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Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Undrafted Free Agent With Best Chance To Make Each NFC Roster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, and a couple hundred players got to achieve their dreams by hearing their name called. However, even more players went undrafted, and this year, there's an especially talented crop of undrafted free agents. Whether it be due to injury, inconsistency, or off-field issues, there just aren't enough spots for everybody. A general view of the stage prior to round one of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo byA general view of the stage prior to round one of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo byPhoto byEvery year, though, several UDFAs make rosters and some of those players even play large roles. Last year, for example, linebacker Omar Speights and wide receiver Jalen Coker went undrafted and went on to play roles on the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers respectively. Now, let's identify one UDFA on each NFC team who has the best shot to make a roster in 2025. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Fryar, OL, Ohio State The Cardinals have not signed very many UDFAs at this point, so the pickings are slim. However, Josh Fryar, an offensive lineman from Ohio State, seemingly has the best shot of making the team. The former Buckeye has the size teams want at tackle, and has experience at three positions. Atlanta Falcons: Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State Nick Nash definitely had the production to get drafted. The San Jose State product caught 104 passes for 1,382 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024. The Falcons aren't exactly deep at receiver, and it's not hard to imagine Nash beating out guys like Casey Washington, Chris Blair, and Dylan Drummond. Carolina Panthers: Luke Kandra, OL, Cincinnati Luke Kandra was a productive guard in the Big 12 and is another player who should've been drafted. The Panthers could use better depth on interior as well. Kandra didn't allow a sack in 2024 and earned a respectable 76.7 Pro Football Focus grade. Chicago Bears: Power Echols, LB, North Carolina Power Echols was extremely productive at North Carolina, racking up 100+ tackles twice and also having one interception in all four seasons. The linebacker went undrafted due to being undersized. However, Ryan Poles has shown an affinity for athletic freaks who are solid with the fundamentals. Dallas Cowboys: Traeshon Holden, WR, Oregon Traeshon Holden is a big-bodied receiver who has big-game experience from the SEC and Big 10. The Cowboys desperately need depth at receiver, and Holden could be a solid red-zone threat. Detroit Lions: Jackson Meeks, WR, Syracuse Jackson Meeks spent three years riding the bench at Georgia before transferring to Syracuse in 2024 and exploding for 78 catches and 1,021 yards. Meeks is a solid route-runner who comes down with 50/50 balls and would be a nice compliment on the back-end of the Lions' receiver room. Green Bay Packers: Nazir Stackhouse, NT, Georgia Nazir Stackhouse is a massive presence who dominated on the interior defensive line at Georgia. The defender easily could've been drafted, and could carve out a role behind Kenny Clark in Green Bay due to his size and ability to clog run lanes. Los Angeles Rams: Tru Edwards, WR, Louisiana Tech Tru Edwards is another player who was frequently mocked as a late-round selection. The receiver led the CUSA in receptions in 2024 and has the speed and route-running to find a role. In Los Angeles, the depth at receiver isn't great, meaning Edwards could easily find a spot. Minnesota Vikings: Logan Brown, OL, Kansas Logan Brown is probably the best offensive lineman to go undrafted this year. The Kansas product excels in pass-protection and run-blocking and didn't allow a single sack or quarterback hit in 2024. This is the type of player who could develop into a starting-level talent. New Orleans Saints: Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware Marcus Yarns is a player who should've been drafted due to his breakaway speed alone. The Delaware product was one of the faster running backs in this class, and could fit in well behind Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller in New Orleans. New York Giants: Antwane Wells Jr., WR, Ole Miss If Antwane Wells Jr. would've produced in 2024 how he did in 2022, he easily would've been drafted. The receiver battled multiple injuries in college, but is a former top recruit and transfer portal target. Wells, when healthy, has the speed and route-running to be on an NFL roster. Philadelphia Eagles: Hollin Pierce, OL, Rutgers Hollin Pierce was elite for Rutgers in 2024, earning an 85.1 Pro Football Focus grade. The tackle has great size and strength but needs to refine his technique and footwork. If that happens, Pierce could develop on one of the best lines in the league. San Francisco 49ers: Corey Kiner, RB, Cincinnati It was surprising to see Corey Kiner go undrafted after racking up consecutive seasons of 1,000+ yards. Still, Kiner landed in one of the best possible places as Kyle Shanahan loves his running backs. The Cincy product could carve out a role in this rotation. Seattle Seahawks: A.J. Gillie, OL, Louisiana The Seahawks definitely improved their offensive line, but it still needs work. Thus, A.J. Gillie could certainly earn a role on this unit. The Louisiana product has a big frame that allows him to maul defenders as a run blocker. There's a spot for a player like that in Seattle. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jake Majors, C, Texas Jake Majors is another lineman that many expected to be drafted. Majors anchored the Longhorns' offensive line and has plenty of strength and big-game experience. The Texas product could be Graham Barton's backup. Washington Commanders: Robert McDaniel, S, Jackson State Robert McDaniel was a hard-hitting, tackling machine in the FCS. Now, the defender will try to earn a spot in a safety room that could use some depth. McDaniel could struggle in coverage, but his ability in run defense and on special teams could land him a spot.
USA Today
06-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 50, San Jose State WR Nick Nash
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 50, San Jose State WR Nick Nash The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft. A year ago at this time the Green Bay Packers wide receiver room was stocked to the brim with budding talent. Fast forward a year and now it's a question if any of those talented, young wide receivers will earn second contracts with the Packers. Jayden Reed is arguably the most talented of the bunch. The dynamic playmaker started off his second year in the league like gangbusters before cooling off and getting bitten by the drop bug. Can he put together a more consistent season during his third year in the league and prove himself to be the team's top playmaker? Dontayvion Wicks struggled with drops, an issue that's plagued him going back to his days at Virginia. It doesn't matter how much separation he creates if he doesn't start consistently finishing the process. Can he get over the drops and prove to be a more reliable threat? Romeo Doubs suffered two concussions this past season and an isolated off-the-field incident that caused the Packers to suspend the former Day 3 pick. Christian Watson proved this season to be the most valuable asset in the room. When he was off the field it was noticed. The Packers will have to make do without Watson's services for much of the upcoming season after he suffered a torn ACL during the team's final regular season game. With both Watson and Doubs entering the final deals of their rookie contracts and the bouts of inconsistency that plagued Wicks and Reed, the Packers may invest a pick or two on the wide receiver position during the 2025 NFL Draft. A potential target on Day 3 is Nick Nash. The San Jose State wide receiver checks in at No. 50 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. A California native, Nash started his career at San Jose State as a quarterback. During his first three seasons, Nash threw 10 touchdown passes and rushed for five more. Nash made the move to wide receiver in 2022 and caught one touchdown pass during his first season at his new position. The following season he hauled in 48 receptions for 728 yards and eight touchdowns. This past season Nash became the fourth player in FBS history to lead the country in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,382) and receiving touchdowns (16). Nash also threw a pair of touchdown passes. Nash is a three-level threat. His trump card is his ability to climb the ladder. He has outstanding body control and does a good job of making catches in a crowd. He has a wide catch radius. According to Pro Football Focus, Nash came down with 19 contested catches this past season. "His greatest strength on the field is his catch radius, he can come down with almost anything in his vicinity," Christian Vieyra, the executive editor for The Spear, said. "He practices like he plays, multiple players told me that this past season. His leaping ability stood out each week. It felt like it was a guaranteed touchdown with him every week in red zone situations." With his long-striding speed to stretch the field. A former high school outfielder, Nash tracks the ball well downfield. Of his 104 receptions, 71 of them led to a first down for the Spartans. He spears the ball away from his frame and was tagged with six drops on 171 targets this past season. Nash does a good job of changing up his route tempo to keep defensive backs off balance. He finds the open spots against zone coverage and makes himself available to the quarterback. The San Jose State wide receiver runs hard after the catch. He's not a dynamic YAC threat, but with his long strides and effort, he can occasionally make a play with the ball in his hands. According to PFF, Nash racked up 414 yards after the catch this past season. Fit with the Packers The Packers need more consistency from their wide receiver group moving forward. Even if Reed, Wicks and Doubs take the next steps while Watson is on the sideline, that group will need another body or two moving forward. Nash may not be explosive (4.57 40-yard dash time), but he has the ability to win downfield and carve up the middle of the field. He has strong hands and could quickly develop into a quarterback's best friend. "I would draft Nick Nash because of his ability to catch balls in his radius," Vieyra said. " He showed leadership qualities at SJSU and had a higher football IQ being a former quarterback. That really helped in an offense at SJSU that heavily relied on option routes. He also is older, which I understand can be a knock, but I'd be confident in his ability to play early in his career." Since taking over as general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has drafted 10 wide receivers, with seven of those selections occurring on Day 3 of the draft. With his three-level potential, smoothness, and natural ball skills, Nash could be the next Day 3 receiver selected by Gutekunst.
