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Last week, we wrapped up our three-part series on general manager Kevin Colbert’s best picks from all three days of the NFL Draft during his 20+ year career. This week, we will delve into his three best undrafted free agent signings during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Each year after the draft, teams have the ability to sign players that opted for the NFL, but were not selected during the 7 round draft. Most of the time, these players won’t make it through training camp and very few even make the opening roster. However, Colbert has seen tremendous success with his undrafted free agents. Below are my top 3 undrafted free agent rankings from Colbert:
Foster, affectionately nicknamed “The Big Ragu,” played 11 seasons for the Steelers. Foster was originally projected as a late round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, but ultimately went undrafted. Colbert brought in Foster with the expectation he would be competing for a back up roster spot during the 2009 preseason. Foster benefited from a couple injuries during training camp and ended up making the final 53-man roster. This would be the last time Foster would have to battle to stay on the roster as Foster went on to start at guard for the Steelers from 2010-2019.
In all, Foster started 145 games in the black and gold and played in 160 in total over his 11-year career. Although Foster never made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, he was a staple on a great offensive line for over a decade. Most undrafted free agents don’t last 11 months on a roster and Foster ended up spending a successful 11 years in Pittsburgh in which he will be remembered as one of the great undrafted free agent signings under Colbert.
Parker will often be remembered by Steelers fans for his NFL record run in Super Bowl XL, but it is quick to forget Parker wasn’t even drafted coming out of college. After spending four years as a backup in college, Parker did not have nearly enough tape to impress a lot of NFL teams. Fortunately, the Steelers had Colbert who was always able to find gems and brought in Parker in 2004 as an undrafted free agent. Parker spent his first season primarily as a backup, but earned the starting job in 2005 after Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley started the season injured.
1/28/2006 – PITTSBURGH: Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Jerome Bettis (#36) drags Willie Parker (#39) away from his stretching prior to the the Steelers final practice before leaving for Detroit at the Steelers Southside facility.
Parker went on to rush for over 1,200 yards in three straight seasons and made two Pro Bowls in 2006 and 2007. Parker was also a major reason the Steelers won two Super Bowls in 2005 and 2008. Parker ended up only playing five seasons in Pittsburgh, but he exceeded all expectations anyone had for him after being undrafted in 2004. During his five seasons, Parker ran for almost 5,000 yards, scored 24 touchdowns, made two Pro Bowls and retired a two-time Super Bowl champion. Parker was easily the best offensive player Colbert ever signed as an undrafted free agent.
Harrison is hands down the best undrafted free agent Colbert ever signed and could easily be considered one of the best undrafted free agents ever. A future Hall of Famer, Harrison’s story is unrivaled on how he made it to the NFL. After being cut four times by three different organizations, Harrison finally caught on with the Steelers during the 2004 season. Playing primarily as a backup and special teamer over his first three seasons, Harrison took over the starting outside linebacker position during the 2007 season and never looked back.
From 2007-2011, Harrison made five straight Pro Bowls, made two All-Pro teams, won the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and won his second Super Bowl in 2008. Harrison ended up playing 14 seasons for the Steelers, winning two Super Bowls and creating a Hall of Fame career in the process. He racked up 80.5 sacks, 772 tackles, 142 quarterback hits and 33 forced fumbles.
Perhaps more impressive than his stats was the reputation Harrison built as one of the most feared players in the league for over a decade. Standing at only 6 feet tall, players always talked about how Harrison was the meanest and scariest defensive player during their time playing. Harrison left an everlasting legacy as a player and helped cement Colbert as one of the best general managers of all-time.
Who did we miss on our list? Sound off in the comments below!
#SteelersNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Each year after the draft, teams have the ability to sign players that opted for the NFL, but were not selected during the 7 round draft. Most of the time, these players won’t make it through training camp and very few even make the opening roster. However, Colbert has seen tremendous success with his undrafted free agents. Below are my top 3 undrafted free agent rankings from Colbert:
3. Ramon Foster, G
Foster, affectionately nicknamed “The Big Ragu,” played 11 seasons for the Steelers. Foster was originally projected as a late round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, but ultimately went undrafted. Colbert brought in Foster with the expectation he would be competing for a back up roster spot during the 2009 preseason. Foster benefited from a couple injuries during training camp and ended up making the final 53-man roster. This would be the last time Foster would have to battle to stay on the roster as Foster went on to start at guard for the Steelers from 2010-2019.
In all, Foster started 145 games in the black and gold and played in 160 in total over his 11-year career. Although Foster never made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, he was a staple on a great offensive line for over a decade. Most undrafted free agents don’t last 11 months on a roster and Foster ended up spending a successful 11 years in Pittsburgh in which he will be remembered as one of the great undrafted free agent signings under Colbert.
A Career In Review: Ranking Steelers GM Kevin Colbert’s Best Day 1 Draft Picks
2. Willie Parker, RB
Parker will often be remembered by Steelers fans for his NFL record run in Super Bowl XL, but it is quick to forget Parker wasn’t even drafted coming out of college. After spending four years as a backup in college, Parker did not have nearly enough tape to impress a lot of NFL teams. Fortunately, the Steelers had Colbert who was always able to find gems and brought in Parker in 2004 as an undrafted free agent. Parker spent his first season primarily as a backup, but earned the starting job in 2005 after Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley started the season injured.
1/28/2006 – PITTSBURGH: Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Jerome Bettis (#36) drags Willie Parker (#39) away from his stretching prior to the the Steelers final practice before leaving for Detroit at the Steelers Southside facility.
Parker went on to rush for over 1,200 yards in three straight seasons and made two Pro Bowls in 2006 and 2007. Parker was also a major reason the Steelers won two Super Bowls in 2005 and 2008. Parker ended up only playing five seasons in Pittsburgh, but he exceeded all expectations anyone had for him after being undrafted in 2004. During his five seasons, Parker ran for almost 5,000 yards, scored 24 touchdowns, made two Pro Bowls and retired a two-time Super Bowl champion. Parker was easily the best offensive player Colbert ever signed as an undrafted free agent.
1. James Harrison, OLB
Harrison is hands down the best undrafted free agent Colbert ever signed and could easily be considered one of the best undrafted free agents ever. A future Hall of Famer, Harrison’s story is unrivaled on how he made it to the NFL. After being cut four times by three different organizations, Harrison finally caught on with the Steelers during the 2004 season. Playing primarily as a backup and special teamer over his first three seasons, Harrison took over the starting outside linebacker position during the 2007 season and never looked back.
From 2007-2011, Harrison made five straight Pro Bowls, made two All-Pro teams, won the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and won his second Super Bowl in 2008. Harrison ended up playing 14 seasons for the Steelers, winning two Super Bowls and creating a Hall of Fame career in the process. He racked up 80.5 sacks, 772 tackles, 142 quarterback hits and 33 forced fumbles.
Perhaps more impressive than his stats was the reputation Harrison built as one of the most feared players in the league for over a decade. Standing at only 6 feet tall, players always talked about how Harrison was the meanest and scariest defensive player during their time playing. Harrison left an everlasting legacy as a player and helped cement Colbert as one of the best general managers of all-time.
Who did we miss on our list? Sound off in the comments below!
#SteelersNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
