• Anfernee Orji was a regular on special teams: While he might not get a lot of playing time at linebacker during the regular season, Orji has shown that he’s a more than capable special teams player and played 61 snaps on special teams this preseason.
• A new weapon in San Francisco: Ronnie Bell hauled in 10 passes for 172 yards and six first downs this preseason, finishing second to only Rashee Rice in yards per route run among rookies.
• Fantasy draft approaching? Use PFF’s AI-powered Live Draft Assistant to win the draft and dominate your 2023 fantasy football league.
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With the 2023 NFL preseason over and the cut-down deadline just hours away, a handful of late-rounders and undrafted free agents have made a case for a roster spot.
LB Anfernee Orji, New Orleans Saints
Draft status: Undrafted free agent
Preseason grade: 60.2
The undrafted rookie out of Vanderbilt was impressive in the opening game of the Saints' preseason. He was targeted only once in coverage and allowed a catch, but that catch went for just 3 yards as he stopped the checkdown short of the sticks with great closing speed. He also produced two stops against the run on only six run plays.
While he might not get much playing time at linebacker during the regular season, Orji has shown that he’s a more than capable special teams player and played 61 snaps on special teams this preseason.
DI Karl Brooks, Green Bay Packers
Draft status: Sixth-round pick, No. 181 overall
Preseason grade: 77.5
The 99th player on PFF’s big board fell to Green Bay in the sixth round, and the pick already looks like it might pay dividends. Brooks flashed against the run this preseason, with one tackle for loss and another solo tackle on 23 snaps. On top of that, he produced two hits and four hurries across 56 pass-rush snaps to earn a 70.3 pass-rush grade.
With head coach Matt LaFleur basically confirming that Brooks will make the roster, the sixth-rounder's pass-rushing prowess will add to an ascending Packers defensive line.
RB Ronnie Bell, San Francisco 49ers
Draft status: Seventh-round pick, No. 255 overall
Preseason grade: 67.0
The seventh-rounder hauled in 10 passes for 172 yards and six first downs, finishing second to only Rashee Rice in yards per route run among rookies. Four of his catches went for 15 or more yards, and he averaged 8.4 yards after the catch per reception.
Most yards per route run in the 2023 preseason, rookies with 10 or more targets
| Name | Team | YPRR |
| Rashee Rice | Chiefs | 2.54 |
| Ronnie Bell | 49ers | 2.53 |
| Malik Heath | Packers | 2.35 |
| Tre Tucker | Raiders | 2.30 |
| Shedrick Jackson | Bengals | 2.00 |
In his NFL debut, the versatile playmaker also ripped off a 15-yard rush, forcing two missed tackles along the way.
The rookie might have to continue fighting for playing time throughout the year, but the 49ers might have found another pass-catching weapon for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
C Luke Wypler, Cleveland Browns
Draft status: Sixth-round pick, No. 192 overall
Preseason grade: 76.4
Wypler was another player who was high on PFF’s big board yet fell in the draft, but he also showed out in preseason. The center from Ohio State gave up just 16 pressures across 965 pass-blocking snaps in college and only three pressures across 133 snaps this preseason, picking up right where he left off.
He earned a 76.4 PFF grade in four games and has been competing with Nick Harris for the Browns' backup center position. Wypler has shown enough to win that competition and continue developing under legendary offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
WR Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals
Draft status: Sixth-round pick, No. 208 overall
Preseason grade: 76.8
The Bengals receiving corps boasts Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, so a sixth-round receiver from Princeton is the last player one would expect to make that roster. However, Iosivas has shown he’s more than deserving of just that.
The 6-foot-3, 212-pound receiver hauled in 12 passes for 129 yards, one touchdown and six more first downs this season. Four of those receptions went for 15 or more yards, he forced three missed tackles with the ball in his hands and he came down with four contested catches.
The Bengals have arguably the best receiving corps in the league, and Iosivas should add to its depth.
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