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Los Angeles Chargers edge Nadame TuckerAP Photo/Butch Dill

The 1 UDFA with Best Chance to Make the Roster in Every NFL Team's Training Camp

Gary DavenportJul 23, 2026

For any NFL hopeful, not hearing your name called during the draft is disappointing. For many, it marks the end of their NFL dream, with future opportunities limited to other professional leagues such as the United Football League or Canadian Football League.

However, hundreds more prospects are scooped up in the days following the draft as undrafted free agents, and for some, that can actually be a blessing in disguise. Prospects can sign with any interested team, and their guaranteed money can sometimes exceed what late Day 3 picks receive.

Those guarantees may well be all those players see. Just making the 53-man roster is an uphill climb for UDFAs. But Kurt Warner was an undrafted free agent. So was Antonio Gates. And John Randle.

Will any of the youngsters listed here reach those heights? Probably not, but that's putting the cart before the horse—Step 1 is simply making the team.

These undrafted free agents will try to take that first step in 2026.

Arizona Cardinals: DL Damonic Williams

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Cardinals Football

The Arizona Cardinals didn't sign a lot of undrafted free agents this year, but of the class defensive lineman Damonic Williams is the most intriguing player.

A 6'2" 305-pounder who showed excellent strength at the combine with 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, Williams wasn't a prolific pass-rusher in college—seven sacks in four seasons at TCU and Oklahoma. But Williams is stout against the run and has experience playing both tackle spots.

Arizona was 25th in the league against the run last year (allowing almost 127 yards per game on the ground) and needs bodies along the defensive front. Williams has a real chance to stick on the roster as a rotational piece on the inside.

Atlanta Falcons: RB Cash Jones

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Kentucky Georgia Football

There are undrafted free agents who go on to not only be NFL starters but even stars. But the reality is that most UDFA face an uphill battle to make the roster. For most, their best chance at making the 53-man roster lies on special teams.

Cash Jones has a fantastic football name, but he wasn't a huge factor offensively over five seasons at Georgia—just 107 total touches. To his credit, though, he made the most of the touches he did get—he's a capable receiver out of the backfield and averaged 4.9 yards per carry.

Where Jones really stood out was on special teams, and his extensive experience on both kickoff and punt coverage could carve a path for him into the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens: OT Diego Pounds

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Baltimore Ravens 2026 Football Headshots

Every year there are players who draft analysts expect to be drafted who for whatever reason are not. Ole Miss offensive tackle Diego Pounds was one of those surprises in 2026. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein graded the 6'6" 326-pounder as a player who would be drafted in the first half of Day 3, but instead he wound up signing with Baltimore as a free agent.

Pounds is admittedly an inconsistent talent whose pass protection is better than his run blocking. But he has NFL size and length, and with some development he has the tools to become a capable reserve at a premium position.

Offensive tackle is a spot where NFL teams can never have too much depth—and that reality gives Pounds a leg up on surviving roster cuts if he has a solid camp.

Buffalo Bills: FB Jackson Acker

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Buffalo Bills 2026 Football Headshots

Yes, the NFL still has fullbacks—at least a few.

James Cook had a career year for the Bills in 2025, leading the league with 1,621 rushing yards. Some of the credit for that massive season belongs to Reggie Gilliam, who was Cook's lead blocker. But Gilliam joined the rival Patriots in free agency, creating a hole at fullback the Bills addressed by signing Wisconsin's Jackson Acker after the draft.

As things stand, the only other fullback in Buffalo is converted linebacker Ben VanSumeren, who has limited offensive potential but is a special teams ace.

Acker will also have to show he can play well on special teams, but if the 6'1" 247-pounder can pull that off, he could do more than just make the roster. He could even be Buffalo's Week 1 starter at fullback.

Carolina Panthers: DT Aaron Hall

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Carolina Panthers 2026 Football Headshots

Sometimes, you can tell how much a team covets an undrafted free agent by how much they give him in guaranteed money. This year, no UDFA the Carolina Panthers signed received more guaranteed money than the $272,500 the team handed to Duke defensive lineman Aaron Hall.

A 6'4" 297-pounder who was a two-time captain for the Blue Devils, Hall was productive in college—he tallied six sacks and 19 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. Hall has good athleticism and burst, but he needs to improve his technique and hand placement to consistently win at the point of attack.

The Panthers have one of the league's better defensive tackles in Derrick Brown, but depth inside is something of an issue in Charlotte. That offers Hall an opportunity to stick on the roster as a reserve, especially if he impresses in training camp.

Chicago Bears: OG Caden Barnett

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Bears Football

Granted, Caden Barnett didn't take on the highest level of competition at Wyoming, but it was still a bit surprising to see the 6'3", 316-pounder go undrafted—Barnett has NFL-caliber size and length and posted a solid Relative Athletic Score of 9.53 that included a 5.03-second 40-yard dash and a 4.55-second short shuttle.

The Bears obviously saw something they liked in Barnett, giving the youngster $277,500 (get used to seeing that number) in guarantees. Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson are entrenched as the starters in the Windy City, but the Bears' depth along the interior of the offensive line isn't great.

Like so many players in this column, Barnett is going to have earn a depth spot in Chicago on the practice field and in the preseason. But he has more than a little potential at a position where the Bears can use some youth.

Cincinnati Bengals: LB Jack Dingle

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Bengals Football

The Cincinnati Bengals took a buzzsaw to the defense in the offseason, but the team did little to bolster a young linebacker corps that struggled mightily at times in 2025.

The Bengals brought in a pair of undrafted free agent linebackers in Cincinnati's Jack Dingle and USC's Eric Gentry, but it's Dingle who has the better odds of cracking the 53-man roster. At 6'4" and 232 pounds, Dingle has good size. He posted an impressive 9.81 Relative Athletic Score in pre-draft testing, including a 4.57-second 40-yard dash.

Dingle admittedly wasn't especially productive for the Bearcats (last year's 60 total tackles were a career-high), and his clearest path to making the roster is on special teams. But the Bengals' biggest positional need on defense is at linebacker.

And that doesn't hurt Dingle's odds of making the club.

Cleveland Browns: Edge Logan Fano

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Browns Football

The Cleveland Browns used a first-round pick this year on offensive tackle Spencer Fano, but as it turns out the team wasn't done plucking the Fano family tree—the team added edge-rusher Logan Fano as an undrafted free agent, handing the 6'5", 260-pounder over $300,000 in guarantees.

Most in the draft community expected Fano to be drafted, with Bleacher Report's own Matt Holder writing that, "Logan is a draftable prospect in his own right due to his combination of size and strength to be a solid run defender and power rusher on the edge."

Fano isn't an especially explosive pass-rusher. But he's a solid edge-setter with excellent strength. The Browns got Jared Verse from the Rams in the Myles Garrett trade, but outside Verse and Alex Wright there are far more questions than answers on the edge in Cleveland.

That opens up an opportunity for Fano to join his little brother on the 53-man roster.

Dallas Cowboys: TE Michael Trigg

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Dallas Cowboys 2026 Football Headshots

Were it simply a matter of talent, Michael Trigg absolutely would have been drafted. B/R's Daniel Harms graded Trigg as the third-best tight end in the class and a Day 2 pick, writing that, "Trigg is a matchup problem for defenses. The hybrid target already displays the nuance and route detail to immediately contribute in an NFL offense. He's a route craftsman, who uses explosive movements in the stem to attack leverage. He manipulates defenders well and his feel at the top of routes is clean."

However, over a five-year collegiate career that spanned three different schools, Trigg was suspended twice. He also struggled with concentration issues and drops.

But Trigg caught 50 passes for almost 700 yards and six scores a year ago at Baylor. It's simple, really—if Trigg keeps his head on straight and catches the ball, he's going to make the team.

Denver Broncos: LB Taurean York

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Broncos Football

Somewhat surprisingly, the Denver Broncos didn't add a linebacker in this year's draft until making Red Murdock this year's Mr. Irrelevant. But the team gave Taurean York a franchise-record $325,000 in guarantees as a UDFA, and Sayre Bedinger of Predominantly Orange sees a path to the 53-man roster for the talented but undersized former Texas A&M standout.

"The Broncos clearly had a draftable grade on York coming out of Texas A&M," Bedinger wrote, "but they didn't have enough picks to use to get him. They made a substantial financial offer to fend off other teams, and they have a great opportunity at the linebacker position this offseason."

If there's a weak spot on Denver's stout defense this year, it's at off-ball linebacker, where Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are the projected starters. York isn't going to push those veterans, but if he can show some special teams chops he has a solid chance to be on Denver's Week 1 roster.

Detroit Lions: Edge Anthony Lucas

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Detroit Lions 2026 Football Headshots

USC edge-rusher Anthony Lucas was another UDFA who received a draftable grade from Bleacher Report's Scouting Department—Matt Holder wrote that the youngster was worth a Day 3 selection despite a lack of production in college.

"Lucas has intriguing physical traits," Holder said, "standing at 6'5", 267 pounds, with impressive quickness and movement skills. His frame and athleticism makes him an appealing developmental prospect among the class' edge-rushers."

The Lions have one of the NFL's best edge-rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and added a Day 2 rookie in Michigan's Derrick Moore. But outside that pair and veteran D.J. Wonnum, the Lions depth chart at the position is unsettled.

If Lucas can show on the practice field that he can convert measurables and potential into production, he has a genuine chance of sticking around into the regular season.

Green Bay Packers: WR J. Michael Sturdivant

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Green Bay Packers 2026 Football Headshots

The Green Bay Packers have hoarded young wide receivers in recent years. But despite losing Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks in the offseason, they didn't draft any wideouts in 2026.

The team did add an undrafted free agent at the position in Florida's J. Michael Sturdivant, and the 6'3", 207-pounder brings some intriguing potential to the NFL.

In addition to that excellent size, he also ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. His production at Florida wasn't great, but while at Cal in 2022, he posted a 65/755/7 stat line and averaged 11.6 yards per catch.

The wide receiver room in Green Bay is pretty crowded, but Sturdivant has the tools to make a dent on the boundary in the pros.

He may start out on special teams, but it won't be any sort of major upset to see Sturdivant survive the final round of cuts in Titletown.

Houston Texans: CB Collin Wright

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Houston Texans 2026 Football Headshots

On one hand, it's not that hard to see why Stanford cornerback Collin Wright went undrafted—at a position where speed is king, Wright isn't a burner—he ran a 4.51-second 40 at Stanford's Pro Day.

But the 6'0" 188-pounder was a three-year starter for the Cardinal who played both inside and on the boundary, and The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote that Wright makes up for a lack of long speed in other areas.

"Wright is a smooth operator in coverage and has aggressive eyes," he said, "promising ball skills and toughness in all phases. His inside-outside versatility will help him find a home."

Wright didn't find that home until after the draft and the Texans are loaded on defense, but cornerback is another position where NFL teams cannot have too much depth, and Wright's polish and toughness should translate well to the NFL.

Indianapolis Colts: OT Nolan Rucci

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Indianapolis Colts 2026 Football Headshots

The Indianapolis Colts have been as good as any team in the NFL at developing talent on the offensive line, and after watching Braden Smith depart in free agency, there will be a new right tackle in 2026.

That starter isn't going to be Penn State's Nolan Rucci. But B/R's Brandon Thorn graded the 6'8" 305-pounder as a fifth-round talent this year.

"Rucci is a broad-framed, athletic offensive tackle with fluid pass-set movement, effective combo-and-climb ability and pedigree/bloodlines supporting an upside-leaning projection," Thorn said.

Rucci could stand to add some weight, and he could also use time in an NFL weight room. But he has the frame to add mass, and given the Colts' record of finding value up front, it wouldn't be surprising to see him become a capable swing tackle in relatively short order.

Jacksonville Jaguars: RB J'Mari Taylor

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Jacksonville Jaguars 2026 Football Headshots

Last year at Virginia, running back J'Mari Taylor was a first-team all-ACC performer who tallied over 1,000 yards, averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored 14 times on the ground.

Despite those outstanding numbers, the 5'10", 200-pounder went undrafted. But as John Shipley wrote for SI, Taylor has impressed in OTAs this summer.

"It is hard to really evaluate the running back position when pads are not on," he said, "but in the helmets-and-shorts practices Taylor displayed some impressive speed and big-play ability. It stands to reason he will get plenty of reps this preseason as the Jaguars likely hold Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez out of preseason action in favor of joint practices."

With Travis Etienne in New Orleans there is more than a little uncertainty at running back in Jacksonville this year. If Taylor continues to impress once pads come on, he could do more than just make the team.

He could see carries in games that count.

Kansas City Chiefs: S Xavier Nwankpa

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Kansas City Chiefs 2026 Football Headshots

In his pre-draft scouting report for Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa, Bleacher Report's Daniel Harms graded the 6'3" 208-pounder as a fourth-round pick while touting his physicality against the run.

"Nwankpa is routinely in the right place," Harms said. "As such, he can wear a multitude of hats for a defense. He excels as a box safety, reading out plays and triggering downhill to make big hits. The defensive back reads the quarterbacks eyes and locates the football at a high level, adding to his impact as a read-and-react defender, particularly in the run game. He's a well-equipped tackler and understands leverage."

Nwankpa's NFL comp was Bryan Cook, which is somewhat ironic given that Cook just departed the Chiefs in free agency. Nwankpa's 30.75" arms likely contributed to his going undrafted, but he has the toughness and versatility to make a real run at making the final 53 in Kansas City.

Las Vegas Raiders: LB Xavian Sorey

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Las Vegas Raiders 2026 Football Headshots

There are a lot of changes in Sin City this year, including a pair of new starters at off-ball linebacker in Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean. Depth behind that duo is a different story, and Tristian Kuhn of Silver and Black Pride thinks that could give UDFA linebacker Xavian Sorey a legitimate shot at making the roster.

"Sorey is an excellent athlete," Kuhn said, "logging a 8.85 RAS and it shows on the field. He's an explosive first step linebacker, closes gaps well, has good size at 6'2" and 230 pounds, and his understanding of both the run and pass game at his age gives him a strong chance to push for a roster spot. The Raiders do lack depth at linebacker behind Dean and Walker, which could allow Sorey a chance to make the roster as a special teams option with WILL/MIKE flexibility."

Right now, the Raiders top two reserves at the position are Tommy Eichenberg and Segun Olubi. Sorey could push for one of those spots from the get-go.

Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Nadame Tucker

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Los Angeles Chargers 2026 Football Headshots

On one hand, Nadame Tucker is a 25-year-old undrafted rookie with short arms who didn't record a sack his first three seasons in college. On the other hand, last year at Western Michigan, he tied for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks.

While speaking to reporters, Tucker credited WMU head coach Chris O'Leary with taking that massive step a year ago.

"I feel like he held me to a certain standard. Always reminding me what the pros were doing even when we were in practice and stuff like that," Tucker said. "It kept me on my P's and Q's and gave me a different perspective on how I looked at the game. Just wanted to be like one of those guys."

With O'Leary now serving as Jim Harbaugh's defensive coordinator in Los Angeles rather than coaching in Kalamazoo, Tucker benefits from a quiet but meaningful edge.

Los Angeles Rams: RB Dean Connors

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Los Angeles Rams 2026 Football Headshots

While at the University of Houston, Dean Connors was ridiculously productive, sailing past 3,500 career yards.

The 5'11", 208-pounder isn't especially fast or explosive, but as Dave Kluge of Footballguys notes, Connors offers a well-rounded skill set even if he lacks a defining trait.

"Connors had 2,656 rushing yards and 1,166 receiving yards over his four years of NCAA play," he said. "He combines natural vision with reliable hands, making him a true dual-threat back. Connors runs with purpose and power between the tackles while remaining patient and sudden in open space. His versatility extends beyond gadget plays. He can handle traditional backfield duties in multi-down work."

Connors isn't going to sail past Blake Corum and starter Kyren Williams on the depth chart, but L.A. has long been good at finding running back talent on the cheap.

Connors could easily carve out a role on special teams that keeps him on the active roster as the Rams' No. 3 running back.

Miami Dolphins: DT Rene Konga

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Miami Dolphins 2026 Football Headshots

There may not be a team in the league where an undrafted free agent has a better chance of making the roster than the Dolphins. After an offseason roster purge, they need players in Miami.

And per SI's Matthew McGavic, defensive tackle Rene Konga can play.

"Konga is an absolutely fantastic overall athlete," he said. "Pair that with unwavering effort, and it's rare for him to be completely erased from a play. Possesses explosiveness and twitch that you normally wouldn't expect from a tackle. Stems from his football upbringing as an edge."

Konga's production in college never matched his elite athleticism, but he was a second-team All-ACC performer a year ago and his skill-set meshes well with a Jeff Hafley defense that prioritizes explosiveness and the ability to get upfield vs. larger, space-eating tackles.

He's a player who should pop on the practice field. And the Dolphins need help on the defensive interior.

Minnesota Vikings: WR Dillon Bell

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Minnesota Vikings 2026 Football Headshots

The Minnesota Vikings have a solid trio of wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings. That would appear to make it an uphill road for undrafted rookie Dillon Bell to avoid a visit from "The Turk."

But as Alec Lewis wrote for The Athletic, Bell's versatility and skill-set makes him an interesting player to watch as we move through the summer.

"You can see what the Vikings were going for here," he said. "Bell is a big-bodied offensive weapon who doesn't just look like a running back. The 6-foot, 210-pounder averaged 7.3 yards per carry as a runner at Georgia. The route running is the primary hurdle, but that's precisely why the Vikings would make this type of bet. How Minnesota uses the spring and summer to find the right role for him will be telling. His frame and traits are enticing."

Bell has generated a ton of buzz in OTAs. If that carries over to training camp, he's going to be awfully difficult to cut.

New England Patriots: RB Myles Montgomery

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New England Patriots 2026 Football Headshots

There's no question who the top-two running backs are in New England. But behind veteran Rhamondre Stevenson and second-year pro TreVeyon Henderson things muddy pretty quickly.

The Pats drafted Alabama's Jam Miller in the last round of this year's draft, but the team also gave Central Florida's Myles Montgomery a sizable amount of guaranteed money, and Ethan Hurwitz of SI wrote the Pats didn't do that for no reason.

"It doesn't matter if it's football or just a casual game off the field, Montgomery does not want to lose," he said. "The Patriots signed the UCF running back as an undrafted free agent this past offseason, and for a lot of money. His $272,500 in guarantees is the most the Patriots have ever given an undrafted rookie in franchise history. That's not small chunk of change, and Montgomery got it for good reason."

If Montgomery can show some kick return chops it would help his cause, but he's as likely as anyone to open the season as New England's third running back.

New Orleans Saints: Edge Michael Heldman

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Central Michigan San Jose St Football

Central Michigan edge-rusher Michael Heldman's lack of measurables led to his being undrafted in 2026 despite logging 10.5 sacks for the Chippewas a year ago.

But Logan Ulrich of NFLTradeRumors.com believes the Saints may have gotten a steal as a result.

"Dane Brugler dubbed Heldman a 'MAC-level Nick Bosa,' which is a lofty but potentially apt comparison," he said. "He had a monster season in 2025 with 10.5 sacks in 13 games, plus a pair of forced fumbles and four batted passes to boot. This past spring, he tested like a dominant athlete compiling a RAS of 9.9 thanks to high- end numbers in almost every drill while measuring 6-4 and 270 pounds."

Comparing Heldman to a former Defensive Player of the Year may be pushing it. But his high-end athleticism should stand out on the practice field, and Heldman has shown he can turn that athleticism into stats.

New York Giants: CB Thaddeus Dixon

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New York Giants 2026 Football Headshots

North Carolina cornerback Thaddeus Dixon was another player the B/R Scouting Department was seemingly higher on than NFL teams—Harms ranked the 6'1" 195-pounder as a top-25 cornerback in his class and a likely fourth-round pick.

"Thaddeus Dixon's versatility stood out while he played for Steve Belichick at both of his Division I stops," he said. "Dixon played every defensive back role possible and showcased his instincts and quick trigger to close on route concepts and catch points alike. He's not the longest corner in the draft, but he knows how to use his length through the route and to disrupt passes."

A lack of long speed and lapses in run support hurt Dixon's draft stock, but the Giants gave him a sizable guarantee to come to the Big Apple. New York has made multiple changes on the back end this year, but depth is still a potential problem.

Or an opportunity—depending on how you look at it.

New York Jets: WR Caulin Lacy

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Jets Jaguars Football

As has already been mentioned here, sometimes the quickest path to the 53-man roster for an undrafted free agent can be on special teams.

And as SI's Jovan Alford pointed out, while Louisville's Caulin Lacy did plenty of damage as a wide receiver in 2025, special teams is where the 5'9" 183-pounder really stands out.

"Lacy took off this past season, racking up 60 receptions for 635 yards and 2 TDs on offense," he said. "Then, on special teams, averaging 18.2 yards per punt return (ranked fourth in FBS) and scoring two punt return TDs. He also averaged 20.9 yards per kick return en route to being named third-team All-ACC All Purpose and Honorable Mention at WR."

Yes, Lacy is undersized. But players who can take a punt or kickoff to the house tend to stick on rosters—whether they were drafted or not.

Philadelphia Eagles: LB Deontae Lawson

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NFL Combine Football

The Philadelphia Eagles don't have an especially easy roster for an undrafted rookie to crack. But when a player has good length and plus athleticism at a position of need, it makes the path easier.

That's the case with linebacker Deontae Lawson in Philadelphia. But according to Glenn Erby of Eagles Wire, the 6'3", 226-pounder doesn't just have a real shot to make the team.

He could start at some point in his rookie season.

"Lawson has a path worth monitoring at linebacker," he said. "Jihaad Campbell is entering his second season, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has taken first-team reps, but the Eagles' off-ball linebacker rotation remains a place where camp performance can change the depth chart quickly. Lawson's physicality and instincts could give him a chance to earn early defensive snaps and eventually push for spot starts."

Starting in 2026 is obviously the best-case scenario. But all Lawson needs to do is work his way to fourth on the depth chart at off-ball linebacker.

Lawson does that, he'll stick.

Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Kevin Jobity

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Pittsburgh Steelers2026 Football Headshots

This is a tough one—the Steelers have a veteran roster, didn't sign a lot of undrafted free agents and didn't hand out much in guarantees to the ones they did sign.

But of one of the league's smaller UDFA classes, the player with the best chance of making the roster has to be Syracuse defensive tackle Kevin Jobity.

As Mike DeFabo wrote for The Athletic, Jobity is easily the best UDFA the Steelers signed in 2026.

"At 6'4" and 308 pounds with 33.25" arms, he scored an 8.87 out of 10 on the Relative Athletic Score. That ranked 259 out of 2,278 DTs from 1987 to 2026. He was not invited to the combine. However, among players at his position, his 10-yard split would have made him among the top five testers at the combine, and his vertical (32") would have been sixth best. He played in several places across Syracuse's front."

Veteran Dean Lowry and rookie Gabriel Rubio will open camp ahead of Jobity on the depth chart. But leap-frogging them isn't exactly a Herculean task.

San Francisco 49ers: DT Bryson Eason

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San Francisco 49ers 2026 Football Headshots

Bryson Eason entered his collegiate career as a big linebacker. He will leave it as a far bigger defensive tackle. And he will try to win a roster spot with the San Francisco 49ers as a potentially versatile asset along the defensive line.

At 6'2" and 323 pounds, Eason is most assuredly a space-eater. But as his 5.09-second 40-yard dash time shows, Eason didn't lose all of his quickness when he got bigger. What kept him from getting drafted is that his technique and knowledge of his new position haven't caught up to his new frame just yet.

Eason's path to making the team would admittedly be easier were he an edge-rusher, but the 49ers were reportedly very aggressive about adding Eason after the draft—including a sizable contract guarantee.

He'll have to earn it in camp, but a reserve role at defensive tackle is there for the taking.

Seattle Seahawks: Edge Aidan Hubbard

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Seattle Seahawks 2026 Football Headshots

The Seattle Seahawks had one of the best defenses in the NFL last year, and the roster of the defending champions won't be an easy roster for an undrafted rookie to crack.

But the Seahawks fielded that stout defense without a true star on the edge, and after the departure of Boye Mafe to Cincinnati, Seattle has an opening at the position—an opening that Josh Edwards of CBS Sports believes Aidan Hubbard might fill quite nicely:

"Seattle lost Mafe via free agency and then gave Hubbard the largest practical guarantee ($267,500). Hubbard had at least six sacks in each of his past three seasons. He does a good job setting the edge and playing in pursuit down the line. There is not a lot of explosiveness or overwhelming physical characteristics, but there is some reliability in the run game."

The edge-rusher spot in Seattle this year is Demarcus Lawrence and a lot of uncertainty, giving Hubbard a real shot at making the roster for the Week 1 Super Bowl rematch with the Patriots.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Ayden Garnes

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 Football Headshots

For many players, OTAs are a chore. For undrafted free agents, they can be a massive opportunity—a chance to make a name for themselves ahead of training camp.

Per River Wells of SI, that's exactly what cornerback Ayden Garnes has done in padless practices.

"The Buccaneers have dealt with a large number of defensive back injuries so far this offseason," Wells wrote." That's allowed Ayden Garnes, an undrafted free agent out of Arizona, to get more playing time this offseason. He's deflected quite a few passes and covered his man well so far, and he's competing in a room that could use some depth heading into 2026."

Garnes doesn't have great size or blazing speed. But what he lacks in those categories he makes up for with experience, technique and ball skills. Sometimes, at the back end of the cornerback room you don't want fast but raw. Teams want a smart player who won't get caught out of position.

Tennessee Titans: CB Latrell McCutchin Sr.

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Tennessee Titans 2026 Football Headshots

The scouting department also had a draftable grade on one more cornerback.

They had a Round 6 price tag on Latrell McCutchin Sr., with Harms noting that the 6'2" 191-pounder possesses a nice blend of size, 4.43-second speed and physicality.

"Latrell McCutchin Sr. looks the part of an NFL boundary corner with his physical playstyle, length, and frame," Harms said. "McCutchin physically attacks the catchpoint and mirrors underneath routes in man coverage with impressive athleticism."

Inconsistency hurt McCutchin's draft stock—for every snap in college where he looked like a difference-maker, there was another where he was clearly beaten in coverage.

The traits are there, though. Size, speed and the willingness to get dirty against the run could help McCutchin shine on special teams.

Washington Commanders: RB Robert Henry Jr.

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Washington Commanders 2026 Football Headshots

The Washington Commanders have a backfield that is equal parts crowded and muddy.

The team already had Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols, signed Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency, drafted Penn State's Kaytron Allen on Day 3 and topped things off by signing UTSA back Robert Henry as an undrafted free agent.

All those names might make it appear an uphill climb for Henry, but Bleacher Report's Alex Kay cautioned to not count out the 5'9", 196-pounder.

"Although he played at a small program," he said, "Henry proved he could hang with elite talent when the opportunity presented itself. During the 2025 opener against Texas A&M, the back exploded for 177 yards and two touchdowns to keep UTSA competitive against a much stronger foe."

The reality is that the preseason is going to feature a lot of Ford, Allen and Henry battling for one or two roster spots.

And Henry has already thrived as the underdog.