Some players walk into the NFL like they’ve already been enshrined in Canton, despite not having played a single professional snap. Whether it was flashy pre-draft quotes, wild confidence, or just a lot of swagger, these guys truly believed they were the moment long before they stepped on the field.
From over-the-top draft day fashion statements to calling their shots before even earning a jersey number, these players didn’t wait for a résumé to act like a Hall of Famer. Here are 15 NFL players who thought they were legends before they were even rookies.
15. Jimmy Clausen
Clausen famously predicted he’d win multiple Super Bowls before the draft even started. Spoiler alert: that didn’t happen, and neither did a long NFL career.
14. Matt Leinart
Leinart rolled into the NFL with a Heisman, a Hollywood vibe, and all the USC hype you could ask for. From day one, he acted like a star, but the NFL never saw him the same way.
13. Malik Willis
Before draft night, Willis had all the tools and a mountain of hype, even casually dropping phrases about being a franchise savior. By the time his name was called, it was clear the league wasn’t as convinced.
12. Dwayne Haskins
Haskins called himself a “legendary” quarterback at the draft and exuded primary star energy. Sadly, his NFL journey didn’t match the early confidence, and his story ended too soon.
11. Baker Mayfield
Planting the flag at midfield in college was just the beginning for Baker’s bravado. By the time he entered the league, he carried himself like a top-tier QB before throwing a pro pass.
10. Blake Bortles
Bortles had the beachy, laid-back energy of a guy who believed he’d already made it. The confidence was there from day one, even if the career didn’t quite hit legendary status.
9. Josh Rosen
Rosen will always be remembered for saying nine teams made a mistake by passing on him. He had the self-assurance of a legend—unfortunately, the career arc of a journeyman.
8. JaMarcus Russell
Russell had all the tools and wasn’t shy about acting like he was destined for greatness. The arm strength was real, but so was the gap between belief and execution.
7. Chase Claypool
Before catching a single NFL pass, Claypool was already referring to himself as one of the top wideouts in the league. That confidence didn’t exactly age well after a couple of seasons.
6. Kellen Winslow II
Winslow’s infamous “I’m a soldier” quote set the tone for how he viewed himself coming out of college. He carried himself like a generational talent well before proving it on Sundays.
5. Zach Wilson
Wilson had the look, the pro day highlight throws, and the aura of a guy who thought he was the guy. However, his early days in the NFL have been a reminder that confidence doesn’t guarantee results.
4. Tim Tebow
Tebow’s pre-NFL hype was off the charts—some treated him like a football messiah. He came in with all the belief in the world and acted like a future icon, despite tons of doubts from scouts.
3. Cam Newton
Cam had a Heisman, a national title, and a smile that screamed “superstar” before he ever touched an NFL playbook. He was one of the rare ones who backed up the early swagger.
2. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football entered the NFL with all the confidence in the world and lived like a legend. Unfortunately, the off-field antics caught up before the on-field results could.
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1. Deion Sanders
Prime Time showed up to the draft in full flash, talked like a Hall of Famer, and never once acted like a rookie. The wild part? He backed up every ounce of that confidence.
Read More: 10 NFL Wide Receivers Who Built Their Brand Before Their Legacy
