Statistical League Leaders, Pro Bowlers, All-Pros, Regular Season MVP’s, Offensive POY’s, Defensive POY’s, Super Bowl Champions, Super Bowl MVPs and dare I say potential Hall Of Famers. Sounds like a pretty impressive group. Did I mention that these players were NOT selected in the NFL Draft? Often teams look to improve through the Draft, but many times, undrafted free agents go on to have much more successful careers than players who were drafted Here is my team comprised of those players shunned by the NFL Draft. Since most NFL teams have a two-running back system, my team will as well. Since a lot of teams are transitioning to a 3-4 defense, so will my team. Take a look at this potent lineup:
Quarterback: Kurt Warner – No one drafted him, the Packers cut him, but he would eventually win an MVP, appear in three Super Bowls and be the MVP of Super Bowl. Backups – Jake Delhomme, Tony Romo
Halfback: Priest Holmes – No one drafted him and he was buried on the Baltimore Ravens depth chart. After arriving in Kansas City, Holmes became one of the NFL’s top halfbacks until injuries shortened his career.
Halfback: Willie Parker – Parker is one of the most explosive backs in the NFL. Injuries have slowed him a bit the past couple of seasons, but he is still “Fast Willie”. Backup – Ryan Grant
Fullback: Tony Richardson – Richardson was not drafted, but he is one of the best all around fullbacks to play the game.
Wide Receiver: Rod Smith – Smith is a first ballot Hall Of Famer who had an excellent career with the Denver Broncos, winning two Super Bowl rings while being the favorite target of Hall of Fame QB John Elway. And NO ONE drafted him.
Wide Receiver: Wes Welker – The diminuitive but dominant possession receiver was not drafted but the Dolphins signed him. He became their top receiver and return specialist, then for some strange reason they virtually gave him away to the division rival Patriots. Backups – Wayne Chrebet, Nate Washington
Tight End: Antonio Gates – Gates was a hoops star at Kent State, but not too many 6’6” power forwards make it in the NBA. Gates took up football and will take up a spot in Canton when he retires.
Offensive Line: Jeff Saturday – Peyton Manning has said he is gonna miss Marvin Harrison, but Jeff Saturday is the one he really missed. Saturday is arguably the best center in football (Matt Birk and Jason Brown’s agent would disagree).
Offensive Line: Brian Waters – No one would draft the offensive guard from North Texas, but Brian Waters has become an anchor on the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line
Offensive Line: Jason Peters – No one drafted Jason Peters, but teams are now offering DRAFT PICKS to the Buffalo Bills to acquire Jason Peters, one of the league’s best young tackles. Isn’t it ironic? Don’t you think?
Offensive Line: Kris Dielman - Dielman has become a fixture on the San Diego Chargers offensive line, but on Draft Day, teams said no thanks.
Offensive Line: Shaun O’Hara – O’Hara’s blocking paved the way for “Earth, Wind, and Fire” and for Eli Manning. Backup: Casey Weigmann
Defensive Line: John Randle – One of the best interior defensive linemen to ever play the game, John Randle was not drafted coming out of Texas A&I.
Defensive Line: Pat Williams – No one drafted Pat Williams, so he thanked them by becoming an All-Pro and one of the league’s top run stuffers.
Defensive Line: Adewale Ogunleye – No one drafted the former Hoosier, but he has become an excellent pass rusher.
Linebacker: James Harrison – No one even thought about drafting the reigning Defensive Player of the Year
Linebacker: Bart Scott – This undrafted free agent just got crazy paid to follow former D-Coordinator Rex Ryan to New York
Linebacker: Antonio Pierce – No one drafted Pierce, but he has become one of the game’s better inside linebackers.
Linebacker: London Fletcher – Highly underrated, London Fletcher is a tackling machine who has had a solid NFL career. Backup: Gary Brackett
Defensive Back: Nick Harper – The former undrafted free agent has had a solid NFL career and a Super Bowl ring for all his hard work.
Defensive Back: Quentin Mikell – The emergence of this undrafted free agent made it easier for the Eagles to let icon Brian Dawkins walk
Defensive Back: Sammy Knight – No one drafted Knight, but he has had a solid NFL career with five NFL franchises
Defensive Back: Leigh Bodden – No one drafted Bodden even though he came from football powerhouse Duquesne. The Patriots signed him to solidify their secondary. Backups: Randall Gay, James Butler
Kicker: Adam Vinatieri – One of the best clutch kickers of all time went undrafted. To put it in perspective, Sebastian Janikowski was drafted in the first round. Backup: Chris Berman’s Bironas (Rob Bironas)
Punter: Mat McBriar – This former Australian Rules football punter went undrafted. He also went to back to Hawaii in 2006 (He played college football for Hawaii)
Special Teams Players – Brendon Ayanbadejo & Kassim Osgood: These two players are perennial selections to the Pro Bowl team for their special teams abilities
Return Specialist – Clifton Smith – Smith went undrafted, but also went to Hawaii as the NFC’s return specialist. Backup – Joshua Cribbs
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