NFL Teams Sign Undrafted Players After 2026 Draft

Apr 26, 2026, 21:47
USSports

Introduction

After the 2026 NFL Draft ended in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, several professional teams began recruiting college athletes who were not drafted. These players are joining teams through rookie minicamp invitations and free-agent contracts.

Main Body

The Tennessee Titans have invited two former University of Tennessee players to their rookie minicamp. Quarterback Kaidon Salter, who most recently played for the University of Colorado, has accepted the invitation. Salter's college career has been varied; he was dismissed from Tennessee in 2021 due to legal issues involving marijuana and unlicensed driving, but later became the 2023 Conference USA MVP at Liberty University. In 2026 at Colorado, he recorded 1,414 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. Additionally, the Titans invited running back Star Thomas, who recorded 596 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2025 with the Volunteers. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars have signed edge rusher Bryan Thomas Jr. as an undrafted free agent. During his four years at the University of South Carolina, Thomas Jr. showed steady improvement, finishing his 2025 season with 41 tackles and 7 sacks. Notably, he follows in his father's footsteps, as his father played 11 seasons for the New York Jets. Regarding university trends, no players from the University of Colorado were selected during the seven rounds of the 2026 draft. However, the program has a strong history of success with undrafted players, placing at least one athlete on a final 53-man roster in each of the last 11 seasons. Salter is one of six former Colorado players to sign agreements with teams, alongside others such as Sincere Brown and Arden Walker.

Conclusion

Teams are now focusing on integrating these undrafted players into their rosters. Whether these athletes earn a permanent spot will depend on their performance during minicamps and preseason evaluations.

Vocabulary Learning

dismissed (v.)
removed from a position or role / expelled from a job or team被解雇；被踢出
Example:She was dismissed from the squad because of misconduct.
improvement (n.)
the process of becoming better / a positive change改進；進步
Example:His improvement over the season earned him a starting spot.
minicamp (n.)
a short training camp for new players / a brief training session for new players小型訓練營
Example:He attended the team's minicamp to showcase his skills.
performance (n.)
the way someone acts or behaves in a situation / an act of performing表現；執行
Example:The team's performance in the preseason was crucial for roster decisions.
undrafted (adj.)
not selected in a draft / not chosen by a team in a draft未被選中；未被選秀
Example:The undrafted player impressed the coaches during the tryouts.

Sentence Learning

Quarterback Kaidon Salter, who most recently played for the University of Colorado, has accepted the invitation.
Relative Clause: This clause adds essential information about the subject, specifying that Kaidon Salter last played for the University of Colorado.關係子句: 此子句為關係子句，提供關於主語的必要資訊，說明 Kaidon Salter 最近在科羅拉多大學效力。
He was dismissed from Tennessee in 2021 due to legal issues involving marijuana and unlicensed driving.
Passive Voice: The sentence uses passive voice to emphasize the action performed on the subject.被動語態: 該句使用被動語態，強調對主語所施加的動作，即被解雇。
but later became the 2023 Conference USA MVP at Liberty University.
Contrast: The conjunction 'but' introduces a contrast between two events.對比連接詞: 'but' 連接兩個相對立的事件，形成對比。
Whether these athletes earn a permanent spot will depend on their performance during minicamps and preseason evaluations.
Conditional: The sentence expresses a condition that depends on future performance.條件句: 該句表示未來表現會決定是否得到永久位置的條件。
During his four years at the University of South Carolina, Thomas Jr. showed steady improvement.
Adverbial Clause: The clause indicates the time period during which the subject performed the action.時間狀語從句: 該從句說明在大學四年期間，Thomas Jr. 取得進步。