Undrafted Free Agents Who Could Make Major Waves in Offseason Workouts

Undrafted free agents must seize every opportunity they get in order to overcome long odds and make rosters. For the rookies who went unselected in the 2014 NFL draft, the first opportunities to work their way up depth charts comes in the offseason workouts that will continue to take place the rest of May and into June.

Although high-profile draft picks like No. 1 overall selection Jadeveon Clowney and new Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will take up a large chunk of the rookie spotlight, their performances in offseason workouts are far less important, at least in regard to their roster standings, than those of undrafted rookies trying to earn a spot.

While many undrafted free agents will go into training camp with minimal expectations from outside team circles, there are typically a number of UDFAs who make their mark in OTAs and minicamps.

Last year, Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin and New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins were among the undrafted rookies who turned heads in offseason workouts. Both ended up starting games for their teams during the regular season.

Once the uniforms are on and the practices are underway, any rookie signed to a roster will have a shot to make waves and prove why he belongs on his new NFL team’s depth chart.

It’s not easy to predict which surprise rookies will stand out—among the UDFA crop, it’s often the lesser-known guys who emerge from the shadows rather than the bigger-name prospects few expected to fall—but each of the following eight players are in situations where they should have real chances to make names for themselves.

James Hurst, OT, Baltimore Ravens

There’s not one undrafted free agent with a better shot to make an immediate push for a starting job on his team’s roster than Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle James Hurst.

After the Ravens neglected their major need at the right tackle position with all nine of their selections in this year’s draft, Hurst could have a legitimate opportunity to compete with Ricky Wagner for the starting job on that side of the line.

There wouldn’t have been anything wrong or surprising with the Ravens drafting Hurst in the middle rounds of the draft had they done so. A consistent, well-rounded offensive tackle who was a four-year starter at North Carolina, Hurst is a strong technician who likely would have been selected had he not fractured his fibula during the Tar Heels’ Belk Bowl appearance versus Cincinnati.

Despite being less than seven months removed from the injury, Hurst—who received undrafted free-agent offers from 17 NFL teams, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun—has already made an impression on Ravens coach John Harbaugh in rookie minicamp, per Wilson.

"Hurst at the left tackle draws my attention a lot. He has very good feet. He seems like he's picking it up quickly. He likes to practice. He has a heavy punch. So, he has a chance."

The undrafted rookie doesn’t have exceptional physical tools, but he was both a consistent pass protector and run-blocker at UNC. He could end up being Baltimore’s best option to play opposite Eugene Monroe at offensive tackle.

Willie Snead, WR, Cleveland Browns

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Although Johnny Manziel and the rest of the Browns’ draft haul has sprung hope for success in Cleveland, much has been made of the team’s potential lack of receiving weapons with star wideout Josh Gordon reportedly facing a season-long suspension, according to T.J. Quinn and Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN.com.

Gordon is a special talent with athleticism and playmaking ability that no other receiver on Cleveland’s roster will be able to duplicate. One potential surprise who could help the Browns stay afloat at the position, however, is undrafted free-agent signing Willie Snead.

In a draft class that was deeper at wide receiver than any other position, it came as little surprise that Snead went undrafted. There’s nothing particularly special about the tools of the 5’11”, 195-pound receiver, who ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash, according to NFL.com, at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

That said, Snead is still more than capable of taking advantage of the opportunity he might have to earn not only a roster spot but immediate playing time in Cleveland. A crisp, consistent route-runner with great hands, Snead is a skilled intermediate slot receiver who caught 106 passes for 1,516 yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior season at Ball State, after which he declared for this year’s draft.

Snead is no sure bet to make the Browns roster, especially after the team’s recent signings of Miles Austin and Earl Bennett, but the door is also open for him to potentially climb to the third or fourth spot on the team’s receiving depth chart if he can start to stand out in offseason workouts.

Adrian Hubbard, OLB, Green Bay Packers

Recently signed Colt Lyerla is getting most of the attention among Green Bay’s undrafted rookies, but the post-draft free-agent signing who might really have the best chance of making an impact is Adrian Hubbard.

Though his redshirt junior season was a major disappointment, Hubbard showed flashes of greatness in his Alabama career. If he put it all together to take advantage of an outstanding combination of size and athleticism, he could be a breakthrough player for the Packers.

Hubbard, at 6’6” and 257 pounds, ran a 4.69-second 40-yard dash at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. His combination of length and athleticism is more befitting of an early-round draft pick than an undrafted free agent.

He’s an inconsistent player who doesn’t play with great technique, and according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, a minor heart abnormality might have also led to his going undrafted. Should he check out medically, however, Hubbard has enough raw ability to make people take notice in offseason workouts.

The Packers already bolstered their pass rush earlier this offseason by signing veteran free agent Julius Peppers, but largely disappointing 2012 first-round pick Nick Perry is the only real backup Green Bay has at outside linebacker behind Peppers and Clay Matthews. If Hubbard puts his strengths on display and learns quickly from coaching, he has a shot to not only earn a roster spot but also get immediate playing time.

Ethan Westbrooks, DE, St. Louis Rams

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Few players will be under a greater microscope during offseason workouts than St. Louis Rams seventh-round pick Michael Sam, but the biggest threat to Sam’s chances to make the roster might actually come from an undrafted free agent at his position.

St. Louis has actually guaranteed more money—$50,000 versus Sam’s $45,896— to West Texas A&M’s Ethan Westbrooks, according to National Football Post’s Joel Corry. Westbrooks might not be a household name like Sam, who had 11.5 sacks for Missouri in his senior year, but he has the talent to make the Rams’ investment pay off.

A dominant defensive lineman at the Division II level, Westbrooks recorded 47.5 tackles for loss (26.5 sacks) in just two seasons at West Texas A&M. A big pass-rusher with good hands and a quick first step, Westbrooks has the potential to beat opponents both around the edge and going inside.

If Westbrooks can begin to steal the spotlight shining on Sam in minicamps and OTAs, he could also end up stealing the fifth defensive end spot on the Rams roster.

James Gayle, OLB, Tennessee Titans

Despite a move to a 3-4 defense that leaves them with a questionable stable of pass-rushing outside linebackers, the Tennessee Titans did not select any edge-rushers in this year’s draft. That leaves the door open for Virginia Tech’s James Gayle, one of the most talented players to go unselected this year, if he can start to make waves early this offseason.

An athletic player who bends well and has good size (6’4”, 259 lbs), Gayle was expected to be a middle-round selection in this year’s draft. According to a post on his Twitter, Gayle went undrafted due to a torn labrum in his shoulder that he "played with all year."

That injury could certainly limit him early in offseason workouts, but if healthy, Gayle has more than enough talent to immediately start working his way toward a roster spot and up the depth chart.

Outside of Kamerion Wimbley and Shaun Phillips—two veterans who have been productive 3-4 OLBs but are past their primes—the Titans don’t have any proven edge-rushers who have received significant work at the position.

The transition from defensive end could present a challenge to Gayle as well, but it gives him a great opportunity if he can adapt quickly and show playmaking ability in space.

Justin Jones, TE, New England Patriots

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The New England Patriots’ prolific offense was once built around the success of their two-tight end passing formations, but the Patriots no longer have an established second receiving threat at the position to line up opposite Rob Gronkowski.

As Gronkowski has also been plagued by injuries over the course of the last two years, the Patriots have some real incentive to keep one of their two undrafted rookie tight ends.

North Carolina State product Asa Watson has familiarity with his new team—his brother, New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson, played for the Patriots for six years—but it’s the other UDFA tight end signed by the Patriots, Justin Jones, who is more likely to turn heads in offseason workouts.

Jones, who measured in at 6’8” and 274 pounds at the NFL’s Super Regional Combine, according to NFLDraftScout.com, is a massive yet athletic project. He played receiver at East Carolina, where he created intrigue as a pass-catcher and also showed potential as a blocker, but he suffered a setback when he was ruled ineligible to play for the Pirates in his senior season.

He’s a developmental talent with a lot to prove to earn a spot on New England’s 53-man roster, but he could be an asset—especially as a red-zone pass-catcher—if he emerges quickly in workouts. Prospects with rare measurables like his are typically the types of players who catch eyes from the undrafted ranks.

Chris Davis, CB, San Diego Chargers

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After his 109-yard, game-winning missed field-goal return in the Iron Bowl sent a tsunami across college football and propelled Auburn to the BCS National Championship Game this past season, Chris Davis knows a thing or two about making waves when he has an opportunity.

The instant Auburn legend is no longer in the spotlight after going unselected in this year’s draft, but that doesn’t mean he won’t beat the odds and break through once again. After signing with the San Diego Chargers, he should have a real opportunity to make the roster and earn playing time.

The Chargers started remedying their cornerback problem by using their first-round draft pick to select TCU’s Jason Verrett, but one draft pick can’t singlehandedly fix a broken unit. The Chargers need players who can immediately challenge for spots in the lineup, and they could get that from Davis.

The 5’10”, 202-pound cornerback doesn’t play with great strength or physicality, but he is a fluid athlete with the coverage instincts and short-area quickness to hold his own as an NFL slot cornerback. He is also an excellent punt returner who can contribute on all special teams units and be a standout in the third phase of the game.

One big play and a productive all-around senior season wasn’t enough for Davis to be an NFL draft pick, but he has enough talent to overcome his flaws and contribute to a secondary that has few starting-caliber players. Between his defensive and special teams skill sets, Davis should make a noticeable presence in workouts as he fights to make San Diego’s roster.

Zach Kerr, NT, Indianapolis Colts

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Although the position seemingly was not a priority for any team in this year’s draft, a strong 3-4 nose tackle can be hard to find. One just might be unearthed by the Indianapolis Colts, however, in Zach Kerr.

Kerr won’t be an immediate threat to Josh Chapman’s starting job in the middle of the Indianapolis defensive line, but he could become one eventually if he can earn a spot on the roster.

Although short and stocky at 6’1” and 326 pounds, Kerr is a massive gap-plugger who has surprising athleticism for his size. The Delaware product is coming off a 5.5-tackle for loss senior season.

Nose tackles aren’t often stars of the stat sheet, but the Colts need better play from the position for a defense that needs to improve in 2014. Despite his small-school background and going undrafted, Kerr could help make that happen, especially if he can break out to a good start in spring workouts.

All measurables courtesy of NFL.com, unless otherwise noted.

Dan Hope is an NFL/NFL draft featured columnist for Bleacher Report.

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