Some NFL players were hyped from day one, showered with praise before ever stepping on the field. But others? They had to scratch, claw, and silence every doubter just to stay in the league.
These 16 players didn’t just make it—they made a statement. Whether it was draft-day disrespect, size concerns, or flat-out disbelief in their talent, they turned the criticism into fuel and proved the haters hilariously wrong.
16. Julian Edelman
He was a college quarterback who looked more like a barista than a future Super Bowl MVP. Yet somehow, Edelman became Tom Brady’s go-to guy when it mattered most.
15. James Harrison
Undrafted and undersized, Harrison got cut more times than a bad actor in auditions. But when he hit the field, quarterbacks suddenly believed in ghosts.
14. Darren Sproles
Everyone said he was too short to survive in the NFL, let alone thrive. So he spent over a decade juking defenders out of their cleats and putting up video game numbers.
13. Kurt Warner
From stocking grocery shelves to hoisting a Lombardi Trophy, Warner’s story reads like a Hollywood script. And yet, he made the whole thing look incredibly real.
12. Richard Sherman
Labeled too slow and too mouthy, Sherman turned into one of the smartest, most feared corners in the league. And he never missed a chance to remind you about it.
11. Fred Warner
Critics said he wasn’t athletic enough to lead an elite defense. Now he’s calling the shots for one of the toughest units in the league.
10. Geno Smith
Written off as a bust, Geno spent years in quarterback purgatory. Then out of nowhere, he reinvented himself and shut everyone up with his play.
9. Austin Ekeler
No combine invite, no draft buzz, no problem. Ekeler turned into one of the most dynamic and dependable backs in the NFL.
8. Cooper Kupp
Too slow, too small-school, too average-looking. Until he put up one of the most dominant wide receiver seasons we’ve ever seen.
7. Josh Allen
Coming out of Wyoming, people said he was all arm, no touch. Now he’s trucking linebackers and launching bombs like it’s a weekly hobby.
6. Micah Parsons
Some doubted his transition to the NFL after missing a college season. Turns out, he didn’t miss a beat—just quarterbacks.
5. Ryan Tannehill
Miami gave up on him, and everyone thought he was just a backup placeholder. Then he helped lead Tennessee back to relevance and reminded folks he could still ball.
4. Jason Kelce
Drafted late and labeled too small, Kelce carved out a Hall of Fame career one pancake block at a time. And he did it all with a podcast-worthy personality.
3. Stefon Diggs
Fifth-round picks aren’t supposed to become stars, let alone divas with 100-catch seasons. Diggs clearly didn’t get the memo.
Read more: 14 MLB Stars Who Lived to Prove Their Haters Wrong
2. Maxx Crosby
He flew way under the radar coming out of college and was seen as a rotational guy at best. Now he’s making offensive tackles wish they called in sick.
Read more: Ranking the 15 Most Overrated NFL Running Backs Playing Now
1. Tom Brady
The ultimate “prove them wrong” story, Brady was picked number 199 and looked like a dad at a cookout in his combine photo. Seven rings later, we all learned never to bet against the GOAT.
Read more: 10 Quarterbacks Who Were Drafted to the Wrong Team at the Wrong Time
