Best NFL players born in Kansas
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 Kansas.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Kansas. 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 Kansas have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#50. Doug Dumler (C)
- City: Hoisington
- Years played: 1973-1977
- Games played: 70
- Weighted career value: 17
#48. Harry Colon (DB) (tie)
- City: Kansas City
- Years played: 1991-1997 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 87
- Weighted career value: 19
#48. Mike Pennel (DT) (tie)
- City: Topeka
- Years played: 2014-2024
- Games played: 138
- Weighted career value: 19
#47. Jerry Inman (DT)
- City: Manhattan
- Years played: 1966-1973 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 82
- Weighted career value: 20
#45. Terry Beeson (LB) (tie)
- City: Coffeyville
- Years played: 1977-1982 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 82
- Weighted career value: 21
#45. Tom Dinkel (LOLB) (tie)
- City: Topeka
- Years played: 1978-1985 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 102
- Weighted career value: 21
#42. Dave Baker (DB) (tie)
- City: Coffeyville
- Years played: 1959-1961 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 38
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 22
#42. Michael Wilhoite (LB) (tie)
- City: Topeka
- Years played: 2012-2017 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 79
- Weighted career value: 22
#42. Shaun Hill (QB) (tie)
- City: Parsons
- Years played: 2005-2016 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 49
- Weighted career value: 22
#41. Brian Moorman (P)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 2001-2013
- Games played: 202
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 23
#39. Ed Philpott (LB) (tie)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 1967-1971 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 68
- Weighted career value: 25
#39. Robert Delpino (RB) (tie)
- City: Dodge City
- Years played: 1988-1993
- Games played: 88
- Weighted career value: 25
#38. Ben Powers (OL)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 2019-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 81
- Weighted career value: 26
#36. Mark Simoneau (LB) (tie)
- City: Phillipsburg
- Years played: 2000-2010 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 124
- Weighted career value: 29
#36. Smokey Stover (RLB) (tie)
- City: McPherson
- Years played: 1960-1966 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Weighted career value: 29
#35. Steve Towle (LB)
- City: Kansas City
- Years played: 1975-1980 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 78
- Weighted career value: 30
#34. Jordan Phillips (DT)
- City: Towanda
- Years played: 2015-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 129
- Weighted career value: 31
#31. Al Reynolds (G) (tie)
- City: Winchester
- Years played: 1960-1967 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Weighted career value: 32
#31. Derrel Gofourth (G) (tie)
- City: Parsons
- Years played: 1977-1984 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 116
- Weighted career value: 32
#31. Russ Bolinger (G) (tie)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 1976-1985 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 121
- Weighted career value: 32
#30. Les Miller (NT)
- City: Arkansas City
- Years played: 1987-1998 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 152
- Weighted career value: 33
#29. Ron Kramer (TE)
- City: Girard
- Years played: 1957-1967 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 128
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 34
#27. Frank Wattelet (DB) (tie)
- City: Paola
- Years played: 1981-1988 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Weighted career value: 36
#27. Mark Dennis (T) (tie)
- City: Junction City
- Years played: 1987-1996 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 125
- Weighted career value: 36
#24. Bobby Douglass (QB) (tie)
- City: Manhattan
- Years played: 1969-1978 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 91
- Weighted career value: 37
#24. Eldon Danenhauer (T) (tie)
- City: Clay Center
- Years played: 1960-1965 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 79
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 37
#24. Ryan Schraeder (T) (tie)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 2013-2018 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 88
- Weighted career value: 37
#22. Braden Smith (G) (tie)
- City: Olathe
- Years played: 2018-2024 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 94
- Weighted career value: 39
#22. Galen Fiss (LB) (tie)
- City: Johnson
- Years played: 1956-1966 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 139
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 39
#21. Gary Spani (LB)
- City: Satanta
- Years played: 1978-1986 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 124
- Weighted career value: 43
#20. Kamerion Wimbley (DE)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 2006-2014 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 140
- Weighted career value: 44
#19. Mike Bell (DE)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 1979-1991 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 135
- Weighted career value: 45
#18. John Parrella (DT)
- City: Topeka
- Years played: 1993-2004 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 172
- Weighted career value: 46
#17. Ken Huff (G)
- City: Hutchinson
- Years played: 1975-1985 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 145
- Weighted career value: 47
#16. Maliek Collins (DT)
- City: Kansas City
- Years played: 2016-2024 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 136
- Weighted career value: 48
#15. Tony Banfield (DB)
- City: Independence
- Years played: 1960-1965 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 67
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 53
#14. John Zook (DE)
- City: Garden City
- Years played: 1969-1979 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 144
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 58
#13. Gale Sayers (RB)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 1965-1971 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 68
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
- Weighted career value: 60
#12. Kelly Gregg (NT)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 1999-2011 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 153
- Weighted career value: 61
#11. Mark Haynes (DB)
- City: Kansas City
- Years played: 1980-1989 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 127
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 66
#10. Lynn Dickey (QB)
- City: Paola
- Years played: 1971-1985 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 152
- Weighted career value: 67
#9. Terence Newman (DB)
- City: Salina
- Years played: 2003-2017 (15 years as starter)
- Games played: 221
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 70
#8. Nolan Cromwell (DB)
- City: Smith Center
- Years played: 1977-1987 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 161
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 71
#7. Jordy Nelson (WR)
- City: Manhattan
- Years played: 2008-2018 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 151
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 73
#6. Billy Kilmer (QB)
- City: Topeka
- Years played: 1961-1978 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 170
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 75
#5. Jim Everett (QB)
- City: Emporia
- Years played: 1986-1997 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 158
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 87
#4. John Riggins (RB)
- City: Centralia
- Years played: 1971-1985 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 175
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 90
#3. John Hadl (QB)
- City: Lawrence
- Years played: 1962-1977 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 224
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 106
#2. Will Shields (G)
- City: Fort Riley
- Years played: 1993-2006 (14 years as starter)
- Games played: 224
- Pro Bowl selections: 12
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 113
#1. Barry Sanders (RB)
- City: Wichita
- Years played: 1989-1998 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 153
- Pro Bowl selections: 10
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 6
- Weighted career value: 120
