There are several reasons quality players go undrafted including injury concerns, character issues, size, speed and in some cases a glut at a position leaves some draftable players out at the end. The following is a list of at least one undrafted free agent per team with a chance to make the roster. In many cases it’s the highest graded UDFA by Ourlads that team signed. In some cases more players per team are listed that have made a splash in the early going. There is also a possibility some of these players will wind up with other teams after the cutdown date. If they do not make a team most will end up on a practice squad. (This reflects the rosters as of 8/18.)
Harrison Wallace III, WR, Mississippi
Harrison Wallace III is Ourlads’ top ranked UDFA on the Cardinals. After a solid 2025 campaign he went undrafted as part of a large quality wide receiver class. After an impressive showing during OTAs he has followed it up with a solid training camp including two catches for 27 yards in the Cardinals’ pre-season game vs. the Panthers. He has a solid shot to make the roster as depth at slot receiver.
Jack Strand, QB, Minnesota State-Moorhead
With Michael Penix Jr. still recovering, the Falcons' QB3 could play a relatively important role this season. Jack Strand was the first undrafted player that Atlanta pursued once the NFL Draft came to an end. He threw for over 13,000 yards and 126 touchdowns over 42 career games at MSU Moorhead. Strand was one of the few bright spots in Atlanta's first preseason game, scoring the team's only TD and committing no turnovers.
Diego Pounds, OT, Mississippi
With age creeping up on Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens have a need at left tackle. This opens a door for Diego Pounds, the massive UDFA from Mississippi to earn a roster spot. A surprising draft snub, Pounds has been getting work at left tackle and could battle Carson Vinson for a roster spot. Pre-season game opportunities could be important in this battle.
Kani Walker, CB, Arkansas
Walker has looked impressive at practice, and is in a fierce competition with Buffalo’s seventh round pick, Toriano Pride Jr. They both saw plenty of defensive snaps in the first preseason game, but Walker was the only player in the game to get an interception.
Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech
Already becoming a fan favorite, Haynes King looked great in the Hall of Fame game. Though Kenny Pickett likely has the backup quarterback spot locked up, King is a great athlete who has the potential to fill a role as an offensive weapon as well as QB3. He should be the most likely UDFA to make the 53-man roster on the Panthers.
Mason Murphy, OT, Auburn
The Bears do not have a clear cut spot where a UDFA has a shot to make the roster as there are numerous veterans competing for available spots. One player who could make it as a last man standing is former Auburn offensive tackle Mason Murphy. Currently he’s listed at right tackle where veteran Darnell Wright has a lock and former UDFA Theo Benedet is the backup. Murphy’s value may come from his versatility, as in college he started games at center and guard along with tackle. He graded out well in the game against the Browns.
Caden Barnett, OG, Wyoming
Barnett has also had some quality reps and could battle for a roster spot before it's over.
Jayden Loving, DT, Wake Forest
Loving was unheralded coming out of Wake Forest, but the Bears like his quickness and power and he has raised some eyebrows around Halas Hall. He has held his own in practice and had some quality reps including a pressure leading to an interception against the Browns.
Eric Gentry, LB, USC
The Bengals do not have a clear cut best UDFA candidate to make the opening day roster, but Eric Gentry has created a buzz in Bengals’ camp. He’s lengthy and tall at 6-6 and has been consistently around the ball when he gets his reps in practice. He’s competed well and his best shot is special teams. The question is how many linebackers will they keep.
Tyreak Sapp, Edge, Florida
Tyreak Sapp’s production fell off in 2025 and that along with a deep edge class left him undrafted. He was still Ourlads’ top UDFA at the position and has some versatility to move inside. He took some reps at three technique against the Bears. With the trade of Myles Garrett the need becomes acute even with the addition of Jared Verse.
Logan Fano, Edge, Utah
The door is open for at least one free agent edge defender to make the roster and Fano is right there competing with Sapp and Khordae Sydnor. Fano had some quality reps coming off the edge and has a legitimate shot to make the roster.
Khordae Sydnor, Edge, Vanderbilt
Sydnor appeared to be behind Sapp and Fano in the pecking order, but his play against the Bears has put him in the mix to make the team. He had a sack against the Bears and has shown pass rush skill throughout camp. It's possible two of the three could make the team. Pre-season performance will determine their fate in Cleveland.
Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
Tight end Michael Trigg from Baylor was a somewhat surprising draft day snub and was the highest rated player on the Ourlads’ board who went undrafted. Attitude and character concerns were cited as the reasons he slid out of the draft. During training camp he’s been turning heads as a receiver with some acrobatic catches. One question has been his willingness to block. He’s shown improvement in that area and now appears to have a legitimate shot to fit into the Cowboys’ tight end rotation.
Camden Brown, WR, Georgia Southern
Another playmaker emerging for the Cowboys’ passing game is Camden Brown. He stole the show in week one of the preseason matchup in Seattle, finishing with a team-high 62 yards and two high-level touchdown catches. The size and explosive movement traits have been on display at camp as well.
Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
The Broncos have had some injuries during camp at linebacker and that could open the door for a roster spot for Ourlads’ top rated undrafted linebacker Taurean York. York is an undersized high motor prospect who lacks ideal size and speed numbers but just makes plays. He’s had a solid training camp and in the first pre-season showed quality instincts and athleticism making some plays late in the game.
Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
The Lions have three quarterbacks on the roster and Altmyer is the third. He saw significant playing time in the Lions’ game against the Bengals, taking the majority of the quarterback reps. He completed 13 of 22 for 130 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception. It was a mixed performance, but he definitely is inline for a roster spot.
Anthony Lucas, Edge, USC
Lucas is in a battle with several other edge defenders for a roster spot, but his early performance in camp and the first game may have given him a leg up. He had two tackles along with a quarterback hit and showed some burst off the edge. Ourlads projected him as a 6th-7th round pick, but the depth on the edge pushed him out of the draft.
J. Michael Sturdivant, WR, Florida
The Packers have a solid group of frontline receivers and a roster battle is shaping up for the last spots. J. Michael Sturdivant has been impressive during OTAs and camp and had a couple of catches in the first pre-season game. He’s displayed versatility getting work inside and outside. He didn’t have elite production at Florida, but he’s tall and fast and could work his way into a roster spot in Green Bay.
Noah Whittington, RB, Oregon
The Texans have several UDFAs with a shot to make the team as they landed some of Ourlads’ top ranked UDFAs including Noah Whittington. Whittington has been competing for a spot and getting a lot of reps in camp along with 13 carries for 40 yards in the pre-season opener. He has shown improvement and will need to continue to progress to secure a spot.
Collin Wright, CB, Stanford
Wright has been turning heads during camp with solid play during practices and is battling for a depth spot on the roster. He’s taken some first team reps during camp and got a long look in the first pre-season game. He had a somewhat mixed performance with key pass breakup but also missed a tackle in space. He left the game with a minor injury. His camp performance so far puts him in a good spot to make the roster.
James Neal III, OT, Iowa State
With a need for offensive linemen, the Texans gave their biggest UDFA bonus to James Neal. He is currently listed third on the depth chart, but could move up with a strong performance. He had 15 snaps in the first game and showed solid run blocking skill at right tackle.
Nolan Rucci, OT, Penn State
With the Colts’ need for offensive line depth, Rucci has a shot to make it as a swing tackle as he can play both right and left tackle. The Colts have stated the competition is open so he has a shot, but has been dealing with a leg injury which kept him out of the first game..
Cameron Ball, DT, Arkansas
Ball is a highly regarded interior prospect, but with a group of solid veterans in front of him his path to making the team will be tough. He saw rotational reps against the Patriots and recorded one tackle.
Devon Marshall, CB, NC State
The Jaguars put a lot of money and effort into UDFAs this year and came up with several players that were high on Ourlads’ list of UDFAs. Devon Marshall has seen significant playing time in camp and had a solid pre-season game against the Saints with four tackles and a pass breakup. He has a good path to a roster spot.
J'Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia
Taylor was the main running back for the Jaguars vs. the Saints and had 22 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown. He’s had a good camp and the Jaguars are high on his ability. He could be in line for situational backup duty this season.
Garrett DiGiorgio, OG, UCLA
DiGiorgio was highly sought after when the draft ended, and he could end up with a roster spot due to his versatility to play inside and outside. He has some veterans ahead of him so it’s a tough road.
Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
The Chiefs have re-done their secondary, losing multiple starters including their top safety Bryan Cook who signed with Cincinnati. They are sticking with in-house replacements but the door is open for someone new to fill out the depth and Xavier Nwankpa is making a lot of noise as a versatile back-end piece who can line up as a deep safety and/or in the box with speed and physicality.
Roman Hemby, RB, Indiana
With a top five pick in 2025 and a fourth rounder in 2026 in front of him on the depth chart, the number of reps Roman Hemby has been getting have been limited. He has already stood out and made an impression with the coaches with how professional he is and the amount of different things he can do to help the offense from the pass-catching and protection perspectives.
Nadame Tucker, Edge, Western Michigan
It was a good year for edge rushers, but it was still a surprise that Nadame Tucker went undrafted. His solid Senior Bowl seemed to calm the worry about playing at a group of five school. He got a nice bonus to sign with the Chargers and has so far shown up well during training camp. Along with Akheem Mesidor, Tucker is emerging as a key player on the edge in Chargers’ camp. Was in the rotation in the first pre-season game and had one tackle.
Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Isaiah World went undrafted mostly because he tore his ACL during the college football playoffs and would be unavailable during camp and into the season. He’s a high upside prospect and the Chargers swooped in to sign him and stash him on the non-football injury list. He will likely miss the majority if not the entire 2026 season but could be a valuable addition in 2027.
Dean Connors, RB, Houston
Dean Connors finished his college career with 145 receptions and despite the fact the Rams’ backfield has more than enough depth, nobody in the room other than starter Kyren Williams has been able to contribute consistently in the passing game. Connors has been emerging weekly during training camp and even added two touchdown catches in the first preseason game.
Louis Moore, S, Indiana
The Dolphins have a thin secondary, and this gives Indiana safety Louis Moore plenty of opportunity to make the team. Moore is undersized but he helps make up for it with his instincts and eagerness to tackle. His competition includes Dante Trader Jr., Zayne Anderson, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and fifth round pick Michael Taaffe. It might come down to how many safeties the team decides to keep, but Moore will at least be a lock for the practice squad.
Brett Thorson, PT, Georgia
Winner of the Ray Guy Award in 2025, Thorson had a better performance than veteran Johnny Hekker during Minnesota’s first preseason game. One of the concerns about him was that he had no experience holding during his time at Georgia, but he has successfully been able to hold for kicker Will Reichard throughout training camp. Thorson should have decent odds at making the team over Hekker, but it is not guaranteed.
Jacob Thomas, S, James Madison
Thomas was given significant reps against the Giants and also might have a shot to make the roster. He recorded 4 tackles and a pass break up.
Khalil Jacobs, LB, Missouri
Khalil Jacobs is an athletic but slightly undersized inside linebacker prospect who had only one pre-draft visit and it was New England. After running a 4.77 40 at his pro day, most teams lost interest. So far during camp he’s flashed solid play and is moving up the depth chart. He’s shown ability to blitz and cover and has been a key member of the Patriots’ special team units. If he carries this through the pre-season he can make the roster as depth and special teams.
Michael Heldman, Edge, Central Michigan
The biggest obstacle that Heldman will have to making the active roster is the fact that the Saints have a huge amount of depth on the edge. Carl Granderson, Chase Young, and Cameron Jordan are going to be the top three players at the position. That leaves Anfernee Jennings, Tyree Wilson, Chris Rumph II, Fadil Diggs, and Heldman as the main players contending for the remaining outside linebacker spots. This will also depend on how many edge players that New Orleans decides to keep when they cut down their roster.
Dominic Zvada, PK, Michigan
Dominic Zvada has a big leg capable of routinely hitting it between the uprights from 50+ yards. He was 8/9 from that distance last season at Michigan and that power has shown up in camp so far. He ended a practice with a 63-yarder in early August and seems to be lockstep with Ben Sauls who took over the job late last year in New York. Head Coach John Harbaugh wants him to prove he can kick them straight, not just long.
Mory Bamba, CB, BYU
Dubbed by Head Coach Aaron Glenn as “Bamba Island”, cornerback Mory Bamba is one of the players who stood out the most in the Jets' first preseason game. Originally a college track star, he later transferred to BYU and became one of their rotational outside cornerbacks. He offers very impressive measurables at 6-2 and ran a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash. Bamba was trending toward making the 53-man roster, but unfortunately he suffered a knee injury at practice earlier this week. Reportedly he will be out for the next few weeks, which could put his roster spot in jeopardy if another player emerges in the meantime.
Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Deontae Lawson was a highly regarded linebacker at Alabama with solid athletic traits and when healthy, very productive. The problem was he has a hard time staying on the field which is likely the reason he went undrafted. He’s missed significant time with a knee and foot injury the last two seasons. If he can stay healthy he has a chance to make the Eagles and contribute on special teams initially.
David Blay, DT, Miami
Blay was one of Ourlads’ top graded UDFAs but was cut by New England. The Eagles picked him up and he had a solid 35 snaps and six tackles in the pre-season game against the Ravens. He was a key part of the Hurricanes’ defense last year and shows physicality and quickness. He’s a long shot to make the Eagles, but he could find a home somewhere if he continues to show well in the pre-season.
Lake McRee, TE, USC
Following a breakout season last fall, McRee arrived to one of the more established and crowded tight end rooms in the league with four others who have had substantial NFL playing time. The size and speed have put him on the radar but he really got the team’s attention with his physical play style and ability to hold up in the trenches as a blocker.
Bryson Eason, DT, Tennessee
While the team’s defensive line has a lot of young talent (four draft picks over the last two years) and two veterans they acquired via trade, Bryson Eason offers a play style against the run that very few in that room do. The release of Kevin Givens further increases his odds, as he saw first team snaps in their preseason opener against Tennessee and performed well in a two-gap role.
Aidan Hubbard, Edge, Northwestern
With some uncertainty on the edge in Seattle and Demarcus Lawrence nearing the end of his career, Aidan Hubbard has an opportunity to make the roster and fit in the rotation. As we’ve said, this was a solid edge class but Hubbard was still a somewhat surprising draft snub. The Seahawks liked him enough to give him a hefty bonus to sign. He’s not flashy but has been a steady performer and will compete for a roster spot.
Ayden Garnes, CB, Arizona
With the Bucs' starting cornerback Benjamin Morrison out with injury for most of training camp, UDFA Ayden Garnes has been able to capitalize. He has been a standout at camp, and in the first preseason game he intercepted a pass from Jets’ quarterback Bailey Zappe and returned it for a 47-yard pick-six. Garnes has a chance to win one of the two starting outside cornerback jobs in nickel defense, though he will have to compete with Morrison and Damarion "Pepe" Williams.
Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
The Titans did not address the safety position in the draft even though depth was an issue going into the off-season. It was a surprise that Fitzgerald went undrafted, but the Titans put a priority on signing him and he was Ourlads’ highest graded defensive back not drafted. He’s been getting second team reps and saw significant snaps in the first pre-season game while recording two tackles.
Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSA
Robert Henry Jr. has put his elusive, low-to-the-ground, tough running style on display and it is hard to ignore. The undersized, but explosive back who led the nation in runs of 60+ and 70+ yards last year has shown he can create on his own and capitalize on just a little bit of space. He added multiple explosive runs in his first preseason action along with a score and quality pass protection.