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The 2017 NFL Draft wrapped earlier this evening, and for the first time since 2011, Oklahoma State has two players drafted.
Congratulations are in order for defensive tackle Vincent Taylor who was picked 194th overall by the Miami Dolphins, as well as running back Chris Carson who was taken 249th by Seattle.
Those two won’t be the only ones working to make NFL teams this season. Five other former Cowboys have signed agreements as undrafted free agents.
Jordan Sterns and Ashton Lampkin both announced on Twitter that they’ve come to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City thank you
— Jordan Sterns (@jo_sterns) April 29, 2017
God never said it would be easy. Wanna thank the @chiefs for the opportunity to ball again at the next level. Major chip on my shoulder pic.twitter.com/Ym2AmY53gE
— Ashton Lampkin (@OSU_DB6) April 29, 2017
Kansas City won the AFC West last season, eventually losing in the divisional round to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a Chiefs fan, I am pumped to get both of these guys on the roster.
The Stillwater-to-Dallas connection continues with tight end Blake Jarwin, who agreed to terms with the Cowboys.
Blake Jarwin has agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys. #okstate
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) April 29, 2017
Dallas won the NFC East, but lost to Green Bay in a Divisional Round match-up. Jarwin will join fellow former OSU Cowboys Dez Bryant and Dan Bailey in Dallas.
Former Cowboy receiver Jhajaun Seales is heading to Chicago after he agreed to terms with the Bears.
Chi town thank you
— Jhajuan Seales (@Jseales_OSU81) April 29, 2017
The Bears seem to be going through a complete rebuild after a 3-13 season and giving up three picks to move up one spot to draft Mitch Trubisky.
Former Oklahoma State cornerback Lenzy Pipkens announced on Twitter that he has agreed to terms with the Green Bay Packers.
For those teams that passed me up thank you bc its go time now thank you Green Bay Packers organization for the opportunity
— Lenzy Pipkins (@Pippy_LONGsock) April 29, 2017
Green Bay lost in the NFC championship game and will be looking for some defensive help after giving up 4,308 yards and 37 touchdowns through the air last season.
Obviously, none of the undrafted free agents are guaranteed a roster spot. In most cases, they are going to face stiff competition from players already on the roster and those drafted at similar positions. However, I think this is a perfect time to remind everyone that the league is full of successful undrafted free agents and lower round draftees.
Hope for underdogs: There are more undrafted free agents on NFL rosters today (481) than 1st- and 2nd-round picks combined (480), per Elias.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2016
If that doesn’t give you hope, then I’ll wrap with this tweet from Justin Forsett.
A message for the players who weren't drafted #2017NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/aAuS27DKEk
— Justin Forsett (@JForsett) April 29, 2017
Once a Cowboy, always a Cowboy. #GoPokes