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Shilo Sanders wasn't the only one. Hundreds of college players who weren't selected in the 2025 NFL Draft signed as undrafted free agents (UDAs) with one of the 32 teams. Legendary Rob Gronkowski assured them this isn't the end of the world but rather the beginning of their careers.
NFL history is filled with undrafted free agents who have had great careers. Players like Wes Welker, Nate Newton, Adam Vinatieri, Priest Holmes, and Antonio Gates, among others, went undrafted in their respective drafts but later became key players for their teams.
Although this wasn't the case for Gronkowski, the former New England Patriots star reminded all undrafted rookies that entering the league is the first step. At some point, some of them will get a chance to make the main roster, and they should be prepared.
Gronk's advice for undrafted players
In a chat on the "Dudes on Dudes" podcast, the four-time Super Bowl champion sent a message to the undrafted free agents. "It doesn't matter where you get drafted, it doesn't matter if you sign as an undrafted free agent. It all matters what you do with your opportunity."
To players like Sanders, who signed with Tampa Bay, Seth Henigan, Donovan Edwards, and Montrell Johnson Jr., who didn't hear their name called in any of the seven rounds of this draft but have already signed with a team, Gronk reminded them that their chance to show what they can do will come and they should be ready for it.
"Every undrafted free agent is going to get a shot," warned the former tight end. "They're going to be put in the first team at some point, or the second team, and the ball is going to come to you."
The worst moment in Gronkowski's life
Gronk himself had a less-than-pleasant experience in the 2010 draft. The former Patriot felt beyond disappointed when he didn't hear his name called in the first round. "To this day, my mom still claims that there are only two days of my life where she saw me pissed off. It was draft night, and I forgot the second one."
However, when New England called him with the 42nd overall pick, everything changed for Gronkowski. "My aura just got picked up, my dream came to life right on the spot at that moment," recalled Tom Brady's legendary mate, and the rest, as they say, is history.