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All-Time Stanford Cardinal Who Have Played in the NFL

> Palo Alto has produced 280 NFL players, 40 of whom remain currently active in the league


  By SuperWest Sports Staff

June 7, 2025



This is the sixth in a series on NFL players from schools in the West.

Stanford has produced 280 total NFL players, with 40 still active. Among Cardinal players, Christian Mcaffrey has the most NFL touchdowns (81), and John Elway has played in the most NFL games (234).

Stanford has four players in the NFL Hall of Fame: John Elway, James Lofton, John Lynch, and Ernie Nevers.

Stanford logoHere is a complete list of the players, sorted alphabetically.

It includes positions, total years played, beginning and ending years, the NFL team that drafted them, and the round and pick they were taken with (if drafted).

You can search and sort by any of the categories.


All-Time Stanford Cardinal Who Have Played in the NFL

PlayerPosYrsFrom-ToNFL Draft (tm/rnd/yr)
Paulson AdeboCB42021-2024New Orleans Saints / 3rd / 76th pick / 2021
Frankie AlbertQB-DB71946-1952Chicago Bears / 1st / 10th pick / 1942
Brian AllenRB12003-2003Indianapolis Colts / 6th / 204th pick / 2002
Jon AlstonLB42006-2009St. Louis Rams / 3rd / 77th pick / 2006
Stan AndersenT-E21940-1941Chicago Cardinals / 12th / 101st pick / 1940
Gary AndersonG31977-1980Detroit Lions / 10th / 263rd pick / 1977
Henry AndersonDE82015-2022Indianapolis Colts / 3rd / 93rd pick / 2015
JJ Arcega-WhitesideWR32019-2021Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 57th pick / 2019
Lester ArchambeauDE111990-2000Green Bay Packers / 7th / 186th pick / 1990
Justin ArmourWR41995-1999Buffalo Bills / 4th / 113th pick / 1995
Dick ArndtDT41967-1970Los Angeles Rams / 5th / 77th pick / 1966
Corrie ArtmanT31931-1933
Mike AskeaT11973-1973Denver Broncos / 7th / 165th pick / 1973
Frank AtkinsonDT21963-1964Pittsburgh Steelers / 8th / 108th pick / 1963
O.J. AtogweDB72005-2011St. Louis Rams / 3rd / 66th pick / 2005
Johnson BademosiDB82012-2019
Brad BadgerG-T111997-2007Washington Redskins / 5th / 162nd pick / 1997
Jake BaileyP62019-2024New England Patriots / 5th / 163rd pick / 2019
Doug BaldwinWR82011-2018
Bruno BanducciG111944-1954Phi/Pit Eagles/Steelers / 6th / 42nd pick / 1943
Gordon BanksWR51980-1987
Benny BarnesDB111972-1982
Greg BatyTE81986-1994New England Patriots / 8th / 220th pick / 1986
Braden BeckK11971-1971
Guy BenjaminQB61978-1983Miami Dolphins / 2nd / 51st pick / 1978
Fred BoenschG-LB21947-1948Cleveland Rams / 9th / 86th pick / 1944
George BogueFB11930-1930
Ethan BonnerCB22023-2024
Thomas BookerDE22022-2024Houston Texans / 5th / 150th pick / 2022
Mike BorylaQB41974-1978Cincinnati Bengals / 4th / 87th pick / 1974
Dennis BragonierDB11974-1974
Colin BranchDB32003-2006Carolina Panthers / 4th / 119th pick / 2003
Tom BriehlLB21985-1987Houston Oilers / 4th / 87th pick / 1985
John BrodieQB171957-1973San Francisco 49ers / 1st / 3rd pick / 1957
Jeff BuckeyG41996-1999Miami Dolphins / 7th / 230th pick / 1996
George BuehlerG111969-1979Oakland Raiders / 2nd / 50th pick / 1969
Chris BurfordSE-WR81960-1967Cleveland Browns / 9th / 105th pick / 1960
Ernie CaddelWB61933-1938
Joe CainLB91989-1997Minnesota Vikings / 8th / 210th pick / 1988
Tony CalvelliC-G31939-1947Detroit Lions / 11th / 97th pick / 1939
Greg CamarilloWR72006-2012
Alex CarterCB22016-2018Detroit Lions / 3rd / 80th pick / 2015
Kerry CarterRB22003-2004
Gordy CeresinoLB11979-1979
Kirk ChambersT62004-2011Cleveland Browns / 6th / 176th pick / 2004
Jack ChappleLB11965-1965San Francisco 49ers / 3rd / 42nd pick / 1965
Greg ClarkTE41997-2000San Francisco 49ers / 3rd / 77th pick / 1997
Tony ClineTE41995-1999Buffalo Bills / 4th / 131st pick / 1995
Greg ComellaFB71998-2004
Toi CookDB111987-1997New Orleans Saints / 8th / 207th pick / 1987
Jim CoxG-LB11948-1948Green Bay Packers / 21st / 214th pick / 1944
Ed CummingsLB21964-1965
Chris DalmanC-G71993-1999San Francisco 49ers / 6th / 166th pick / 1993
Drew DalmanC42021-2024Atlanta Falcons / 4th / 114th pick / 2021
David DeCastroG92012-2020Pittsburgh Steelers / 1st / 24th pick / 2012
Steve DilsQB101979-1988Minnesota Vikings / 4th / 97th pick / 1979
Pat DonovanT91975-1983Dallas Cowboys / 4th / 90th pick / 1975
Chris DraftLB121998-2009Chicago Bears / 6th / 157th pick / 1998
Jim DrayTE82010-2017Arizona Cardinals / 7th / 233rd pick / 2010
Chris DresselTE91983-1992Houston Oilers / 3rd / 69th pick / 1983
Damon DunnWR21999-2000
Trent EdwardsQB52007-2012Buffalo Bills / 3rd / 92nd pick / 2007
Pannel EgbohDE12012-2012
Kwame EllisDB11996-1996
John ElwayQB161983-1998Baltimore Colts / 1st / 1st pick / 1983
Zach ErtzTE122013-2024Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 35th pick / 2013
Chuck EvansLB21980-1981New Orleans Saints / 8th / 206th pick / 1980
Randy FasaniQB12002-2002Carolina Panthers / 5th / 137th pick / 2002
Simi FehokoWR42021-2024Dallas Cowboys / 5th / 179th pick / 2021
Jason FiskDT-NT121995-2006Minnesota Vikings / 7th / 243rd pick / 1995
Tucker FiskTE22023-2024
Coby FleenerTE62012-2017Indianapolis Colts / 2nd / 34th pick / 2012
Cameron FlemingOT112014-2024New England Patriots / 4th / 140th pick / 2014
Phil FrancisRB21979-1980San Francisco 49ers / 7th / 166th pick / 1979
Jesse FreitasQB21974-1975San Diego Chargers / 6th / 133rd pick / 1974
Scott FrostDB51998-2003New York Jets / 3rd / 67th pick / 1998
Sione FuaDL42011-2014Carolina Panthers / 3rd / 97th pick / 2011
Hugh GallarneauHB51941-1947Chicago Bears / 3rd / 23rd pick / 1941
Dave GarnettLB41993-1996
Joshua GarnettOG32016-2020San Francisco 49ers / 1st / 28th pick / 2016
Bobby GarrettQB11954-1954Cleveland Browns / 1st / 1st pick / 1954
Ron GeorgeLB81993-2000Atlanta Falcons / 5th / 121st pick / 1993
Toby GerhartRB62010-2015Minnesota Vikings / 2nd / 51st pick / 2010
Rick GervaisDB31981-1983
Amon GordonDT52004-2011Cleveland Browns / 5th / 161st pick / 2004
Darrien GordonDB91993-2002San Diego Chargers / 1st / 22nd pick / 1993
Alan GrantDB51990-1994Indianapolis Colts / 4th / 103rd pick / 1990
John GuilloryDB21969-1970
Bill HachtenG11947-1947New York Giants / 13th / 114th pick / 1947
Devery HamiltonOT12022-2022
Carl HansenDE11998-1998Seattle Seahawks / 6th / 162nd pick / 1998
Kwame HarrisT62003-2008San Francisco 49ers / 1st / 26th pick / 2003
Mark HarrisWR41996-1999
Marv HarrisLB11964-1964Los Angeles Rams / 13th / 175th pick / 1964
Walt HarrisDB11987-1987
Brandon HarrisonDB12008-2008Houston Texans / 5th / 144th pick / 2007
Emile HarryWR61986-1992Atlanta Falcons / 4th / 89th pick / 1985
Jon HaskinsLB11998-1998San Diego Chargers / 7th / 194th pick / 1998
Eric HeitmannG-C82002-2009San Francisco 49ers / 7th / 239th pick / 2002
Thomas HenleyWR11987-1987New Orleans Saints / 6th / 152nd pick / 1987
Wilbur HenryG11930-1930
Nate HerbigG52019-2023
Ryan HewittFB52014-2018
Mike HiblerLB11968-1968Oakland Raiders / 5th / 131st pick / 1967
Elijah HigginsWR22023-2024Miami Dolphins / 6th / 197th pick / 2023
Don HillTB-WB-HB-C11929-1929
Tony HillWR101977-1986Dallas Cowboys / 3rd / 62nd pick / 1977
Andre HinesT11980-1980Seattle Seahawks / 2nd / 44th pick / 1980
Kevin HoganQB32016-2021Kansas City Chiefs / 5th / 162nd pick / 2016
Alijah HolderDB22019-2020
Brian HollowayT-G81981-1988New England Patriots / 1st / 19th pick / 1981
Austin HooperTE92016-2024Atlanta Falcons / 3rd / 81st pick / 2016
Dick HornQB11958-1958Dallas Texans / 17th / 194th pick / 1952
Willie HowardDE12001-2001Minnesota Vikings / 2nd / 57th pick / 2001
Delano HowellDB22012-2013
Steve HoyemT11994-1994
Harry HugasianHB-DB11955-1955Dallas Texans / 21st / 242nd pick / 1952
Todd HusakQB12000-2000Washington Redskins / 6th / 202nd pick / 2000
Chad HutchinsonQB32002-2004
Trenton IrwinWR62019-2024
Julian JenkinsDE12006-2006Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 5th / 156th pick / 2006
Riall JohnsonLB32001-2003Cincinnati Bengals / 6th / 168th pick / 2001
Teyo JohnsonTE32003-2005Oakland Raiders / 2nd / 63rd pick / 2003
Ron KadzielLB11972-1972Dallas Cowboys / 5th / 129th pick / 1971
Peter KalambayiLB32018-2020Houston Texans / 6th / 214th pick / 2018
Joshua KartyK12024-2024Los Angeles Rams / 6th / 209th pick / 2024
Thomas KeiserDE42011-2014
Bill KellarWR11978-1978Kansas City Chiefs / 7th / 184th pick / 1978
Kyu Blu KellyCB22023-2024Baltimore Ravens / 5th / 157th pick / 2023
Gary KerkorianQB41952-1956Pittsburgh Steelers / 19th / 222nd pick / 1952
Gordon KingT-G91978-1987New York Giants / 1st / 10th pick / 1978
Pete KmetovicHB21946-1947Philadelphia Eagles / 1st / 3rd pick / 1942
Scott LaidlawRB61975-1980Dallas Cowboys / 14th / 356th pick / 1975
Kevin LamarG11987-1987
Babe LaufenbergQB41986-1990Washington Redskins / 6th / 168th pick / 1983
Jim LawsonE11927-1927
Pete LazetichDE-LB-DT-NT51972-1977San Diego Chargers / 2nd / 36th pick / 1972
Dick LeeuwenburgT11965-1965Chicago Bears / 11th / 154th pick / 1964
Tony LeikerDE11987-1987Green Bay Packers / 7th / 172nd pick / 1987
Matt LeonardDT12003-2003
Dave LewisQB-P41970-1973New York Giants / 5th / 109th pick / 1967
Vic LindskogC81944-1951Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 13th pick / 1942
Walker LittleOT42021-2024Jacksonville Jaguars / 2nd / 45th pick / 2021
James LoftonWR161978-1993Green Bay Packers / 1st / 6th pick / 1978
Erik LorigDE52010-2014Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 7th / 253rd pick / 2010
Andrew LuckQB62012-2018Indianapolis Colts / 1st / 1st pick / 2012
John LynchDB151993-2007Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 3rd / 82nd pick / 1993
John MacaulayC11984-1984Green Bay Packers / 11th / 294th pick / 1982
Brian ManningWR21997-1998Miami Dolphins / 6th / 170th pick / 1997
Don ManoukianG11960-1960
Owen MarecicRB22011-2012Cleveland Browns / 4th / 124th pick / 2011
Ken MargerumWR61981-1987Chicago Bears / 3rd / 67th pick / 1981
Jonathan MartinOT32012-2014Miami Dolphins / 2nd / 42nd pick / 2012
Blake MartinezILB82016-2023Green Bay Packers / 4th / 131st pick / 2016
Matthew MasifiloDT22014-2015
Josh MauroDE82014-2021
Christian McCaffreyRB82017-2024Carolina Panthers / 1st / 8th pick / 2017
Ed McCaffreyWR131991-2003New York Giants / 3rd / 83rd pick / 1991
Bill McCollE81952-1959Chicago Bears / 3rd / 32nd pick / 1952
Milt McCollLB81981-1988
Tanner McKeeQB12024-2024Philadelphia Eagles / 6th / 188th pick / 2023
Quenton MeeksCB22018-2020
Jim MerloLB61973-1979New Orleans Saints / 4th / 86th pick / 1973
Than MerrillDB12001-2001Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 7th / 223rd pick / 2001
Fred MeyerE-DE21942-1945Philadelphia Eagles / 12th / 103rd pick / 1942
Bob MeyersHB11952-1952San Francisco 49ers / 16th / 190th pick / 1952
Mike MichelP-K21977-1978Miami Dolphins / 5th / 113th pick / 1977
Glyn MilburnRB-WR91993-2001Denver Broncos / 2nd / 43rd pick / 1993
Davis MillsQB42021-2024Houston Texans / 3rd / 67th pick / 2021
Bob MitchellHB-QB-DB31946-1948
Ty MontgomeryRB-WR92015-2023Green Bay Packers / 3rd / 94th pick / 2015
Bob MooreTE81971-1978Oakland Raiders / 5th / 123rd pick / 1971
Evan MooreWR42009-2012
Sam MorleyE11954-1954Washington Redskins / 20th / 236th pick / 1954
Monk MoscripE21938-1939Brooklyn Dodgers / 9th / 76th pick / 1936
Eric MullinsWR11984-1984Houston Oilers / 6th / 161st pick / 1984
Kyle MurphyOT32016-2021Green Bay Packers / 6th / 200th pick / 2016
Trent MurphyDE62014-2020Washington Redskins / 2nd / 47th pick / 2014
Brad MusterRB71988-1994Chicago Bears / 1st / 23rd pick / 1988
Darrin NelsonRB111982-1992Minnesota Vikings / 1st / 7th pick / 1982
Ernie NeversFB51926-1931
Bob NicholsT31965-1967Pittsburgh Steelers / 9th / 122nd pick / 1964
Mike NobleLB11987-1987
Hank NorbergE31946-1948Chicago Bears / 18th / 169th pick / 1943
Al NorgardE11934-1934
Dick NormanQB11961-1961Chicago Bears / 5th / 57th pick / 1960
Blaine NyeG91968-1976Dallas Cowboys / 5th / 130th pick / 1968
Bob OConnorG-T-BB11935-1935
Bobby OkerekeOLB62019-2024Indianapolis Colts / 3rd / 89th pick / 2019
John OlenchalkLB-C21981-1982
Babatunde OshinowoDT22006-2007Cleveland Browns / 6th / 181st pick / 2006
Chris OwusuWR42012-2015
Don ParishLB31970-1972St. Louis Cardinals / 4th / 91st pick / 1970
Kaulana ParkRB11987-1987
Colby ParkinsonTE52020-2024Seattle Seahawks / 4th / 133rd pick / 2020
Nathan ParksT11999-1999Kansas City Chiefs / 7th / 214th pick / 1997
David ParryNT42015-2018Indianapolis Colts / 5th / 151st pick / 2015
Andrus PeatOT102015-2024New Orleans Saints / 1st / 13th pick / 2015
Gary PettigrewDT-DE91966-1974Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 20th pick / 1966
Harrison PhillipsDT72018-2024Buffalo Bills / 3rd / 96th pick / 2018
Brett PierceTE22004-2005
Jim PlunkettQB151971-1986New England Patriots / 1st / 1st pick / 1971
Randy PoltlDB41974-1977Minnesota Vikings / 12th / 311th pick / 1974
Hampton PoolE51940-1946Chicago Bears / 9th / 77th pick / 1940
Jim PriceTE41991-1995
Bill ReidC11975-1975
Justin ReidFS72018-2024Houston Texans / 3rd / 68th pick / 2018
Terry RennakerLB11980-1980
Konrad ReulandTE32012-2015
Bob ReynoldsT21937-1938Green Bay Packers / 6th / 52nd pick / 1936
Ed ReynoldsFS22015-2016Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 162nd pick / 2014
Jordan RichardsSS72015-2021New England Patriots / 2nd / 64th pick / 2015
Jon RitchieFB71998-2004Oakland Raiders / 3rd / 63rd pick / 1998
Curtis RobinsonLB42021-2024
Doug RogersDE41982-1986Atlanta Falcons / 2nd / 36th pick / 1982
Walter RouseOL12024-2024Minnesota Vikings / 6th / 177th pick / 2024
T.J. RushingDB32006-2009Indianapolis Colts / 7th / 238th pick / 2006
Greg SampsonT-DT-DE71972-1978Houston Oilers / 1st / 6th pick / 1972
Reggie SandersonRB11973-1973
Foster SarellT32022-2024
Brennan ScarlettOLB72016-2022
Turk SchonertQB91981-1989Chicago Bears / 9th / 242nd pick / 1980
Dalton SchultzTE72018-2024Dallas Cowboys / 4th / 137th pick / 2018
Kevin ScottRB21988-1989
Kevin ScottDB31991-1993Detroit Lions / 4th / 91st pick / 1991
Richard ShermanDB112011-2021Seattle Seahawks / 5th / 154th pick / 2011
Jeff SiemonLB111972-1982Minnesota Vikings / 1st / 10th pick / 1972
Mike SimoneLB31972-1974
Shayne SkovILB22015-2016
Alex SmithTE112005-2015Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 3rd / 71st pick / 2005
Jack SmithDE-E21942-1943
Kaden SmithTE32019-2021San Francisco 49ers / 6th / 176th pick / 2019
Mal SniderG-T61969-1974Atlanta Falcons / 3rd / 54th pick / 1969
Donnie SpraganLB62002-2007
Norm StandleeFB-LB81941-1952Chicago Bears / 1st / 3rd pick / 1941
Steve StenstromQB41996-1999Kansas City Chiefs / 4th / 134th pick / 1995
Jeremy StewartFB32012-2014
Roger StillwellDT-DE31975-1977Chicago Bears / 9th / 212th pick / 1975
Will SvitekT82005-2014Kansas City Chiefs / 6th / 187th pick / 2005
Pete SwansonG12000-2000
A.J. TarpleyLB12015-2015
Chuck TaylorG11946-1946Cleveland Rams / 4th / 30th pick / 1943
Stepfan TaylorRB42013-2016Arizona Cardinals / 5th / 140th pick / 2013
Charlie ThomasLB12023-2023
Chase ThomasLB12014-2014
Michael ThomasS102013-2022
Solomon ThomasDE82017-2024San Francisco 49ers / 1st / 3rd pick / 2017
Steve ThurlowRB51964-1968New York Giants / 2nd / 25th pick / 1964
Dave TiptonDE-DT61971-1976New York Giants / 4th / 96th pick / 1971
Levine ToiloloTE82013-2020Atlanta Falcons / 4th / 133rd pick / 2013
Casey ToohillOLB52020-2024Philadelphia Eagles / 7th / 233rd pick / 2020
Leigh TorrenceDB62005-2011
Brycen TremayneWR12024-2024
Lou TsoutsouvasC11938-1938
Andre TylerWR11983-1983Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 6th / 158th pick / 1982
Tommy VardellRB81992-1999Cleveland Browns / 1st / 9th pick / 1992
Randy VatahaWR71971-1977Los Angeles Rams / 17th / 418th pick / 1971
James VaughtersLB32019-2021
Garin VerisDE71985-1992New England Patriots / 2nd / 48th pick / 1985
Milt VucinichC11945-1945Chicago Bears / 7th / 59th pick / 1943
Chris WalshWR111992-2002Buffalo Bills / 9th / 251st pick / 1992
Troy WaltersWR82000-2007Minnesota Vikings / 5th / 165th pick / 2000
Gene WashingtonWR-SE101969-1979San Francisco 49ers / 1st / 16th pick / 1969
Ryan WetnightTE81993-2000
Griff WhalenWR52013-2017
Ryan WhalenWR32011-2013Cincinnati Bengals / 6th / 167th pick / 2011
Bob WhiteHB31951-1955San Francisco 49ers / 16th / 184th pick / 1951
Bob WhitfieldT151992-2006Atlanta Falcons / 1st / 8th pick / 1992
Paul WigginDE111957-1967Cleveland Browns / 6th / 73rd pick / 1956
John WilburG-DE91966-1974
Tank WilliamsDB52002-2007Tennessee Titans / 2nd / 45th pick / 2002
Vaughn WilliamsDB11984-1984
Kendall WilliamsonS12024-2024Chicago Bears / 7th / 258th pick / 2023
Michael WilsonWR22023-2024Arizona Cardinals / 3rd / 94th pick / 2023
Stanley WilsonDB32005-2007Detroit Lions / 3rd / 72nd pick / 2005
Gary WimmerLB11983-1983
Coy WireDB92002-2010Buffalo Bills / 3rd / 97th pick / 2002
Kailee WongLB91998-2006Minnesota Vikings / 2nd / 51st pick / 1998
David WymanLB91987-1995Seattle Seahawks / 2nd / 45th pick / 1987
David YankeyOG12016-2016Minnesota Vikings / 5th / 145th pick / 2014
Source: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/