Best Undrafted NFL Players of All Time
Antonio Gates went undrafted out of Kent State in 2003.The NFL draft can be an overrated exercise.
The cream rises to the top, no matter how convoluted and complex the road, and the league has a way of weeding out those who aren’t talented or hardworking enough to be there.
First-round picks sometimes are busts. Later-round picks (ahem, Tom Brady) can be the greatest of all time. There also are players who never get drafted but go on to amazing, even Hall of Fame, careers.
These are those guys. The diamonds deep in the rough. The greatest NFL players who weren’t drafted.
25. Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett celebrates a sack against the New York Giants in 2018.Position: Defensive end
Hometown: Independence, Louisiana
High school: Alief Taylor High School (Houston, Texas)
College: Texas A&M
Rookie year: 2009
NFL career: 10 years (2009-present)
Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2013)
Bottom Line: Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett was a Super Bowl in 2013.Michael Bennett wasn’t drafted after an inconsistent college career. The Seahawks signed him as a free agent in 2009, then waived him after a few months, and he got picked up by the Buccaneers.
After spending four seasons in Tampa, he returned to Seattle and became one of the most disruptive defensive presences in the NFL. He anchored the Seahawks' defensive line for five seasons, earning three Pro Bowl appearances and helping Seattle win its first championship in Super Bowl XLVIII.
In 2018, the Seahawks traded Bennett to the Eagles, who dealt him to the Patriots a year later. Now, he gets a shot to play for Bill Belichick and add to his 63 career sacks.
24. Jeff Saturday
Jeff Saturday played in 211 career NFL games.Position: Center
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
High school: Shamrock High School (Decatur, Ga.)
College: North Carolina
Rookie year: 1998
NFL career: 14 years (1999-2012)
Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2007)
Bottom Line: Jeff Saturday
Jeff Saturday played 14 seasons in the NFL.Jeff Saturday was passed over in the 1998 NFL draft because of his size deficiency. The Ravens signed the 6-foot-2, 295-pound center, but waived him before he ever played a game for Baltimore.
Then he worked at an electrical supply store before finding a home with the Indianapolis Colts and becoming a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro as Peyton Manning’s protector.
Saturday was so good he might end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day.
23. London Fletcher
Washington Redskins inside linebacker London Fletcher before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in 2013.Position: Inside linebacker
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
High school: Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School
College: John Carroll
Rookie year: 1998
NFL career: 16 years (1998-2013)
Teams: St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins
Super Bowl titles: 1(1999)
Bottom Line: London Fletcher
London Fletcher played for three NFL teams.London Fletcher was only 5-foot-10, but after a standout career at John Carroll, a Division III school in Ohio, the linebacker took full advantage of his NFL opportunity with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 1998.
He was a leader of the Super Bowl champion Rams in 1999 and enjoyed a four-time Pro Bowl career, all with the Washington Redskins.
A two-time All-Pro (2011, 2012), Fletcher hung up his cleats with 1,380 solo tackles, the sixth-most in NFL history.
22. Nate Newton
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton in action against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996.Position: Guard/tackle
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
High school: Jones High School
College: Florida A&M
Rookie year: 1986
NFL career: 14 years (1986-99)
Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers
Super Bowl titles: 3 (1992, 1993, 1995)
Bottom Line: Nate Newton
Nate Newton, left, won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys.Nate Newton was a five-time Pro Bowler and mainstay on one of the NFL's best offensive lines with the Cowboys, who won three championships in the 1990s.
But every NFL team overlooked the All-MEAC right tackle out of college. In fact the Washington Redskins cut Newton when he couldn’t make weight in training camp in 1983.
Jimmy Johnson helped him figure it out in Dallas, and the rest is history.
21. Tony Romo
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo attempts to fight off a sack against the Denver Broncos in 2013.Position: Quarterback
Hometown: San Diego, California
High school: Burlington High School (Wisconsin)
College: Eastern Illinois
Rookie year: 2003
NFL career: 14 years (2003-16)
Teams: Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Tony Romo
Tony Romo threw for 34,183 yards in his NFL career.Tony Romo came out of nowhere — he wasn’t even invited to the draft combine in his eligible season out of Eastern Illinois.
The Cowboys signed him in 2003, though he didn't take off as the starter at quarterback until unseating Drew Bledsoe in Week 7 of the 2006 season.
He was a lightning rod, as most Cowboys quarterbacks are, but was selected to four Pro Bowls and guided Dallas to the playoffs four times.
20. Larry Little
Larry Little (66) blocks for the Miami Dolphins in a 1973 AFC playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals.Position: Guard
Hometown: Miami, Florida
High school: Booker T. Washington High School
College: Bethune Cookman College
Rookie year: 1967
NFL career: 14 years (1967-80)
Teams: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins
Super Bowl titles: 2 (1971, 1972)
Bottom Line: Larry Little
Larry Little won two Super Bowls with the Dolphins.Larry Little was a fixture for the Miami Dolphins' offensive line, after a trade from the San Diego Chargers changed his career trajectory.
He started every game of the undefeated 1972 team, clearing holes for Larry Csonka, and helped the Dolphins go back-to-back in 1973.
A five-time All-Pro, Little was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
19. Jason Peters
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters defends the rush against the Dallas Cowboys in 2018.Position: Offensive tackle
Hometown: Bowie, Texas
High school: Queen City High School (Texas)
College: Arkansas
Rookie year: 2004
NFL career: 15 years (2004-present)
Teams: Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2017)
Bottom Line: Jason Peters
Jason Peters made his NFL debut in 2004.Jason Peters was a 320-pound tight end when he left Arkansas. Scouts drooled at his talent but were conflicted about his potential.
The Buffalo Bills gave him a shot on the offensive line, and he's made nine All-Pro teams as a tackle for Buffalo and Philadelphia.
In 2018, an ESPN panel projected Peters, who's still starting for the Eagles, would make the Hall of Fame after he retires.
18. Wes Welker
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker makes a play against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game in 2012.Position: Wide receiver
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
High school: Heritage Hall High School (Okla.)
College: Texas Tech
Rookie year: 2004
NFL career: 12 years (2004-15)
Teams: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Wes Welker
Wes Welker played 12 seasons in the NFL.Wes Welker became the best slot receiver of his day after going undrafted because of his 5-8, 185-pound frame.
He overcame all size concerns to become Tom Brady’s favorite weapon on the Patriots, leading the NFL in catches in 2007, 2009 and 2011 and helping New England reach the Super Bowl twice in five seasons.
Though Welker never won a ring, he was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first- or second-team All-Pro.
17. Rod Smith
Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith catches a pass for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.Position: Wide receiver
Hometown: Texarkana, Arkansas
High school: Texarkana Senior High School
College: Missouri Southern
Rookie year: 1994
NFL career: 12 years (1995-2007)
Teams: Denver Broncos
Super Bowl titles: 2 (1997, 1998)
Bottom Line: Rod Smith
Rod Smith caught 68 touchdowns in his career.Don't overlook great football players at Division II schools.
At Missouri Southern, Rod Smith broke conference (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) and school records before becoming one of the greatest receivers in modern NFL history.
Smith holds 11 Broncos franchise records, including most career catches (849), most career yards (11,389) and most touchdowns (71).
16. Priest Holmes
Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes rushes for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in 2005.Position: Running back
Hometown: Fort Smith, Arkansas
High school: John Marshall High School (Leon Valley, Texas)
College: Texas
Rookie year: 1997
NFL career: 11 years (1997-2007)
Teams: Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1999)
Bottom Line: Priest Holmes
Priest Holmes won one Super Bowl.Priest Holmes' NFL career was like a comet. And for much of that time, he was the most feared running back in football.
Holmes was passed over in a stacked University of Texas backfield but broke out with the Kansas City Chiefs under coach Dick Vermeil.
Holmes is the Chiefs' franchise record holder for touchdowns, led the NFL in rushing in 2001 and was the 2002 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
15. Marion Motley
Cleveland Browns fullback Marion Motley scored 31 touchdowns in his career.Position: Fullback
Hometown: Leesburg, Georgia
High school: Canton McKinley High School (Canton, Ohio)
College: Nevada
Rookie year: 1946
NFL career: 9 years(1946-55)
Teams: Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Marion Motley
Marion Motley in 1948.Marion Motley was teammates with Bill Willis — another undrafted NFL player who became a star — and they co-broke the NFL’s color barrier by breaking in with the Browns together in 1946.
Motley mostly was a fullback, who led the NFL in rushing as a 30-year-old for the champion Browns in 1950.
His 4,712 yards are the sixth-most in Browns history, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.
14. Bill Willis
Bill Willis started 66 of his 99 career NFL games.Position: Defensive tackle
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
High school: Columbus East High School
College: Ohio State
Rookie year: 1946
NFL career: 8 years (1946-53)
Teams: Cleveland Browns
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Bill Willis
Bill Willis is in the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames.Bill Willis is in both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames, yet he nearly never had a career with the Cleveland Browns.
An undersized defensive lineman, at 6-foot-2, 213 pounds, he also played at a time when opportunities for black football players were limited.
Willis started as a coach when he tried out for and made the Cleveland Browns at age 24. He ended as a four-time All-Pro and won the NFL championship in 1950.
13. Joe Jacoby
Washington Redskins offensive tackle Joe Jacoby butts heads at the line with Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Leon Seals during Super Bowl XXVI in 1992.Position: Offensive lineman
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
High school: Western High School
College: Louisville
Rookie year: 1981
NFL career: 13 years (1981-93)
Teams: Washington Redskins
Super Bowl titles: 3 (1983, 1988, 1991)
Bottom Line: Joe Jacoby
Joe Jacoby was a four-time Pro Bowler.Joe Jacoby was the linchpin of the legendary Hogs offensive line, playing left tackle for three Super Bowl-winning Redskins teams.
But he went undrafted in the 1981 NFL draft before signing with Washington for training camp.
All he did after that was make four Pro Bowls and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
12. Willie Wood
Green Bay Packers defensive back Willie Wood defends a pass against the Detroit Lions in 1967.Position: Safety
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High school: Armstrong High School
College: Southern California
Rookie year: 1960
NFL career: 12 years (1960-71)
Teams: Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl titles: 2 (1966, 1967)
Bottom Line: Willie Wood
Willie Wood had 48 career interceptions.Willie Wood was an eight-time Pro Bowler, nine-time All-Pro and five-time NFL champion.
Yet shoulder injuries out of USC left him undrafted, and if not for a letter he penned to legendary coach Vince Lombardi, Wood may have never reached the NFL.
Good thing he did. Wood was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
11. Emmitt Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Emmitt Thomas after intercepting a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the AFL championship game in 1970.Position: Cornerback
Hometown: Angleton, Texas
High school: Angleton High School
College: Bishop
Rookie year: 1966
NFL career: 13 years (1966-78)
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1969)
Bottom Line: Emmitt Thomas
Emmitt Thomas was an NFL coach after his playing days.Emmitt Thomas went to little-known Bishop College (now defunct), but caught on as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs.
He went onto a Hall of Fame-playing career with 58 interceptions, a Chiefs franchise record, and five Pro Bowl appearances.
After his playing days, he enjoyed a lengthy career as an NFL coach, winning two Super Bowls on the sidelines with the Washington Redskins in 1987 and 1991. He retired after the 2018 season.
10. Lou Groza
Cleveland Browns tackle/kicker Lou Groza, approaches the ball for a field goal against the Los Angeles Dons in 1946.Position: Offensive lineman/kicker
Hometown: Martins Ferry, Ohio
High school: Martins Ferry High School
College: Ohio State
Rookie year: 1946
NFL career: 21 years (1946-67)
Teams: Cleveland Browns
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Lou Groza
Lou Groza was nicknamed "The Toe."Kickers are football players, and Lou Groza was a pioneer in the placekicking field. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound tackle with the "atomic toe" was considered the NFL’s first kicking specialist.
Groza was the secret weapon of four championship teams for the Browns and was named the Sporting News NFL MVP in 1954, the inaugural recipient of the award.
Though he had a strong career at Ohio State, Groza was never drafted after serving in the Army. Now, the award for college football's best kicker is named after him.
9. Adam Vinatieri
Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri warms up before a 2014 game against the New England Patriots.Position: Kicker
Hometown: Yankton, South Dakota
High school: Rapid City Central (S.D.)
College: South Dakota State
Rookie year: 1996
NFL career: 23 years (1996-present)
Teams: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts
Super Bowl titles: 4 (2001, 2003, 2004, 2006)
Bottom Line: Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri was a clutch as they come as a kicker.Adam Vinatieri, like Lou Groza, is a football player, and also might be the greatest kicker of all time.
Vinatieri twice booted the game-winning kick in Super Bowls and has more points than any player in NFL history.
Canton will be calling him when his career ends.
8. John Randle
John Randle played in 219 games in his NFL career.Position: Defensive tackle/end
Hometown: Mumford, Texas
High school: Hearne High School (Texas)
College: Texas A&M-Kingsville
Rookie year: 1990
NFL career: 14 years (1990-2003)
Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: John Randle
John Randle was intimidating on the field.John Randle was famous for his exotic eye black during his NFL career, but he went undrafted after playing as an undersized (6-foot-1, 244 pounds) defensive lineman at Texas A&M-Kingsville, a Division II school in the Lone Star Conference.
The Vikings took a chance on Randle (whose older brother Ervin Randle had an eight-year NFL career as a linebacker with the Buccaneers and Chiefs from 1985 to 1992), and he didn't disappoint.
Randle put on 50 pounds, made seven Pro Bowls and recorded 137.5 sacks, tied for the ninth-most in NFL history. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010, his second year on the ballot.
7. Willie Brown
Oakland Raiders defensive back Willie Brown intercepts a pass against the Houston Oilers in 1977.Position: Cornerback
Hometown: Yazoo City, Mississippi
High school: Taylor High School
College: Grambling State
Rookie year: 1963
NFL career: 16 years (1963-78)
Teams: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: Willie Brown
Willie Brown, left, won one Super Bowl.Willie Brown was not a coveted asset coming out of Grambling State. First signed by the Houston Oilers, then cut, Brown got his foot in the NFL door with the Denver Broncos and became a starter in his rookie season.
Traded to the Raiders in 1967, Brown became a legend with the silver and black, becoming a shutdown cornerback long before the term was mainstream.
He finished his career with 54 interceptions, was a four-time Pro Bowler, five-time AFL All-Star and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
6. Emlen Tunnell
Emlen Tunnell had 79 interceptions in his NFL career.Position: Safety
Hometown: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
High school: Radnor High School (Pa.)
College: Toledo/Iowa
Rookie year: 1948
NFL career: 14 years (1948-61)
Teams: New York Giants, Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Emlen Tunnell
Emlen Tunnell in 1949.Emlen Tunnell served in the Coast Guard in World War II, then finished his college career at Iowa as a 24-year-old.
He signed with the New York Giants, becoming the first black player to suit up there, and became an impact player for New York’s stalwart defense.
He had seven interceptions as a rookie and finished with 79 career picks — the second-most in NFL history — and was the first African-American inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.
5. James Harrison
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison runs after making an interception against the San Diego Chargers in 2008.Position: Outside linebacker
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
High school: Coventry High School (Ohio)
College: Kent State
Rookie year: 2002
NFL career: 15 years (2002-17)
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots
Super Bowl titles: 2 (2006, 2009)
Bottom Line: James Harrison
James Harrison, left, won two Super Bowls with the Steelers.James Harrison terrorized offenses for his entire NFL career, but he almost didn’t make it to the league at all.
At six feet, 242 pounds, he was deemed too short to play linebacker and too light to play on the defensive line, but proved doubters wrong by making five Pro Bowls, winning two Super Bowls and the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year.
Expect the Pro Football Hall of Fame, just minutes from his hometown of Akron, Ohio, to be calling.
4. Dick 'Night Train' Lane
Detroit Lions defensive end Dick "Night Train" Lane intercepts a pass against the Baltimore Colts in 1962.Position: Cornerback/defensive end
Hometown: Austin, Texas
High school: Anderson High School
College: Scottsbluff Junior
Rookie year: 1952
NFL career: 14 years (1952-65)
Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Dick 'Night Train' Lane
Night Train Lane was a hard hitter.Night Train Lane’s story seems straight out of the movies, with baseball, military service and one year of junior college football coming before his eventual NFL debut with the Los Angeles Rams.
He had an NFL-record 14 interceptions in his first season, as a 25-year-old, and ranks fourth in interceptions in NFL history with 68.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
3. Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates played 16 seasons in the NFL.Position: Tight end
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
High school: Detroit Central High School
College: Kent State
Rookie year: 2003
NFL career: 16 years (2003-18)
Teams: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates scored 116 touchdowns.Antonio Gates was recruited to play basketball and football at Michigan State but settled on basketball and transferred to Kent State. Despite a standout career with the Golden Flashes, the 6-foot-4, 255-pounder was too short to have any sort of NBA career, so he trained for football and became one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.
Gates has the most touchdowns of any tight end in NFL history (116) and was selected for the Pro Bowl eight times.
The Hall of Fame awaits.
2. Warren Moon
Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon gives a touchdown signal after completing a touchdown pass against the New York Jets in 1991.Position: Quarterback
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
High school: Hamilton High School
College: Washington
Rookie year: 1984
NFL career: 17 years (1984-2000)
Teams: Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Warren Moon
Warren Moon threw for 49,325 yards in his career.Warren Moon was overlooked in a 12-round NFL draft in 1978, but burst on the scene with the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos, where he won five straight CFL titles.
He then caught on with the Houston Oilers and set 37 franchise passing records in 10 seasons.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, becoming the first undrafted quarterback to earn that achievement.
1. Kurt Warner
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner sets to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in 2001.Position: Quarterback
Hometown: Burlington, Iowa
High school: Regis High School (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
College: Northern Iowa
Rookie year: 1998
NFL career: 12 years (1998-2009)
Teams: St. Louis Rams, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2000)
Bottom Line: Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner came a long way from playing with the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe.Kurt Warner’s story is the stuff of fairytales. From coming out of Northern Iowa to stocking grocery shelves to the Arena Football League to the NFL to Super Bowl MVP, Warner became a star almost overnight.
Warner was one of the finest quarterbacks of his era, playing in three Super Bowls and becoming the first quarterback to throw for 400-plus yards in the NFL's biggest game when he lifted the Rams to a Super Bowl 34 win over the Tennessee Titans.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
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