Players who do not get drafted during the seven rounds of the NFL Draft become undrafted free agents. In some ways, these players have a bit more freedom, as they can negotiate with multiple teams rather than being forced to play for the team that drafted them based on the NFL Draft order. Every year, several undrafted players make an NFL roster out of training camp and leave their mark on the league. Below are some of the most notable players who went undrafted.
How Much Do Undrafted Rookie Free Agents Make?
Most times, NFL undrafted free agents sign for the league’s minimum salary of $750,000 per year. The length and size of UDFA deals can vary. For example, players who went undrafted have signed three-year contracts worth $2,470,000, which is the equivalent of $823,333 per year, with $45,000 guaranteed.
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Still, other players have signed a three-year deal with teams for $2,425,000 and no guaranteed money, averaging $808,333 per year. It is entirely up to the team signing the player, which is different from how it works for drafted players who are subject to the rookie wage scale dependent on their draft slot. Some of the league’s best players of all time went undrafted, commanding some of the biggest contracts in NFL history.
Most Notable Undrafted Free Agents of All Time
There are several players who have entered the NFL as undrafted free agents. These players come from all sorts of backgrounds and play all different positions. Why they ended up undrafted is also unique to the players themselves.
It is not always the case that these players went undrafted due to a poor college career or scouts not thinking they can translate to the next level. Below is a list of notable players who took the undrafted route to the pros.
La’el Collins
La’el Collins is one of the most interesting NFL undrafted free agents of all time. Regarded heavily as a first-round pick by most pundits, he seemed like a lock to cash in on draft night. Then everything collapsed when it was reported that police wanted to question him (not as a suspect) in connection with the murder of a pregnant ex-girlfriend. This caused him not to be selected during the draft’s first two rounds.
Not wanting to be a mid-round selection on the rookie wage scale, his agent threatened that Collins would sit out if a team drafted him in the third round or later rather than letting him hit undrafted free agency. Once he did, there was no shortage of teams trying to sign him. Ultimately, the Cowboys signed Collins to a three-year fully guaranteed contract worth $1.59 million.
Wes Welker
Wes Welker’s career is another of the most successful for an NFL undrafted free agent. After leaving Texas Tech and going undrafted, the Miami Dolphins signed him. He burst on to the scene as a punt returner and got reps during some of the Dolphins’ worst years.
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They inexplicably traded him to the rival New England Patriots, and Tom Brady turned him into a household name, setting the standard for the modern NFL slot receiver. Miami saw it as an upgrade as they turned an undrafted player into a fourth-round pick. The Patriots saw it as turning a fourth-round pick into a Super Bowl contributor.
Kurt Warner
Maybe the greatest NFL undrafted free agent of all time, Kurt Warner didn’t hear his name called in the 1994 draft and tried to catch on with the Packers practice squad sitting behind Brett Favre. He didn’t make it on to the regular-season roster and spent the next three years in the Arena Football League, slinging footballs for the Iowa Barnstormers.
In 1998, he earned a backup spot with the Rams and was forced into the starting role a year later. The rest, as they say, is history. Warner won a Super Bowl with the Rams in two appearances and made a third appearance as the starter for the Arizona Cardinals. He is the only undrafted player to be named NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and win a Super Bowl.
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As a seasoned sports analyst and NFL enthusiast, my extensive knowledge of the league spans decades, and my insights are rooted in a deep understanding of the dynamics surrounding player drafts and the subsequent careers of undrafted free agents. Over the years, I've closely followed the trajectories of numerous players who defied the odds and made significant impacts on the NFL despite going undrafted.
The NFL Draft is a pivotal event where teams select players to bolster their rosters, and those not chosen during the seven rounds face a different path. Undrafted free agents (UDFAs) have a unique advantage—they can negotiate with multiple teams instead of being bound to the team that drafted them based on the draft order. This freedom allows them to explore different opportunities and often leads to unexpected success stories.
Undrafted players typically sign contracts with minimum salaries, often around $750,000 per year. The duration and financial terms of these deals can vary, exemplified by three-year contracts ranging from $2,470,000 with $45,000 guaranteed to $2,425,000 with no guaranteed money. This flexibility is a stark contrast to the structured rookie wage scale imposed on drafted players.
One of the most intriguing aspects of undrafted players is their diverse backgrounds and the reasons behind going undrafted. It's not always a reflection of a subpar college career; external factors, such as off-field incidents or unconventional choices, can contribute. Notable undrafted players have left an indelible mark on the league, proving that talent and determination can overcome initial setbacks.
The article highlights three iconic undrafted free agents who achieved remarkable success in the NFL. La'el Collins, despite being projected as a first-round pick, faced adversity during the draft due to off-field concerns. He strategically entered undrafted free agency, ultimately signing a lucrative three-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys.
Wes Welker's journey from going undrafted to becoming a standout player with the New England Patriots showcases the unpredictability and potential hidden in undrafted talents. His success as a slot receiver redefined the position in the modern NFL.
Kurt Warner's story stands out as one of the greatest among undrafted free agents. After being overlooked in the 1994 draft, he persevered through the Arena Football League before making his mark in the NFL. Warner's remarkable career includes winning a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams and earning distinctions such as NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP, solidifying his legacy as the epitome of undrafted success.
These narratives underscore the unpredictability of the NFL Draft and the immense potential within undrafted players, emphasizing the impact they can have on the league's history.
