clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Steelers undrafted free agency 2014: A priority list of players the Steelers may look to sign as UDFAs

There are still lots of talented players who weren't drafted. The Steelers will still add several more after the seventh round was concluded.

USA TODAY Sports

It was much more fun when former Steelers linebacker James Harrison was the only player mentioned as an undrafted free agent. Cincinnati's Vontaze Burfict ruined that, along with many others.

Now, over 40 players who weren't drafted were on NFL rosters, making undrafted free agency (UDFA) nearly as important as the draft itself.

2014 Undrafted Free Agency

It's borderline college and free agency recruiting combined. When a player has something of a significant issue, a team doesn't want to waste a pick on such a player, but somehow, the PR isn't so bad if they don't draft him, but let him compete with the other players they drafted for a very low-risk contract.

Just ask Burfict how well that works.

Florida cornerback Marcus Roberson is a good example of a player with talent but hasn't yet had that talent develop. For whatever reason, amid risk and suspension, he declared for the NFL Draft, and was not taken.

His teammate, Luchiez Purifoy, was mentioned as a possibility for the Steelers at one point with the 15th pick. An arrest this offseason hurt his stock, and now he's available.

The Steelers don't often look for the free-falling prospect in UDFA, but they actively scout it and often find players who will end up making their team. Brian Arnfelt was undrafted and eventually was called up from the practice squad.

There are plenty of other players available (and we'll continue adding to this, so please leave names in the comments):

Shane Skov, LB, Stanford
Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
Christian Jones, OLB, Florida State
Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina
Vic Hampton, CB, South Carolina
James Gayle, DE, Virginia Tech
Craig Loston, S, LSU
Zach Kerr, DT, Delaware
Mike Davis, WR, Texas
Rashaad Reynolds, CB, Oregon State