When players in the National Football League, join a team, many are signed as part of the draft. A draft pick occurs when NFL teams evaluate college players and offer them a position on the team within the 7 rounds of the Draft. Although it is the most known solution, it is not the only option and sometimes a team will decide to sign a player as a free agent.

Free agents are the players who are not drafted in the Draft to a specific team and have the freedom to sign a contract with any team. In many cases, the free agent is a player whose contract has expired or who has not yet signed a contract. Long Snappers in general are signed as free agents, either coming out of college or during their NFL career. Most specialists are signed as free agent, although it is becoming more common as of late to be drafted.

So, what’s better being a draft pick or a free agent?  When you look at it with a large lens there isn’t really a difference, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Just because a player is drafted, doesn’t guarantee them a spot on the 53 man roster. Most mid to late round draft picks definitely do not have much of an advantage over free agents. These players are evaluated throughout mini camps, off-season workouts and training camp in which they have equal chances to showcase their talents to make the team.

Every team is different in what they are looking for and will strategically draft and sign players accordingly. In the world of Long Snapping most Long Snappers are taken as free agents after the draft. This obviously doesn’t make a difference in regards the Long Snapper, because they make the team regardless if they have the talent to do so.

Keep an eye out after the Draft later this month to see which Rubio Long Snappers were signed as free agents.

#FullEmbrace

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