2017 NFL Preseason: 5 Undrafted Free Agents Who Surprised

While the drafted players always get the attention, and the 2017 NFL preseason is no different, the truth is undrafted free agents are the meat.

They represent a huge portion of rosters across the league. Teams that are able to find and develop them into able role players, starters and even superstars tend to be the ones who have the most success in the league. Teams like New England and Seattle have become notorious for it over the years and it’s not a coincidence they often end up in the playoffs.

So how are things shaping up this year? Here’s a short list of standout rookies from this preseason, all of whom share the humble undrafted beginnings.

Kyle Sloter (QB, Denver Broncos)

Wouldn’t it be something if things ended up shaking out that way. Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch have battled for two years to see who should be the long-term starter. All of sudden in steps this kid out of Northern Colorado right in the Broncos’ back yard and ascends to the pedestal. It sounds like a Hollywood movie. Of course it’s way too soon for that. Still, Kyle Sloter has completed 72.1% of his passes for 413 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. So the kid obviously has some game.

Austin Carr (WR, New England Patriots)

No organization has cornered the market on undersized but quick and fast white receivers like the New England Patriots. It started with Wes Welker, then Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and finally Chris Hogan. Is Northwestern standout Austin Carr next on that list? After 14 catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns it’s hard not to see it happening all over again. The offense fits him well and the loss of Edelman to injury means he could get lots of playing time.

More from NFL Mocks

• NFL Draft: Ranking the top signal callers of the 2024 NFL QB Class
• 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
• Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
• Fantasy Football: 5 reasons Colts QB Anthony Richardson can be a top-end option
• Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023

Chase Allen (ILB, Miami Dolphins)

Often the best way to pinpoint a quality linebacker is simple. How often are they around the football? That is the basic nature of the position. Find football, get football. Well it seems Southern Illinois’ Chase Allen knows how to do that better than anybody else, drafted or undrafted. Three different linebackers tied for second with 19 tackles this preseason. Allen had 34. That is a testament to just how instinctive he is at knowing where to be and when to be there.

Isaiah Irving (OLB, Chicago Bears)

Let’s just say that San Jose State isn’t exactly considered a hot bed for defensive talent in college football. That doesn’t seem to have stopped the Chicago Bears from uncovering a surprise find. Defensive end Isaiah Irving had a decent senior year with 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The Bears felt he could make the transition to outside linebacker and better use his talents. He has three sacks and a forced fumble over his last two games. Hard to argue with that.

Demetrious Cox (S, Cincinnati Bengals)

The Bengals continue to do some reshuffling in their secondary as free agency and age take their toll. Safety is an area they’re still looking for a new contributor. Somebody who can make plays. Preseason or not it’s hard to argue that Demetrious Cox hasn’t checked that box. In limited action he’s produced an interception, a sack and a forced fumble. If nothing else it’s earned him an opportunity to challenge for a starting job in the near future.