If you're a smart head coach or general manager, then for the last five weeks, since the NFL draft reached its conclusion, you've been studying or, at the very least, pondering your next move. Because your're not finished trying to find the next crop of talent for your franchise.
Typically, the draft comes to an end, and almost instantly it triggers the run on undrafted free agents. This year, teams have had time to think it over, with the lockout putting business as usual on hold. The goal is still the same, though: You hope to find yourself the next Kurt Warner, or the next Warren Moon, or the next John Randle.
Or, more recently, the next Tramon Williams. The Green Bay Packers' undrafted cornerback out of Louisiana Tech found his way in his fifth season to make the Pro Bowl in 2010. Not only that, but Williams was instrumental in Green Bay's playoff march to the Super Bowl, coming up with the game-sealing interception against the Eagles in the wild-card round and a big-time 70-yard interception return for a touchdown in the divisional round at Atlanta.
When you make big plays like that, you get noticed, as you'll find that Williams is now included in my list of the 100 greatest undrafted free agents of all time.
1. Kurt Warner, QB, Northern Iowa
Signed by: St. Louis Rams
First year: 1998
NFL seasons: 12
Pro Bowls: 4
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: In addition to being perhaps the greatest Cinderella story in NFL history, Warner is a two-time league MVP who has posted the three best passing yardage totals in Super Bowl history.
2. Dick "Night Train" Lane, CB, Scottsbluff (Neb.) Junior College
Signed by: Los Angeles Rams
First year: 1952
NFL seasons: 14
Pro Bowls: 7
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: Hall of Famer still owns rookie record for interceptions (14 in 1952) ... Had 68 career interceptions with three teams (Rams, Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions).
3. Emlen Tunnell, DB, Iowa
Signed by: New York Giants
First year: 1948
NFL seasons: 14
Pro Bowls: N/A
All-Pro selections: N/A
Notes: One of the great defensive backs in NFL history, second on the all-time list with 79 interceptions.
4. Warren Moon, QB, Washington
Signed by: Houston Oilers
First year: 1984
NFL seasons: 17
Pro Bowls: 9
All-Pro selections: 0
Notes: Hall of Famer ranks in the top six all-time for career attempts, completions, yards and TD passes.
5. Willie Brown, CB, Grambling
Signed by: Denver Broncos
First year: 1963
NFL seasons: 16
Pro Bowls: 9
All-Pro selections: 5
Notes: Starred for Oakland Raiders. ... Had 54 career interceptions and inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
6. Willie Wood, CB, USC
Signed by: Green Bay Packers
First year: 1960
NFL seasons: 12
Pro Bowls: 8
All-Pro selections: 5
Notes: Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame ... had an interception in Super Bowl I.
Top 10 undrafted players
Whether overlooked or from tiny schools -- such as "Night Train" Lane from Scottsbluff (Neb.) Junior College -- these players rose from obscurity to become NFL greats. **More ...**
7. Joe Perry, RB, Compton (Calif.) Community College
Signed by: San Francisco 49ers
First year: 1948
NFL seasons: 14
Pro Bowls: 3
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: One of the most explosive inside runners in NFL history. Hall of Famer led NFL in rushing two seasons.
8. Lou (The Toe) Groza, OT/PK, Ohio State
Signed by: Cleveland Browns
First year: 1946
NFL seasons: 21
Pro Bowls: 9
All-Pro selections: 4
Notes: Groza doubled as an offensive tackle and kicker for 14 years on Cleveland's championship teams of the 1950s before becoming a kicking specialist in 1961 ... Hall of Famer played until he was 43 years old.
9. Cliff Harris, S, Ouachita Baptist
Signed by: Dallas Cowboys
First year: 1970
NFL seasons: 10
Pro Bowls: 6
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: One of the Cowboys' greatest success stories. Nickname was "Crash," and he was as tough as they come.
10. Cornell Green, DB, Utah State
Signed by: Dallas Cowboys
First year: 1962
NFL seasons: 13
Pro Bowls: 5
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: Former college basketball player had 34 career interceptions.
11. Emmitt Thomas, CB, Bishop
Signed by: Kansas City Chiefs
NFL seasons: 13
First year: 1966
Pro Bowls: 5
All-Pro selections: 1
Notes: Had 58 career interceptions in a Hall of Fame career.
12. John Randle, DT, Texas A&I Kingsville
Signed by: Minnesota Vikings
NFL seasons: 14
First year: 1990
Pro Bowls: 7
All-Pro selections: 6
Notes: Randle, who was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year; had 137.5 career sacks in 219 games.
13. Antonio Gates, TE, Kent State
Signed by: San Diego Chargers
NFL seasons: 8 (active)
First year: 2003
Pro Bowls: 7
All-Pro selections: 4
Notes: Former college basketball player has 529 receptions for 7,005 yards and 69 TD catches in eight seasons.
14. Priest Holmes, RB, Texas
Signed by: Baltimore Ravens
NFL seasons: 10
First year: 1997
Pro Bowls: 3
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: Holmes overcame major injuries in college and the NFL. Had three straight seasons of 1,400-plus yards, scored 86 career rushing touchdowns.
15. Brian Waters, C/G, North Texas
Signed by: Kansas City Chiefs
NFL seasons: 11
First year: 2000
Pro Bowls: 5
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: Played tight end in college and became one of the best interior linemen in NFL history.
16. Tony Romo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Signed by: Dallas Cowboys
NFL seasons: 7 (active)
First year: 2004
Pro Bowls: 3
All-Pro selections: 0
Notes: Romo's 95.5 career passing rating currently ranks fourth on the all-time list.
18. Nate Newton, G/T, Florida A&M
Signed by: Dallas Cowboys
First year: 1986
NFL seasons: 14
Pro Bowls: 6
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: Amazing quickness and ability as a blocker for a man his size.
20. Adam Vinatieri, PK, South Dakota State
Signed by: New England Patriots
NFL seasons: 15 (active)
First year: 1996
Pro Bowls: 2
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: Four Super Bowl rings -- and the game-winning field goal in two of those championships -- to go along with 364 career field goals.
21. Larry Little, G/T, Bethune-Cookman
Signed by: San Diego Chargers
First year: 1967
NFL seasons: 14
Pro Bowls: 5
All-Pro selections: 5
Notes: The leader of Miami's great offensive line of the 1970s.
22. Jeff Saturday, C, North Carolina
Signed by: Indianapolis Colts
NFL seasons: 11 (active)
First year: 1999
Pro Bowls: 5
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: Has been the anchor for Colts offensive line that protects Peyton Manning; part of Super Bowl XLI champions.
23. Donnie Shell, CB, South Carolina State
Signed by: Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL seasons: 14
First year: 1974
Pro Bowls: 5
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: Part of the Steel Curtain defense that helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls in the '70s. Played in 19 playoff games.
24. Deron Cherry, DB, Rutgers
Signed by: Kansas City Chiefs
First year: 1981
NFL seasons: 11
Pro Bowls: 6
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: Always had great ball skills, finishing with 50 career interceptions; currently minority owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
25. Jim Langer, C, South Dakota State
Signed by: Miami Dolphins
First year: 1970
NFL seasons: 12
Pro Bowls: 6
All-Pro selections: 4
Notes: One of three Hall of Fame offensive linemen from Dolphins' Super Bowl teams of the '70s ... Played every offensive snap in 1972 perfect season.
