The top 5 greatest undrafted free agents in Steelers history

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 06: Tony Dungy (R), former NFL player and head coach, poses next to his bronze bust with friend and former NFL player, presenter Donnie Shell (L), during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 06: Tony Dungy (R), former NFL player and head coach, poses next to his bronze bust with friend and former NFL player, presenter Donnie Shell (L), during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The 2019 NFL draft is behind us, and OTA’s (Organized Team Activity) will commence shortly, followed by minicamp.  For those players fortunate enough to have been drafted, the excitement of stepping onto an NFL practice field and, hopefully, into an NFL stadium abounds.

The organization that drafted these players is also excited to see whether or not the scouts, coaches, and the General Manager were accurate in their assessment during the draft process. The drafted players notwithstanding, another group of players garners attention: the undrafted free agents (UDFA).

For these players, the aforementioned excitement abounds tenfold as they realize that they are competing against not only drafted players, but other UDFA’s as well. The odds are not in their favor, however. To cement a roster spot as a UDFA would be the penultimate achievement.

Once the UDFA makes an NFL roster, then what?  What kind of career will he have?  Will he become a career back-up, a starter, a Pro Bowl player, or a Hall of Fame inductee?

While some UDFA’s find themselves signed to the practice squad of the team, most will probably never crack the 53-man roster.  Despite exerting every ounce of strength, conjuring up every ounce of inner fortitude, and leaving it all out on the field, it just wasn’t meant to be.

Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule.  In spite of the long odds of success, there have been notable and downright phenomenal UDFA’s who have enjoyed stellar, if not, Hall of Fame careers.  In no particular order, here are some of those players:

John Randle (HOF-Hall of Fame), Warren Moon (HOF both in the NFL and in the CFL), Dick “Night Train” Lane (HOF), Kurt Warner (HOF), Willie Brown (HOF),  Larry Little (HOF) Tony Romo and Antonio Gates.

How about our own Pittsburgh Steelers?  Have there been UDFA’s who have solidified their names in Steelers lore?  You betcha. All statistics and biographical information courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference. 

Here are the greatest UDFA’s in Steelers history, according to this writer:

1.) Donnie Shell, SS South Carolina State

Before you call the authorities, have me charged with heresy and excommunicated from Steelers Nation, hear me out as I’m pretty sure you were expecting another player in this spot. In 1974, we had just completed what would become one of the greatest drafts in NFL history; an epic draft class that included four future Hall of Famers: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster. Signed as a UDFA in 1974, Shell would go on to play fourteen seasons.  He would eventually become a starter on two Super Bowl teams.

Shell would tally fifty-one (51) interceptions, would be voted to five Pro Bowls, would be voted All-Pro three times and would finish his career as a four-time Super Bowl champ. Shell was a ferocious hitter and excelled in run support. To cap it all off, he would present Tony Dungy for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Not too shabby for a UDFA free agent out of South Carolina State.

2.) James Harrison, OLB Kent State

I’m sure this is the player you were expecting the see in the top spot.  Honestly, your argument would be a valid one; however, the unceremonious nature in which Harrison exited Pittsburgh is still fresh in my mind.  That notwithstanding, Harrison’s Steelers career was nothing short of amazing, and was just fun to watch. Undrafted in 2002 out of Kent State ( Jack Lambert’s Alma mater), Harrison signed with us. It was not until 2007 that Harrison became a starter and made the first of five (5) consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.

The following season, 2008, was a magical one for both Harrison and for us. He was named the AP (Associated Press) Defensive Player of the Year.  After raking up 16 sacks in the regular season, Harrison authored what could be argued as the quintessential defensive play in Super Bowl history-a100-yard interception return for a touchdown.  I dare say that play helped seal a 27-23 victory over the Cardinals.  Oh and, by the way, that win allowed us to hoist our sixth Lombardi trophy.

Although it was a total team effort that allowed Harrison to score, he alone will be remembered for that play, as well he should. You have to wonder how it would have played out had the Cardinals scored on that play, rather than us.  Would we have gotten those seven points back somehow?

Harrison finished his Steelers career as the team’s sack master, tallying 80.5 QB takedowns.  In addition to making the aforementioned five (5) consecutive Pro Bowl trips, Harrison was named All-Pro twice and was a two-time Super Bowl champ.

3.) Jack Butler, CB St. Bonaventure

Although I’m 50 years old, I had never heard of Jack Butler until his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.  Courtesy of the official Steelers website, Butler played nine seasons (1951-1959), nabbed 52 interceptions in one-hundred and three (103) career games and was named to the Pro Bowl four times.

Of Butler, Mr. Rooney said this: “Jack was a tremendous player who ranked among the best in league history with his 52 interceptions while only playing in 12 games a year.  He was a versatile player who was also used as a wide receiver, but his career ended unfortunately too soon with a bad knee injury”. For us, Butler was that era’s version of “Slash”. For sure, I would have enjoyed watching him play.

4.) Willie Parker, RB North Carolina

“Fast Willie” Parker was signed as a UDFA in 2004; the following season, he would seal a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks by ripping off a seventy-five (75) yard run in the third quarter, which would cement his name in Super Bowl history for the having done the latter. Parker was named to two Pro Bowls and was a two-time Super Bowl champ.  He amassed 5,378 rushing yards and grabbed eight-four (84) balls for 697 yards in six seasons.

5.) Randy Grossman, TE Temple

Having been born and raised in Philadelphia and being a proud Temple alumnus, this selection is gratifying. Make no mistake; he’s not on this list for the aforementioned reasons.  He’s on this list because he deserves to be on this list.

Similar to Donnie Shell, Grossman arrived in 1974.  The incumbent starter was Larry Brown, who would later be converted to offensive tackle; that gives you an idea as to how big Brown was.  On the other end of the spectrum, Grossman was listed at 6″1′ 218 LBS, which would have been big for a DB or an RB back then, but not for a TE!

Grossman played eight seasons for us.  During those eight seasons, we drafted fourteen (14) TEs, one of whom was Bennie Cunningham, who was drafted in the first round in 1976.  It would seem that the organization was intent on upgrading the TE position.

Grossman’s best year came in 1978, which, ironically, was the year I started watching football and was the year I became a Steelers fan.  After Cunningham had gotten injured, Grossman stepped in ( next man up).  He started ten games and nabbed thirty-seven (37) balls for 448 yards.  Not too bad for an undersized former Temple Owl!

To wrap up this discussion, I realize Ramon Foster is a UDFA and will join the players mentioned above once he retires, but, for right now, he is still playing for us, protecting Ben as is the rest of the O-line.  At what spot would Foster land on the above list?  I guess we’ll have to wait a little longer for that article to be written. Hopefully, you will return to read it.

Steelers have had great success drafting small wide receivers. dark. Next