Not every NFL star dominates right away—some take a little longer to find their groove. Whether it was due to injuries, bad coaching, or just needing time to adjust, these players started their careers slowly before eventually breaking out.
Some were labeled busts early on, only to prove everyone wrong in a big way. Here are 15 players who struggled out of the gate but eventually became NFL stars.
15. Jared Goff
Goff looked like a disaster as a rookie, going 0-7 and struggling under Jeff Fisher’s outdated offense. But once Sean McVay took over, he blossomed into a Pro Bowl quarterback and even led the Rams to a Super Bowl.
14. Alex Smith
Smith’s first few seasons in San Francisco were filled with injuries, coaching changes, and inconsistency. But once Jim Harbaugh arrived, he turned into a reliable starter, eventually leading the Chiefs to success and mentoring Patrick Mahomes.
13. Geno Smith
Geno’s early career with the Jets was a rollercoaster of interceptions, bad decisions, and backup duty. A decade later, he stunned the NFL by becoming a Pro Bowl quarterback with the Seahawks, proving that patience sometimes pays off.
12. DeVante Parker
Drafted as a first-round pick by the Dolphins, Parker spent his early seasons battling injuries and inconsistency. Then, in 2019, he finally put it all together, becoming a go-to receiver with a 1,200-yard season.
11. Darren Waller
Originally a wide receiver-turned-tight end, Waller struggled with injuries and off-the-field issues in Baltimore. After a fresh start in Oakland, he became one of the league’s most dynamic tight ends.
10. Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson was labeled a gadget player after bouncing around the league as a return specialist. But in his 30s, he reinvented himself as a do-it-all running back for the Falcons, finally unlocking his full potential.
9. Steve Young
Before he became a Hall of Fame quarterback, Young was a struggling QB with the Buccaneers. Luckily, he landed in San Francisco, learned under Joe Montana, and became one of the greatest of all time.
8. Brandon Graham
Graham was written off as a first-round bust after a slow start to his Eagles career. Fast forward a decade, and he’s a Super Bowl hero and one of the best defensive ends in franchise history.
7. Plaxico Burress
Burress had an inconsistent start in Pittsburgh, flashing talent but lacking consistency. He eventually put it all together with the Giants, becoming a key piece in their 2007 Super Bowl run.
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown
Despite being a fourth-round pick, St. Brown didn’t make an immediate impact in Detroit. But once he got his chance, he became one of the league’s most reliable receivers and the heart of the Lions’ offense.
5. Andrew Whitworth
Whitworth wasn’t a household name early in his career, quietly developing as a solid lineman in Cincinnati. Over time, he became one of the best left tackles in the NFL and capped his career with a Super Bowl win at age 40.
4. Michael Thomas
Thomas didn’t light the world on fire as a rookie, but once he found his rhythm with Drew Brees, he turned into an elite receiver. He set the NFL record for receptions in a single season, proving the early doubts wrong.
3. Kirk Cousins
Drafted as a backup behind Robert Griffin III, Cousins spent years waiting for his shot. When he finally got it, he became a consistently productive quarterback, even if he still can’t seem to win on Monday nights.
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2. Derrick Henry
Henry spent his first couple of seasons stuck behind DeMarco Murray, leading some to wonder if he’d ever break out. Then he became an unstoppable force, winning rushing titles and stiff-arming defenders into another dimension.
Read More: 11 NFL Players Whose Careers Were Cut Short Due to Injury
1. Tom Brady
Brady was a sixth-round pick who spent his rookie year as a backup, barely seeing the field. Then Drew Bledsoe got hurt, and the rest is history—seven Super Bowls, countless records, and the greatest quarterback career ever.
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