SENDING OF UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT BROCHURE TO AGENTS

[Bretsky]

Genius Move...........nothing like thinking outside the box

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000347154/article/seahawks-send-agents-undrafted-freeagent-brochure

[Joemailman]

It's a good move. Not sure the Packers need to do it though. It's pretty well documented that the Packers give UDFA'a a legit chance to compete. Tramon, Shields, EDS, Barclay, Boykin, Mulumba, etc.

[Bretsky]

One would argue Seattle doesn't need to either

[Guiness]

It's a good move. Not sure the Packers need to do it though. It's pretty well documented that the Packers give UDFA'a a legit chance to compete. Tramon, Shields, EDS, Barclay, Boykin, Mulumba, etc.

I like the idea. The Packers giving UDFAs a chance is well documented here, and maybe elsewhere in the NFL, but does this year's Jeff Heath (Cowboys starting FS, from Saginaw Valley State) know it? Don't take the chance, tell them!

[Joemailman]

I like the idea. The Packers giving UDFAs a chance is well documented here, and maybe elsewhere in the NFL, but does this year's Jeff Heath (Cowboys starting FS, from Saginaw Valley State) know it? Don't take the chance, tell them!

I think the agents know which teams give UDFA's a chance and which teams don't. Any agent who doesn't isn't doing his job.

[smuggler]

Yeah, but agents don't usually make their money representing UDFAs, so would it surprise you if some of them didn't put in 100% effort?

[Patler]

It's not that other teams do nothing and Seattle is getting a jump on them. In fact, it could be argued that sending a brochure is a very impersonal approach for recruiting undrafted free agents. They are simply putting in a brochure what others are saying personally. Per Jack Bechta, an active agent who writes a column for National Football Post:


The recruiting of undrafted free agents has already begun

Under the salary cap, undrafted free agents are an extremely valuable commodity. If a team can find starters from this group, it’s the cheapest player money can buy and it adds flexibility to the overall salary cap for a team. Teams are well aware of this and the recruiting wars are reaching new heights.

I have two clients (out of five) this year that may be undrafted. Both of them, and myself, have been getting recruiting calls from scouting directors, area scouts and position coaches. The calls consist of making a case as to why they should sign with their team if undrafted.

Recruiting styles vary from team to team. Some teams let their area scouts do most of the talking, as they know this group the best. The area scout will call the agent and player and make the pitch. Some are doing it now, others during the draft (Thursday, Friday, Saturday), and others wait until the last round to begin.

Some other methods we are seeing this year:

There is an AFC Central Division head coach who is texting players every day, and has been for a few weeks. This team is also sending out t-shirts and gloves to players along with a letter. Several teams around the league are using similar tactics. They will start calling players/agents about the sixth or seventh round.

The most frequent method of recruiting is simply built on relationships between front office execs and the agent. Nothing is more potent than someone you trust making an early pitch for one of your players. It really comes down to trust. A good agent will ask tough questions about position depth and available roster spots. Some deals may already be done if the player is not drafted.


The Seahawks are.... (description of Seahawks brochure)...


Seasoned agents will already have a short list of teams that best fit their clients’ skill set. The list is based on opportunity in place at a given team. For example, the Buccaneers have a new GM, Head Coach and staff. Therefore, they have a clean slate and every player in camp will be a new face to the decision makers. The tendency of new GMs and head coaches is to clean house. So the Bucs may be a good landing spot for an undrafted free agent this year that fits either their offensive or defensive scheme. And not to mention, with only 6 draft picks and only room to sign about 10 free agents based on their current roster size, each player can get an $8,000 signing bonus on average under the rookie pool cap.

I usually place all teams with a brand new regime high on the short list if the opportunity is there at my client’s position.

[mraynrand]

UFFDAs for UDFAs!

[woodbuck27]

Adopting such a move makes sense if few NFL teams are doing this.

[Patler]

For agents who really look into the facts and not just the fluff of a flashy brochure, generally speaking, the best opportunity for their clients who are undrafted rookie free agent is in Green Bay (Seahawks are #9), at least according to the facts and analysis in this article:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Landing-spots.html

[smuggler]

Obviously players like Sam Shields and Tramon Williams help bolster us in that department.

[Patler]

Obviously players like Sam Shields and Tramon Williams help bolster us in that department.

Yup, and with MD Jennings last year, 3/4 of their starting D-backfied came to GB as URFAs. Barclay was another URFA starter. EDS' path has several starts and stops, but he came into the league originally with GB as an URFA. That made 5 starters in 2013 who started their careers in GB as URFAs.