Best NFL players born in Maine

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 Maine.

Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Maine. 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 Maine have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.

#11. Bob Hews (T) (tie)
- City: Portland
- Years played: 1971-1971
- Games played: 2
- Weighted career value: 1

#11. Dennis Gadbois (WR) (tie)
- City: Biddeford
- Years played: 1987-1988
- Games played: 5
- Weighted career value: 1

#11. Ed McAleney (DE) (tie)
- City: Portland
- Years played: 1976-1976
- Games played: 2
- Weighted career value: 1

#11. Matthew Mulligan (TE) (tie)
- City: West Enfield
- Years played: 2009-2016
- Games played: 89
- Weighted career value: 1

#11. Nate Dingle (LB) (tie)
- City: East Machias
- Years played: 1995-1997
- Games played: 17
- Weighted career value: 1

#11. Nick Miller (LB) (tie)
- City: Brunswick
- Years played: 1987-1987
- Games played: 9
- Weighted career value: 1

#11. Trevor Bates (LB) (tie)
- City: Westbrook
- Years played: 2016-2018
- Games played: 10
- Weighted career value: 1

#10. Colby Wadman (P)
- City: Bangor
- Years played: 2018-2019
- Games played: 28
- Weighted career value: 4

#9. Thurlow Cooper (TE)
- City: Augusta
- Years played: 1960-1962 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 41
- Weighted career value: 5

#8. Larry Swider (P)
- City: Limestone
- Years played: 1979-1982
- Games played: 52
- Weighted career value: 8

#7. John Huard (LB)
- City: Waterville
- Years played: 1967-1971 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 43
- Weighted career value: 17

#6. Darryl Pollard (DB)
- City: Ellsworth
- Years played: 1987-1992 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 65
- Weighted career value: 18

#5. Stan Hindman (DE)
- City: Houlton
- Years played: 1966-1974 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 76
- Weighted career value: 24

#4. Nate Davis (OL)
- City: York
- Years played: 2019-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 71
- Weighted career value: 27

#3. Will Montgomery (G)
- City: Brunswick
- Years played: 2006-2015 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 110
- Weighted career value: 34

#2. Al Harris (DE)
- City: Bangor
- Years played: 1979-1990 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 149
- Weighted career value: 49

#1. John Bunting (LB)
- City: Portland
- Years played: 1972-1982 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Weighted career value: 50