After every draft there is a scramble as NFL teams look to scoop up talent that slipped through the cracks and weren’t picked in the draft. While teams may sign a few Undrafted Free Agents (UDFA) or a dozen, each season sees some of these seemingly forgotten young men make the Week 1 53-man rosters of various NFL teams. Here we look at which UDFAs have the best chance to stick with opening day rosters of teams in the NFC West
2016 NFC West Undrafted Free Agent Predictions
San Francisco 49ers
Devon Cajuste, Tight End, Stanford
Cajuste is another prospect to fall out of the draft due to a strict position. While athletic, he lacks the athleticism needed to play wide receiver, yet is not the prototypical size desired at tight end. Luckily for Cajuste, the 49ers neglected the tight end position in both free agency and the draft. With Chip Kelly now in town, the 49ers could be in need of a hybrid player that will fit into Kelly’s up-tempo scheme. If Cajuste can catch on quickly and contribute on special teams, expect to see him in 49er red and gold for Week 1.
Blake Muir, Guard, Baylor
The interior offensive line is an area of weakness in terms of both talent and depth for San Francisco. Enter undrafted Baylor guard Blake Muir, who offers both size and surprising athleticism. An Australian native and Hawaii transfer, Muir started on a Baylor line that finished second in the nation in rushing yards. If he can continue to improve and use his physical gifts to compete through camp and the preseason, Muir could become a steal for a 49ers roster largely in transition.
Seattle Seahawks
Trevone Boykin, Quarterback, TCU
Boykin comes out of college labeled as athletic and undersized, the same labels attached to star Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. The comparisons to Wilson don’t stop there, as Boykin boasted an impressive touchdown to interception ratio both his junior and senior seasons with a strikingly similar playing style to Wilson. All of this bodes well for the undrafted rookie as he may have the opportunity to win the back-up job in Seattle as a rookie.
Tyvis Powell, Strong Safety, Ohio State
Powell surprisingly went undrafted after starting as a captain for the Buckeyes last season and earning defensive MVP honors during Ohio State’s 2014 National Championship season. Standing at 6’3”, Powell fits the mold of Kam Chancellor and offers experience that most rookies cannot. Powell offers good ball skills for a strong safety, but will need to show improved run defense to round out his game. If he can catch on to the Seahawks system and contribute this offseason, Powell could become Chancellor’s understudy.
Arizona Cardinals
Jake Coker, Quarterback, Alabama
Coker was a transfer to the Tide that had to wait his turn to start. When his chance did come, he led Alabama to a 2016 National Title. Coker was efficient in moving the offense while taking shots down the field as needed. He will need to beat out former USC quarterback Matt Barkley to earn a spot on the Cardinals roster with Drew Stanton firmly entrenched as the number two guy in the desert. While Coker showed aggression in the pocket, he will need to improve his accuracy with the football to push Barkley off the roster.
Clay DeBord, Offensive Tackle, Eastern Washington
DeBord comes to the desert from a FCS program that has produced NFL talent in the past. Standing at 6’6” and holding down 300 plus pound,s DeBord offers the necessary size to compete on the edge in the NFL. The Cardinals boast strong depth at tackle, meaning DeBord will face tough competition this summer. His athleticism is his biggest strength, but will need to show improvement in his footwork and technique to show he is worthy of a spot on one of the NFL’s most talented rosters.
Los Angeles Rams
Nelson Spruce, Wide Receiver, Colorado
Despite finishing his college career with nearly 300 receptions (294), Spruce still went the entire weekend without hearing his name called for the draft. The Rams have major question marks at wide receiver and have had them for several seasons. Enter Spruce, who has garnered comparisons to former Ram Danny Amendola, for a chance to make this roster. If Spruce can show off his skills in front of the Hard Knocks cameras, he can bring his underdog story full circle and have a job with the Rams this fall.
Brandon Chubb, Linebacker, Wake Forest
Several players made the Rams roster last season as UDFAs, which can offer hope to this year’s class. Brandon Chubb will certainly be amongst the hardest working, as he brings a high motor and competitive attitude to camp. Chubb was not highly recruited out of High School, yet he did get an offer from Wake Forest, where he would become a core piece of their defense. Chubb played both inside and outside linebacker in college, but is projected to play as an inside linebacker for the Rams. Chubb’s best chance at making the roster is making an impact on special teams, a part of the game that Chubb happens to highly enjoy.
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