Undrafted free agents undeniably have the most difficult path to NFL relevance, yet success stories reveal themselves on an annual basis. In order for a UDFA to make a 53-man roster, those inexperienced players who arrive to little fanfare must steadily climb the depth chart. It starts with impressing in rookie minicamp, and they must carry that momentum over to training camp and the preseason.
More than 25 UDFAs made initial 53-man rosters as all 32 NFL franchises submitted the first iteration of their regular-season rosters on Tuesday. Construction remains fluid, but we've identified three UDFAs poised to make the largest impact this season.
Omar Speights, LB, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have been so impressed with undrafted rookie linebacker Omar Speights that they traded Ernest Jones IV to the Tennessee Titans amidst a contract-related standoff. Head coach Sean McVay called it a "football decision." There had been rumblings that Spieghts was leapfrogging the veteran producer on the depth chart. That’s incredibly impressive given that Jones is a 24-year-old rising talent coming off a 145-tackle, 4.5-sack season.
Speights is now slated to be an unquestioned starter next to Christian Rozeboom. Speights recorded 12 tackles throughout the preseason and earned an elite run-stopping grade of 91.2 from Pro Football Focus. The former Oregon State and LSU standout possesses terrific straight-line speed with a motor that’s always running hot. He totaled 70 tackles in his lone season at LSU last year and should continue racking up major numbers for the Rams this season.
Beanie Bishop, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop did more than simply make the roster. The former West Virginia, Minnesota, and Western Kentucky standout outright won the defense's starting nickel corner job. Bishop had been entangled in a position battle for that spot with Thomas Graham Jr., who was released during final roster cuts.
Bishop received a signing bonus of just $25,000 when inking his UDFA deal with the Steelers. It didn’t strongly indicate he had a terrific chance to make the roster, but the speedy and energized playmaker wasn’t discouraged. He consistently turned heads during both OTAs and training camp and starred in both preseason games he participated in, giving up a combined three receptions for 20 yards.
Bishop should thrive in Mike Tomlin's defensive backfield this season while playing alongside boundary starters Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson.
Isaiah Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
The explosive Detroit Lions offense is entering the season searching for pass-catching weapons to emerge opposite Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. It's a big year for Jameson Williams, who must finally prove capable of meeting his pre-draft hype. An underrated weapon that could work himself into the rotation is undrafted receiver Isaiah Williams.
Williams was a preseason darling who led the Lions in receptions (11) and receiving yards (123) during the exhibition. The Illinois product also returned three kickoffs for 93 yards and six punts for 71 yards. Williams made the roster over veteran wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones. I could see him replacing Kalif Raymond in three-receiver sets while also making a sizable impact via special teams.
