Some of these players may feel that being an undrafted free agent is better than being drafted in the late 7th round simply because they might be able have their agent use his contacts to find a fit where they could have a shot of making the roster for special teams, depth or on the practice squad. The reason I say this is that I read an article from either a KC or TB website that said teams like the Bucs, Rams, Bills and Chiefs are relatively stoked with talent and have some depth whereas some team that is like to be in the running for the top draft pick next year (the article specifically mentioned the Falcons) might be a place where a player has a fair shot at competing for a roster spot because the talent level is not there. In KC you might just be training camp fodder. Not sure if I agree though, 7th round pick does get some salary and a signing bonus and while undrafted FAs do get some coin, I would guess a 7th round pick would get more and if they are cut, another team may take a flyer on them after seeing some tape from the preseason games.
I’ve been eligible for the NFL draft since 1977, but never selected. I’ll give it one more year, and if no team takes me I’m hanging it up. Oh, and I still have 4 years of college eligibility if anyone needs me.
Check out the career of Martin St Louis. An undrafted player who played 1,000 games and scored 1,000 points. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, his first year of eligibility.
I read an article forty or fifty years ago I think about those parents and kids who hang their future on a pro sports career. Somebody did the stats and even among elite high school athletes, less than 1/10 of a percent have a career in the pros (a careet being playing more than three years). Like someone said above, you better have a plan B no matter who great you think you are.
scote1379 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Always have a plan B !
TampaFanatic1 over 2 years ago
Some of these players may feel that being an undrafted free agent is better than being drafted in the late 7th round simply because they might be able have their agent use his contacts to find a fit where they could have a shot of making the roster for special teams, depth or on the practice squad. The reason I say this is that I read an article from either a KC or TB website that said teams like the Bucs, Rams, Bills and Chiefs are relatively stoked with talent and have some depth whereas some team that is like to be in the running for the top draft pick next year (the article specifically mentioned the Falcons) might be a place where a player has a fair shot at competing for a roster spot because the talent level is not there. In KC you might just be training camp fodder. Not sure if I agree though, 7th round pick does get some salary and a signing bonus and while undrafted FAs do get some coin, I would guess a 7th round pick would get more and if they are cut, another team may take a flyer on them after seeing some tape from the preseason games.
jagedlo over 2 years ago
The feeling of a lot of football players this past Sunday…
Lotus over 2 years ago
I’ve been eligible for the NFL draft since 1977, but never selected. I’ll give it one more year, and if no team takes me I’m hanging it up. Oh, and I still have 4 years of college eligibility if anyone needs me.
Ellis97 over 2 years ago
Story of my life.
Jimmyk939 over 2 years ago
Check out the career of Martin St Louis. An undrafted player who played 1,000 games and scored 1,000 points. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, his first year of eligibility.
Sabrina17 over 2 years ago
This almost made me cry.
Teto85 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Good thing he has that 4 year degree in Basket Weaving to fall back on.
Nighthawks Premium Member over 2 years ago
two words: taxi squad
198.23.5.11 over 2 years ago
Every time the Jacksonville football team drafts somebody,they should play the old film clip of James Cagney going to the electric chair screaming.
tygrkhat40 over 2 years ago
Warren Moon, Night Train Lane, Emlen Tunnell, Kurt Warner; all undrafted, all in the Hall of Fame.
moondog42 Premium Member over 2 years ago
You have terrible representation as an athlete if your team is telling you how certain it is that you’ll get drafted, and nobody picks you up.
rugeirn over 2 years ago
Simple and efficient, multiple sports: https://www.google.com/search?q=Undrafted+players+in+the+Hall+of+Fame
RonBerg13 Premium Member over 2 years ago
That has got to be one of the bigger letdowns of all time.
TexTech over 2 years ago
I read an article forty or fifty years ago I think about those parents and kids who hang their future on a pro sports career. Somebody did the stats and even among elite high school athletes, less than 1/10 of a percent have a career in the pros (a careet being playing more than three years). Like someone said above, you better have a plan B no matter who great you think you are.
hwmj over 2 years ago
The only draft I was eligible for ended in the 70’s before they drew my number