Undrafted Free Agents Who Should Command Your Attention in 2016 Offseason
For NFL draft junkies and diehard fans of respective NFL teams, seven rounds just isn't enough. While undrafted players don't often contribute as rookies or even make the team long term, enough have overcome the odds. There's genuine reason for excitement even after the draft to see where these talents end up.
These eight players, in my opinion, are worth getting to know based on their talent level, upside as prospects or ideal team fit. Entering training camp as an undrafted free agent is an uphill battle, but these eight prospects have a great chance not only to turn heads this offseason and into preseason, but to impress enough to make the team and battle for playing time in 2016.
Josh Woodrum, QB, Liberty Flames: New York Giants
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Josh Woodrum won't be beating out quarterback Eli Manning for the New York Giants' starting job anytime soon, but he could become the heir to be his backup in 2017 and beyond. Current backup and 2013 draft pick Ryan Nassib will have his contract expire at year's end, opening the door for the Giants to go with an inexpensive young backup rather than re-sign Nassib for a multimillion dollar deal.
That said, they first need the Liberty product to step up and prove why he should have been a draft pick. While the depth of the 2016 quarterback class was under appreciated in the build up of the draft, Woodrum still should have earned a Day 3 draft pick. He ended up in a situation that gives him a chance to be the relied-upon backup for a playoff-hopeful team.
High football IQ, a strong arm on the perimeter and managing somewhat NFL-style progressions, Woodrum has the talent to grow into a legitimate NFL quarterback.
Jay Lee, WR, Baylor Bears: Detroit Lions
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After thoroughly impressing at the Senior Bowl, Baylor Bears' Jay Lee looked on track for an eventual draft pick, even despite the fact that he didn't receive an NFL Scouting Combine invite. Corey Coleman's running mate in the Baylor offense, Lee wasn't drafted in the 2016 class but landed in an awesome situation in Detroit with the opportunity to earn playing time as a rookie.
Already without great depth at the position, losing Calvin Johnson crippled the Lions receiving corps. While signing Marvin Jones helped, this roster's lacks any surefire NFL talent after Jones and Golden Tate. Enter Lee, who despite coming from a limited route-tree offense, gained separation with refined routes and polished steps against recently drafted NFL cornerbacks at the Senior Bowl.
Devon Cajuste, TE, Stanford Cardinal: San Francisco 49ers
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The massive college receiver at Stanford signed with the San Francisco 49ers after the draft, likely as a tight end, a transition that shouldn't come as a surprise to those who have watched him. While not quite bulky enough to be a consistent tight end presence, Cajuste has 6'5", 230-plus-pound size and the frame to continue to add weight if need be.
The San Francisco 49ers haven't been averse to project players, especially at tight end, and they could be the ideal landing spot for the somewhat positionless, yet effective, college ball-catcher. His role may be limited as a rookie, but if he can make the team, then he should be a difficult matchup and entertaining to watch against opposing defenses in the preseason.
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Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina Tar Heels: New Orleans Saints
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Landon Turner is the best player from the 2016 NFL draft class not selected. He ended up in a better situation to start than most interior offensive linemen picked anyway. Despite major needs at the position, the New Orleans Saints ignored both guard spots in the draft and quickly signed Turner afterwards.
Turner isn't a sexy athlete or a mauler at the second level, but he can punch with power, turn and pivot as a quick pass protector, and he finishes blocks with plus hand placement. He's a reliable guard who should be able to bring that reliability and starting ability to the Saints in 2016.
Shaneil Jenkins, DE, Shepherd University: Denver Broncos
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Hailing from a Division II school, Shaneil Jenkins is certainly in for an uphill battle to make the roster on the Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos. However, with his athletic and on-field comparison being former Bronco standout and recently departed Malik Jackson, it's no surprise that Denver had substantial interest after the draft.
Jenkins is still raw and played almost without a true position at the college level, but the athleticism in space, lateral movement for a big lineman and violent upfield punch when he is balanced are all worthwhile to develop. He should be fun to watch in training camp and preseason, but he could be groomed as a key rotation player for 2017.
Connor Wujciak, DL, Boston College Eagles: Philadelphia Eagles
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One of the top-rated athletes at the defensive line position, Connor Wujciak surprisingly fell out of the draft in one of the strongest defensive line classes in recent memory. The active and high-motor interior rusher surprised in his pro day workout to be among the leaders at the defensive line position, according to the SPARQ formula. It wasn't enough to overcome his lack of defined rush moves or NFL position to secure a draft choice, though.
Landing in Philadelphia, however, couldn't be a better fit. The 3/5-technique hybrid is an ideal fit in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's defense. After waiting until the seventh round of the 2016 draft to address the defensive line, Wujciak enters the team with a tremendous opportunity to make it and contribute behind defensive lineman Fletcher Cox.
Michael Jordan, CB, Missouri Western Griffons: Los Angeles Rams
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The small-school safety hailed from the same conference as wide receiver John Brown of the Arizona Cardinals and defensive back Pierre Desir of the Browns, so his college experience isn't without some adequate competition. Playing both cornerback and safety in his career, the secondary-depleted Rams signed him as a cornerback, with former second-round pick Lamarcus Joyner likely headed to safety.
Jordan offers plus hip movement and hand-fighting strength to work best as a zone cornerback who can finish in the short area and be a highly proficient tackler. While he's certainly no lock to make the team, the Rams' lack of draft picks and offensive focus mean they likely envision Jordan as a long-term contributor despite being an undrafted free agent.
Jeremy Cash, S, Duke Blue Devils: Carolina Panthers
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The undersized strong safety fell out of the draft thanks to concerns about not having a true NFL position, despite a highly productive career. Those concerns are valid, as Jeremy Cash is a 6'0", sub-230-pound strong safety angling for a role to play in the box where he's best, which is far below the league norm for an in-the-box safety.
That said, getting a chance to win over his hometown team in Carolina and potentially add depth to its already lackluster safety corps is certainly possible. With his explosiveness in the run game and lateral quickness near the line, Cash should be at least an entertaining watch in training camp and preseason.
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