Most superstar athletes begin their professional careers as highly sought-after draft prospects, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes the path is a little rougher and a bit uncertain, but eventually the sun always finds a way to shrine through.
Great players can be found in the later rounds of the NFL Draft, while others are scooped up off the scrap heap only to surprise the masses.
Throughout history, the NFL has seen the rise of many superstars from the ashes. So with that in mind, here’s a look at the 20 greatest undrafted free agents in league history.
20. Tony Romo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Tony Romo signed with the Dallas Cowboys after going undrafted in 2003 and took over as the team’s starting quarterback in 2006. He went on to appear in four Pro Bowls, while being named a Second Team All-Pro in 2014 when he led the NFL in passer rating. His successful career was cut short due to injuries and he retired following the 2016 season.
19. Rod Smith, WR, Missouri Southern State
Rod Smith signed with the Denver Broncos after going undrafted in 1994 and spent all 14 years of his career with the team. In eight of those seasons, Smith would eclipse 1,000 yards receiving and led the league in receptions in 2001. He was named a Second Team All-Pro twice, made the Pro Bowl three times and won two Super Bowl titles, eventually being enshrined in the Broncos’ Hall of Fame.
18. Jason Peters, OT, Arkansas
Jason Peters was signed by the Buffalo Bills after going undrafted in 2004, but it wasn’t until his final years in Western New York and his time with the Philadelphia Eagles that he flourished. Still active to this day, Peters has been named a First Team All-Pro twice, a Second Team All-Pro four times and has appeared in nine Pro Bowls. Additionally, Peters was on the Eagles team that won their first Super Bowl title in 2017.
17. Donnie Shell, DB, South Carolina State
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Donnie Shell after he had gone undrafted in 1974, and while it took a little time to get his career going, Shell went on to have a great one. He was named to the Pro Bowl on five separate occasions, while also earning First Team All-Pro honors three times and Second Team All-Pro honors once. A four-time Super Bowl champion, Shell was later named to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Time Team.
16. Adam Vinatieri, K, South Dakota State
After going undrafted in 1996, Adam Vinatieri initially headed to NFL Europe before signing with the New England Patriots. From there, it’s history. Vinatieri was named a First Team All-Pro three times, also making the Pro Bowl three times, but that’s small potatoes. Vinatieri hit two game-winning field goals in the Super Bowl, winning four in total. He has been named to the New England Patriots’ 50th Anniversary Team and the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, holds several all-time NFL records and remains active with the Indianapolis Colts.
15. Joe Jacoby, OT, Louisville
After joining the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 1981, Joe Jacoby went on to become one of the original members of the famed “Hogs” offensive line. A three-time Super Bowl champion, Jacoby was named First Team All-Pro twice, a Second Team All-Pro once and appeared in four Pro Bowls. He was also named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and was later enshrined in the Washington Redskins’ Ring of Fame.
14. James Harrison, OLB, Kent State
James Harrison signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after going undrafted in 2002, but that first stint was short-lived. He had a cup of coffee with the Baltimore Ravens before heading to NFL Europe and then re-signing with the Steelers in 2004. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, was a First Team All-Pro two times, a Second Team All-Pro two times, a five-time Pro Bowler and a pivotal member of two Super Bowl-winning teams.
13. Cliff Harris, S, Ouachita Baptist
Nicknamed “Crash” for his intense style of play, Cliff Harris signed with the Dallas Cowboys after going undrafted in 1970. He would go on to appear in five Super Bowls with the Cowboys, winning two and earning six Pro Bowl nods in the process. Harris was also named a First Team All-Pro four times and a Second Team All-Pro once. He was later named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and enshrined in the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor.
12. Cornell Green, DB, Utah State
The Dallas Cowboys signed the undrafted Cornell Green in 1962 and he hit the ground running. Green was named to the All-Rookie Team in his first year, and went on to appear in five Pro Bowls, while also earning three First Team All-Pro and one Second Team All-Pro honors. He earned a Super Bowl ring in 1971 and was later named to the Dallas Cowboys’ 25th Anniversary Team. Green ended his career in 1974 with 34 interceptions.
11. Antonio Gates, TE, Kent State
A one-time basketball player, Antonio Gates signed with the then-San Diego Chargers after going undrafted in 2003. He then went on to have one of the greatest tight end careers in professional football history and continues to add to his numbers. An eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Second Team All-Pro, Gates is an absolutely lock for Canton when he eventually retires.
10. John Randle, DT, Texas A&M Kingsville
Known for his war paint and intense style, John Randle signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 1990. He went on to record 137.5 career sacks, while being named to seven Pro Bowls and receiving six All-Pro honors. Randle led the NFL in sacks in 1997 (15.5), was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, put into the Minnesota Vikings’ Ring of Honor and later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
9. Emmitt Thomas, CB, Bishop
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Emmitt Thomas as an undrafted free agent in 1966 and he never wore another uniform during his playing career. In addition to two AFL championships and three NFL championships, Thomas led both the AFL and NFL in interceptions once, finishing his career with 58 picks. A five-time Pro Bowler, two-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Second Team All-Pro, Thomas had his No. 18 retired by the Chiefs and was later inducted into both the Chiefs Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
8. Joe Perry, RB, Compton Community College
Joe Perry, whom the San Francisco 49ers signed as an undrafted rookie in 1948, is still considered one of the best inside runners in NFL history. He twice led the NFL in rushing and once in touchdowns, which matched his AAFC output. Perry was also named a First Team All-Pro twice, appeared in three Pro Bowls and won the UPI NFL Player of the Year Award in 1954. His No. 34 was retired by the 49ers, while also being named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
7. Lou Groza, OT/K, Ohio State
After going undrafted in the 1946 NFL Draft, Lou Groza, nicknamed “The Toe,” signed with the Cleveland Browns and would spent 21 long seasons with the franchise over two stints, playing both tackle and kicker. He was named to the Pro Bowl nine times, was a First Team All-Pro four times, a Second Team All-Pro twice, the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1954 and retired with four NFL Championships. Groza was also named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, had his No. 76 retired in Cleveland and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
6. Warren Moon, QB, Washington
Warren Moon went undrafted in 1978 and took the long route to the NFL, spending six years in the CFL before signing with the Houston Oilers in 1984. Moon went on to spend a remarkable 17 years in the NFL with four teams, twice eclipsing 4,000 yards passing while being named to the Pro Bowl nine times, winning the game’s MVP award in 1998. He was also named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1990, the NFL Man of the Year in 1989 and the Bart Starr Man of the Year in 1994. His No. 1 has been retired by the Tennessee Titans, he was placed into the Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
5. Willie Wood, CB, USC
The Green Bay Packers signed Willie Wood after he had gone undrafted in 1960, and he rewarded them with 12 remarkable NFL seasons, which was highlighted by an interception in Super Bowl I. He was named to the Pro Bowl an impressive eight times, also earning First Team All-Pro honors five times, Second Team All-Pro honors four times and was later named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. A five-time NFL champion, two-time Super Bowl champion and the league’s interception leader in 1962, Wood was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
4. Willie Brown, CB, Grambling
In 1963, Willie Brown was signed by the Denver Broncos after going undrafted, but, save for his sophomore season in which he recorded nine interceptions, it wasn’t until 1967 with the Oakland Raiders when his star truly began to shine. At that point in his career, Brown had put it all together and established himself as a regular in the AFL All-Star Game and, eventually, the Pro Bowl. At the end of his 16-year career, Brown had three Super Bowl titles, an AFL title, nine All-Star nods and 54 interceptions. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
3. Emlen Tunnell, DB, Iowa
Emlen Tunnell’s path to the NFL went through World War I where he served in the United States Coast Guard and was credited with saving the lives of some of his shipmates. He also sustained a serious neck injury in college and was even given his Last Rites. In 1948, he hitchhiked to meet with the New York Giants, where he became the first-ever African American to don their uniform. Over his 14-year NFL career, Tunnell made the Pro Bowl nine times, was named a First Team All-Pro six times, won two NFL titles and recorded 79 interceptions, which is second-most all-time. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
2. Dick Lane, DB, Scottsbluff JC
Night Train Lane signed with the Los Angeles Rams after going undrafted in 1952 and went on to be named a seven-time First Team All-Pro, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and twice led the NFL in interceptions. He still owns the NFL record for interceptions by a rookie (14) and his 68 career interceptions are fourth-most all-time. Lane was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
1. Kurt Warner, QB, Northern Iowa
Kurt Warner went undrafted in 1994 and received only a tryout invite from the Green Bay Packers initially. He was released before the season and returned home to stock shelves in a grocery store. After four years in the AFL, Warner returned to the NFL with then-St. Louis Rams in 1998 and never looked back. A two-time league MVP, two-time First Team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner, Warner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
