Top 10 Undrafted NFL Players

This week we journey deep into the depths of the draft room to find the most hidden of all gems. From old school to new, we look at the top players to not go on draft day. So lets get right into it, The Top 10 Undrafted Players in NFL History!




Criteria for this one is simple.
What did this player have to overcome.
How dominant this player is/was this player.


# 10. Wesley "Wes" Welker
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nd2OnSEf-I]Tom Brady 99-yard TD Pass to Wes Welker (9/12/11) - YouTube[/ame]

I know a lot of people may argue Welker shouldn't be on this list, those people are wrong. I don't think I have ever seen a receiver better on 3rd down than Wes. It's crazy to me that every time I have watched this little man play, he performs larger than the giants. At 5 foot 9 inches, Welker wouldn't intimidate a backup high school cornerback. He doesn't do anything that is fancy. He doesn't do anything that is special, but every time he is needed he does one of those quick moves and gets a first down. He made the Pro-Bowl the last 5 years, and will make it this year also. He is the face of this list, as a little man who dreams big.



#9. Arian Foster
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfFBrjwUnBU]E60: Arian Foster - Self Made - YouTube[/ame]

A great story of overcoming a life of people telling you what you can and can't be. Arian Foster is a second generation football player, who encourages following your dreams. Look where he is now, 2nd pick in 99% of fantasy drafts, Foster is the pinnacle of what you could ever want in life. From a broken home, Foster was a great SEC running back. For Tennessee. In his senior year, he had a daughter, met his wife, scored only 1 touchdown and was very upset. After not going in the NFL draft, he almost lost hope in the NFL. Watch the E60 I posted to see the remarkable story. Foster has the record for most rushing yards for an undrafted player (1616.) He is only 27 and has bright future ahead of him.



#8. Antonio Gates
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJiSF3OJtLI]BACK N THE DAY: ANTONIO GATES - YouTube[/ame]

Gates probably would have been drafted, but he didn't even play football. He could have probably made the NBA also. Gates took Kent State to the elite-8 in NCAA. This man started a whole new aspect of basketball players coming to the NFL because of the success he had. He pretty much changed the way Tight Ends play the game. Yes, there were receiving tight ends before gates (Dave Casper prime example,) this guy innovated the position. Growing up in Detroit, Gates overcame a lot to be the beast he is today. I do believe he has lost a step in his later age, but he is a sure Hall-Of-Famer in my opinion.


#7. Roderick Smith
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ankz_IobV6c]Rod Smith - In Rod We Trust - YouTube[/ame]

When I was young, Rod smith was my favorite player to watch. His unselfish mentality and never quit attitude symbolizes what every football player should be. With eight 1000 yard receiving years, 70 touchdowns, 2 rings, and 2 trips to Hawaii, Rod is a real Beast that is deserving of the Hall of fame. After not being drafted, and being cut by the Patriots, Rod was given a shot with the Broncos. His first reception(a 43 yard game winning touchdown,) set the goals for this man's career. I would love to see an E60 on Rod's life.



#6. Marion Motley


There isn't much video on this man, but Motley accomplished something many men can only dream of today. Motley led The Browns to winning the AAFC Title all four years he was there, and won the Super Bowl the first year the Browns were introduced to the NFL. All of his success wasn't easily earned though. Motley dealt with the color barrier for most of his career. He was one of the first black men to play professional sports. Even earlier than Jackie Robinson. Any footage of this guy I see, makes him look like a damn monster.


#5. Warren Moon
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-mNQxeoX4A]Warren Moon Highlights - YouTube[/ame]

Warren Moon had a hard career, but never gave up. After leading the Washington Huskies over the much favored Michigan Wolverines, Moon wasn't drafted. No team took a chance with him, so he decided to go to the CFL. He dominated the CFL with a 90% post-season win percentage. Moon also threw for 5,648 yards in his final year with The Edmonton Eskimos. After this there was a bidding war for Moon's services, won by his old coach in Edmonton (Hugh Campbell.) He struggled at first, but even in his struggles threw for 3,338 yards(a then franchise record.) After the head coach was fired, they started finding more ways to utilized Moon's big arm. Moon threw for 49,325 yards in his career and is a much earned Hall-Of-Famer.



#4. Adam Vinatieri
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BchXvzs8s0]Adam Vinatieri "The Really Important Kicks" - YouTube[/ame]

"Mr. Clutch" made his way on the list, by being "Mr. Clutch". He kicked so many clutch field goals, he might go down as even the most clutch player ever. He won two division 2 titles, and was the all-time scoring leader for South Dakota State University. He wasn't drafted(obviously,) so he went to NFL Europe. He lost in the World Bowl that 1 year. After that he was signed to the Patriots and the rest is history. 18 game winning kicks with under 1 minute left. Tuck rule game, 2 clutch kicks. Super Bowl winning kicks, Playoff winning kicks. A game against the Ravens where all The Patriots had were his kicks. He would be higher on the list if it weren't for the severity of the next 3's careers.



#3. John Randle
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBddPh4kqRg]John Randle - YouTube[/ame]

Brett Farve once said this man in unblockable on turf which is scary to think now that most teams use it. Randle was called too small, he was told he couldn't make it. He did much more than make it though. Recording double digit sacks in 9 seasons, Randle was a beast. When getting full snaps he was a Pro-Bowler from 1993-1998, and again in 2001. Randle was known for beating opponents mentally, as well as physically. He would get inside your head, make you doubt yourself. College and NFL Hall-Of-Famer and a great advocate to how the game should be played. 137.5 sacks proves this man is a monster.



#2 Kurt Warner
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXqd388A--I"]A Football Life Kurt Warner - YouTube[/ame]

Paper or plastic? This guy almost gave up being #2 to work in a grocery store. His story is so perfect for this list. Arena league, NFL Europe, fighting for his job the whole way, Kurt Warner wanted to give up. Then he got his chance, being a back-up. He never really had a shot, and then then unthinkable. Trent Green was hurt, and it was go time for Warner. Go, is very well what he did. Throwing 3 touchdowns in each of his first 3 starts, winning player of the week and stepping into the big picture, The greatest show on turf was born. Warner's story is a very exciting one. I highly recommend watching the whole video I posted with this one. One question remains though, who could have had a more storybook career than this?



#1. Richard "Night Train" Lane
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPm-6ZlTM5o]twinky ''Night Train'' Lane # 2 most feared tackler - YouTube[/ame]

As a baby, Lane was found by a woman named Ella inside of a dumpster. She raised him as one of her own, and that was a very great deed. Night Train was given a life he probably would have lost in that dumpster. He grew to a big man going to Nebraska for a year, before serving in the military for the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, Lane decided he wanted to be a football player. He walked on to the Rams training camp and asked to play tight end or wide receiver. After being moved to defensive back, Lane quickly earned his reputation as the guy who would kill you, and that was just to his own teammates. Lane grew into the greatest cornerback in the 1st 50 years of the NFL. In his rookie year he had 14 interceptions, which still hasn't been matched to this day even though the season was only 12 games then. His signature move was called the Night Train Neck Tie(he would basically take your head off.) He is a true American, a true value to the sport of football, and this weeks #1.


Wrapping it up

Thanks again to everyone who has been supporting me these last couple weeks. This has been a fun opportunity for me, and as time grows I will write longer articles.

 

One that should definitely be on the list: Donnie Shell

A couple/few that could challenge:
Priest Holmes
James Harrison
Jeff Saturday (?)

 

Agree with all of these. Kind of weird for a kicker to be above Warren Moon though lol

 

Vinatieri isn't just a kicker. He hit 42 field goals in the playoffs (61 extra points.) Scored 187 points in the playoffs. 2 game winning field goals in superbowls. 5/5 in the divisional round against the Ravens in 2006, for a 15-6 win for the colts. Also in the 2003-2004 season the one he didn't hit a game winner for in the superbowl, he hit 5 field goals in a 24-14 win outscoring the colts himself haha. The guy is responsible for 4 superbowl runs really. have you seen his tackle on herschel walker? it was beast
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WooPp3UVCp8]adam vinatieri runs down herschel walker - YouTube[/ame]

 

no Wayne Chrebet?

 

why is arian foster on this list

 

Rod smith of the Denver donkeys was also undrafted. He was clutch in there 2 SB runs.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4

 

Good one...maybe not for the list? :dunno;

He was undrafted in '09.

I forgot about Rod Smith...that's a good one!!

 

I wouldn't have any kicker that high but this was a fun article. Keep em coming

 

harrison and priest holmes would easily make my list

 

Fast becoming the Steve Sabol of GIF threads.

Don't make us wait long. Get back to work. :icon_smile:

 

Liking these top tens! They create some critical thought and conversation

 

you can thank me later for bringing him in:icon_cool:

 

He's on there, dummies.

 

Romo's not on here? Why does that not surprise me?

 

eagles had a guy named bill bergey in the 1970s who was a walk on player that was mean as hell and pretty good. do not know if he is in the top 10 best ever,but ya gotta be good to be a walk on player in the nfl.

 

Because those guys on the list were WINNERS.

 

So, I take it that you think Dan Marino was a bum?

 

NFL Network's own top 10 list includes Romo at number 10. But I agree more with this list...

 

Two things.
1. Marino was drafted, right there your arguement is null and void and a tad moronic.
2. Marino went to a Super Bowl as well as many playoff games.