Top 5 2022 UDFA Classes

While 262 picks have come and gone, there was still talent left on the board of the 2022 NFL Draft. The evaluation process doesn’t stop once ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ hears his name called and the undrafted free agent (UDFA) process is of the utmost importance to round out a team’s draft haul.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

A 12-man class, the Eagles’ scouting department deserves a tip of the cap for the efforts they made on the phone lines following the completion of the draft. They added talented athletes with draftable grades from us here at TDN, marking a home run for a roster primed to compete in the NFC East. While UDFAs are often considered longshots to make the final roster, I expect many of Philadelphia’s post-draft signees to challenge for a role this fall. 

• CB Mario Goodrich (Clemson)*
• IDL Noah Elliss (Idaho)* 
• CB Josh Jobe (Alabama)* 
• EDGE Ali Fayad (Western Michigan)*
• CB Josh Blackwell (Duke)
• SAF Reed Blankenship (Middle Tennessee State)*
• RB Kennedy Brooks (Oklahoma)*
• WR Britain Covey (Utah)
• OL William Dunkle (San Diego State)
• OL Josh Sills (Oklahoma State)
• QB Carson Strong (Nevada)
• OL Jarrid Williams (Miami)

2. Indianapolis Colts

A draft in which General Manager Chris Ballard focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball, the Colts’ 20-man UDFA class should present a few athletes that will compete for snaps this summer. From Nebraska’s JoJo Domann and FIU running back D’Vonte Price to Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan, the Colts did their due diligence in scouring the country for talent that slipped under the radar for 31 other clubs. 

• LB JoJo Domann (Nebraska)*
• QB Jack Coan (Notre Dame)*
• RB D’Vonte Price (Florida International)*
• RB Max Borghi (Washington State)
• WR Kekoa Crawford (Cal)
• SAF Trevor Denbow (SMU)
• OL Wesley French (Western Michigan)
• CB Dallis Flowers (Pittsburg State)
• OL Alex Mollette (Marshall)
• WR Samson Nacua (BYU)
• DE Scott Patchan (Colorado State)
• IDL Caveon Patton (Texas State)
• LB Forrest Rhyne (Villanova)
• OL Josh Seltzner (Wisconsin)
• OT Ryan Van Denmark (UCONN)*
• RB C.J. Verdell (Oregon)
• SAF Sterling Weatherford (Miami [OH])*
• DE Cullen Wick (Tulsa)
• IDL Bear Williams (Syracuse)
• WR Michael Young Jr (Cincinnati)

3. Kansas City Chiefs

General Manager Brett Veach put together quite the draft haul – per usual – and added a ton of talent during the UDFA cycle, as well. A team in need of fresh legs on the perimeter with the departure of wide receiver Tyreek Hill, adding Justyn Ross’ potential alone earns them the No. 3 spot here. 

• WR Justyn Ross (Clemson)*
• RB Jerrion Ealy (Ole Miss)*
• LB Mike Rose (Iowa State)*
• IOL Mike Caliendo (Western Michigan)
• LB Jack Cochrane (South Dakota State)
• QB Dustin Crum (Kent State)
• RB Tayon Fleet-Davis (Maryland)
• CB Nasir Green (Wake Forest)
• OT Gene Pryor (Hawaii)
• TE Kehinde Oginni (International)

4. Jacksonville Jaguars 

I liked what the Jaguars did in grabbing Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd, and Chad Muma to further fortify their front seven as they approach the debut campaign of Head Coach Doug Pederson. However, General Manager Trent Baalke added both tight end Gerrit Prince and WR Kevin Austin post-draft as two talents I could see etching their name on the final roster.

• TE Gerrit Prince (UAB)*
• WR Kevin Austin (Notre Dame)*
• CB Josh Thompson (Texas)*
• EDGE De’Shaan Dixon (Norfolk State)*
• PK Andrew Mevis (Iowa State)
• OL Nick Ford (Utah)
• LB Grant Morgan (Arkansas)
• IDL Israel Antwine (Oklahoma State)
• SAF Sean Mahone (West Virginia)
• CB Shabari Davis (Southeast Missouri State)
• OL Denzel Okafor (Texas)
• WR Lujuan Winningham (Central Arkansas)
• CB Benjie Franklin (Tarleton State)
• OL Marcus Tatum (Central Florida)
• TE Grayson Gunter (Southern Miss)

5. New York Giants

The Giants may have had a top-heavy selection process, leaving the first round as one of the winners of the night but General Manager Joe Schoen’s debut draft left much to be desired on the final two days in Vegas. However, Giants’ faithful should remain excited about a few of his hand-picked UDFAs that could work into some snaps in their rookie campaign. 

• CB Darren Evans (LSU)
• FB/TE Jeremiah Hall (Oklahoma)*
• IDL Tyrone Truesdell (Florida)*
• IDL Jabari Ellis (South Carolina)
• DL Christopher Hilton (Michigan)
• TE Austin Allen (Nebraska)*
• CB Yusuf Corker (Kentucky)
• IOL Josh Rivers (Kansas State)
• LB Tomon Fox (North Carolina)
• RB Jashaun Corbin (Florida State)*
• SAF Trenton Thompson (San Diego State)
• CB Zyon Gilbert (Florida Atlantic)*

* denotes notable UDFA with substantial chance to make Final 53