Fact Check: "Undrafted free agents can sign with NFL teams after the draft."
What We Know
The claim that undrafted free agents (UDFAs) can sign with NFL teams after the draft is accurate. According to Breaking down NFL undrafted free agents: Explaining key rules you need to know, any player who is not selected during the NFL Draft becomes eligible to join a team as an undrafted free agent immediately after the draft concludes. This signing period allows teams to bolster their rosters by offering contracts to these players, who can sign standard NFL contracts of varying lengths and salaries, typically less lucrative than those of drafted players.
Furthermore, What is an undrafted free agent and how do the rules work? states that UDFAs are essentially unrestricted free agents, meaning they can choose to sign with any team that offers them a contract. This flexibility allows players to evaluate offers based on factors such as contract size, guaranteed money, and the likelihood of making the team's 53-man roster.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from credible sources that specialize in NFL rules and player contracts. The information from Breaking down NFL undrafted free agents: Explaining key rules you need to know clearly outlines the process that occurs after the draft, emphasizing that undrafted players can sign with teams right away. This aligns with the understanding of UDFAs as described in What is an undrafted free agent and how do the rules work?, which explains that these players are free to negotiate contracts with any interested teams.
Both sources provide detailed insights into the implications of being undrafted, including the competitive nature of signing UDFAs and the potential for these players to eventually make it onto active rosters or practice squads. The reliability of these sources is high, as they originate from reputable sports news outlets that focus on NFL coverage.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "undrafted free agents can sign with NFL teams after the draft" is True. The evidence clearly indicates that players who are not selected in the NFL Draft are immediately eligible to sign with any team as undrafted free agents, allowing them the opportunity to continue their professional football careers.
