NFL: Pay Homage to the Undrafted

We hear it every year:

Surefire first-rounder, can't-miss talent, true playmaker.

But what we don't hear is: "This kid won't get drafted but he'll be a superstar."

Why? Because no one can predict undrafted superstars, so they wait quietly and prove their talents, and eventually get to a place where they could rub it in everyone's faces.

But they don't, because they are professionals.

Well I'm here to pay my respects to the "no-names" that became household names over their careers in the league, the undrafted.

Quick side note: Punters, Kickers, Fullbacks, and return specialists will not be included, as the majority of them do not get drafted anyway.

Here we go:

Offense

QB: Warren Moon, 1978 (Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, K.C. Chiefs):

Key Stats:

Nine-Time Pro-Bowler,
1997 Pro Bowl MVP,
1990 Offensive Player of the Year,
1990 NEA NFL MVP

RB: Priest Holmes, 1997 (Baltimore Ravens, K.C. Chiefs):

Key Stats:

Three-Time Pro-Bowler,
2002 Offensive Player of the Year,
Super Bowl XXXV Champion

WR: Rod Smith, 1994 (Denver Broncos):

Key Stats:

Three-Time Pro-Bowler,
Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII Champion

WR: Wayne Chrebet, 1995 (N.Y. Jets):

Key Stats:

1995 "Jet of the Year",
1996 Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational Player Award,
2005 Ed Block Courage Award

TE: Antonio Gates, 2003 (San Diego Chargers):

Key Stats:

Four-Time Pro-Bowler,
2004 set single-season TD record for a tight end (13) 

T: Jason Peters, 2004 (Buffalo Bills):

Key Stats:

One-Time Pro-Bowler

G: Brian Waters, 2000 (K.C. Chiefs):

Key Stats:

Three-Time Pro-Bowler

C: Jim Langer, 1970 (Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings):

Key Stats:

Six-Time Pro-Bowler,
1970's All-Decade Team

G: Doug Smith, 1978 (L.A. Rams):

Key Stats:

Six-Time Pro-Bowler

T: Joe Jacoby, 1981 (Washington Redskins):

Key Stats:

Four-Time Pro-Bowler,
1980's All-Decade Team,
70 Greatest Redskins

Defense

CB: Emmitt Thomas, 1966 (K.C. Chiefs):

Key Stats:

Five-Time Pro Bowler,
Super Bowl IV, XII, and XVI Champion,
Chiefs career leader in interceptions (58),
Chiefs Hall of Fame

CB: Dick Lane, 1952 (L.A. Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions):

Key Stats:

Seven-Time Pro-Bowler,
75th Anniversary All-Time Team,
1950's All-Decade Team,
Holds NFL record for interceptions in one season (14)

S: Deron Cherry, 1981 (K.C. Chiefs):

Key Stats:

Six-Time Pro-Bowler,
1980's All-Decade Team

S: Sammy Knight, 1997 (N.O. Saints, Miami Dolphins, K.C. Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, N.Y. Giants):

Key Stats:

One-Time Pro-Bowler

LB: London Fletcher, 1998 (St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins):

Key Stats:

1998 Rams Rookie of the Year,
Super Bowl XXXIV Champion

LB: James Harrison, 2002 (Pittsburgh Steelers):

Key Stats:

One-Time Pro-Bowler,
Super Bowl XL Champion,
2007 Steelers MVP

LB: Sam Mills, 1986 (N. O. Saints, Carolina Panthers):

Key Stats:

Five-Time Pro-Bowler

DE: Adewale Ogunleye, 2000 (Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears):

Key Stats:

One-Time Pro-Bowler

DT: Pat Williams, 1997 (Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings):

Key Stats:

Two-Time Pro-Bowler

DT: John Randle, 1990 (Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks):

Key Stats:

Seven-Time Pro-Bowler,
1990's All-Decade Team

DE: Eugene Lipscomb, 1953 (L.A. Rams, Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers):

Key Stats:

Three-Time Pro-Bowler,
1959 & 1962 Pro Bowl MVP

Well, there's my team.

Pay your respects, they worked their way up from the bottom, and made the most of every opportunity.

Remember that every team passed over these guys at least seven times (more for the older generation players).

That makes these guys all the more impressive.