FSU Football: Former Noles struggling to get undrafted free agent deals

FSU football saw just two players gets picked during the 2019 NFL Draft, but even in the days that followed also saw a small number get undrafted FA deals.

By the time that the 2019 edition of the NFL Draft came to an end on Saturday evening, those who root for FSU football were able to breathe a sigh of relief after just two former stars for the Seminoles – defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas and defensive end Brian Burns – heard their names called in the seven rounds.

The general consensus was that the handful of other players – guys like wide receiver Nyqwan Murray, defensive tackle Fred Jones and others – were going to still get their chance to make it into the pro game as part of the undrafted free agent portion of the process.

As of Monday morning, former FSU football stars like Murray and Jones have reportedly reached deals – with the wide receiver heading to the Seattle Seahawks, where he is reportedly joining Christmas as well as fellow UFA in defensive tackle Wally Aime, while the defensive tackle is heading to camp with the New York Jets as offensive lineman Derrick Kelly has signed a deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Florida State Seminoles Football

If you’re waiting for me to write about the half dozen or so more players who are signing deals with NFL teams to continue their work from past seasons with the Seminoles, this is where you are going to get disappointed because that’s it.

Right now, there are no other indications of any former FSU football players inking deals to continue their careers in the professional games – and the fact that there are no additional contract offers for former Seminole stars does bring up a little room for concern.

While it is a good thing that just two former Noles were selected in the draft and it means there is plenty of talent left for the coming seasons, the fact that guys like center Alec Eberle – who, despite the woes of the offensive line the last three seasons, has been a valuable leader – are still unemployed right now is not a good look for FSU football.

Is some of it because of the first losing season in over four decades for the the Seminoles? I would be willing to bet that has a decent amount to do with things in regards to guys like Eberle – but how does that explain someone like running back Jacques Patrick not even getting a contract nearly two days after the draft came to an end.

FSU football knows what is in front of them in the 2019 season and now knows that they are going to be playing not just for those who are in the garnet and gold this season – but also those who are going to be coming in for years to come.

The Seminoles are a team that will have plenty of question marks this coming season, both in the college game and among the 32 teams in the NFL who wonder if a former FSU football star is worth the short term career timetable that starts ticking down whenever they sign that first contract.