Top 7 NFL Undrafted Free Agents That Have Been Signed

by Shervon Fakhimi · Contracts & Free Agency

We all get excited about the top of each and every draft, but often overlook the bottom of it. Even though every year there are gems that emerge from the late rounds and even some who go undrafted, they aren’t discussed enough. But not here at PlayerProfiler! We found seven players who, despite going undrafted, have a chance to not only make the final 53-man rosters of the teams they’ve signed with, but could even find playing time soon. Let’s take a look at the top 7 NFL Undrafted Free Agents!

Tyson Bagent QB Shepherd → Chicago Bears

By many accounts, including PlayerProfiler’s own Cody Carpentier and The Podfather, Tyson Bagent was the best quarterback amongst an underwhelming group of gunslingers at the Senior Bowl. Bagent earned the invite after another stellar season at Division II Shepherd, where he threw for 4,580 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. UDFA Tyson Bagent is not taking Justin Fields‘ job. But the Bears’ quarterback room is not exactly loaded behind Fields either. Bagent’s competition for the backup job with the Chicago Bears is P.J. Walker and Nathan Peterman. Walker himself went undrafted. Peterman is arguably the worst quarterback I’ve seen start an NFL game. Bagent is bigger than Walker and faster than Peterman. His best comparable on PlayerProfiler.com is Taylor Heinicke, who has carved out a legit NFL career as a backup and spot starter at quarterback. Bagent can do the same in Chicago.

Sean Tucker RB Syracuse → Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There is no good on-field reason for Sean Tucker to go undrafted. Tucker posted a 75th-percentile college dominator rating (32.2-percent) and a 95th-percentile college target share (15.8-percent). Tucker had 2,556 rushing yards and 56 receptions over his final two collegiate seasons. While Tucker may not be an outstanding between-the-tackles runner and may look to hit home runs more often than not, he’s still more than capable in that department. His vision is quite good as a runner. He has breakaway speed as his 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day indicates. Tucker’s speed score rests in the 86th-percentile. He can make defenders miss in a phone booth or out in open space. There is a lot to like about his profile.

The main reason Sean Tucker did not get drafted is because of a heart issue. Tucker has been cleared to play, but it is more than understandable why any team wouldn’t want to risk anything with a player dealing with heart issues, especially after the Damar Hamlin scare we all saw in December. Even though Tucker signed with the Buccaneers, it could be difficult for him to make the team for that very reason. If Tucker didn’t have the heart issue and was drafted in the fourth round or so by the Bucs, we’d think he’d have a legit chance to steal some work from Rachaad White. Alas, here we are. 

Tampa Bay’s depth chart is light aside from Rachaad White. The Chase Edmonds era was fun while it lasted. Ke’Shawn Vaughn has never been a thing. It’s definitely possible Sean Tucker can become the RB2 in this offense. His talent warrants a look by fantasy gamers, but his medicals might never let him get a chance.

Xazavian Valladay RB Arizona State → Houston Texans

Xazavian Valladay has another intriguing profile at the running back position. Any time you can find a running back who can catch passes is a plus, and Valladay has that in spades. His 13.9-percent college target share ranks in the 92nd-percentile according to PlayerProfiler’s database. He caught 37 passes at Arizona State a year after snagging 23 at Wyoming. His 56th-percentile college dominator rating and 47th-percentile college yards per carry average (5.3) aren’t elite, but pair it with his receiving prowess and solid athleticism across the board and you have something.

Xazavian Valladay has a chance to crack the Texans’ 53-man roster. Houston wouldn’t have given him $175,000 in guaranteed money if they didn’t like him as an undrafted free agent. He won’t beat out Dameon Pierce (a sneaky winner from the NFL Draft) and Devin Singletary, but could edge one of Mike Boone or Dare Ogunbowale. Both Boone and Ogunbowale excel at special teams, so keeping both seems redundant. Valladay has a long path before becoming fantasy relevant, but it isn’t farfetched to see him making the 53. If you do that and have a pass-catching profile as a UDFA, you’re going to have a chance.

Bryce Ford-Wheaton WR West Virginia → New York Giants

Bryce Ford-Wheaton is the most athletic receiver in this class. According to PlayerProfiler’s athleticism score, BFW is the 10th-most athletic receiver in the database. Considering that the New York Giants have only slot receivers (two of which are coming off a torn ACL) outside of Isaiah Hodgins and Darius Slayton, they really could use a receiver with the skillset to play outside.

Enter Ford-Wheaton, a 6-4 221-pound giant who runs a 4.38 with a 100th-percentile speed score and 96th-percentile burst score. BFW likely will wind up as the Giants’ version of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but you’d think a player this athletic would’ve found a way to get drafted. That the Giants need the depth for someone with this skillset too suggests Ford-Wheaton has a solid chance of making the Giants’ 53-man roster.

Malik Cunningham QB Louisville → New England Patriots

Malik Cunningham ran for at least 482 yards in every season as a starting quarterback at Louisville. Cunningham played quarterback at Louisville but did receiver drills at the combine. He himself has said he is willing to convert to a receiver. Now he goes to the Patriots. Hmm… I wonder if they’ve ever turned a college quarterback into a legit wide receiver before…
Malik Cunningham could be the next Julian Edelman. Who knows? But you have to admit you’re intrigued at least, right?

Hassan Hall RB Georgia Tech → Cleveland Browns

Hassan Hall finds himself in maybe the best spot of any of these undrafted free agents we’ve discussed. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash on his pro day at 5-10 196-pounds. His burst score ranks in the 89th-percentile, while his agility score is in the 74th-percentile. A 9.7-percent college target share ranks in the 75th-percentile. He adds versatility on special teams as well, where he’s returned two kicks for touchdowns and has 2,581 kick return yards across five college seasons.

The problem for Hassan Hall is that he just didn’t get a lot of work at Louisville before transferring to Georgia Tech for his final college season. The 116 carries he registered last season is the most he’s accumulated in a college season. But he did add 28 receptions to go with his special teams prowess.

The Cleveland Browns’ depth chart at running back is light. With Kareem Hunt still a free agent, here are the names backing up Nick Chubb: Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton, and John Kelly Jr. Those are some interesting names (especially Ford), but hardly a murderer’s row.

Hall’s best comparable on PlayerProfiler.com is JaMycal Hasty. If he makes the team, he could be active from Day 1 because of his special teams contributions. And if he’s active and the Browns don’t add to their running back room, it isn’t inconceivable he finds himself an actual role sooner than later. Keep an eye on Hassan Hall.

Jadon Haselwood WR Arkansas → Philadelphia Eagles

I wrote more extensively about Jadon Haselwood earlier in an article. Feel free to check that out. Philadelphia’s wide receiver room outside of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith consists of the following: Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus, Greg Ward, Tyrie Cleveland, Devon Allen, and Britain Covey.

Haselwood is a former five-star recruit who can play as a big slot receiver, the one area of Philly’s offense they could stand to get more out of. Jadon Haselwood can take that spot sooner than later.