5 Undrafted Rookies Who Should Actually Make NFL Rosters This Year

With every NFL season, we usually see at least one or two undrafted rookies impact their teams. Last season, we saw Denver Broncos rookie running back Phillip Lindsay become only the third undrafted rookie to rush for over 1,000 yards in their first season. We're not sure if we'll observe that type of output from any of the undrafted rookies this season, but there are still a handful that should find their way to a roster spot once the season rolls around. Here are the five most likely undrafted rookies to actually make a team in 2019.

5. QB Kyle Shurmur, Kansas City Chiefs

The son of New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur, Kyle Shurmur experienced a good bit of success during his college days at Vanderbilt. He was able to take the Commodores to two bowl games during his four-year career, and accumulated 64 passing touchdowns with a QB rating of 128.2. Behind starting QB Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs don't have a reliable backup who can win games. Shurmur may not be ready to start in the NFL either, but we've seen head coach Andy Reid mentor several quarterbacks into stellar starters throughout the years, so there's no reason to think he can't do the same with this Vandy product and coach's son.

4. RB Xavier Turner, Arizona Cardinals

Although the Cardinals already have one of the best all-purpose backs in the game in David Johnson, they don't have any quality backups who can relieve Johnson of some carries. Undrafted rookie Xavier Turner could help the Cards in that regard. Turner averaged 100 yards per game last season at Tarleston State, totaling 800 rushing yards in just eight games. With rookie QB Kyler Murray likely to start under center, Arizona will rely on the run game a lot this season, and don't be surprised if Turner is a part of that rushing attack.

3. RB Matt Colburn, Los Angeles Rams

We all saw the toll that being the lead back in Sean McVay's system took on running back Todd Gurley last season, as he looked like a shell of himself down the stretch and in the postseason, when he quite literally disappeared. Although the team was able to rely on CJ Anderson to mitigate Gurley's injuries last season, he left to sign with the Detroit Lions this offseason. With the backup RB spot now vacant, undrafted RB Matt Colburn could steal some touches this upcoming season. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry during his four-year career at Wake Forest and totaled 2,856 rushing yards as well.

2. WR Anthony Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wideout Anthony Johnson had a stellar collegiate career during his two years at Buffalo. He eclipsed 50 catches and 1,000 yards in both of his seasons there, as well as averaging 17.2 yards per reception and totaling 25 touchdowns. Aside from Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Bucs don't have many recognizable faces in their wide receiving corps, and we all know how much head coach Bruce Arians likes to air it out. Johnson displayed some big play ability in college, and we're sure Arians can't wait to insert that type of player into his system.

1. TE Kendall Blanton, Los Angeles Rams

Another undrafted signee of the Rams, tight end Kendall Blanton may not have demonstrated much of his receiving ability during his collegiate career at Missouri, totaling just 44 receptions and six touchdowns in four years, he showed flashes of greatness and certainly has potential to thrive in the NFL. Behind Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett, the Rams only have one other tight end on their roster, Johnny Mundt. Don't be shocked if Blanton gets the nod over Mundt purely for his high potential in Sean McVay's offense.