2015 NFL Draft: Top 10 Rookie Free Agent Signings

2015 NFL Draft: Top 10 Rookie Free Agent Signings

By Shawn Spencer

May 11, 2015

2015 NFL Draft: Top 10 Rookie Free Agent Signings

B.J. Finney Kansas State — With the draft classes evaluated, it's time to move on to the undrafted free agents. Whether it's due to their play on the field or incidents off the field, these players were not deemed to be among the top 256 prospects in the country. That doesn't mean they won't make an impact in the league, as several undrafted free agents will make an NFL roster this year. These 10 are certainly in a great position to do just that.

With the draft classes evaluated, it's time to move on to the undrafted free agents. Whether it's due to their play on the field or incidents off the field, these players were not deemed to be among the top 256 prospects in the country. That doesn't mean they won't make an impact in the league, as several undrafted free agents will make an NFL roster this year. These 10 are certainly in a great position to do just that.

10. Jerry Lovelocke (QB-Baltimore Ravens)

Jerry Lovelocke Prairie View A&M

10. Jerry Lovelocke (QB-Baltimore Ravens)

Jerry Lovelocke Prairie View A&M — Jerry Lovelocke wasn't a household name until the combine, and didn't receive enough recognition even then. The 6-foot-4, 248-pound QB from Prairie View A&M has a strong arm and will make defenses pay for leaving even the slightest window open to throw the ball. He's not the most agile runner, but like Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger, he will keep the chains moving with his legs when necessary.

Jerry Lovelocke wasn't a household name until the combine, and didn't receive enough recognition even then. The 6-foot-4, 248-pound QB from Prairie View A&M has a strong arm and will make defenses pay for leaving even the slightest window open to throw the ball. He's not the most agile runner, but like Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger, he will keep the chains moving with his legs when necessary.

9. Devin Gardner (WR-New England Patriots)

Devin Gardner

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9. Devin Gardner (WR-New England Patriots)

Devin Gardner — Bill Belichick has been successful converting a college QB into an NFL WR in the past, so why not try again? Julian Edelman has become a favorite target of Tom Brady after playing QB at Kent State. Devin Gardner is more of an outside receiver than a slot, but if he can perform at a level anywhere near that of Edelman, he'll be a solid addition to the receiving corps.

Bill Belichick has been successful converting a college QB into an NFL WR in the past, so why not try again? Julian Edelman has become a favorite target of Tom Brady after playing QB at Kent State. Devin Gardner is more of an outside receiver than a slot, but if he can perform at a level anywhere near that of Edelman, he'll be a solid addition to the receiving corps.

8. Sean Hickey (G-New Orleans Saints)

Sean Hickey Syracuse

8. Sean Hickey (G-New Orleans Saints)

Sean Hickey Syracuse — Sean Hickey was one of the best players not selected in the draft. One reason may be his impending move to guard. He was a left tackle at Syracuse and played well at times against Vic Beasley and Mario Edwards, Jr., but is much better suited on the inside in the NFL. The Saints drafted Andrus Peat in Round 1 to be team's future left tackle, but didn't address the more pressing need at guard. This gives Hickey a great chance to make the roster.

Sean Hickey was one of the best players not selected in the draft. One reason may be his impending move to guard. He was a left tackle at Syracuse and played well at times against Vic Beasley and Mario Edwards, Jr., but is much better suited on the inside in the NFL. The Saints drafted Andrus Peat in Round 1 to be team's future left tackle, but didn't address the more pressing need at guard. This gives Hickey a great chance to make the roster.

7. Nick Marshall (CB-Jacksonville Jaguars)

Nick Marshall Auburn

7. Nick Marshall (CB-Jacksonville Jaguars)

Nick Marshall Auburn — Nick Marshall is another former QB who will convert to a different position in the NFL. In his case, Marshall will be making the move to cornerback. The switch began at the Senior Bowl when Marshall requested the change when talking to his coach. That coach was none other than Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley. Bradley saw enough potential in Marshall to sign him right after the draft.

Nick Marshall is another former QB who will convert to a different position in the NFL. In his case, Marshall will be making the move to cornerback. The switch began at the Senior Bowl when Marshall requested the change when talking to his coach. That coach was none other than Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley. Bradley saw enough potential in Marshall to sign him right after the draft.

6. Titus Davis (WR-San Diego Chargers)

Titus Davis Central Michigan

6. Titus Davis (WR-San Diego Chargers)

Titus Davis Central Michigan — Despite a below-average performance at the Combine, Titus Davis was expected to be a Day 3 pick in the draft. In his final collegiate game, Davis caught six passes for 137 yards and four touchdowns against Western Kentucky in the Bahamas Bowl. He was mostly covered by Cam Thomas, one of the top cover corners in Conference USA. The Chargers signed Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones this offseason, but did not draft a WR.

Despite a below-average performance at the Combine, Titus Davis was expected to be a Day 3 pick in the draft. In his final collegiate game, Davis caught six passes for 137 yards and four touchdowns against Western Kentucky in the Bahamas Bowl. He was mostly covered by Cam Thomas, one of the top cover corners in Conference USA. The Chargers signed Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones this offseason, but did not draft a WR.

5. Shane Carden (QB-Chicago Bears)

Shane Carden East Carolina

5. Shane Carden (QB-Chicago Bears)

Shane Carden East Carolina — There were rumors leading up to the draft indicating the Bears were looking to move up for Marcus Mariota, but the deal never happened. In fact, Chicago didn't select a QB at any point in the draft. Instead, East Carolina's Shane Carden was signed as a free agent. Carden will compete with David Fales for the third-string job. Look for Carden to land on the practice squad if he can't beat out Fales.

There were rumors leading up to the draft indicating the Bears were looking to move up for Marcus Mariota, but the deal never happened. In fact, Chicago didn't select a QB at any point in the draft. Instead, East Carolina's Shane Carden was signed as a free agent. Carden will compete with David Fales for the third-string job. Look for Carden to land on the practice squad if he can't beat out Fales.

4. Kurtis Drummond (FS-Houston Texans)

Kurtis Drummond Michigan State

4. Kurtis Drummond (FS-Houston Texans)

Kurtis Drummond Michigan State — With the release of D.J. Swearinger, the depth in the Texans secondary is in need of a boost. That boost could come from Michigan State's Kurtis Drummond, who was not drafted due to a poor senior campaign. He's not a strong safety like Swearinger, but has a chance to win the backup job behind starting free safety Rahim Moore. In order to see the field, Drummond must improve in coverage.

With the release of D.J. Swearinger, the depth in the Texans secondary is in need of a boost. That boost could come from Michigan State's Kurtis Drummond, who was not drafted due to a poor senior campaign. He's not a strong safety like Swearinger, but has a chance to win the backup job behind starting free safety Rahim Moore. In order to see the field, Drummond must improve in coverage.

3. Cody Prewitt (FS-Tennessee Titans)

Cody Prewitt Ole Miss

3. Cody Prewitt (FS-Tennessee Titans)

Cody Prewitt Ole Miss — The Titans entered the offseason with several holes in the secondary. Newly-acquired Perrish Cox is expected to start at CB opposite Jason McCourty, and Da'Norris Searcy could be the team's new starting strong safety in 2015. The one position that was not addressed was free safety. Michael Griffin struggled last year, and Cody Prewitt will compete with Marqueston Huff for snaps as Griffin's backup.

The Titans entered the offseason with several holes in the secondary. Newly-acquired Perrish Cox is expected to start at CB opposite Jason McCourty, and Da'Norris Searcy could be the team's new starting strong safety in 2015. The one position that was not addressed was free safety. Michael Griffin struggled last year, and Cody Prewitt will compete with Marqueston Huff for snaps as Griffin's backup.

2. Reese Dismukes/B.J. Finney (C-Pittsburgh Steelers)

Reese Dismukes Auburn

2. Reese Dismukes/B.J. Finney (C-Pittsburgh Steelers)

Reese Dismukes Auburn — The Steelers have only drafted one offensive lineman (Wesley Johnson) in the last three years. This year, the team invested heavily in the top linemen available after the draft. Both Reese Dismukes and B.J. Finney were ranked among my top four centers in the draft. With both signing in Pittsburgh, odds are only one makes the team. Add in the signings of Miles Dieffenbach and Collin Rahrig, and the position battles up front will be fun to watch.

The Steelers have only drafted one offensive lineman (Wesley Johnson) in the last three years. This year, the team invested heavily in the top linemen available after the draft. Both Reese Dismukes and B.J. Finney were ranked among my top four centers in the draft. With both signing in Pittsburgh, odds are only one makes the team. Add in the signings of Miles Dieffenbach and Collin Rahrig, and the position battles up front will be fun to watch.

1. La'el Collins (OT-Dallas Cowboys)

La'el Collins LSU

1. La'el Collins (OT-Dallas Cowboys)

La'el Collins LSU — La'el Collins isn't the typical undrafted free agent. The former LSU left tackle was ranked No. 11 overall on my board, but a murder investigation caused him to fall out of the draft. He's not a suspect according to police, so the Cowboys decided to bring him aboard. He'll compete with Ronald Leary for the starting left guard spot between Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick. If all goes well, it won't matter who the RB is in Dallas.

La'el Collins isn't the typical undrafted free agent. The former LSU left tackle was ranked No. 11 overall on my board, but a murder investigation caused him to fall out of the draft. He's not a suspect according to police, so the Cowboys decided to bring him aboard. He'll compete with Ronald Leary for the starting left guard spot between Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick. If all goes well, it won't matter who the RB is in Dallas.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

2015 NFL Draft: 10 Best Rookie Free-Agent Classes

2015 NFL Draft: Every Team’s Best And Worst Picks

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