10 Undrafted Free Agents Who Can Still Make a Difference on NFL Teams

Even with NFL OTAs now underway, there are a variety of undrafted free agents who can still have a large impact on NFL rosters.

Despite not hearing their name called during the 2012 NFL draft and subsequently being passed up on during the undrafted free-agent signing flurry, there are still players out there who have the intangibles and desire to make an NFL roster.

These players have been skipped over by NFL teams either because of injuries, checkered histories or a perceived thought that they don’t have the ability to play at the professional level. The first two are factors that can be adjusted over time, while the latter has been wrong on countless occasions.

These players deserve at least a shot at making an NFL roster this season.

Here are 10 undrafted free agents NFL teams should be calling right now, because they have the ability to upgrade most rosters.

10. Ben Martin, Defensive End

Ben Martin is a defensive line prospect who would have been drafted on the third day of the draft had he not suffered so many injuries while at Tennessee.

Martin has suffered two torn Achilles in five years with the Vols. When he has actually been on the field, he has held his own both in stopping the run and rushing the passer. Martin has accumulated six sacks and 81 tackles during his time at Tennessee.

If Martin can prove he is healthy, he could be a viable depth option at the NFL level. He has the ability, but just needs a chance. 

9. Benjamin Pooler, Linebacker

Benjamin Pooler played linebacker at Maryland before transferring to Cincinnati to finish up his collegiate career. Over the course of that career he has struggled mightily with knee injuries.

Despite these injuries, Pooler has been productive when on the field. He is an older rookie at 24 years old, but that has its advantages. Pooler is experienced and has shown the ability to play at a high level when placed in a competition for playing time.

If Pooler is healthy, he should be getting a call from NFL teams soon. He could be a valuable depth and special teams player on a roster. 

8. Tyler Lantrip, Quarterback

Tyler Lantrip is yet another quarterback who has failed to latch on in the NFL yet. Last season as the full-time starter at Nevada, Lantrip threw for 1,553 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Add in a great football frame at 6’4” and 240 lbs, and Lantrip has all the tools needed to compete for a spot on an NFL roster.

Lantrip isn’t a big name and did not play for a massive school, but he has all the intangibles teams look for in a quarterback. He would be a serviceable backup in the NFL, and there are plenty of teams still searching for one of those. 

7. Dan Persa, Quarterback

Dan Persa is a senior quarterback from Northwestern who should have already been given his chance to make an NFL roster.

In two years as a starter, Persa threw for 4,957 yards and 32 touchdowns. He is a bit small at 6’1” and 210 lbs, but has consistently played bigger than he looks.

Persa has also shown the ability to produce in the running game when he has been asked. In 2010 he rushed for 519 yards and nine touchdowns, the same year he threw for over 2,500 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Persa has been battling a few injuries during his career, including a ruptured Achilles. He is a smart and productive quarterback who could make a big difference on an NFL roster.

6. Victor Anderson, Running Back

Victor Anderson had an impressive career at Louisville, racking up over 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns over the course of five seasons.

Like others on this list, Anderson has been battling injuries throughout the course of his career. He still has some strong qualities that he can bring to the table, though.

Anderson is by no means a power back. He is only 5’9” and 190 lbs. He is an elusive-type runner who finds the creases in a defense and explodes upfield. Teams in need of a depth option should look no further than Anderson. 

5. Embry Peeples, Running Back

Embry Peeples is a smaller running back at 5’9” and 195 lbs and can be used in a variety of ways by NFL teams. He has shown the ability to not only be an elusive runner, but talented when returning kicks as well.

At Georgia Tech, Peeples was used inconsistently. He only received 47 carries last year but rushed for 481 yards and two scores, good for an outstanding 10.2 yards-per-carry average.

As the NFL shifts toward a running-back-by-committee approach, Peeples is a perfect scat-back who can catch passes as well as run.

Peeples' real value to NFL teams is that he contributes in multiple areas. Finding players who excel in multiple areas is what the best NFL teams are able to do. Peeples will find a home in the NFL sooner rather than later. 

4. Darron Thomas, Quarterback

Darron Thomas has been one of the most statistically impressive quarterbacks in college football for the past few years at Oregon. In three years with the Ducks he threw for 5,910 yards and 66 touchdowns. It is important to note that he only attempted 16 passes during his first season with the team.

Thomas shocked the Ducks by electing to leave early for the NFL. He has prototypical size at 6’3” and 215 lbs and clearly has a frame that will allow him to put on more muscle.

The issue with Thomas is that he played in a spread offense and habitually stared down receivers. There are questions about his ability to read NFL defenses and make smart decisions with the football.

Thomas has received a few camp invites as of late, but he hasn’t latched on anywhere yet. With his impressive track record, it is only a matter of time before a team signs him. 

3. Dan Di Lella, Quarterback

It is almost a crime that Dan Di Lella hasn’t been scooped up by an NFL team yet. Yes, he played for the Albany Great Danes, but that shouldn’t mean much of anything at this point.

Lella is a massive quarterback standing at 6’4” and 235 lbs. Over the course of his four-year career, in which only his final season saw him as the starter, Lella threw for 3,275 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Lella has shown the ability to read defenses adequately and make the right decisions. Several teams took interest in him before the draft, but he hasn’t landed anywhere in the league yet.

That has to change. Now. 

2. Damarlo Belcher, Wide Receiver

Damarlo Belcher had an outstanding junior year with Indiana in 2010 when he caught 78 passes for 832 yards and four touchdowns.

A year later, he was kicked off the team.

Belcher revealed during pre-draft interviews that he was kicked off because of a failed drug test. His questionable judgement was counter-balanced by his admission to NFL teams.

Belcher has the perfect size for the NFL at 6’5” and 215 lbs. He also has big-time talent. In four years with the Hoosiers there wasn’t one season that Belcher didn’t average at least 10 yards per catch.

Belcher clearly has some red flags engulfing him, but his talent is worth taking the risk on at this point for NFL teams. NFL teams having nothing to lose, and Belcher has everything to gain.

1. Donte Paige-Moss, Defensive End

There was a point in Donte Paige-Moss’ collegiate career at North Carolina where he was considered a first-round selection, just like his teammate Quinton Coples. This was after his outstanding sophomore season in which he had 49 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

Unfortunately, Moss regressed in 2011 and then tore his ACL in a bowl game. Despite the injury, Moss decided to enter the draft anyway.

Moss stands at 6’4” and 260 lbs and has the athleticism to play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme in the NFL. He’s unquestionably gifted athletically and has the ability to make an NFL roster if given the chance.

A former first-round talent is always worth the gamble for teams. Moss deserves a chance, and NFL teams would be foolish to not give him one.

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