Before the Minnesota Vikings and other NFL teams make their top picks in the draft each year, pro scouts and general managers want to see stats, tape, and blue chips on the table.
Not many prospects enter the NFL Draft with too high of a profile and it results in hundreds of players falling into the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. If they shine at OTAs, they might get the “sleeper” label, especially at the skill positions.
And then there are the guys who come to camp who are not drafted, players that are signed to things like futures/reserve contracts.