The undrafted free agency period shouldn’t be overlooked.
Each year, hundreds of players will be signed as undrafted free agents. While most of them are nothing more than bodies to fill the 90-man roster, dozens of undrafted rookies will make the cut, and many more will sign with a practice squad and extend their career. Some will even make a significant impact on their team.
This year due to the lack of pro days, more players than normal may have slipped through the cracks!
Let’s take a position-by-position look at the best undrafted players from the 2020 NFL Draft. For each position I’ll list my top undrafted prospects and make a quick comment. I will also include other undrafted players in the position if they fall in or near my top 300 overall.
Best Undrafted Quarterbacks:
Anthony Gordon, Washington State: Following a great rookie campaign for Gardner Minshew, I figured there would have been more interest in the most recent uber-productive Washington State quarterback. Gordon has a slight build, average arm strength, and questionable decision making, but it’s hard to argue with the production and mindset.
Steven Montez, Colorado: Consistency is a necessity for NFL quarterbacks, and it’s the biggest thing Montez is lacking. The 6’4″ 231 pound quarterback looks the part with great size, a strong arm, and solid athleticism, but accuracy is inconsistent and he didn’t let it loose nearly as much as you’d like to see at Colorado, despite some solid receivers.
Other notable undrafted quarterbacks: Brian Lewerke, Michigan State; Tyler Huntley, Utah; Case Cookus, Northern Arizona
Best Undrafted Wide Receivers:
Quartney Davis, Texas A&M: Davis looks the part on the football field, with a strong 6’1″ 205 pound build and solid athleticism. He has good body control in the air and is a hands catcher, but he had a lot of empty routes and way too many drops. Still, I would’ve thought his physical traits warranted a pick around the 5th round.
Omar Bayless, Arkansas State: Bayless was hurt a bit by subpar athleticism at the combine, as he ran a 4.62 and didn’t look particularly quick. He was extremely productive at Arkansas State and played great at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, but the lack of elite traits made him go undrafted. He is as ready as anyone to step in and be a solid receiver.
Zimari Manning, Tarleton State: Manning is a small schooler who didn’t get a pro day to show his speed. The draft saw few small schoolers due to the lack of pro days, and Manning was a victim of that. He is going to show out in a training camp and make a team. Read more about why I love him by clicking here.
Other notable undrafted wide receivers: Aaron Fuller, Washington; Kalija Lipscomb, Vanderbilt; Josh Pearson, Jacksonville State; Maurice Ffrench, Pittsburgh; Ben Victor, Ohio State; Marquez Callaway, Tennessee; Triston Jackson, Syracuse
Best Undrafted Running Backs:
James Robinson, Illinois State: Robinson is a downhill runner who dominated the FCS level. He didn’t run too fast at the combine, but he showed great power with a 40″ vertical and solid broad jump. His fit into the modern NFL is questionable, but he’ll be solid if he gets a chance to be a team’s workhorse.
Javon Leake, Maryland: I had Leake as a 7th-UDFA caliber player so I’m not surprised to see him go undrafted. He has an awkward frame for a running back that isn’t thick for power or small for quickness. His calling card is incredible kick return ability and really good vision in the backfield.
Other notable undrafted running backs: Rico Dowdle, South Carolina; Adrian Killins, UCF; Salvon Ahmed, Washington; Reggie Corbin, Illinois
Best Undrafted Tights Ends / Fullbacks:
Hunter Bryant, Washington, TE: Hunter Bryant is a gadget player who is basically a big slot receiver. He offers close to nothing as a blocker which NFL teams seemed to avoid this year (given Moss was also undrafted). Bryant is very quick and has great hands, as he led Washington with 825 receiving yards. He likely should have stuck in school for his senior year.
Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt, TE: Pinkney was the slowest tight end at the combine, and saw a huge downgrade in receiving his senior year after a great junior campaign. He is a solid blocker who runs routes well, and could be a solid #2 tight end who can help a team right away.
Bronson Rechsteiner, Kennesaw State, FB: No fullbacks were drafted, and I was bummed I didn’t get to see some Rechsteiner highlights on ESPN. He has the speed of a running back, the grittiness of a lineman, and the muscles of a pro wrestler. He’ll be a fan favorite to make a final roster when it’s all said and done.
Other notable undrafted tight ends: Thaddeus Moss, LSU; Jacob Breeland, Oregon; Sewo Olonilua, TCU (FB); Parker Houston, San Diego State (FB)
Best Undrafted Offensive Tackles:
Victor Johnson, Appalachian State: The biggest question for Victor Johnson was position fit in the NFL, as he’s a little small for tackle. But Johnson was a 4 year starter at left tackle who was a 3-time 1st team all conference honoree at App State and has very quick feet.
Trey Adams, Washington: Trey Adams has struggled with back injuries, and looked generally unathletic at the combine which caused his stock to plummet. The big left tackle has been successful throughout his long career at Washington having started for 4 years, and could offer some immediate help.
Other notable undrafted offensive tackles: Alex Taylor, South Carolina State; Branden Bowen, Ohio State; Yasir Durant, Missouri
Best Undrafted Interior Offensive Linemen:
Darryl Williams, Mississippi State, C: Williams got his name as a left guard at Mississippi State, but moved to center where he excelled as a senior. There was plenty of buzz around his name and I’m very surprised he wasn’t drafted. The 3 year starter plays will toughness and is a good run blocker who drives holes open.
Cohl Cabral, Arizona State, C: Cabral is a big center who has some positional versatility. There was more buzz around him prior to the 2019 draft, but he decided to return for his senior year. His athleticism is nothing special and he doesn’t move too many people, but he can play a lot of positions and doesn’t have any glaring weakness.
John Molchon, Boise State, G: Every guard that I expected to get drafted, did get drafted. Molchon is my top available guard despite giving him a free agent grade. He plays tough and anchors well. He showed plus-athleticism at the combine and has enough size to be an emergency tackle when needed.
Other notable undrafted guards & centers: Sean Pollard, Clemson (C); Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon (G)
Best Undrafted Defensive Tackles:
Malcolm Roach, Texas: Roach proved to be a phenomenal athlete at the combine, but his tape was very inconsistent. Teams don’t like players who don’t have a consistent motor, and Roach rarely influenced the play despite great athleticism. He also lacks a true positional fit in the NFL. But the athletic traits are there, and he has a lot of potential if a coach gives him the time of day.
Raequan Williams, Michigan State: Williams is a subpar athlete who knows how to play football. He has good size for the position and works hard to get sideline to sideline, while maintaining good awareness and tackling ability. The lack of true speed or power caused him to fall, but he has been plenty productive in college to get an opportunity.
Other notable undrafted defensive tackles: Michael Hoecht, Brown; Benito Jones, Ole Miss; Josiah Coatney, Ole Miss; Garrett Marino, UAB; Tyler Clark, Georgia
Best Undrafted Defensive Ends:
Austin Edwards, Ferris State: I love Austin Edwards and am shocked no one took him. While he didn’t get to have his pro day, he played at the East West Shrine Game and was solid. He combines speed, power, and a great motor to rack up tons of tackles and sacks. He might have the best career of any undrafted player.
Nick Coe, Auburn: Coe is a former 5 star recruit who is a classic example of questionable work ethic. He flashed at times while showing great positional versatility, but he had an extremely disappointing 2019 with 0 sacks and just 3 TFLs. His athletic measurables were subpar, and his motor was inconsistent. All that said, he can use power and speed techniques, and is extremely strong while being able to play all over the field.
Other notable undrafted defensive ends: Ron’Dell Carter, James Madison; Chauncey Rivers, Mississippi State
Best Undrafted Linebackers:
Cameron Gill, Wagner, OLB: Gill was incredibly productive at the FCS level, totaling a ridiculous 44 tackles for loss and 23 sacks over the past two seasons. He has legitimate size and speed for the position, and could be an absolute steal. I gave a 5th-6th round grade, but wouldn’t have been surprised to see him go earlier.
David Woodward, Utah State, ILB: Woodward entered the draft a year early after a solid junior year and great sophomore year. His athleticism was subpar but he has great instincts for an inside linebacker. His first step is fast and he diagnoses well. He likely got lost in the midst as some of these traits are very common among ILBs.
Other notable undrafted linebackers: Joe Bachie, Michigan State (ILB); Antonio Jones-Davis, Northern Illinois (ILB); Michael Pinckney, Miami-FL (ILB); Dante Olson, Montana (ILB); Oluwole Betiku Jr., Illinois (OLB); Tipa Galeai, Utah State (OLB)
Best Undrafted Safeties:
JR Reed, Georgia: I’m only going to talk about Reed because he’s the only safety in my top 300 who didn’t get drafted. That’s odd since I had him with a 4th-5th round grade. Reed was an All-American for an SEC school and went undrafted. Think about that. He doesn’t have any elite traits, as he has average size and athleticism. But he is a very reliable player, good leader, and offers plenty of versatility. He’s my top rated undrafted player overall.
Other notable undrafted safeties: Javin White, UNLV; Stanford Samuels III, Florida State
Best Undrafted Cornerbacks:
Lavert Hill, Michigan: Lavert Hill is undersized for an outside corner, but he was as shutdown as you’ll find in college football. He was a two time Big 10 First Team Honoree at Michigan, and allowed an abysmal completion rate. QBs knew not to challenge him. His biggest pitfall was definitely his poor tackling and inept run support.
Parnell Motley, Oklahoma: Motley has some NFL traits, including a knack for forcing fumbles and good size at 6’0″. He ran a solid time at his pro day, and improved his form and mirroring quite a bit his senior year after getting picked on as a junior.
Other notable undrafted cornerbacks: Javaris Davis, Auburn; Javelin Guidry, Utah; Will Sunderland, Troy; Keith Washington II, West Virginia; Nevelle Clarke, UCF; AJ Green, Oklahoma State; Trajan Bandy, Miami-FL; Lamar Jackson, Nebraska; Luq Barcoo, San Diego State; KiAnte Hardin, Pittsburg State
Best Undrafted Kickers / Punters:
Joseph Charlton, South Carolina (P): I’ll maintain the Charlton is the best punter in the class even though two got drafted over him. He’s got as strong of a leg as anyone, gets great hang time, and is very accurate pinning the ball inside the 10. He should have a long NFL career.
Alex Pechin, Bucknell (P): Pechin has a powerful leg and is one of the best FCS punters of all time. He has the leg strength for the NFL, gets decent hang time, and gets the ball off fairly quickly. His 47.3 yards per punt was among the best in the nation regardless of level.
Rodrigo Blankenship (K): Blankenship was the most reliable kicker in the class. While he doesn’t have quite as strong of a leg as Tyler Bass who got drafted, he can hit 55 yarders and has good accuracy. He gets respect as a kicker and people like him. His big miss against South Carolina in a clutch situation could have hurt him, as teams could have been worried about his ability to kick in the clutch.
Other notable undrafted kickers & punters: Michael Turk, Arizona State (P); Dane Roy, Houston (P); Tommy Townsend, Florida (P); JJ Molson, UCLA (K)
