During the lockout, many of us predicted that undrafted rookies would have a rough time making regular-season rosters because the shortened offseason would give them less time to show what they could do.
It turns out that prediction was wrong.
The league office informs us that there are 58 undrafted rookies on 53-man rosters right now, which is one more than last year on Kickoff Weekend, and the most since 2003. In 2009 there were only 37 undrafted rookies on Week 1 rosters, and in 2008 there were only 33.
The Bears lead the way this season with five undrafted rookie free agents on their 53-man roster (including Dane Sanzenbacher, pictured), followed by the Cowboys, Colts and Seahawks with four each.