Talent always finds its way through the cracks. Here are my best available undrafted free agents after this weekend's NFL draft:
— 1. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson, Jr.
Ross' freshman season screamed future first-rounder — he led the Tigers with 46 receptions for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns — but then he missed the entire 2020 season due to a congenital fusion condition of his neck and spine that required surgery. He returned to an anemic pass offense in 2021 that wasn't able to truly showcase his skillset.
— 2. Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama, Sr.
The former No. 1 overall recruit is a big, physical corner who thrives in man-to-man press coverage. He suffered a foot injury in the SEC Championship Game that ended his season and he will be a 24-year-old rookie.
— 3. Verone McKinley III, S, Oregon, Jr.
McKinley is a ballhawk (11 career interceptions) who shows good instincts against the run too, but he lacks ideal size and there's some sloppiness in his game that needs to be cleaned up.
— 4. Kellen Diesch, OT, Arizona St., Sr.
Diesch allowed multiple pressures only once last season and allowed only seven all year long. Overall, he needs to improve his functional strength in pass protection to continue his success in the NFL, but his athleticism and size are solid building blocks for a potential starting left tackle.
— 5. Carson Strong, QB, Nevada, Jr.
Strong features good height and size for the position (especially for this draft class), with accuracy at all three levels and the arm talent to consistently attack outside the numbers. He wins with his arm, not his legs (he's a statue in the pocket) and problems with his right knee stretch all the way back to 2017.
— 6. Smoke Monday, S, Auburn, Sr.
There's a lot of work to do with Monday's technique, both in coverage and tackling, but he's a legit playmaker. He has returned an interception for a touchdown in three straight seasons and he blocked a punt against Alabama as a true freshman.
— 7. JoJo Domann, LB, Nebraska, Sr.
Domann played both safety and linebacker for the Cornhuskers and forced nine fumbles in his collegiate career. Checkered medical past likely caused potential Day 2 pick to tumble out of the draft entirely.
— 8. Abram Smith, RB, Baylor, Sr.
After a prolific prep career as a ball carrier, Smith played primarily on special teams and at linebacker over his first four seasons in Waco, before the coaches asked him to return to running back as a senior. He was one of only five FBS players to reach 1,600 rushing yards in 2021. He's a north-south runner with plenty of tread left on the tires.
— 9. Kevin Austin Jr., WR, Notre Dame, Jr.
Austin was one of the biggest risk-reward prospects in this draft. His talent and athleticism scream top-level prospect, but injuries and maturity issues essentially kept him off the field until 2021, when we finally caught a glimpse of his true potential.
— 10. Ben Brown, OL, Ole Miss, Sr.
Brown has double-digit starts at both right guard and center. You can't teach his elite athleticism or strength, but his technique will need to be refined in the NFL to unlock his immense potential.
— 11. Isaac Taylor-Stuart, DB, USC, Jr.
Taylor-Stuart was a top-5 prospect at cornerback in the 2018 recruiting class. He features a low-risk, size/speed combination at the position.
— 12. Makai Polk, WR, Mississippi St., So.
Polk set single-season school records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,046) in his only season at Starkville.
— 13. Dohnovan West, OL, Arizona St., Jr.
Size is an issue, but West is an impact blocker in both the pass and run games with smooth mobility. His discipline is impressive as well (zero holding penalties in his career).
— 14. Haskell Garrett, DL, Ohio St., Sr.
Garrett is a prototypical 3-technique tackle with a quick first step and the ability to penetrate from the interior.
— 15. Alec Lindstrom, OL, Boston College, Sr.
Lindstrom's father, brother and uncle have all played or are playing in the NFL — brother Chris was drafted in the first round by the Falcons in 2019. He lacks ideal size or strength, but he makes up for it with impressive instincts and processing ability.
— 16. Derrick Deese Jr., TE, San Jose St., Sr.
Deese has impressive ball skills — he averaged 15.5 yards per reception in 2021 — and functional athleticism, while performing adequately as a blocker despite being undersized (6-foot-4, 235 pounds). The NFL pedigree doesn't hurt — his father was an offensive lineman who played 14 seasons with the 49ers and Buccaneers.
— 17. Cole Kelley, QB, SE Louisiana, Sr.
After three seasons at Arkansas, Kelley transferred to FCS-level Southeastern Louisiana. He won the Walter Payton Award (FCS Heisman) in 2020 and was the runner-up in 2021 after finishing with 5,615 yards of total offense, the third most in FCS history (184 yards behind Steve McNair's record). Kelley has legit arm talent and is surprisingly mobile for his size, but ball security (15 fumbles last season), age (he turns 25 this year) and level of competition is concerning.
— 18. Aqeel Glass, QB, Alabama A&M, Sr.
Glass is a three-time team captain with NFL-caliber size and arm talent, who will need his mechanics coached up at the next level.
— 19. Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M, Jr.
Wydermyer has elite size (6-foot-5, 255 pounds) and move skills for his position, especially after the catch. He tested terribly during the draft process.
— 20. EJ Perry, QB, Brown, Sr.
Perry was chosen offensive MVP at the East-West Shrine Bowl. His athleticism and intangibles made him a solid late-round flier.
— 21. Austin Allen, TE, Nebraska, Sr.
Allen is massive for the position (6-foot-7, 253), but he showed big play ability his senior season while setting the single-season receiving record for the position at Lincoln and was elected team captain in the process.
— 22. Jack Coan, QB, Notre Dame, Sr.
A broken foot got him Wally Pipped at Wisconsin. He led the Irish to 11 wins in his only season at South Bend. He's an efficient, accurate passer with athletic limitations who is capable enough to compete for an NFL backup spot initially.
— 23. William Dunkle, OL, San Diego St., Jr.
Dunkle doesn't offer scheme versatility, but he's a powerful right guard who can clear a path in the run game. He was second team All-American, first team All-MWC in 2021.
