Best NFL players born in Minnesota
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 Minnesota.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#50. Gordy Holz (DT)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 1960-1964 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 70
- Weighted career value: 25
#49. Steve Martin (DT)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 1996-2004 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 127
- Weighted career value: 26
#48. Steve Neils (LOLB)
- City: St. Peter
- Years played: 1974-1980 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 88
- Weighted career value: 27
#43. Frank Youso (T) (tie)
- City: International Falls
- Years played: 1958-1965 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 92
- Weighted career value: 28
#43. Jay Foreman (OLB) (tie)
- City: Eden Prairie
- Years played: 1999-2006 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 84
- Weighted career value: 28
#43. John Richardson (DT) (tie)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 1967-1973 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 88
- Weighted career value: 28
#43. Michael Floyd (WR) (tie)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 2012-2018 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 102
- Weighted career value: 28
#43. Tom MacLeod (LB) (tie)
- City: Proctor
- Years played: 1973-1978 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 64
- Weighted career value: 28
#38. Dick Enderle (G) (tie)
- City: Breckenridge
- Years played: 1969-1976 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 96
- Weighted career value: 29
#38. John Campbell (LLB) (tie)
- City: Wadena
- Years played: 1963-1969 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 88
- Weighted career value: 29
#38. Jon Borchardt (G) (tie)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 1979-1987 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 130
- Weighted career value: 29
#38. Russell Gary (DB) (tie)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 1981-1987 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 80
- Weighted career value: 29
#38. Todd Kalis (G) (tie)
- City: Stillwater
- Years played: 1988-1995 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 103
- Weighted career value: 29
#37. Rohn Stark (P)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 1982-1997
- Games played: 233
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 31
#34. Barry Bennett (DT) (tie)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 1978-1988 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Weighted career value: 32
#34. Bob Schmidt (C) (tie)
- City: Rochester
- Years played: 1959-1967 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 32
#34. Errol Mann (K) (tie)
- City: Breckenridge
- Years played: 1968-1978
- Games played: 137
- Weighted career value: 32
#32. Jeff Wright (DB) (tie)
- City: Edina
- Years played: 1971-1977 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 83
- Weighted career value: 33
#32. Ryan Harris (T) (tie)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 2007-2016 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 114
- Weighted career value: 33
#31. Billy Turner (T)
- City: Shoreview
- Years played: 2014-2023 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 105
- Weighted career value: 35
#29. Corbin Lacina (G) (tie)
- City: Mankato
- Years played: 1994-2003 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 129
- Weighted career value: 37
#29. Jim Bertelsen (RB) (tie)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 1972-1976 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 68
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 37
#28. Bob Wetoska (T)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 1960-1969 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 128
- Weighted career value: 38
#26. Marion Barber III (RB) (tie)
- City: Plymouth
- Years played: 2005-2011 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 39
#26. Steve Zabel (LB) (tie)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 1970-1979 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 124
- Weighted career value: 39
#25. Justin Hartwig (C)
- City: Mankato
- Years played: 2002-2009 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Weighted career value: 41
#24. Jim Carter (LB)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 1970-1978 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 106
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 43
#23. Steve Kiner (LB)
- City: Sandstone
- Years played: 1970-1978 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 114
- Weighted career value: 44
#22. Eric Decker (WR)
- City: Cold Spring
- Years played: 2010-2017 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 45
#18. John Fina (T) (tie)
- City: Rochester
- Years played: 1992-2002 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 155
- Weighted career value: 48
#18. Les Josephson (RB) (tie)
- City: Minneota
- Years played: 1964-1974 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 129
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 48
#18. Matt Herkenhoff (T) (tie)
- City: Melrose
- Years played: 1976-1985 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 125
- Weighted career value: 48
#18. Milt Sunde (G) (tie)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 1964-1974 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 147
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 48
#16. Frank Ragnow (C) (tie)
- City: Victoria
- Years played: 2018-2024 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 96
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 51
#16. James Laurinaitis (LB) (tie)
- City: Hamel
- Years played: 2009-2016 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 117
- Weighted career value: 51
#15. Dave Casper (TE)
- City: Bemidji
- Years played: 1974-1984 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 147
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 4
- Weighted career value: 52
#14. Ben Hamilton (G)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 2002-2010 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 118
- Weighted career value: 54
#13. Jim LeClair (LB)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 1972-1983 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 158
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 56
#12. Adam Thielen (WR)
- City: Detroit Lakes
- Years played: 2014-2024 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 162
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 61
#11. Larry Cole (DE)
- City: Clarkfield
- Years played: 1968-1980 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 176
- Weighted career value: 62
#10. Jeff Siemon (LB)
- City: Rochester
- Years played: 1972-1982 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 156
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 64
#8. Dave Dalby (C) (tie)
- City: Alexandria
- Years played: 1972-1985 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 205
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 66
#8. Greg Larson (C) (tie)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 1961-1973 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 179
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 66
#7. Steve Nelson (LB)
- City: Farmington
- Years played: 1974-1987 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 174
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 68
#6. Keith Fahnhorst (T)
- City: St. Cloud
- Years played: 1974-1987 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 193
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 74
#5. Gino Cappelletti (FL)
- City: Keewatin
- Years played: 1960-1970 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 153
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- Weighted career value: 78
#4. Matt Birk (C)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 1998-2012 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 210
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- Weighted career value: 83
#3. Jim Langer (C)
- City: Little Falls
- Years played: 1970-1981 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 151
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 90
#2. Larry Fitzgerald (WR)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 2004-2020 (17 years as starter)
- Games played: 263
- Pro Bowl selections: 11
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 93
#1. Terrell Suggs (LB)
- City: Minneapolis
- Years played: 2003-2019 (15 years as starter)
- Games played: 244
- Pro Bowl selections: 7
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 110
