Atlanta Falcons: Best Undrafted Free Agents in Team History

The NFL draft is far from an exact science.

As much as front offices spend months scouting prospects, evaluating talent and judging the best fits for their respective team, some of the league’s best always find a way to slip through the cracks.

That’s certainly true in Atlanta, where numerous undrafted free agents have been important pieces to the team’s success in recent years. Last season alone, former draft afterthoughts Brent Grimes, Tyson Clabo and Eric Weems all held notable starting roles for the Falcons.

While various undrafted players have made significant contributions for the Falcons in the past, who are the best in team history?

Let’s take a look back at some of the Atlanta Falcons’ greatest all-time undrafted free agents.

5. Brian Finneran

Undrafted out of Villanova in 1998, Finneran spent a year playing for NFL Europa's Barcelona Dragons before joining the Falcons in 1999 in what would be the first of his 12-year career with the team.

Finneran proved to be one of Atlanta's most consistent possession receivers through the years, earning him the name "Mr. First Down" from Falcons fans for his many clutch third down catches.

His best season came in 2002, when he proved to be Michael Vick's go-to-guy in the quarterback's sophmore season. Finneran caught 56 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns that year—all career-highs.

He didn’t produce the most eye-popping statistics over his career, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a former Falcon who demonstrated as much heart and leadership as Finneran.

4. Joel Williams

Williams was picked up by the Falcons in 1979 after attending the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

He held two stints with Atlanta from 1979 to 1982 and then again from 1986 to 1989, between which he was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Williams was a ferocious outside linebacker who had a knack for getting to the quarterback. He held the franchise record for single-season quarterback sacks with 16 in 1980, until John Abraham surpassed that mark five seasons ago with 16.5 sacks.

He also took one of his five career interceptions to the house, recovered two of nine fumbles for touchdowns, and has one safety to his name.

3. Alfred Jenkins

After having played for the Birmingham Americans of the World Football League in 1974, the Atlanta Falcons signed Jenkins as a free agent in 1975.

Jenkins quickly established himself as a starter in his rookie season, recording 38 catches for 767 yards and six touchdowns that year.

He is perhaps most noted for becoming the first Falcons receiver to be named to the Pro Bowl in 1980, when he caught 58 passes for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns.

The Georgia native bettered those marks the following season, leading the league with 70 receptions for 1,358 yards and 13 touchdowns—then-franchise records—on his way to earning his second consecutive Pro and being named first-team All-Pro.

2. Rolland Lawrence

Lawrence spent all eight of his seasons in the NFL with the Falcons after going undrafted in 1973.

He never missed a game in his career—a big reason why he’s the all-time Falcons interceptions leader with 39.

He only returned one for a touchdown in his career, but Lawrence’s 658 interception return yards still remain the highest amount in Falcons history.

Lawrence’s best years came between 1975 and 1979, when he recorded no less than six interceptions a season.

The most recognizable of those came under Jerry Glanville’s "Grits Blitz" in 1977. That year, Lawrence was named first-team All-Pro and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after starring for the defense which allowed the fewest points in NFL history at 9.2 per game.

Despite his production falling off the next two years before retiring in 1983, Jenkins remains third all time in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in team history.

1. Jessie Tuggle

An undersized linebacker out of Valdosta State, Tuggle would have to wait until after the 1987 draft for the opportunity to join an NFL team. Suffice to say, he made the most of it.

The five-time Pro Bowler went on to play in 209 games over the course of his 14-year career, all with the Falcons.

He earned himself the nickname of "The Hammer" for his bone-crunching hits, and he remains Atlanta’s all-time leading tackler with 2,065.

In terms of single-game performances, Tuggle may be best remembered for recording a franchise-best 11 tackles in the 1998 NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings, helping vault the Falcons to their first and only Super Bowl.

Statistics aside, there’s no question Tuggle is the archetype for how far hard work and dedication can take you in the NFL.