This year's NFL Draft saw several notable players go undrafted, including QBs Haynes King and Diego Pavia. Many undrafted players are invited to rookie minicamps, where they can earn a spot on the final roster.
Key points
Several notable players went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft
Haynes King and Diego Pavia are among the undrafted quarterbacks
Undrafted players can be invited to rookie minicamps
Famous undrafted players include Kurt Warner and Antonio Gates
Performance in minicamps can lead to a final roster spot
Mentioned in this story
Haynes KingDiego PaviaNFL
king.jpg
Getty Images
There are legitimate players every year who do not hear their names called during the NFL Draft. Most of these players are picked up by teams and invited to participate in their rookie minicamps. If they perform well, they can eventually make a final roster in September.
Some of the best undrafted players in NFL history include Kurt Warner, Antonio Gates, Priest Holmes, Drew Pearson, Jason Peters and James Harrison. These players fell out of the draft for various reasons but eventually became NFL legends. There's no rule that says you need to be drafted to make it to Canton one day.
Several notable players went undrafted this year, including a wide receiver compared to Calvin Johnson, a Heisman Trophy finalist, and the player who served as Alabama's quarterback on defense. Let's take a look at some of the top undrafted players from this weekend.
CBS Sports' Undrafted players tracker (click here)
As you will see, the Chargers quietly put together an impressive list of undrafted free agents. Nadame Tucker was a top 160 player in this class, according to CBS Sports, as he broke out in 2025 with 14.5 sacks. That tied for most in the FBS, and landed Tucker MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. He's not the biggest player in the world at 6-foot-2, 247 pounds, and turns 26 in June. But Tucker is an electric pass rusher who has shown both speed and power.
Q&A
Who are the notable undrafted players from the 2023 NFL Draft?
Notable undrafted players include quarterbacks Haynes King and Diego Pavia, among others.
What opportunities do undrafted players have after the NFL Draft?
Undrafted players are typically invited to rookie minicamps, where they can showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on an NFL roster.
What are some famous undrafted players in NFL history?
Famous undrafted players include Kurt Warner, Antonio Gates, Priest Holmes, and James Harrison, who all became NFL legends despite not being drafted.
How can undrafted players make it to the NFL?
Undrafted players can make it to the NFL by performing well in rookie minicamps and impressing coaches to secure a spot on the final roster.
Related Articles
MLB·Recap
Spencer Torkelson Ties Historic Detroit Tigers Home Run Record
Spencer Torkelson ties historic home run record for the Tigers!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Analyst named 1 Ravens draft selection fans will love
Ravens fans excited about Ja'Kobie Lane from USC after NFL draft.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
NBA disciplines Nuggets-Timberwolves fight. Was anyone suspended?
NBA fines Jokić and Randle after Nuggets-Timberwolves fight, no suspensions issued.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
New 4-star MSU football commit says he's 'shutting down' recruitment, locked in with Spartans
Four-star recruit Ohimai Ozolua commits to MSU, shuts down recruitment!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Experts give the Jets solid 2026 NFL Draft grades
Experts Praise Jets' Performance in 2026 NFL Draft with Solid Grades
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
A’s Sneak Past Rangers
Athletics sneak past Rangers with a 2-1 victory in Arlington.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
2. DT Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
CBS Sports prospect rank: 164 Team signed with: N/A
His name isn't a typo and neither are his measurements. There haven't been many 6-foot-8, 330-pound defensive tackles we've broken down before. Zxavian Harris blocked six kicks during his collegiate career and finished sixth in the FBS with 27 run stops last year. He likely fell out of the draft because of off-field issues, which include multiple arrests.
3. TE Michael Trigg, Baylor
CBS Sports prospect rank: 165 Team signed with: Dallas Cowboys
There were a total of 22 tight ends selected, so it was surprising that Michael Trigg was not one of them. He's not going to be a mauler in the blocking game at 240 pounds, but this is an athletic pass-catcher that could flourish in the right scheme. An easy comp for him is Chigoziem Okonkwo, who led the Tennessee Titans with 56 receptions and 560 yards receiving last season, leading to a three-year free-agency deal from the Washington Commanders.
Jeff Caldwell was one of the most fascinating players in this class, and it's pretty surprising he went undrafted. Not only does he possess great size at nearly 6-6 and 216 pounds, but he's also a freak athlete. At the NFL combine, he ran a 4.31 40-yard dash, registered a 1.48 10-yard split, 42-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump. Caldwell registered a perfect 10.00 out of 10.00 RAS. It ranked No. 2 out of 3,926 wide receivers from 1987 to 2026, behind only ... Calvin Johnson.
The problem is that Caldwell doesn't have the kind of production to go along with his athleticism. In his lone season with Cincinnati, Caldwell caught just 32 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns.
[Chiefs may have found the undrafted gem of the 2026 NFL Draft in Jeff Caldwell
CBS Sports prospect rank: 183 Team signed with: Los Angeles Chargers
Isaiah World was a four-year starter at left tackle, with the first three seasons being played at Nevada. Some teams imagine he could move inside to guard at the next level, but this was a Second Team All-Big Ten player last year.
Deontae Lawson returned from an ACL injury this past season and registered the worst missed tackle rate of his career (16.3%, per PFF). However, this high-IQ player is lauded for his instincts and has potential in coverage as well.
7. EDGE Logan Fano, Utah
CBS Sports prospect rank: 224 Team signed with: Cleveland Browns
This is pretty cool, as the Browns added the brother of their No. 9 overall pick, Spencer Fano, as an undrafted free agent. Logan Fano is about 6-foot-5, and was named Second Team All-Big 12 this past season after recording 44 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
8. OT Diego Pounds, Ole Miss
CBS Sports prospect rank: 240 Team signed with: Baltimore Ravens
Diego Pounds is a 6-foot-6, 325-pound left tackle who allowed zero sacks on 583 pass-blocking snaps this past season, which earned him Third Team All-SEC honors. However, Pounds is another tackle that could move inside at the next level.
Haynes King is a fun weapon that earned ACC Player of the Year after leading the Yellow Jackets in rushing with 953 yards and 15 touchdowns. He leaves Atlanta as one of the best quarterbacks in Georgia Tech history. However, King is 25, and it remains to be seen if he can be an NFL-thrower.
10. QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
CBS Sports prospect rank: 377 Team signed with: N/A
Diego Pavia became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since 2014. He's certainly the most famous undrafted player this year, as Pavia led the SEC in completion percentage (70.6%), passing touchdowns (29) and yards per attempt (9.4). His 4,402 total yards led all Power Four players. After helping the Commodores register their first winning season in more than a decade in 2024, Pavia got Vandy to 10-3 in 2025. It was the first time the Commodores registered double-digit victories in a season.
No one can argue that Pavia isn't an elite competitor who shines when the lights are brightest. But his 5-foot-10 stature is the start of the skepticism for NFL scouts, who certainly followed his name in the headlines.
