(Stacker) - Football has long been woven into the cultural fabric of America, and every state has produced its share of gridiron legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to record-setting receivers and defensive stalwarts, some of the NFL’s greatest talents trace their roots back to Wisconsin.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Wisconsin. Players were ranked by weighted career approximate value (AV), a metric developed by Pro Football Reference that measures overall career impact. Data is as of the start of the 2025 NFL season.
This list highlights players who made their mark on the league—some remembered for their longevity, others for their peak dominance. Read on to see which football stars born in Wisconsin have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#50. Nick Roach (MLB)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 2007-2013 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 96
Weighted career value: 32
#49. Michael Bennett (RB)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 2001-2010 (3 years as starter)
Games played: 107
Pro Bowl selections: 1
Weighted career value: 34
#48. Cory Raymer (C)
City: Fond du Lac
Years played: 1995-2005 (4 years as starter)
Games played: 98
Weighted career value: 35
#46. A.J. Klein (ILB) (tie)
City: Appleton
Years played: 2013-2023 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 146
Weighted career value: 37
#46. Joe Schobert (OLB) (tie)
City: Waukesha
Years played: 2016-2022 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 99
Pro Bowl selections: 1
Weighted career value: 37
#42. Bill Schroeder (WR) (tie)
City: Eau Claire
Years played: 1997-2004 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 111
Weighted career value: 39
#42. Pete Banaszak (RB) (tie)
City: Crivitz
Years played: 1966-1978 (2 years as starter)
Games played: 173
Weighted career value: 39
#42. Rich Seubert (G) (tie)
City: Rozellville
Years played: 2001-2010 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 104
Weighted career value: 39
#42. Shelby Harris (DE) (tie)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 2014-2024 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 129
Weighted career value: 39
#40. Ricky Wagner (T) (tie)
City: West Allis
Years played: 2013-2020 (6 years as starter)
Games played: 118
Weighted career value: 41
#40. Terry Stieve (G) (tie)
City: Baraboo
Years played: 1976-1984 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 113
Weighted career value: 41
#39. Mike Reinfeldt (DB)
City: Baraboo
Years played: 1976-1983 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 104
Pro Bowl selections: 1
All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
Weighted career value: 43
#38. Casey Rabach (C)
City: Sturgeon Bay
Years played: 2002-2010 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 137
Weighted career value: 44
#34. Colin Kaepernick (QB) (tie)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 2011-2016 (4 years as starter)
Games played: 69
Weighted career value: 45
#34. Dale Hackbart (DB) (tie)
City: Madison
Years played: 1960-1973 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 152
Weighted career value: 45
#34. DeAndre Levy (MLB) (tie)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 2009-2016 (6 years as starter)
Games played: 95
Weighted career value: 45
#34. John Matuszak (DE) (tie)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 1973-1981 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 123
Weighted career value: 45
#32. Jim Flanigan (DT) (tie)
City: Green Bay
Years played: 1994-2003 (6 years as starter)
Games played: 145
Weighted career value: 46
#32. Rocky Bleier (RB) (tie)
City: Appleton
Years played: 1968-1980 (6 years as starter)
Games played: 140
Weighted career value: 46
#30. Dave Manders (C) (tie)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 1964-1974 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 139
Pro Bowl selections: 1
Weighted career value: 48
#30. John Offerdahl (LB) (tie)
City: Wisconsin Rapids
Years played: 1986-1993 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 89
Pro Bowl selections: 5
All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
Weighted career value: 48
#29. Doug Free (T)
City: Manitowoc
Years played: 2007-2016 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 124
Weighted career value: 49
#28. Brandon Brooks (G)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 2012-2021 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 114
Pro Bowl selections: 3
Weighted career value: 50
#24. Doug Sutherland (DT) (tie)
City: Superior
Years played: 1970-1981 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 164
Weighted career value: 51
#24. Fuzzy Thurston (G) (tie)
City: Altoona
Years played: 1958-1967 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 116
All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
Weighted career value: 51
#24. Jim Bakken (K) (tie)
City: Madison
Years played: 1962-1978- Games played: 234
Pro Bowl selections: 4
All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
Weighted career value: 51
#24. Melvin Gordon (RB) (tie)
City: Kenosha
Years played: 2015-2023 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 112
Pro Bowl selections: 2
Weighted career value: 51
#21. Frank Clarke (E) (tie)
City: Beloit
Years played: 1957-1967 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 140
All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
Weighted career value: 52
#21. Gale Gillingham (G) (tie)
City: Madison
Years played: 1966-1976 (8 years as starter)
Games played: 128
Pro Bowl selections: 5
All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
Weighted career value: 52
#21. George Sauer (SE) (tie)
City: Sheboygan
Years played: 1965-1970 (5 years as starter)
Games played: 84
Pro Bowl selections: 4
All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
Weighted career value: 52
#20. Jeff Dellenbach (C)
City: Wausau
Years played: 1985-1999 (6 years as starter)
Games played: 211
Weighted career value: 53
#19. Mark Tauscher (T)
City: Marshfield
Years played: 2000-2010 (9 years as starter)
Games played: 134
Weighted career value: 55
#18. Tyrone Braxton (DB)
City: Madison
Years played: 1987-1999 (8 years as starter)
Games played: 181
Pro Bowl selections: 1
Weighted career value: 56
#17. George Kittle (TE)
City: Madison
Years played: 2017-2024 (7 years as starter)
Games played: 113
Pro Bowl selections: 6
All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
Weighted career value: 57
#16. Karl Kassulke (DB)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 1963-1972 (9 years as starter)
Games played: 131
Pro Bowl selections: 1
Weighted career value: 59
#14. Paul Gruber (T) (tie)
City: Madison
Years played: 1988-1999 (12 years as starter)
Games played: 183
Weighted career value: 60
#14. Travis Frederick (C) (tie)
City: Sharon
Years played: 2013-2019 (6 years as starter)
Games played: 96
Pro Bowl selections: 5
All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
Weighted career value: 60
#13. Jay Schroeder (QB)
City: Milwaukee
Years played: 1985-1994 (8 years as starter)
Games played: 118
Pro Bowl selections: 1
Weighted career value: 61
#12. Mark Bortz (G)
City: Pardeeville
Years played: 1983-1994 (11 years as starter)
Games played: 171
Pro Bowl selections: 2
Weighted career value: 62
#10. John Anderson (LB) (tie)
City: Waukesha
Years played: 1978-1989 (10 years as starter)
Games played: 146
Weighted career value: 63
#10. Tim Krumrie (NT) (tie)
City: Eau Claire
Years played: 1983-1994 (10 years as starter)
Games played: 188
Pro Bowl selections: 2
All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
Weighted career value: 63
#9. Ryan Ramczyk (T)
City: Stevens Point
Years played: 2017-2023 (6 years as starter)
Games played: 101
All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
Weighted career value: 64
#8. Kevin Zeitler (G)
City: Waukesha
Years played: 2012-2024 (13 years as starter)
Games played: 198
Pro Bowl selections: 1
Weighted career value: 66
#7. Tom Newberry (G)
City: Onalaska
Years played: 1986-1995 (10 years as starter)
Games played: 147
Pro Bowl selections: 2
All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
Weighted career value: 69
#6. Joe Thomas (T)
City: Brookfield
Years played: 2007-2017 (10 years as starter)
Games played: 167
Pro Bowl selections: 10- All-Pro selections (1st team): 6
Weighted career value: 85
#5. T.J. Watt (OLB)
City: Pewaukee
Years played: 2017-2024 (8 years as starter)
Games played: 121
Pro Bowl selections: 7
All-Pro selections (1st team): 4
Weighted career value: 90
#4. Dave Krieg (QB)
City: Iola
Years played: 1980-1998 (12 years as starter)
Games played: 213
Pro Bowl selections: 3
Weighted career value: 97
#3. J.J. Watt (DE)
City: Pewaukee
Years played: 2011-2022 (10 years as starter)
Games played: 151
Pro Bowl selections: 5
All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
Weighted career value: 110
#2. Jim Otto (C)
City: Wausau
Years played: 1960-1974 (15 years as starter)
Games played: 210
Pro Bowl selections: 12
All-Pro selections (1st team): 10
Weighted career value: 112
#1. Mike Webster (C)
City: Tomahawk
Years played: 1974-1990 (14 years as starter)
Games played: 245
Pro Bowl selections: 9
All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
Weighted career value: 114
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