Opinion : Undrafted Free Agents With a Chance To Bloom

Every season, the NFL has it's share of undrafted rookie talents that go unnoticed throughout the draft process. Some players are simply skipped over because of injury or personality issues while others are seriously underrated or undervalued due to lack of production, playing time or are from smaller schools. There is a constant process of undrafted talent fighting the odds to become the next big cinderella story in the NFL.

In this article, I want to take the time to break down some of the top undrafted rookie free agents from the NFL Draft who have the best chances of making a big splash in their rookie season of 2017. Look for these names to cross your screen on ESPN highlights or NFL.com headlines.

Arizona Cardinals ~ QB Trevor Knight, Texas A&M 

Trevor Knight became a household name as a young freshman quarterback at Oklahoma University following a big Cotton Bowl upset over Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide in 2013. Expected to be the next big star at Oklahoma, Knight fell short as he dealt with injuries and accuracy issues due to poor mechanics. Baker Mayfield, a transfer from Texas Tech, ended up taking his job before the 2015 season. Knight was a good sport about it and handled it professionally, sticking around for Oklahoma's run into the College Football Playoff. Transfering to Texas A&M as a graduate senior, Knight took the SEC by storm before suffering more ankle injuries.

Knight has a very strong arm, and is very mobile, but his mechanics and his accuracy need a lot of improvement. Still, with Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton and Zac Dysert currently sitting on the roster, the chances of Knight getting some playing time late in the season are pretty high. Expect him to make the team as a 3rd string quarterback and fight for playing time with Stanton.

Carolina Panthers ~ DE Bryan Cox Jr, Florida & LB Ben Boulware, Clemson

Carolina grabbed two gems for their defense without spending a draft pick on either of them. Cox is a fierce run defender who was once considered a Day 2 talent, before suffering back to back season ending injuries to finish his career at Florida. If he can stay healthy, Cox will be a force for sure.

Boulware is a production monster. Collecting 116 tackles last season as the heart and soul of the Clemson defense, Boulware looked like a 4th round talent with his tackling abilities, speed and high intense motor. However, when some personality issues, concussions and dirty playing habits popped up, teams threw red flags on him and passed on him for 253 picks. Boulware enters onto a roster lacking linebacker depth behind Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis who both have some history of missing games with injuries. Boulware can make a big splash as soon as this season barring an injury.

Green Bay Packers ~ RB Brandon Radcliff, Louisville

Brandon Ratcliff is a big beast with a physical running style and doesn't shy away from contact. Even after the Packers picked three different running backs in the draft this season, two who probably won't make an impact, Radcliff has a chance to make the team as a #3 running back behind Jamaal Williams and Christine Michael.

Ball security was an issue while he was at Louisville. Other then that, he provided more then ample support to last season's explosive Heisman winner, Lamar Jackson, with his strong running style that complimented the speed of Jackson very well. He's the type of running back that the Packers normally go after.

Los Angeles Chargers ~ WR Artavis Scott, Clemson

San Diego added a big threat in Mike Williams with ther first round pick, a fellow teammate who played on the opposite side of Scott at Clemson. Scott was more of the slot threat, with a deep play ability, and brings good speed and depth to the Chargers receiver roster. Scott, playing alongside Williams, has a great chance of making the cut as the teams #5 receiver and while he might not make a very big impact right away, Scott can become a reliable option over the next couple of years.

He needs to work on his hands more. Had a few big drops while at school and doesn't contest the ball as well as he should. Still, Scott has a lot to learn and landed in a place where he can develop nicely.

Los Angeles Rams ~ RB Justin Davis, USC

Behind Todd Gurley, the Rams don't have much help at the running back position. They tried to add some depth by getting Lance Dunbar through free agency, but that shouldn't really cut it. Justin Davis was the run support for the Trojans with Sam Darnold at the helm last season. He has good strength and runs well between the tackles. Davis has a very good chance at making the team as a #2 or #3 running back.

Injuries and speed are the main concerns that teams had that led them to pass on Davis. His speed isn't breakaway, and he missed more then a dozen games over his career at USC. If he can stay healthy, he has a nice chance of making an impact as a complimentary back year one.

New England Patriots ~ DE Corey Vereen, Tennessee

The Patriots added Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy to replace Chris Long, who left via free agency, but they need a suitable backup to Ealy this season. They very well may have found that backup in Vereen. He's a run stopper with better then average pass rushing abilities and was considered the next big pass rusher at Tennessee. However, Derek Barnett came along, stole the spotlight, and Vereen struggled with staying healthy.

Vereen lacks speed, and then he needs to refine his technique. At Tennessee, he used his pure natural skill to beat right tackles to collect his 13 sacks, including 7 last season, through his collegiate career. To top it all off, he's slightly undersized. However, he has a ton of potential and can make a big difference early in his career if pressed into service.

New Orleans Saints ~ WR Travin Dural, LSU 

Oh boy. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has a history of finding receiver talent in the free agency after the draft. He isn't missing on Dural here either. Underused at LSU alongside another talented receiver in Malachi Dupre, Dural is a very athletic talent with natural receiving skills. Dural can easily make the team as the #5 receiver and push Brandon Coleman for playing time at the #4.

His route running needs to be more consistent, and his speed is a little subpar. He has the ability to contest in the air for catches, and can use that to his advantage. He can make a splash if Ted Ginn Jr goes down with an injury and he beats Coleman out for the slot #3 receiver in that scenario.

Oakland Raiders ~ Keon Hatcher, Arkansas

Another SEC receiver to join this list, Hatcher was a force at Arkansas. Considered one of the SEC's top receivers entering the 2015 season, Hatcher broke his foot 2 games in, but still produced 13 catches for 198 yards, and was lost for the season. Settling into more of a #2 receiver role behind Drew Morgan, Hatcher still showed big play threat and was a headache on defensive coordinators across the league.

His size is about average (6'1", 212 lbs) and his speed isn't where teams like to see it, and his route running needs a lot of refinement. However, with the lack of depth on the Raiders roster right now, it's easy to see Hatcher making the #5 receiver spot and challenging Cordarrelle Patterson for playing time.

San Francisco 49ers ~ TE Cole Hikutini, Louisville

Hikutini served as a security blanket for the Heisman winner Lamar Jackson last season. Collecting 50 catches for 668 yards and 8 touchdowns, Hikutini was solid last season playing against stiff ACC competition. He has above average size and good speed to be a solid receiver threat from the tight end spot. The 49ers depth at the tight end position is already weak, so adding Hikutini can be a difference maker for the 49ers offense.

However, he only has a season of production to his name. His blocking skills are in need of refinement as he needs to toughen up. Strength looks like an issue too. However, he's a good receiver and San Francisco can use him well. Expect him to bloom in limited action.