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Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Panthers Sign Son of Former Wide Receiver Muhsin Muhammad, a Franchise Star
The Carolina Panthers have signed the son of a franchise legend. The Panthers signed Moose Muhammad III as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft. Reports of the signing emerged after the draft, but the Panthers confirmed it in an article on the Moose Muhammad spent five seasons at Muhammad was born in Charlotte in 2001. His father, Muhsin Muhammad II, was playing for the Carolina Panthers. The elder Muhammad was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 draft. He appeared in just nine games as a rookie, catching 25 passes for 407 yards and a touchdown. After an unimpressive sophomore campaign, Muhammad broke out in 1998, starting all 16 games and catching 68 passes for 941 yards and six TDs. Muhsin Muhammad had his first 1,000+ yard season in 1999. He had 96 receptions for 1,253 yards and eight touchdowns and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He followed it up with a career-high and league-leading 102 receptions for 1,183 yards and six scores. He did not record another thousand-yard season again until 2004, but he was a key part of the Panthers' 2003 Super Bowl run and set the record for longest touchdown pass in a Super Bowl that season—an 85-yard catch in the Panthers' 32-29 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Muhsin Muhammad had the best year of his career in 2004, catching 93 passes for 1,405 yards and 16 TDs; the last two numbers led the league and were career highs. He was named a first-team All-Pro and selected to his second Pro Bowl. He signed with the Chicago Bears in 2005 and spent three years in Chicago, then returned to the Panthers in 2008, catching 65 passes for 923 yards and five TDs in his return season. He caught 53 passes for 581 yards and a touchdown in 2009. He retired at the end of that season. Related Stories 3/26/2025 2/18/2025 Muhsin Muhammad holds several Panthers franchise records. His 16 touchdowns in 2004 are the most in a single season in franchise history. He also has three receiving TDs in two separate games; a record he co-owns with fellow Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. For the younger Muhammad, following in his father's footsteps will be a tough road, but he will have several teammates who started out as undrafted free agents (UDFA), particularly in the wide receiver room. Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen was a UDFA who was signed by the Minnesota Vikings after a tryout in 2013. Jalen Coker was signed as a UDFA in 2024 out of Holy Cross; he finished the season third on the team in receiving yards behind Thielen and 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette. The Panthers also have long snapper JJ Jansen and safety Demani Richardson on the roster. Running back Rico Dowdle (Dallas Cowboys), defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (Kansas City Chiefs), and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (Los Angeles Rams), were all signed as UDFAs by their respective teams in 2020. Moose Muhammad is not the only receiver with a compelling story and Carolina ties on the preseason roster. The Panthers signed veteran wide receiver
New York Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Top pick Will Campbell ready to ‘fight and die,' which has to make Drake Maye happy
'With the fourth pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots select Will Campbell, tackle, LSU.' — Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner OK, so this is not 2015. It's 2025. And Goodell is no longer content with merely reading off the names and then otherwise staying out of the way. He now rides a bicycle around on the stage, as we saw in the run-up to the 2025 NFL Draft Thursday night in Green Bay, Wis. Advertisement But, yes, absolutely, that was indeed Will Campbell making an appearance at No. 4, all big and proud and emotional, and decked out in a green pinstriped suit that looked like it was borrowed from the wardrobe room of the Broadway musical 'Chicago.' As far as I know, there's no Mount Rushmore of Great Draft Night Introductory News Conferences. But Campbell spoke in such a way that Patriots fans could put aside the arm length/wingspan jabber for just a bit and embrace New England's glorious past while daydreaming about a promising future. While it'll be Campbell's job to help lead the Patriots to that promising future, the former LSU standout was more than happy to talk about the back-in-the-day Patriots, as in the days when he watched the games while growing up in Monroe, La. Campbell didn't take us all the way back to the first of the two Tom Brady-led New England dynasties — he was, after all, born on Jan. 6, 2004, a month before the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII for the second of their three championships in four seasons — but he made it clear he has tuned in and been turned on. When asked during a video conference if he has any special memories of watching the Patriots, Campbell said, 'They always used to just dominate every time I turned the TV on and the Patriots were playing. They were dominating whoever it was. You know, Tom Brady, Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Gronk, all those guys. Just dominating throughout the years that I was growing up. 'That's all I remember of them, just winning,' Campbell said. Campbell then talked in such a way that made it seem as though the Patriots still go to the playoffs every year, still compete for the Super Bowl, still get the prime-time television slots and the likes of Jim Nantz, Al Michaels and Joe Buck calling the games. 'I'm just super excited and thankful to be wearing that logo on the side of my helmet and across my chest,' Campbell said. 'It's a complete honor.' The only thing Campbell didn't say was that he believes in 'The Patriot Way,' the old-timey Foxboro football catchphrase that owner Robert Kraft has always loved and former coach Bill Belichick always, hated, hated, hated. But there was a Belichick Way, which held that you never talk about the past. Everything with Belichick was always about the next play, the next game on the schedule, the next season. Were he still running the shop, Belichick might not have been impressed that Campbell took the bait during the video conference and started talking about Brady, Amendola, Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. But so what? Aside from the mild surprise that Amendola came in at No. 2 on the Will Campbell Old-Time Patriots Depth Chart, there was nothing wrong, nothing, with talking about winning traditions that are no longer in place in Foxboro. "We're happy as hell." Inside the Patriots draft room as we select @will_campbell66. — New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 25, 2025 What Campbell was saying, I think, is that he has every intention of bringing the Patriots back to contention. Talk, of course, is cheap. And, yes, yes, yes, every newly minted first-round draft pick says exciting and upbeat things after extracting themselves from the Goodell embrace and trying on the crisp, new team cap. It's just that Campbell said it almost as a threat, as if directed at the defenses he'll be facing in 2025 and beyond. Advertisement During a brief on-stage interview with the NFL Network's Jamie Erdahl after the announcement, Campbell delivered a quote that surely had Patriots quarterback Drake Maye jumping up and down on his couch: 'I'm gonna fight and die to protect them with everything I've got.' Later on during this celebratory April night, Campbell talked more about Maye. 'He's a heck of a player, a heck of a leader,' Campbell said. 'He's the commander of our offense. I'm not only excited to play with him, but the rest of the team. I'm excited for the future that we have in Foxboro. And I think we've got a special season coming.' According to Campbell, he became aware of the Patriots' interest in him at about Week 5 of the 2024 LSU football season, which is when executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf showed up at one of his practices. 'And I told him this is where I want to be,' Campbell said. 'And I told (Patriots southeast area scout) Alex Brooks that I want to be a Patriot. 'I had great interactions with everybody throughout the process,' he said. 'I saw a lot of them, private workouts … just being up there, getting to meet everybody.' This is important information because it means Campbell was following the Patriots last season, and who knows, for a few seasons before that. It's just that he didn't mention it, because there's no sense living in the past. Not the recent past, anyway. As for the glory days? Campbell had some fun with that Thursday night. But my hunch is it's the last time you'll hear him talk about the pre-2025 Patriots.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carolina Panthers top 30 all-time greatest players: No. 1 (Julius Peppers)
When Julius Peppers took the field for the Carolina Panthers, fans knew they were witnessing something special. With a career spanning nearly two decades and a recent first-ballot Hall of Fame induction, Peppers' legacy is etched in Panthers lore and NFL history. From his very first season, Peppers was a force. Drafted second overall in 2002, the former North Carolina Tar Heel made an immediate statement, racking up 12 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, a rare achievement that underscored his talent and work ethic. Peppers' impact was so pronounced that the Panthers' defense quickly became a cornerstone of the team, marking a sharp improvement and helping the Panthers rise in the NFL ranks. His speed, power, and agility were unlike anything most had seen from a player standing 6'7' and weighing nearly 300 pounds. Carolina Panthers DE Julius PeppersJeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports In 2003, Peppers helped lead the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII, forming part of a defense that made the team a serious contender. Though the Panthers narrowly fell to the New England Patriots, Peppers' contributions in clutch playoff games solidified his status as a big-game player. That season remains a highlight for Panthers fans, and Peppers' role in bringing Carolina to the Super Bowl remains a crucial part of his legacy. Advertisement Related: Carolina Panthers Top 30 All-Time Greatest Players: No. 5 (Sam Mills) After eight seasons with the Panthers, Peppers briefly left for stints with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, where he continued to dominate, amassing additional Pro Bowl selections and reaching a career total of 159.5 sacks, ranking fourth in NFL history. But his journey wasn't complete without a return to Carolina. Rejoining the Panthers in 2017, Peppers brought with him invaluable experience and leadership, mentoring younger players and recording 5 sacks in his final season. His homecoming was a fitting end to an exceptional career. Related: Carolina Panthers Top 30 All-Time Greatest Players: No. 4 (Luke Kuechly) Peppers retired in 2018 with nine Pro Bowl selections, three First-Team All-Pro honors, and a place on the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Panthers' Hall of Honor in recognition of his impact, both on the field and within the community. In August of 2024 Peppers was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He was a first ballot entry. For Carolina fans, Peppers represents not only statistical greatness but also the heart and soul of the Panthers' defense for years. His journey from local high school star to NFL icon remains a point of pride for North Carolina fans, and his legacy as a Panther endures. Related: Carolina Panthers top 30 all-time greatest players: No. 3 (Steve Smith Sr.) Related: Carolina Panthers top 30 all-time greatest players: No 2 (Cam Newton)
Fox News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Who are the 10 best undrafted players in NFL history?
A total of 257 prospects will hear their names called when the 2025 NFL Draft takes place this weekend, fulfilling the hopes and dreams of many. For those who don't hear their names get called, though, that doesn't mean their dreams of playing in the NFL are over. In fact, there are many success stories of undrafted players becoming NFL standouts over the years. There have also been a handful of players who've become Hall of Famers after going undrafted. So, which undrafted players are the best in NFL history? Let's take a look at the best in the common era (1967-present). The vast majority of kickers begin their NFL careers after going undrafted, but the way Vinatieri's career played out suggests that was a mistake. He played in the World League of American Football (which later rebranded as NFL Europe) after he went undrafted in 1996, but joined the New England Patriots shortly after. He surprisingly won the kicker competition in training camp that year thanks to his kickoff ability. Well, that decision wound up changing the course of NFL history. Vinatieri made a few clutch kicks in the Patriots' Super Bowl-winning season in 2001. He made a 45-yard field goal through the snow to help send their Divisional Round game against the Raiders to overtime before kicking the game-winning field goal. He made a game-winning 48-yard field goal on the final play of Super Bowl XXXVI. Two years later, Vinatieri's 41-yard field goal with four seconds left helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVIII. Those kicks were just four of the NFL-record 56 Vinatieri made in his playoff career. Vinatieri also holds the NFL record for most field goals made (599) and points scored (2,673) in the regular season as he enjoyed a 24-year NFL career, winning four Super Bowls between his time with the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. The Baltimore Ravens took a flyer on Holmes after he spent most of his time at Texas buried on the Longhorns' running back depth chart, even though he rushed for 13 touchdowns on 59 carries in his final year in Austin. That bet worked. After essentially redshirting his rookie season, Holmes became a 1,000-yard rusher in Year 2. He took a backup role in the following seasons, playing behind Jamal Lewis in their Super Bowl-winning season in 2000. Holmes joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent the following season, beginning a stretch where Holmes made history. He rushed for at least 1,400 yards in each of his first three years with the Chiefs, including a league-best 1,555 yards in 2001. Two years later, Holmes rushed for 27 touchdowns, setting the record for most total touchdowns scored by a player ever in a season. He also joined Emmitt Smith as just one of two players to ever score 20-plus touchdowns in two consecutive seasons that year. Holmes finished his career as a three-time first-team All-Pro and a one-time recipient of the Offensive Player of the Year Award. The other great undrafted free agent signed by the Cowboys in the 1970s was Pearson. The wide receiver joined Dallas in 1973, helping to lift Dallas' offense while catching passes from Roger Staubach in short order. He became a first-team All-Pro in Year 2, recording 62 receptions for 1,087 yards in 1974. That year was his first of three All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods, leading the league in receiving yards in 1977 (870). That season ended with Pearson helping the Cowboys win their second title in franchise history. He also retired as Dallas' all-time receiving yards leader (7,822) after the 1983 season. He currently sits fourth all-time and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. Yet another Cowboys star on the list. Then-Cowboys quarterbacks coach Sean Payton, who was a part of Bill Parcells' coaching staff, was able to help Dallas land the fellow Eastern Illinois alum after he went undrafted in 2003. Unlike Harris and Pearson, though, it took Romo some time to get some playing time. He served as a backup until the 2006 season, when he replaced a struggling Drew Bledsoe. The Cowboys took off from there, reaching the postseason that year and going 14-2 to win the NFC East in 2007. While Romo didn't win a Super Bowl, he staked his claim as one of the league's best quarterbacks in an era when Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were breaking records. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in passer rating in 2014, finishing third in MVP voting that year. He also retired as the Cowboys' all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. When you build a multi-time Super Bowl winner over a short span and a perennial title contender, you typically have to hit big along the margin. Well, the Dallas Cowboys struck gold twice in undrafted free agency during the 1970s. First, they signed Harris after he went undrafted in 1970. He became a first-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler who helped Dallas win Super Bowl VI and XII. Later nicknamed "Captain Crash" for his hard hits, Harris helped revolutionize the free safety position by wearing lighter pads in order to move quicker around the field. In addition to the two Super Bowl wins, Harris helped the Cowboys reach three more Super Bowls, becoming one of the few players in NFL history to ever play in at least five Super Bowls. He was eventually voted for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. One of the best defensive players of the 21st century was an undrafted free agent. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed James Harrison as an undrafted free agent in 2002, with concerns over his size being the reason why he wasn't a highly-touted prospect. Pittsburgh actually gave up on Harrison at one point early in his career as well, releasing him from the practice squad on multiple occasions before he signed a contract with the Ravens and was allocated to an NFL Europe team in 2004. Eventually, Harrison re-emerged with the Steelers during training camp in 2004 as he contemplated his football-playing future. Luckily for Pittsburgh, Harrison was willing to give football one more try. He spent the next few seasons as a role player for the Steelers as they became a contender, winning the Super Bowl in 2005. He became one of the league's top pass rushers by 2007 and recorded 16 sacks in 2008, winning Defensive Player of the Year that season. Pittsburgh also won the Super Bowl that year. Harrison didn't reach that peak play again, but he retired as a five-time Pro Bowler. Before he became one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, Gates played basketball in college. In fact, he attempted to play football and basketball at Michigan State, but then-Spartans head coach Nick Saban wanted him to exclusively play football and move him to defensive end. Gates said no and eventually transferred to Kent State, where he helped the Golden Flashes reach the Elite Eight in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. Gates didn't play football at Akron, though, and when he learned that NBA scouts weren't too high on him, he opted to pursue an NFL career. The Chargers wound up signing him after a tryout in 2003, a decision that quickly aged well. He became an All-Pro and Pro Bowl tight end by 2004, recording 13 touchdowns that year as he formed a strong connection with Drew Brees. That was one of four seasons in which Gates recorded at least 10 receiving touchdowns, helping him become the NFL's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns among tight ends. He's also fourth all-time in receptions and receiving yards by tight ends in NFL history, with his eight Pro Bowl nods helping him get voted for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025. Not only did Moon go undrafted in 1978, but he also spent the first six seasons of his professional career in Canada, playing with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. He actually signed the deal with the Eskimos ahead of the NFL Draft as he senescence would be a late-round selection at best in the 1978 draft. After winning five Grey Cup titles, though, Moon became a commodity when he decided to enter the NFL in 1984. The Houston Oilers wound up winning the battle for Moon, a move that they certainly didn't regret. But it took the Oilers a few years to find success with Moon, reaching the playoffs in 1987. Moon became one of the league's best quarterbacks during that timeframe as well, getting his first of nine Pro Bowl nods in 1988 and winning Offensive Player of the Year in 1990. At the time of his retirement in 2001, Moon was top five in NFL history in passing yards and touchdowns despite starting his career in the CFL. Like some other all-time great undrafted free agents, Randle was thought to be too small when he entered the NFL Draft. The defensive tackle weighed fewer than 250 pounds before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, secretly wearing a chain to help boost his weight in order to get a deal. The Vikings seemingly got lucky that Randle opted to do that, as he wound up becoming one of the NFL's best interior defensive linemen of all time. Randle was a seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time first-team All-Pro, leading the league in sacks in 1997 with 15.5. A year later, Randle helped the Vikings go 15-1 and nearly reach the Super Bowl, losing in the NFC Championship Game. Randle finished his career with the Seahawks, recording 23.5 sacks over his final three seasons. That helped him finish his career with 137.5 sacks, which were the fifth-most in NFL history at the time of his retirement after the 2003 season. That sack total is still the second-most ever among defensive tackles as FOX Sports recently ranked Randle as the best player to ever play the position. Warner's path to NFL stardom might be the most unique. Well, the story was at least good enough to turn into a movie. After going undrafted in 1994, Warner tried out for the Green Bay Packers, who cut him during training camp. He worked as a grocery store attendant afterward before playing in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe. Warner eventually latched onto the Rams' roster in 1998, serving as their third-string quarterback before becoming the backup at the start of the 1999 season. When Trent Green suffered a season-ending in the preseason that year, the legend of Warner began. He led the Rams to a Super Bowl title that year and instantly became one of the game's best passers, winning MVP that season. He continued to serve as a key figure for one of the offenses in NFL history, quarterbacking the "Greatest Show on Turf" to another Super Bowl appearance in 2001. While they lost the Super Bowl that year, Warner won his second MVP. After his period of success with the Rams, Warner found himself in a similar spot to where he started his career by the 2004 season. He was released by the Rams after the 2003 season and signed with the New York Giants in 2004, starting at quarterback for them for the first half of the season. He became a free agent again the following year, signing with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year deal in 2005. Warner wound up having a resurgence in Arizona, helping the Cardinals play the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history in 2008 as he earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod that year. He retired following the 2009 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Check out all of our Daily Rankers. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
Fox Sports
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Who are the 10 best undrafted players in NFL history?
A total of 257 prospects will hear their names called when the 2025 NFL Draft takes place this weekend, fulfilling the hopes and dreams of many. For those who don't hear their names get called, though, that doesn't mean their dreams of playing in the NFL are over. In fact, there are many success stories of undrafted players becoming NFL standouts over the years. There have also been a handful of players who've become Hall of Famers after going undrafted. So, which undrafted players are the best in NFL history? Let's take a look at the best in the common era (1967-present). 10 best undrafted players in NFL history 10. Adam Vinatieri The vast majority of kickers begin their NFL careers after going undrafted, but the way Vinatieri's career played out suggests that was a mistake. He played in the World League of American Football (which later rebranded as NFL Europe) after he went undrafted in 1996, but joined the New England Patriots shortly after. He surprisingly won the kicker competition in training camp that year thanks to his kickoff ability. Well, that decision wound up changing the course of NFL history. Vinatieri made a few clutch kicks in the Patriots' Super Bowl-winning season in 2001. He made a 45-yard field goal through the snow to help send their Divisional Round game against the Raiders to overtime before kicking the game-winning field goal. He made a game-winning 48-yard field goal on the final play of Super Bowl XXXVI. Two years later, Vinatieri's 41-yard field goal with four seconds left helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVIII. Those kicks were just four of the NFL-record 56 Vinatieri made in his playoff career. Vinatieri also holds the NFL record for most field goals made (599) and points scored (2,673) in the regular season as he enjoyed a 24-year NFL career, winning four Super Bowls between his time with the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. 9. Priest Holmes The Baltimore Ravens took a flyer on Holmes after he spent most of his time at Texas buried on the Longhorns' running back depth chart, even though he rushed for 13 touchdowns on 59 carries in his final year in Austin. That bet worked. After essentially redshirting his rookie season, Holmes became a 1,000-yard rusher in Year 2. He took a backup role in the following seasons, playing behind Jamal Lewis in their Super Bowl-winning season in 2000. Holmes joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in the following season, beginning a stretch where Holmes made history. He rushed for at least 1,400 yards in each of his first three years with the Chiefs, including a league-best 1,555 yards in 2001. Two years later, Holmes rushed for 27 touchdowns, setting the record for most total touchdowns scored by a player ever in a season. He also joined Emmitt Smith as just one of two players to ever score 20-plus touchdowns in two consecutive seasons that year. Holmes finished his career as a three-time first-team All-Pro and a one-time recipient of the Offensive Player of the Year Award. 8. Drew Pearson The other great undrafted free agent signed by the Cowboys in the 1970s was Pearson. The wide receiver joined Dallas in 1973, helping to lift Dallas' offense while catching passes from Roger Staubach in short order. He became a first-team All-Pro in Year 2, recording 62 receptions for 1,087 yards in 1974. That year was his first of three All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods, leading the league in receiving yards in 1977 (870). That season ended with Pearson helping the Cowboys win their second title in franchise history. He also retired as Dallas' all-time receiving yards leader (7,822) after the 1983 season. He currently sits fourth all-time and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. 7. Tony Romo Yet another Cowboys star on the list. Then-Cowboys quarterbacks coach Sean Payton, who was a part of Bill Parcells' coaching staff, was able to help Dallas land the fellow Eastern Illinois alum after he went undrafted in 2003. Unlike Harris and Pearson, though, it took Romo some time to get some playing time. He served as a backup until the 2006 season, when he replaced a struggling Drew Bledsoe. The Cowboys took off from there, reaching the postseason that year and going 14-2 to win the NFC East in 2007. While Romo didn't win a Super Bowl, he staked his claim as one of the league's best quarterbacks in an era when Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were breaking records. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in passer rating in 2014, finishing third in MVP voting that year. He also retired as the Cowboys' all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. 6. Cliff Harris When you build a multi-time Super Bowl winner over a short span and a perennial title contender, you typically have to hit big along the margin. Well, the Dallas Cowboys struck gold twice in undrafted free agency during the 1970s. First, they signed Harris after he went undrafted in 1970. He became a first-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler who helped Dallas win Super Bowl VI and XII. Later nicknamed "Captain Crash" for his hard hits, Harris helped revolutionize the free safety position by wearing lighter pads in order to move quicker around the field. In addition to the two Super Bowl wins, Harris helped the Cowboys reach three more Super Bowls, becoming one of the few players in NFL history to ever play in at least five Super Bowls. He was eventually voted for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. 5. James Harrison One of the best defensive players of the 21st century was an undrafted free agent. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed James Harrison as an undrafted free agent in 2002, with concerns over his size being the reason why he wasn't a highly-touted prospect. Pittsburgh actually gave up on Harrison at one point early in his career as well, releasing him from the practice squad on multiple occasions before he signed a contract with the Ravens and was allocated to an NFL Europe team in 2004. Eventually, Harrison re-emerged with the Steelers during training camp in 2004 as he contemplated his football-playing future. Luckily for Pittsburgh, Harrison was willing to give football one more try. He spent the next few seasons as a role player for the Steelers as they became a contender, winning the Super Bowl in 2005. He became one of the league's top pass rushers by 2007 and recorded 16 sacks in 2008, winning Defensive Player of the Year that season. Pittsburgh also won the Super Bowl that year. Harrison didn't reach that peak play again, but he retired as a five-time Pro Bowler. 4. Antonio Gates Before he became one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, Gates played basketball in college. In fact, he attempted to play football and basketball at Michigan State, but then-Spartans head coach Nick Saban wanted him to exclusively play football and move him to defensive end. Gates said no and eventually transferred to Kent State, where he helped the Golden Flashes reach the Elite Eight in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. Gates didn't play football at Akron, though, and when he learned that NBA scouts weren't too high on him, he opted to pursue an NFL career. The Chargers wound up signing him after a tryout in 2003, a decision that quickly aged well. He became an All-Pro and Pro Bowl tight end by 2004, recording 13 touchdowns that year as he formed a strong connection with Drew Brees. That was one of four seasons in which Gates recorded at least 10 receiving touchdowns, helping him become the NFL's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns among tight ends. He's also fourth all-time in receptions and receiving yards by tight ends in NFL history, with his eight Pro Bowl nods helping him get voted for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025. 3. Warren Moon Not only did Moon go undrafted in 1978, but he also spent the first six seasons of his professional career in Canada, playing with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. He actually signed the deal with the Eskimos ahead of the NFL Draft as he senescence would be a late-round selection at best in the 1978 draft. After winning five Grey Cup titles, though, Moon became a commodity when he decided to enter the NFL in 1984. The Houston Oilers wound up winning the battle for Moon, a move that they certainly didn't regret. But it took the Oilers a few years to find success with Moon, reaching the playoffs in 1987. Moon became one of the league's best quarterbacks during that timeframe as well, getting his first of nine Pro Bowl nods in 1988 and winning Offensive Player of the Year in 1990. At the time of his retirement in 2001, Moon was top five in NFL history in passing yards and touchdowns despite starting his career in the CFL. 2. John Randle Like some other all-time great undrafted free agents, Randle was thought to be too small when he entered the NFL Draft. The defensive tackle weighed fewer than 250 pounds before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, secretly wearing a chain to help boost his weight in order to get a deal. The Vikings seemingly got lucky that Randle opted to do that, as he wound up becoming one of the NFL's best interior defensive linemen of all time. Randle was a seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time first-team All-Pro, leading the league in sacks in 1997 with 15.5. A year later, Randle helped the Vikings go 15-1 and nearly reach the Super Bowl, losing in the NFC Championship Game. Randle finished his career with the Seahawks, recording 23.5 sacks over his final three seasons. That helped him finish his career with 137.5 sacks, which were the fifth-most in NFL history at the time of his retirement after the 2003 season. That sack total is still the second-most ever among defensive tackles as FOX Sports recently ranked Randle as the best player to ever play the position . 1. Kurt Warner Warner's path to NFL stardom might be the most unique. Well, the story was at least good enough to turn into a movie. After going undrafted in 1994, Warner tried out for the Green Bay Packers, who cut him during training camp. He worked as a grocery store attendant afterward before playing in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe. Warner eventually latched onto the Rams' roster in 1998, serving as their third-string quarterback before becoming the backup at the start of the 1999 season. When Trent Green suffered a season-ending in the preseason that year, the legend of Warner began. He led the Rams to a Super Bowl title that year and instantly became one of the game's best passers, winning MVP that season. He continued to serve as a key figure for one of the offenses in NFL history, quarterbacking the "Greatest Show on Turf" to another Super Bowl appearance in 2001. While they lost the Super Bowl that year, Warner won his second MVP. After his period of success with the Rams, Warner found himself in a similar spot to where he started his career by the 2004 season. He was released by the Rams after the 2003 season and signed with the New York Giants in 2004, starting at quarterback for them for the first half of the season. He became a free agent again the following year, signing with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year deal in 2005. Warner wound up having a resurgence in Arizona, helping the Cardinals play the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history in 2008 as he earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod that year. He retired following the 2009 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
