With regards to undrafted free brokers, one factor’s for sure: There may be at all times gold in these hills.
As is the case practically each season, a number of undrafted rookie free brokers (UDFAs) made an impression on NFL groups in 2024. Carolina Panthers receiver Jalen Coker (Holy Cross) had 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles Rams linebacker Omar Speights (LSU) turned an impressive preseason into an eventual beginning position. Las Vegas Raiders security Thomas Harper (Notre Dame) was powerful to disregard, beginning 5 video games, together with three of the final 4.
Who will likely be this 12 months’s finest post-draft finds? Right here’s our annual have a look at one candidate for every of the 32 NFL groups …
(Editor’s be aware: Click on on every participant’s title to learn extra about them in Dane Brugler’s draft information, “The Beast.”)
Arizona Cardinals: Elijah Simmons, DT, Tennessee
There’s not a lot versatility right here however Simmons, a 6-foot-1, 334-pound nostril sort out, has the construct to be the kind of inside house eater for which groups are continually looking out. He was a part of a heavy rotation at Tennessee (14.4 snaps per sport final 12 months), however when he was on the sector, he introduced the drive and explosion essential to be a run stuffer.
Atlanta Falcons: Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
Nash (6-3, 203) moved from QB to receiver in 2022 and was a near-immediate success, placing up greater than 150 catches and a pair of,000 yards with 24 TDs over his remaining two seasons (together with 18 contested catches in 2024). The Falcons additionally introduced in explosive Miami DT Simeon Barrow Jr. and ultra-competitive Kansas CB Cobee Bryant.
One of many greatest gamers within the 2025 NFL Draft, Christian-Lichtenhan (6-8, 315, 35 1/4-inch arms, 85 3/8-inch wingspan) has a Dawand Jones-like potential to make use of his size to erase move rushers off the sting. He’s a restricted athlete, however his traits are price taking an opportunity on. The Ravens can even get a have a look at Division III sensation Thomas Perry, a freakishly athletic middle.
Buffalo Payments: Jacob Bayer, C, Arkansas State
A four-year starter and two-time All-Solar Belt middle who made stops at Lamar and Arkansas State, Bayer performs with nice energy and punch within the run sport. A troublesome buyer, Bayer rehabbed an ACL harm in lower than six months to start out his remaining 12 video games at Arkansas State.
Carolina Panthers: Luke Kandra, G, Cincinnati
An explosive guard, Kandra (6-5, 320) has sufficient energy (33 bench-press reps on the mix) to bully defenders on the line. He’s a decent-enough mover to hold on both aspect of the middle and works to beat some flexibility points with self-discipline and energy. Kandra took middle reps throughout Hula Bowl practices. Carolina can even get a have a look at UCF WR Kobe Hudson and Miami WR Jacolby George.
Chicago Bears: Main Burns, S, LSU
A jumbo security, Burns (6-2, 207 kilos) lacks top-end pace however has sufficient burst and power to be an element. He performed all around the discipline for LSU, taking reps as a field security, free security, slot nook and at the same time as an edge rusher.
Cincinnati Bengals: Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
A two-year starter at Alabama, McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State in 2024 and gained the Rimington Award (finest middle in faculty soccer) regardless of tearing his Achilles two weeks earlier than the Michigan sport. A strong, agile chief (when wholesome), McLaughlin performed his finest soccer in Columbus and can have a shot if he can overcome his harm. The Bengals additionally introduced in stout Notre Dame DT Howard Cross III.
Cleveland Browns: Donovan McMillon, S, Pittsburgh
One other massive security, McMillon (6-2, 203) performed each security spots and within the slot the final two years for Pitt, after spending time at Florida. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard sprint with a 35-inch vertical and 10 foot, 5 inch broad bounce. An aggressive protection participant, McMillon broke up 5 passes and compelled six incompletions final 12 months.
A uncooked tight finish with attention-grabbing traits, Fairweather (6-3, 242 with 34 1/2-inch arms and an 83 5/8-inch wingspan) was one of many longest ability gamers within the draft. He performs with pure leverage as a blocker and has the size to be an element within the run sport and move safety, ought to his method enhance.
Denver Broncos: Xavier Truss, OT, Georgia
A 3-year starter at Georgia who has performed left guard, proper guard and proper sort out, Truss (6-7, 309) brings a ton of energy and size within the run sport — he may very well be an element inside for an NFL group. He’s not the quickest participant, although, so Truss’ toughness and sturdiness (67 video games at Georgia) will likely be his greatest promoting factors.
An elite athlete, Keeney-James (6-0, 190) ran a 4.37 40 with a 1.54-second 10-yard break up at his professional day to go together with a 40 1/2-inch vertical, 10-6 broad bounce and 4.07 quick shuttle. He solely had one actual productive faculty season (51 catches, 870 yards in 2024) however has the traits to gamble on. Ole Miss TE Caden Prieskorn and Syracuse WR Jackson Meeks have been high quality provides for Detroit, too.
Inexperienced Bay Packers: Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia
A 3-year starter at Georgia, the 6-3, 327-pound Stackhouse is sufficiently big to play nostril and fast sufficient to maneuver out to three-tech in sure conditions. A strong participant who slot in with Kirby Good’s assault, Stackhouse has battled narcolepsy to make it this far. He’s a really decided athlete.
Houston Texans: Daniel Jackson, WR, Minnesota
Extra explosive than quick, Jackson performs a lot larger than his 5-10, 193-pound body. He combines strong burst and nice agility to be a artful route runner, with the flexibility to make acrobatic catches and massive performs downfield. He made 208 catches at Minnesota, No. 3 on the college’s all-time checklist.
Indianapolis Colts: Blayne Taylor, WR, Abilene Christian
A huge receiver (6-4, 212) with arm size that might make tackles jealous (34 3/4 inches), Taylor additionally ran a 4.44 40 with a 39 1/2-inch vertical and 10-11 broad bounce. A large ball of explosion, his traits are completely price watching this summer season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis
A four-year starter at Memphis, Henigan (6-3, 215) threw for 14,266 profession yards and 104 touchdowns (each AAC data) as one of many nation’s most constant Group of 5 quarterbacks. A sensible participant with middling arm expertise, Henigan makes his cash with consistency and method. He’s a sturdy pocket passer.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Esa Pole, OT, Washington State
A former basketball participant who by no means performed a snap of highschool soccer, Pole (who realized the sport from his older brother, Toni, a former Washington State defensive lineman) is a pure mover on the skin. His pass-protection instincts are higher than what he can supply as a run blocker proper now, however the 6-5, 323-pounder hasn’t come near his ceiling but.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jah Joyner, edge, Minnesota
Bodily, Joyner is an NFL edge out of central casting: 6-4, 262 with 34-inch arms, 82 1/2-inch wingspan and 4.60 40. The massive, lengthy and explosive Joyner continues to be extra traits than substance, however his flashes (7 1/2 sacks in 2023) are intriguing.
Los Angeles Chargers: Savion Washington, OT, Syracuse
One other gigantic sort out prospect, Washington (6-8, 340) performed at Kent State, Colorado and Syracuse with no consideration sort out and has sufficient nastiness within the run sport to be attention-grabbing for Jim Harbaugh’s roster. The Chargers additionally introduced in South Carolina RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, a 230-pounder with 4.46 pace.
Los Angeles Rams: Willie Lampkin, C, North Carolina
Essentially the most uniquely formed offensive line prospect on this class, Lampkin is likely one of the uncommon O-line prospects who stands below 6 ft (5-11, 279). However the former wrestler used violent arms and pure leverage to be efficient in faculty. If he have been three inches taller, he’d have been drafted.
Miami Dolphins: Jalin Conyers, TE, Texas Tech
A flexible tight finish who can play fullback, H-back or no matter else a group wants, Conyers (6-4, 260) was additionally a big-time basketball prospect at one time and has sufficient size and bulk to be a possible weapon in Miami’s stretch run sport. He confirmed nice effort and bend as a run blocker on the Shrine Bowl.
Minnesota Vikings: Logan Brown, OT, Kansas
Frankly, I used to be shocked to see Brown go undrafted. A 6-6, 311-pounder with close to 34-inch arms and good explosion, Brown was a five-star recruit who transferred to Kansas in 2023 after Wisconsin dismissed him for reportedly hanging one other participant throughout follow. He flashes NFL starter-level traits.
New England Patriots: CJ Dippre, TE, Alabama
One other participant who simply might have been drafted, Dippre (6-4, 256) was an excellent run blocker at Alabama and did every little thing — together with taking part in on particular groups — with supreme effort and depth. He’ll by no means be a high-volume receiver however may very well be an asset for Mike Vrabel within the run sport. Additionally keep watch over artful Japanese Washington WR Efton Chism III.
New Orleans Saints: Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware
Small however explosive, Yarns (5-10, 193) ran a 4.45 40 with a 37 1/2-inch vertical and 10-2 broad bounce on the mix. He flashed true breakaway pace as a runner and a receiver at Delaware, making 11 landing catches to go together with a 6.4 yards per carry mark over 5 years.
Wells (6-1, 201) was one of many hottest transfers within the nation in 2022 following a 15-touchdown season at James Madison. A foot harm slowed him down in 2023-24, however Wells has sufficient wiggle to get open and be an issue after the catch.
Edwards was arguably a greater receiver than a runner at Michigan. An explosive, agile 205-pounder, Edwards served principally as a backup all through his faculty profession and has poor imaginative and prescient between the tackles, however he’s sufficient of an athlete to have a shot.
Philadelphia Eagles: Maxen Hook, S, Toledo
One among Quinyon Mitchell’s secondary mates at Toledo, Hook was a four-year starter for Jason Candle’s Rockets and proved to be one of many MAC’s most constant safeties. The Eagles additionally introduced in hulking Rutgers OT Hollin Pierce (6-8, 341, 36-inch arms).
A 3-year beginning security — and a playmaker — for Phil Parker’s always-tough Iowa protection, Castro doesn’t have elite athleticism however is an especially good defender, each in move protection (particularly zone) and run help.
San Francisco 49ers: Isaiah Neyor, WR, Nebraska
A burner with a huge body, Neyor (6-4, 218 with 34 3/8-inch arms and an 82 5/8-inch wingspan) ran a 4.40 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 11-1 broad bounce on the mix. An elite athlete, Neyor struggled at Texas and Nebraska to match the manufacturing he put up at Wyoming, however he’s well worth the gamble.
Seattle Seahawks: Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
A highschool quarterback who moved to defensive again whereas at SE Louisiana earlier than matriculating to LSU, Alexander (6-1, 187 with 31-inch arm) is an enormous, lengthy nook with sufficient athleticism to hold in as a security in a pinch.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Desmond Watson, DT, Florida
The most important massive man within the 2025 NFL Draft class (and one of many greatest we’ve ever seen), the 6-6, 464-pound Watson is a home on wheels. He’s lighter on his ft than his weight suggests, so he may very well be an attention-grabbing venture for Todd Bowles’ workers, if he can keep in form.
Tennessee Titans: Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
Restrepo was one among Cam Ward’s favourite targets at Miami final season. He was super-productive for the Hurricanes, placing up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and practically 3,000 profession yards. He’s sluggish (4.85 40), however his toughness, aggressive drive and route nuance is perhaps sufficient to shock of us. Ward will likely be glad to see him, at the very least. The Titans additionally introduced in Boston School DT Cam Horsley, an inside thumper who was superb on the Shrine Bowl.
Washington Commanders: Fentrell Cypress II, CB, Florida State
A comparatively disciplined nook with good size, Cypress (6-0, 182) ran a 4.43 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 10-3 broad bounce at his professional day, after a six-year profession (4 at Virginia, two at Florida State). He labored reverse Azareye’h Thomas final season, tying with him for the group lead in compelled incompletions (6).
(High picture of Donovan Edwards: Gregory Shamus / Getty Photographs)
