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Undrafted Free Agents Sign $3.1 M Deals, Some Make Rosters

4/26/2026

36 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

**NFL Teams Sign**

NFL teams began signing undrafted free agents after the 2026 NFL Draft, which had 257 picks.
Undrafted free agents typically receive three-year contracts worth $3.1 million plus a modest signing bonus.
Entry-level minimum salaries are $885,000 for 2026, $1,050,000 for 2027, and $1,165,000 for 2028.
Chiefs linebacker Cooper McDonald earned a roster spot and played all 17 games as a rookie.
Jets claimed tackle Esa Pole, who started five games.

Summary

**NFL Teams Sign**

USA TODAY Sports recorded that all 32 NFL teams signed over 60 undrafted free agents after the 2026 draft.
The signings spanned over 20 colleges, such as Group Five and FCS programs James Madison and Kennesaw State, and featured kicker Gabriel Plascencia and long snapper Ben Mann.
Georgia Tech supplied three UDFAs—Haynes King, Corey Robinson and Malik Rutherford.
John Carroll and Central Michigan contributed Tyren Montgomery and Michael Heldman.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s modern free-agency system began after the 130-day 2011 lockout, when the league and NFLPA ratified a new CBA on July 25 2011. Since that free-agency start, clubs routinely add undrafted players; after the 2026 draft the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets each signed dozens of undrafted free agents to bolster depth.

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**NFL Teams Sign**

NFL teams began signing undrafted free agents after the 2026 NFL Draft, which had 257 picks.
Undrafted free agents typically receive three-year contracts worth $3.1 million plus a modest signing bonus.
Entry-level minimum salaries are $885,000 for 2026, $1,050,000 for 2027, and $1,165,000 for 2028.
Chiefs linebacker Cooper McDonald earned a roster spot and played all 17 games as a rookie.
Jets claimed tackle Esa Pole, who started five games.

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