NFL Draft 2025's best undrafted free agent fits: One player to watch on each roster

New York Times

02-05-2025

When it comes to undrafted free agents, one thing's for certain: There is always gold in those hills.
As is the case nearly every season, several undrafted rookie free agents (UDFAs) made an impact on NFL teams in 2024. Carolina Panthers receiver Jalen Coker (Holy Cross) had 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles Rams linebacker Omar Speights (LSU) turned an outstanding preseason into an eventual starting role. Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (Notre Dame) was tough to ignore, starting five games, including three of the last four.
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Who will be this year's best post-draft finds? Here's our annual look at one candidate for each of the 32 NFL teams …
(Editor's note: Click on each player's name to read more about them in Dane Brugler's draft guide, 'The Beast.')
There's not much versatility here but Simmons, a 6-foot-1, 334-pound nose tackle, has the build to be the type of interior space eater for which teams are constantly searching. He was part of a heavy rotation at Tennessee (14.4 snaps per game last year), but when he was on the field, he brought the force and explosion necessary to be a run stuffer.
Nash (6-3, 203) moved from QB to receiver in 2022 and was a near-immediate success, putting up more than 150 catches and 2,000 yards with 24 TDs over his final two seasons (including 18 contested catches in 2024). The Falcons also brought in explosive Miami DT Simeon Barrow Jr. and ultra-competitive Kansas CB Cobee Bryant.
One of the biggest players in the 2025 NFL Draft, Christian-Lichtenhan (6-8, 315, 35 1/4-inch arms, 85 3/8-inch wingspan) has a Dawand Jones-like ability to use his length to erase pass rushers off the edge. He's a limited athlete, but his traits are worth taking a chance on. The Ravens will also get a look at Division III sensation Thomas Perry, a freakishly athletic center.
A four-year starter and two-time All-Sun Belt center who made stops at Lamar and Arkansas State, Bayer plays with great power and punch in the run game. A tough customer, Bayer rehabbed an ACL injury in less than six months to start his final 12 games at Arkansas State.
An explosive guard, Kandra (6-5, 320) has enough power (33 bench-press reps at the combine) to bully defenders at the line. He's a decent-enough mover to hang on either side of the center and works to overcome some flexibility issues with discipline and effort. Kandra took center reps during Hula Bowl practices. Carolina will also get a look at UCF WR Kobe Hudson and Miami WR Jacolby George.
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A jumbo safety, Burns (6-2, 207 pounds) lacks top-end speed but has enough burst and strength to be a factor. He played all over the field for LSU, taking reps as a box safety, free safety, slot corner and even as an edge rusher.
A two-year starter at Alabama, McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State in 2024 and won the Rimington Award (best center in college football) despite tearing his Achilles two weeks before the Michigan game. A powerful, agile leader (when healthy), McLaughlin played his best football in Columbus and will have a shot if he can overcome his injury. The Bengals also brought in stout Notre Dame DT Howard Cross III.
Another big safety, McMillon (6-2, 203) played both safety spots and in the slot the last two years for Pitt, after spending time at Florida. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 35-inch vertical and 10 foot, 5 inch broad jump. An aggressive coverage player, McMillon broke up five passes and forced six incompletions last year.
A raw tight end with interesting traits, Fairweather (6-3, 242 with 34 1/2-inch arms and an 83 5/8-inch wingspan) was one of the longest skill players in the draft. He plays with natural leverage as a blocker and has the length to be a factor in the run game and pass protection, should his technique improve.
A three-year starter at Georgia who has played left guard, right guard and right tackle, Truss (6-7, 309) brings a ton of power and length in the run game — he could be a factor inside for an NFL team. He's not the quickest player, though, so Truss' toughness and durability (67 games at Georgia) will be his biggest selling points.
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An elite athlete, Keeney-James (6-0, 190) ran a 4.37 40 with a 1.54-second 10-yard split at his pro day to go along with a 40 1/2-inch vertical, 10-6 broad jump and 4.07 short shuttle. He only had one real productive college season (51 catches, 870 yards in 2024) but has the traits to gamble on. Ole Miss TE Caden Prieskorn and Syracuse WR Jackson Meeks were quality adds for Detroit, too.
A three-year starter at Georgia, the 6-3, 327-pound Stackhouse is big enough to play nose and quick enough to move out to three-tech in certain situations. A powerful player who fit in with Kirby Smart's attack, Stackhouse has battled narcolepsy to make it this far. He's a very determined athlete.
More explosive than fast, Jackson plays much bigger than his 5-10, 193-pound frame. He combines solid burst and great agility to be a crafty route runner, with the ability to make acrobatic catches and big plays downfield. He made 208 catches at Minnesota, No. 3 on the school's all-time list.
A gigantic receiver (6-4, 212) with arm length that would make tackles jealous (34 3/4 inches), Taylor also ran a 4.44 40 with a 39 1/2-inch vertical and 10-11 broad jump. A giant ball of explosion, his traits are absolutely worth watching this summer.
A four-year starter at Memphis, Henigan (6-3, 215) threw for 14,266 career yards and 104 touchdowns (both AAC records) as one of the nation's most consistent Group of 5 quarterbacks. A smart player with middling arm talent, Henigan makes his money with consistency and technique. He's a sturdy pocket passer.
A former basketball player who never played a snap of high school football, Pole (who learned the game from his older brother, Toni, a former Washington State defensive lineman) is a natural mover on the outside. His pass-protection instincts are better than what he can offer as a run blocker right now, but the 6-5, 323-pounder hasn't come close to his ceiling yet.
Physically, Joyner is an NFL edge out of central casting: 6-4, 262 with 34-inch arms, 82 1/2-inch wingspan and 4.60 40. The big, long and explosive Joyner is still more traits than substance, but his flashes (7 1/2 sacks in 2023) are intriguing.
Another gigantic tackle prospect, Washington (6-8, 340) played at Kent State, Colorado and Syracuse as a right tackle and has enough nastiness in the run game to be interesting for Jim Harbaugh's roster. The Chargers also brought in South Carolina RB Raheim 'Rocket' Sanders, a 230-pounder with 4.46 speed.
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The most uniquely shaped offensive line prospect in this class, Lampkin is one of the rare O-line prospects who stands under 6 feet (5-11, 279). But the former wrestler used violent hands and natural leverage to be effective in college. If he were three inches taller, he'd have been drafted.
A versatile tight end who can play fullback, H-back or whatever else a team needs, Conyers (6-4, 260) was also a big-time basketball prospect at one time and has enough length and bulk to be a potential weapon in Miami's stretch run game. He showed great effort and bend as a run blocker at the Shrine Bowl.
Frankly, I was surprised to see Brown go undrafted. A 6-6, 311-pounder with near 34-inch arms and good explosion, Brown was a five-star recruit who transferred to Kansas in 2023 after Wisconsin dismissed him for reportedly striking another player during practice. He flashes NFL starter-level traits.
Another player who easily could have been drafted, Dippre (6-4, 256) was a very good run blocker at Alabama and did everything — including playing on special teams — with supreme effort and intensity. He'll never be a high-volume receiver but could be an asset for Mike Vrabel in the run game. Also keep an eye on crafty Eastern Washington WR Efton Chism III.
Small but explosive, Yarns (5-10, 193) ran a 4.45 40 with a 37 1/2-inch vertical and 10-2 broad jump at the combine. He flashed true breakaway speed as a runner and a receiver at Delaware, making 11 touchdown catches to go along with a 6.4 yards per carry mark over five years.
Wells (6-1, 201) was one of the hottest transfers in the country in 2022 following a 15-touchdown season at James Madison. A foot injury slowed him down in 2023-24, but Wells has enough wiggle to get open and be a problem after the catch.
Edwards was arguably a better receiver than a runner at Michigan. An explosive, agile 205-pounder, Edwards served mostly as a backup throughout his college career and has poor vision between the tackles, but he's enough of an athlete to have a shot.
One of Quinyon Mitchell's secondary mates at Toledo, Hook was a four-year starter for Jason Candle's Rockets and proved to be one of the MAC's most consistent safeties. The Eagles also brought in hulking Rutgers OT Hollin Pierce (6-8, 341, 36-inch arms).
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A three-year starting safety — and a playmaker — for Phil Parker's always-tough Iowa defense, Castro doesn't have elite athleticism but is an extremely smart defender, both in pass coverage (especially zone) and run support.
A burner with a gigantic frame, Neyor (6-4, 218 with 34 3/8-inch arms and an 82 5/8-inch wingspan) ran a 4.40 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 11-1 broad jump at the combine. An elite athlete, Neyor struggled at Texas and Nebraska to match the production he put up at Wyoming, but he's worth the gamble.
A high school quarterback who moved to defensive back while at SE Louisiana before matriculating to LSU, Alexander (6-1, 187 with 31-inch arm) is a big, long corner with enough athleticism to hang in as a safety in a pinch.
The biggest big man in the 2025 NFL Draft class (and one of the biggest we've ever seen), the 6-6, 464-pound Watson is a house on wheels. He's lighter on his feet than his weight suggests, so he could be an interesting project for Todd Bowles' staff, if he can stay in shape.
Restrepo was one of Cam Ward's favorite targets at Miami last season. He was super-productive for the Hurricanes, putting up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and nearly 3,000 career yards. He's slow (4.85 40), but his toughness, competitive drive and route nuance might be enough to surprise folks. Ward will be happy to see him, at least. The Titans also brought in Boston College DT Cam Horsley, an interior thumper who was very good at the Shrine Bowl.
A relatively disciplined corner with good length, Cypress (6-0, 182) ran a 4.43 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 10-3 broad jump at his pro day, after a six-year career (four at Virginia, two at Florida State). He worked opposite Azareye'h Thomas last season, tying with him for the team lead in forced incompletions (6).
(Top photo of Donovan Edwards: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)