The NFL All-Time Defensive Team of Undrafted Players

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With the NFL Draft 28 days away, the process for franchises selecting up-and-coming talent from the collegiate level is in full swing.

Many players throughout the years have slipped through the cracks and become NFL stars.

For many young men around the country, the draft weekend will be somewhat of a disappointment.

Going undrafted is not the be all end all of a player's career, and many undrafted players have gone on to have Hall of Fame careers.

To see the greatest offense of undrafted players go to:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/365993-the-greatest-offence-of-undrafted-players-of-all-time

Now let’s look at the greatest defense of undrafted players...

DE: Adewale Ogunleye

College: Indiana
Signed by: Miami Dolphins, 2001
NFL seasons: 10 (active)
Pro Bowls: 1

After earning a starting role with Miami in 2002, Ogunleye had 25 sacks in two seasons before being acquired by the Bears in a trade.

In his six years with Chicago, Ogunleye amassed 42 sacks, causing constant havoc for his divisional rivals, before getting cut after the Bears' recent acquisition of Julius Peppers.

Ogunleye received Pro Bowl honors in 2003 for his 15 sacks with the Dolphins. In 10 seasons he has 387 tackles, 26 pass deflections, 17 forced fumbles and an interception.

DT: Joe Nash

College: Boston College
Signed by: Seattle Seahawks, 1982
NFL seasons: 15
Pro Bowls: 1

Nash was one of the greatest pass-rushing nose tackles, racking up an impressive 47.5 sacks.

Nash was a key component in Seattle’s base 3-4 defense and played nose tackle as well as anyone in the league.

Only selected to one Pro Bowl (1984), Nash maybe didn’t get the acclaim he deserved. However, in Seattle, Nash is known as one of the greatest nose tackles in franchise history.

DT: John Randle

College: Texas A&I Kingsville
Signed by: Minnesota Vikings, 1990
NFL seasons: 14
Pro Bowls: 7

One of the greatest defensive tackles, Randle was a steal for the Vikings and became the face of the franchise during the 1990s.

No. 93 caused headaches for offensive coordinators throughout his career, with nine double-digit sack seasons from the defensive tackle position!

Randle was a phenomenal interior pass rusher, amassing 137.5 sacks during his 14-year career. He led the Vikings in sacks nine times and the Seattle Seahawks twice, with 35 games of two or more sacks.

Randle was selected to seven Pro Bowls and received All-Pro honors six times.

Randle was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2010.

DE: Coy Bacon

College: Jackson State
Signed by: Los Angeles Rams, 1968
NFL seasons: 14
Pro Bowls: 3

A fierce pass rusher, the late Bacon spent successful years with the Rams, San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Washington Redskins.

Bacon possessed unbelievable speed for someone who was 6’4" and 270 pounds. His breakaway speed was evident during his first season with the Chargers, when he took an interception 80 yards for a touchdown.

Playing in an era of unofficial statistics, Bacon recorded 22 sacks in 1976 with the Bengals. Only Mark Gastineau (22) and Michael Strahan (22.5) have equaled or surpassed this unofficial feat.

With Cincinnati, Bacon was almost unblockable and constantly required a double team.

OLB: James Harrison

College: Kent State
Signed by: Pittsburgh Steelers, 2002
NFL seasons: 6 (active)
Pro Bowls: 3

Harrison was cut three times before finding a home in Pittsburgh.

The linebacker has since repaid the Rooneys for their faith in him and has had a stellar career for the Steelers, earning his share of accolades.

The Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2008 was an integral part of a savvy Steelers defense that single-handedly led the franchise to a Super Bowl.

In 2008, Harrison set a franchise record with 16 sacks and also posted a franchise record for the longest Super Bowl touchdown, 100 yards, after intercepting Kurt Warner on the goal line.

Since becoming a starter in 2007, Harrison has had 34.5 sacks, two interceptions and 19 forced fumbles.

Harrison’s drive and motivation is truly a great story for any youngster aspiring to play in the NFL.

MLB: London Fletcher

College: John Carroll
Signed by: St. Louis Rams, 1998
NFL seasons: 12 (active)
Pro Bowls: 1

Let’s talk about a guy who, since 2001, has 1,244 tackles, 21.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and two touchdowns.

Fletcher has been the most productive middle linebacker during the last decade, and the numbers speak for themselves.

Maybe if Fletcher showboated every time he came out to play he would have more Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.

OLB: Bart Scott

College: Southern Illinois
Signed by: Baltimore Ravens, 2002
NFL seasons: 8 (active)
Pro Bowls: 1

A versatile linebacker who fits best as an inside role in a 3-4 defense, Scott also has the ability to play outside linebacker in the 4-3.

A vocal leader and the heartbeat of the defense, Bart Scott has emerged behind teammate Ray Lewis as an upper-echelon 3-4 linebacker.

Primarily a special-teams ace in Baltimore, Scott got his opportunity to play beside Lewis in 2005, getting 10 starts. In his first year as a starter, Scott had 94 tackles and one sack from the inside linebacker spot.

In five years as a starter, Scott has 525 tackles, 17 sacks and three interceptions.

CB: Dick "Night Train" Lane

College: Scottsbluff (Neb.) Junior College
Signed by: Los Angeles Rams, 1952
NFL seasons: 14
Pro Bowls: 7

Where do I begin?

"Night Train" Lane was quite frankly the greatest defensive back to set foot on the gridiron.

An Army veteran, Lane went to Los Angeles in 1952 asking for a tryout with the Rams, who instantly saw potential in a young, rangy cornerback.

Standing at 6’1" and 194 pounds, Lane was an imposing figure, especially for a corner.

In his rookie year Lane recorded 14 interceptions, a league record.

During a 14-year career in which he also played for the Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions, Lane had 68 interceptions for 1,207 yards and five defensive touchdowns.

His memorable career garnered seven Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections.

Lane is truly an NFL great and was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1974.

CB: Willie Brown

College: Grambling
Signed by: Denver Broncos, 1963
NFL seasons: 16
Pro Bowls: 9

Yet another undrafted cornerback makes the Hall of Fame!

Brown was inducted with the Class of 1984 after 16 years with the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos.

Brown had 54 interceptions in 204 games and played for the dominating Raiders franchise that was one of the two most feared defenses in the AFL/NFL (Pittsburgh being the other).

After beginning his career with the Broncos, Brown had 15 interceptions in four seasons before being traded to Oakland in 1967.

The move proved to be a successful one, as he played in three AFL and six AFC championship games, as well as Super Bowls II and XI.

Brown will forever be remembered for his nine Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro selections; however, his greatest feat has to be clinching Super Bowl XI for the Raiders with a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown.