Undrafted Rookies Making the Most Noise so Far After 2023 NFL Draft
Despite overwhelming odds, there are undrafted free agents who wind up being contributors as rookies every year.
Hundreds of NFL hopefuls sign agreements with teams hoping to turn a tryout or camp invite into an NFL career. Most fall short. Some, like New Orleans Saints WR Rashid Shaheed, wind up being contributors as early as their rookie season.
The road to relevance starts by simply making the team and putting in a good performance at OTA's and rookie minicamps are a good place to start.
With those rookie camps already in full swing there are already some UDFA's who are proving they could have what it takes to compete for a roster spot. Whether it be from coaches, front office types or beat reporters, these hidden gems are already starting to catch eyes.
Edge Andre Carter II, Minnesota Vikings
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According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Andre Carter II appeared in 12 percent of first-round mock drafts and was projected to be a fourth-rounder based on the consensus from mocks around the industry.
Instead, the league collectively passed on the 6'6", 256-pounder and allowed him to go undrafted. The Minnesota Vikings were more than happy to sign him as an undrafted free agent.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell noted the Vikings considered drafting him multiple times throughout the event, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic.
Lewis noted that Carter stood out at minicamp just in the way that he moved considering his height. O'Connell also noted that Carter has already grabbed the attention of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
"When you watch him on tape, you see a guy who has an arrow up and is going to ascend," O'Connell said, per Lewis. "And how good can that be? … (Defensive coordinator Brian Flores) has a great plan for him."
The Vikings just traded Za'Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns so they will need some younger players to step up on the edge. It appears Carter is already one of those players.
QB Tim DeMorat, Washington Commanders
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Truth be told, Tim DeMorat has a long way to go before we think of him as a starter in the league. But this is the ripple effect of Brock Purdy last year. If Mr. Irrelevant can become a viable starter in Year 1 then why can't a UDFA?
For one, the Fordham quarterback's most notable play in camp was an interception to first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes. The Mississippi State corner was second in the country with six picks last season.
However, DeMorat was also praised by The Athletic's Ben Standig as, "the only one who consistently took—and connected—deep shots." Standig noted a completion to Jalen Sample that went around 40 yards.
DeMorat is an interesting prospect who was one of the top players at the FCS level last year. He threw for 4,891 yards for a Fordham offense that averaged 49.5 points per game.
There's a lot more to becoming an NFL quarterback than throwing a nice deep ball, but it's not a bad place to start. With the Commanders going into the season with Jacoby Brissett and Sam Howell, it's not going to hurt to carry a third quarterback with potential.
WR Dylan Drummond, Detroit Lions
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The Detroit Lions are going to be in need of some wide receiver depth, especially as Jameson Williams serves a six-game suspension due to violating the league's policy on gambling.
That being said, they didn't draft a wide receiver until they took North Carolina's Antoine Green in the seventh round.
At rookie minicamp, Eastern Michigan's Dylan Drummond threw his hat into the ring. The 6'0", 186-pound receiver came in for a tryout but walked away with a contract.
DetroitLions.com beat writer Tim Twentyman had a feeling that would be the case after watching him at the camp.
"Watch out for Eastern Michigan University wide receiver Dylan Drummond who is here trying out," Twentyman wrote before they signed the receiver. "He's super quick and made a lot of nice plays Saturday. He also has good size."
Sports Illustrated's John Maakaron also pointed out Drummond. He noted that he, "wowed onlookers with his sheer speed, which he used to get past defenders repeatedly."
If that continues as the competition level grows he could challenge for a roster spot.
Edge Isaiah Land, Dallas Cowboys
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Isaiah Land does not have prototypical size (6'3", 236 pounds) for an edge rusher, but he doesn't have typical production either. Land dominated at the FCS level with 19 sacks in his penultimate season at Florida A&M.
He followed up with 7.5 quarterback takedowns in his final season with the Rattlers. Now, he's trying once again prove he can produce despite a lack of usual NFL size at the position.
Land already has an important advocate in his corner in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. He actually started looking at land when studying safety Markquese Bell, another UDFA the Cowboys signed last season out of FAMU.
Speaking about the pass-rusher at rookie minicamp, he already sounds like a coach willing to invest time into making Land a productive NFL player.
"He's somebody that I'm excited to see, and there is no timeline on that," said Quinn, per Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com. "Development takes time. You're not going to get there in one or two days. We're going to be in this for the long haul and see what they can do. And not every person that you train at two spots works out that way.
WR Kade Warner, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Kurt Warner is one of the best success undrafted free agent success stories of all time. Coming out of Northern Iowa, Warner went undrafted in 1994. There were quite a few twists and turns but it ended up with Warner donning a golden jacket in Canton, Ohio.
Now his son will try to carve out a place in the league with a similar path.
The younger Warner made headlines recently when he called himself, "the smartest receiver in this draft class." The Kansas State alum also guaranteed that an NFL team is going to get a great slot receiver who knows what he is doing on every play.
Warner was a reliable receiving option with the Wildcats, catching 46 balls for 456 yards and five touchdowns.
For now, Warner's best role seems to be as a special teamer. Head coach Todd Bowles acknowledged his potential in that phase of the game.
"Coachable, very coachable," Bowles said, per Matt Matera of Pewter Report. "Solid football player. He can catch the ball, he can play special teams, he can do a lot of things that we need and we're always looking for special teams players."
Special teams are often the deciding factor for bottom-of-the-roster spots when final cuts are made. Warner's versatility could give him a chance to continue working toward being an NFL slot receiver.
DT Jamal Woods, Indianapolis Colts
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It's a little tougher for offensive and defensive linemen to stand out at minicamps. Without pads or full contact, it's difficult to get a read on what the big men can do.
So when a coach goes out of his way to praise a lineman it stands out. Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley didn't hold back with the positives he saw from defensive tackle Jamal Woods at the team's rookie minicamp.
"His explosiveness, I think, in rookie minicamp is what jumped out at us," Bradley said, per James Boyd of The Athletic. "We felt like even in the short period of time, just watching the drill work — obviously, his film work that we studied before, but the way he came in, the way he approached it and some of his explosiveness showed up in that short period of time."
Woods was invited to the rookie minicamp after going undrafted out of Illinois. He did not have a great stat line with the Illini, posting just 11 total tackles in his final season.
Regardless, Woods was impressive enough to leave camp with a contract to be on the team's 90-man roster. The Colts interior features great veterans in Glover Stewart and DeForest Buckner who could help Woods develop into something more than he was in college.
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