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Joey Mbu was an undrafted rookie out of the University of Houston who saw minimal playing this season. Mbu only received snaps in the Week 14 loss against the Panthers and the Week 17 loss against the Saints. Let's take a look at how he performed and his status heading into next season.
Decent Production
There isn't much to say about Mbu in this category. According to Pro Football Focus he played 55 of 133 possible snaps over those two games earning a slightly below average grade of -1.6. He played as well as you would expect an undrafted rookie to play. Mbu played the run decently while offering no pass rush. He posted four tackles over those 55 snaps.
Contract Outlook
As an undrafted free agent Mbu signed a small 2 year, $960,000 contract. His cap hit for 2016 is only $525,000 which means it wouldn't be a huge deal to cut him if need be. He'll definitely be on the roster bubble with Paul Soliai, Ra'Shede Hageman, Grady Jarrett, and Jonathan Babineaux in front of him.
2016 Roster Chances
Joey Mbu seems to have his work cut out for him if he's going to make the final fifty-three man roster come August. He's going to need to offer a dynamic that the Falcons don't have on the interior. The aforementioned players are all good run stoppers with limited pass rush ability. If Mbu can develop a go to pass rush move while improving his run defense he may be able to crack the rotation, but the Falcons may add someone in free agency or the draft to bolster the defensive line.
It shouldn't shock anyone if Mbu spends most of his second season on the practice squad again or doesn't make the roster outright. With defensive tackle being one of the few strengths on the team, he'll likely be in a minimal role again barring unforeseen progress.
Mbu has a future in the league, but the Falcons may not be the place that he sticks.