Making an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent is never easy, but Jalon Daniels, Ayden Garnes and Caden Fordham all did enough this summer to force their way onto the Buccaneers' initial 53-man roster.
Daniels entered training camp as one of the bigger long shots in the quarterback room, with Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak all on the roster. By the end of the preseason, the former Kansas quarterback had done more than simply make a case to stick around. Daniels completed 27 of 44 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception during the preseason. His best stretch came against the Jets and Chiefs, where he showed the mobility and playmaking ability that made him an intriguing addition after the draft.
Tampa Bay ultimately released Browning and Bazelak, leaving Daniels as Mayfield's backup heading into the season.
For Ayden Garnes, the former Arizona cornerback came out on fire during training camp and carried it into the first preseason game, where he had a 47-yard pick-six against the Jets that put him firmly on the radar. Through the first two preseason games, Garnes earned an 86.9 overall grade and 90.4 coverage grade from PFF while allowing a 42.3 passer rating when targeted. He finished the preseason with another solid performance against Jacksonville, recording four tackles and a pass breakup.
Fordham didn't have one defining play to secure his spot, but he was all over the field making plays. Fordham recorded 10 tackles and a pass breakup during the preseason and closed things out with two tackles in punt coverage against Jacksonville. That special teams ability mattered for a player fighting for one of the final linebacker spots. Tampa Bay kept only four inside linebackers on its initial roster, meaning he could see real playing time as a rotational piece.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Three undrafted rookies make the Buccaneers' initial 53 man roster
