During the 89th NFL Draft, the league’s 32 teams added 257 players to their offseason rosters. But with 90 slots available on each team, they have room for more, and they’re signing players passed over in the draft last week for NFL opportunities.

Last season, 158 undrafted players made their NFL debuts, including 12 who had played at Alabama high schools and colleges. The players with Alabama football roots who reached the field in the NFL for the first time during the 2023 season without the benefit of being drafted were:

· Tennessee Titans safety Shyheim Carter (Alabama)

· New England Patriots/Baltimore Ravens quarterback Malik Cunningham (Park Crossing)

· Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (Auburn High)

· Tennessee Titans cornerback Eric Garror (McGill-Toolen)

· Los Angeles Chargers safety AJ Finley (St. Paul’s Episcopal)

· Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (Hoover, Auburn)

· Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Eku Leota (Auburn)

· Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (Hoover)

· Carolina Panthers defensive tackle LaBryan Ray (James Clemens, Alabama)

· Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eli Ricks (Alabama)

· Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (Central-Phenix City)

· Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (Ramsay, UAB)

Sometimes, undrafted players go beyond just making the team. AL.com’s most recent list of the 100 greatest NFL careers by players from Alabama high schools and colleges included 90 who had been drafted. Two more started their NFL careers before the first draft in 1936. That leaves eight players among the top 100 who were who passed over in the NFL Draft but still forged strong careers. The undrafted players among the 100 best were:

14. Frank Gatski, center (Auburn)

Cleveland Browns 1946-1956, Detroit Lions 1957: Pro Bowl 1956, All-Pro 1952, 1953, 1955; AAFC champion 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949; NFL champion 1950, 1954, 1955, 1957; Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1985.

39. Tony Richardson, fullback (Daleville High School, Auburn)

Kansas City Chiefs 1995-2005, Minnesota Vikings 2006-2007, New York Jets 2008-2010: Pro Bowl 2003, 2004, 2007.

51. Woody Peoples, guard (Ullman High School in Birmingham)

San Francisco 49ers 1968-1977, Philadelphia Eagles 1978-1980: Pro Bowl 1972, 1973.

59. Speedy Duncan, cornerback/kick returner (Druid High School in Tuscaloosa)

San Diego Chargers 1964-1970, Washington Redskins 1971-1974: Pro Bowl 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971.

67. Bobby Hunt, safety (Lanett High School, Auburn)

Dallas Texans 1962, Kansas City Chiefs 1963-1967, Cincinnati Bengals 1968-1969: Pro Bowl 1964, All-Pro 1962, AFL champion 1962.

80. Dave Edwards, outside linebacker (Abbeville High School, Auburn)

Dallas Cowboys 1963-1975: Super Bowl champion 1971.

91. Marcus Pollard, tight end (Valley High School)

Indianapolis Colts 1995-2004, Detroit Lions 2005-2006, Seattle Seahawks 2007, Atlanta Falcons 2008.

94. Charley Long, guard (Fyffe High School)

Boston Patriots 1961-1969: Pro Bowl 1962, 1963.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.