Only one active player from the San Diego Chargers’ 2003 rookie class remains on the team’s current roster, and it’s not first-round pick Sammy Davis or second rounder Drayton Florence.
That lone player was an undrafted free agent and former college basketball player from Kent State University. Now, nearly 10 years after signing a two-year rookie deal with the Chargers worth $537,000, Antonio Gates is one of the premier tight ends in the NFL, having appeared in eight consecutive Pro Bowls and been named All-Pro five time as a member of the Chargers (watch Gates’s unusual path to the pros below).
Gates isn’t the only undrafted player to have overcome the odds of making, and succeeding in, the NFL. Here, we honor those once unheralded prospects with our first-ever All-NFL Undrafted Team, starting with the best on offense.

QB: Tony Romo

College: Eastern Illinois University
Pro Career: Signed by Dallas Cowboys (2003-present)
Career Highlights: 3-time Pro Bowl selection; single-season franchise leader in passing TDs, passing yards and completions

RB: Arian Foster

College: University of Tennessee
Pro Career: Signed by Houston Texans (2009-present)
Career Highlights: 2-time Pro Bowl selection; 2010 NFL rushing champion and First-Team All-Pro; Texans all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing TDs

RB: Fred Jackson

College: Coe College
Pro Career: Signed by Buffalo Bills (2006-present)
Career Highlights: First player in NFL history to compile 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards in kickoff returns in single season

FB: Vonta Leach

College: East Carolina University
Pro Career: Signed by Green Bay Packers (2004-05); Houston Texans (2006-10); Baltimore Ravens (2011-present)
Career Highlights: 2-time Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selection; ranked No. 45 on the 2012 NFL Top 100 list

WR: Wes Welker

College: Texas Tech University
Pro Career: Signed by San Diego Chargers in 2004; Miami Dolphins (2004-06); New England Patriots (2007-present)
Career Highlights: 4-time Pro Bowl selection; 2-time First-Team All-Pro; 3-time NFL receptions leader; Patriots all-time receptions leader

WR: Victor Cruz

College: University of Massachusetts
Pro Career: Signed by New York Giants (2010-present)
Career Highlights: Super Bowl XLVI champion; single-season franchise leader in receiving yards

TE: Antonio Gates

College: Kent State University
Pro Career: Signed by San Diego Chargers (2003-present)
Career Highlights: Eight consecutive Pro Bowls (2004-11); 3-time First-Team All-Pro; NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

OT: Jason Peters

College: University of Arkansas
Pro Career: Signed by Buffalo Bills (2004-2008); Philadelphia Eagles (2009-present)
Career Highlights: Five consecutive Pro Bowls (2007-11); 2011 First-Team All-Pro

OT: Donald Penn

College: Utah State University
Pro Career: Signed by Minnesota Vikings in 2006; Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2006-present)
Career Highlights: 2010 Pro Bowl selection

C: Jeff Saturday

College: University of North Carolina
Pro Career: Signed by Baltimore Ravens in 1998; Indianapolis Colts (1999-2011); Green Bay Packers (2012-present)
Career Highlights: 5-time Pro Bowl selection; 2-time First-Team All-Pro; Super Bowl XLI champion (Indianapolis Colts)

OG: Brian Waters

College: University of North Texas
Pro Career: Signed by Dallas Cowboys in 1999; Kansas City Chiefs (2000-2010); New England Patriots (2011-present)
Career Highlights: 6-time Pro Bowl selection; 2-time First-Team All-Pro; 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award recipient

OG: Brandon Moore

College: University of Illinois
Pro Career: Signed by New York Jets (2002-present)
Career Highlights: 2011 Pro Bowl selection; started 13 games for O-Line that blocked for 2004 rushing leader Curtis Martin
Stay tuned for the All-Undrafted Defensive Team.