Q1: The Impact of Undrafted Free Agents

Once the NFL Draft is over most of the so called “draft experts” focus on the picks that were made during

the draft, specifically the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd rounds, but there is value in the undrafted prospects. Undrafted

 players are good for a lot of things, including:

·         Special team players

·         Buffer the bottom of rosters

·         Developmental prospects, with the potential to become great players

·         Competition

·         “Diamonds in the Ruff”

Many of the best players in the NFL have went undrafted for various reasons, including:

·         Injuries in their senior season

·         Small Schools

·         Underperforming

·         Character issues

·         Drug/alcohol related incidents

·         Size (height & weight)

·         Playing another sport

Whatever the case maybe these players didn’t get drafted, but many times “draft experts” say that it’s better to go undrafted because drafted players are on a rookie wage scale, while undrafted players aren’t. Would you believe that Warren Moon went undrafted? Yes, the Hall of Fame QB that threw for more than 30 miles. The reason, why? His skin color, many so called “experts” didn’t believe that an African American QB could be successful. How about Antonio Gates? Gates was a basketball player at Kent State, he didn’t even play football, rather scouts noticed his talents on the hard wood. Gates has had a prolific career and when he retires he should be a candidate for canton. Everybody knows the Kurt Warner story. Warner played at little known Northern Iowa. Before Warner could even play in the NFL he played in the Arena League (for the Iowa Barnstormers) and then when he was signed by the St. Louis Rams, they Sent him over to play in NFL Europe for Amsterdam. Warner wasn’t even supposed to play, but when Trent Green went down with an injury; Warner stepped in, won the NFL MVP and helped St. Louis win a Super Bowl. Nine years later after being signed by the Cardinals two years prior. Warner won the starting job and help take Arizona to a Super Bowl, but lost on the heels of an amazing catch by Santonio Holmes. Other players like Victor Cruz, Terrell Davis, Wayne Crebet, Adam Vinatieri, Tony Romo, and Arian Foster.

      That is why I will sometimes pay attention to the undrafted guys because you never know who that next “diamond in the ruff”.