Steelers CB Beanie Bishop leads all UDFA rookies in snaps through Week 6
Undrafted free agents are always easy to root for, especially for fans of the underdog story. They’re also an integrally cost-effective way for NFL teams to balance out their rosters.
Through the first six weeks of the 2024 NFL season, the most impactful undrafted rookie has been Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop. No rookie UDFA has played more than Bishop, who has logged 247 defensive snaps through Week 6. That includes one start and an average of 41 snaps per game while serving as the Steelers’ primary slot corner.
His play, as you might expect of a rookie UDFA thrown into the fire, has been up and down. Bishop has 14 tackles, a half-sack and two passes defended for Pittsburgh so far. However, Bishop is proving he deserved stronger consideration and respect during the 2024 NFL Draft process.
“The scouts play a huge role in advocating for these players after the draft and fighting for these players,” GM George Paton said.
The Denver Broncos have had unprecedented success with undrafted free agents making their 53-man roster. Two undrafted free agents made the roster this year, offensive lineman Frank Crum and running back Blake Watson. Linebacker Levelle Bailey also made the initial active roster and is now returning on the practice squad.
When it was announced that these two players made the 53-man squad, it marked the 20th time in 21 years that at least one undrafted free agent made the roster.
In a Zoom call last week, Broncos general manager George Paton credited the team’s scouting. “The scouts play a huge role in advocating for these players after the draft and fighting for these players,” said Paton.
Paton had this to say about Crum, who was a University of Wyoming product: “Crum, you don’t get many 6-7 guys or whatever he is that can bend like he does and has the power he does. He’s still raw. You see him in pass-pro. I know he got beat a couple of times, but for a kid who played at Wyoming and a first-year rookie in the NFL to do some of the things he did in practice and versus Green Bay. He played well in Indy obviously. I thought he played well most of the game. He had a few breakdowns, but really talented. I really love the upside of Crum.”
Watson had a memorable impression on coaches at his Top 30 visit. “Watson, we got to know him on the Top-30,” Paton said. “That’s why those Top-30s are really important. You get to know the player and he gets to see what you’re all about. He gets to see Denver and our facilities. It makes it easier when you’re trying to get him as a college free agent.”
Last year, four UDFAs made the Broncos’ 53-man roster, including running back Jaleel McLaughlin. Watson and Crum will aim to continue the success of the team’s past UDFAs this fall.
The Broncos have set an initial 53-man roster for 2024. Here are ten takeaways after the team made 38 roster moves.
The Denver Broncos made 38 roster moves earlier this week to get down to an initial 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 season. After reviewing five surprises yesterday, we’re moving on to ten big-picture takeaways today.
1. Broncos kept 3 quarterbacks
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Denver coach Sean Payton wasn’t lying last week when he said he expected to keep all three QBs — Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson — on the 53-man roster. The Broncos really like their QB situation.
“Yeah, we think highly of the quarterback room,” general manager George Paton said Tuesday. “I really liked the process. I thought the competition brought out the best in really all of the quarterbacks. All these guys support each other, they compete and they work well together. We looked at last year [and] I think almost half the league kept three quarterbacks. With the rule changes, we think that number will increase. We’re glad to have all three.”
The NFL’s trade deadline this season is Nov. 4. If other teams lose QBs during the season, Paton might get calls about Denver’s QB room.
2. All but one member of draft class made the team
“It’s a credit to our personnel departments and our sports performance with the development of these players,” Paton said. “Obviously, time will tell as we get to the regular season, but we like the class so far.”
The only member of the 2024 draft class who didn’t make the 53-man roster is offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, who has been sidelined due to injury.
3. UDFAs make the 53-man roster
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For the 20th time in the last 21 years, Denver had at least one undrafted free agent make the active roster. It’s three players this year: running back Blake Watson, linebacker Levelle Bailey and offensive tackle Frank Crum.
“The scouts play a huge role in advocating for these players after the draft and fighting for these players,” Paton said. “Frank Crum, we had on a Top-30 [visit]. We had Watson on a Top-30. … Bailey, we didn’t know as much about, [but] we liked him and we liked the athletic ability.”
Crum needs more time to develop, but Watson and Bailey could become instant contributors on special teams.
“What went into it is a number of things,” Paton explained. “We really like our depth at receiver, and we liked the depth at other positions on our team. We wanted to keep some other players at other positions. Special teams comes into play. Obviously, you have the new element at kickoff and kickoff return. There will be over 200 more plays. So it wasn’t just one thing. Tim did a lot of really good things. We wish him well and we’re going to miss him.”
5. Cody Barton wins starting ILB job
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It’s no surprise because Barton appeared to be leading the competition throughout preseason, but the veteran officially won the starting job on Tuesday when the team waived Jonas Griffith. Barton is now set to start next to Alex Singleton this fall. Denver might look to add more linebacker depth through the waiver wire.
6. Some players need more time to develop
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Many Broncos fans were surprised that offensive tackle Frank Crum made the 53-man roster after he struggled in preseason. He is a big, promising tackle, though, and Denver could not afford to risk having him claimed off waivers. So Crum made the active roster despite needing more time to develop.
“You’re always going to have players that aren’t quite ready — developmental players,” Payton said. “Can you get them through [the waiver wire]? Can you get them on the practice squad? Those are the discussions that you have in regards to roster management. How long is it going to take a certain player to develop? I think by midseason or do I think by the end of the season? Can we survive, if that player doesn’t play, with what we have?
“Those are all the discussions you have. The biggest guesswork we do — and it’s not just guess, we use analytics on certain positions where it clears more than others — is whether you can get a guy through. Those are the discussions we have, and there’s a lot that goes into it. A player that has potential — you don’t want to use a potential for a ready-made player. Again short- and long-term views come into play.”
7. The NFL’s new kickoff rule impacts roster
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The Broncos had the NFL’s new XFL-style kickoff rule in mind when they made roster cuts on Tuesday.
“I think it always plays a role, but even more so this year,” Paton said. “[Assistant head coach Mike] Westhoff tells me [there are] 200-plus plays on special teams, and so that factors into a lot of our decisions certainly.
“The defensive backfield — we had an injury. [Damarri] Mathis was a really good [special] teamer, so how do we compensate there? It’s a big puzzle and it’s roster management. Special teams are a huge emphasis and even more so, to answer your question, with the new kickoff.”
8. Some veterans could return on practice squad
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Among the final cuts for the Broncos on Tuesday were wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and fullback Michael Burton. If re-signed to the practice squad, both players would be candidates to get elevated to the game-day roster in Week 1.
“Roster management,” Paton said when asked about the team’s last-minute cuts. “We’re trying to keep the best players we can for as long as we can. So you’re exactly right. There are a couple of vets who will likely be active Week 1. You probably know who they are, but certainly we already have a few guys who are already going to be on our practice squad.”
9. The offensive line depth is thin
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Denver’s updated depth chart has a huge hole at backup guard, a consequence of Quinn Bailey suffering a season-ending ankle injury this summer. The Broncos also don’t have much depth at tackle: Alex Palczewski was injured for all of last season and Crum is not quite ready for regular season action. That leaves Matt Peart is a do-it-all swing backup. Don’t be surprised if Denver looks to improve the offensive line’s depth today.
10. This is not the final 53-man roster
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The Broncos could make a few waiver claims today, and Paton hinted that trades are possible as well. Denver will also build a 17-player practice squad.
“[W]e’re looking at any way we can to upgrade our team on the wire tonight — or it could be a trade,” Paton said Tuesday. “Last year, we didn’t put a claim in, but we signed four new players to our practice squad [and] all four of those players ended up playing. Then we made a trade for Wil Lutz. There aren’t as many claims as you think — I think there were 24 last year — but you still can make some hay as you work the wire.”
We will be tracking any potential moves today on Broncos Wire.
Every year we see plenty of UDFA’s make an impression on their teams and make their final rosters.
A significant percentage of NFL rosters is made up of players who came into the league without being drafted. These are the players who go into the league with a chip on their shoulder and work their tails off to impress coaches and find a spot on their team.
These are players who fell through the cracks in the draft process or had enough concerns for teams to not use draft capital on them. NFL draft writer Ryan Fowler shared the full list of UDFAs who made their respective team’s final 53-man rosters.
S Tyler Owens & TE Colson Yankoff (WSH)
TE Dallin Holker, CB Rico Payton, WR Mason Tipton & P Matthew Hayball (NO)
RB Blake Watson & OL Frank Crum (DEN)
DB Beanie Bishop Jr (PIT)
LB Joe Andreessen (BUF)
DLs Eric Watts, Leonard Taylor & Braiden McGregor (NYJ)
RB British Brooks (HOU)
OL Javion Cohen (CLE)
WR Xavier Weaver (ARI)
TE Brevyn Spann-Ford (DAL)
DB Dwight McGlothern, ED Gabriel Murphy (IR) & DL Taki Taimani (MIN)
LB Maema Njongmeta (CIN)
S Dell Pettus (NE)
WR Isaiah Williams, DB Loren Strickland & LS Hogan Hatten (DET)
LB Amari Gainer & WR Ramel Keyton (LV)
WR Jalen Coker, iOL Andrew Raym & S Demani Richardson (CAR)
OL Dalton Tucker (IND)
DB Storm Duck & OL Andrew Meyer (MIA)
S Chris Roland-Wallace & RB Carson Steele (KC)
DB Josh Wallace, DB Charles Woods, DB Jaylen McCullough, LB Omar Speights
The New Orleans Saints decided to keep four of their undrafted rookies on the initial 53-man roster, including Mason Tipton and Rico Payton:
The New Orleans Saints have had a long day of roster moves and cleaning out their position groups until they get down to 53 players for the initial roster. Three players worthy of note who made the cut included undrafted rookies Rico Payton and Mason Tipton, and Dallin Holker, all of whom looked exceptional in training camp. And rookie punter Matthew Hayball won his battle to secure that job, too.
It’s extremely impressive considering Tipton did not play a preseason snap due to injury, but showed out so strongly early at camp that he was retained. As for Payton, he made the roster due to high-level preseason play, despite a slower start to camp, and performed so well that the Saints could not risk putting him on the practice squad. Holker missed some time due to a recennt ankle injury, however, he looked solid enough to be worthy of a roster spot.
Payton was outstanding in all three preseason games, however, in game two he was most noticeable, earning our Player of the Game for that week from the Saints team. He will join the group of Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, and Kool-Aid McKinstry in the cornerback room among anyone else who is not taken off the roster.
In the wide receiver room, NOF’s Nick Underhill has confirmed it will be Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Cedrick Wilson, A.T. Perry, Tipton, and Bub Means to start off the season. All things considered, that was probably the best mix of talent and upside of the wide receivers on the team, so it was formed well given the players they had.
As for the tight ends, we will see Juwan Johnson, Holker, and Foster Moreau with Kevin Rader landing on IR. Ultimately Holker will be a fun addition to the team, who could get some playing time with Taysom Hill seeming more like a fullback in the new offensive scheme for the Saints. We’ll see if all four rookies hang around but for now they have to be feeling optimistic.
On Tuesday, the Vikings showed everyone what they think of Gabriel Murphy when they placed him on short-term injured reserve.
It’s not often that we see an NFL team go out of their way to keep an undrafted free agent on the roster after they haven’t practiced most of the Summer. On Tuesday, the Vikings showed everyone what they think of Gabriel Murphy by placing him on short-term injured reserve.
Gabriel Murphy was most often seen in NFL Draft media as one of the underrated edge rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Despite that, he went undrafted and became a hot target for every team as they built up their UDFA classes. The Vikings ultimately signed him and showed they were invested with a large contract offer.
The short-term injured reserve placement frees up his roster spot which allows the team to keep someone else who may have been on the roster bubble. The Vikings have plenty of rough decisions ahead on Tuesday and Vikings Wire will be tracking each one of them.
Tyler Owens excited about another opportunity to prove himself.
Sunday’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots is the final job interview of the summer for Washington Commanders undrafted rookie safety Tyler Owens.
The 6-foot-2, 213-pound rookie has been one of the feel-good stories of training camp. Early in camp, those in attendance in Ashburn said to keep an eye on Owens and that he continued to stand out. He was always around the ball.
Then the preseason began, and Owens’ legend has continued to grow. Whether on defense or special teams, Owens keeps showing up.
A priority signing from Texas Tech, Owens was always viewed as a player to watch. Head coach Dan Quinn likes athletic and versatile defensive backs, and Owens has all the potential in the world. But even Quinn is surprised by Owens’ quick transition so far.
“The rookies don’t have a vision for what their special teams is going to look like,” Quinn said Wednesday. “It’s up to us to show them what that vision can be and look like. And I think Tyler’s done a good job of that, and so have some others. But as a rookie, he’s demonstrating that kind of speed and physicality.”
It’s hard to imagine the Commanders waiving Owens. He’s already a coach’s favorite. Heading into Sunday’s game, Owens isn’t planning on changing anything.
“I just keep working, I just keep trying to show them what I made of, that’s all I really know,” Owens said.
Does Owens think he’s done enough to make the team already? He didn’t want to answer that for obvious reasons other than to say, “I hope so.”
Commanders safety Tyler Owens has impressed throughout training camp.
Has he done enough to make the final 53 man roster?
Tyler told me, "I just keep trying to show what I'm made of…I just try to stay in the moment and just make the most of every opportunity I get." pic.twitter.com/dAgczl9dXK
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has had a very good offseason and preseason for the Vikings on a variety of fronts. What does that mean for his future?
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has quietly had a very good offseason and preseason for the Vikings on a variety of fronts. What does that mean for his future, though?
Despite his success, Kevin Seifert of ESPN chose him as a potential hot seat candidate.
To be fair, the article’s point made each NFL beat reporter choose someone within the franchise to be on the hot seat, but it doesn’t mean he necessarily is. Despite that, Seifert does make some strong points in regard to him being on a hot seat heading into a contract year in 2025.
“After he used 7 draft picks in April to maneuver for edge rusher Dallas Turner, Adofo-Mensah has only 3 picks in the 2025 draft to further improve the team,” Seifert wrote. “A bad season wouldn’t necessarily cost Adofo-Mensah his job, but it could inform owners Zygi and Mark Wilf’s decision on whether to extend his contract or let him enter its final season in 2025.”
It is safe to say Adofo-Mensah will get a contract extension; it is just a matter of when. He has turned around his draft woes into successes in recent years, getting Jordan Addison, J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner. He also has done a good job of identifying talent in the UDFA pool post-draft.
In 2023, Adofo-Mensah was able to secure Ivan Pace Jr., who is now the team’s Mike linebacker. In 2024, we saw plays made by Dwight McGlothern, Bo Richter and Taki Taimani during the preseason.
Adofo-Mensah has built a strong roster. While injuries have caused some issues, it is important to look at the big picture, and the Wilfs have shown they can do that.
The Vikings’ defense is going to have to work extra hard in 2024, as the team’s offense is expected to have a less-than-ideal season.
The Vikings’ defense will have to work extra hard in 2024, as the team’s offense is expected to have a less-than-ideal season. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is out for the season, and now the team will have to rely on Sam Darnold full-time.
Everyone on defense will have to step up, including some undrafted free agents the team signed following the 2024 NFL Draft.
One of them has already started stepping up: Dwight McGlothern, a cornerback out of Arkansas. He made the play of the day against the Cleveland Browns in their joint practice. McGlothern picked off Jameis Winston during their team drills and was able to return it all the way for a touchdown.
Brian Flores has a way of coaching up physically talented cornerbacks and getting the most out of them. McGlothern has the size and speed to potentially turn into a steal for the Vikings with a strong 2024 season.
Jaleel McLaughlin made the 53-man roster last summer after impressing in preseason. Now he’s telling Broncos rookies how to follow his lead.
After going undrafted last spring, running back Jaleel McLaughlin signed with the Denver Broncos as a college free agent.
McLaughlin set NCAA rushing records in college, but he did so at Division II and FCS levels. His small-school history and small size (5-7, 187 pounds) made McLaughlin a longshot for Denver’s 53-man roster.
McLaughlin overcame the long odds by standing out in preseason. After rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown in the team’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, McLaughlin exploded the next week with 97 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers.
His impressive performances in preseason earned him a spot on the active roster and McLaughlin now has a well-established role on offense.
As the Broncos now prepare to begin their 2024 preseason slate, McLaughlin shared words of encouragement for the rookies attempting to make the squad this summer.
“I would say that game [against the 49ers], I just went out there and played,” McLaughlin explained earlier this week. “I didn’t let anything get to me. It felt like I was playing backyard football. I felt like I was just playing my game. That’s what I was telling a couple of guys, like, ‘Hey, don’t — even when we have fans out here — [with] the fans, enjoy it. Just enjoy every moment you’re out here.’
“That’s what I did last year, and that’s what I’m going to do this first preseason game upcoming. Just go out there and enjoy it. As long as you give your 100% you don’t need to be down on yourself or anything as long as you give your 100%. That’s what I’ve been preaching to the rookies.”
McLaughlin, 23, went on to total 570 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns in the regular season last fall. He’s now looking to carve out a bigger role in 2024. Denver’s rookies can look to follow his lead.
