'That's pretty much what I felt' - Bengals UDFA recalls one strong emotion after going undrafted and now has a chip on his shoulder

Eric Gregory spent six years developing his game at the college level, and he had to watch even more rounds go by in the 2025 NFL Draft without seeing his name appear on the bottom of the television broadcast.

Gregory went undrafted and immediately agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that did not use any of their six picks on a defensive tackle but signed three at the position following the draft.

Gregory is one of those three undrafted free agent signings, but perhaps the 24-year old already has something to separate himself from his peers.

Bengals' Eric Gregory recalls one emotion upon going undrafted

Nearly two weeks passed between Gregory's undrafted experience and his arrival in Cincinnati for rookie minicamp. The time passed did not erase the memory of how he felt upon realizing he wasn't going to be one of the 257 selections.

"Anger," Gregory told Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. "That's pretty much what I felt. Anger." 

Gregory had an expectation of being drafted in the final two rounds, according to Hobson. Cincinnati also expected to land a DT sometime in the draft and met with several notable names in the weeks leading up to it. Plans changed for both sides, and now Gregory begins his NFL career on a three-year deal in a defense full of opportunity. 

Opportunity with plenty of motivation fueling it.

UDFAs need the perfect situation to make a 53-man roster out the gate. Being talented enough to best other rookies and veterans alike while also seizing an open roster spot at a position of weakness is far from a likely scenario, but it is possible.

Gregory is entering exactly that environment. He just needs to transform that anger to productivity.

The Bengals certainly wouldn't mind. They have four DTs firmly safe on the roster but could make room for one more and injuries at the position are always probable. B.J. Hill is currently nursing a left foot injury and may not participate in OTAs at all. 

That's opportunity for Gregory right there. What he does in May and June can be built on in July and August, and what he does in that time will determine what he's doing in September. 

Anger could soon turn to pride if the offseason goes well for Gregory.