Top 10 Undrafted Players in NFL History
#10. Marion Motley
Motley had 828 career carries for 4,720 yards and 5,827 total yards from scrimmage during his nine seasons in the league. In 1950, he set a league record for rushing. For a man who had to request a tryout in order to have the chance to play in the NFL, that is not bad. Motley was also selected for the 75th anniversary team of the NFL.
#9. Joe Perry
Perry had recently graduated from Compton Community College. The 1950s NFL All-Decade Team included Perry, who had a stellar career with the 49ers. In 1949, 1953, and 1954, Perry led the league in rushing yards, carries, and yards from scrimmage. In 1949, 1953, and 1954, Perry also led the league in running yards per game. In 1949, 1953, and 1954, Perry also led the league in touchdowns. In his career, he rushed for 1,929 yards, 9,723 yards, and 71 touchdowns. In addition, he has 83 total touchdowns during his career and 11,744 yards from scrimmage.
#8. Lou Groza
After the Second World War, Groza joined the Browns and had an instant impact. With 1,608 points, he was the Browns' all-time leading scorer and the NFL's top scorer in 1957. In addition, he has nine Pro Bowl appearances, four first-team All-Pro selections, and five league-leading field goal percentages.
#7. Willie Brown
Brown was initially signed by the Houston Oilers, was released, and then spent time with the Denver Broncos before landing with the Oakland Raiders in 1967. Brown collected 54 interceptions in his career, returning them for 472 yards and two touchdowns. He participated in four Pro Bowls and five AFC All-Star Games. In Super Bowl XI, which the Raiders won, he returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown.
#6. Antonio Gates
Although Gates was a terrific basketball player in college, he really took off in the NFL. In 2005, Gates received the NFL Alumni Tight End of the Year Award and was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
#5. Emlen Tunnell
In his career, Tunnell made it to the Pro Bowl nine times and was selected as an All-Pro eight times. He was chosen for the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The second-most in NFL history, Tunnell has an astounding 79 career interceptions for a total of 1,282 yards.
#4. John Randall
One of the best inside defensive lineman in NFL history was Randall. Randle was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, made the Pro Bowl seven times, was an All-Pro six times, and was a member of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team.
#3. Warren Moon
Before signing with the Houston Oilers in 1984, Moon spent his first six years as a professional in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos. In his 6,823 pass attempts over his NFL career, Moon completed 3,988 of them for 49,325 yards, 291 touchdowns, and 233 interceptions. He ran for 1,736 yards and 22 touchdowns as well. Moon has nine Pro Bowl selections.
#2. Kurt Warner
Warner's journey from bagging groceries to playing quarterback for the "Greatest Show on Turf" in St. Louis after joining Coach John Gregory's Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League was the definition of a Cinderella story. He competed in three Super Bowls, with one victory.
#1. Dick “Night Train” Lane
After going undrafted, "Night Train" had a rookie season to remember after leaving a lasting impression. With 14 interceptions, he set an NFL record that is still in effect today. For his career, Lane had 68 interceptions for a total of 1,207 yards. He made it to the Pro Bowl seven times, was named to the first team of the All-Pros six times, and the second team four times. In 1968, he was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As one of the best defensive backs to ever play the position, Lane will go down in history.
