Undrafted gems emerge just about every single year in the NFL, but finding a gem is equal to finding a needle in a haystack.
Teams invite dozens of undrafted players to rookie minicamp in addition to their draft choices, but only the very best make it to training camp. Even for those players, making the final roster can be extraordinarily difficult.
For those players, the journey starts at rookie minicamp. Every player will have a handful of days to separate themselves from the rest of the pack — and a few are names that will sound familiar to NFL fans.
Here are the undrafted rookies with famous names headed to rookie minicamps.
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NFL undrafted rookies with famous names
Shilo Sanders
The Buccaneers signed Colorado S Shilo Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and brother of new Browns QB Shedeur Sanders, as an undrafted free agent.
Sanders was hoping to hear his name called in April, but his chances were slim after he did not receive an NFL Combine invite. He recorded one interception and two pass deflections in his final season at Colorado, receiving a 68.3 grade from Pro Football Focus.
While his father never played in Tampa Bay during his legendary career, Sanders is hoping to earn a trip to training camp considering he received a contract rather than just an invitation to try out.
SHEDEUR SANDERS NFL DRAFT SLIDE:
Dino Tomlin, Buccaneers
The Buccaneers will have another notable name at their rookie minicamp, as the son of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin — Boston College WR Dino Tomlin — received an invitation as a wide receiver.
Tomlin splayed six seasons of college football, but he didn’t carve out a role for himself until transferring to Boston College in 2022. Tomlin set a career-high with 312 yards and 24 catches in 2023, but he recorded only three catches under Bill O’Brien in 2024.
Montigo Moss, Vikings
The Vikings invited Maine WR Montigo Moss, son of franchise legend Randy Moss, to their rookie minicamp. Moss recorded 722 yards and seven touchdowns for the Black Bears, who play at the FCS level, and he totaled 1,652 yards along with 16 touchdowns in his college career.
Another one of Randy Moss’ sons, former LSU TE Thaddeus Moss, went undrafted in 2020 and spent time with Washington and Cincinnati without appearing in a game.
Gabe Taylor, Commanders
The Commanders invited Rice S Gabe Taylor, the younger brother of late safety Sean Taylor, to their rookie minicamp. Taylor spent five seasons at Rice, recording multiple interceptions in each of his final four and totaling 27 pass deflections from 2021-24.
His brother, Sean, was a standout in Washington’s secondary for four seasons before being murdered in a home invasion in 2007 at just 24 years old.
Graham Walker, Chiefs
The Chiefs invited Patrick Mahomes’ half-brother, Graham Walker, to rookie minicamp.
Walker started his college career as a wide receiver at Brown before transferring up to the FBS level ahead of his senior season to play for Rice. He converted to tight end with the Owls, racking up 252 yards on 24 catches without finding the end zone.
Walker is the son of Patrick Mahomes Sr., but he grew up in Vermont with his mother and stepfather.
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Moose Muhammad III, Panthers
The Panthers invited Texas A&M WR Moose Muhammad, the son of former franchise star Muhsin Muhammad, to their rookie minicamp.
Muhammad spent five seasons with the Aggies playing his father’s position, topping out at 610 yards and four touchdowns in 2022 but recording only six catches in 2204 with Mike Elko as head coach,
Muhsin Muhammad spent 11 seasons with the Panthers across two stints, leading the NFL with 1,405 yards in 2004 and recording three 1,000-yard seasons in a career that included 11,438 total yards.
Wyatt Ekeler, Broncos and Eagles
Wyoming S Wyatt Ekeler, brother of Commanders RB Austin Ekeler, is attending Broncos and Eagles minicamps after receiving invitations as an undrafted free agent. Ekeler recorded 46 tackles and an interception at Wyoming in 2024 after totaling two interceptions and seven pass deflections in 2023.
Austin Ekeler went undrafted himself before latching on with the Chargers and establishing himself as a high-impact player at the NFL level, so Wyatt has someone to model his journey after.
Patrick Herbert, Jaguars
The Jaguars signed Oregon TE Patrick Herbert, brother of QB Justin Herbert, as an undrafted free agent. Herbert may not have had the same impact as his brother at Oregon, but he spent six years with the Ducks and finally saw the field in 2022 with six catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Primarily a blocking tight end behind new Rams TE Terrance Ferguson, Herbert totaled 388 yards and four touchdowns over his final three seasons and will try to work his way to training camp to perhaps one day face off with his brother.
Giovanni Williams, Jets
Klutch Sports announced Miles College LB Giovanni Williams, brother of Jets standouts Quinen and Quincy Williams, was invited to New York’s rookie minicamp.
Williams played at the Division II level, below the FCS entirely, but he is hoping to make an impression at Jets minicamp and get the chance to play alongside his brothers. Quincy played at the FCS level and didn’t last long at his first NFL stop, so the Williams family already knows what it’s like to defy the odds.
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Alaka’i Gilman, Chargers
The Chargers invited Utah S Alak’i Gilman, brother of safety Alohi Gilman, to their rookie minicamp. Gilman spent his first four seasons at Stanford and recorded one interception in each of his last three seasons at the college level.
Alohi Gilman is heading into his sixth season with the Chargers and emerged as a full-time starter over the last two with two interceptions and 14 pass deflections since 2023.
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