I went through the draft classes, starting in 2010, and came up with the All-UDFA Team of this past decade. To be included in this list, they have to be an undrafted FA in this decade, so if a player was an UDFA in 2009 and had a great decade, he was not included.
QB Case Keenum
There really wasn't much competition for this spot. The former Houston standout signed with the Houston Texans after going undrafted in the 2012 Draft. He has gone on to throw for more than 14,000 yards and 75 touchdowns and led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship game in 2017. He was the only choice for this spot.
RB LeGarrette Blount
Blount was a solid player for New England. Whenever the Patriots needed a dependable back to call when they suffered an injury or had an ineffective starter, Blount was ready to go. He burst on to the scene as an undrafted free agent rookie for the Buccaneers, running for more than 1,000 yards and scored six touchdowns. His greatest performance happened in the 2014 AFC Championship against Indianapolis, running for 148 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Patriots to a 45-7 blowout of the Colts. Following that effort, he led New England to a Super Bowl win against Seattle. Overall, he won three Super Bowls in four years with the Patriots and Eagles. His best season came in the Patriots championship season of 2016 when he had career-highs in rushing yards (1,161) and touchdowns (18). Overall in the decade, he ran for 6,306 yards and 56 touchdowns.
RB Phillip Lindsay
He only has been in the league two seasons, but I decided to put him on this list. He has run for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, including becoming the first offensive undrafted rookie ever to make the Pro Bowl. In two years, he has amassed 2,048 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, while averaging nearly five yards per carry.
He only has been in the league two seasons, but I decided to put him on this list. He has run for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, including becoming the first offensive undrafted rookie ever to make the Pro Bowl. In two years, he has amassed 2,048 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, while averaging nearly five yards per carry.
WR Adam Thielen
It took him a few years to make his mark with the home state Minnesota Vikings, but once he did, the Vikings had one of the most potent receiving cores in the NFL. After having a solid 2016 season, he really burst onto the scene on Christmas Eve that season. At Green Bay, he caught 12 passes for a career-high 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That set the stage for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Pro Bowl seasons in 2017 and 2018. In the decade, he caught 323 passes for 4,315 yards and 25 touchdowns.
It took him a few years to make his mark with the home state Minnesota Vikings, but once he did, the Vikings had one of the most potent receiving cores in the NFL. After having a solid 2016 season, he really burst onto the scene on Christmas Eve that season. At Green Bay, he caught 12 passes for a career-high 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That set the stage for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Pro Bowl seasons in 2017 and 2018. In the decade, he caught 323 passes for 4,315 yards and 25 touchdowns.
WR Doug Baldwin
Doug Baldwin showed flashes his first two years, but he became a real weapon with Russell Wilson as his career went on. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2016 and 2017, catching 21 touchdowns in those two seasons. Despite abruptly retiring following the 2018 season, he caught at least 50 passes in seven of his eight seasons and caught 722 passes for 6,563 yards and 49 touchdowns.
Doug Baldwin showed flashes his first two years, but he became a real weapon with Russell Wilson as his career went on. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2016 and 2017, catching 21 touchdowns in those two seasons. Despite abruptly retiring following the 2018 season, he caught at least 50 passes in seven of his eight seasons and caught 722 passes for 6,563 yards and 49 touchdowns.
WR Robby Anderson
Rounding out this loaded wide receiver trio, Robby Anderson was a good wide receiver for the New York Jets, despite having no other receiving talent during his time. The deep threat has had more than 750 receiving yards in his last three seasons, catching at least 50 passes in each of those seasons. In his four seasons, he has caught 207 passes for 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how he does with Teddy Bridgewater in Carolina.
Rounding out this loaded wide receiver trio, Robby Anderson was a good wide receiver for the New York Jets, despite having no other receiving talent during his time. The deep threat has had more than 750 receiving yards in his last three seasons, catching at least 50 passes in each of those seasons. In his four seasons, he has caught 207 passes for 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how he does with Teddy Bridgewater in Carolina.
TE Jack Doyle
Jack Doyle has been a dependable tight end for the Colts, especially when Andrew Luck was in town. He had his best seasons in 2016 and 2017 when he combined for 1,274 yards receiving and nine scores. He has gone to the Pro Bowl twice, including last year when he had 448 yards receiving and four touchdowns. The undrafted tight end out of Western Kentucky has recorded more than 2,000 receiving yards in his career and 18 touchdowns.
Jack Doyle has been a dependable tight end for the Colts, especially when Andrew Luck was in town. He had his best seasons in 2016 and 2017 when he combined for 1,274 yards receiving and nine scores. He has gone to the Pro Bowl twice, including last year when he had 448 yards receiving and four touchdowns. The undrafted tight end out of Western Kentucky has recorded more than 2,000 receiving yards in his career and 18 touchdowns.
OT Alejandro Vellanueva
After signing as an undrafted free agent, the Army graduate signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 before moving on to the Pittsburgh Steelers after being cut in 2014. He developed for a year and has been a mainstay along the Pittsburgh offensive line after that. He has started 74 games and has made two appearances in the Pro Bowl. He has consistently been named one of the better tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
After signing as an undrafted free agent, the Army graduate signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 before moving on to the Pittsburgh Steelers after being cut in 2014. He developed for a year and has been a mainstay along the Pittsburgh offensive line after that. He has started 74 games and has made two appearances in the Pro Bowl. He has consistently been named one of the better tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
OT La’el Collins
La'el Collins is interesting due to the fact that he had first round talent and would have gone top 10-15, but there was an investigation surrounding a shooting death of a pregnant woman, whom he had previously had a relationship with. He was not a suspect, but it was detrimental enough that he went undrafted. Dallas signed him, and he has been a fixture in the offensive line ever since. He played guard until Doug Free retired, and then he moved over to right tackle. In 2019, he signed a five-year extension. He has played in 62 games in his career, starting 61, for the Cowboys strong offensive line unit.
La'el Collins is interesting due to the fact that he had first round talent and would have gone top 10-15, but there was an investigation surrounding a shooting death of a pregnant woman, whom he had previously had a relationship with. He was not a suspect, but it was detrimental enough that he went undrafted. Dallas signed him, and he has been a fixture in the offensive line ever since. He played guard until Doug Free retired, and then he moved over to right tackle. In 2019, he signed a five-year extension. He has played in 62 games in his career, starting 61, for the Cowboys strong offensive line unit.
OG Andrew Norwell
After signing as an undrafted free agent, he was put into the lineup because of the Panthers struggling offensive line. He helped anchor an offensive line that helped lead the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. When he was a free agent in 2018, he became the highest-paid guard in the NFL.
After signing as an undrafted free agent, he was put into the lineup because of the Panthers struggling offensive line. He helped anchor an offensive line that helped lead the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. When he was a free agent in 2018, he became the highest-paid guard in the NFL.
OG Ronald Leary
Ronald Leary has played in 77 games, starting 76, since entering the league in 2012. He helped Zeke lead the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2015. He signed a nice contract with the Broncos and spent the last three with the Broncos.
Ronald Leary has played in 77 games, starting 76, since entering the league in 2012. He helped Zeke lead the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2015. He signed a nice contract with the Broncos and spent the last three with the Broncos.
C David Andrews
Since entering the league in 2015, David Andrews has started 57 games for the New England Patriots. He started week one as a rookie and started the Super Bowl wins against Atlanta and Los Angeles. He missed the 2019 season with a pulmonary embolism, but he has done enough up to that point to be the center on the All-UDFA Decade team.
Since entering the league in 2015, David Andrews has started 57 games for the New England Patriots. He started week one as a rookie and started the Super Bowl wins against Atlanta and Los Angeles. He missed the 2019 season with a pulmonary embolism, but he has done enough up to that point to be the center on the All-UDFA Decade team.
UTIL: Taysom Hill
Taysom Hill has done a bit of everything in the NFL. After signing as an UDFA and playing pretty well in the preseason, the Green Bay Packers tried to hide him on the Practice Squad, but he was signed to their 53-man roster by the New Orleans Saints. He has been used everywhere by New Orleans, playing quarterback, running back and even returning kicks. In the last two years, he has run in three touchdowns and caught six touchdowns. He has also blocked multiple kicks during his short career so far.
Taysom Hill has done a bit of everything in the NFL. After signing as an UDFA and playing pretty well in the preseason, the Green Bay Packers tried to hide him on the Practice Squad, but he was signed to their 53-man roster by the New Orleans Saints. He has been used everywhere by New Orleans, playing quarterback, running back and even returning kicks. In the last two years, he has run in three touchdowns and caught six touchdowns. He has also blocked multiple kicks during his short career so far.
EDGE Shaquil Barrett
Shaq Barrett was signed by Denver as an UDFA and registered 14 sacks in five years. But everything turned around after signing a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Tampa Bay, he had a career-year. He more than doubled his career sack total with 19.5 sacks to go along with 37 quarterback hits. He cashed in on his monster season with a franchise tender being placed on him by the Buccaneers.
Shaq Barrett was signed by Denver as an UDFA and registered 14 sacks in five years. But everything turned around after signing a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Tampa Bay, he had a career-year. He more than doubled his career sack total with 19.5 sacks to go along with 37 quarterback hits. He cashed in on his monster season with a franchise tender being placed on him by the Buccaneers.
EDGE Mario Addison
After a few years, Mario Addison came into his own after landing in Carolina. He registered three sacks in 20 games to begin his Panthers career, but turned it up a notch in 2014, recording 6.5 sacks. He followed that up with six in 2015. He really turned it the last four years, bringing down opposing quarterbacks 39 times. He signed a big deal with the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
After a few years, Mario Addison came into his own after landing in Carolina. He registered three sacks in 20 games to begin his Panthers career, but turned it up a notch in 2014, recording 6.5 sacks. He followed that up with six in 2015. He really turned it the last four years, bringing down opposing quarterbacks 39 times. He signed a big deal with the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
IDL Michael Pierce
Michael Pierce helped anchor a good Ravens defense. He has played in at least 14 games in all four seasons, including starting 30 in his career. He had 151 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his career and that helped land him a three-year deal with the Vikings this offseason.
Michael Pierce helped anchor a good Ravens defense. He has played in at least 14 games in all four seasons, including starting 30 in his career. He had 151 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his career and that helped land him a three-year deal with the Vikings this offseason.
IDL Zach Kerr
Kerr has had a solid career, bouncing around the NFL. After signing as an undrafted free agent with the Colts, he played there for three years before going to Denver. In his two years with the Broncos, he played in 27 games and recorded 52 tackles and two sacks. Overall, he has 135 tackles and 7.5 sacks during his career.
Kerr has had a solid career, bouncing around the NFL. After signing as an undrafted free agent with the Colts, he played there for three years before going to Denver. In his two years with the Broncos, he played in 27 games and recorded 52 tackles and two sacks. Overall, he has 135 tackles and 7.5 sacks during his career.
IDL Damon Harrison
"Snacks" has had an incredibly productive career. He is currently a free agent, but I think he will be signed at some point this season. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jets and started all 16 games his final three seasons with the Jets. He had 193 tackles during his time with the Jets and was rewarded with a contract by the Giants, where he improved even more. In less than three years with the Giants, he turned into one of the best run-stuffing defensive tackles in the league. He racked up 162 tackles and four sacks before being traded to Detroit. Harrison is only 31, so I don't think he is done yet.
"Snacks" has had an incredibly productive career. He is currently a free agent, but I think he will be signed at some point this season. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jets and started all 16 games his final three seasons with the Jets. He had 193 tackles during his time with the Jets and was rewarded with a contract by the Giants, where he improved even more. In less than three years with the Giants, he turned into one of the best run-stuffing defensive tackles in the league. He racked up 162 tackles and four sacks before being traded to Detroit. Harrison is only 31, so I don't think he is done yet.
LB Todd Davis
It took him a few years to really become a player, but he has morphed into a tackling machine the past few years. His last four years, he has averaged 107 tackles per season, including a career-high 134 in 2019. He has started at least 14 games in each of the last four seasons and will continue to be a tackling machine for the Broncos.
It took him a few years to really become a player, but he has morphed into a tackling machine the past few years. His last four years, he has averaged 107 tackles per season, including a career-high 134 in 2019. He has started at least 14 games in each of the last four seasons and will continue to be a tackling machine for the Broncos.
LB Vontaze Burfict
Burfict is one of the most controversial players in the NFL, but when he is on the field, he is a pretty darn good player. Like La'el Collins, Burfict was more talented than an undrafted player. He was a first or second day-caliber player, but the dirty play concerns from his time at Arizona State forced him to become undrafted. The Bengals, known to take a chance on people with problems, signed him as an UDFA, and he rewarded them. He burst onto the scene with 127 tackles as a rookie and followed that up with a whopping 171 tackles in 2013, which earned him a Pro Bowl selection. However, due to injuries and suspensions, he has only reached 100 tackles once in since then. His overall work has earned him a spot on this team, though, as he has racked up more than 600 career tackles to this point.
Burfict is one of the most controversial players in the NFL, but when he is on the field, he is a pretty darn good player. Like La'el Collins, Burfict was more talented than an undrafted player. He was a first or second day-caliber player, but the dirty play concerns from his time at Arizona State forced him to become undrafted. The Bengals, known to take a chance on people with problems, signed him as an UDFA, and he rewarded them. He burst onto the scene with 127 tackles as a rookie and followed that up with a whopping 171 tackles in 2013, which earned him a Pro Bowl selection. However, due to injuries and suspensions, he has only reached 100 tackles once in since then. His overall work has earned him a spot on this team, though, as he has racked up more than 600 career tackles to this point.
LB Cory Littleton
Much like Todd Davis, Cory Littleton has turned a corner the past few seasons. He played his first four seasons with the LA Rams before cashing in a big payday with the the Vegas Raiders this offseason. The last two years, he has racked up 259 tackles and 7.5 sacks, earning a Pro Bowl invite in 2018 when the Rams made their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2001 season. He has also picked off five passes the past two seasons. The 26-year-old will only get better as time goes on.
Much like Todd Davis, Cory Littleton has turned a corner the past few seasons. He played his first four seasons with the LA Rams before cashing in a big payday with the the Vegas Raiders this offseason. The last two years, he has racked up 259 tackles and 7.5 sacks, earning a Pro Bowl invite in 2018 when the Rams made their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2001 season. He has also picked off five passes the past two seasons. The 26-year-old will only get better as time goes on.
CB Malcolm Butler
Malcolm Butler burst onto the scene in the Super Bowl against Seattle when he picked off Russell Wilson at the goal line to preserve New England's 28-24 victory. After that, he became one of the league's better defensive backs. Over his final three seasons with the Patriots, he intercepted eight passes and recorded 44 pass deflections and earned a Pro Bowl appearance in 2015. He cashed in when he hit free agency, earning a big pay day with the Tennessee Titans. He hasn't had near the success with the Titans, but he has picked off five passes, including a pick six in each of his two seasons with the Titans.
Malcolm Butler burst onto the scene in the Super Bowl against Seattle when he picked off Russell Wilson at the goal line to preserve New England's 28-24 victory. After that, he became one of the league's better defensive backs. Over his final three seasons with the Patriots, he intercepted eight passes and recorded 44 pass deflections and earned a Pro Bowl appearance in 2015. He cashed in when he hit free agency, earning a big pay day with the Tennessee Titans. He hasn't had near the success with the Titans, but he has picked off five passes, including a pick six in each of his two seasons with the Titans.
CB A.J. Bouye
After a rookie season in which he played in just six games with the Houston Texans, he turned it on his next three seasons. In his next three seasons, he had six interceptions as the nickel back, playing in 44 games in those three seasons. He was rewarded with a hefty contract to be a starter for the Jaguars and he rewarded them by reaching the Pro Bowl in his first season with the team. In that season, he recorded six interceptions, playing on a defense that helped the Jaguars reach the AFC Championship game.
After a rookie season in which he played in just six games with the Houston Texans, he turned it on his next three seasons. In his next three seasons, he had six interceptions as the nickel back, playing in 44 games in those three seasons. He was rewarded with a hefty contract to be a starter for the Jaguars and he rewarded them by reaching the Pro Bowl in his first season with the team. In that season, he recorded six interceptions, playing on a defense that helped the Jaguars reach the AFC Championship game.
CB Chris Harris Jr.
One of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, it didn't take him long to make an impact. He intercepted three passes in three consecutive seasons. He has made four Pro Bowls, including helping leading a dominant Broncos defense to a Super Bowl 50 win over Carolina. Harris has 20 career interceptions, taking four back to the house. He has also forced six fumbles and recovered four. His career-high is 17 passes defensed in a season, but that is mostly due to teams avoiding him.
One of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, it didn't take him long to make an impact. He intercepted three passes in three consecutive seasons. He has made four Pro Bowls, including helping leading a dominant Broncos defense to a Super Bowl 50 win over Carolina. Harris has 20 career interceptions, taking four back to the house. He has also forced six fumbles and recovered four. His career-high is 17 passes defensed in a season, but that is mostly due to teams avoiding him.
S Anthony Harris
After playing just four games as a rookie, he has played at least 14 games the past four seasons and has transformed into one of the better safeties in the league. He did not record an interception his first three years, but came away with three in 2018 and six in 2019. His 2019 season helped him receive the franchise tag by the Vikings.
After playing just four games as a rookie, he has played at least 14 games the past four seasons and has transformed into one of the better safeties in the league. He did not record an interception his first three years, but came away with three in 2018 and six in 2019. His 2019 season helped him receive the franchise tag by the Vikings.
S Tashaun Gipson
Gipson is heading to his fourth team in his career, which started in 2012, and has been successful every place he's been. He played in 10 games as a rookie, picking off one pass. But he started 16 in his second season and picked off five passes. That was followed by intercepting six in his third season in 2014. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl that season. Overall, he has 23 interceptions since coming into the league, and since his second year in 2013, he is tied for fourth in the NFL in that category, just one fewer than Stephon Gilmore and Richard Sherman for second.
Gipson is heading to his fourth team in his career, which started in 2012, and has been successful every place he's been. He played in 10 games as a rookie, picking off one pass. But he started 16 in his second season and picked off five passes. That was followed by intercepting six in his third season in 2014. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl that season. Overall, he has 23 interceptions since coming into the league, and since his second year in 2013, he is tied for fourth in the NFL in that category, just one fewer than Stephon Gilmore and Richard Sherman for second.
K Justin Tucker
Kickers are more likely to be undrafted, so it is not surprising that the best kicker in the game makes the cut here. He has been outstanding ever since stepping foot in the NFL, as he made 30-of-33 field goals in his rookie season in 2012. In his eight-year career up to this point, he has made 91 percent of his field goals, which makes him the most accurate kicker in NFL history. The former University of Texas standout has been named First Team All-Pro the past two seasons. Not bad.
P Johnny Hekker
Hekker has a cannon for a leg, averaging 47 yards per punt in his eight-year career. The four-time All Pro selection is a weapon for the LA Rams as a punter and as a passer. He has completed 13-of-22 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. All 13 of his completions have gone for first downs. But he is known for his punting ability, and he is darn good at it. In 2015, he had his best season, averaging 47.9 yards per punt and made the All Pro team.
Hekker has a cannon for a leg, averaging 47 yards per punt in his eight-year career. The four-time All Pro selection is a weapon for the LA Rams as a punter and as a passer. He has completed 13-of-22 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. All 13 of his completions have gone for first downs. But he is known for his punting ability, and he is darn good at it. In 2015, he had his best season, averaging 47.9 yards per punt and made the All Pro team.
KR Darius Jennings
While Darius Jennings only played three years this past decade, he proved to be a weapon in the return game, specifically in 2018. In that season, he averaged a whopping 31.7 yards per return, including a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the season opener against Miami.
While Darius Jennings only played three years this past decade, he proved to be a weapon in the return game, specifically in 2018. In that season, he averaged a whopping 31.7 yards per return, including a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the season opener against Miami.
PR Marcus Sherels
Minnesota has been successful with undrafted free agents, as Sherels is the third Viking on this list after Thielen and Harris (fourth if you include Case Keenum, who had a career with them in 2017). Sherels has been a really good punt returner since joining the league. In his 10 years, he has had more than 2,500 yards worth of punt return yards. He has returned five for scores, including two in 2016.
Minnesota has been successful with undrafted free agents, as Sherels is the third Viking on this list after Thielen and Harris (fourth if you include Case Keenum, who had a career with them in 2017). Sherels has been a really good punt returner since joining the league. In his 10 years, he has had more than 2,500 yards worth of punt return yards. He has returned five for scores, including two in 2016.
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