Best NFL players born in Maryland
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 Maryland.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Maryland. 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 Maryland have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#48. Darren Waller (TE) (tie)
- City: Landover
- Years played: 2015-2023 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 86
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 31
#48. Sean Landeta (P) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1985-2005
- Games played: 284
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 31
#48. Trevon Diggs (CB) (tie)
- City: Gaithersburg
- Years played: 2020-2024 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 58
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 31
#44. Randy McMillan (RB) (tie)
- City: Havre de Grace
- Years played: 1981-1986 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 88
- Weighted career value: 32
#44. Rod Breedlove (RLB) (tie)
- City: Cumberland
- Years played: 1960-1967 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 101
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 32
#44. Roger Shoals (T) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1963-1971 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 104
- Weighted career value: 32
#44. Wayne Mulligan (C) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1969-1975 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 87
- Weighted career value: 32
#41. Calvin Williams (WR) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1990-1996 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 100
- Weighted career value: 33
#41. Mike Reichenbach (LB) (tie)
- City: Fort Meade
- Years played: 1984-1991 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 119
- Weighted career value: 33
#41. Wayne Wilson (RB) (tie)
- City: Montgomery County
- Years played: 1979-1987 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 33
#39. Kendall Fuller (CB) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 2016-2024 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 128
- Weighted career value: 34
#39. Ronald Darby (CB) (tie)
- City: Oxon Hill
- Years played: 2015-2024 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 118
- Weighted career value: 34
#38. Ja'Whaun Bentley (ILB)
- City: Glenarden
- Years played: 2018-2024 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 83
- Weighted career value: 36
#37. Kevin Shaffer (T)
- City: Salisbury
- Years played: 2002-2010 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Weighted career value: 37
#36. Adrian Amos (FS)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 2015-2024 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 143
- Weighted career value: 38
#35. Chad Scott (DB)
- City: Capitol Heights
- Years played: 1997-2006 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 108
- Weighted career value: 41
#34. Daryl Gardener (DT)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1996-2003 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 102
- Weighted career value: 42
#32. Carlton Bailey (LB) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1988-1997 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 142
- Weighted career value: 43
#32. Ron Solt (G) (tie)
- City: Bainbridge
- Years played: 1984-1992 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 116
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 43
#29. David Alexander (C) (tie)
- City: Silver Spring
- Years played: 1987-1996 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 131
- Weighted career value: 47
#29. E.J. Henderson (LB) (tie)
- City: Aberdeen
- Years played: 2003-2011 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 125
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 47
#29. Reggie Tongue (DB) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1996-2005 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 145
- Weighted career value: 47
#26. Hank Fraley (C) (tie)
- City: Gaithersburg
- Years played: 2001-2010 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 142
- Weighted career value: 48
#26. Kyle Fuller (CB) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 2014-2022 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 113
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 48
#26. Rodney McLeod (S) (tie)
- City: Hyattsville
- Years played: 2012-2024 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 183
- Weighted career value: 48
#24. Irv Pankey (T) (tie)
- City: Aberdeen
- Years played: 1980-1992 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 150
- Weighted career value: 49
#24. Marty Lyons (DE) (tie)
- City: Takoma Park
- Years played: 1979-1989 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 147
- Weighted career value: 49
#21. Shaquil Barrett (OLB) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 2015-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 50
#21. Steve Watson (WR) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1979-1987 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 126
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 50
#21. Tony Greene (DB) (tie)
- City: Clocksburg
- Years played: 1971-1979 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 128
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 50
#20. Donnell Woolford (DB)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1989-1997 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 126
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 51
#19. Raymond Chester (TE)
- City: Cambridge
- Years played: 1970-1981 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 172
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 52
#18. Doug Flutie (QB)
- City: Manchester
- Years played: 1986-2005 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 92
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 53
#17. Todd Gurley (RB)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 2015-2020 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 88
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 54
#15. Greg Koch (T) (tie)
- City: Bethesda
- Years played: 1977-1987 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 159
- Weighted career value: 56
#15. Rob Havenstein (T) (tie)
- City: Mount Airy
- Years played: 2015-2024 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 141
- Weighted career value: 56
#14. E.J. Junior (RLB)
- City: Salisbury
- Years played: 1981-1993 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 170
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 59
#12. Chris Warren (RB) (tie)
- City: Silver Spring
- Years played: 1990-2000 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 162
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 60
#12. Robert Griffith (DB) (tie)
- City: Lanham
- Years played: 1994-2006 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 195
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 60
#11. Trace Armstrong (DE)
- City: Bethesda
- Years played: 1989-2003 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 211
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 61
#10. Joe Haden (DB)
- City: Fort Washington
- Years played: 2010-2021 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 158
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 62
#9. Antonio Freeman (WR)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1995-2003 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 65
#6. Darnell Dockett (DT) (tie)
- City: Burtonsville
- Years played: 2004-2013 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 158
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 69
#6. Julian Peterson (LB) (tie)
- City: Hillcrest Heights
- Years played: 2000-2010 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 158
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 69
#6. Keith Sims (G) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1990-2000 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 142
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 69
#4. Calvin Hill (RB) (tie)
- City: Baltimore
- Years played: 1969-1981 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 156
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 71
#4. NaVorro Bowman (MLB) (tie)
- City: District Heights
- Years played: 2010-2017 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 4
- Weighted career value: 71
#3. Cameron Wake (OLB)
- City: Beltsville
- Years played: 2009-2019 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 155
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 74
#2. Chuck Foreman (RB)
- City: Frederick
- Years played: 1973-1980 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 109
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 78
#1. Stefon Diggs (WR)
- City: Gaithersburg
- Years played: 2015-2024 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 144
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 85
