It’s always difficult for undrafted free agents to make an instant impact on NFL teams, let alone make the team at all, but there are always a few that stand out enough to overcome the odds. Let’s dive into some of the top undrafted free agent signings who might just begin their epic NFL story this week at Cardinals rookie minicamp!
Xavier Weaver, WR Colorado
The Cardinals didn’t have much room to add undrafted free agents after their 12 draft selections, but still made it a priority to sign Xavier Weaver. Why the high priority (given they only signed a handful of UDFAs)? For starters, the Cardinals entered NFL Draft week with exactly zero starting caliber wide receivers on the team. Yes, Michael Wilson was okay last year. And then they added Marvin Harrison Jr., but there’s still a major talent issue there at the position.
Weaver spent his final collegiate season with Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes as the team’s lead wide receiver. Despite tearing his labrum in week two last season he fought through it, racking up 908 yards in just 11 games. His connection with Shedeur Sanders was critical to the early success Colorado saw last season (as you can see on the perfect post route for a TD below).
Shedeur Sanders 🎯 Xavier Weaver pic.twitter.com/QT8pW8pYdS
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 17, 2023
Weaver wasn’t just good for the first time last season either. He spent the two years prior leading USF in receiving yards as well, posting elite marks in yards per route run typically on par with early round NFL Draft picks at wide receiver.
On top of being a consistent producer at receiver for three years in a row, Weaver also added value via his dynamic kick and punt return abilities as you can see in his return against Arizona State last season:
Xavier Weaver with the BIG return ⚡️@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/YfaUHTmpQm
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 8, 2023
Given his versatile skill set to contribute both on offense and special teams combined with the Cardinals’ absolutely abysmal depth at wide receiver there’s almost no way Xavier Weaver doesn’t make the team this fall.
Myles Murphy, DL North Carolina
As a former top 150 high school football recruit, Myles Murphy has possessed game-changing traits since he was 16 years old. At 6’4″, 309 pounds, Murphy’s in-game speed, bend, strength, and overall athleticism make him a powerful force. However, thanks to his lackluster testing results at the NFL Combine this spring he slipped completely out of the NFL Draft and the Cardinals were able to acquire him.
He’s been making impressive plays against the run and pass for a long time now. You can see how he uses his quickness off the ball to make plays in the video from Joe Broback of College Football Network below.
You probably know Clemsons Myles Murphy, but North Carolina’s @gmurfo1 is good too. Quick player with some nice finesse moves pic.twitter.com/wUP4lYVmoS
— Joe Broback (@joebroback) June 16, 2022
Murphy has never been a high pass rush pressure rate player, given his specific role at North Carolina, but he was always strong in run defense. The Cardinals are fairly deep in most defensive spots, but clearly don’t have many proven studs along their interior defensive line. Murphy should immediately compete as the fourth option up the middle for the Cardinals this season.
Be looking for more Arizona Cardinals coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to watch some Xavier Weaver highlights to see how he might fit with the Cardinals you can check out the video below!
