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Most players in the NFL were selected at some point during the NFL Draft. This is how teams are mostly built, as the best players during each college football season are drafted into their new professional football team. Any players that go undrafted immediately become free agents and are able to sign with any team that is interested in acquiring them.
While most of the best players in the league were drafted, several went undrafted and eventually went on to have highly successful careers. Here are the five best undrafted players that are currently still active during the 2022-23 NFL season.
#5 - Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
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Adam Thielen signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. He has been a staple in their offensive system since the start of the 2016 season. He has exceeded 900 receiving yards four times while being selected to the Pro Bowl twice. He has also become a touchdown specialist in recent years. He recorded 26 touchdowns combined across the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
#4 - Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Shaquil Barrett initially signed with the Denver Broncos in 2015. He recorded 14 sacks in four years with the team. He then exploded with a massive 19.5 sacks during the 2019 NFL season, his first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been an important part of their defense since then, recording another 18 sacks over the next two full seasons.
#3 - Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
Justin Tucker signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He has established himself as one of the greatest kickers of all time, currently holding the NFL record as the most accurate kicker ever. He has been selected as a first-team All-Pro five times during his career and has also added an additional two second-team selections.
#2 - Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. He initially established himself as a pass-catching specialist, including recording 92 receptions and 993 receiving yards during the 2019 season. He is now one of the best overall dual-threat running backs, leading the league with 20 total touchdowns during the 2021 season.
#1 - JC Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
JC Jackson joined the New England Patriots in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the best ball hawks in the league. He recorded 25 interceptions and defended 53 passes in four seasons with the team, leading the entire NFL in both categories during that timeframe. He joined the Los Angeles Chargers prior to the start of the 2022 NFL season in free agency.
