Jaguars UDFA signings: names to keep an eye on

Can any undrafted rookie crack the Jaguars roster?

Following the culmination of last weekend’s NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed 22 names to UDFA contracts:

• Chandler Brayboy - WR, Elon
• Cam Camper - WR, Boise State
• J.J. Jones - WR, North Carolina
• Eli Pancol - WR, Duke
• Darius Lassiter - WR, BYU
• Dorian Singer - WR, Utah
• James Carpenter - DL, Indiana
• Ethan Downs - DL, Oklahoma
• B.J. Green II - DL, Colorado
• Eli Mostaert - DL, North Dakota State
• Keivie Rose - DL, Arkansas
• Danny Striggow - DL, Minnesota
• John Copenhaver - TE, North Carolina
• Patrick Herbert - TE, Oregon
• Jabbar Muhammad - DB, Oregon
• Aydan White - DB, NC State
• Deneiko Slaughter - DB, Arkansas
• Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig - S, Colorado
• Branson Combs - LB, Wake Forest
• Sal Wormley - OL, Penn State
• Ja’Quinden Jackson - RB, Arkansas
• Seth Henigan - QB, Memphis

Every year, a handful of undrafted rookies go on to not only make an NFL roster, but even outplay their drafted counterparts. Obvious historical examples like Kurt Warner, Wes Welker and Antonio Gates spring to mind, but these aren’t just irregular occurrences. Just last year, Thomas Harper (Las Vegas Raiders), Dell Pettus (New England Patriots) and Jalen Coker (Carolina Panthers) headlined a list of approximately ten UDFA’s that started in the league.

With that in mind, here are a few of the Jags’ signings that could make an instant impact in 2025:

Eli Pancol, WR, Duke

A bumper UDFA haul was probably most noteworthy for the attention paid to the wide receiver spot. Six new faces suggest James Gladstone is worried about the position’s depth and is looking for a diamond in the rough to step forward and be a surprise contributor. The most intriguing appears to be Eli Pancol, a big-bodied receiver who was at the forefront of Duke’s recent renaissance as a threat in the ACC. Pancol wowed scouts at his pro day, headlined by a blazing 4.33 40-yard dash time. An ideal blend of measurables, athleticism and production, it’s surprising he wasn’t selected over draft weekend. Perhaps a modest injury history played it’s part - Pancol missed all of 2023 with a ‘lower body injury’, vague enough for there to be some doubt.

Pancol had almost 800 yards and nine touchdowns last year. If he can stay healthy, the former Blue Devil would appear primed to challenge the likes of Joshua Cephus and Parker Washington for a roster spot.

Aydan White, CB, NC State

Another position of concern for the Jaguars heading into draft weekend was the secondary, where only modest moves in free agency had counterbalanced any roster attrition on the back end. Gladstone & co. did make this a priority on all three days of the draft, with Travis Hunter, Caleb Ransaw and Rayuan Lane all selected. But there was mild surprise in the draft world when...