Greatest undrafted players in NFL history

In his short time in the NFL, Malcolm Butler has gone from Super Bowl hero to...whatever the heck happened in Super Bowl LII, so it's anyone's guess where his career will take him at this point. But making what is arguably the most clutch interception in Super Bowl history isn't too bad for an undrafted rookie out of West Alabama. That pick propelled Butler to a Pro Bowl season in 2015, and he was considered one of the best corners in the NFL following another Super Bowl season in 2016. Now, with his Pats career seemingly in the rearview, Butler will likely try and latch on to a new team in 2018. 

The Giants signed the New Jersey native after he went undrafted in 2010 out of Massachusetts, and since then he's salsa danced into the hearts of their fans after he helped the team win a Super Bowl in the same season in which he broke the team record for receiving yards in a year. 

Former Houston Texans star running back Arian Foster has made many NFL foes regret not drafting him in 2009. Since the Texans signed Foster as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee, he’s done nothing but produce. In just eight years as a pro, Foster rushed for 6,527 yards, caught 255 passes and scored 68 total touchdowns, while making four Pro Bowls. He retired in October 2016.

After going undrafted in the 2005 NFL Draft, linebacker Cameron Wake began an arduous pro football journey. After being cut by the New York Giants, Wake played several years in the Canadian Football League before finally catching on with the Miami Dolphins in 2009. Since Wake joined the Dolphins, he’s been an absolute stud for the team. A now five-time Pro Bowler and 2012 First Team All-Pro, Wake has racked up 92 sacks in his tenure with the Dolphins.

After going undrafted in 2005 out of Kent State, wide receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs caught on with the Cleveland Browns. Over a decade in the NFL, Cribbs was one of the Browns' few bright spots, establishing himself as one of the most prolific return men in NFL history. He was named First-Team All-Pro in 2009.

Deemed by scouts as “too little” to be an effective wide receiver, undrafted free agent Wes Welker carved out a remarkable career in the NFL. With 903 career receptions, five Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro selections, Welker is one of the best slot receivers of his generation.

Although he was often maligned as a quarterback who couldn’t get the job done when his team needed him most, in truth Tony Romo was one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks during his career. Undrafted out of Eastern Illinois, he owns the Dallas Cowboys' records for passing yards, passing touchdowns and passer rating.

A basketball star for Kent State, Antonio Gates has used his skills on the hardwood to help revolutionize the tight end position in the NFL. It’s hard to imagine that when the San Diego Chargers signed the undrafted free agent in 2003 that they were signing one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. But with eight Pro Bowl appearances, three First-Team All-Pro selections, over 11,000 receiving yards and 114 touchdowns, Gates is inarguably one of the best to ever play the position.

Although it took him some time to develop his game, undrafted free agent linebacker James Harrison was one of the best in the NFL at his position for the Pittsburgh Steelers by the 2007 season. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, Harrison’s finest moment as a pro came in 2008 when he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He also has one of the most memorable interceptions in Super Bowl history from that same season. 

Playing alongside a living legend in Ray Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens, Bart Scott learned how to play the inside linebacker position at an extremely high level. With a tremendous football IQ, Scott played 11 years in the NFL, racking up over 500 tackles and 25 sacks.

Undrafted out of Arizona, linebacker Antonio Pierce enjoyed a respectable nine-year career in the NFL. Presently an analyst for ESPN, Pierce totaled 530 tackles, one Pro Bowl appearance and was a key member of the 2009 Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Despite being an undrafted free agent out of North Texas, guard Brian Waters became one of the best NFL offensive linemen during his 13-year NFL career. Waters was named to six Pro Bowls, was a two-time First-Team All-Pro and was named the 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year by the NFL.

From 1998 to 2013, every week in the NFL had one thing in common: London Fletcher was playing. In the most punishing sport on the planet, the undrafted linebacker played every single game of his 16-year career. In those 256 games Fletcher played for the Rams, Bills and Redskins, he amassed 1,380 tackles, 39 sacks and one Super Bowl victory.

As the man who snapped the ball to Peyton Manning for the majority of his career, center Jeff Saturday had an immensely successful NFL career. In his 14-year career, Saturday made six Pro Bowls, was a two-time First-Team All-Pro and won one Super Bowl.

What did David Akers accomplish in the NFL since going undrafted in 1997? Six Pro Bowls, two trips to the Super Bowl, numerous kicking records including points and field goals in one season, and he also has a 63-yard field goal on his résumé to boot, which was a record at the time. 

When he was at Texas, he was a backup to Ricky Williams. When he was with the Baltimore Ravens, he was a backup to Jamal Lewis, where he won a Super Bowl. When he was with the Kansas City Chiefs, Priest Holmes ran wild. In 2003, he set a then-NFL record with 27 total touchdowns in one season. Holmes was also the first undrafted free agent to lead the NFL in rushing, with 1,555 yards gained in 2001.

When undrafted free agent quarterback Jack Delhomme was cut by the New Orleans Saints without ever playing in a game, it seemed a guarantee that he would never play in the NFL. However, after playing several years in the now defunct NFL Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals, Delhomme caught the eyes of the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers signed Delhomme to be a backup, but as fate would have it, he eventually took over as the starter and shockingly led the team all the way to Superbowl XXXVIII, where he came within three points of leading the Panthers to a Super Bowl victory.

Although it is common for kickers to go undrafted, it’s just a bit uncommon for any kicker to have the career that Adam Vinatieri has had. He is considered by many to be the greatest kicker in NFL history for making the game-winning field goals in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII for the New England Patriots. Second all time in points scored with 2,487, Vinatieri is still going strong 20-plus years later.

A longtime fan favorite for Jets fans, wide receiver Wayne Chrebet worked his way into having a successful NFL career. In Chrebet’s 11-year career for the Jets, the undrafted free agent out of Hofstra caught 580 passes, racked up 7,365 receiving yards and caught 41 touchdowns.

Kurt Warner’s journey as a football player reads like the script of a Disney movie. After going undrafted in 1994, Warner spent time in NFL Europe, the Arena Football League and even famously worked for a time bagging groceries. Then in 1999, St. Louis Rams starter Trent Green tore up his knee in a preseason game, and with Warner the next man up on the depth chart, “The Greatest Show on Turf” was born. Warner led the Rams to their first Super Bowl victory that year, made it to two other Super Bowls and won two MVPs in a Hall of Fame career.

Undrafted in 1994 out of Missouri Southern, wide receiver Rod Smith became John Elway’s favorite target with the Denver Broncos. In his 12-year career with the Broncos, Smith caught 849 passes, gained 11,389 receiving yards, hauled in 68 touchdowns, and helped Elway and the Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowls in the late '90s.

After going undrafted in 1994, quarterback Jeff Garcia played five years in the Canadian Football League, where he had tremendous success. Then in 1999, the San Francisco 49ers signed Garcia to back up Steve Young. When Young was forced to retire early in the 1999 season, Garcia stepped in and proved he belonged in the NFL. A four-time Pro Bowler, Garcia nearly led the 49ers and Eagles respectively to Super Bowl appearances in his 11-year NFL career.

Taking a look back a defensive tackle John Randle’s career, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher as to why he went undrafted. In his 14-year career, Randle was a six-time First-Team All-Pro, racked up 137.5 sacks and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2010. If the 1990 draft were to happen all over again, the undrafted Randle would likely be the No. 1 overall pick.

The Falcons signed Tuggle out of little-known Valdosta State in 1987, and for the next decade and a half, he was a tackling machine for the Dirty Birds. He made the Pro Bowl five times in his career, and his No. 58 is now retired in Atlanta. 

It's safe to say the Cowboys did pretty well for themselves with undrafted free agents they signed in 1983 (although Newton was originally signed by Washington and didn't join Dallas until 1986). This trio of players all played key roles in the Cowboys' three Super Bowl victories during the '90s. 

After signing with Washington following the 1981 draft, Jacoby became a fixture on the team's offensive line, making four Pro Bowls in his career and helping the team to three Super Bowl wins while blocking for three different QBs. 

At just 5-9, Sam Mills was tremendously undersized to play linebacker. For Mills, however, it didn’t matter. After going undrafted in 1981, he caught on with the New Orleans Saints in 1986 after time in USFL and immediately established himself as their top linebacker. In his 12-year career, Mills amassed 1,142 tackles and was named to five Pro Bowls.

After going undrafted in 1978, quarterback Warren Moon played six years in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos. After leading the Eskimos to five straight Grey Cups, Moon was signed by the Houston Oilers. During his time in the NFL, he was selected to nine Pro Bowls, was a three-time First-Team All-Pro and passed for over 49,000 yards. Moon is in both the Pro Football and Canadian Football Halls of Fames.

Six Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl wins (one on the undefeated 1972 Dolphins team), a member of the all 1970s All-Decade Team and a member of the Hall of Fame. Pretty stellar résumé for someone seemingly no team wanted in the 1970 draft. 

Underrated out of Bethune-Cookman College, guard Larry Little caught on with the Miami Dolphins in 1967 and never looked back. Little was selected to five Pro Bowls, made five First-Team All-Pros and played 183 games in his Hall of Fame career.

Thomas went undrafted in 1966 and then signed with Kansas City, where he became one of the best players in franchise history. He tallied five Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl victory, while also having his No. 18 retired and eventually making it into the Hall of Fame in 2008. 

One of the most decorated players ever to play cornerback, it’s hard to believe that Oakland Raiders legend Willie Brown went undrafted in 1963. Regardless, the Raiders signed Brown, and he went on to play in nine Pro Bowls, nab 54 interceptions and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1984.

One of the greatest safeties to ever play the game, Wood made eight Pro Bowls and was part of some legendary Packers teams that won five NFL Championships along with two Super Bowls. Wood was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989. 

After realizing his line of work at an aircraft factory wasn’t satisfying him, Dick “Night Train” Lane showed up at the Los Angeles Rams' 1952 training camp looking for a new line of work. For the next 14 years, Lane was the NFL’s best cornerback, being selected to seven Pro Bowls and grabbing 68 interceptions. “Night Train” eventually became the first undrafted free agent to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

After going undrafted in 1948, Perry became the first great rusher in 49ers history, where he won two rushing titles while making three Pro Bowls. His No. 34 is retired in San Francisco, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969. 

Tunnell made nine Pro Bowls, won two NFL Championships with two different teams and most notably became the first African-American to make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. 

Willis made three Pro Bowls, won an NFL Championship in 1950 as a member of the Browns, and is a member of both the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame. 

"The Toe" was both an offensive lineman and a kicker for the Cleveland Browns, where he made nine Pro Bowls, won four NFL titles and had his No. 76 retired, among many other honors. The best kicker in college each season is also given the "Lou Groza Award." Groza was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974. 

Another undrafted legend for the Cleveland Browns, Motley made one Pro Bowl, won one NFL Championship and also was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1968. 

Nicknamed "Gunner," the legendary Browns center was part of a Cleveland franchise that won four NFL Championships. Gatski was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1985.