2016 NFL Draft: Undrafted Free Agents Teams Will Regret Passing On
It’s amazing to think that, after 253 picks in the NFL draft, there are still quality, NFL-caliber players available. But each year, every team usually has at least one undrafted player who contributes during his rookie season.
These eight undrafted players, from all different positions, have a chance to stick in the NFL. And, if given the right opportunity, they could prove to NFL teams that they should have been draft picks. From Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams to a former All-ACC safety Jeremy Cash, these players will hope to prove their doubters wrong, and it won't be surprising if they have long NFL careers despite the odds against them.
Vernon Adams, QB, Oregon
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Vernon Adams landed at Oregon after two years of productive passing play at Eastern Washington, where he emerged as one of the FCS’ best players. The 5'11" passer wowed during the early part of his senior season with the Ducks before injuries slowed his progress and inhibited his ability to finish perimeter throws and on the move.
However, at his best, Adams was one of the most fun quarterbacks to watch in college football. With awesome elusiveness outside the pocket and the ability to finish throws rolling to both sides and from multiple foot platforms, Adams made NFL quality throws when off balance or working in space. His diminutive size kept him undrafted, but he’ll get the chance to work in Seattle and battle for backup duties behind Russell Wilson, per Rand Getlin of the NFL Network.
Jay Lee, WR, Baylor
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Corey Coleman was Baylor’s star offensive weapon this past season, breaking records for touchdown receptions and producing highlight-reel plays almost every week. But he wasn’t the only Baylor receiver impressing each week, nor the only one with NFL draft hype. His teammate, Jay Lee, earned a Senior Bowl invite for his play.
Few receivers impressed more than Lee at the Senior Bowl. As a route-runner and naturally separating receiver, he succeeded in NFL fashion. While he's not an overly explosive athlete (and wasn’t invited to the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine in February), Lee’s efficiency as a route-runner and in separation against NFL-level cornerbacks won me over. He may never be an NFL starter, but he has the skill set and fundamentally sound talent to stick in the NFL for a while.
Darion Griswold, TE, Arkansas State
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After not boasting an overly productive college career, including hauling in just 13 catches in 2016, Griswold was surely a long shot to secure a draft pick. The versatile tight end didn’t get a chance to thrive in college. Luckily, he was able to do so during the East-West Shrine Game practices, where he showed plus-jump-ball and high-point ability, according to Chris Kouffman of OptimumScouting.com.
In a weak tight end class, Griswold wasn’t able to win teams over during the predraft process to merit a draft choice. However, with tight end value still at an all-time high and Griswold’s seam-attacking upside and perimeter route-running capabilities, he was one of the most surprising undrafted tight ends.
While he’s not a complete tight end yet and may never be a feature player in the NFL, his versatility and immediate value in a few select areas of the passing game should make him a worthwhile undrafted investment.
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Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina
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Upon completion of the 2016 NFL draft, North Carolina guard Landon Turner sat atop my board as the clear best remaining prospect available. The two-year starter for the Tar Heels ranked as one of the best guard prospects in the 2016 draft class thanks to a sturdy lower half and patient arm punch as an interior blocker.
Turner likely slipped on draft day thanks to a perceived lack of great athleticism or movement skills, which is understandable. NFL teams value movement for offensive linemen more than ever, and Turner may struggle to move laterally as a pass-blocker in space. However, the powerful run-blocker with phone-booth pass-blocking upside is still a fit for some offensive schemes, including the New Orleans Saints, who signed him.
Don’t be surprised if Turner ends up as a starter before the end of the season.
Anthony Fabiano, OC, Harvard
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After a midseason injury derailed his potential Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine invite, Anthony Fabiano recovered from an ankle injury in time for his pro day and performed at a remarkable level for a recently recovered offensive line prospect. He posted the best performance among offensive linemen in the 2016 NFL draft, according to the SPARQ formula.
Working as a center since his injury and offering the most value there thanks to his quickness off the snap, pivot-blocking ability out of his stance and relative football (and general) IQ, Fabiano was battling for a draft spot in one of the better center classes in recent years.
Despite not being drafted, Fabiano still has a great chance to stick in the NFL. Likely not drafted due to NFL concerns about his ankle and his hailing from a small school, Fabiano ended up with the Baltimore Ravens after the draft and should enter training camp as one of the favorites to be their feature backup interior lineman.
Connor Wujciak, DT, Boston College
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Connor Wujciak generated much discussion during the draft process after a good, but not great, college career that mostly relied on flashes of interior penetration and ample activity when he attacked upfield. However, after posting the NFL Scouting Combine’s best workout for a defensive tackle, according to the SPARQ formula calculated by 3SigmaAthlete.com’s Zach Whitman, Wujciak appeared to have a great shot at getting the draft weekend nod from an NFL team.
Explosive, able to penetrate and with a high motor, Wujciak is the perfect mid-round interior pass-rusher who, in time and allowed to flourish as a 3-technique early on, could play a key role in a defensive front. Wujciak landed in Philadelphia, where he'll be one of the team's few ideal 4-3 defensive fits. While he'll likely never be an NFL team's ideal starting defensive tackle, Wujciak could be a long-term contributor in the NFL.
Eric Striker, LB, Oklahoma
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At just 5’11" and 227 pounds and after running a 4.80 at the NFL Scouting Combine, Eric Striker’s hopes at a draft pick seemed slim. Despite a highly productive career at Oklahoma as one of the team’s defensive leaders for the past two seasons, Striker’s measurables likely deemed him too small for most linebacker thresholds and too slow to play safety.
But on film, few defenders are more exciting to watch and as rangy as Striker. Despite his measurable concerns, he merited a draft selection on his playmaking alone. He’s willing to take on blocks, can rush the passer on the perimeter, shows fluidity in coverage and can finish tackles in space. He’ll have an uphill battle to find a true NFL position for most schemes, but once he finds a team that can properly use his skill set, he could be a valuable chess piece for a wise defensive coordinator.
Jeremy Cash, SAF, Duke
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The Duke Blue Devil was a standout safety in the ACC the last two seasons, playing an active, almost-in-the-box position on the defense. Despite being just 6’0" and less than 220 pounds, Cash played with reckless abandon and packed a tackling punch that outperformed his stature.
However, as an NFL prospect, Cash appeared to NFL teams as a strong safety trapped in a free safety’s body. Without great coverage, hip fluidity or timing in the midfield, Cash doesn’t offer much value as a free safety. And without the bulk to play near the line of scrimmage on a consistent basis, h was left without an NFL position and, by default, an NFL draft pick.
That all said, players with his passion for the game and physicality deserve a shot to stick in the NFL, and regardless of his measurables, he’ll have coaches at his future NFL team advocating to find some role for him on the roster.
According to the Charlotte Observer's Joseph Person, the Carolina Panthers signed Cash on Saturday night.
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