Undrafted free agents with best chance to crack AFC East rosters
The 2023 NFL Draft saw 259 players selected, but as is the case each year, there are bound to be several undrafted prospects capable of becoming meaningful pro contributors. Here are each AFC East team's most likely undrafted free agents to earn a spot on the 53-man roster:
Buffalo Bills
Tyrell Shavers, wide receiver
As explosive as Buffalo's offense has been with quarterback Josh Allen at the helm, its receiving corps (aside from Stefon Diggs) has left much to be desired in recent seasons. While free agent wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who has publicly praised the organization, might be the missing piece, the Bills already have a big-bodied UDFA that could eventually complement the offense.
Shavers, standing 6-foot-6, was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and spent three seasons at Alabama before transferring to Mississippi State. His time with the Bulldogs was short-lived, as he hit the transfer portal after one season and landed with the San Diego St. Aztecs.
In 2021, Shavers contributed little offensively, though that changed last season, when he led the team in receiving with 643 yards.
While Shavers may not see much action on offense as a rookie should he make the team, his special teams experience could earn him a significant role with Buffalo's unit. At San Diego St., Shavers blocked three kicks and returned three blocked punts for touchdowns.
Miami Dolphins
Jarrett Horst, offensive tackle
Horst, the No. 1 pick in February's USFL Draft by the Michigan Panthers, aims to catch on with the Dolphins after playing his last two seasons at Michigan State. He got his start at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa as a freshman and later enrolled at Arkansas State, where he attended for two seasons before committing to join the Spartans.
Last season, Horst was one of the best run-blocking linemen in the nation. He earned an 88.5 grade in that category from Pro Football Focus, the 11th-highest among FBS linemen.
There is one area of Horst's game that he will have to clean up, as he tends to commit penalties. Over the past four seasons, he's been penalized 43 times, including 19 in 2019. Although that might not affect his chances of cracking the roster, as Miami desperately needs depth on its offensive line.
New England Patriots
Malik Cunningham, quarterback
The successor to Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, Louisville's Cunningham received $200k in guaranteed money from New England, the most lucrative contract the franchise has ever given to a UDFA.
Much like Jackson, Cunningham was an explosive dual-threat talent for the Cardinals. In 2021, he became the only Louisville quarterback besides Jackson to rush for 1,000 yards and just the 14th player in program history at any position to do so.
Cunningham is expected to compete with Trace McSorley for the team's QB3 role, but In typical Patriots fashion, his future with the team may not come at the quarterback position. Instead, there's a real possibility he transitions into a wide receiver, à la Julian Edelman.
During New England's OTA sessions, the 24-year-old has been working with both position groups and his versatility may ultimately earn him a spot on the roster.
New York Jets
Jason Brownlee, wide receiver
New York's financial investment in the All-Conference USA first-teamer should be a sign that he has the inside track on making the team. Brownlee received a guaranteed $246k contract from the Jets, the most they gave to a UDFA this offseason. According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, Brownlee's deal is equivalent to what a fifth-round pick would fetch.
After starring for the East Mississippi Community College Lions for two years, Brownlee transferred to Southern Miss. Brownlee proceeded to lead the Golden Eagles in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in each of his three seasons, which was enough of a resume to earn him an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. In Indianapolis, Brownlee recorded the fifth-highest vertical jump and 14th-best 10-yard split among wide receivers.
Since former second-rounder Denzel Mims, who flashed potential in his rookie season, has seemingly been in HC Robert Saleh's doghouse, Brownlee appears poised to replace him.
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