So much attention is paid toward the three days of the NFL Draft, there are plenty of players that go undrafted after the annual selection meeting is complete. Most undrafted free agents are lottery tickets, with many of them ending up not making it past training camp.
Then, other undrafted free agents become quality NFL players throughout the years and make their own mark in the league. Going undrafted doesn’t mean a player doesn’t have a chance at a successful career nor does it discourage players to chase their dreams. Some undrafted players ended up becoming Hall of Famers, even if their journey to Canton was significantly different than players that were drafted.
Who are the best players in NFL history that went undrafted? This list was derived from the common-draft era (since 1967) and does include an active player (even though that player isn’t under contract for the 2024 season yet). All of the players on this list are in the Hall of Fame or will be enshrined in Canton someday.
Players worthy of honorable mention: Rod Smith, Priest Holmes, Dave Krieg, Jessie Tuggle, Jeff Saturday, Tony Romo, Wes Welker, Eugene Robinson, Joe Jacoby, Everson Walls, Jim Langer, Justin Tucker (career far from finished).
Special mention to Dick “Night Train” Lane, who went undrafted in 1952 and led the NFL in interceptions twice. Lane finished with 68 career interceptions and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The three-time First Team All-Pro is one of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history.
10. Drew Pearson (Cowboys; 1973-1983)
One of the best wide receivers of his era, Pearson was an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa in 1973. A former quarterback that converted to wide receiver in college, Pearson earned three First Team All-Pro selection in his first five seasons in the league.
A member of the 1970s All-Decade Team, Pearson was the best receiver on the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XII championship team (leading the league in receiving yards that season). He finished with 489 catches for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns in 11 seasons, earning three First Team All-Pro and three Pro Bowl selections.
Pearson was finally selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. He had the most receiving yards in the league from 1973 to 1979 (5,713).
Arguably the best undrafted free agent linebacker, Harrison was the anchor of the Steelers defense throughout the late 2000s….
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