Five UDFAs to watch as NFL teams finalize initial 53-man rosters

He might play more snaps on special teams than offense early in his career, particularly with veteran D.J. Moore, 2024 first-rounder Rome Odunze and 2025 second Luther Burden III ahead of him in the pecking order. Still, Walker made enough plays the past three weeks to get some action on offense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma

Arriving from Georgia State, Chukwuma, who didn't begin playing football until the age of 17 after he moved from Nigeria to the United States, had an exceptional preseason to earn a spot on Tampa Bay's 53-man roster. In 75 pass-rush opportunities, Chukwuma allowed one pressure, per Pro Football Focus data. 

He took 95.4% of his snaps at left tackle, where All-Pro Tristan Wirfs resides. However, he spent the preseason on the physically unable to perform list. Wirfs was recently removed from the PUP list, allowing him to return at any point, but a timeline remains unclear. If he can't play early in 2025, Chukwuma might be thrust into a starting role.

Denver Broncos linebacker Karene Reid

Following Tuesday's roster cut deadline, Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke with reporters and discussed Reid, who Payton described as a "draftable player," adding that he aggressively pursued the former Utah linebacker in the undrafted free agent market.

Reid rewarded Denver with a promising preseason. Per PFF, he had seven tackles and six total pressures in 70 pre-season snaps. Reid also only allowed one yard on two targets as the closest defender in coverage and intercepted quarterback Tanner Mordecai in preseason Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers.

The two-time all-Pac 12 selection provides immediate depth at inside linebacker with Drew Sanders (foot) on short-term injured reserve after undergoing surgery following a training camp injury. He'll be out for at least the season's first four games, during which Reid could play meaningful snaps.

Indianapolis Colts defensive back Johnathan Edwards

The 6-foot-1 Tulane defensive back was stingy in coverage during the preseason, forcing the Colts to keep him over 2023 second-rounder JuJu Brents and Samuel Womack, a 2022 fifth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers who started eight games for the Colts last season. Per PFF data, Edwards was targeted eight times and allowed two receptions for 18 yards, including three yards after the catch.

Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse

For as many NFL players as Georgia has produced in recent years, it's surprising that Stackhouse, a two-time second-team All-SEC lineman, went seven rounds without hearing his name called in April. He made up for that slight with a productive training camp and preseason, solidifying himself as nose tackle Kenny Clark's primary backup and making it 21 years in a row that an undrafted free agent has made the Packers roster.