What are the Rules for Undrafted Free Agents? Let’s Explore…

Players who are not selected in the NFL Draft become eligible to sign with any team as undrafted free agents, often referred to as rookies or priority free agents. Those who entered the draft early but were not picked can retain their college eligibility, provided they have not signed with an agent.

Once you gain a better understanding of how these players fit into the NFL Draft, you may want to jot down a couple of names who may have caught your eye and support them by placing a wager on them. And if you don’t know where to bet, go to AussieBonuses where there are countless operators to choose from - many casinos promoting new no deposit bonuses also offer fantastic sports betting platforms that have been tried and tested by gambling experts.

Another Chance at The NFL

The NFL draft is an exciting time for players and teams alike; a chance to grab an up-and-coming or potential superstar or build the basis of a team that will excel in the years to come. In the NFL Draft in 2024, there were seven rounds, resulting in 257 picks overall. The number one draft pick of the season was Caleb Williams, a Quarterback from the University of Southern California who the Chicago Bears drafted. Williams rates a 96 overall score out of 100, and a prospect grade of 6.74 placing him as a year one starter according to NFL.com.

But for all the players that get picked in the draft, there are plenty of college players who don’t get that phone call. For these people, it is, of course, pretty devastating, but there is hope still - with the undrafted free agents rule.

The undrafted free agents are those players who don’t get picked during the draft, but teams can still pick them up later. The way that drafting and post-drafting work these days, up to around 30% of the players who begin a season are undrafted free agents.

How Do Teams Get Undrafted Free Agents?

After the draft is over, teams will pick up the phone and get in touch with the talent they’ve had their eye on who wasn’t chosen during the draft. Unlike during the draft, where the player must go to the team that picks them if an undrafted free agent has multiple offers, it’s their choice who to sign with.

Undrafted free agents sign a three-year contract with minimum salaries. However, teams can offer signing bonuses and extra monetary base salary guarantees to help get wanted players over the line. The undrafted free agents train and have a chance to make the roster for the season, although they often become a part of the practice squad instead, and may join the final roster later.

If they complete their 3-year contract, they then become restricted free agents (which has a number of conditions attached to the name), or they can sign a new deal with their existing club after two years. This is unlike draft picks, who must wait until their three years at the club is up, at which point they become unrestricted free agents.

Restricted Free Agents

If players become restricted free agents the rules change. If a team adds a tender to the player, either a first-round tender, a second-round tender, an original round tender, or a right of first refusal tender, there is a monetary value attached, each decreasing in value. The player’s original team gets the right to match any offer from any other team. If they do not match, the original club gets a draft pick at the corresponding tender round, which comes out of the new club’s draft pick balance. This is a rule set in place so that teams don’t lose the talent they’ve invested in. However, since the monetary value based on the higher pick tenders is quite high, clubs typically only choose the original round or right of first refusal tenders for players they want to keep at the club.

2024 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Post the 2024 draft, there has been a flurry of signings and minicamp invites to undrafted free agents. These include no less than 17 signings by the Baltimore Ravens and six minicamp invites, and 13 signings and 11 minicamp invites by the Kansas City Chiefs. You can read all of the teams’ 2024 signings and minicamp invites over at PFF.

With so many different rules for player picks, trading, salaries, and seasons, there is always something new to learn about the NFL. The rules will continue to evolve as the game gets even more competitive.