NFL Teams Sign New Players

Apr 26, 2026, 21:47
USSports
A2

NFL Teams Sign New Players

Introduction

The 2026 NFL Draft is finished. Now, some teams are signing new players from colleges.

Main Body

The Tennessee Titans invited two players. Kaidon Salter is a quarterback. He played for Colorado. Star Thomas is a running back. He played for Tennessee. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Bryan Thomas Jr. He is a defensive player. He played for the University of South Carolina. His father also played in the NFL. No players from the University of Colorado were picked in the draft. But six players from that school still got contracts. Kaidon Salter is one of them.

Conclusion

These players will now practice with the teams. The teams will decide if they can stay.

Vocabulary Learning

college (n.)
university / an institution of higher learning大學
Example:She studied football at a college before joining the NFL.
draft (n.)
selection / the process of choosing players選秀
Example:He was picked in the draft by the Tennessee Titans.
player (n.)
athlete / a person who plays a sport球員
Example:The player signed a new contract with the team.
practice (v.)
train / to rehearse or work on a skill練習
Example:The players will practice every day to improve their skills.
team (n.)
group / a set of people working together隊伍
Example:The team celebrated their victory after the game.

Sentence Learning

The Tennessee Titans invited two players.
SVO: The sentence follows the basic Subject-Verb-Object order. The subject 'The Tennessee Titans' performs the action 'invited' to the object 'two players'.此句使用基本的主語-動詞-賓語結構。主語『The Tennessee Titans』執行動作『invited』，對象是『two players』。
But six players from that school still got contracts.
Connector: The word 'But' connects this sentence to the previous one, showing contrast. It introduces a new idea that is different from the earlier statement.連接詞 'But' 將此句與前一句連接，表示對比。它引入與前述不同的新觀點。
These players will now practice with the teams.
Time: The word 'now' indicates the time when the action will happen. It shows that the practice is happening at the present moment.副詞 'now' 表示動作發生的時間，說明練習正在此刻進行。
He played for Colorado.
Preposition: The phrase 'for Colorado' is a prepositional phrase that tells where the action happened. It shows the location related to the verb 'played'.介詞短語 'for Colorado' 表示動作發生的地方，說明動作與 'played' 相關的地點。
The teams will decide if they can stay.
Conditional: The word 'if' introduces a condition. It shows that the action depends on whether the condition is true.連接詞 'if' 引入條件，說明動作取決於條件是否成立。
B2

NFL Teams Sign Undrafted Players After 2026 Draft

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。
C2

Post-Draft Personnel Acquisitions by NFL Franchises

Introduction

Following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, several professional franchises have initiated the recruitment of undrafted collegiate athletes through rookie minicamp invitations and free-agent contracts.

Main Body

The Tennessee Titans have extended rookie minicamp invitations to two former University of Tennessee athletes. Quarterback Kaidon Salter, most recently of the University of Colorado, has accepted an invitation to participate. Salter's collegiate trajectory includes a 2021 tenure at Tennessee, from which he was dismissed following legal incidents involving marijuana possession and unlicensed driving, and a subsequent period at Liberty University where he was designated the 2023 Conference USA Most Valuable Player. During his 2026 season at Colorado, Salter recorded 1,414 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, alongside 356 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Additionally, the Titans invited running back Star Thomas. Thomas, who transferred to Tennessee from Duke, New Mexico State, and Coffeyville Community College, recorded 596 rushing yards and seven touchdowns during his 2025 season with the Volunteers. He was previously ranked as the 25th best running back by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. Parallel to these developments, the Jacksonville Jaguars have signed edge rusher Bryan Thomas Jr. as an undrafted free agent. A four-year athlete at the University of South Carolina, Thomas Jr. demonstrated a consistent increase in defensive productivity, culminating in 41 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks in 2025. It is noted that Thomas Jr. is a second-generation professional athlete, as his father played 11 seasons for the New York Jets. Regarding institutional trends, the University of Colorado experienced no players selected during the seven rounds of the 2026 draft. However, the program maintains a historical precedent for undrafted success, having placed at least one player on a final 53-man roster in each of the preceding 11 seasons. Salter is one of six former Colorado players to secure post-draft team agreements, including Sincere Brown and Arden Walker.

Conclusion

The current phase of roster construction involves the integration of undrafted players into team environments, where their permanent status will be determined by their performance during minicamps and preseason evaluations.

Vocabulary Learning

designated (v.)
appointed / to officially assign or name someone for a particular role or honor指定；任命
Example:The coach designated him as the team's most valuable player.
integration (n.)
combination / the process of combining or incorporating parts into a whole整合
Example:Integration of undrafted players into the team requires careful evaluation.
precedent (n.)
preceding example / an earlier event or action that serves as a guide or example for future decisions先例
Example:The program's historical precedent for undrafted success is well documented.
trajectory (n.)
path / the path or course taken by something moving through space or time軌跡
Example:His trajectory from college to the NFL was swift and impressive.
undrafted (adj.)
free-agent / not selected in a formal draft; free to sign with any team未被選秀的
Example:The team focused on undrafted talent to fill roster gaps.

Sentence Learning

Salter's collegiate trajectory includes a 2021 tenure at Tennessee, from which he was dismissed following legal incidents involving marijuana possession and unlicensed driving, and a subsequent period at Liberty University where he was designated the 2023 Conference USA Most Valuable Player.
Relative Clause (Prepositional): This sentence contains two relative clauses introduced by the prepositions 'from which' and 'where', providing additional information about Salter's tenure at Tennessee and Liberty University.關係子句（介詞）: 這句話中使用了兩個由介詞引導的關係子句「from which」和「where」，為 Salter 在田納西大學和自由大學的就讀期間提供了額外資訊。
However, the program maintains a historical precedent for undrafted success, having placed at least one player on a final 53‑man roster in each of the preceding 11 seasons.
Participial Clause: The participial phrase 'having placed' functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the result of the program's historical precedent.分詞短語: 這句話中使用了分詞短語「having placed」，作為狀語修飾，說明該項目歷史先例的結果。
It is noted that Thomas Jr. is a second‑generation professional athlete, as his father played 11 seasons for the New York Jets.
Subordinate Clause (as): The clause 'as his father played 11 seasons for the New York Jets' provides an explanatory reason for Thomas Jr.'s status.從屬子句（as）: 這句話中使用了從屬子句「as his father played 11 seasons for the New York Jets」，說明 Thomas Jr. 為何是第二代職業球員。
Quarterback Kaidon Salter, most recently of the University of Colorado, has accepted an invitation to participate.
Appositive Phrase: The appositive 'most recently of the University of Colorado' gives additional identifying information about Kaidon Salter.同位語: 這句話中使用了同位語「most recently of the University of Colorado」，提供了關於 Kaidon Salter 的額外辨識資訊。
During his 2026 season at Colorado, Salter recorded 1,414 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, alongside 356 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Prepositional Adverbial Phrase: The phrase 'During his 2026 season at Colorado' functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the time and place of Salter's performance.介詞狀語短語: 這句話中使用了介詞短語「During his 2026 season at Colorado」，作為狀語修飾，說明 Salter 表現的時間和地點。