Undrafted Free Agent Wide Receiver Dynasty Stashes

@DFF_Shane
Jul 25, 2017 · 6 min read

Throughout the NFL’s history, many players have sat through the NFL draft and failed to hear their name called by the commissioner. Some of those players later received calls from NFL teams and came on as undrafted rookie free agents (UDFA) with varying degrees of success. Some will get cut after initial workouts, some get cut during or after camp, and others toil on practice squads for years. But every so often, UDFAs not only thrive but go on to see great success in the NFL.

Players like Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, Antonio Gates and James Harrison to name a few. This year at the Wide receiver position, a few players stand out. Will they get cut soon or will they be the next Rod Smith or Wes Welker? Only time will tell, but let’s a take a quick look at a few UFDAs who might be able to step up at the NFL level and make a name for themselves.

Unlike undrafted rookie running backs, where it looked as if several players already had a job and a defined role even before training camp, I found that nearly every single UDFA wide receiver is facing an uphill battle to even make the roster let alone make an impact. In re-draft leagues, none of these guys should be anywhere near your radar at this point. For the deepest of dynasty leagues, they all have potential as late round or free agent dart throws and might be worth a stash on your taxi squads. Strong emphasis on the word “might.” All negatives aside, these are undoubtedly the best of the best among the undrafted rookie free agents.

K.D. Cannon, New York Jets and Ishmael Zamora, Oakland Raiders (Baylor)

I’m lumping them together because they were both widely expected to be drafted and are on everybody’s radar, so they’re not really “sleepers” in the truest sense of the word. Cannon initially signed by the 49ers who were so unimpressed that they cut him following one practice after a inking him to higher than normal contract for UDFAs. Now Cannon is with the Jets who got rid of every good player they had this off-season, including receivers Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall and the oft injured Devin Smith. There is minimal competition ahead of him on the depth chart, and the Jets coaching staff has recently shown a propensity to give opportunities to undrafted rookies, as Robbie Anderson emerged last season.

Zamora fell out of the draft due to off the field concerns and landed with the Raiders. With Derek Carr at the helm, there are few better landing spots for a receiver. With Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Seth Robert ahead of him on the depth chart, Zamora will be in a battle for the final wide receiver spot on the Raiders unless they choose to carry 6, which is unlikely.

Travin Dural, New Orleans Saints (LSU)

Dural went undrafted after putting up some unimpressive numbers at LSU. This was due to terrible quarterback play combined with a severe hamstring injury two years ago where he tore the muscle off of the bone. With the Saints trade of Brandin Cooks to the Patriots, the depth chart shake up opened up at least one spot for the team at the wide receiver position. This provides Dural a chance to compete for a role with the team. Last year’s rookie phenom, Michael Thomas’ role is safe, as is that of newly signed Ted Ginn, as well as Brandon Coleman and Willie Snead. Both Snead and Coleman themselves were undrafted rookie free agents as they came into the league. So that leaves 1, possibly 2 roster spots as the Saints are one of the teams that will often carry 6 active wide receivers.

That leaves Dural in competition with Tommylee Lewis (an UFDA last year) and Corey Fuller (who the Saints snatched off of Detroit’s practice squad). Lewis contributes on special teams, and we would assume his spot is safe. The one thing Dural has going for him is his versatility as he played on both side of the field in college and has lined up all across the field, so if he is asked to do that at the pro level, he should be comfortable. Assuming Dural can get on the field, anyone that has Brees throwing to him should be on your radar for fantasy purposes.

Tanner Gentry, Chicago Bears (Wyoming)

Let’s get right into it: Gentry is facing an uphill battle to make this Bears roster on opening day. Ahead of him are roster locks Kevin White, Markus Wheaton, Cameron Meredith and Kendall Wright. Gentry will be battling veterans Rueben Randle, Victor Cruz, Daniel Braverman and Josh Bellamy for the Bears final receiver spot. It’s unlikely that he makes the team, but he looks like a lock to make the Bears practice squad where they hope to develop him. He had a very productive career at Wyoming, especially his senior season where he amassed 1326 yards on 72 receptions and 14 touchdowns.

Gentry seems like the grinding, small school player that can work his way into a starting gig one day, just not this year. He has the tools to turn into a solid pro with a little experience under his belt. With a history of injuries and underperforming receivers ahead of him, even if he fails to make the Bears roster, there is still a glimmer of hope that he gets on the field at some point this season.

Travis Rudolph, New York Giants (Florida State)

Rudolph is another longshot to make his team’s opening day roster. That said, I’m not a big spiritual person nor a believer in karma, but it sure would be nice to see something good happen to a good person especially in a league that is arguably filled with criminal dirtbags- and I’m not just talking about the Bengals. Google Rudolph’s name and try to find something negative, you won’t other than it proved unwise of him to come out of school a year early for the NFL draft. Looking up the Giants’ depth chart at Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall and Sterling Sharpe, Rudolph is in for an uphill climb.

Tavarres King’s job is reportedly safe and 5th wide receiver Dwayne Harris handles special teams duties so he’s presumed safe too. Rudolph will have to beat out 2nd-year receivers Darius Powe and Roger Lewis for the Giants’ 6th and final receiver spot. He’s working on his punt returning skills as a way to hopefully make the team and we should all be pulling for him as one of the good guys out there, especially compared to some of the very teammates he’s competing with.

Is anybody from this list jumping off the page as a no brainer, future Hall of Fame inductee? No, not likely. However, they are all talented wide receivers who for one reason or another went undrafted. Each one has a chance at making their respective team’s opening day roster, and each may have some value for fantasy football going forward. If you’re thin at the position and are looking to fill out your taxi squad, these names should be on your radar.


Originally published at dynastyfootballfactory.com on July 25, 2017.

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