Undrafted Free Agent Analysis

Ryan McDowell Posted On May 13, 2014

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In the 2014 NFL draft, 256 players were chosen, but there are still many deserving players left wondering where they will play next season. 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. Last year, players like Joseph Fauria and Da’Rick Rogers were undrafted free agents and contributed to the teams that took a chance and signed them.

Here’s a running list of rookie free agent signings, along with their outlook. We’ll continue to update this as signings occur.

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Brett Smith, QB TB (Wyoming)

Quarterback Brett Smith left Wyoming early to enter the NFL Draft, but then didn’t even receive an invite to the NFL Combine. That was clearly a bad sign, so it should be no surprise that he went undrafted, despite his athleticism. Smith lands in a nice spot as there are varying reports on the future of second year quarterback Mike Glennon and veteran Josh McCown doesn’t have mush longer in the NFL, considering he was teaching high school a couple of years ago. Smith has great measurables, but has a long way to go when it comes to some of the basics of playing the quarterback position. He’s not worthy of a roster spot at this time.

Jeff Mathews, QB ATL (Cornell)

Jeff Mathews is the greatest statistical passer in the history of the Ivy League, but that wasn’t enough to get him drafted. Instead, he has agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Mathews has a very strong arm, but is probably the slowest quarterback in this year’s rookie class, clocking a 5.26 40 yard dash time. Obviously, that affects his mobility and pocket presence. The Falcons are set for the foreseeable future with Matt Ryan, but there is room to improve their backup spot, so Mathews could have a shot. He is still not worth a roster spot at this point.

Jordan Lynch, QB CHI (Northern Illinois)

Jordan Lynch compiled video game like numbers while leading Northern Illinois to the BCS, not only as a passer, but also running the ball. In evaluation Lynch heading into the draft, everyone seemed to agree that he did not have the arm or the frame to be an NFL quarterback. So, though the Chicago Bears have signed Lynch as an undrafted free agent, it appears that he will get a shot as a running back rather than a quarterback. Even with the position switch, Lynch is a long shot to stick. He was a great college player, even a Heisman Trophy finalist, but his game simply does not translate to the NFL.

Stephen Morris, QB JAX (Miami)

Stephen Morris, formerly of the University of Miami, was considered one of the top prospects at his position entering the 2013 season, but things fell apart as the Hurricanes struggled and Morris was inconsistent. He failed to prove he could lead his team, although he has all the athleticism required to play the position. Jacksonville is an interesting spot for Morris as he not only stays near his college home of Miami, but also will have the chance to work with his former offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, who now serves in the same role for the Jaguars. The bad news is the team just spent their first round pick on Blake Bortles, so Morris’ upside seems capped at backup for now.

Isaiah Crowell, RB CLE (Alabama State)

The story of Isaiah Crowell is pretty well-known by this point. He burst onto the SEC scene as a freshman and was dominant against top competition before running into some off field trouble which cost him his spot on the Bulldogs’ roster. Crowell ended up at Alabama State, where he continued to dominate, this time against lesser competition. Entering the draft, he was the top rated fantasy running back of many, though his troubled past was enough to cause teams to shy away. Surprisingly, it’s the Cleveland Browns while in the midst of dealing with the Josh Gordon rumors, took a chance and signed Crowell. The team added Ben Tateas a free agent this off-season and also drafted Terrance West on the draft’s second day to form a suddenly crowded backfield. It seems to be the popular opinion that Crowell is the most talented back in Cleveland. The question remains if he can stay out of trouble. He is easily worth a roster spot and will come off the board in the second or third round of dynasty drafts.

Damien Williams, RB MIA (Oklahoma)

Another running back who had some off-field issues is former Oklahoma runner Damien Williams, who was signed by the Miami Dolphins. Williams led the Sooners in rushing in 2012, but the 2013 season, he was hampered by an ankle injury and then was kicked off the team. The reasons are still unknown, but it clearly affected his draft stock as he never heard his name called during draft weekend. The Dolphins are set at the running back position this season with the signing of former Bronco Knowshon Moreno, along with the disappointing Lamar Miller. The long-term job is still wide open if Williams can prove himself. For now, he’s one to watch, but not roster.

Other Quarterbacks

Mike Box WAS (IUPFB)
Kolton Browning DAL (La-Monroe)
Kory Faulkner SF (Southern Illinois)
James Franklin DET (Missouri)
Jon Jennings KC (Saginaw Valley State)
Brock Jensen MIA (North Dakota State)
Brendon Kay PIY (Cincinnati)
Logan Kilgore NO (Middle Tennessee State)
Seth Lobato IND (Northern Colorado)
Taylor Martinez PHI (Nebraska)
Terrance Owens PIT (Toledo)
Keith Price SEA (Washington)
Tommy Rees WAS (Notre Dame)
Bryn Renner DEN (North Carolina)
Chase Rettig GB (Boston College)
Corey Robinson CLE (Troy)
Connor Shaw CLE (South Carolina)
Dustin Vaughan DAL (West Texas A&M)
Zach Zulli SEA (Shippensburg)

Other Running Backs

DJ Adams SD (Portland State)
James Baker KC (Idaho)
Dillon Baxter SEA (Baker)
Brennan Clay DEN (Oklahoma)
Terrance Cobb JAX (Cumberlands)
Tim Cornett ARZ (UNLV)
Joey Demartino KC (Utah State)
Roy Finch NE (Oklahoma)
Tim Flanders NO (Sam Houston State)
David Fluellen PHI (Toledo)
Noel Grigsby OAk (San Jose State)
Stephen Houston NE (Indiana)
Ben Malena DAL (Texas A&M)
Darius Millines OAK (Colorado State-Pueblo)
Ryan Montague SEA (Louisiana College)
Rajion Neal GB (Tennessee)
LaDarius Perkins GB (Mississippi State)
Darrin Reaves CAR (UAB)
Jeff Scott CIN (Ole Miss)
Jerome Smith ATL (Syracuse)
Josh Spooney BAL (Brown)
Juwan Thompson DEN (Duke)
Zurlon Tipton IND (Central Michigan)
Fitzgerald Touissant BAL (Michigan)
Trey Watts STL (Tulsa)
Charcandrick West KC (Abilene Christian)
Dominique Williams MIN (Wagner)

Other Wide Receivers

Torrence Allen SD (West Texas A&M)
DeMario Bennett NYJ (Coastal Carolina)
Geraldo Boldewijn ATL (Boise State)
Kadron Boone PHI (LSU)
Corey Brown CAR (Ohio State)
Aaron Burks TB (Boise State)
Isaiah Burse DEN (Fresno State)
Jeremy Butler BAL (Tennessee-Martin)
Brelon Chancellor SD (North Texas)
DJ Coles OAK (Virginia Tech)
Damien Copeland JAX (Louisville)
Kain Colter MIN (Northwestern)
Jace Davis BAL (Northern Colorado)
Mike Davis OAK (Texas)
Lee Doss WAS (Southern)
Donte Foster MIN (Ohio)
Bennie Fowler DEN (Michigan State)
Austin Franklin STL (New Mexico State)
Taylor Gabriel CLE (Abilene Christian)
Je’Ron Hamm NO (Louisiana-Monroe)
Greg Hardin DEN (North Dakota State)
Jordan Harris IND (Bryant)
Micah Hatfield SD (Oregon State)
Javontee Herndon SD (Arkansas)
Kofi Hughes WAS (Indiana)
Allen Hurns JAX (Miami)
Chandler Jones CLE (San Jose St)
Jermaine Jones NYJ (St. Augustine)
Seantavius Jones NO (Valdosta State)
Jonathan Krause CLE (Vanderbilt)
Travis Labhart HOU (Texas A&M)
Ryan Lankford MIA (Illinois)
Rashad Lawrence WAS (Northwestern)
Ja-Mes Logan NE (Ole Miss)
Marcus Lucas CAR (Missouri)
Anthony McClung HOU (Cincinnati)
Terrence Miller NYJ (Arizona)
Greg Moore IND (Lane)
Alex Neutz CIN (Buffalo)
Solomon Patton TB (Florida)
Andrew Peacock DET (Appalachian State)
Bernard Reedy ATL (Toledo)
Jaz Reynolds TEN (Oklahoma)
Kenny Shaw CLE (Florida State)
Jamaine Sherman STL (East Texas Baptist)
Nathan Slaughter HOU (West Texas A&M)
Kevin Smith ARZ (Washington)
Willie Snead CLE (Ball St)
Josh Stewart TEN (Oklahoma State)
Darryl Surgent KC (La-Lafayette)
Eric Thomas IND (Troy)
Wilson Van Hooser GB (Troy)
Jerel Walker TEN (Texas A&M)
Eric Ward TEN (Texas Tech)
L’Damian Washington DAL (Missouri)
Tony Washington IND (Appalachian State)

Other Tight Ends

Blake Annen PHI (Cincinnati)
Alex Bayer STL (Bowling Green)
Cody Booth DET (Temple)
Asante Cleveland SF (Miami)
Chris Coyle HOU (Arizona State)
Anthony Denham HOU (Utah)
Chase Dixon SEA (Central Arkansas)
Jeremy Eddington GB (Rice)
Mike Flacco SD (New Haven)
Blake Jackson CLE (Oklahoma State)
Nic Jacobs NO (McNeese St)
Marcel Jensen JAX (Fresno State)
Justin Jones NE (East Carolina)
Reggie Jordan JAX (Missouri Western)
Colin Lockett CIN (SDSU)
Jacob Maxwell DET (Louisana-Lafayette)
Jacob Pederson ATL (Wisconsin)
Justin Perillo GB (Maine)
Scott Simonson OAK (Assumption)
Jake Sinkovec TE (Boston College)
D.J. Tialavea JAX (Utah State)
Eric Waters PIT (Missouri)
Asa Watson NE (North Carolina State)
Evan Wilson DAL (Illinois)
David Wright TEN (Westminster)

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.