By any measure Kentucky had a very successful NFL Draft showing last week.
The Wildcats had six players selected in seven rounds. So while there are 130 FBS programs, one out of every 43 players chosen hailed from the UK program.
Other former Wildcats have a chance to work their way into a roster spot. They'll just have to do so as undrafted free agents.
Here's the path for those players to finding their way in the professional ranks.
Drake Jackson Status: Signed UDFA contract with Detroit Lions
Jackson going undrafted was probably the biggest surprise of the NFL Draft for Kentucky's program, and not in a good way. A four-year staple and fan favorite who started every play and spearheaded some excellent lines, Jackson was widely expected to be a sixth round selection before the event began.
The interior of the offensive line and center in particular was not viewed as a pressing need for Detroit going into the draft. Tackle was more considered the Lions' trouble spot.
Just a few days ago the Lions exercised a fifth-year contract option on center Frank Ragnow, who was a Pro Bowler and has been a regular starter. The Lions once moved Ragnow to guard but he's the franchise's center and nobody will expect a Pro Bowler to be unseated.
Brad Holmes is the Lions' general manager and he was recently quoted as saying he views Ragnow as "a long-term piece and he is a foundational piece".
The Lions signed former SMU center Evan Brown to the practice squad last year and he will battling it out with Jackson for the backup center position and a roster spot. The fact that Brown is more likely to be able to play guard in a pinch could be an advantage that Jackson would need to overcome in a competition.
AJ RoseStatus: Signed UDFA contract with Minnesota Vikings
Rose was hoping to be drafted but there wasn't a lot of buzz about that happening heading into last week's three-day event. So for him to sign an undrafted free agent contract has to be viewed as the most likely outcome becoming a reality.
While Rose was not much of a pass catcher at Kentucky in terms of opportunity he did showcase some nice receiving hands to go along with his nice straight line speed and acceleration. That third down back role is probably his best path to a spot in the NFL even if it wasn't showcased much in Lexington.
Rose has shown a penchant for breaking some nice gains in addition to those hands. One thing he absolutely must do is protect the football. An UDFA isn't going to get a long leash in terms of making mistakes in terms of ball security.
Dalvin Cook is the unquestioned go-to back for the Vikings and has been a Pro Bowler in consecutive seasons. The former Florida State running back signed a $63 million contract extension last year. In 2020 he rushed for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Backup Mike Boone left Minnesota for Denver but the Vikings drafted Iowa State running back Kene Nwangwu in the fourth round. He's also a capable return man.
Alexander Mattison has rushed for more than 400 yards in each of the last two seasons for the Vikings. The franchise also re-signed veteran back Ameer Abdullah, so there is some depth for Rose to contend against.
Boogie Watson
Status: Signed UDFA contract with Pittsburgh Steelers
Kentucky was leaning heavily on Watson to generate a pass rush during the 2020 season and while he had some moments it wasn't his best season in Lexington. That's one reason he didn't have his name called. But he'll still get his chance, and with an historic franchise.
Edge defenders were not the priority for the Steelers going into the draft even with Bud Dupree leaving for the Tennessee Titans but the good news is the scheme could be a good fit for Watson given how Kentucky used him.
The starter at the spot Watson would be working to become a backup at would be Alex Highsmith, a rookie last year who chipped in with solid contributions. More important than the starter, so far as Watson is concerned, would be the depth situation.
Turns out, there may be an opportunity for Watson to impress if he has a strong camp. Pittsburgh drafted Miami outside linebacker Quincy Roche but not until the sixth round so nothing is guaranteed there.
Max Duffy
Status: TBD
The Toronto Argonauts of the CFL actually drafted Duffy last week but their front office voiced a belief that Duffy would probably play in the National Football League. They wanted the rights to him "down the line" and perhaps not right away.
Duffy was not drafted but will still have the opportunity to work his way into the right roster situation. Then he will have a CFL option to consider as a contingency plan.
The Wildcats had six players selected in seven rounds. So while there are 130 FBS programs, one out of every 43 players chosen hailed from the UK program.
Other former Wildcats have a chance to work their way into a roster spot. They'll just have to do so as undrafted free agents.
Here's the path for those players to finding their way in the professional ranks.
Drake Jackson Status: Signed UDFA contract with Detroit Lions
Jackson going undrafted was probably the biggest surprise of the NFL Draft for Kentucky's program, and not in a good way. A four-year staple and fan favorite who started every play and spearheaded some excellent lines, Jackson was widely expected to be a sixth round selection before the event began.
The interior of the offensive line and center in particular was not viewed as a pressing need for Detroit going into the draft. Tackle was more considered the Lions' trouble spot.
Just a few days ago the Lions exercised a fifth-year contract option on center Frank Ragnow, who was a Pro Bowler and has been a regular starter. The Lions once moved Ragnow to guard but he's the franchise's center and nobody will expect a Pro Bowler to be unseated.
Brad Holmes is the Lions' general manager and he was recently quoted as saying he views Ragnow as "a long-term piece and he is a foundational piece".
The Lions signed former SMU center Evan Brown to the practice squad last year and he will battling it out with Jackson for the backup center position and a roster spot. The fact that Brown is more likely to be able to play guard in a pinch could be an advantage that Jackson would need to overcome in a competition.
AJ RoseStatus: Signed UDFA contract with Minnesota Vikings
Rose was hoping to be drafted but there wasn't a lot of buzz about that happening heading into last week's three-day event. So for him to sign an undrafted free agent contract has to be viewed as the most likely outcome becoming a reality.
While Rose was not much of a pass catcher at Kentucky in terms of opportunity he did showcase some nice receiving hands to go along with his nice straight line speed and acceleration. That third down back role is probably his best path to a spot in the NFL even if it wasn't showcased much in Lexington.
Rose has shown a penchant for breaking some nice gains in addition to those hands. One thing he absolutely must do is protect the football. An UDFA isn't going to get a long leash in terms of making mistakes in terms of ball security.
Dalvin Cook is the unquestioned go-to back for the Vikings and has been a Pro Bowler in consecutive seasons. The former Florida State running back signed a $63 million contract extension last year. In 2020 he rushed for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Backup Mike Boone left Minnesota for Denver but the Vikings drafted Iowa State running back Kene Nwangwu in the fourth round. He's also a capable return man.
Alexander Mattison has rushed for more than 400 yards in each of the last two seasons for the Vikings. The franchise also re-signed veteran back Ameer Abdullah, so there is some depth for Rose to contend against.
Boogie Watson
Status: Signed UDFA contract with Pittsburgh Steelers
Kentucky was leaning heavily on Watson to generate a pass rush during the 2020 season and while he had some moments it wasn't his best season in Lexington. That's one reason he didn't have his name called. But he'll still get his chance, and with an historic franchise.
Edge defenders were not the priority for the Steelers going into the draft even with Bud Dupree leaving for the Tennessee Titans but the good news is the scheme could be a good fit for Watson given how Kentucky used him.
The starter at the spot Watson would be working to become a backup at would be Alex Highsmith, a rookie last year who chipped in with solid contributions. More important than the starter, so far as Watson is concerned, would be the depth situation.
Turns out, there may be an opportunity for Watson to impress if he has a strong camp. Pittsburgh drafted Miami outside linebacker Quincy Roche but not until the sixth round so nothing is guaranteed there.
Max Duffy
Status: TBD
The Toronto Argonauts of the CFL actually drafted Duffy last week but their front office voiced a belief that Duffy would probably play in the National Football League. They wanted the rights to him "down the line" and perhaps not right away.
Duffy was not drafted but will still have the opportunity to work his way into the right roster situation. Then he will have a CFL option to consider as a contingency plan.
