Our next undrafted wonder is a Southern Methodist University alumni who embodies all of the little-guy clichés we apply to any player under 6-feet tall: Tough, scrappy and all heart.
Despite his size, Cole Beasley it still one of the most important players on the offense. He is the ultimate under dog story. Cue the Rudy soundtrack.
Cole Beasley went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft because of his size. Just by looking at him, one could surmise why he wasn’t drafted. The Cowboys have him listed at 5’8″, 180 pounds making him the lightest player on the roster. Chris Jones, the punter, is 6’0″, 208 pounds and Dan Bailey, the kicker, stands 6’0″, 189 pounds.
There are players in the NFL that are about his height and there are players that are about his weight. The fact the Cole Beasley is both and still scoring touchdowns for America’s Team is what makes Beasley, beastly.
Cole Beasley was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2012 as an undrafted free agent but left during training camp to deal with personal issues. He considered retiring from professional football and wasn’t sure he had any desire to play. He was going to quit.
The team gave him some space to clear his head and think things over. Eventually he had a change of heart and returned to make the final 53-man roster. He quickly found his role in the offense and in 10 games of his rookie year he made 15 receptions for 98 yards.
The following year, Beasley continued to find ways to remain productive even while being surrounded by a solid group of wide receivers. Mostly because of Beasley’s route execution and great hands. More so, he had, and still has, the ability to stay out of harm’s way with his quickness and smaller frame.
In 2014, he posted 37 receptions, 420 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged nearly 50 yards per game during the final six contests of the season.
Because of the season he had in 2014, the Cowboys signed Beasley to a 4 year $13.6 million contract. He finished 2015 with 52 receptions for 537 yards, and five touchdowns. This came without Dez Bryant and four different quarterbacks throwing to him.
To date, Beasley has 143 receptions for 1,452 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
Beasley defies all the rules and norms of football. He is proof that even someone who is 5’8” and 180 pounds can thrive as a wide receiver in the NFL. The odds of finding the next Beasley are extremely slim, but none the less, Beasley shows that it’s still possible. That anything is possible.
Cole Beasley may stand 5’8” 180 pounds, but he sure doesn’t play like it. He is more than just an undrafted wonder, he is an undrafted inspiration.
