2026 NFL undrafted free agents: These are the 10 best players still available
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 NFL Draft may be over, but for hundreds of players who went undrafted, the real work of landing an NFL roster spot is just beginning.
Being drafted has its advantages, but the path to making a team’s 53-man active roster is never guaranteed for any player. Going undrafted can actually give a player more flexibility to choose the team that offers the best chance to make a roster, and even if the player doesn’t make the active roster, he can still impress enough to earn a practice squad spot.
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Most players signed as undrafted free agents have one or two specific traits that teams value — such as exceptional speed, size, or special teams ability — with the belief that they can develop those players into productive contributors.
Several intriguing options remain available for teams looking to add undrafted free agents.
Here are the 10 best undrafted free agents still available:
QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt was one of the biggest surprises in college football last season, largely because of Pavia, a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Pavia completed 70.6% of his passes for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions while also rushing for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns.
His mobility, ability to improvise when plays break down, and demonstrated accuracy and timing to anticipate throws make him a good developmental option in a “Shanahan” offense.
Questions surrounding Pavia include his height (5 feet 10 inches) and whether he will be an off-field distraction, having being involved in social media incidents. As a backup player, he may draw more attention than the role typically requires.
RB Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma — SIGNED: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Oklahoma’s run game is predicated on zone blocking, requiring patience and one cut before going upfield. Ott showed flashes in his limited time on the field, and he is not afraid to pass protect, a valuable trait for a running back. Ott could sneak onto a roster and become a viable third-down back.
DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
With the emergence of the “Tush Push” and teams running more against two-high safeties, having a player who can demand double teams near the goal line is valuable. At 340 pounds, Corleone can fit that role. He also showed some capability as a pass rusher, finishing with 9.5 career sacks. However, he did not record a sack in 2024.
RB Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh — SIGNED: BUFFALO BILLS
Reid’s size (5 feet 6 inches, 174 pounds) may have played a role in his not being selected, but a good offensive coordinator could use him in multiple positions. He could be effective running the ball to the edge and in the passing game if matched up against linebackers.
In 2025, he rushed for 278 yards and two touchdowns on 60 carries and added another 317 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He can also help in the punt return game; he averaged 21 yards per return on five attempts, including one touchdown return.
Edge rusher Michael Heldman, Central Michigan — SIGNED: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Heldman’s 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss are numbers teams cannot ignore. He is a little bigger than the typical outside rusher, but he is still able to engage offensive linemen with his hands and make blocking uncomfortable for them.
Edge rusher Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke — SIGNED: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Like Heldman, his numbers are hard to ignore, finishing with 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He still needs work against the run but could develop into a quality situational pass rusher.
LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama — SIGNED: EAGLES
At 228 pounds, Lawson is a tweener between a traditional off-ball linebacker and a safety. He is able to track down ball carriers and is a decent tackler. He could be a candidate to be trained to play safety and used in “big nickel” situations when the threat of the run is present and teams try to spread the defense out with four-wide receiver sets.
WR Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati — SIGNED: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
A 6-foot-5 receiver who can run a 4.3-second 40-yard dash is still available? It is true. Caldwell caught 32 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns in his first and only year of FBS football. With the right coaching, Caldwell could surprise some people in training camp.
S Bishop Fitzgerald, USC — SIGNED: TENNESSEE TITANS
Fitzgerald can fight for the ball at its highest point and will contest catches. He also takes good angles to the ball and makes smart decisions on when to gamble for interceptions. The biggest area of concern is his tackling, as he tends to go high too often. However, that can be cleaned up.
OT Diego Pounds, Ole Miss — SIGNED: BALTIMORE RAVENS
Despite having a great name for a lineman, Pounds is very athletic on the edge but has been inconsistent with his blocking. He also tends to stop driving his feet while blocking. His athleticism alone is enough to land him on a practice squad.
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