It's always a benefit when a team's first-round draft pick meets those lofty expectations. And it's a real bonus when mid- to low-round selections exceed their expectations. This, of course, has been at the heart of NFL.com's .
Then there is the ultimate satisfaction of signing a player who was passed over entirely in the draft and seeing him become a productive pro. Talk about return on investment!
So, as the NFL celebrates 75 years of the draft by asking fans , here's a look at the 75 best undrafted players of all time:
1. Kurt Warner, QB, Northern Iowa
Signed by: St. Louis Rams
First year: 1998
NFL seasons: 12
s: 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 single-game passing yardage totals in history.
2. , CB, Scottsbluff (Neb.) Junior College
Signed by: Los Angeles Rams
First year: 1952
NFL seasons: 14
s: 7
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: r still owns rookie record for interceptions (14 in 1952) ... Had 68 career interceptions with three teams (Rams, Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions).
3. , DB, Iowa
Signed by: New York Giants
First year: 1948
NFL seasons: 14
s: 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. , QB, Washington
Signed by: Houston Oilers
First year: 1984
NFL seasons: 17
s: 9
All-Pro selections: 0
Notes: r ranks in the top six all-time for career attempts, completions, yards and TD passes.
5. , CB, Grambling
Signed by: Denver Broncos
First year: 1963
NFL seasons: 16
s: 9
All-Pro selections: 5
Notes: Starred for Oakland Raiders. ... Had 54 career interceptions and inducted into in 1984.
6. , CB, USC
Signed by: Green Bay Packers
First year: 1960
NFL seasons: 12
s: 8
All-Pro selections: 5
Notes: Member of the ... had an interception in .
7. , RB, Compton (Calif.) 麻豆国产 College
Signed by: San Francisco 49ers
First year: 1948
NFL seasons: 14
s: 3
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: One of the most explosive inside runners in NFL history. r led NFL in rushing two seasons.
8. , OT/PK, Ohio State
Signed by: Cleveland Browns
First year: 1946
NFL seasons: 21
s: 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 ... r played until he was 43 years old.
9. , S, Ouachita Baptist
Signed by: Dallas Cowboys
First year: 1970
NFL seasons: 10
s: 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. , DB, Utah State
Signed by: Dallas Cowboys
First year: 1962
NFL seasons: 13
s: 5
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: Former college basketball player had 34 career interceptions.
11. , CB, Bishop
Signed by: Kansas City Chiefs
NFL seasons: 13
First year: 1966
s: 5
All-Pro selections: 1
Notes: Had 58 career interceptions in a career.
12. , DT, Texas A&I Kingsville
Signed by: Minnesota Vikings
NFL seasons: 14
First year: 1990
s: 7
All-Pro selections: 6
Notes: Randle, who was selected to the this year; had 137.5 career sacks in 219 games.
13. Antonio Gates, TE, Kent State
Signed by: San Diego Chargers
NFL seasons: 7 (active)
First year: 2003
s: 6
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: Former college basketball player has 479 receptions for 6,223 yards and 59 TD catches in seven seasons.
14. , RB, Texas
Signed by: Baltimore Ravens
NFL seasons: 10
First year: 1997
s: 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: 10
First year: 2000
s: 4
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: 6 (active)
First year: 2004
s: 3
All-Pro selections: 0
Notes: Romo's 95.6 career passing rating currently ranks fourth on the all-time list.
17. , DL, Jackson State
Signed by: Los Angeles Rams
First year: 1968
NFL seasons: 14
s: 3
All-Pro selections: 0
Notes: Had 22 sacks in 1976 (before it was an official stat). Outstanding athlete with unbelievable size/speed combination.
18. , G/T, Florida A&M
Signed by: Dallas Cowboys
First year: 1986
NFL seasons: 14
s: 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: 14 (active)
First year: 1996
s: 2
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: Four rings -- and the game-winning field goal in two of those championships -- to go along with 338 career field goals.
21. , G/T, Bethune-Cookman
Signed by: San Diego Chargers
First year: 1967
NFL seasons: 14
s: 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: 10 (active)
First year: 1999
s: 4
All-Pro selections: 2
Notes: Has been the anchor for Colts offensive line that protects Peyton Manning; part of champions.
23. , CB, South Carolina State
Signed by: Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL seasons: 14
First year: 1974
s: 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. , DB, Rutgers
Signed by: Kansas City Chiefs
First year: 1981
NFL seasons: 11
s: 6
All-Pro selections: 3
Notes: Always had great ball skills, finishing with 50 career interceptions; currently minority owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
25. , C, South Dakota State
Signed by: Miami Dolphins
First year: 1970
NFL seasons: 12
s: 6
All-Pro selections: 4
Notes: One of three offensive linemen from Dolphins' teams of the '70s ... Played every offensive snap in .
