The NFL Draft is supposed to be a crystal ball — a peek into which players will become stars and which ones will flame out. But year after year, it proves that talent evaluation is more of a dart throw than a science experiment.
Meanwhile, some of the most successful players in the league weren’t even picked at all. These undrafted underdogs didn’t just make it in the NFL — they cashed in bigger than a bunch of guys who were supposed to be surefire hits.
14. Malcolm Butler
One of the most famous plays in Super Bowl history turned Malcolm Butler from a no-name into a household name. His career earnings ended up eclipsing plenty of corners who were drafted ahead of him, and all because he knew how to jump a route.
13. Cameron Wake
Cameron Wake didn’t even start his NFL career until he lit up the CFL. Once he got his shot in Miami, he became a sack machine, and his bank account kept growing with every quarterback he crushed.
12. Chris Harris Jr.
Chris Harris Jr. locked down some of the league’s best receivers for years — and did it as an undrafted free agent. He eventually signed a big contract in Denver and made more money than many of the corners drafted ahead of him.
11. Jason Peters
Jason Peters was a tight end in college, went undrafted, and somehow turned into one of the best left tackles in the league. The man had multiple massive contracts protecting quarterbacks and racking up cash like a top-10 pick.
10. Doug Baldwin
Doug Baldwin caught everything in sight during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl runs and earned a healthy contract extension because of it. Not bad for a guy who didn’t even hear his name called on draft night.
9. Priest Holmes
Priest Holmes turned into a touchdown machine with the Chiefs and even led the league in rushing one year. His second contract in Kansas City paid him like a superstar — because, frankly, he was.
8. Ryan Grant
Ryan Grant wasn’t flashy, but he was dependable, and dependable gets paid in the NFL. He racked up over $20 million in earnings, which beat out plenty of running backs who were drafted way ahead of him.
7. Arian Foster
Arian Foster exploded in Houston and immediately became one of the most productive backs in football. His second contract made him one of the highest-paid players at his position — not too shabby for an undrafted guy.
6. Adam Thielen
Adam Thielen started out playing special teams and ended up with a contract north of $60 million. That’s the kind of underdog story Minnesota fans will be telling their grandkids about.
5. Kurt Warner
Bagging groceries to Super Bowl MVP is already a wild arc. But toss in the fact that Kurt Warner made over $60 million in career earnings and outpaced a bunch of first-round QBs? Legendary stuff.
4. James Harrison
James Harrison was cut multiple times and still became the heart of the Steelers’ defense. He eventually cashed in with some big-time contracts and made more money than most of the linebackers drafted before him.
3. Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates didn’t even play college football, and he still turned into a Hall of Fame-caliber tight end. He stuck around forever, and his long career led to a massive payday over time.
2. Wes Welker
Wes Welker made catching 100 balls in a season look routine, and he kept climbing the salary ladder with every new contract. He ended up with over $40 million in earnings and more production than most first-rounders.
Read More: 15 Highly Paid Quarterbacks Who Never Played Like It
1. Tony Romo
Tony Romo went from holding a clipboard in Dallas to becoming the face of the franchise. He earned a massive contract extension during his playing days and now makes even more money as a broadcaster.
Read More: 10 Undrafted NFL Players Who Became Super Bowl Champions
