Minutes after the NFL Draft completes (or, for most teams, probably even before), teams begin to work the phones with agents and players, trying to convince the best of the rest to come to their team. These undrafted rookie free agents must make a big decision if faced with multiple teams' interest - which franchise gives them the best chance to catch on? Which team has the best scheme fit? Which team's roster is weak at their specific position? With NFL offseason rosters expanded to 90 this year, that means 320 jobs open up for players pursuing their NFL dreams.
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com recently compiled his 20 favorite undrafted free agents, and several Bay Area players made the list. Rang:
WR Chris Owusu, San Francisco 49ers: Owusu is one of several players on this list whose medical questions pushed him down the board. No NFL coach knows the impact Owusu could have as a deep threat and on special teams like Harbaugh, his former head coach at Stanford.
S Johnson Bademosi, Cleveland Browns: A lanky corner (who projects to safety) and excelled on special teams at Stanford, Bademosi offers developmental upside at a position of concern.
S Duke Ihenacho, Denver Broncos: A playmaking safety at San Jose State, Ihenacho could surprise in the Broncos' scheme as a classic in-the-box and special teams standout.
The Owusu signing in San Francisco has a lot of potential, considering his fall out of the draft was due mostly to his history of concussions. If the former Stanford playmaker can avoid that type of injury down the line, his talent and explosiveness give him a great chance to catch on and contribute for his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh.