Undrafted free agent tracker 2026

[Freethinker]

Thanks for the update, Leo. His school's Sports Information Department was congratulating him for signing Saturday night. I guess they were "promoting" (exaggerating) for recruiting purposes?

I wonder how many "try-out" players ever make it onto 53 man rosters in the NFL? My guess is the percentage is very low..perhaps less than 3 percent? If even that... perhaps one percent? I can't name one?

Last year 499 UFA's were signed; 257 drafted. That's 756 players signed to NFL contracts in 2025. 66% percent of all players signed were not drafted. That's good for the NFLPA, I suppose, which would probably love to get rid of the draft altogether?



Not a surprise Hallock got his chance with Chargers. I expected he'd be headed to the Chargers to reunite with O'Leary. Seems like he's in perfect spot, except he could not even secure a standard UFA spot? Makes him a long-shot. Perhaps his agent should start talking to CFL teams, if he wants to extend his football career? Then try to do the Alex Singleton "thing" -- use the CFL to get back to the NFL!

*****


I agree with that. I assumed Carver Willis was black yesterday, so my count was 71 Whites drafted. After seeing Willis' photo at NFL.com. I raised the number up to 72.

Below is some more info regarding signing bonuses and guarantees. Rookies make a bit over $200,000 on practice squads. So a player with a guarantee over $200,000 is pretty much a P-squad lock. Also, higher bonuses and guarantees means players were more highly sought after. Simple law of Supply/Demand?


West Weeks Indianapolis Colts, Linebacker, $38,000 signing bonus $284,500 guaranteed
Ryan Schernecke (<link) New York Giants, Tackle $35,000 signing bonus, $282,500 guaranteed Division II, 6'7", 300 lbs.***
Caden Barnett Chicago Bears, Guard 30,000 signing bonus, $277,500 guaranteed***
Paul Rubelt Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tackle, $30,000 signing bonus, $277,500 guaranteed (European)***
Tanner Arkin New England Patriots, Tight End $17,500 signing bonus, $272,500 guaranteed
Lander Barton Los Angeles Chargers, Linebacker $17,000 signing bonus $264,500 guaranteed
Josh Gesky Green Bay Packers, Guard $15,000 signing bonus $215,000 guaranteed***
Luke Wysong Minnesota Vikings, Wide Receiver $60,000 signing bonus $60,000 guaranteed
Jack Pyburn Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive end $15,000 signing bonus, $115,000 guaranteed
Max Tomczak Buffalo Bills, Wide Receiver $30,000 signing bonus, $45,000 guaranteed
Ben Barten New York Giants, Defensive Tackle $2,500 signing bonus, $2,500 guaranteed
Noah Short Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wide Receiver $1,000 signing bonus, $1,000 guaranteed

***Tall, little-known White offensive tackles and tough as steel White guards are doing quite well (financially) as UFA's. Without the Caste system, one could say they would've been slam-dunk picks!

Thanks TT for highlighting the guys with the best chances of making their squads based on the money already invested in them. A good way to track things.

 

[Leonardfan]

Rams Official UDFA Signings

Vanderbilt OT Bryce Henderson
Syracuse TE Dan Villari
Texas QB Matthew Caldwell
Air Force DT Payton Zdroik
Wake Forest DB Nick Andersen
North Carolina OL Austin Blaske
North Carolina C Chad Lindberg
Houston RB Dean Connors

 

[Truthteller]

Thanks Freethinker, I'll try to post more numbers as I get them. Note, Rams are among the teams that are notoriously cheap when it comes to signing bonuses/guarantees. If you want to play for Rams, which a lot do, you just have to accept less, then collect your rewards if you make the 53 man roster or P-squad.

Piggy backing on Leo's post, here are 3 of the Rams current signing bonuses. As you can see, they really do not overspend for UFA's. Jacksonville and Carolina (expansion brothers from 1995) are on the other side of the spectrum -- they tend to dole large bonus/guarantees.

Syracuse TE Dan Villari $45,000 Bonus $45,000 guarantee

North Carolina C Chad Lindberg $15,000 Bonus $15,000 guarantee​

Air Force DT Payton Zdroik $9,000 Bonus $9,000 guarantee​

If my old man's memory serves me well enough the old Chicago Sun Times sports writer Telander was drafted by Hank Stram out of Northwestern as a CB in 71 and he wrangled I think a $5000 signing bonus. FTR Telander tip toed into forbidden territory when some White kid got shafted out of HS. I doubt he went too far since wiki says he is still in the game as a sports writer.

Anyway from reading the above posts some of the bonus money paid out has not kept up with inflation.

Wile, good point. Shilo Sanders, Deion's son, got a bonus/guarantee of $1,572 (2025). A pair of Rams' 2026 UFA's did not fare much better than Telander (who was drafted) back in 1971. That's 55 years after. Rams are not exactly Free-spenders in UFA market!

Fresno State CB Al'Zillion Hamilton, $5,000 Bonus $5,000 guarantee ​

Minnesota DT Jalen Logan-Redding $3,500 signing bonus, $3,500 guaranteed​

Speaking of Telander, I had to google his career (drafted/immediately cut by K.C.). But I remember him saying he was a DB at Northwestern. I used to watch him on the Sports Writers Show, around 1999 or 2000? Well into his 40's, Telander used to be the "young/hip/articulate" one on the show. He was surrounded by 3 or 4 much older writers that used smoke cigars and reminisce about their days watching/covering Babe Ruth, Bronco Nagurski, a young Gordie Howe, ect. There was Jauss, who was pudgy and genial....then there was the "throw-back" Gleason who came off as a Burgess Meredith type -- screaming and smoking non stop.

Sorry if I missed it and this has been posted earlier... has anyone documented the % of UDFA signings who are white? Would be an interesting data point to analyze YoY.

Nolan C., give me a day or 2. I'm working on answering your question. Can't go as far back as 1970 or even 2010, but I might be able to get some percentages/estimates from the last couple years.

 

[Leonardfan]

Thanks Freethinker, I'll try to post more numbers as I get them. Note, Rams are among the teams that are notoriously cheap when it comes to signing bonuses/guarantees. If you want to play for Rams, which a lot do, you just have to accept less, then collect your rewards if you make the 53 man roster or P-squad.

Piggy backing on Leo's post, here are 3 of the Rams current signing bonuses. As you can see, they really do not overspend for UFA's. Jacksonville and Carolina (expansion brothers from 1995) are on the other side of the spectrum -- they tend to dole large bonus/guarantees.

Syracuse TE Dan Villari $45,000 Bonus $45,000 guarantee

North Carolina C Chad Lindberg $15,000 Bonus $15,000 guarantee​

Air Force DT Payton Zdroik $9,000 Bonus $9,000 guarantee​

Wile, good point. Shilo Sanders, Deion's son, got a bonus/guarantee of $1,572 (2025). A pair of Rams' 2026 UFA's did not fare much better than Telander (who was drafted) back in 1971. That's 55 years after. Rams are not exactly Free-spenders in UFA market!

Fresno State CB Al'Zillion Hamilton, $5,000 Bonus $5,000 guarantee ​

Minnesota DT Jalen Logan-Redding $3,500 signing bonus, $3,500 guaranteed​

Speaking of Telander, I had to google his career (drafted/immediately cut by K.C.). But I remember him saying he was a DB at Northwestern. I used to watch him on the Sports Writers Show, around 1999 or 2000? Well into his 40's, Telander used to be the "young/hip/articulate" one on the show. He was surrounded by 3 or 4 much older writers that used smoke cigars and reminisce about their days watching/covering Babe Ruth, Bronco Nagurski, a young Gordie Howe, ect. There was Jauss, who was pudgy and genial....then there was the "throw-back" Gleason who came off as a Burgess Meredith type -- screaming and smoking non stop.



Nolan C., give me a day or 2. I'm working on answering your question. Can't go as far back as 1970 or even 2010, but I might be able to get some percentages/estimates from the last couple years.

Great info. Appreciate all the work and research you are doing into the UDFA side of the draft especially with the signing bonuses.


The Rams sure have stockpiled TEs. Villari might end up being a Taysom Hill experiment for McVay, certainly worth monitoring.

 

[Truthteller]

Sorry if I missed it and this has been posted earlier... has anyone documented the % of UDFA signings who are white? Would be an interesting data point to analyze YoY.

First off, thanks to Leonardfan for his detailed lists of draft prospects, every year. Without them, I would have almost no chance to calculate anywhere close to being accurate.

Here you go Nolan. C:

2024 I estimate about 121 of 453 undrafted free agents where White -- about 26.5%
2025 I estimate about 146 of 499 undrafted free agents where White - bit over 29%.

When I type "Estimate" that means I'm not 100% sure of all the players. I simply have no desire to Google two hundred (plus) names to get absolute confirmation. However, going by players names, positions and what I've learned at CF (especially from Leonard Fan, Freethinker, Twenty-Two, Bucky, ect.) I think I have a very good idea who the key Whites are from the college and draft threads. For example, I knew none of these UFA's cornerbacks since 2024, but assume they are 99% black because a rare White would've been covered here at CF. Also, you can almost always tell by names -- Nyzier, Lardarius Jr.; Al'Zillion; DaShawn; DyShawn; Da’Veawn; Keni-H; Chigozie, ect.

About the names, I might get tripped up occasionally, but I think I'm pretty solid here. But you never know -- DE Daniel Grzesiak is actually a Mulatto; While CB Jayden Price and OT Carver Willis (shockingly) turned out to be White. Willis, despite an absolute "throwback" (1960's/1970's) type black name. Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson is a player I might've assumed was black (due to name/position), but I saw him on Leonardfan's list.

2024:

Again, 2024 I estimate about 121 of 453 undrafted free agents where White -- about 26.5%. That's the base number; might be slightly higher. I had a better feel for the class of 2025, as I researched more players***.

I estimate 11 of 67 Wide Receivers were White. All White WR's are out the NFL already, Sam Wiglusz and Drake Stoops are currently in the UFL. Both spent a season on the L.A. Rams practice squad and made $228,000 (SW) and $233,000 (DS) from the Rams.

1 of 48 CB's were White (Jayden Price). 2 of 33 RB's were White (Carson Steele; Cody Schrader). I estimate 1 of 40 safeties were White (Ben Nikkel)

Subtract CB's alone (120/405), you get 29.6% White

Subtract all DB's and RB's you get (117 of 332) about 35% White.

I believe all 16 Specialists were White --6 Punters, 6 Kickers and 4 Long Snappers. Truly stunned the number is this low! Perhaps this is why the NFL has "raided" the spring leagues (since 2019) for kickers and long snappers? Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys), kicker Jake Bates (Lions), ect.

2025:

Again, 2025 I estimate about 146 of 499 undrafted free agents where White. Caculates to about 29%.

That's the base number, might be slightly higher (by 1 or 2 %), as I just counted the names I know are White. I estimate 18 of 95 Wide Receivers were White***.

0 of 53 cornerbacks were White. 2 of 32 RB's were White (Shane Watts; Lan Larison - both Patriots); I estimate 7 of 52 safeties*** were White;

I believe all 17 specialists were White. Again, surprised by the low number of specialists -- I assumed most teams signed at least one punter or kicker. 10 of 11 quarterbacks were White. I estimate 24 of 38 tight ends were White.

Subtract CB's alone (146/446), you get close to 33% White.

Subtract all DB's and RB's you get about 38% White.

Also, "specialists" (PK, P, LS) always Comprise about 6% of NFL rosters; but only about 3% of UFA's signed were "specialists" in 2024 and 2025. Something to consider?

*** Breakdown of 2025 White Undrafted Players: https://castefootball.us/threads/rookie-free-agent-deals.40096/

 

[Leonardfan]

I think these are all pretty much official but can't be 100% sure until they are announced prior to rookie minicamps.

Broncos UDFA Signings
Northern Arizona WR Kolbe Kastis
TCU WR Joseph Manjack
Charlotte WR Sean Brown
Iowa State OT Tyler Miller
Oklahoma St S Parker Robertson

Bills UDFA Signings
Duke OL Bruno Fina
Youngstown St WR Max Tomczak

Raiders UDFA Signings
Missouri State QB Jacob Clark
NC State LB Cian Slone
BYU WR Chase Roberts
BYU S Tanner Wall
Boise St TE Matt Lauter
Duke OL Justin Pickett

Jets UDFA Signings
Wyoming RB Sam Scott
TCU TE Chase Curtis

 

[Bucky]

Seems like most of our guys ended up in good spots.

Minus Wyoming RB Sam Scott to the Jets?!

 

[Booth]

This is a complete list of every NFL team's UDFA signing. Hope it is a little bit of help.

NFL undrafted free agents tracker: Updated list of notable UDFA signings after 2026 NFL Draft | Sporting News

Once all 257 picks are locked in, teams can scramble for undrafted players they'd like to bring to camp. Here’s the list of players who were snatched up by NFL squads following the draft.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[NolanCromwell]

First off, thanks to Leonardfan for his detailed lists of draft prospects, every year. Without them, I would have almost no chance to calculate anywhere close to being accurate.


2025:

Again, 2025 I estimate about 146 of 499 undrafted free agents where White. Caculates to about 29%.

That's the base number, might be slightly higher (by 1 or 2 %), as I just counted the names I know are White. I estimate 18 of 95 Wide Receivers were White***.

0 of 53 cornerbacks were White. 2 of 32 RB's were White (Shane Watts; Lan Larison - both Patriots); I estimate 7 of 52 safeties*** were White;

I believe all 17 specialists were White. Again, surprised by the low number of specialists -- I assumed most teams signed at least one punter or kicker. 10 of 11 quarterbacks were White. I estimate 24 of 38 tight ends were White.

Subtract CB's alone (146/446), you get close to 33% White.

Subtract all DB's and RB's you get about 38% White.

Thanks Truthteller! That is really good info. It's apparent the NFL is deliberately getting discounts, colluding on not drafting good or better white players versus paying them accordingly via the draft. This of course is under the guise that they (white UDFA's) just aren't quite good enough to merit a more significant investment. It would be interesting to see the % of white vs black UDFA's that actually make either the active roster or a practice squad . Reparations are alive and kicking in the NFL.

 

[Truthteller]

Thanks Truthteller! That is really good info. It's apparent the NFL is deliberately getting discounts, colluding on not drafting good or better white players versus paying them accordingly via the draft. This of course is under the guise that they (white UDFA's) just aren't quite good enough to merit a more significant investment. It would be interesting to see the % of white vs black UDFA's that actually make either the active roster or a practice squad . Reparations are alive and kicking in the NFL.

Thanks Nolan C.

I asked "A.I" who was better off, a 7th round pick or a UDFA? Answers didn't make a ton of sense (jive), when it came to guaranteed cash. Word going around is quite a few UDFA's are getting better guaranteed money, due to the supply/demand issues and agents of draft picks are not happy. Outside of the "prestige" of being drafted (which I think is real), some would say it's better to be undrafted than being a 6th or 7th round pick.

Perhaps? But just being drafted does bring more prestige. Also, it helps (in the short term) as a team has invested more in that player. $200,00 (plus) guarantee for UDFA usually means a fairly secure practice squad spot. I'm glad there was an atypical strong run of Whites in the 6th/7th round this year, which lifted the totals from around the usual 55 to 57 drafted, all the way up 72.

UNDRAFTED BENEFIT

AI Overview

Top undrafted free agents (UDFAs) in the 2026 NFL draft are receiving significant guaranteed money, often exceeding ($200,000) to ($250,000), which is higher than many late sixth and seventh-round draft picks receive. These guarantees, which can include signing bonuses and base salary protection, provide financial security and indicate a strong chance to compete for a 53-man roster spot.

2026 UDFA Top Guaranteed Money Examples
Kyle Dixon (WR, Patriots): ($252,500) guaranteed.
Ryan Schernecke (OT, Giants): ($282,500) guaranteed.
Thaddeus Dixon (CB, Giants): ($282,500) guaranteed.
Caden Barnett (OG, Bears): ($277,500) guaranteed.
Haynes King (QB, Panthers): ($250,000) guaranteed.

Key Aspects of Guaranteed UDFA

Deals Higher than Late Picks: Top UDFAs can earn higher guarantees than players drafted in the 6th or 7th round.

Strategic Choice: UDFAs can choose their team, often favoring situations with a clearer path to the 53-man roster.

DRAFTED 7TH ROUND BENEFIT

AI Overview

Seventh-round draft picks hold a slight advantage over undrafted free agents (UDFAs) due to higher guaranteed money (signing bonuses often $30k–$100k+), 4-year contracts compared to 3-year deals, and a slightly better chance of making the roster. While both make similar league-minimum salaries, UDFAs gain flexibility to choose teams with better opportunities.

7th Round Draft Pick vs. UDFA Comparison

Contract Length: 7th rounders sign 4-year deals; UDFAs sign 3-year deals.

Compensation: 7th-round contracts are worth over ($4) million, typically featuring higher guaranteed signing bonuses than UDFAs.

Roster Security: Drafted players have higher retention rates, whereas UDFAs often face an uphill battle but can pick a team with better playing opportunity.

Performance Benefits: 7th-rounders (not UDFAs) are eligible for the Proven Performance Escalator (PPE) in year four if they meet playing time incentives.Free Agency: UDFAs become restricted free agents faster (after 3 years) compared to 7th rounders

While 7th-rounders have a better financial guarantee, both groups face similar odds of success, as evidenced by data showing minimal difference in career games started.

As far as how they fare once signed as a UDFA, in the class of 2025 White DB's did well with guaranteed contracts, but the group as whole did poorly***. Not even one played a single snap in the NFL, besides for Justin Barron (2 games) who was moved to linebacker.

White front 7 defensive players did unusually well in the UDFA class of 2025. DE Danny Striggow Jacksonville; ED Connor O'Toole Seattle; ED Tyler Batty . Minnesota LB Chaz Chambliss Minnesota; LB Shaun Dolac Los Angeles (NFC); LB Branson Combs. All 6 played a good chunk of the season and contributed. All have a chance to have extended NFL careers.

P.S: NBC Sports reported a player, likely black and not very bright, told an NFL team he didn't want to be drafted in round 6, because he wanted to go the UDFA route. Team reminded him he had no choice, as the team already selected him

*** Breakdown of 2025 White Undrafted Players: https://castefootball.us/threads/rookie-free-agent-deals.40096/

 

[Leonardfan]

Seahawks UDFA Signings
Northwestern LB Aidan Hubbard
Wisconsin TE Lance Mason

Chiefs UDFA Signings
Wyoming TE John Michel Gyllenborg
Iowa DE Ethan Hurkett
Louisville OL Pete Nygra
LSU G Josh Thompson

Ravens UDFA Signings
UCONN QB Joe Fagnano
Iowa DT Aaron Graves
Brown WR Ty Pezza
Miami (OH) DB Silas Walters
Charlotte LB Reid Williford
Texas DE Ethan Burke
PSU LB Dominic DeLuca

Titans UDFA Signings
Illinois WR Hank Beatty*

Packers UDFA Signings
Iowa St OL Dylan Barrett
Illinois OG Josh Gesky


Cowboys UDFA Signings
Vanderbilt LB Langston Patterson

Eagles UDFA Signings
DB Tucker Large

 

[Leonardfan]

Apologies for the delay. It's still hard to find the confirmed official singings for all teams. Seems they do not get announced until the team's respective rookie minicamp. I did not go back and check the teams I already posted in this thread, just searched for the remaining teams so their could be some inaccuracy but it's not intentional.

The biggest caste positions by the numbers:
15 WRs
5 RBs
3 DBs

Interesting player of note is MSU-Moorehead QB Jack Strand, a prolific D2 QB. I want to say that @Bucky mentioned him in the draft thread. I will go back and confirm. He's 6'4 243lbs with absurd stats as a starting QB. He is a much bigger and more athletic QB than either currently on the Falcons roster.


AFC East

Bills UDFA Signings
Duke OL Bruno Fina
Youngstown St WR Max Tomczak

Dolphins UDFA Signings
Iowa QB Mark Gronowski
Wisconsin DE Mason Reiger
Iowa St C Jim Bonifas

Jets UDFA Signings
Wyoming RB Sam Scott
TCU TE Chase Curtis

Patriots UDFA Signings
Harvard OL Jacob Rizy
Culver-Stockton WR Kyle Dixon
JMU WR Nick DeGennaro
Illinois TE Tanner Arkin
Georgetown WR Jimmy Kibble


AFC South

Colts UDFA Signings
LSU LB West Weeks
PSU OT Nolan Rucci
Texas St RB Lincoln Pare
Duke RB Anderson Castle

Jaguars UDFA Signings
Utah St WR Brady Body
SDSU WR Alex Bullock
OL Garrett DiGiorgio

Texans UDFA Signings
Illinois St WR Daniel Sobkowitz
Syracuse P Jack Stonehouse

Titans UDFA Signings
Illinois WR Hank Beatty*

AFC West

Chargers UDFA Signing
Utah LB Lander Barton
Wyoming TE Evan Svoboda
Freson St OL Jacob Spomer

Broncos UDFA Signings
Northern Arizona WR Kolbe Kastis
TCU WR Joseph Manjack
Charlotte WR Sean Brown
Iowa State OT Tyler Miller
Oklahoma St S Parker Robertson

Raiders UDFA Signings
Missouri State QB Jacob Clark
NC State LB Cian Slone
BYU WR Chase Roberts
BYU S Tanner Wall
Boise St TE Matt Lauter
Duke OL Justin Pickett

Chiefs UDFA Signings
Wyoming TE John Michel Gyllenborg
Louisville OL Pete Nygra
LSU G Josh Thompson

AFC North

Ravens UDFA Signings
UCONN QB Joe Fagnano
Iowa DT Aaron Graves
Brown WR Ty Pezza
Miami (OH) DB Silas Walters
Charlotte LB Reid Williford
Texas DE Ethan Burke
PSU LB Dominic DeLuca

Steelers UDFA Signings
USC TE Lake McRee

Bengals UDFA Signings
Cincinnati LB Jack Dingle
Kentucky TE Josh Kattus

Browns UDFA Signings
Oklahome St P Wes Pahl

NFC East

Cowboys UDFA Signings
Vanderbilt LB Langston Patterson

Eagles UDFA Signings
Wash St DB Tucker Large

Redskins UDFA Signings
None

Giants UDFA Signings
Michigan K Dominic Zvada
Kutztown OL Ryan Schernecke
Boston College LS Ben Mann
Wisconsin DT Ben Barten


NFC North

Bears UDFA Signings
Louisville QB Miller Moss
Wyoming OL Caden Barnett
Iowa TE Hayden Large
Georgia LS Beau Gardner

Lions UDFA Signings
Tennessee TE Miles Kitselman
Illinois QB Luke Altmyer

Packers UDFA Signings
Iowa St OL Dylan Barrett
Illinois OG Josh Gesky

Vikings UDFA Signings
Luke Wysong, WR, Arizona
Tomas Rimac, OL, Virginia Tech
Delby Lemieux, OL, Dartmouth

NFC West
49ers official UDFA Signings
Texas Punter Jack Bouwmeester

Cardinals UDFA Signings
Minnesota TE Jameson Geers

Rams Official UDFA Signings
Vanderbilt OT Bryce Henderson
Syracuse TE Dan Villari
Texas QB Matthew Caldwell
Air Force DT Payton Zdroik
Wake Forest DB Nick Andersen
North Carolina OL Austin Blaske
North Carolina C Chad Lindberg
Houston RB Dean Connors

Seahawks UDFA Signings
Northwestern LB Aidan Hubbard
Wisconsin TE Lance Mason

NFC South
Saints official UDFA Signings
NC State TE Cody Hardy
CMU DE Michael Heldman
Kentucky OT Alex Wollschlaeger
Texas Kicker Mason Shipley

Panthers UDFA Signings
Ga Tech QB Haynes King
Wisconsin DT Parker Petersen

Bucs UDFA Signings
LSU DE Jack Pyburn
Army WR Noah Short
NC St LB Caden Fordham
Nebraska G Henry Lutiovsky
UCF OT Paul Rubelt
Fresno St LS Wesley Brown
Kentucky P Aidan Laros

Falcons UDFA Signings
Miami C James Brockermeyer
MSU-Moorehead QB Jack Strand
Georgia RB Cash Jones
Michigan St TE Jack Velling
Auburn TE Brandon Frazier
Wisconsin OL Riley Mahlman
Clemson LS Philip Florenzo