2013 Undrafted Free Agent Tracker
In the 2013 NFL draft, 254 players were chosen, but there are still many deserving players. Those players are labeled as undrafted free agents (UDFA) and now have a unique privilege that most rookies do not – they have the chance to choose their team. Each year, there are many undrafted free agents who make NFL rosters and some, like Arian Foster, Victor Cruz and Tony Romo even have a big fantasy impact.
Here’s a running list of rookie free agent signings, along with their outlook. We’ll continue to update this as signing occur.
Matt Scott, QB JAX
Former Arizona Wildcat Matt Scott was a hot name leading up to the draft. There was even some speculation at one point that he might be selected on day two of the draft. Instead, he fell completely out of the draft and right into the laps of a team that needs a quarterback upgrade, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars entered the draft with the quarterback due of Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne and they were expected by most to use their second round pick on a new signal caller. Instead, they chose another position in the second round and then again, and again, and again. By the end of the seventh round, the Jaguars had made eight selections, none of them on a quarterback.
Scott will come into Jacksonville with a legitimate shot to compete for the starting job in training camp. While it is very rare for an undrafted free agent to earn a starting quarterback job, it would be no surprise if Scott ends up starting a few games by the end of the season. Scott is a great target late in your rookie drafts.
Collin Klein, QB HOU
Quarterback Collin Klein had all kinds of success in college playing for Kansas State, even making the trip to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Like many quarterbacks in the past though, that success was not expected to translate to the NFL. The main knock on Klein is his weak arm strength. Throughout the pre-draft process, Klein was asked to workout as a tight end, but opted to stick with the quarterback position. He has now been given a shot by the Houston Texans.
The Texans have a solid starting quarterback in Matt Schaub and a reliable young backup, TJ Yates. Klein is a long-shot to make the team at all, especially as a quarterback. If he is willing to make the switch to tight end, that may increase his chances, but would still be an uphill battle. While Klein had a spectacular college career, it seems he may not have a future in the NFL.
Ray Graham, RB HOU
Running back Ray Graham had an impressive, yet injury riddled career at the University of Pittsburgh, which concluded with him missing the team’s bowl game last season. This was a disappointing way to end his college career and Graham may be disappointed again after not hearing his name called at the draft this weekend. The good news though is that the Houston Texans have signed Graham as a undrafted free agent.
As we all know, the Texans are stacked at running back with one of the best all time undrafted free agents, Arian Foster, along with his backup, Ben Tate. Even with two above average runners, the Texans know you can never have too many running backs and giving Graham a shot makes sense. Graham is worthy of drafting in only the deepest of leagues.
Miguel Maysonet, RB PHI
Running back Miguel Maysonet was hoping to be the first player ever from Stony Brook University to be drafted, but that wasn’t meant to be. Instead, he has signed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Along the Texans, the Eagles are a team that is always active in the UDFA market, especially when it comes to running backs. Remember, they signed Chris Polk last season, who surprisingly was not drafted.
After trading Dion Lewis, there may be a role available for an additional running back and perhaps the speedy back can claim that spot. Along with Polk, the Eagles already have starter LeSean McCoy and backup Bryce Brown, who both seem entrenched as the top two backs for the Eagles.
Onterio McCalebb, RB CIN
Former Auburn running back Onterio McCalebb is one of the fastest players even to run the 40 at the combine, clocking a 4.34. Now, he joins a crowded backfield in Cincinnati, who also acquired running back Giovani Bernard this weekend. The Bengals now have starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bernard Scott, Bernard, Cedric Peerman among others. None of those players offer the speed of McCalebb though. With that said, he is unlikely to make the final roster and has no dynasty value.
Cierre Wood, RB HOU
The Texans didn’t stop with Graham, they’ve also signed former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood. After a superb sophomore season, Wood’s rushing yards, carries and touchdowns all dropped significantly, but he still made the decision to leave school early. After not being drafted, Wood chose the Texans. Not only will he compete with veterans Foster and Tate, but other undrafted free agents, including Graham. Wood has the talent to succeed in a zone blocking system, but can he overcome all of the competition in Houston?
Da’Rick Rogers, WR BUF
Wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers entered the weekend as one of the most talented, but also most trouble players in the draft. While his off the field concerns, which caused him to be dismissed from the University of Tennessee football team, were a concern, it was still a major surprise when Rogers was not chosen at all. Rumors began to circulate that his former coaches as Tennessee had some very negative things to say about Rogers when asked by coaches or scouts. This might have been the final straw.
Following the draft though, Rogers was signed by the Buffalo Bills, who are quietly and quickly building a young and talented wide receiving corps. After trouble with his coaches and some failed drug tests in Knoxville, Rogers moved on to Tennessee Tech, where he had no reported issues. Rogers is both fast and physical and even led the Southeastern Conference in catches as a sophomore. Rogers has the ability to fill a starting role for the Bills immediately, if he can overcome all of the red flags. He’s worth gambling on as early as the late second round of your rookie draft.
George Winn, RB HOU
Well, they’ve done it again. George Winn, formerly of the University of Cincinnati, has signed a free agent deal with the Houston Texans. He make the third undrafted free agent running back. While it makes sense for the team to load up on as much talent as possible, it is strange each of these running backs would choose the same team. Regardless, Winn is now is Houston and thanks to his running style and special teams ability, may have a good shot to stick. Winn played sparingly early in his college career, but by his senior year this past season, he led the Big East in rushing. Although he is small, he is not overly fast.
Again, he’ll compete with Foster, Tate, Graham and Wood. The good thing for Winn is one of his strengths is his special team play, giving him a leg up on the other rookies. This also has to be a sign that the Texans do not feel they will be able to retain Ben Tate after the 2013 season, when he will be an unrestricted free agent. The Texans could be looking for their next Arian Foster. Winn is a long shot to compete as a running back in 2013 and is probably undeserved of a roster spot altogether in dynasty leagues.
Joseph Fauria, TE DET
The Detroit Lions have added former UCLA tight end Joseph Fauria, who is a huge target as 6’7″, 259 pounds. Fauria is a below average blocker, though he is reportedly improving in that area. He is known more as a pass catching tight end and could be a big red zone target. It will be difficult to earn playing time behind starter Brandon Pettigrew and veteran Tony Scheffler, but both players are free agents after the 2013 season, so adding depth and a possible replacement is a good move. With the depth of the tight end class, I would likely not use a rookie pick or a roster spot on Fauria.
Chad Bumphis, WR MIA
The Miami Dolphins traded wide receiver Davone Bess to the Browns during the draft, and they may have just found a player to take his role as slot wide receiver in Mississippi State’s Chad Bumphis. Bumphis had excellent workouts leading up to the draft. With the Dolphins lack of wide receiver depth, Bumphis has a good shot to make the roster. He can also play special teams. Expect Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline to dominate the targets in South Beach, but Bumphis could play a role.
Tyler Bray, QB KC
Another former Volunteer with some off the field concerns is quarterback Tyler Bray, who has been signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. Bray has one of the strongest throwing arms in this quarterback class, and was even ranked as the top quarterback of the class by some draft experts. In the end though, his off the field concerns, including an arrest and confrontations with coaches, led Bray to fall out of the draft altogether. The same rumors I mentioned about Rogers were said of Bray, that his former Volunteer coaches bashed him to coaches and scouts. Another rumor regarding his fall was that he gave a terrible “whiteboard” interview when he was asked to discuss and design specific offensive plays.
All of this seems very negative for Bray and it will be difficult to overcome, but he has a couple of things going for him. He has the talent and ability, he has opportunity in Kansas City, and he has one of the best coaches of quarterbacks ever in Andy Reid. For those that believe Alex Smith is not the long term answer in Kansas City, Bray makes a great stash in a league with deep rosters. He is unlikely to play this season, but has NFL starter talent.
Dennis Johnson, RB HOU
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. The Houston Texans have signed an undrafted free agent running back. Yes, in addition to Graham, Wood and Winn, they have also signed former Arkansas Razorback Dennis Johnson. Johnson is actually similar to his new teammate Winn. He is undersized at only 5’6″, but not as fast as you might expect. He was always in the shadows of teammate Knile Davis at Arkansas, but finally led the team in rushing this past season. He did struggle with fumbling during his time as a Razorback, and that obviously must improve in order for him to earn any carries.
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