When the lockout finally ended it allowed teams to sign unrestricted free agents, re-sign their own free agents and go back to business as usual. One common move teams make is signing undrafted free agents immediate after the NFL draft. Each draft always has those “diamond in the rough” that don’t get drafted but still have success in the NFL as undrafted free agents.
Several teams have found impact players that went undrafted: Arian Foster (Houston Texans), David Hawthorne (Seattle Seahawks), Danny Woodhead (New England Patriots), and Garrett Hartley (New Orleans Saints) among several others. This year Doug Baldwin could be the best undrafted free agent.
Baldwin, 22, went undrafted out of Stanford and is ready to prove himself in the NFL just like he did in college. After a dismal junior campaign Baldwin lost his starting spot heading into fall camp senior year. Out to prove himself Baldwin set the tone early for how his senior season would play out. In the first quarter Baldwin caught an 81-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Luck eclipsing his entire junior year for receiving yards.
He would go on to finish the game with 111 yards and two touchdowns. That game gave Baldwin a sense of relief and confidence he hadn’t had since 2008 his sophomore year. Baldwin finished his senior season with 58 receptions for 857 yards nine touchdowns.
Even with his breakout senior season Baldwin went undrafted in the 2011 NFL draft. Since teams couldn’t immediately sign undrafted free agents after the draft Baldwin had to wait it out until the lockout was lifted to find a team. When the lockout was finally lifted Pete Carroll and John Schneider signed 19 undrafted free agents including Doug Baldwin.
At the time, as usual, no one was talking about Baldwin or the majority of the undrafted rookies. That didn’t bother Baldwin who comes from a strong blue-collar background and knew he’d have to play his heart out to make the 53 man roster.
Most rookies, especially undrafted rookies, know the only way they will make the active roster is through special teams. If you perform well at your primary position it’s an added bonus. Baldwin’s receiving numbers this preseason weren’t jaw dropping (9 receptions for 69 yards) but his performance in kick returns were.
Baldwin returned a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown against Denver that pulled Seattle within three. Seattle lost 23-20 on a game ending field goal by Steven Hauschka but it was Baldwin’s return that gave Seattle a chance. He finished the preseason with six kickoff returns for 241 yards and one touchdown.
While his receiving numbers weren’t great his performance on special teams, his work ethic and heart earned him a spot on the Seahawks 53 man roster.
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Well your half right 9 receptions for 69 yards in not too impressive. Though Baldwin did lead the team in receptions. He worked the slot well and has a knack for creating separaton. Or as CW called it early in camp “a divorce” on one play. The Hawks are deep enough on return men. That Baldwin would have not made the roster, if he did not play Wr very well.
Jeff: Thanks for the comment. He did work great in the slot but there were several balls he should have caught that he didn’t. His speed and separation are impeccable. I think it was a 60/40 split. 60 return 40 receiving that got him a roster spot.