Undrafted And Undeterred
The NFL Draft is an exciting time for football fans and players alike. But for some aspiring players, the draft comes and goes without their names being called. These undrafted free agents (UDFAs) may not get the same attention as their drafted counterparts, but their hard work and determination can still lead to a successful career in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers know this better than most teams, as they have had a number of undrafted free agents make lasting impacts on the team over the last 30 years.
One of the most notable UDFAs in Buccaneers history is linebacker Shelton Quarles. After going undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 1994, Quarles spent time with the Miami Dolphins and the Canadian Football League before signing with Tampa Bay in 1997. He quickly became a key contributor on defense, playing in 148 games over 10 seasons and recording 710 tackles. Quarles was a crucial part of the Buccaneers' dominant defense that helped the team win Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002. He made the Pro the same year.
Another successful UDFA signing for the Buccaneers was Karl Williams. The wide receiver and return specialist signed with the team in 1996 after going undrafted out of Texas A&M-Kingsville. Despite being relatively unknown, Williams quickly became a fan favorite in Tampa Bay thanks to his electrifying punt and kickoff returns. He spent eight seasons with the Buccaneers, recording over 5,000 all-purpose yards. Williams spent eight of his nine years in the NFL in the Pewter and Red.
Donald Penn is another UDFA success story for the Buccaneers. The offensive tackle went undrafted out of Utah State in 2006, but he quickly proved himself as a reliable starter for Tampa Bay. Penn started 108 games over eight seasons with the Buccaneers, earning one Pro Bowl nod and anchoring the offensive line. Despite the shaky talent around him and disappointing game results, Penn remained one of the most solid and dependable talents on the roster until his release after the 2013 season.
Offensive tackle Demar Dotson also deserves recognition as a UDFA success story for the Buccaneers. The Southern Miss product signed with Tampa Bay in 2009 and spent 11 seasons with the team, starting 106 games and providing a steady presence on the offensive line. Despite never earning a Pro Bowl nod, Dotson was a consistent performer for the Buccaneers and played a key role in the team's playoff run in 2016.
Standing at 6ft 9in, and weighing 319, Dotson was huge presence in the locker room. Literally and figuratively. Regardless of the win/loss record and betting odds, Dotson maintained that the team should always compete and conduct themselves with the expectation to win.
“We can’t act like we just won the super bowl all the time...... We need to get used to winning around here so that we’re not doing cartwheels on the field because we won a game”
The success of these UDFAs is remarkable, but it's important to note that their path to the NFL is not an easy one. According to data from the NFL Players Association, only about 1.6% of college football players who are eligible for the draft actually get selected by a team. That means the vast majority of players must try to catch on with a team as an undrafted free agent. Even for those who do sign with a team, the odds of making the final roster are still slim.
But for those who do make it, the rewards can be significant. UDFAs often have to work harder than their drafted counterparts to earn a spot on the team, but their determination and perseverance can pay off in the form of a long and successful career in the NFL. As Karl Williams said in a 2004 interview with the Tampa Bay Times, "It's not how you get there, it's what you do when you get there."
Both Cameron Brate and Adam Humphries made the most of their opportunities when they got to Tampa.
Brate initially signed with the BUCS as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He was waived and reverted to practice teams twice before becoming a regular starter. On two separate occasions, in consecutive years, injuries to the BUCS’ 2nd Round draft pick Austin Sefarian-Jenkins opened the door for Brate to showcase his ability and his perseverance.
The underdog TE from Harvard became a staple of the offense for eight straight seasons. He earned over $28M in new contract money from 2015-2022 in the Pewter and Red.
Humphries became one of Tampa’s most trusted weapons in his rookie year after parlaying his rookie camp invite to 3yr contract. Like Brate, the Clemson product was reverted to the practice team until injuries on the main roster made it possible for him to get called into active duty.
He went from competing for the 5th WR to being the team’s 3rd-leading receiver in his last three years in Tampa. That’s a big deal being on the field with the likes of Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, and Chris Godwin. Humphries was such a success in Tampa that he became a highly sought-after free agent after his rookie contract. He ended up signing a 4yr/$36M contract with the Tennessee Titans.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been fortunate to find a number of talented UDFAs over the years, and their success is a testament to the team's scouting and development programs. These players may not have had the same level of hype as the team's top draft picks, but they worked hard to earn their place on the team and make a difference on the field.
Furthermore, these UDFAs have also represented an excellent return on investment for the Buccaneers. While top draft picks often come with high salary expectations, UDFAs are often signed to more modest contracts. This allows teams to get excellent value for their money, as they are able to secure talented players without breaking the bank. The Buccaneers have been able to use this strategy to their advantage over the years, allowing them to build successful rosters without sacrificing financial flexibility.
The success of UDFAs like Williams, Quarles, Penn, and Dotson is a reminder that talent can come from anywhere in the NFL. While the draft is an important part of team-building, teams must also be willing to look beyond the draft board and find hidden gems that can make a difference on the field. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have embraced this philosophy over the years, and their success with UDFAs is a testament to their dedication to finding the best possible players, regardless of where they come from.
| Player | Years With BUCS | Games | Games Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karl "The Truth" Williams | 8 | 115 | 22 |
| Shelton Quarles | 10 | 148 | 113 |
| Donald Penn | 7 | 112 | 108 |
| Demar Dotson | 10 | 130 | 106 |
| Adam Humphries | 4 | 60 | 17 |
| Cameron Brate | 9 | 126 | 33 |
Immediately after the 2023 NFL Draft, the BUCS dipped into the undrafted free-agent pool and snatched up two of the most sought-after talents. From the University of Maryland comes Rakim Jarrett. Jarrett’s a 6ft speedster at the wide receiver position. While he’s projected to be a bit of a project as the beginning of his NFL career, it shouldn’t shock anyone if he makes the roster and becomes productive relatively soon. If he does his work and he makes the roster, he’d be a 4th or 5th option at wide receiver. He wouldn’t have the burden of stepping in and being covered by the opposition’s best cover defensive back. He’d be someone that could fly under the radar while the defenses focus on trying to limit Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, which is a big task most teams have an issue with already.
The BUCS also picked up Sean Tucker out of Syracuse. Tucker was considered a high mid-round pick in this year’s draft. However, after his medicals during the combine revealed a rare heart condition, the BUCS picked him up as a free agent. But as soon as he cleared with doctors in Tampa and joined the BUCS’ offseason practices, it was clear that he could become another post-draft steal. Currently, Tucker is in play to take the RB2 spot, and he’s got the type of vision, balance, and speed that could push him to challenge for RB1 sooner than later.
Going into the draft, Tucker was seen as a 2nd on 3rd Round prospect. Only one RB was selected in the 2nd Round of the 2023 Draft. The selection went to the Seattle Seahawks as they went with Zach Charbonet of UCLA. That rookie contract was inked at 4yrs/$6.8M. The contract for the highest 3rd Round running back selection went for a 4yrs/$5.6M commitment while the least expensive contract was signed for 4yrs/$5.3M. The BUCS signed Sean Tucker to a 3yr contract valued at $2.6M. If he becomes a productive asset, he’d truly be the steal of the draft.
On the defensive side of the ball, the BUCS may be eyeing Christian Izean to step in immediately at the starting slot corner. The former Rutgers safety has been training primarily at the position despite being initially told that he’d be splitting duties much like Antoine Winfield Jr. did a season ago. The coaching staff was so impressed with his work, they’ve decided to keep him in one spot with the hopes that he’ll make it his own as the starter when the regular season begins. Izean was a priority free agent prospect, according to several NFL Draft reports. NFL.com’s scouting report listed him as a “bottom of the roster or practice squad” prospect. It’s looking more and more like he may be flipping that outlook on its head as a potential starter.
“I like the way that he flies around out there. In pads, we know he can tackle and blitz. We know he is quick enough to cover. As he picks up the system, it will be great to see what he does going forward. We really like the guy.”
The latest buzz around the undrafted talent is Markees Watts. The DE/OLB from UNC Charlotte has stood out in preseason games and caught the eye of many Buccaneers fans. His high-motor pursuit is reminiscent of former BUCS pass rush standout Jacquies Smith. Watts has been a notable disruptor so far in the competition against other teams. He’s beaten offensive linemen in multiple ways, drawn double teams, and shown a relentless effort on every snap. You couldn’t ask for much more from a young talent. It doesn’t hurt that he’s playing the same role/position as Shaq Barrett, another undrafted pass rusher that knows what it is to come in eager to make a mark on the Team, but had to wait for an opportunity due to the amount of talent ahead of him. With the tutelage of Barrett and his propensity for getting in the backfield, Watts could become one of the biggest surprises of the BUCS’ 2023 undrafted class.
Who’s your favourite undrafted Buccaneer?
Which of the 2023 undrafted free agents are you most curious or excited about?
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