Until 1993 the NFL Draft had 12 rounds, which seems almost impossible to believe. Especially considering since before 1977 there were 17 rounds, and even that was down from 20 rounds from 1960-1966. I could keep going, but you should know that the numbers get crazier the further back you go, topping out at 32 rounds from 1943-48. Didn’t they have a World War to deal with in there somewhere?
Obviously there were fewer teams in those days of yore, but that doesn’t change the pure insanity of expanding your roster by more than 50 percent in a draft. When the draft was cut to seven rounds in 1994, the undrafted free agent became a prized possession, not only taking the place of an eighth round, but giving the players in that position a choice between teams and a chance to possibly pick their best chance to make an NFL roster.
Last year on opening day, 400 players on NFL rosters were undrafted free agents. That was out of 1,696 players, which almost 24 percent of the league.
Some of the best players of the last decade have been undrafted free agents, from quarterback Kurt Warner who took two different teams to three Super Bowls, Arian Foster, Wes Welker, Adam Vinatieri, Priest Holmes, Rod Smith, Antonio Gates and plenty of other players you’ve probably selected in the first three rounds of your fantasy football draft over the years.
If you followed my mock drafts and perfect drafts leading up to the real thing, most of these names will probably be familiar to you. While these certainly won’t be the only undrafted free agents to make a roster this season, these guys, I think, have a chance not only to get a year’s worth of game checks, but play some significant downs this year or soon.
Joey Mbu, DT, Houston
2014: 32 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, five passes defended, one forced fumble
Signed by the Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons had a mess on their hands at defensive line when new head coach Dan Quinn took over and the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Mbu adds immediate depth with the possibility of developing into a real contributor, if not starter in a couple of years.
Justin Cox, CB, Mississippi State
2014: 21 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, five passes defended
Signed by the Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs needed help in the defensive backfield and they knew it, taking two corners early in the draft including Washington’s Marcus Peters in the first round. Cox, like Peters, comes with some character issues and played just nine games for the Bulldogs last season due to a suspension. Cox has the size at 6-foot-1, 191-pounds to match up with NFL receivers and the 4.36 speed to keep up with them down the field.
[related_post_one]
Shane Carden, QB, ECU
2014: 63.5 completion percentage, 4,736 yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 247 yards rushing, six rushing touchdowns
Signed by the Chicago Bears
Cardin was expected to get drafted in the mid rounds before the draft, but as other quarterbacks began to fall, so did he, right to free agency. Cardin comes to the perfect spot to possibly steal an NFL quarterback job if Jay Cutler stumbles and there are few better coordinators to learn from as a rookie than the Bears’ Adam Gase.
Justin Coleman, CB, Tennessee
2014: 42 tackles, four tackles for a loss, four interceptions, nine passes defended
Signed by the Minnesota Vikings
Coleman going undrafted wasn’t only a surprise, but it was unprecedented. The University of the Tennessee had a draft streak going back half a century. Coleman is 5-foot-11 and 185-pounds and is used to lining up against SEC competition so he should be healthy and ready to contribute immediately. His 4.53 40-yard dash isn’t burning speed, but it’s as fast as most slot receivers he’ll face in the NFL.
Zach Vigil, LB, Utah State
2014: 156 tackles,. 20.5 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, one interception, five passes defended, one forced fumble
Signed by the Miami Dolphins
None of those numbers are a mistake. Vigil is a one-man wrecking crew and at 6-foot-2, 240 is right at the low end of size for an NFL middle linebacker. It wouldn’t shock me to see him starting at middle linebacker for the Dolphins before the season is over.
Cody Prewitt, S, Ole Miss
2014: 64 tackles, four tackles for a loss, three interceptions, two pass break-ups, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble
Signed by the Tennessee Titans
In one of my early mock drafts I had Prewitt going in the first round, so needless to say the fact that he didn’t get selected at all came as bit of a shock. The Titans invested a lot in the safety position, so it’s not likely Prewitt will beat anybody out this season, but he’ll play and may end up being the long-term replacement for nine-year veteran Michael Griffin.
La’el Collins, OT, LSU
Signed by the Dallas Cowboys
There never was a question who would be the top player on this list. The only question after the draft ended was if he would be on an NFL roster or, well, best not to think about it. Collins got dealt a horrible hand, getting linked to a murder simply because he had known the victim and it cost him plenty. He was a projected first-round pick and ended up signing a top-end UDFA contract. If Collins becomes the pro he’s capable of being, he’ll make plenty of money in a 12-15 year career, but still, what a bad way to start it.
