While only three Tar Heels may have heard their names called in the 2024 NFL Draft, six other Tar Heel draft prospects have found their new homes as undrafted free agents. Here is a look at those six and where they are headed.
Signed as UDFAs
British Brooks- Houston Texans
Considering everything that Brooks went through in his time in Chapel Hill, him landing with a team is an amazing story. Despite never getting the opportunity to be the team’s full time starter, Brooks still carried the ball 140 times for 848 yards and seven touchdowns in his six years with the team. He will have work to do to make this roster, especially with the fact that the team currently has six other backs on the roster, including 6th Round draft pick Jahwar Jordan. He has to hope that he gets the opportunity to show other teams how valuable he could be for them.
Amari Gainer- Las Vegas Raiders
Gainer was the first undrafted Tar Heel to sign with a team and it shouldn’t come as a shock. Although he didn’t have the year that he was hoping to have in his one season with Carolina, he still finished with 27 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He has plenty of versatility with the ability to play off-ball linebacker or edge rusher and that could be what gives him a legitimate shot at making this Raiders roster.
Tomari Fox- Las Vegas Raiders
While Gainer has a legitimate chance to make the Raiders roster, Fox has a lot more work to do. He had a pretty quiet final season in Chapel Hill following last year’s suspension, notching 14 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack while playing in all thirteen games. In order to make this roster, he will have to beat out a lot of recent draft picks that the team made, meaning he needs to really stand out in the preseason in hopes of catching on somewhere else most likely.
Myles Murphy- Arizona Cardinals
Murphy was the guy on this list that had the best chance to be drafted and he has the best chance of anyone to stick with his new team. His college career may not have been what we expected from him coming out of high school (99 total tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks), but at the East-West Shrine Game, he showed why there is still a lot to work with. The Cardinals defensive tackle room underwent a lot of changes this offseason and the depth isn’t really there after the two deep, so there is an opportunity here for Murphy.
Spencer Rolland- Minnesota Vikings
Rolland, a native of Minnesota, is heading back home for the opportunity to play for the Vikings. His two year Tar Heel career was a rollercoaster ride, especially in pass protection, so he has a lot to prove to earn a roster spot. The good news for him is that there is not a lot of depth at either tackle spot on the Vikings roster right now, so there should be plenty of opportunities for him in the preseason to prove himself.
Invited to Mini Camp
William Barnes- New York Giants
Barnes did not sign a contract, but he will at least have an opportunity with the Giants in mini camp. He, like Rolland, had his trials and tribulations along the offensive line the last few years and spent most of this year as the rotational option after losing hos starting job. The good news for him is, the Giants are always in need of offensive line help and another guard with them in training camp. He’ll have to do enough, though, just to get there.