15 best undrafted players in NFL history

Scouting is anything but an exact science. For every Pro Bowl player unearthed, teams miss on three or four times as many. 

With all the energy and research organizations put into the NFL Draft, there are still plenty of players that go on to have successful careers despite not being selected. 

Here are the 15 best undrafted players in NFL history:

15. Jeff Saturday

Despite earning All-ACC first team honors in 1996 and 1997 with North Carolina, nobody took a chance on Saturday in the 1998 NFL Draft. The center was undeterred, though, and after landing with the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday went on to start more than 200 games, make six Pro Bowls and earn a Super Bowl title.

14. Priest Holmes

From 2001 to 2003, nobody could stop Holmes. He ran for 4,590 yards and totaled 61 touchdowns over that stretch with the Kansas City Chiefs, while giving opposing defenses nightmares in the process. Unfortunately for Holmes, injuries derailed a career that had the makings of being Hall of Fame worthy. 

13. Arian Foster

Foster ran for a measly 570 yards and one touchdown during his final year at Tennessee in 2008, so it's not shocking he slid right out of the draft. Teams may have been justified in not taking him, but they would soon be regretting the decision. Foster has run for more than 1,200 yards in four of his six seasons with the Houston Texans.

12. Tony Romo

Romo is often criticized for gaffes in big games, but going from an undrafted player out of Eastern Illinois to the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is no easy feat. After spending his first three years in Big D on the bench, Romo has managed to throw for more than 33,000 yards. The 34-year-old seems to be getting better age and arguably posted his best season in 2014, throwing 34 touchdowns to just nine picks. 

11. Rod Smith

Missouri Southern State isn't what you would call a football factory, but they produced one of the most underrated receivers ever. Smith sits 25th all-time on the receptions list with 849 catches and was a go-to target for John Elway in two Super Bowl victories for the Denver Broncos. Smith's consistency was his best asset, posting at least 1,000 yards in eight of nine seasons from 1997 to 2005.

10. Lou Groza

Groza was out of football for three years while fighting for the United States in World War II, but didn't miss a beat when he joined the Cleveland Browns in 1946. The kicker was a nine-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro and a member of the 1950s All-Decade Team. Groza earned the nickname "The Toe" and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

9. Wes Welker

Welker was a productive player at Texas Tech, but his size likely scared off potential employers during the 2004 draft. Things turned out just fine for the diminutive wideout, though, as he has developed into one of the all-time great slot receivers. Welker's most productive campaigns came with the New England Patriots, catching at least 100 passes for 1,000 yards in five of his six seasons. 

8. Antonio Gates

The fact that Gates never played football in college for Kent State has been well documented, so we'll give scouts a pass for not using a draft pick on him. Despite his lack of collegiate experience, it hasn't stopped Gates from becoming one of the most prolific tight ends of all time. The 34-year-old and former basketball star is a eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time All Pro and he is closing in on 800 catches with the San Diego Chargers.

7. Willie Brown

No one took a chance on cornerback Willie Brown out of Grambling State in 1963, but the Oakland Raiders were happy to have him after he landed on their doorstep in 1967. Brown's illustrious Hall-of-Fame career included four Pro Bowls, five AFL All-Star games, a Super Bowl and 54 interceptions. 

6. Adam Vinatieri

Kickers always struggle to get drafted, especially those trying to make a name for themselves out of South Dakota State. Don't feel bad for Vinatieri, though. He's still going strong at 42 and is the NFL's fourth all-time leading scorer. Not to mention, he's also kicked a pair of game-winning kicks in the Super Bowl for the Patriots. 

5. Larry Little

Little was overlooked in the 1967 draft, but the the offensive guard made a name for himself with the Miami Dolphins, creating holes for Larry Csonka and the rest of the team's vaunted rushing attack in the 1970s. Little earned six All-Pro selections and a pair of Super Bowls for his troubles. 

4. John Randle

As a 6-foot-1, 287-pound defensive tackle out of Texas A&M-Kingsville, no one gave Randle a second look in 1990. However, Randle proved it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. The six-time All Pro totaled 137.5 sacks in 14 seasons, good enough for seventh all-time en route to a Hall of Fame career.

3. Warren Moon

Moon was the MVP of the 1978 Rose Bowl, but no one was convinced he could be a starting quarterback in the NFL. The pivot was forced to head north to the Canadian Football League and won five Grey Cups with the Edmonton Eskimos. His success there finally led to a chance with the Houston Oilers and once he arrived in the NFL, he didn't disappoint. Moon sits seventh all-time in passing yards with 49,325 and made nine Pro Bowls. 

2. Dick "Night Train" Lane

Lane came to Los Angeles Rams training camp in 1952 trying to earn a job and was initially projected as a tight end because of his 6-foot-1, 194-pound frame. But he was eventually moved to corner and revolutionized the position because of his size. It was a smart decision. Lane ended up as a six-time All Pro and still holds the record for interceptions in a season with 14.

1. Kurt Warner

Warner's story could have been written for Hollywood. After bagging groceries in Iowa, he took the NFL by storm and led the Rams to a Super Bowl title in his first season as a starter. Warner went on to a successful career and appeared in two more Super Bowls, including one with the Arizona Cardinals at the age of 37. Despite not starting his NFL career until he was 27, Warner still finished with more than 30,000 passing yards.