NFL Preseason: The Best Undrafted Players of 2018

It’s not easy being an undrafted free agent, but the NFL preseason is one of the few times young men like that get to make an impression.

It can often be the key difference between making a roster and having to travel the country looking for another opportunity. That’s why they are often the ones who are putting in the best performances. Preseason games mean more to them than anybody else. They are not only rookies but are also unprotected by draft status. A double whammy.

This year has been no different. Several undrafted players are already making names for themselves across the league. Who among them has stood out the most? Here are five names that are worth watching as the final cuts loom.

Alex McGough (Seattle Seahawks)

Undrafted quarterbacks have to fight hard to get noticed and the preseason is their best hope. It’s the only chance they’ll get to see some actual game action. Alex McGough had an up-and-down run at Florida International but he showcased the size, arm, and accuracy worth exploring. Seattle needs depth behind Russell Wilson.

McGough is showing he may have something. He’s connected on 61.5% of his passes for 285 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for a 90.2 rating. That’s second-best among rookie QBs with at least 30 passes this preseason. Only Josh Allen, a 1st round pick has done slightly better.

Chris Warren (Oakland Raiders)

The top of their draft remains under some criticism, but the late rounders are already starting to show up. Not only that but it seems the Oakland Raiders snagged a potential weapon in undrafted running back Chris Warren. He leads all backs in the preseason with 250 yards and two touchdowns. He’s averaged a healthy 5.4 yards per carry. The guy is a big back at 6’2, 246 lbs. Jon Gruden is no stranger to using guys who carry that kind of load (see Mike Alstott).

Chad Beebe (Minnesota Vikings)

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The son of former Buffalo Bills hero Don Beebe. Unlike his father, who was a 3rd round pick, Chad had to fight his way into the NFL out of Northern Illinois. It’s not like it was easy. His best year in college was 28 catches for 417 yards and a touchdown. Yet the Minnesota Vikings felt they saw enough to give him an opportunity.

His nine catches for 95 yards for two touchdowns is strong on its own. Then you dig a little deeper and realize that eight of those catches by Beebe resulted in a first down. Teams are always on the lookout for money players like that.

Ola Adeniyi (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Suddenly after years of problems, the Pittsburgh Steelers are swimming in pass rushers. They already have Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt in place. Now the depth chart behind them is starting to stack up. Ola Adeniyi came out of Toledo undersized at 6’2, 248 lbs. However, he showcased a knack for making plays in the backfield with 8.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss as a junior.

That has quickly carried over in Pittsburgh where he has two sacks and a forced fumble in limited preseason action. It shouldn’t be a surprise. The Steelers were the team that gave James Harrison a shot, and he was even smaller than Adeniyi.

Ben Niemann (Kansas City Chiefs)

Josey Jewell was the big star linebacker to come out of Iowa this year, but many at the program insisted that team were overlooking his teammate Ben Niemann. While not the traditional physical type that the position is known for, Niemann could be of the new age that excels in space and playing coverage. He already has two passes defended and a pick-six for the Kansas City Chiefs, in addition to 12 tackles. He’s stuck on a deep depth chart at the moment, but given time this might be quite a find.

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