NFL

Malcolm Butler and the 15 Best Undrafted Free Agents in NFL History

Malcolm Butler and the 15 Best Undrafted Free Agents in NFL History

Malcolm Butler
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Cornerback Malcolm Butler instantly became a household name when he picked off a Russell Wilson pass on the one-yard line with 20 seconds left to give the New England Patriots the win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. Butler is one of many players to not get drafted and still succeed in the NFL. Here are the 15 best undrafted free agents in league history.

15. Arian Foster

Arian Foster
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15. Arian Foster

Arian Foster
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Four-time Pro Bowl selection Arian Foster went undrafted in 2009. The following season, he set the record for yards from scrimmage in a single season (2,220) for an undrafted player. He also was the NFL rushing champion and led the league in touchdowns that year. The two-time first-team All-Pro leads the Houston Texans franchise in rushing attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

14. Jeff Saturday

Jeff Saturday
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14. Jeff Saturday

Jeff Saturday
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Center Jeff Saturday, who went undrafted in 1998 out of UNC, had the privilege of hiking the ball to two future Hall of Famers in his career. The six-time Pro Bowl and two-time first-team All-Pro selection was named the NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2007. As a member of the Indianapolis Colts, he won two AFC Championships and Super Bowl XLI. He was the leader of an O-line that allowed the fewest sacks for three straight seasons.

13. Tony Romo

Tony Romo
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13. Tony Romo

Tony Romo
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Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo has had plenty of ups and downs in his career. Still, it’s shocking to know that with all of the talent and leadership qualities, Romo went undrafted in 2003. After sitting for three seasons, Romo finally got the chance to work his way up to becoming an elite quarterback. He’s been elected to four Pro Bowls and he’s led the NFC in several passing categories throughout his career. He also holds a few NFL records.

12. Rod Smith

Rod Smith
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12. Rod Smith

Rod Smith
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith was fortunate enough to win two Super Bowls. The three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection has a surplus of NFL awards and accomplishments, including being the only undrafted player to reach 10,000 receiving yards. His 68 touchdown receptions are also the most of any undrafted player in league history. Smith holds numerous Broncos franchise records, which shows how shocking it is he wasn’t drafted.

11. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates
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11. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates
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Antonio Gates is regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. Despite never playing football in his life, he tried out for NFL scouts after he realized a career in the NBA was unlikely. The San Diego Chargers was the first team he worked out for and the team signed him on the spot. Gates holds a plethora of Chargers franchise records, while he also has been selected to nine Pro Bowls and is a five-time first-team All-Pro.

10. Wes Welker

Wes Welker
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10. Wes Welker

Wes Welker
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Despite his 5-foot-9 frame, Wes Welker is one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the game. It can be said that no one plays the slot receiver position like him. As a member of the Patriots and Broncos, he has gone to three Super Bowls. The five-time Pro Bowl and two-time first-team All-Pro selection has led the NFL in receptions three times. In fact, he has the most receptions by an undrafted free agent in league history.

9. Larry Little

NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
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9. Larry Little

Larry Little
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Larry Little is considered to be one of the best guards in NFL history. During his 14 seasons in the league, he was selected to five Pro Bowls. He also was a five-time first-team All-Pro selection, a three-time AFC Champion and won two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins. On those teams, he was the anchor of the offensive line. In 1993, the Dolphins added Little to the Honor Roll in the same year he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

8. Joe Perry

 Joe Perry
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8. Joe Perry

 Joe Perry
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In 1953 and 1954, Joe Perry became the first player to rush for at least 1,000 yards in two straight seasons. The 1954 NFL MVP was elected to three Pro Bowls and was a two-time first-team All-Pro selection. He was rewarded for his stellar numbers by being named a member of the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, the NFL 50th Anniversary Team and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

7. Emlen Tunnell

Emlen Tunnell
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7. Emlen Tunnell

Emlen Tunnell
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Going undrafted in 1948, defensive back Emlen Tunnell played for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, winning an NFL championship with each. His 79 interceptions ranks second in league history behind only Paul Krause. During the 1950s, he was selected to the Pro Bowl every year except for 1958, which is why it isn’t a surprise he’s a member of the 1950s All-Decade Team. The Pro Football Hall of Famer was also named to eight Pro Bowls.

6. James Harrison

James Harrison
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6. James Harrison

James Harrison
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James Harrison went undrafted in 2002 and spent time on the practice squad before getting playing time with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004. The wait was well worth it as Harrison helped Pittsburgh win three AFC Championships and two Super Bowl titles. In fact, his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown was critical in giving the team the win in Super Bowl XLIII. Harrison was named to five Pro Bowls and four All-Pros.

5. Adam Vinatieri

Adam Vinatieri
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5. Adam Vinatieri

Adam Vinatieri
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Adam Vinatieri, who went undrafted in 1995 out of South Dakota State, is the most clutch kicker in NFL history. The rough start to his career took a giant leap forward in Super Bowl XXXVI when he crushed a 48-yard field goal to win the game. He also kicked the game winner in Super Bowl XXXVIII. His career 83.7 field goal percentage isn’t impressive, but his six AFC championships and four Super Bowl titles are.

4. John Randle

 John Randle
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4. John Randle

 John Randle
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Defensive tackle John Randle’s 137.5 sacks rank seventh in NFL history. The 1990 undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M recorded a league-high 15.5 sacks in 1997. In fact, he posted double-digit sacks in nine of the 14 seasons he played in the NFL. Randle is a member of the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, a six-time first-team All-Pro and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

3. Dick Lane

Dick Lane
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3. Dick Lane

Dick Lane
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In Dick Lane’s rookie season in 1952, he set an NFL record for interceptions in a single season (14). While playing for three teams, he was named to the Pro Bowl seven times, first-team All-Pro six times and second-team All-Pro four teams. He’s also a member of the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, the NFL 50th Anniversary Team, the NFL 75th Anniversary Team and he was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.

2. Warren Moon

Warren Moon
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2. Warren Moon

Warren Moon
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The great Warren Moon spent six seasons in the CFL when he went undrafted in the NFL in 1978. The 1978 Rose Bowl MVP had an outstanding career in the CFL, which led to 16 incredible seasons in the NFL. Moon led the league in passing yards in 1990 and 1991, with his 49,325 career passing yards good for seventh in NFL history. He was selected to nine Pro Bowls and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

1. Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner
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1. Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner
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Kurt Warner is easily the best undrafted free agent in league history. Not only was he the centerpiece for the "Greatest Show on Turf" as a member of the St. Louis Rams, he also resurrected his career and led the Arizona Cardinals to a berth in Super Bowl XLIII. The three-time NFC champion was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV, and he owns two NFL MVP Awards. Warner also was named to four Pro Bowls and two All-Pros.

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