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NFL Draft 2017: Top 10 early entrants who didn’t get drafted

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Travis Rudolph (15) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Travis Rudolph (15) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Travis Rudolph (15) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Travis Rudolph (15) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Who were the top 10 early entrants who went all seven rounds without hearing their name called in the 2017 NFL Draft?

The decision to leave early for the NFL Draft is a life-changing one for college football stars. It’s especially life-changing if there’s a chance the player might not get selected, wasting a final year of eligibility and hoping to catch on as an undrafted free agent.

According to the AP‘s Ralph D. Russo, there were 28 early entrants who went unselected in this year’s NFL Draft. Some of the names were surprising while others came from smaller schools in both the FBS and FCS.

Out of those 28 early entrants who weren’t drafted, a majority of them have singed on with teams as undrafted free agents while others have received camp invites. We take a look at the top 10 early entrants who didn’t hear their name called but who have a good chance of making a 53-man roster in the fall.

Apr 16, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Garrett Sickels (90) adjusts his helmet during a warmup prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 37-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Garrett Sickels (90) adjusts his helmet during a warmup prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 37-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

Signed by: Indianapolis Colts

The 2016 season was a good one for Penn State which came out of nowhere to win the Big Ten over powerhouses such as Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan. Not many expected James Franklin’s team to do a complete 180 from 2015, but the Nittany Lions did just that.

As for junior defensive end Garrett Sickels, the 2016 season was his best yet. He soared to the top of the depth chart for a defense that played superb football for most of the season. He finished with career highs in tackles (47), tackles for loss (13) and sacks (6.5).

Sickels was named a second-team All-Big Ten performer by the coaches and third-team by the media.

It may have been a slight surprise to see him declare for the draft after his junior season, but with the performance he had, it wasn’t completely out of the ordinary. He should make a push for the 53-man roster with the Colts this fall despite going undrafted.

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