undrafted free agents
With a chance
Shane Buechele
KC | SMU
Teams had a bidding war over Buechele and the Chiefs won out with the largest guaranteed amount ($175,000) among UDFA QBs. It means something if Andy Reid is willing to put money out there for someone to become Mahomes’ understudy. At least one of the other QBs on the roster (Chad Henne & Anthony Gordon) will likely be cut this summer.
Javian Hawkins
ATL | Louisville
Hawkins was hyped by some media outlets as a potential Day 2 RB but went undrafted likely due to his small stature at 5’8 and 183 pounds at his pro day. He saw almost 400 touches his last two years but still his receiving work is dangerously low. There is ample opportunity in Atlanta so perhaps he fights his way on the roster.
Jaret Patterson
WAS | Buffalo
You know all about the monster 7-TD game but the workhorse RB from Buffalo slipped outside the 7th round due to being an undersized (5’9) one-dimensional player. Nevertheless, behind Antonio Gibson, the only early down backs on the roster are plodder Peyton Barber and Lamar “Lost-His-Hame-Legs” Miller. It’s hard to ignore a player who finished with the highest dominator rating (47 percent) in this class.
CJ Marable
CHIÂ | Coastal Carolina
Marable’s name is interesting because of his versatility as a pass-catcher. He racked up over 1,100 total yards including 31 receptions last year as a capable back for the 11-1 Chanticleers. While early-down runner Khalil Herbert was drafted in the 6th, Marable profiles more as a satellite back. Tarik Cohen may have fell out of favor with this regime and can easily be cut in 2022.
T.J. Vasher
DAL | Texas Tech
In a draft that featured tons of small, slot receivers, Vasher sticks out like an alien at 6’6. His reported wingspan (86 inches) is legendary and even bigger than Kyle Pitts. While posting a solid age-19 breakout season, his production dropped off in 2020. He did run a 4.5 and possesses some freakish athletic measurables that will make you remember the name. With Michael Gallup out the door after this year, there is a window for another playmaker in one of the league’s best offenses.
Jonathan Adams Jr.
DET | Arkansas State
Adams was highly productive in 2020 for the Red Wolves totaling 79 receptions, 1,111 yards, and 12 TDs. He’s a leaper able to win 50/50 balls but also struggled with drops. He’s a wildcard on a team that is desperate for wide receiver help. Over 80 percent of the Lions WR targets from 2020 are gone.
Sage Surratt
DET | Wake Forest
Chazz Surratt was a 3rd round pick of the Vikings but unfortunately older brother Sage did not get his name called. He was a production monster in 2019 at Wake Forest going over 1,000 and 11 TDs before opting out of 2020. He has a real shot of making the roster although he tested poorly running a 4.67 at his pro day.
Javon McKinley
DET | Notre Dame
Of the three DET WRs listed here, McKinley was guaranteed the most money ($100,000) indicating the team thinks he could make the final roster. McKinley was highly recruited out of high school but was plagued with injuries throughout his time in South Bend. At 6’2, 215, he’s big enough to play outside.
Josh Imatorbhebhe
JAX | Illinois
As a junior, Imatorbhebhe caught nine TDs and averaged 19.2 yards per reception albeit on an Illini team that finished 6-7. His production cratered in 2020 which led to going undrafted. However, he smashed his pro day recording a 4.48 40-time, over 11 foot broad jump and an insane 46.5-inch vertical, one of highest ever in the pre-draft process. His name is fun to say and although the roster looks packed now, D.J. Chark Jr. is in a contract year and Marvin Jones Jr. won’t be around forever. He’s a taxi squad stash.
Cade Johnson
SEA | South Dakota State
With such little draft capital (three total draft picks!) available, Seattle’s UDFA moves are essentially like late round draft picks for this team. They took D’Wayne Eskridge in the 2nd round and a flier on the former SDSU Jack Rabbit among others. He had an impressive Senior Bowl after not playing in over a year. He was used predominantly as slot WR (82.1 percent of his snaps) but also in the kick return game.
Tamorrion Terry
SEA | Florida State
Terry showed some play-making ability especially near the red-zone in college. 21.7 percent of his receptions came in contested-catch situations, the 2nd highest in this class. At 6’2/207, his 4.45 40-yard time is impressive enough. It’s shocking he fell out of favor with NFL teams because he looked like a surefire Day 3 pick.
Cary Angeline
ARI | N.C. State
Angeline is a big dude (6’7, 250) who transferred to NC State after two years at USC. He caught 11 TDs over the last two years in only 12 total “starts”. The Cardinals depth chart is emabarrasingly thin with only the dynamic duo of Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels in front of him.
Pro Wells
CIN | TCU
If you really want to get some dynasty hype engines revved, perhaps start out with the fact that Wells is a former basketball player. Wells is a bit old (almost 23) but he fits the threshold for TE1 dominator scores in college where he had 26 percent of his team’s yards and TDs in 2020.
Kenny Yeboah
NYJ | Ole Miss
It’s Kenny Your-boy-ah! His production profile and specifically his dominator score (25 percent) jumped out as an athletic TE who curiously fell out of the draft. His opportunity in New York is also enticing given the fact only Chris Herndon (laughter erupts) is in front of him. Yeboah also had the most guaranteed money of any UDFA ($200,000) so he’s basically secured a roster spot already.
Sammis Reyes
WAS | Tulane
Technically, Reyes was signed before the NFL Draft and his story gained some buzz earlier this offseason. The former Chilean national team power forward is 6’7 with little football experience. Washington liked what they saw at his pro day and gave him a whopping $392,600 guaranteed. Logan Thomas won’t be around forever so take the dart in your hand and stash Reyes in dynasty now.