Undrafted Free Agents 2015: Latest Rumors on Top Prospects Available

The 2015 NFL draft has come and gone with 256 players selected over the course of seven rounds. Even with the hard work put in by all 32 front offices over the last three days, the work doesn't stop. There are a lot of undrafted players who are at least going to get a shot at making a roster. 

Despite not getting the acclaim of being drafted, there is an advantage to going undrafted. Players have the luxury of picking their spot, finding the right fit for their talents and going over the needs of each team to determine the best fit. 

Plenty of great NFL players have gone undrafted in the past. Kurt Warner won two MVP awards and one Super Bowl in St. Louis. Antonio Gates has been one of the best tight ends in NFL history since signing with San Diego after the 2003 draft. 

Quality can be found by NFL teams on the open market. They just have to know where to find it. Here are the top rumors about the best undrafted players still available. 

La'el Collins, Offensive Tackle (LSU)

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The saga around La'el Collins led to him going undrafted. In the days leading up to the draft, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the LSU star was being sought for questioning following the shooting death of a pregnant woman. 

Collins' attorney, Jim Boren, told Schefter his client "took the investigation seriously" and they were trying to "rule him out as a suspect. We're going to provide that information to the police, and ultimately [Collins] will sit down and talk to them."

Samantha Morgan of WAFB in Baton Rouge spoke to Corporal Don Coppola of the Baton Rouge Police Department, who said the department was "consistently pursuing getting in touch with him, not as a suspect but to ask him questions about the victim."

Depending on when Collins speaks to authorities and what is found out, he could end up signing with a team as soon as Monday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

On talent, Collins has the potential to be a starter in the NFL. He was ranked as the No. 21 prospect in this class by B/R's Matt Miller and once projected as a top-25 pick to Detroit by ESPN's Todd McShay. 

The circumstances around Collins right now made it impossible for a team to invest a draft pick in him. B/R's Mike Freeman broke down what one unnamed team went through in trying to decide how to handle the offensive lineman on their draft board:

"

This team's decision-makers met specifically about Collins approximately three hours before the draft. They went around the room, asking everyone in it—including the owner—what should happen.

All agreed that Collins—predicted to be a first-round pick because he's quick and technically sound at 6'5", 320 pounds—should be removed from their draft board for the first round.

"

If or when he is officially cleared of any involvement in this investigation, there figure to be many teams calling his agent. It just wasn't a possibility with so much hanging over his head as the draft was going on. 

Blake Sims, Quarterback (Alabama)

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Following an eventful 2014 season with the Crimson Tide, Blake Sims' journey to the NFL didn't result in him getting drafted. It was hard to fault teams because he only had one year of starting experience and doesn't pass the measurement test at 5'11" and 218 pounds with nine-inch hands (h/t NFL.com).

The good news for Sims is teams will always seek depth at quarterback, so the former Alabama star will get a tryout with the Green Bay Packers, per ESPN's Adam Caplan:

The Packers are okay at quarterback for now. Aaron Rodgers might have a future in this game, and Brett Hundley was drafted out of UCLA in the fifth round. 

Sims does have one big thing working for him as he tries to make an NFL roster. Per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, the 23-year-old played in a pro-style system at Alabama:

"

Able to take snaps in pro-style passing attack. Showed adequate timing and anticipation for throwing windows. Extremely quick feet. Able to escape trouble and convert third downs with his feet. Showed discipline to stay in pocket and trust protection. Hard to sack. Nifty side-stepper who can elude, regroup and make the throw. Has enough zip on passes to make NFL throws. Can process quickly and adjust his game plan when on the move.

"

There are a lot of good raw ingredients in Sims for an NFL coaching staff to work with that can help him carve out a backup career. He will always be fighting an uphill battle due to his limited physical stature, but with arm strength and an understanding of the pro passing game, the future is bright. 

Even if the opportunity doesn't come with the Packers, who have Rodgers, Hundley and Scott Tolzien on the roster, there will be a chance for Sims to make an impression somewhere down the line even if it's just for practice squad reps. 

Trey Williams, Running Back (Texas A&M)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

If there is a position that seems like it could pay immediate dividends on the undrafted free-agent market, it would be running back. The Houston Texans hope that's the case, as the team is reportedly giving Texas A&M running back Trey Williams a tryout, according to Turron Davenport of The Baltimore Times:

Williams was a top performer in the speed drills at the combine. He ran the 40 in 4.49 seconds, three-cone drill in 6.84 seconds and 20-yard shuttle in 4.12 seconds but is also listed at 5'7" and 195 pounds (h/t NFL.com). 

Zierlein called Williams "an offensive weapon" in the scouting report for NFL.com, noting he is "frequently looking for the sideline with ball in his hands. Little to no strength as a runner. Can't break tackles and churn out extra yardage."

Just from a purely surface-level comparison, Williams sounds a lot like Darren Sproles and Danny Woodhead. Those undersized runners do have the ability to make defenders miss, but they aren't going to steamroll over anyone. 

John Cordes/Associated Press

Sproles and Woodhead have also caught a large number of passes, serving as versatile weapons rather than mainly running the ball.

Williams will have to prove he's capable of enduring some hits instead of sprinting toward the sideline if he wants to stick.  The Texans don't have anything to lose by giving the Texas A&M star a workout. Arian Foster is a bruising runner who has had problems staying healthy, playing just 21 games over the last two years. 

Houston has depth behind Foster with Alfred Blue and Jonathan Grimes, so Williams has a long road to climb if he wants to make the team. Yet if he's able to show that speed and good hands to be used in the passing game, the Texans can get a bargain. 

Remember, Foster was once an undrafted free agent, so the Texans have had success finding and developing unheralded running backs.