd McShay, Etta-Tawo was projected as a fifth round pick.

Following his impressive Pro Day where he blazed the 40 and showed off more consistent hands, a Day 2 pick seemingly was in his future. So overall I’m not sure what happened. I watched every minute of the NFL Draft that spanned three days, 72+ hours of coverage, and saw countless wide receivers taken before Etta-Tawo.

There’s no bias, a ton of the receivers drafted late had lower grades on my big board anyway. But it does no good to cry over spilled milk, he is on a roster, so he has a chance.

Possessing an extensive knowledge of the Jaguars roster there are already four-six locks to make the roster whether due to contract, status, or trust. So there’s not a lot of room for Amba, but there’s a glimmer of hope.

Familiarity?

While Amba wasn’t at SU when Doug Marrone or Tom Coughlin were there, he has familiarity up top, which can’t hurt. His scouting report from the major media markets paints a promising future for the former Orange wideout:

"“While he’s obviously still raw. The tape shows an improving talent with an ability toMore from Inside the Loud HouseSyracuse Football: Cuse boils Purdue, turns attention to Army on SaturdaySyracuse football only team in country with top-5 scoring offense, defenseSyracuse Basketball: 4-star Elijah Moore not in top 100, and I don’t get thatSyracuse basketball 4-star west-coast recruit, in new rankings, into top 20Syracuse basketball is hitting D.C. market hard in pursuit of 4-stars, 5-starschallenge over the top and uncover underneath. Unfortunately for Etta-Tawo, he was wildly inconsistent and his hands were exposed as a flawed part of his game once again. He’s a vertical receiver who has the potential to become more than that with additional work. But he looks like a developmental backup at this point.” – Lance Zierlein (NFL Scout)"

Something Etta-Tawo hasn’t gotten credit for is his ability to pick up an offense quickly. Dino Babers’ schemes are difficult and complicated, that’s why he prognosticated a year and a half learning curve.

We here at ITLH, talked to Amba about his one-year wonder status, but he dismissed it. That’s something the Jaguars were willing to take a chance on. He’s got a great pair of receivers to learn from in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns.

Speaking of Hurns, does anyone know his path to the Jacksonville Jaguars? He came in as an UDFA in 2014 from Miami. For the Hurricanes in his four seasons he had relatively modest numbers. 121 receptions, nearly 1900 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Amba almost eclipsed all of those numbers in his lone season in Orange (94 catches, nearly 1500 yards and 14 scores).

Next: Syracuse Football Conversation With Jay Bromley (Post 2017 NFL Draft)

There’s living breathing proof that there’s always an opening and if there isn’t make one. This is an offense that can build stats. This isn’t necessarily a spread scheme like a Dallas, Green Bay, or New England, but I think Amba can make a home here.

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