Chances of UDFA players making rosters?

[referendum]

I'm wondering just what the overall chances of all these white undrafted free agents are to actually make any teams, not neccessarily right away, but over time. Has anyone done a study of this?

 

[backrow]

no, but a quick look at some of the succesful whites in the NFL, especially at caste positions shows they went through the purge at least once. so there's a chance some of them, say 20% will actually make it.

 

[referendum]

I just looked at the Broncos and Chargers rosters and found two Broncos O-lineman starters (Pears and Wiegman) and one Charger O-lineman (Dielman) starter were undrafted. Also, found two other Charger backups and three Bronco backups were undrafted, so there seems to be some chance out there. I'll have to do a more exhaustive study when I have more time.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I think on average; only one or so undrafted FAs per year make their respective teams 53 man roster. I remember a few years ago the Giants had 3 undrafted FAs make the roster and that was called an anomaly by the Giant newsletter I read. Still, I have a good feeling about where our white skill players picked to play.

Danny Amendola in Dallas (their isn't a lot of talent behind Owens, Crayton and Glenn and Glenn is getting older and he's injury prone; they also drafted zero WRs), Samuel Giguere in Indianapolis (probably a P-squad player this year, but he picked a white friendly team who only drafted one WR (small schooler Pierre Garcon in the 6th round) who is likely to beat out Onrea Jones for the last roster spot), Luke Swan in KC (KC has a total of one good WR (Dwayne Bowe) and only drafted one guy who is sure to make the team (Will Franklin) in the 4th round), Todd Blythe in NO (If two of the following fail to make the team: Terrence Cooper, Devery Henderson, David Patten or 7th round rookie Adrian Arrington he'll make the roster; I suspect he'll get the P-Squad if not).

I also think Danny Woodhead was smart about picking the Jets. However, he will probably have to take a year on the practice squad to learn the NFL return game and improve his ability as a receiving RB even more (he'll have to get real good at those areas as an undersized white RB). I don't know if Justin Beaver has a shot, but you never know. The number two RB behind Ryan Grant is Brandon Jackson and he sucked as a rookie, the number 3 is Vernand Morency who has done little in his career so far since being a 3rd round pick in 2005. And the Pack are unlikely to carry 3 FBs again.

 

[PhillyBirds]

As long as the Jets don't move Woodhead to a slot-type receiver. Which is possible.

Edited by: PhillyBirds

 

[celticdb15]

I would rather have him play slot receiver where he could showcase at least SOME of his talents than being totally screwed over and not playing anywhere.

 

[PhillyBirds]

Agreed.

 

[celticdb15]

Philly birds i get what you're saying, i am just trying to look at the bright side of things. I would love for danny to play runningback, but if he can get on the field and make plays id be happy.

 

[jared]

Danny is one of the few guys whose chances I like. The Jets have made no attempt to bring in any other tailbacks. They are only 3 deep at RB with Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and Jesse Chatman. Jones (solid) and Washington (great return man) aren't going anywhere but Chatman is a journeyman RB who's going on 29 years old and has never done anything substantial in the NFL.

 

[Gi-15]

Jesse Chatman has had weight problem in the past also, and is a risk, but he may have learned his lesson, who knows...?

 

[reclaimsocal]

Its really hard to gauge an undrafted FA's chances at this point in the offseason. Injuries to guys ahead of them is probably the biggest factor in whether or not they ultimately make the cut. Very few of these guys are given a legitimate shot to make the roster based upon their own performace, as they are basically brought in to be camp fodder for the vets and draft picks. Every once ina blue moon an undrafted FA will come in and make such an impression that the coaches will elevate them to a guy who has a real shot, but the NFL is as much about money as it is ability, and if an owner is looking at paying a veteran guaranteed money versus an undrafted free agent who will cost nothing to cut loose... well we know who wins that battle.

 

[Stonewall]

It may sound counter intuitive, but undrafted free agents signed by the league's better teams can be at an advantage. For example, I remember just a few years ago undrafted safety Will Demps earning a starting spot for the Ravens. The Ravens defense was so good at the time that the team could afford to have Demps at safety, knowing that Ed Reed was right there to pick up the slack. Also, it's a huge benefit financially as the best teams are obviously filled with high salary players who can present a salary cap nightmare.

I think Amendola in Dallas is currently in the type of situation that I am describing.

 

[white is right]

I think the odds have risen slightly, just because a better quality player is now a UDFA. At one time the draft went 13 rounds plus. Now it's 7 rounds. But as previous guys have mentioned each team is unique in their needs if UDFA isn't having such an outstanding camp ie Chrebet or Bill Bates.