Top 10 undrafted NFL free agents of common era, ranked

From Kurt Warner to Antonio Gates, these undrafted players turned humble beginnings into iconic NFL careers

Tyler Sullivan

Apr 18, 2026

10:47 am ET

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10 min read

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The NFL Draft is the primary pipeline to build championship contenders. There, the bulk of the game's brightest stars are ushered through. However, there are occasions where diamonds in the rough fall through the cracks.

No, we're not talking about Tom Brady slipping to No. 199 or even Brock Purdy being Mr. Irrelevant. We're talking about players who do not hear their names called on draft day whatsoever. Despite going undrafted, players can find their way onto NFL rosters as free agents. From there, it's an uphill climb to establish themselves, but players have done it. Not only that, but they have also risen high enough to etch themselves in league history.

Some of the biggest moments in NFL history have come courtesy of undrafted players. For instance, Malcolm Butler, who went undrafted in 2014 out of West Alabama, owns arguably the greatest play in Super Bowl history, intercepting Russell Wilson at the goal line of Super Bowl XLIX to give the New England Patriots a Lombardi Trophy. Meanwhile, other undrafted players, like Dick "Night Train" Lane, produced remarkable, Hall of Fame careers.

So, as we embark towards the 2026 NFL Draft, let's roll through the best-of-the-best players who have gone undrafted as a reminder that talent can be found everywhere. Before we get started on the top 10 ranking, however, let's note that we're covering the common-draft era (since 1967). So, the likes of Lane (undrafted in 1952) will not be considered for this list.

Honorable mentions: Larry Little, Donnie Shell, Rod Smith, Wes Welker, Justin Tucker, Dave Krieg, London Fletcher, Joe Jacoby

10. Tony Romo (Cowboys: 2003-2016)

Romo found himself as QB1 of the most recognizable franchise in the NFL for the better part of a decade after he went undrafted and signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. The Eastern Illinois product initially didn't even get an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. Despite that, Romo waited in the shadows for the first two years of his career as a depth piece in Dallas' quarterback room. In 2006, however, Romo's career trajectory changed, officially taking over as the starter over Drew Bledsoe in Week 8. From there, he served as the Cowboys started up until the 2016 season, when he gave way to Dak Prescott.

Romo delivered a 78-49 regular-season record as Dallas' starter and a 2-4 record in the playoffs. Under Romo, the Cowboys won the NFC East three times and reached the postseason four times. His 34,183 yards passing are the second-most in franchise history, while his 248 career passing touchdowns currently rank the highest in franchise history.

9. Priest Holmes (Ravens, Chiefs: 1997-2007)

Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Holmes entered the league after signing with the Baltimore Ravens as a UDFA in 1997 out of Texas. Over the course of his rookie season, he didn't carry the ball once. That changed the following year. Holmes burst onto the scene as a sophomore, posting the first of his four-career 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 1998. In all, he had 1,268 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns that year. Holmes' flame in Baltimore was short, however, eventually finding himself serving as the backup to Jamal Lewis in 2000 as Baltimore went on to win Super Bowl XXXV.

That said, Holmes rekindled the magic of his '98 season after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2001. There, he established himself as arguably the best running back in the NFL from 2001 to 2003, earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nods in each of those three seasons. He also won Offensive Player of the Year in 2002 after leading the NFL with 2,287 total yards from scrimmage and 24 total touchdowns. Holmes averaged 163.4 yards from scrimmage that season, which is a single-season record that still stands today.

Holmes has an OPOY award, three first-team All-Pro nods, three Pro Bowls, along with a rushing title and two rushing touchdown titles on his résumé to go along with that Super Bowl title in Baltimore. The back is also enshrined in Kansas City's Ring of Honor.

8. Drew Pearson (Cowboys: 1973-1983)

Pearson arrived in Dallas after going undrafted in 1973 out of Tulsa. After a modest rookie campaign, Pearson earned first-team All-Pro honors (the first of three career selections) during his second season in the NFL, posting 1,087 yards receiving on 62 receptions. That started a trajectory that made him one of the best receivers of his era, finishing his career with 7,822 yards receiving and 48 touchdown receptions on 489 catches.

During the 1977 season, Pearson helped the Cowboys to their second Super Bowl title, defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII. The Cowboys inducted Pearson into their Ring of Honor in 2011, and he received 2021 enshrinement i