Undrafted: List of Players of Note signing UDFA deals

[RTR91]

Interesting tidbit about the underclassmen in this year's draft:

@dennisdoddcbs NFL has taken underclassmen for 25 years. 10 percent of ALL underclassmen not taken were passed over last week.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Interesting tidbit about the underclassmen in this year's draft:

@dennisdoddcbs NFL has taken underclassmen for 25 years. 10 percent of ALL underclassmen not taken were passed over last week.

We've seen an explosion in recent years in the number of early-entrants to the NFL Draft going undrafted, and that will only persist in future years.

I'm not going to rehash it all again now, but with the new CBA removing the nearly all of the financial rewards for coming back to school to improve your draft stock, there is just no reason for kids to return if they feel reasonably confident that they can make an NFL roster. And, in fairness, a lot of these undrafted kids will indeed end up making a roster, too. Don't forget, depending on the year, typically somewhere between 20-30 percent of players on active NFL rosters went undrafted.

Until the NFL and the NFLPA enter into a new CBA that provides for a rookie wage scale that gives meaningful financial incentives for kids to come back to school and improve their draft stock, this current trend will continue.

 

[glasscutter256]

Interesting tidbit about the underclassmen in this year's draft:

@dennisdoddcbs NFL has taken underclassmen for 25 years. 10 percent of ALL underclassmen not taken were passed over last week.

I'm amazed at how many players come out early who are not drafted. Who is advising them? These players really have an inflated sense of self or some agents are just crooked and liars.
30% of underclassmen who opted for the draft were not drafted. 38 of 98 i think. Only 2 of those had graduated. (Hubbard being one of them). I hope this trend ends quickly. I'm afraid it will just continue to get worse.

 

[BigEasyTider]

I'm amazed at how many players come out early who are not drafted. Who is advising them? These players really have an inflated sense of self or some agents are just crooked and liars.
30% of underclassmen who opted for the draft were not drafted. 38 of 98 i think. Only 2 of those had graduated. (Hubbard being one of them). I hope this trend ends quickly. I'm afraid it will just continue to get worse.

Again, it doesn't matter whether you are undrafted or not. Fifth rounders, sixth rounders, seventh rounders, undrafted kids... it's basically all the same amount of money now. You get a small signing bonus (which is your only guaranteed money), and then you get a standard rookie deal for the league minimum.

As above, only one real question you have to answer: Can I make a 53-man roster this fall? If the answer to that question is yes, all of the rest is irrelevant unless you are going to go high in the draft.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

is the UFL still around or did it fold? I think the USFL will start beginning play in spring 2015 and another spring league will also start then too. so there will be even more opportunities for future players that don't get drafted.

 

[dWarriors88]

It was a top 5 class with 18 players rated 4 or 5 stars.

Looks like Malcom Brown made the wrong choice on his NSD hnh?

 

[BigEasyTider]

Looks like Malcom Brown made the wrong choice on his NSD hnh?

No doubt on that one. Brown actually had a strong second half last year in Austin -- averaged around 100 rushing yards per game in the final eight games of the year -- and finally appears to be hitting his stride after really pedestrian freshman and sophomore campaigns, but it's hard to envision him not having had more success in Tuscaloosa.

Personally, I just find it amusing in hindsight how misplaced all of those on the recruiting board who freaked out over us missing on him. I'll never understand people who haven't figured out by now that tailbacks are pretty fungible.

 

[CoachJeff]

Of Seattle's final roster 18 guys were undrafted. 11 more were picked in the 5th round or later.

 

[Padreruf]

No doubt on that one. Brown actually had a strong second half last year in Austin -- averaged around 100 rushing yards per game in the final eight games of the year -- and finally appears to be hitting his stride after really pedestrian freshman and sophomore campaigns, but it's hard to envision him not having had more success in Tuscaloosa.

Personally, I just find it amusing in hindsight how misplaced all of those on the recruiting board who freaked out over us missing on him. I'll never understand people who haven't figured out by now that tailbacks are pretty fungible.

It hit me after looking at the video of Derrick Henry working out. He is one special athlete -- but RB's are a dime a dozen and not valued by the NFL. Look at how many WR's went early compared to RB's. If I were DH and wanted to be a 1st round draft choice and play in the NFL for 10 years, I would immediately switch to a rush DE. With his speed, power and quickness he would be impressive...in the pass happy NFL no one needs or wants RB's or "big" DE's. They want quickness and speed...

 

[Gr8hope]

You make valid points about RBs in the NFL but I am so looking forward to seeing him in the offensive scheme this fall.

 

[BigEasyTider]

It hit me after looking at the video of Derrick Henry working out. He is one special athlete -- but RB's are a dime a dozen and not valued by the NFL. Look at how many WR's went early compared to RB's. If I were DH and wanted to be a 1st round draft choice and play in the NFL for 10 years, I would immediately switch to a rush DE. With his speed, power and quickness he would be impressive...in the pass happy NFL no one needs or wants RB's or "big" DE's. They want quickness and speed...

Tailbacks have more value in the college game, to be sure, but even there it's not really a hard position to fill. You'll find absolute stars every now and again -- Peterson, McFadden, Richardson, etc. -- but for the most part there are 40-50 prep prospects every year who can get the job done in the right situation, and it's just a matter of signing a guy or two like that most every year and then putting him into a positive situation (i.e. good OL play and a decent passing game for protection). It's just not worthy of all of the hand-wringing that people experience with prep tailback recruiting.

And as for players who demand to be tailbacks, it's insane. It's the most physically punishing position on the field, it's the position with the shortest average career, and in terms of expected earnings over the course of a career, it's the least lucrative position on the field (below even kicker, punter, and, in some cases, long snapper).

 

[BamaBuff24]

Anything on Cade Foster and Kenny Bell.

 

[BamaHoosier]

Anything on Cade Foster and Kenny Bell.

Kenny bell was last "supposedly" picked up by the redskins, but that was per twitter chatter. I have yet to her anything on Foster, and honestly doubt we will.


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[Alasippi]

It hit me after looking at the video of Derrick Henry working out. He is one special athlete -- but RB's are a dime a dozen and not valued by the NFL. Look at how many WR's went early compared to RB's. If I were DH and wanted to be a 1st round draft choice and play in the NFL for 10 years, I would immediately switch to a rush DE. With his speed, power and quickness he would be impressive...in the pass happy NFL no one needs or wants RB's or "big" DE's. They want quickness and speed...

Preacher, love you...Henry will be the first running back selected when he comes out, and he's gonna make a bunch of money. I know what you're hypothesizing , but he's that one running back who will stand above and beyond.
sip

 

[ElkhartTider]

Kenny bell was last "supposedly" picked up by the redskins, but that was per twitter chatter. I have yet to her anything on Foster, and honestly doubt we will.


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I've seen a few Redskins' blog sites have him listed as a "tryout" guy...

 

[BigEasyTider]

I've seen a few Redskins' blog sites have him listed as a "tryout" guy...

I think that is it. The Redskins haven't officially announced his signing to my knowledge, which is custom and practice in the NFL for undrafted free agents signed to rookie contracts, and based upon that you have to assume that Bell has simply been invited to OTAs on a tryout basis.

Biggest problem with Bell is that he is basically a speed-only guy, but he didn't run that well in workouts. Think he ran a 4.52 at the UA Pro Day, which just isn't anywhere near quick enough for the NFL to take a guy with limited college production who weighs in at 6'0 and 170. Harsh reality is that he's going to have a very difficult time ever catching on in the NFL, I'm afraid.

 

[BamaMoon]

Preacher, love you...Henry will be the first running back selected when he comes out, and he's gonna make a bunch of money. I know what you're hypothesizing , but he's that one running back who will stand above and beyond.
sip

I think you are right 'Sip, not because DH is a good RB (there are many of them), but because he has elite size to go along with it. It's very rare to see a guy with that kind of size, speed, agility etc.

We may be getting our cart before the horse (and this year will certainly let us know something about DH), but if he has a great season watch for the comparisons to other big backs start rolling in.

DH's sheer size will make him a high draft pick, especially if he shows durability in the next two years at Bama.

 

[TouchThatThang]

Of Seattle's final roster 18 guys were undrafted. 11 more were picked in the 5th round or later.

And that's why they'll be all right when they have to let some of their underpaid players go. They'll just replace 'me with new underpaid players. Pete Carroll just has a great eye for talent. Sorry WMack.

 

[TiderJack]

Preacher, love you...Henry will be the first running back selected when he comes out, and he's gonna make a bunch of money. I know what you're hypothesizing , but he's that one running back who will stand above and beyond.
sip

I agree. If you are special you can be a top 5 or 10 pick at RB and make a lot of money. Trent unfortunately has not panned out yet but he was looked upon as a "special" guy and went at #3. If Derrick continues to develop and shows the promise we saw in the Sugar Bowl he will be a top pick.