5 active NFL stars who went undrafted
With the 2022 NFL draft due to take place next month, hundreds of young talented footballers will be eagerly anticipating hearing their names being announced by Commissioner Roger Goodell and taking the next step in their journey to stardom.
However, there are just as many players who get drafted, as those who go undrafted. When a player goes undrafted, it could be due to several reasons, such as injury, previous personal issues, or even because they didn't go to a top college football program.
These players are often diamonds in the rough, just waiting to be given an opportunity to play with an NFL franchise, and play with a chip on their shoulder as they want to prove to the world that they are more than worthy of a draft selection.
Here are five active NFL superstars who went undrafted.
Five active NFL stars who were not drafted
#5 - RB James Robinson
During the 2020 NFL draft process, James Robinson went undrafted despite finishing his collegiate career with Illinois State with the second-most rushing yards in school history with 4,444 yards.
Robinson was soon picked up as a UDFA by the Jacksonville Jaguars and quickly made it to the 53 man roster. Robinson was even named the starter in the Jags' Week One game against the Indianapolis Colts, becoming just the fourth undrafted rookie running back to start their team's first game of the season since 1970.
Robinson would go on to have an excellent rookie season, rushing for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as catching three touchdowns on top of that. Robinson became just the fourth undrafted player in NFL history to rush for 1,000+ yards in their rookie season and set the record for rookie free agent scrimmage yards. He was on course to go over 1,000 yards again in 2021, but an unfortunate ACL injury ended his season prematurely.
#4 - LB Shaq Barrett
Shaq Barrett came out of Colorado State and declared for the 2014 NFL draft, only to go undrafted. He was picked up by the Denver Broncos, signing a three-year $1.35 million contract but didn't play his rookie year. In 2015 however, Barrett managed to feature in all 16 regular-season games and recorded 5.5 sacks as the Broncos won Super Bowl 50.
However, it wasn't until he moved to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 that Barrett showed his true worth. In his first campaign in Tampa, Barrett recorded a monster 19.5 sacks, leading the league and breaking Warren Sapp's franchise sack record in the process. He would sign the franchise tag in the 2020 off-season and remained a vital piece of the Bucs defense that shut down Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LV, and Barrett himself recorded a sack to claim his second ring.
Another year on the #NFLTop100 for @ShaquilBarrett 💪
The @buccaneers pass rusher comes in at 88! https://t.co/pq7TCZfpOZ