Take a look at every roster in the NFL and you will find difference-makers who did not get their name called on draft day. Here are a few names that weren’t called during the draft that could become difference-makers for their respective teams as soon as the 2015 season. Here are your 2015 UDFA Gems.
Antwan Goodley – Baylor Wide Receiver – Dallas Cowboys
UDFA Antwan Goodley is an exceptional athlete with a strong and compact frame. He is a wide receiver who is built like a running back and has experience playing out of the back-field. Antwan stands 5’10, and had a playing weight as high as 220 lbs during his collegiate career. He is explosive in and out of his breaks, and shows rare run after the catch ability. He regularly breaks tackles with the ball in his hands due to his tailback like build, strength, and running style. He is a big time threat in the return game, and he also consistently makes plays down the field as a deep-ball playmaker. Goodley shows great short area quickness, and also possess very good long speed. A propensity for drops, and inconsistent health/production during his senior season at Baylor resulted in a complete slide out of the draft.
B.J. Finney – Kansas State Center – Pittsburgh Steelers
In similar fashion to fellow undrafted free agent, and former teammate at Kansas State Ryan Mueller, UDFA B.J. Finney began his collegiate career as a walk on. Measurables worked against Finey in terms of his draft prospects. He has short arms for a taller player which allows defenders to get into his body. He also possess marginal foot speed. Despite those limitations Finney developed into a four-year starter, one of the leaders of his team, and a decorated student-athlete. He possesses an NFL body, with a strong core, and very strong hands. Finney is not exceptional in any one particular category, but is good in every facet of his position. Finney is a heady player with good awareness and he is above average in the running and pass blocking game. The former Wildcat is a surprise draft snub in my book. Throughout the whole pre-draft analysis process, I had B.J. Finney pegged as a day three draft prospect who could push for immediate playing time as a starter, given the right situation and opportunity.
Corey Grant – Auburn Running Back – Jacksonville Jaguars
UDFA Corey Grant is a smaller tailback that displays explosive speed around the edges and out of the backfield. He split carries with Cameron Artis-Payne at Auburn, so he still has a lot of tread on the tires. Grant had an exceptional pro day workout, displaying excellent explosiveness, burst, and underrated strength. The 4.28 40-yard dash he ran at his pro day matches his speed when you watch his film. He should transition seamlessly into a scat-back/third down running back role in the NFL, and could be a viable weapon early on for the Jags both in the running and passing game.
Ryan Mueller – Kansas State Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – San Diego Chargers
UDFA Ryan Mueller is the epitome of a hardworking, tough nosed, blue-collared football player. He was a defensive end in college who will transition into an outside linebacker at the pro level. He was originally a walk on at Kansas State and he is accustomed to working his way up through the ranks. Mueller is an average athlete with a motor that simply does not stop. He lived in the back-field at Kansas State, and could be a valuable addition to the San Diego Chargers who lack a consistent pass rush.
