Dylan Moses, Marvin Wilson Headline Impressive Undrafted Free Agent Class
There were 259 players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. The last pick, also known as Mr. Irrelevant, was Grant Stuard, a linebacker out of Washington State. After that, it was time for teams to start signing undrafted free agents to fill out their remaining camp spots.
In most cases, those undrafted free agents remain just that -- camp bodies. But every year, we see guys make a roster even though their names were not called during the draft, and it will certainly happen again this year.
Who will some of those undrafted players be? It's always hard to predict, but here are some of the top headliners who were signed following the draft this weekend:
Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
NFL Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Dylan Moses going undrafted this year was shocking. The former five-star talent was once considered a first-round lock, but two consecutive knee injuries, including a torn ACL in 2019, dropped him on most draft boards.
According to NFL draft analyst Matt Miller, some of that had to do with the limited medical information available to teams.
The Alabama linebacker will still need to rehab the torn meniscus he played with this past season, but he'll have a real shot at making Jacksonville's roster -- as long as he doesn't end up being an IR regular.
Moses might not have a clear starting job on the team's new 3-4 defense with Myles Jack and Joe Schobert in the fold, and the signing of free agent linebacker Damien Wilson might also take up a depth spot. However, Moses is capable of competing with the other guys: Shaquille Quarterman, Quincy Williams and Joe Giles-Harris.
Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
NFL Team: Cleveland Browns
Marvin Wilson might've been the biggest star among the undrafted free agent signings. Like Moses, the Florida State defensive tackle was also once considered a first-round pick, but a disappointing 2020 season caused him to slide.
Still, Wilson got a nice payday even though he wasn't selected. He got a $162,000 guaranteed base salary plus a $30,000 signing bonus, according to Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network. That's not bad, especially since he got to choose his landing spot.
The Browns are loaded up for a Super Bowl run in 2021, but one area where they do lack depth is defensive tackle. Malik Jackson and Sheldon Day were signed in free agency to go with Andrew Billings, Jordan Elliott and fourth-round pick Tommy Togiai.
Wilson can make this roster.
Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest
NFL Team: Detroit Lions
The Lions lost Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. to free agency, and they did little to replace them. Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman were mediocre free agent signings, and wide receiver wasn't addressed until the fourth round with USC's Amon-Ra St. Brown.
That leaves an opportunity for undrafted free agent Sage Surratt to not only make the squad, but possibly contribute. A lot of people felt like the Wake Forest product would be selected over the weekend, but that didn't happen after he opted out of the season.
Once he knocks off some of the rust, don't be surprised to see Surratt turn a few heads in training camp later this year.
Jamie Newman, QB, Wake Forest
NFL Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Speaking of opt outs, Jamie Newman might be regretting his decision to sit out the 2020 season. At one time, he was considered a SEC breakout candidate for Georgia after transferring from Wake Forest. Instead, he chose to sit out, and his lack of development then caused him to go undrafted.
He did wind up at a decent spot however.
Some expected the Eagles to draft a quarterback on Day 1 or 2 to compete with second-year starter Jalen Hurts. That ultimately didn't happen, and no signal-caller was taken on Day 3 either. As things sit, Hurts and veteran Joe Flacco are the only two quarterbacks on the roster.
Considering Newman brings a style similar to Hurts', it is possible that he could stick around, either as a third, development quarterback or on the practice squad.
Other notable undrafted free agents: LB Justin Hilliard, Ohio State (49ers); TE Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss (Jets); RB Javian Hawkins, Louisville (Falcons); WR Tamorrion Terry, Florida State (Seahawks); RB Jaret Patterson, Buffalo (Washington)
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.