Adam Vinatieri came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1996 for the New England Patriots. He continues to kick as we head into the 2019 season for the Indianapolis Colts. An amazing career. Fifteen players who either started their NFL careers in 1996 or after that season have been named Pro Football Hall of Famers. Remember, you have to be retired for five seasons to be eligible for Canton.
Jonathan Ogden
The Baltimore Ravens made Jonathan Ogden the fourth overall pick in 1996 out of UCLA. The 6-foot-9, 345-pound tackle went on to become and 11-time Pro Bowler and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2013.
Marvin Harrison
Marvin Harrison was the 19th overall pick by the Colts out of Syracuse in 1996. The wideout caught 1,102 passes for more than 14,000 yards and 80 touchdowns. He was elected to the Hall in 2016.
Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis was one of the fiercest linebackers to play the game. The University of Miami star was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 26th overall in the same 1996 draft they took Jonathan Ogden. Two HOFers out of the same first round! The two-time Super Bowl champ was a member of the HOF class of 2018.
Brian Dawkins
Brian Dawkins came to the Philadelphia Eagles from Clemson. The HOF defensive back was a nine-time Pro Bowler and was elected to Canton in 2018.
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens was a third-round pick of the Niners in 1996. He played for six NFL teams and was a six-time Pro Bowler. The controversial wideout was inducted to the HOF in 2018.
Orlando Pace
Orlando Pace was the first overall pick in 1997 for the St. Louis Rams out of Ohio State. The seven-time Pro Bowler played all but one season with the Rams, finishing his career as a Chicago Bear. He became a Pro Football Hall of Famer in 2016.
Walter Jones
Walter Jones was the sixth overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 1997 out of Florida State. The offensive lineman was a nine-time Pro Bowler and elected to Canton in 2014.
Tony Gonzalez
One of the best tight ends in NFL history, Tony Gonzalez was a first-round pick of the Falcons in 1997. Gonzalez was a 14-time Pro Bowler and caught 1,325 passes for Atlanta and Kansas City in a career that saw him named a Hall of Famer in 2019.
Jason Taylor
Jason Taylor played college ball at Akron before being selected 73rd overall by the Miami Dolphins in 1997. The six-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Randy Moss
One of the most talented wide receivers of all-time was Randy Moss, who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings 21st overall out of Marshall in 1998. Moss played for five NFL teams, including Minnesota twice. He was a member of the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Champ Bailey
Champ Bailey was drafted by the Washington Redskins out of Georgia in 1999, seventh overall. The 12-time Pro Bowler intercepted 52 passes in his career and was voted into Canton in 2019.
Brian Urlacher
Brian Urlacher came to the Chicago Bears from New Mexico. The middle linebacker was a first-round pick in 2000. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
LaDanian Tomlinson
The great LaDainian Tomlinson came to the Chargers from TCU. The five-time Pro Bowler rushed for 13,684 yards and 145 TDs on the ground. He became a Pro Football HOFer in 2017.
Ed Reed
Ed Reed was another Baltimore Raven who came from Miami. The great defensive back was a Super Bowl champ and nine-time Pro Bowler. He was a first-round pick in 2002, 24th overall, and is a member of the 2019 HOF class.
Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner’s circuitous route to Canton has been documented. He had a tryout with the Packers in 1994. However, he never played in the NFL until 1998 so he fits into this discussion. The four-time Pro Bowler was a Super Bowl champ and game MVP. He was inducted to the HOF in 2017.
