The NFL's 25 Best Undrafted Players of All Time

Tony Meyer by Analyst Written on April 14, 2009

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29 Sep 1996:  John Randle #93 of the Minnesota Vikings during the Vikings 15-10 loss to the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello  /Allsport

The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting off the field events on the sports calendar. It is exciting because every team is involved, and as fans, every pick generates interest somewhere. We see players that we have watched in college sell themselves to a particular franchise, hoping to be the guy to change its fortunes.

Sometimes a few teams miss on a guy, and sometimes EVERY team misses on a guy. Here are 25 guys who were overlooked by every team in the NFL on draft day.

25. Nick Harper, Fort Valley State

INDIANAPOLIS - 2005:  Nick Harper of the Indianapolis Colts poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Getty Images)

Harper, out of tiny Fort Valley State in Georgia, didn't hear his name called in the draft, but he worked his way into the league and has started on a winning team in eight of his nine seasons in the league.

He has amassed 544 tackles and 20 interceptions thus far in his career.

24. Antonio Pierce, Arizona

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 07: Antonio Pierce #58 of the New York Giants gestures against the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium on December 7, 2008 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Pierce, the outspoken linebacker out of Arizona, went undrafted in the 2001 draft. Since then, he has been a mainstay in the middle on the Redskins and Giants' defenses.

Pierce has 632 tackles, eight sacks, and seven interceptions in his career.

23. Adewale Ogunleye, Indiana

CHICAGO - AUGUST 18:  Adewale Ogunleye #93 of the Chicago Bears looks on from the sidelines during the game against the San Diego Chargers on August 18, 2006 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.  (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Ogunleye played his college ball at Indiana, traditionally a basketball school with a football team. He went undrafted in the 2001 draft, but the Dolphins picked him up, and he turned out to be a really good defensive end in the league.

Ogunleye has collected 60.5 sacks thus far, with an amazing 15 in 2003.

22. Ryan Grant, Notre Dame

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 12:  Running back Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC divisional playoff game on January 12, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Seah

Grant, out of Notre Dame, didn't impress a team enough to get picked on draft day. He eventually got picked up by the Giants and was then snatched up by the Packers and put into the starting running back spot.

In two seasons, Grant has rushed for 2,159 yards and 12 touchdowns.

21. Bart Scott, Southern Illinois

MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 25: Bart Scott #57 of the Baltimore Ravens talks on the sidelines during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 25, 2006 at the H.H.H. Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Sherman/Getty Images)

Scott, who wasn't drafted in the 2002 draft, caught on with the Ravens and worked his way from special teamer to starting linebacker. Scott has emerged as one of the best linebackers in the league, and that was evident from the lucrative contract he recently signed with the New York Jets.

In eight seasons in the NFL, Scott has 433 tackles and 16 sacks.

20. Brian Waters, North Texas

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 22:  Guard Brian Waters #54 of the Kansas City Chiefs points during the game against the San Diego Chargers on October 22, 2006 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 30-27.  (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Imag

Waters, who didn't hear his name called in the 2000 draft, was picked up by the Chiefs and has become one of the better guards in the league.

Waters has started at guard 118 times in nine seasons in the NFL and has been named to four Pro Bowls.

19. London Fletcher, John Carroll

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 05:  London Fletcher #59 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his interception return for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on November 5, 2006 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.  (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty

Can anyone tell me where John Carroll is located? Fletcher didn't get picked in the 1997 draft, but the Rams signed him as a free agent, and he has become the face of undersized linebackers everywhere.

In 12 seasons, Fletcher has amassed 1,338 tackles, 28 sacks, and 14 interceptions.

18. Jason Peters, Arkansas

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 21:  Jason Peters #71 of the Buffalo Bills blocks during the game against the Oakland Raiders on September 21, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Peters, undrafted out of Arkansas, signed on with the Bills in 2004. The Pro Bowl left tackle has worked his way to becoming one of the best offensive linemen in the league.

Peters has been selected to two Pro Bowls and has a 97 rating on Madden 2009, an honor maybe even greater than the two Pro Bowls.

17. Jake Delhomme, Louisiana-Lafayette

CHARLOTTE - OCTOBER 26:  Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers passes the ball during the game against of the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by: Streeter Lecka/Getty I

Delhomme, who spent three seasons in NFL Europe after college, was picked up by the Saints in 1999. Since then, he has caught on with the Panthers and has flourished as one of the more consistent quarterbacks in the league, if you ignore his most recent playoff performance...

In eight NFL seasons, Delhomme has passed for 17,877 yards and 115 touchdowns.

16. Pat Williams, Texas A&M

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 21:  Pat Williams #94 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Carolina Panthers during their NFL game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 21, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 20-1

Williams, undrafted and picked up by Buffalo in 1998, has been one of the best run-stuffing defensive tackles in the league. He is a large man and has been stout in the middle of the Vikings defense for the past four seasons.

In 11 NFL seasons, Williams has 591 tackles and 18.5 sacks.

15. Adam Vinatieri, South Dakota State

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 06:  Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates his second field goal of the game to give the Colts' a 6-0 lead against the Kansas City Chiefs during their AFC Wild Card Playoff Game January 6, 2007 at RCA Dome in Indian

Vinatieri, who went undrafted out of South Dakota State, was picked up by the Patriots in 1996 and has since become possibly the greatest kicker in NFL history. He is definitely the most clutch kicker, kicking game-winning field goals in two Super Bowls.

In 13 seasons, Vinatieri has made 331 field goals and 497 extra points.

14. Jeff Saturday, North Carolina

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 24:  Center Jeff Saturday #63 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the RCA Dome September 24, 2006 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Jags 21-14.  (Photo by Andy Lyon

Saturday, who went undrafted out of UNC, was picked up by the Colts in 1999 and has since become one of the top three centers in the league.

Saturday has played in three Pro Bowls and has started 140 games at center.

13. Wayne Chrebet, Hofstra

RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17:  Wide receiver Wayne Chrebet #80 of the New York Jets runs with the ball during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Giants Stadium on October 17, 2004 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  The Jets defeated the 49ers 22-14.

Chrebet, the scrappy receiver out of Hofstra, was not drafted in the 1995 draft, but was picked up by the Jets and grabbed 66 balls in his rookie season.

In his 11-year career, Chrebet caught 580 passes for 7,365 yards and 41 touchdowns.

12. Jeff Garcia, San Jose State

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 19: Quarterback Jeff Garcia #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plays against the Seattle Seahawks at Raymond James Stadium on October 19, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Undrafted out of San Jose State in 1994, Garcia opted to join the CFL. He spent five seasons there before being picked up by the 49ers in 1999. Since then, Garcia has become an above average NFL quarterback and is one of the best at throwing on the run.

In 10 NFL seasons, Garcia has thrown for 25,537 yards and 161 touchdowns.

11. Willie Parker, North Carolina

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 11:  Willie Parker #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after he scored a 16-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 11, 2009 at Heinz Field

Parker came into Pittsburgh undrafted out of UNC and filled in nicely for the aging Jerome Bettis. He still hold the record for longest touchdown run in the Super Bowl.

In five seasons with Pittsburgh, Parker has gained 4,989 yards and 24 touchdowns.

10. Wes Welker, Texas Tech

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03:  Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots runs the ball in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.  (Photo by Streeter L

Undrafted out of Texas Tech, Welker, the Chrebet clone, emerged onto the scene with a 67-catch season in 2006 with the Dolphins. He signed with the Patriots a year later and has 223 catches for 2,340 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons with New England. Welker has become the preeminent slot receiver in the NFL.

9. James Harrison, Kent State

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01:  James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after scoring a touchdown on an 100 yards interception return in the second quarter as Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during Super Bowl XLIII on Februar

Harrison, undrafted out of Kent State, was picked up by the Steelers in 2004. Since then, he has improved every year and is now arguably the best linebacker in the league. He was the defensive MVP last season and had one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history with his 101-yard interception return for a touchdown.

In five seasons with the Steelers, Harrison has 309 tackles and 28.5 sacks, and a new $51.5 million contract.

8. Tony Romo, Eastern Illinois

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 28:  Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 28, 2008 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Undrafted out of Eastern Illinois in the 2004 draft, Romo was picked up by Bill Parcells and the Cowboys in 2005. In his short career thus far, Romo has indeed had an impact on the league and is one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL today.

In three seasons with the Cowboys, Romo has thrown for 10,562 yards and 81 touchdowns.

7. Priest Holmes, Texas

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Runningback Priest Holmes #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs breaks through the tackles of Jay Foreman #56 and Kailee Wong #52 of the Houston Texans as he scrambles under pressure during the 4th quarter of their NFL game on Sept

Holmes, who was undrafted out of Texas, was picked up in 1998 by the Ravens. He spent three decent seasons in Baltimore and then moved to Kansas City, where he flourished. In a two-year span from 2002-2003, he rushed for over 3,000 yards and 48 touchdowns. Injuries ended what was on pace to be a Hall of Fame career.

In nine NFL seasons, Holmes rushed for 8,172 yards and 86 touchdowns.

6. Antonio Gates, Kent State

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 6:  Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers pushes off Victor Hobson #54 of the New York Jets on November 6, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Known more for his basketball career in college, Gates was overlooked in the 2003 draft but was picked up by the Chargers via free agency. Gates, along with Tony Gonzalez, changed the way the tight end position is played. Gates has been the biggest target for the high-scoring Chargers for the past six seasons.

In his six seasons, Gates has 400 passes for 5,066 yards and 51 touchdowns.

5. Rod Smith, Missouri Southern State

DENVER - AUGUST 20:  Rod Smith #80 of the Denver Broncos stands on the field during the preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers at Invesco Field at Mile High on August 20, 2005 in Denver, Colorado.  The Broncos defeated the 49ers 26-21. (Photo by Doug

Smith, undrafted out of Missouri Southern State, was overlooked in the 1995 draft. The Broncos took a flyer on the guy, and they are lucky they did. Smith will go down as the greatest receiver in Broncos history and is a borderline Hall of Famer.

In his 12-year NFL career, Smith caught 849 passes for 11,389 yards and 68 touchdowns.

4. John Randle, Texas A&M-Kingsville

31 Oct 1999: John Randle #93 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates on the sidelines during the game against the Denver Broncos  at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Vikings defeated the Broncos 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Rodolfo Ganzales  /Allspo

Undrafted in the 1990 draft, Randle found a spot on the Vikings roster and never relinquished it. He was known for being an intense, face-painting sack machine, and we haven't seen another one like him. Opposing quarterbacks feared him, and as a Lions fan, I hated him.

In 14 NFL seasons, Randle collected 408 tackles and 137.5 sacks.

3. Dick Lane, Scottsbluff Junior College

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Lane, who dropped out of college and spent four years in the Army, went undrafted and showed up at Rams camp looking for a job. He found one, and he turned out to be one of the greatest defensive backs in league history. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and is a member of the Hall of Fame.

In his 14 NFL seasons, Lane accumulated 68 interceptions and five touchdowns.

2. Kurt Warner, Northern Iowa

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01:  Quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

We all know his story. He went from stocking shelves to winning Super Bowls. Warner went undrafted and played in the Arena League for a few seasons before the Rams picked him up. When Trent Green went down with an injury in the preseason in 1999, Warner stepped in, and the rest is history. This guy will be in the Hall of Fame.

In his 11 NFL seasons, Warner has thrown for 28,591 yards and 182 touchdowns and played in three Super Bowls.

1. Warren Moon, Washington

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Moon, who went undrafted for speculation that no one wanted to draft an African-American quarterback, spent five seasons in the CFL after college, winning five consecutive Grey Cups. He was eventually picked up by the Houston Oilers, and he became one of the best pure passers to ever play the game.

In 17 seasons in the NFL, Moon passed for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns.

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written on April 14, 2009 Rankings/List

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