clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Tracking Maryland football’s undrafted free agents after the 2018 NFL Draft

The Terps had two draftees this year, but here’s who else is getting a shot in the pros.

J.C. Jackson Greg Fiume / Maryland Athletics

Maryland football saw two if its players drafted this weekend, both of whom will join the Carolina Panthers. Wide receiver DJ Moore became the first Terrapin to be taken in the first round since Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Jermaine Carter Jr. earned a fifth-round selection.

Moore went 24th overall, and he could potentially become the ace of a receiving corps that includes fellow Maryland product Torrey Smith. Carter wasn’t widely expected to be drafted, but Carolina saw enough in him to take the linebacker in 161st overall. Cornerback JC Jackson was almost a lock to be drafted, but his name was surprisingly still on the board when the action stopped.

Jackson will still get a chance, though. He and a handful of other Terps—almost entirely on defense this cycle—will be signed as undrafted free agents and receive the opportunity prove themselves in an NFL camp.

Here’s the full list of Terps who might pop up in a minicamp near you. We’re including Will Likely, who was unable to secure a spot last season but worked out at Maryland’s pro day in March and claims to finally be fully recovered from his torn ACL suffered in 2016. This list will be updated as players find landing spots.

Maryland UDFA Tracker 2018

Player Position Team Signed
Player Position Team Signed
JC Jackson CB Patriots 4-28
Kingsley Opara DL Texans 4-28
Cavon Walker DL Bears 4-28
Josh Woods S
Jalen Brooks LB
Chadler Burkett DL Cardinals 4-30
Shane Cockerille LB Jets 4-28
Denzel Conyers S
Derrick Hayward TE Jaguars 4-30
Will Likely (2017) CB

Update: Jackson, Opara and Walker are all signed within a couple hours of the draft’s conclusion. Jackson will join the Patriots, who gave Likely his shot in camp last year. Opara and Walker will be headed to Houston and Chicago, respectively.

Update 4/30: Per reports, Burkett and Hayward have been extended minicamp invitations by Arizona and Jacksonville, respectively. Cockerille also announced over the weekend via his Instagram account that he was joining the Jets.

Update 5/4: Cockerille is indeed in Jets camp. Per the New York Daily News’ Daniel Popper, New York is listing him as a fullback. He played the position early in his Maryland career before switching to defense in 2016.