2026 UDFA Thread - aka Best Thread Of The Year

[Wozzy]

I think that Dial is behind the 8-ball. He's coming off a ruptured ACL. He should be to the point where he's running and cutting. The good thing for him is that he's likely to clear waivers if he cuts cut at camp. It will be interesting to see how he does.

Agreed, look how many new CB’s they’re bringing to camp. Including Vidor and the undrafted rookies that’s five new players introduced to the room.

They’re not happy with the players behind the three starters and who knows, maybe they’re insuring themselves in case the Gonzalez negotiations stall.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Versatility and the ability to help the team anywhere you can gets you on the field. I don’t understand how people seem to have flipped on Chism in one season. He played well for them going all the way back to preseason. When his number was called he answered.

I’d prefer a RB return kickoffs, but Chism is a tough hard runner with the ball in his hands and he gets open as a receiver. I’d like to see more of him in the slot. It will be a tough battle among the WR’s this preseason, there is a lot of good talent there.

The Pats didn't sign 5 WRs as UDFAs because they think Chism is a ringer. They are looking for someone behind the starters..

 

[Wozzy]

The Pats didn't sign 5 WRs as UDFAs because they think Chism is a ringer. They are looking for someone behind the starters..

They only have three WR’s under contract for next year, I suspect they also want insurance and leverage in negotiations for AJ Brown.

Chism made the roster last season as an UDFA, he returned kicks. As of now he has a leg up on the rookies coming in.

 

[Huckleberry1]

What's everyone's take on the UDFA WR group? Do we have a guy make the 53 man this year like Chism last year? I haven't watched anything on Dorner or Lacey yet. I like what I saw on Kibble, good hands and always seems to get YAC. DeGennaro came from JMU so I saw him live a couple games last year. He is decent, better than the competition but its the Sun Belt we are talking about. He may find his way on the PS or just cut, not expecting much from him. I have searched and can only find a couple plays from Dixon, wish there was more tape out there on him. Still need to look at Lacey and Dorner but as it stands if I had to pick one making the roster I like Kibble.

There wasn't as much excitement here this year as there was last about the UDFA's, but I have been seeing some really positive reviews of their UDFA's on the podcasts. And if nothing else I think the roster battles as well as the practice squad battles are going to be really interesting to watch.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

They only have three WR’s under contract for next year, I suspect they also want insurance and leverage in negotiations for AJ Brown.

You think signing UDFAs is leverage in the AJ Brown discussions? LOL

Chism made the roster last season as an UDFA, he returned kicks. As of now he has a leg up on the rookies coming in.

Not if you watched him return the kicks

 

[Wozzy]

You think signing UDFAs is leverage in the AJ Brown discussions? LOL

I think if you negotiate from a position of weakness you will generally lose. I think having options is leverage, that includes the rookies they brought in, but also standing pat and signing their own players instead.

Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Rod Smith were all UDFA WR’s. Troy Brown was an 8th round pick, the draft only lasts 7 rounds now, if Brown left school today he’d be an UDFA.

Draft position doesn’t mean **** after the draft ends and the pads come on.

Not if you watched him return the kicks

I’ve already stated kickoffs are comparable to a running play now and I prefer a RB back there. But Chism secured the ball and ran hard. He also played two games where he was involved in the offense due to injury, he caught three passes for 75 yards, a long of 35 and had a TD. He also caught a 20 yarder in the playoffs. He barely played offense but was effective when he did.

I didn’t label Chism a roster lock, but he can’t be dismissed either.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think if you negotiate from a position of weakness you will generally lose. I think having options is leverage, that includes the rookies they brought in, but also standing pat and signing their own players instead.

Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Rod Smith were all UDFA WR’s. Troy Brown was an 8th round pick, the draft only lasts 7 rounds now, if Brown left school today he’d be an UDFA.

Draft position doesn’t mean **** after the draft ends and the pads come on

Signing UDFAs creates zero leverage. Nice try though.

I’ve already stated kickoffs are comparable to a running play now and I prefer a RB back there. But Chism secured the ball and ran hard. He also played two games where he was involved in the offense due to injury, he caught three passes for 75 yards, a long of 35 and had a TD. He also caught a 20 yarder in the playoffs. He barely played offense but was effective when he did.

I didn’t label Chism a roster lock, but he can’t be dismissed either.

Can't be dismissed? You are the king of quips.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think if you negotiate from a position of weakness you will generally lose. I think having options is leverage, that includes the rookies they brought in, but also standing pat and signing their own players instead.

Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Rod Smith were all UDFA WR’s. Troy Brown was an 8th round pick, the draft only lasts 7 rounds now, if Brown left school today he’d be an UDFA.

Just a point of information:

In 1993 , Even though there were 8 rounds, there was only 28 teams. There was also no Comp picks given out by the league true free agency had just started.

Troy Brown was pick 198. That's the middle of the 6th round now.

1994 was the first year of Comp Picks and the reduction from 8 rounds to 7 and there were 222 draft picks (down from 224 in 1993)
1995 saw the league have 249 total picks
1996 saw the league have 255 picks.
2003 saw the most draft picks at 262.

After 2003, the league capped the number of picks in the draft at 256. This was changed with the 2020 CBA when it was decided to give Comp picks to teams that lose a minority employee to another as either the HC or GM.. That caused 2022 to have 262 Draft picks.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[PatsFan2]

I think if you negotiate from a position of weakness you will generally lose. I think having options is leverage, that includes the rookies they brought in, but also standing pat and signing their own players instead.

Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Rod Smith were all UDFA WR’s. Troy Brown was an 8th round pick, the draft only lasts 7 rounds now, if Brown left school today he’d be an UDFA.

Draft position doesn’t mean **** after the draft ends and the pads come on.

I’ve already stated kickoffs are comparable to a running play now and I prefer a RB back there. But Chism secured the ball and ran hard. He also played two games where he was involved in the offense due to injury, he caught three passes for 75 yards, a long of 35 and had a TD. He also caught a 20 yarder in the playoffs. He barely played offense but was effective when he did.

I didn’t label Chism a roster lock, but he can’t be dismissed either.

That's our position Woz... who are we going bait them with Pop Douglas eventually Breaking out??

 

[PatsFan2]

The next Micah Parsons??

 

[PatsFan2]

They only have three WR’s under contract for next year, I suspect they also want insurance and leverage in negotiations for AJ Brown.

Chism made the roster last season as an UDFA, he returned kicks. As of now he has a leg up on the rookies coming in.

I hear rumors of that future First Rounder with K Boutte included. My initial thought if Boutte was included is that we would part with a Second. IF we are parting ways with a First plus Boutte: someone at the Patriots Top needs brain surgery.

 

[manxman2601]

The next Micah Parsons??

If he is, EVERYONE missed it.

 

[PatsFan2]

If he is, EVERYONE missed it.

It wouldn't be the first time.

 

[Wozzy]

Signing UDFAs creates zero leverage. Nice try though.

The leverage comes from inside the building knowing you have options, and in some cases a hidden gem.

Can't be dismissed? You are the king of quips.

He made the team that won the AFC and went to a Super Bowl.

He didn't secure a roster spot on the 3 win Cardinals.

That can't be dismissed.

 

[Wozzy]

That's our position Woz... who are we going bait them with Pop Douglas eventually Breaking out??

Not trading for AJ Brown after they spent draft picks, traded for players and signed other free agents... that's leverage.

The 2025 Patriots threw for the 4th most yards in the NFL. They ranked first in explosive downfield throwing at 8.5 yards per attempt, the Seahawks were second with 8.1 YPA.

Passing was not a problem last year and should be even easier this year if Drake Maye improves.

 

[Wozzy]

I hear rumors of that future First Rounder with K Boutte included. My initial thought if Boutte was included is that we would part with a Second. IF we are parting ways with a First plus Boutte: someone at the Patriots Top needs brain surgery.

This place is not a source.

We're all just guessing.

 

[dliverey44]

Yes and recency bias of some bad kicks in horrible Denver weather conditions dont help him with some posters.

Same with Campbell, recency bias is a *****

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The leverage comes from inside the building knowing you have options, and in some cases a hidden gem.

The leverage has to be perceived by AJ Brown. He laughs at a "hidden gem". So would I. Nice try though.

He made the team that won the AFC and went to a Super Bowl.

He didn't secure a roster spot on the 3 win Cardinals.

That can't be dismissed.

Sure it can be dismissed. It is an anomaly. You always ignore percentages of success and try to overplay anomalies. You overplay anomalies constantly. Nice try though.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I hear rumors of that future First Rounder with K Boutte included.

Where did you hear that? From your twin? You have sources? LOL. Who? I bet it is Russini giving you tips because she lost Vrabel and now she wants you.

My initial thought if Boutte was included is that we would part with a Second. IF we are parting ways with a First plus Boutte: someone at the Patriots Top needs brain surgery.

Wolf is GM of the Year. You said it yourself.