Five of the NFL’s best undrafted free-agent signings

Over 250 players heard their names called over the weekend during the 2023 NFL Draft.

And even more than that have signed free-agent deals in the near 48 hours after the draft concluded (288 at last count). Some UDFAs get lucky and make a team out of training camp, and others like Tony Romo, Kurt Warner, Antonio Gates and James Harrison have carved out nice careers for themselves after going undrafted.

Here are five of the top undrafted free-agent signings since the draft ended:

Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Minnesota Vikings

Linebacker was a key position of need for the Vikings but they didn’t use any of their six picks to get one. Pace Jr. was a tackling machine at Cincinnati, totaling 136 over 13 games in 2022 with 20.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles. He ranked third in the FBS in tackles for loss, sixth in tackles and 10th in sacks, and he was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year and was the first Bearcat to be named a unanimous First Team All-American. 

He’s only 5-foot-10, but Pace Jr. has 4.6-speed, he’s instinctive and he has good play recognition. He could carve out a role for himself on special teams and work his way into the linebacker rotation.

Jonah Tavai, DT, Seattle Seahawks

The 6-foot, 290-pound Tavai had a monster season at San Diego State in 2022, racking up 59 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks and being named a Second Team All-American by the Associated Press and USA Today. It was the second straight year he had 14 tackles for loss and 8.5 or more sacks.

Tavai was a disruptor in the middle of the Aztecs' defense, ranking second in the FBS in quarterback pressures (69), third in hurries (46) and tied for 17th in QB hits (11), per Pro Football Focus. After losing defensive tackles Poona Ford, Quinton Jefferson and Shelby Harris, who combined for 96 pressures, 70 hurries, 15 QB hits and 10.5 sacks, Tavai should be a welcomed addition to the Seahawks’ line next to Jarran Reed and 2023 fourth-round pick Cameron Young.

Ronnie Hickman, S, Cleveland Browns

Hickman had a solid 2022 season, logging 53 tackles, an interception and seven passes defended with a forced fumble. He was named a Second Team All-American and a Third Team All-Big Ten selection. 

Hickman started the final 26 games of his Ohio State career at safety and he led the team in tackles in 2021 (100). The Browns added Juan Thornhill in the offseason to play next to Grant Delpit, but Hickman should compete with D’Anthony Bell and Bubba Bolden for the team’s third safety spot.

Eli Ricks, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

Once considered to be a first-round talent, Ricks transferred to Alabama just two years after his Freshman All-American season at LSU in 2020. Although he never duplicated his 20-tackle, four-interception, two-touchdown season from 2020, Ricks was a solid CB in Tuscaloosa in 2022, totaling 13 tackles and four passes defended. 

The 21-year-old has great size and length for an NFL corner with good acceleration and explosiveness. The Eagles are presumably hoping lightning strikes twice after another Alabama cornerback, Josh Jobe, signed an undrafted free agent last year and made the 53-roster as a special teams contributor.

Jacob Slade, DT, Arizona Cardinals

At 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, Slade is the third-biggest defensive lineman on Arizona’s roster behind Julien Davenport and Leki Fotu. A disruptive force up the middle at Michigan State, Slade’s big frame will help plug the middle of the Cardinals' defensive line and bolster their 27th-ranked run defense.

His contract pays him $200,000 guaranteed, which is on the higher end for undrafted free agents, indicating he has a strong chance to make Arizona’s roster.