Sometimes, it makes no sense.

Throughout the entire 2023 NFL Draft cycle, for example, Cincinnati linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. stood out to just about anyone who watched tape as a tougher-than-hell (albeit undersized) inside linebacker who tackled anything that moved.

A lock to be drafted, right? Not so much. Pace never heard his name called. He landed instead with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent (UDFA), but then made the roster out of camp and was one of the best rookies in football last year — he notched 102 tackles in the middle of Minnesota’s defense.

No matter how or why the prospects are still available, there is always gold to be mined in an annual sift through the UDFA class, following the 2024 NFL Draft. Let’s take a take-by-team look at our favorites this year …

A long, slender prospect who started out at USF before finishing as Shedeur Sanders’ leaving receiver at Colorado last year, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Weaver doesn’t have the prototypical build for his position but was very productive (184 career catches). He played in multiple systems and is a tough, explosive route runner with a knack for getting open and finishing. He’ll turn heads in camp with his consistency, despite the size.

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Atlanta Falcons: Isaiah Wooden, WR, Southern Utah

Wooden’s size (5-7, 176) is problematic for his NFL chances. His explosion, however, is off the charts. Wooden recorded a 44 1/2-inch vertical jump at his pro day, to go along with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash (including a ridiculous 1.38 10-split). A total of 313 receivers were scouted for “The Beast” this year — Wooden’s vertical and 10-yard split numbers ranked No. 1 in each category.

If Evans (6-1, 246) stood 2 inches taller or weighed 25 pounds more, a team would have grabbed him by the fourth round. At his pro day, Evans posted a 41.5-inch vertical, and his shuttle and three-cone times were faster than any edge at the combine. He finished his Iowa career with 29 sacks, including four in the Citrus Bowl. He’s a John Harbaugh type of player, as is fellow Ravens UDFA Beau Brade.

Bills (perfect name for this franchise) started 38 games over five seasons at Utah. Before college, he spent three years on a mission to Honduras. What you see is what you get with Bills (6-4 1/2, 321) — he might not make a Pro Bowl but can become a quality backup and occasional spot starter as a rookie. There’s value to that.

The Panthers had a really nice UDFA haul, with the likes of Monmouth RB Jaden Shirden, Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker, Oklahoma center Andrew Raym and more. But the top prospect of this group is Drew, a long and fast corner with great press (and ball) skills. A two-time All-American at Virginia State, Drew (who got a Senior Bowl invite out of the CIAA) had a combined 34 pass breakups and 11 interceptions over his last two college seasons.

Legendary former Shepherd QB Tyson Bagent was a favorite UDFA for Chicago last season, and he wound up starting four games (and winning two). Reed is a very similar prospect, having thrown for more than 15,000 yards and 149 TDs across stops at Southern Illinois, West Florida and Western Kentucky. The battle behind Caleb Williams could be must-see.

The Bengals ranked 30th in punting average last year, while McNamara was one of college football’s best, averaging 46.3 yards per punt in his final season. Of his 55 punts in 2023, McNamara parked 24 of them inside the 20, boomed 21 more than 50 yards and forced 27 fair catches. Look for a quality competition between McNamara and incumbent Brad Robbins.

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It was a surprise to see Cohen go undrafted — he had a fifth-round grade in “The Beast.” Cohen started 37 games combined between Alabama (two years) and Miami last season. A second-team All-SEC pick in 2022, Cohen (6-4 1/2, 324) is a powerful blocker with long arms (34 inches). It would surprise no one if he develops into a starter.

Watson slipped through the combine and draft cracks, but he’s definitely NFL-worthy. The 5-9 1/2, 200-pound back rushed for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 53 passes for 480 yards as a first-team All-AAC performer. At his pro day, Watson ran a 4.40 40-yard dash. Undrafted running backs often make a mark, and Watson has potential.

Dallas Cowboys: Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota

A mountain of a tight end, Spann-Ford (6-6, 260 with an 80-inch wingspan, 33 3/8-inch arms and 10 1/4-inch hands) came to Minnesota at 210 pounds and left as a powerful — sometimes dominant — run blocker with receiver skills. With six years of college experience (he’ll turn 25 in December), Spann-Ford can compete at the U tight end spot or even be an intriguing sixth OL candidate in package situations.

Detroit Lions: Kingsley Eguakun, C, Florida

Injuries nagged 27-year-old All-Pro center Frank Ragnow again last season. Detroit didn’t address center in the draft, but it did add three UDFA centers, including Eguakun. A three-year starter at Florida who missed most of last season with an ankle injury, Eguakun was a powerful and explosive leader inside for the Gators. He’s a very capable run blocker and excellent communicator.

Jones was good enough to start at other Big Ten schools but stuck with Michigan as a sixth offensive lineman from 2021 to 2023. He earned consistent time for a program that won three Big 10 titles and one national title during that stretch, and he made postseason starts for the Wolverines last winter. Jones (6-4, 310, 33-inch arms, 10 1/8-inch hands) plays with inconsistent technique, in part because he moved around so much. Put on the Alabama tape from the Rose Bowl, though — Jones is a people-mover when given time.

A tweener in size (6-2 1/2, 286) and relatively inexperienced (only two starts last year) despite spending six seasons in college, Payne has the makings of a good story — if he can stay healthy. Last year, he had 10 tackles for loss, including four sacks, after missing the entire 2022 season while at Nebraska. He also had two additional years at Nebraska and two years in junior college.

As a freshman at USC in 2019, Slovis (6-2, 223) looked like a potential first-rounder — 3,502 yards and 30 touchdowns with a 71.9 completion percentage. Then, in the Holiday Bowl that year, he suffered an injury to the flexor tendon in his right elbow that derailed his college career. His coach was fired, he transferred to Pittsburgh, then to BYU. But Slovis still has something left. If he shows it in camp, he could carve out a nice backup career.

One of Ohio State’s highest-energy players, Proctor (6-1 1/2, 199) was instrumental in restoring the Buckeyes defense the last two years. Proctor (who had a fifth-round grade from Brugler) recorded 47 tackles last year, defended nine passes and had a pick six. He will compete with two other rookie defensive backs (third-round CB Jarrian Jones and fifth-round CB Deantre Prince) for time, but his special-teams play could make a difference.

An impactful hitter for one of college football’s best defenses, Jacobs started 36 games at linebacker and had nine tackles for loss last year. He’s well built (6-1 1/2, 241) with good speed (4.58 40) and was effective stopping the run in Penn State’s aggressive scheme. Florida State defensive tackle Fabien Lovett Sr. also was a heck of a signing by the Chiefs.

Coker is big and experienced, having made 46 career starts at tackle, including all 15 during TCU’s FBS runner-up season in 2022. With a massive frame (6-7, 315) and 34-inch arms, Coker should compete for a reserve spot. The Raiders had a few other nice UDFA pickups, including Mississippi State receiver Tulu Griffin and Iowa defensive tackle Noah Shannon.

Heins started 48 games for South Dakota State, which has won consecutive FCS national titles. Last year as a first-team All-American, Heins caught 27 passes for 410 yards and seven touchdowns, with just one drop. His 40 time (5.0) kept him out of the draft, but his toughness and size (6-6, 259) will make him a camp favorite.

The son of legendary coach Bob Stoops, Drake Stoops’ sluggish 4.71 40 time will fit in perfectly with the Rams. (Cooper Kupp famously ran a 4.62; Puka Nacua hit only 4.57.) Quicker than fast and totally fearless, the 5-9, 186-pound Stoops is an outstanding route runner who turned down FBS scholarship offers to walk on at his dad’s former school. He wound up making 164 catches for nearly 2,000 yards in six years. He’ll do anything he’s asked, at max effort.

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Matos (6-7, 313) played college basketball at both New Mexico and USF before walking on to the Bulls’ football team, but he has the measurables and testing numbers worth checking out. He ran 4.90 in the 40 and boasts an 83 3/4-inch wingspan. A native of the Dominican Republic, Matos is part of the NFL International Player Pathway. It will take time, but he’s worth a flier.

The Vikings also had a big UDFA class, with standouts including OTs Doug Nester and Jeremy Flax and LB Dallas Gant. But Murphy, No. 127 on Brugler’s final board, looks like the best of the group. Undersized (6-2, 247) with short arms, Murphy is an incredibly explosive athlete (39 1/2-inch vertical at the combine, tied for best among edge rushers; 1.59 10-yard split on a 4.68 40). His first step is great, and he’s filled with counter moves.

Turner started a combined 25 games at center the last two seasons and was a powerful blocker for LSU. He’s gained 60 pounds since his redshirt freshman season and now has the requisite size (6-3 1/2, 303) to compete at center for the Patriots, who desperately need a backup at the position.

A bit of a late bloomer, Holker began his career at BYU and spent two years on a mission trip before transferring to Colorado State for his final season. There, he blew up with 64 catches for 767 yards and six touchdowns. Holker is long and rangy with good balance and an ability to adjust to bad throws, both high and low. Before 2023, he’d made five starts in five years, and he’s already 24, but there is potential here.

Academics and the pandemic more or less pushed Jiles out of football for a year in 2021. After getting things in order at Virginia Union, Giles transferred to West Florida last season and exploded with a 1,255-yard, 16-touchdown season (at 19 yards per catch). The 6-2, 219-pounder is a powerful and explosive X receiver with 34 3/8-inch arms and an awareness of how to use his frame in the air. He’s a project but one who could be worth the time.

One of the biggest surprises to slide out of the draft, Taylor (6-3 1/2, 303) left Miami after three seasons and oozes talent, having posted 23.5 tackles for loss since his true freshman year. His inconsistency kept him from the upper rounds, but he has the starter kit that a defensive line coach would love to mold.

Honorable mention in the Eagles’ class goes Howard OT Anim Dankwah — all 6-7, 353 pounds of him. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland will enjoy that challenge. However, the nod here goes to Hall, a versatile 6-6, 291-pounder with 34 1/2-inch arms and an 84-inch wingspan. He was mostly an interior player in college, but his frame allowed him to move around a lot. Brugler had a fourth-round grade on Hall, who could be a rangy five-tech capable of playing either interior spot.

Bishop defended a whopping 24 passes last year with four interceptions to earn consensus first-team All-America honors. Somehow, though, he wasn’t invited to the combine — but ran a 4.39 40 at his pro day. So, why did he go undrafted? Most likely because he stands 5-9, 180. But his quickness is otherworldly, and he’s tough.

Nugent played his first four years at Stanford before starting on Michigan’s national title team last season. He’s a sub-300-pound player and will likely always battle to keep up with power, but he did record some of the top center agility times at the combine (7.33 three-cone, 4.50 short shuttle). Also keep an eye on Florida Atlantic nose tackle Evan Anderson in the 49ers’ class.

Seattle Seahawks: Garret Greenfield, OL, South Dakota State

Greenfield started 55 games for South Dakota State, splitting them between right tackle (24) and left tackle (31) as a two-time FCS All-American. A very explosive athlete, Greenfield (6-5, 311, 34 1/8 arms) jumped a ridiculous 38 1/2 inches at the combine, the best of any offensive lineman by 2 inches.

It’s difficult to find a tougher player than Johnson, who tried to play through a broken foot in the College Football Playoffs. His 1,195 rushing yards and 16 scores were critical in helping Washington reach the title game. With good size (5-11 1/2, 217) and power (24 reps on the bench press), Johnson lacks top-end speed (4.68 in the 40) but has a shot in a backfield filled with players of comparable ability.

Like many on this list, DeLoach may have to punch his ticket to a roster via special teams — something he can definitely excel at, especially in this new world of NFL kickoff rules. A 5-11, 210-pounder, DeLoach ran a 4.47 (1.57 10 split) at the combine and was a steady producer (212 tackles) as a three-year mike linebacker. He added seven sacks last season, so he can be a third-down player, as well as contribute on kickoffs and as a gunner.

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Wiley turned down offers from Princeton and Yale to play FBS football at Arizona. There, he blossomed into a team captain/third-down weapon, setting set the school records for catches (123) and receiving yards (1,150) by a running back. A reliable, tough and durable player with special-teams upside, Wiley (5-10, 210) has a work ethic that will impress in Washington.

(Photos of Xavier Weaver, Austin Reed and Beanie Bishop Jr.: Brian Murphy / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Michael Chang / Getty Images; Mark Alberti / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)



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