7 UDFA signings who shouldn't fly under the radar
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7 UDFA signings who shouldn't fly under the radar originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 NFL Draft is over, and with it has come the avalanche of undrafted free agents reaching deals.
Reporters are breaking news. Agents are spreading the word. Schools are taking victory laps.
There are too many signings to count, and the bleak reality of the league suggests that you won't hear about the vast majority of players you haven't already heard of. Some, however, will rise this summer, fighting for roster spots and punching above their weight.
Between good fits, exciting opportunities, and some draft crushes I just can't quit, let's look at some of the top UDFA signings.
UDFA signings you need to know
Philadelphia Eagles: TE Dae'Quan Wright
The Eli Stowers pick didn't make a lot of sense. Value-wise, it wasn't too bad of a reach, but Philadelphia had just picked a slot-heavy receiver and struggles to throw over the middle of the field. With Dallas Goedert's Eagles career seemingly close to over, the Eagles were a better fit for a two-way tight end who could flex between the trenches in the slot.
Dae'Quan Wright may prove to be that tight end.
Seen as a fringe top-100 pick in some circles, Wright didn't get to enjoy the influx of tight ends drafted earlier than anticipated. He didn't test, and is relatively undersized for the position. Yet, he blocks better than his frame would suggest, and the athleticism looked the part against SEC competition.
It wouldn't be a surprise if Wright is Philadelphia's TE3 sometime this fall.
Los Angeles Chargers: LB Lander Barton and OT Isaiah World
Isaiah World sparked a rather animated reaction from head coach Jim Harbaugh upon signing, giving a little insight into how favorably Los Angeles views the crown jewel of its UDFA class.
World was a potential early-round tackle who struggled with inconsistencies at Oregon before an ACL tear during the College Football Playoff. The tools and 6'8" frame still jumped off the screen. World is unlikely to see any action as a rookie, but as a long-term developmental option, World may have been a top-100 pick if healthy. That kind of value is rare at this point of the offseason, especially without character concerns.
MORE: 2027 prospects who might have been 2026 first-round picks
Meanwhile, Barton's fall is easily explainable. It's increasingly difficult to justify picking a linebacker with a 40-yard dash approaching 4.80. However, as a special teams option with room to grow into a reliable depth linebacker, Barton feels like a strong fit.
Barton makes the most of his limited straight line speed with discipline and processing, and the rest of his athletic profile is better than his bad 40 time suggests.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jeff Caldwell and RB Terion Stewart
Caldwell was a surprise UDFA given the freakish blend of size and speed that makes him one of the most athletic wide receivers of all time. Running a 4.31-second 40-yard dash at 6'5" is the stuff of aliens, and his elite jumps give him the burst and verticality to take advantage of his straight-line speed.
Of course, there's a kicker. We wouldn't be having this conversation if there wasn't one. Caldwell played at Cincinnati after three years at Lindenwood -- not exactly SEC competition. His lone season of FBS football had good quarterback play but saw him post just 478 yards in 12 games.
Neither Caldwell's film nor production looks the part of a productive Sunday player, but the upside is worth acknowledging. A lackluster receiver room and the best quarterback of his generation is quite the opportunity.
Elsewhere, Stewart was my favorite sleeper back from this class. The receiving production is nonexistent. He's a tick under 5'6". And yet, at 219 pounds, his 4.56-second 40-yard dash is more than enough to create some car crashes on the football field. A human Beyblade, Stewart bounces off of tackles with elite contact balance and competitive toughness. There might be enough here to hold onto an early-down relief role if things break the right way.
Dallas Cowboys: TE Michael Trigg
Trigg had a pretty poor pre-draft circuit, and it seems likely that his lackluster testing and soft-factor concerns tanked his stock.
Trigg is a developmental prospect, but his size and verticality (even if he didn't jump well when testing) will threaten defenses on Sundays. It may be a matter of package plays in the red zone, rather than a featured role, but Trigg is a splash play waiting to happen at tight end. His ability to win above the rim is among the best in this class, and Dallas' tight end room isn't very deep.
Cleveland Browns: EDGE Tyreak Sapp
Most analysts thing the Browns came away from the NFL Draft as victors. They might win the post-draft frenzy, too.
Sapp, once considered a mid-round hopeful, fell back down to earth after his 13.5-TFL, 7.0-sack 2024 season. At the next level, he projects as a fairly steady run defender who can play on early downs. He has strong hands and good power as a pass rusher, but a lack of juice will limit him to part-time duty.
Cleveland wouldn't require Sapp to play a pivotal role, instead incubating him in an excellent defensive line room. That's about as strong of a fit as one can ask. As a draftable talent, he could make this Browns roster.
