This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
Over the past few seasons, Matt Bushman was one of the steadiest tight ends in college football. He first broke out in 2017, catching 49 passes for 520 yards and three touchdowns. He then put 29 receptions for 511 yards and two scores in 2018 before recording 47 catches for 688 yards and four touchdowns in 2019. Bushman’s 2020 season ended before it started due to a torn ACL, but given his solid track record, many expected the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder to be selected on the third day of the 2021 NFL Draft. That didn’t happen, however, and he fell undrafted.
Team sources said medical issues were what led to Bushman going undrafted. He was considered a mid-round to third-day prospect if he had stayed healthy, so the injury pushed him down lower.
Bushman signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent, and that was a good landing spot for him. The Raiders are set with one of the best tight ends in the NFL in Darren Waller, but they could use some competition behind him after the retirement of Jason Witten. Foster Moreau and Derek Carrier are the veteran leaders for the backup jobs, but they are not special players and could be beaten out. Aside from a roster spot, Bushman could also receive consideration for the practice squad. If Bushman can avoid getting hurt and return to his pre-injury form, he could grow into being a solid No. 2 or 3 tight end for the Raiders behind Waller.
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