Best NFL players born in Indiana
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 Indiana.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Indiana. 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 Indiana have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#50. Bernard Pollard (DB)
- City: Fort Wayne
- Years played: 2006-2014 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 126
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 34
#46. Dale Lindsey (LB) (tie)
- City: Bedford
- Years played: 1965-1973 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 35
#46. Jeremy Trueblood (T) (tie)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 2006-2013 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 116
- Weighted career value: 35
#46. Ken Dilger (TE) (tie)
- City: Mariah Hill
- Years played: 1995-2004 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 156
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 35
#46. Randy Beisler (G) (tie)
- City: Gary
- Years played: 1966-1975 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 118
- Weighted career value: 35
#44. Paul Spicer (DE) (tie)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 1999-2008 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 117
- Weighted career value: 36
#44. Tony Cline (DE) (tie)
- City: Michigan
- Years played: 1970-1977 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 93
- Weighted career value: 36
#43. Jaylon Smith (OLB)
- City: Fort Wayne
- Years played: 2017-2023 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 88
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 37
#41. Jeremy Chinn (S) (tie)
- City: Fishers
- Years played: 2020-2024 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 71
- Weighted career value: 38
#41. Rosevelt Colvin (OLB) (tie)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 1999-2008 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 121
- Weighted career value: 38
#40. Corey Harris (DB)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 1992-2003 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 183
- Weighted career value: 39
#38. James Hurst (T) (tie)
- City: Plainfield
- Years played: 2014-2023 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 150
- Weighted career value: 40
#38. Mike Phipps (QB) (tie)
- City: Shelbyville
- Years played: 1970-1981 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 119
- Weighted career value: 40
#36. Jim Purnell (LB) (tie)
- City: La Porte
- Years played: 1964-1972 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 115
- Weighted career value: 41
#36. Kawann Short (DT) (tie)
- City: East Chicago
- Years played: 2013-2020 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 41
#35. Jerry Sturm (C)
- City: English
- Years played: 1961-1972 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 144
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 43
#34. Ron Baker (G)
- City: Gary
- Years played: 1978-1988 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 155
- Weighted career value: 45
#33. Paul Flatley (WR)
- City: Richmond
- Years played: 1963-1970 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 106
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 46
#31. Jessie Bates III (FS) (tie)
- City: Fort Wayne
- Years played: 2018-2024 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 113
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 47
#31. Terry McLaurin (WR) (tie)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 2019-2024 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 97
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 47
#30. Jeff Uhlenhake (C)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 1989-1997 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 119
- Weighted career value: 49
#29. Gerald Irons (LB)
- City: Gary
- Years played: 1970-1979 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 135
- Weighted career value: 50
#27. Brandon Moore (G) (tie)
- City: Gary
- Years played: 2003-2012 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 144
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 51
#27. Terry Schmidt (DB) (tie)
- City: Columbus
- Years played: 1974-1984 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 143
- Weighted career value: 51
#26. Lamar Lundy (DE)
- City: Richmond
- Years played: 1957-1969 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 152
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 52
#23. Don Hansen (LB) (tie)
- City: Millersburg
- Years played: 1966-1977 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 142
- Weighted career value: 53
#23. Irv Cross (DB) (tie)
- City: Hammond
- Years played: 1961-1969 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 125
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 53
#23. Jason Fabini (T) (tie)
- City: Fort Wayne
- Years played: 1998-2008 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 152
- Weighted career value: 53
#21. Anthony Barr (OLB) (tie)
- City: South Bend
- Years played: 2014-2023 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 116
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 56
#21. Fred Williamson (DB) (tie)
- City: Gary
- Years played: 1960-1967 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 104
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 56
#20. Blaine Bishop (DB)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 1993-2002 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 138
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 57
#19. Dave Duerson (DB)
- City: Muncie
- Years played: 1983-1993 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 160
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 58
#17. Bob Johnson (C) (tie)
- City: Gary
- Years played: 1968-1979 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 154
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 62
#17. Kevin Hardy (LB) (tie)
- City: Evansville
- Years played: 1996-2004 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 134
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 62
#15. Larry Stallings (LB) (tie)
- City: Evansville
- Years played: 1963-1976 (14 years as starter)
- Games played: 181
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 63
#15. Ryan Kerrigan (LOLB) (tie)
- City: Muncie
- Years played: 2011-2021 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 172
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 63
#13. Jeff George (QB) (tie)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 1990-2001 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 131
- Weighted career value: 66
#13. Timmy Brown (RB) (tie)
- City: Richmond
- Years played: 1959-1968 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 108
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 66
#11. Kris Dielman (G) (tie)
- City: Goshen
- Years played: 2003-2011 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 120
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 67
#11. Nick Hardwick (C) (tie)
- City: Franklin
- Years played: 2004-2014 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 136
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 67
#10. Scott Studwell (LB)
- City: Evansville
- Years played: 1977-1990 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 201
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 68
#9. Erich Barnes (DB)
- City: Elkhart
- Years played: 1958-1971 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 177
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 76
#8. Mark Clayton (WR)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 1983-1993 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 158
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- Weighted career value: 78
#7. Bob Kuechenberg (G)
- City: Gary
- Years played: 1970-1983 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 196
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 85
#6. Jay Cutler (QB)
- City: Santa Claus
- Years played: 2006-2017 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 153
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 86
#5. Alex Karras (DT)
- City: Gary
- Years played: 1958-1970 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 161
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 98
#4. Zack Martin (G)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 2014-2024 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 162
- Pro Bowl selections: 9
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 7
- Weighted career value: 103
#3. Bob Griese (QB)
- City: Evansville
- Years played: 1967-1980 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 161
- Pro Bowl selections: 8
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 104
#2. Chris Doleman (DE)
- City: Indianapolis
- Years played: 1985-1999 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 232
- Pro Bowl selections: 8
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 114
#1. Rod Woodson (DB)
- City: Fort Wayne
- Years played: 1987-2003 (15 years as starter)
- Games played: 238
- Pro Bowl selections: 11
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 6
- Weighted career value: 142
