2014 Undrafted Free Agents: Best Class of All-Time?
By Joe Wedra
Dec 7, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal linebacker Shayne Skov (11) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Stanford defeated Arizona State 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 Undrafted Free Agents (UDFAs) class from the 2014 NFL Draft is being touted by some as one of the best in NFL history. While we saw some surprises in the late rounds of the draft, we also noticed some surprises when the news broke that certain UDFAs were being signed by teams. And not just any UDFAs, but extremely talented prospects that were “locks” to be taken in the middle rounds of May’s NFL extravaganza.
Here’s a look at a few notable names that were not called at Radio City Music Hall last weekend.
Antonio Richardson, Tackle, Tennessee
Richardson got a very strong grade from me early in the scouting process, so I was surprised to see him fall as far as he did. I was certain that he’d get picked up late in the sixth round, but he never was – leaving many to wonder if he didn’t test well with individual teams. The Vikings picked up the tackle, hoping he can make a roster spot this fall.
Jackson Jeffcoat, Defensive End, Texas
Jeffcoat going undrafted is probably one of the draft’s biggest surprises. He proved to be a force in college, and some saw him as a Day Two pick. Making things even more incredible (depending on who you root for), the Seattle Seahawks were able to pick up Jeffcoat to stack their defense once more. How do the Seahawks not win the Super Bowl again?
Shayne Skov, Linebacker, Stanford
This one might have puzzled me the most. I can’t understand why a team wouldn’t take a chance on Skov with a late-round selection. Heck, I had him graded in the late third, early fourth round. He’s off to San Francisco, a team that I’d be shocked if they didn’t give him a spot on the roster. His spirited on-field play and leadership should have been enough for a Day Two pick.
Other notable UDFAs include: LB Christian Jones (Florida State), CB Loucheiz Purifoy (Florida), DT Kelcy Quarles (South Carolina), S Craig Loston (LSU), LB Max Bullough (Michigan State), T James Hurst (North Carolina), and CB Rashaad Reynolds (Oregon State).
NOTE: NFL Fantasy Football fans – check out this article on early sleepers for the 2014 season.