The NFL teams primarily use free agency and trades, alternative sports convergence, practice squads, development leagues, IPP, UDFAs, tryouts, and training camp signings to find talents outside the draft.
Teams in the NFL can find young talent in various ways, but the NFL draft is arguably the most popular.
Although the league doesn’t select hundreds of players each year, many players make a big impact without the league drafting them.
With only 257 players chosen in the NFL Draft’s seven rounds, plenty of talented players are available.
Due to factors like position depth, past injuries, size issues, or playing at smaller schools, the teams overlook them.
But, because of the possibility of finding undiscovered talent, NFL teams have improved their rooting and development techniques.
What do Wes Welker, Adam Vinatieri, Priest Holmes, James Harrison, Rod Smith, Antonio Gates, Tony Romo, Warren Moon, and Kurt Warner all have in common?
— untitled fantasy football (@untitled_fan_fb) April 25, 2024
Some of the greatest players of all time, also were undrafted free agents.
The ⏰ never stops…
Who’s your favorite udfa??? pic.twitter.com/CSCjqpLShM
However, fans and viewers mistakenly think that NFL players from other teams are not as good as those from the NFL Draft.
This is completely untrue, as undrafted athletes have demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level, from Hall of Famers like Warren Moon and Kurt Warner to more recent sensations like Austin Ekeler and Taysom Hill.
NFL Teams’ Methods for Identifying Talent Outside of the Draft
Teams refer to players who were eligible for the draft but not chosen as “undrafted free agents” or “UDFAs,” they widely use this method to find talent outside of the draft.
If a player is not selected in the NFL Draft, their football career does not necessarily end; they are still eligible to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent (UDFA).
Moreover, players signed as UDFAs can demonstrate their abilities and possibly earn a spot on a team’s roster by attending rookie mini-camps.
Conversely, the practice squads are another way NFL teams find talent outside the league.
Additionally, NFL teams keep young, talented players on their practice squads to help them grow before selecting them for the team.
Leagues like the XFL, USFL, and CFL allow players to show off their skills before the NFL gives them a shot.
Before Super Bowl LIX, the Chiefs recently promoted Steven Nelson from the practice squad to the active roster, demonstrating their faith in his skills and experience.
Chiefs elevated veteran CB Steven Nelson from their practice squad for Super Bowl LIX.
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) February 8, 2025
Nelson hasn’t played in an NFL game since he started at CB for the Texans in their playoff loss against the Ravens on January 20th, 2024.
Quite an interesting choice for Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/hzjWPFool7
Additionally, foreign-born athletes have the opportunity to grow in the NFL through the International Pathway Program(IPP).
Moreover, the NFL grants the IPP player assigned to a designated team an additional offseason roster spot.
Since its founding, NFL teams have selected, drafted, or signed 37 foreign athletes as free agents and 18 IPP athletes are currently on NFL rosters.
Furthermore, Patrick Murtagh, Australia; Praise Olatoke, Nigeria/Scotland; Rory Beggan, Ireland; Harry Mallinder, England; and Louis Rees-Zammit, Wales, are the Top 5 players on the NFL’s 2024 International Pathway Program.
NFL teams also hold tryouts for unsigned players each offseason to allow them to impress coaches and earn a spot on the team. Occasionally, these exercises result in last-minute training camp invitations.
The Decision of Draft Picks and Drafting Order
NFL teams choose eligible college football players to join their teams each year through the NFL Draft.
Before trades, it typically takes place in late April or early May and consists of seven rounds with one selection per team.
Giving the weakest teams from the previous season the first chance at the top young players out of college is the goal of the NFL Draft.
Consider it a means of giving the underdogs a chance to win again, as well as a way to maintain competition and balance the league.
The draft order is determined based on how well each team performed during the previous NFL season.
Furthermore, the team with the worst record receives the first overall pick, while the Super Bowl champion picks last in each round.
When two or more teams have identical records, the strength of schedule, that is, how difficult their opponents were—is used to break the tie.
Moreover, the NFL does not employ a lottery system, unlike other sports leagues; instead, the worst team is assured of the top pick.
Similarly, teams choose players according to positional requirements and the Best Player Available (BPA) strategy.
They also scout college players for months by comparing their stats and watching how they play in actual games.
Additionally, teams can trade draft players with one another, resulting in thrilling draft-day moments.
The NFL Draft Event
Each team receives one pick in the seven rounds of the three-day NFL Draft.
To ensure that they find the right fit, teams spend months scouting and evaluating players before selecting the superstars in round 1.
Teams can find starters or essential role players in rounds two and three, which are still high-value selections.
Moreover, teams refer to rounds 4–7 as the “diamonds in the rough” rounds, where they search for depth players, hidden gems, or special team contributors.
Players must have completed their college eligibility and been out of high school for at least three years to be eligible for the NFL Draft.
They must have registered with the NFL Player Personnel Department by a specific date and announced their intention to enter the draft.
The NFL also allows international players, but they must fulfill the league’s specific requirements.
On the other hand, teams should note that the NFL does not impose a minimum age requirement for eligibility.
Additional Information
- Being the only undrafted player to win both the NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP awards, Kurt Warner is widely regarded as the best undrafted player in history.
- For each week they are on a practice squad, rookies and second-year players will receive at least $12,000.
- The top three undrafted free agents who stood out during the 2024 NFL preseason are Isaiah Williams, Braiden McGregor, and Jake Kubas.
