The New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin is the most talked about athlete in the world right now. And—although Floyd Mayweather disagrees—the biggest reason is because he came out of nowhere, an undrafted free agent from Harvard.
But every year in the NFL, someone sneaks through the cracks on draft day and a superstar emerges.
Through the years, names like Kurt Warner, Warren Moon and this year's Hall-of-Fame entry, John Randle, were all undrafted free agents out of college.
A handful of the names on this list will someday join them.
No. 25: Kyle Arrington, CB, New England Patriots
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College: Hofstra, 2008
2011 Stats: 88 tackles, 7 INT
The Pats pass defense has been much-maligned the last few seasons, but the lack of pass rush is just as culpable as their secondary.
Arrington has become a more than capable corner opposite Devin McCourty.
Last year, McCourty was an All-Pro as a rookie, recording seven picks, so naturally, teams shied away from him and turned their attention towards Arrington, who responded by picking off seven passes of his own to lead the NFL.
At just 25, he has a bright future ahead of him.
No. 24: Tramon Williams, CB, Green Bay Packers
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College: Lousiana Tech, 2006
2011 Stats: 64 tackles, 4 INT
If playing opposite Devin McCourty boosted Kyle Arrington into a fine season, consider what playing opposite Charles Woodson did for Williams last year.
Williams became a full-time starter in 2010, and coincidence or not, the Packers went on to win the Super Bowl that same season.
And, after a wonderful 2011 postseason (three picks and a touchdown in the blowout of Atlanta), he more than backed up his breakout season this year, especially since he played with a bum shoulder all year.
When (if?) Woodson retires, the Packers can turn to Williams as the anchor of that secondary.
No. 23: Cameron Wake, LB, Miami Dolphins
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College: Penn State, 2005
2011 Stats: 42 tackles, 8.5 sacks
It's one thing for a player from Hofstra or even Lousiana Tech to slip through the cracks. But a Penn State Nittany Lion linebacker? That's surprising.
Still, Wake wasn't drafted in 2005 and spent the next two years in the Canadian Football League and became the league's top defender. The Dolphins took note, and in just his second season, he finished third in the NFL with 14 sacks, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl.
His skills will be tested again this summer when the Dolphins will likely switch him to defensive end in a new 4-3 scheme.
No. 22: Bart Scott, LB, New York Jets
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College: Southern Illinois, 2002
2011 Stats: 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Although he's on the downside of his career and didn't have a great season in the Jets tumultuous 2011 campaign, Scott has been a staple of some of the best defenses of the last decade or so.
He's one of the more versatile linebackers around, capable of rushing the passer, playing zone coverage and especially defending the run.
Still, his greatest contribution is still probably that "Can't wait" bit he delivered after the upset win over New England in the 2010 playoffs.
No. 21: Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers
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College: Notre Dame, 2005
2011 Stats: 134 carries, 559 yards, 2 TD
Grant doesn't seem to be 100 percent recovered from the ankle injury that cost him all of 2010, and James Starks took many of his carries away this past year, but the first three years of his NFL career were magnificent considering where he started: an undrafted free agent who spent two seasons on the Giants practice squad.
As much as the passing game dominates the Packers attack, they still rely on the running game to keep the defense honest, and Grant was a key part of that.
We'll have to see how much so this spring, however, since he's a free agent.
No. 20: Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
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College: Coe College, 2002
2011 Stats: 170 carries, 934 yards, 6 TD
At one point this year, Jackson was leading the NFL in rushing. The broken fibula ruined any chance of him becoming the second straight undrafted rookie to win the rushing title (see a later slide for more on that), but even with C.J. Spiller on the roster, he has a bright future in Buffalo.
The former Sioux City Bandit and member of the World Football League's Rhein Fire recorded six 100-yard games in the Bills' first nine games and was a key part of their hot start. It's little wonder why they lost six of their final seven.
Maybe they should have given him the big contract extension instead of Ryan Fitzpatrick.
No. 19: Ryan Clark, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
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College: LSU, 2002
2011 Stats: 100 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
How important is Ryan Clark to that Steelers top-ranked defense? Just look at what happened against Denver when he wasn't allowed to play because of his rare health situation.
Tim Tebow looked like Terry Bradshaw that day at INVESCO Field, throwing the ball deep and especially over the middle, i.e. Demaryius Thomas' overtime game-winner. There was no help over the middle.
Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley get most of the attention, but Clark is just as critical.
That makes it even more strange that Clark, a top-notch hitter, was a practice squad player for the Giants to start his career.
No. 18: Nate Washington, WR, Tennessee Titans
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College: Tiffin College, 2005
2011 Stats: 74 catches, 1,023 yards, 7 TD
When Kenny Britt went down with a season-ending knee injury in September, the Titans and their fans had to be extremely worried. Who would step up?
Washington, the former Division II receiver who Tennessee signed away from Pittsburgh in 2008, was their answer.
Despite his size, he has tremendous speed and great hands and really didn't miss a beat when rookie Jake Locker took hold of the offense.
No. 17: Jeff Saturday, C, Indianapolis Colts
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College: North Carolina, 1998
This brewing controversy surrounding Peyton Manning and his potential/possible/likely departure from Indianapolis is largely a big deal because Manning has been such a cornerstone of the franchise for over a decade.
Ironically, the other constant in that Colts offense during Manning's tenure, five-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, probably won't be in a Colts uniform next fall either.
The 36-year-old is a free agent and might not want to start from scratch with a new head coach, a new offense and a new quarterback, but if he retires, it will end one of the best careers a center has had in the modern era.
No. 16: Josh Cribbs, WR/KR/PR, Cleveland Browns
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College: Kent State, 2005
2011 Stats: 41 catches, 518 yards, 4 TD
Cribbs may not be the wide receiver Cleveland needs to make their offense work, but he is one of the NFL's best return men and is a two-time Pro Bowler.
He's returned 11 kicks for scores, but as good as that stat is, this one is better: Five of those 11 returns came against the Browns' two most hated rivals, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
No. 15: Vonta Leach, FB, Baltimore Ravens
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College: Eastern Carolina, 2004
The best blocking fullback in the NFL, hands down.
In 2008, Leach blocked for Steve Slaton; he rushed for nearly 1,300 yards.
Two years later, he blocked for Arian Foster, and he won the NFL's rushing title.
Last year, he blocked for Ray Rice. He rushed for the second-most yards in the NFL.
Sure drafting a blocking-only fullback in the early rounds isn't commonplace these days. But plenty of teams wish they had at least dropped a sixth or seventh rounder on Leach.
No. 14: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England Patriots
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College: Ole Miss, 2008
2011 Stats: 181 carries, 667 yards, 11 TD
If Green-Ellis leaves New England as a free agent this spring, we will find out whether he is a truly a top-notch back or if he simply benefited from the presence of Tom Brady and that great passing game.
Either way, it's clear that he has a knack for short yardage and goal-line situations, scoring 24 rushing touchdowns in the past two seasons.
But it's what he doesn't do that will make him so highly coveted and helps him leapfrog several names on this list: 536 career touches and no fumbles.
No. 13: Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
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College: Monmouth, 2006
2011 Stats: 43 catches, 579 yards, 7 TD
With all the big-name wide receivers that have come through Dallas in the last few years—Terrell Owens, Roy Williams, Dez Bryant, Terry Glenn—it's fitting that the most productive would be an undrafted free agent from a comparatively tiny school who caught 18 passes in his first three seasons.
Austin burst on the NFL scene back in 2009, catching 81 passes for 1,320 touchdowns and 11 touchdowns.
And although his stats dipped significantly in 2011, the injury to his hamstring was more the cause than anything else.
In short, when Austin is 100 percent, he is one of the best receivers in the NFC.
No. 12: Kris Dielman, G, San Diego Chargers
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College: Indiana, 2003
Dielman was named to four straight Pro Bowls between 2007 and 2010, but it's more impressive that he earned those spots despite the total shift in San Diego's offense, from LaDainian Tomlinson and the running game as most important to Phillip Rivers and the passing game taking center stage.
Obviously, Dielman is one of the most versatile linemen in the NFL, equally adept at run and pass blocking, which probably shouldn't be a surprise considering he came from a Big Ten offense featuring Antwaan Randle-El under center.
No. 11: Brent Grimes, CB, Atlanta Falcons
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College: Shippensburg University, 2006
2011 Stats: 49 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
In this era of passing excellence, a corner like Grimes (a free agent this offseason) will be key to upgrading any defense.
He's undersized and a playmaker, recording 11 interceptions in 2009 and 2010 combined.
Just as important is the fact that he's very physical and an asset, not a liability, in defending the run.
No. 10: LeGarrette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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College: Oregon, 2010
2011 Stats: 184 carries, 781 yards, 5 TD
It's a safe bet to assume that Blount wasn't drafted because of his antics at the end of the Ducks 2009 loss to Boise State; that "baggage" and the 10 games he missed cost him dearly.
But since joining the Bucs in 2010, he's become one of the more intriguing running backs in the NFL.
As a rookie, he rushed for 1,000 yards and averaged 5.0 per carry. And although his numbers dipped this year, largely due to nagging injuries, he still is one of the toughest backs to bring down in the entire NFL. Just ask the Packers back in Week 11.
No. 9: Jason Peters, OT, Philadelphia Eagles
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College: Arkansas, 2004
Arguably the best left tackle in the NFL. (Sure, with Michael Vick under center he's not really a "blindside" tackle, but that shouldn't matter.)
Peters does a fine job in pass protection, but his greatest strength is drive blocking for the running game.
Willis McGahee and Marshawn Lynch both had great seasons running behind Peters, and since moving on to Philly, it's been largely his presence that's made LeSean McCoy one of the most versatile and explosive young backs in the game.
No. 8: London Fletcher, MLB, Washington Redskins
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College: John Carroll, 1998
2011 Stats: 166 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INT, 1.5 sacks
It's absolutely ridiculous that Fletcher didn't earn a Pro Bowl spot until three years ago. If it weren't for Ray Lewis, he might be considered the best mike linebacker of the 2000s. Earning three straight Pro Bowls in the last three seasons has probably helped mute that outrage, however.
Given his diminutive size and background as an undrafted Division III player, his reputation as one of the most consistent tacklers is truly remarkable.
There's an outside shot at a Hall of Fame spot for the 36-year-old who hasn't missed a single game since joining the NFL in 1998.
No. 7: Brian Waters, G, New England Patriots
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College: North Texas, 1999
Waters was one of the best interior linemen in the game before the Chiefs let him go last summer, and he showed no diminishing skills in his first year as a Patriot, earning a sixth Pro Bowl spot.
What's most interesting about Waters' career, however, is the fact that he is a complete player. He anchored one of the NFL's best (ever?) rushing attacks when he was with the Chiefs during the Dick Vermeil era. But switching over to the pass-heavy Pats offense this year proved to be seamless for Waters.
No. 6: Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
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College: Kent State, 2003
2011 Stats: 64 catches, 778 yards, 7 TD
Sure, Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham had ridiculous seasons in 2011, but let's see them put up the level of consistency of a Antonio Gates.
Between 2004 and 2010, he was the best pass catching tight end in the game and an absolute nightmare to cover in the red zone, racking up 67 touchdowns during that stretch.
Because of Gates—remember, Tony Gonzalez was a first-round pick—NFL GMs will be combing the college basketball ranks for years looking for someone raw who they can mold into the next Gates.
No. 5: Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants
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College: Massachusetts, 2010
2011 Stats: 82 catches, 1,536 yards, 9 TD
Yes, it's only been one year, but what a year.
Cruz emerged as the most dangerous receiving threat on the world champion Giants. He just has an incredible ability to make big plays whether they are deep down field or short, simple routes that he ends up taking 80 yards for a score.
His record-setting regular season, coupled with a huge performance in the NFC Title Game, and a touchdown in the Super Bowl completed a Cinderella season that Hollywood producers would laugh out of the room.
No. 4: Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
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College: Eastern Illinois, 2003
2011 Stats: 4,184 yards, 66.3 percent completion, 31 TD
Romo has his detractors, and many of them are justified. He's choked in big moments.
But to emerge as an undrafted free agent from a comparatively small school to starting quarterback of one of the NFL's signature teams is amazing.
And more often than not, he has delivered. Dallas is only in the playoff hunt (which they often choke away) because Romo is capable of putting up brilliant games.
No. 3: Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots
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College: Texas Tech, 2004
2011 Stats: 122 catches, 1,569 yards, 9 TD
Don't get sucked into the post-Super Bowl hype surrounding Welker. Even if that dropped pass late in the game was an all-time blunder (it wasn't; it was a difficult grab), that doesn't undo his tremendous achievements of the last five years.
He's led the NFL in catches three times since 2007, and for him to do so again in 2011 with the emergence of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez is quite an accomplishment.
Despite the Super Bowl "Butterfingers" momen,t the Pats would be crazy to let him walk as a free agent, just as crazy as the Dolphins were to let him walk in the spring of 2007, and just as crazy as all the teams that passed on him through seven rounds back in 2004.
No. 2: Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
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College: Tennessee, 2009
2011 Stats: 278 carries, 1,224 yards, 10 TD
Despite his career at a major SEC program known for putting running backs in the NFL, Foster was passed up in the 2009 draft and even cut later on that summer after Houston signed him as a free agent.
But after a seasons of learning the ropes, he won perhaps the most improbable rushing title in NFL history in 2010, then followed that up with a gritty, injury-riddled season in 2011.
That hamstring injury never seemed to fully heal and cost him three games, but he still had a monster year, rushing for 100 yards seven times and dominating two fine run defenses (Cincinnati and Baltimore) in the playoffs.
And since he's such a danger out of the backfield as well (119 catches the last two years), Foster is one of the most complete backs in the game.
No. 1: James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
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College: Kent State, 2002
2011 Stats: 59 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 9 sacks
Few players in the NFL have the presence of James Harrison. When he is on the field and healthy, he's one of the game's most best defenders at any position.
Obviously, he's an elite pass-rusher. He gets so low to the ground that offensive tackles are at a real disadvantage. And he's equally disruptive and omnipresent against the run, a must in the AFC North.
But Harrison's ability to read the quarterback in the flats and in short zones is what sets him apart. Remember Super Bowl XLIII?
He may occasionally be a headache for the Steelers in terms of his comments and penalties, but he's more than worth it.
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