Photo by Wikimedia Commons, CC by 3.0
The NFL Draft is a major milestone in the journey to professional football, giving the top young talent in the United States a shot at making their mark in the league. For many, it’s the first step on a long and demanding road to success.
Given the intense level of competition in one of America’s most beloved sports, it’s no surprise that countless players fall short of making the final cut.
For British hopefuls, the challenge is even greater — many go undrafted and must look to impress through alternative routes, often starting their careers in Europe before catching the attention of NFL scouts
Some Brits have made the grade though, and we take a look at some of the best to star in the NFL.
Osi Umenyiora
If any British have watched the NFL in the UK, then it is hard to not know who Osi Umenyiora is. He is one of the leading pundits on the BBC’s The NFL Show, and is arguably the best Brit to ever play in the NFL.
The 39-year-old may sound American, but he was born in London and lived in the English capital for seven years. After moving to Nigeria, he then went through the American collegiate system and was drafted by the New York Giants in 2003.
The defensive end enjoyed a 10-year career and ended his time in the NFL as a two-time Super Bowl champion. Umenyiora was named in two Pro Bowl teams and was awarded the New York Giants Ring of Honor.
Lawrence Tynes
The New York Giants seem to like giving Britons a chance, with Lawrence Tynes also part of the same team as Umenyiora. Tynes was the Giants’ kicker for five years, while he also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He showed great composure in the Super Bowl wins against New England Patriots, and his achievements as a kicker are unrivalled.
The 42-year-old is the only player in NFL history to have two overtime game-winning field goals in the playoffs, and the Scotsman certainly made the most of his opportunity in the NFL.
Jay Ajayi
From two Super Bowl winners to another, with running back Jay Ajayi claiming a Super Bowl ring of his own with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ajayi was also born in London, and graduated out of Boise State, with Miami Dolphins selecting him in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.
After two years in Miami, he moved to the Eagles where he contributed to their Super Bowl LII success. Sadly, the powerful runner has been plagued with injury throughout his career, and is now without a team at 27.
Jack Crawford
Defensive end Crawford was part of the Tennessee Titans roster in the NFL most recently. The 32-year-old graduated from Penn State college and was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 draft.
He has enjoyed spells with the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals, but he couldn’t add a Super Bowl ring to his trophy cabinet before his retirement in 2022.
Graham Gano
Graham Gano, the third Scottish-born kicker to feature in the NFL, has carved out a reputation for reliability throughout his career.
After a solid college stint, he entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. But it was during his spell with the Carolina Panthers that he truly made his mark.
Gano started 121 games over eight seasons with the Panthers, playing a key role in their run to Super Bowl 50. However, the British-born kicker fell just short of championship glory as Carolina were beaten by the Denver Broncos.
He has played for the New York Giants since the 2020 season, and signed a three-year extension with the franchise in 2023.
