Best NFL players born in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#50. Steve Trapilo (G)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 1987-1992 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 57
- Weighted career value: 27
#49. Dave Cadigan (G)
- City: Needham
- Years played: 1988-1994 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 82
- Weighted career value: 28
#46. Frank Varrichione (T) (tie)
- City: Natick
- Years played: 1955-1965 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 133
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- Weighted career value: 29
#46. Jacques Cesaire (DE) (tie)
- City: Worcester
- Years played: 2003-2011 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 125
- Weighted career value: 29
#46. Jim Whalen (TE) (tie)
- City: Cambridge
- Years played: 1965-1971 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 89
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 29
#44. Art Graham (SE) (tie)
- City: Somerville
- Years played: 1963-1968 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 75
- Weighted career value: 30
#44. John LoVetere (DT) (tie)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 1959-1965 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 77
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 30
#43. Fred Willis (RB)
- City: Natick
- Years played: 1971-1976 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 77
- Weighted career value: 32
#40. Bill Quinlan (DE) (tie)
- City: Lawrence
- Years played: 1957-1965 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 33
#40. Kiko Alonso (ILB) (tie)
- City: Newton
- Years played: 2013-2019 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 86
- Weighted career value: 33
#40. Stephen Cooper (LILB) (tie)
- City: Wareham
- Years played: 2003-2011 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 125
- Weighted career value: 33
#39. Ross O'Hanley (DB)
- City: Everett
- Years played: 1960-1965 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 77
- Weighted career value: 34
#36. Christian Wilkins (DL) (tie)
- City: Framingham
- Years played: 2019-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 86
- Weighted career value: 35
#36. Dan Ross (TE) (tie)
- City: Malden
- Years played: 1979-1986 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 104
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 35
#36. Fran O'Brien (T) (tie)
- City: Springfield
- Years played: 1959-1968 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 124
- Weighted career value: 35
#34. Breno Giacomini (G) (tie)
- City: Malden
- Years played: 2008-2017 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 94
- Weighted career value: 36
#34. Ron Yankowski (DE) (tie)
- City: Arlington
- Years played: 1971-1980 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 128
- Weighted career value: 36
#33. Ron Wooten (G)
- City: Bourne
- Years played: 1982-1988 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Weighted career value: 37
#32. Jim Cheyunski (LB)
- City: Bridgewater
- Years played: 1968-1976 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 121
- Weighted career value: 39
#31. Mark Bavaro (TE)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 1985-1994 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 126
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 40
#29. Pat Hughes (LB) (tie)
- City: Everett
- Years played: 1970-1979 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 141
- Weighted career value: 41
#29. Will Grant (C) (tie)
- City: Milton
- Years played: 1978-1987 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 129
- Weighted career value: 41
#27. Marc Colombo (T) (tie)
- City: Bridgewater
- Years played: 2002-2011 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 42
#27. Paul Farren (T) (tie)
- City: Weymouth
- Years played: 1983-1991 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Weighted career value: 42
#26. Chris Lindstrom (G)
- City: Dudley
- Years played: 2019-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 88
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 43
#25. Chris Gamble (DB)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 2004-2012 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 123
- Weighted career value: 44
#24. Don McCauley (RB)
- City: Worcester
- Years played: 1971-1981 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 156
- Weighted career value: 45
#23. Bruce Laird (DB)
- City: Lowell
- Years played: 1972-1983 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 164
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 46
#22. Jim Colclough (E)
- City: Medford
- Years played: 1960-1968 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 126
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 47
#21. Milt Morin (TE)
- City: Leominster
- Years played: 1966-1975 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 129
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 48
#19. Erik Howard (NT) (tie)
- City: Pittsfield
- Years played: 1986-1996 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 139
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 49
#19. Lofa Tatupu (LB) (tie)
- City: Wrentham
- Years played: 2005-2010 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 84
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 49
#18. Ron Hallstrom (G)
- City: Holden
- Years played: 1982-1993 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 174
- Weighted career value: 50
#17. Dan Sullivan (G)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 1962-1972 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 140
- Weighted career value: 52
#16. Dave Lapham (G)
- City: Melrose
- Years played: 1974-1983 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 140
- Weighted career value: 54
#15. John Fitzgerald (C)
- City: Southbridge
- Years played: 1971-1980 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 137
- Weighted career value: 55
#14. Bill Brooks (WR)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 1986-1996 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 169
- Weighted career value: 57
#13. Ron Stone (G)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 1994-2005 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 173
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 59
#12. Pete Kendall (G)
- City: Quincy
- Years played: 1996-2008 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 189
- Weighted career value: 63
#11. Bob Dee (DE)
- City: Quincy
- Years played: 1957-1967 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 134
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 64
#10. Mark van Eeghen (RB)
- City: Cambridge
- Years played: 1974-1983 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 136
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 66
#9. Joe Scibelli (G)
- City: Springfield
- Years played: 1961-1975 (15 years as starter)
- Games played: 202
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 67
#7. Joe Nash (NT) (tie)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 1982-1996 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 218
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 76
#7. John Niland (G) (tie)
- City: Quincy
- Years played: 1966-1975 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 138
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 76
#6. Walt Sweeney (G)
- City: Cohasset
- Years played: 1963-1975 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 181
- Pro Bowl selections: 9
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 80
#5. Fred Smerlas (NT)
- City: Waltham
- Years played: 1979-1992 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 200
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 83
#4. Matt Hasselbeck (QB)
- City: Westwood
- Years played: 1999-2015 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 209
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 87
#3. Howie Long (DE)
- City: Somerville
- Years played: 1981-1993 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 179
- Pro Bowl selections: 8
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 95
#2. Tom Nalen (C)
- City: Boston
- Years played: 1994-2007 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 194
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 102
#1. Nick Buoniconti (LB)
- City: Springfield
- Years played: 1962-1976 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 183
- Pro Bowl selections: 8
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
- Weighted career value: 104
