the players they sign."

There is at least a third option of: "the players are not NFL-level elite, even if developed to their full potential." Why are you certain that this is not an option?

I did not see anything out of Fua, other than raw athleticism and some decent instincts, that led me to believe he was a draft prospect (exceptional size, instincts, and athleticism, not just great promise). I can see him as a FA safety, but he also played pretty skinny in college, and I could see NFL teams thinking they don't have quite enough data to take him in the draft as a safety.

I don't see any other senior on the team last year being a definite draft pick. Leslie was a maybe, but I see him doing okay as an FA signee.

I think we have some excellent D1 players that can compete with most people, but we are kidding ourselves if we think Fua, Povey, Apo, Leslie are the elite of the elite. I am thrilled they played for us, and they are outstanding, but I didn't see any of them as any better than Hoffman or Uani Unga, who did not get drafted.