Undrafted Free Agents 2018: Which Players Can Still Make an Impact?
All 256 picks in the 2018 NFL draft are in. It's time for the event's second phase to begin: undrafted free agency.
Every player who wasn't selected will be waiting on an opportunity to make an initial 90-man roster and fight for a training camp spot. And there's a bonus: Those players will get to choose where they go.
Every year, undrafted players win roster spots during the summer and make a regular-season impact. They are mostly the exception to the rule, but talented prospects can be found post-draft for a variety of reasons, ranging from size to off-field issues.
Here are a few undrafted free agents who could make an impact.
Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Quenton Meeks, Stanford
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Quenton Meeks is the son of former NFL coach Ron Meeks and left Stanford having started 30 games at cornerback in the Pac-12. He has size (6'1", 209 lbs), athleticism (tested in the 94th percentile among corners in SPARQ score), solid production (seven interceptions, 17 pass breakups) and experience with matching up against bigger receivers in press coverage.
Smart, athletic and experienced cornerbacks don't usually go undrafted. Meeks could easily make the Jacksonville Jaguars roster this summer, as Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported he signed with the team.
Minnesota Vikings: DL Hercules Mata'afa, Washington State
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Hercules Mata'afa lacks a true NFL position. At 6'2", 254 pounds, he's undersized as both an interior defender and edge-rusher, but that doesn't mean he can't make the Minnesota Vikings roster after announcing he'll join the team. It'll just take creative coaching to see his value.
Mata'afa was a disruptive force at Washington State, tallying 45.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks. Most of his production came from the inside, where he used his explosion and understanding of leverage to beat guards and centers and live in the backfield.
Minnesota Vikings: CB Holton Hill, Texas
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Holton Hill has the combination of size and athleticism that teams look for at cornerback. He stands 6'2" and has 32-inch arms. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at the scouting combine. Throw in a 6.83-second finish in the three-cone drill, and Hill is athletic enough to make an impact on the perimeter in man coverage.
Go watch his game against Oklahoma State receiver James Washington, a second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He battled all contest and held Washington to one of his least productive 2017 outings (four catches, 32 yards, no touchdowns).
Franchises were scared by his off-field issues, which include a suspension for breaking team rules in 2017. The Vikings could be getting a steal, as Justin Wells of Inside Texas reported he'll join the squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Allen Lazard, Iowa State
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How often do 6'5" receivers who run 4.55 40s, hit 38 inches in the vertical leap and have four years of experience go undrafted? It's infrequent.
Allen Lazard has the size and speed combination teams covet. He knows how to use his physical gifts to beat coverage in confined spaces, which could make him a valuable red-zone target.
Offenses are always trying to get better inside the 20-yard line. Receivers with size and leaping ability can overcome the short field and make vertical plays over smaller players. Lazard fits that mold. He should have a shot at sticking on the Jaguars roster after announcing he'll join them, with the potential of being a valuable touchdown-creator.
Tennessee Titans: RB Akrum Wadley, Iowa
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Small, explosive running backs with matchup-advantage potential in the passing game can survive and thrive. That's Akrum Wadley, who announced after the draft he'll join the Tennessee Titans.
He's only 5'10" and 194 pounds, but he makes himself difficult to tackle with a wide range of moves and explosive lateral agility. Defenders grasp at air when they don't square him up. Add in his experience catching passes out of the backfield and returning kicks, and Wadley could become much like the guy he'll back up in Tennessee, Dion Lewis.
Obviously, teams weren't comfortable using a draft pick on a small running back who has had an ankle injury. But Wadley's unique skill set could still make him a valuable addition.
Unsigned: CB Tarvarus McFadden, Florida State
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The 6'2" Tarvarus McFadden has good size and solid leaping ability with 38.5-inch vertical, and he comes from a school, Florida State, known for producing quality defensive backs. But teams likely weren't interested in using a draft pick on a corner who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds. That's too slow to hold up on the perimeter, and McFadden isn't quick enough to play inside in the slot.
That said, coverage talent is still a valuable asset, and McFadden has it. Finding a fit with a team that uses zone coverage and two deep safeties could bring out his best as a long, aggressive cornerback with plus-ball skills.
Denver Broncos: Edge-Rusher Jeff Holland, Auburn
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Jeff Holland won't win with pure athleticism as an NFL edge-rusher, but that's not his game. He was productive in getting to quarterbacks for Auburn because he played to his strengths, which include a motor that always runs hot, power in the upper and lower body and a knack for finding the quarterback in the pocket.
He was an impressive producer in 2017 after tallying 9.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. Holland doesn't possess the elite athletic traits of a starting defensive end or outside linebacker, but it wouldn't be surprising if he plays several years as a hard-working, hard-nosed backup rusher for the Broncos, as 9News' Mike Klis reported Saturday he'll head to Colorado.
Cleveland Browns: OT Desmond Harrison, West Georgia
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Desmond Harrison took a long, difficult road to the NFL draft, which is likely why he went unselected despite starting-caliber size (6'6", 292 lbs) and potential.
A JUCO star, Harrison transferred to Texas in 2013 and looked well on his way to becoming a pro prospect. Instead, he was suspended twice for violating team rules and eventually left the program without playing a game. The offensive lineman returned to football in 2017 at West Georgia and revived his NFL dreams.
It's hard to find tackle prospects with his size, length (34" arms) and natural athleticism. He has talent, too, but the Cleveland Browns, who picked him up after the draft, according to NBC Sports' Josh Norris, will have to be patient as he develops.
Starting left tackles are rarely found in post-draft free agency, but Harrison could be the exception.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern
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Athletic hybrid safeties are all the rage. Godwin Igwebuike didn't receive a call during the draft, but he has the speed, toughness, experience and versatility to become a valuable part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' secondary, which desperately needs safety help and picked him up Sunday night, per Northwestern.
A three-year starter, Igwebuike finished his collegiate career at Northwestern with 324 tackles, 12.5 tackles for losses, 23 pass breakups, seven interceptions and two forced fumbles. He stuffed the stat sheet every year.
More importantly, he has experience playing the field's deep half and up near the line of scrimmage. He can support against the pass and run, and he should be a reliable special teams player right away.
Igwebuike may never be a full-time NFL starter, but teams like having versatile safeties to fill out the roster. There were few better available than Igwebuike.
Arizona Cardinals: FB Austin Ramesh, Wisconsin
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Fullbacks are out of style in the NFL, but Austin Ramesh could make the Arizona Cardinals roster after signing with them, per WSAW, with his three-down ability. He can catch the ball, run it in short-yardage situations and clear a mess as a lead blocker.
Over 40 games and 18 starts, Ramesh scored five rushing touchdowns and caught 13 passes while often leading the way for Wisconsin's power run game. He also ripped off a 41-yard run on a jet sweep and caught a 25-yard pass on a wheel route in 2017. And don't forget about this athletic move in the Orange Bowl win over Miami. Ramesh could surprise people in camp.
Others
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LB Tegray Scales, Indiana
His instincts, blitzing awareness and playmaking ability could make him an ideal backup linebacker and special teams ace.
CB Kevin Toliver, LSU
Toliver is another long (30 ⅛" arms), speedy, aggressive man cornerback who is well worth a look this summer.
DB Kameron Kelly, San Diego State
Kelly's a versatile playmaking defensive back with good size (6'2", 204 lbs) and quickness. He lacks great speed but could get better fast if he settles into one position.
QB Riley Ferguson, Memphis
He's a risk-taker, but he has the arm, movement ability and improvisational skills to be an intriguing developmental prospect at quarterback.
TE Deon Yelder, Western Kentucky
A late-blooming tight end who flashed serious receiving ability during his one year of production in 2017 (52 receptions, 688 yards, seven TDs).
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