How the Draft Has Altered the Status of Spring League Players in the NFL

While approximately 50 players with spring league ties are currently on NFL rosters, the majority of them are not guaranteed spots on their team when the regular season opens in September. For many, their chances of making the roster may have been altered by picks made during the NFL Draft. Here is a look at which spring football players may be most impacted by their teams’ draft selections (and undrafted free agent signings).

Atlanta

Longtime swing tackle Storm Norton (Wildcats) will try to hold onto his job against rookie seventh round pick Jack Nelson. The Wisconsin grad has some positional flexibility and can kick in to guard as well. Atlanta could opt to keep both, with Nelson perhaps taking over for Norton after a “redshirt” year on the roster.

Carolina

In the Panthers’ three-man defensive front, Carolina didn’t really add any true ends. That’s good news for DE LaBryan Ray (Stars) and his odds of making the squad next year. Instead, Carolina focused on the interior as well as improving their outside edge rushers.

Chicago

LS Scott Daly (Guardians) filled in admirably last year when Patrick Scales got hurt. Nevertheless, Chicago signed Iowa’s Luke Elkin, meaning Daly will have to fend off his challenge to keep a job for 2025 - at least in Chicago.

Cleveland

The Browns are reported to have signed LS Brent Matiscik out of TCU. Matisick was thought of as one of the top long snappers in the class by those who rank such positions. He’ll face incumbent Rex Sunahara (Brahmas) in camp.

Dallas

K Brandon Aubrey (Stallions) and WR KaVontae Turpin (Generals) are on about as solid footing as any spring football players heading into 2025. WR Kelvin Harmon (Defenders) will have to compete with a few undrafted free agents to keep a role, likely on the practice squad, next season.

Denver

Two edge players were drafted by the Broncos, threatening the roster spot of LB Dondrea Tillman (Stallions). If Tillman puts together a performance like he did last summer, it will be difficult again for Denver to cut him even with the additions at the position.

Houston

After the draft, Houston inked LS Austin Brinkman to an undrafted deal. He was one of the top two long snappers in the draft. He’ll join Tucker Addington (Gamblers) in looking to replace longtime Texan deep snapper Jon Weeks, who after 15 years in Houston signed with San Francisco.

Los Angeles Chargers

L.A. took a flier on Trey Lance in free agency, then brought in D.J. Uiagalelei after the draft. Neither is likely to threaten the job of backup QB Taylor Heinicke (Battlehawks); rather, it’s more likely they’ll duel for the #3 job in camp. Lance’s pedigree as a first-round draft pick could mean he eventually puts pressure on Heinicke, though.

Miami

Special teams ace and backup safety Elijah Campbell (Defenders) will try to buck the odds and make Miami’s roster once again. The Dolphins drafted Dante Trader, Jr. from Maryland to play safety, a year after drafting Patrick McMorris at the position. Investing in safeties through the draft year over year only makes it tougher for Campbell to hang on.

Minnesota

In the team’s 3-4 defensive alignment, rookie fifth round pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins will step in as a backup defensive end, the same position played by Jalen Redmond (Renegades). Redmond had some highlight-reel plays last year, but the line has been revamped with two new starters in free agency, so there will be some jockeying for positions there this summer.

New England

Entering the draft, K John Parker Romo (Brahmas) was the only one at his position rostered by New England. That changed when they took arguably the draft’s best kicker, Andres Borregales, in the sixth round. The two will compete for the spot in training camp, with Borregales likely to have a leg-up given his drafted status.

New Orleans

Due to injuries, WR Kevin Austin, Jr. (Stallions) was promoted from the practice squad and actually saw significant playing time for the Saints in the latter half of the season. He’ll be tested by a few undrafted free agents, including Chris Tyree from Virginia.

New York Jets

They’re setting up a battle royal at the quarterback position in the Meadowlands: Adrian Martinez (Stallions) is joined by Jordan Travis, a fifth-round draft pick last year, and UDFA Brady Cook from this year’s class as players vying for the number three job behind Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor. The Jets didn’t address the interior of their offensive line in the draft and have only signed a center in undrafted free agency thus far, good news for G Kohl Levao (Brahmas).

Pittsburgh

RB Aaron Shampklin (Gamblers), signed to a futures deal by the Steelers after the season, was already looking at an uphill climb for a roster or even practice squad spot. That hill became much steeper when Pittsburgh drafted Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa in the third round. They also drafted two defensive tackles, knocking Domenique Davis’s (Gamblers) chances down two notches as well.

San Francisco

The drafting of two defensive tackles probably doesn’t speak well for the chances of DT Khalil Davis (Stallions) making the team next year. Davis was a mid-season trade pickup from Houston, though he played sparingly and was usually a weekly inactive.

Tampa Bay

DT C.J. Brewer (Roughnecks) earned valuable playing time in spurts with Tampa last year. His biggest competition may come from the undrafted ranks and DT Desmond Watson, who is listed at over 400 pounds. If Watson can show any semblance of stamina, he may be too intriguing for Tampa to pass up stashing on the practice squad.

Washington

The Commanders just recently added QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats) to their quarterback room. He’ll probably start as QB4 behind last year’s UDFA, Sam Hartman. No other rookies at QB have been signed by Washington thus far.