Best NFL players born in Montana
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 Montana.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Montana. 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 Montana have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#39. Blaine McElmurry (DB) (tie)
- City: Helena
- Years played: 1997-1999
- Games played: 19
- Weighted career value: 1
#39. Ryan Leaf (QB) (tie)
- City: Great Falls
- Years played: 1998-2001
- Games played: 25
- Weighted career value: 1
#39. Steve Sweeney (WR) (tie)
- City: Bozeman
- Years played: 1973-1973
- Games played: 14
- Weighted career value: 1
#37. Kevin Sweeney (QB) (tie)
- City: Bozeman
- Years played: 1987-1988
- Games played: 6
- Weighted career value: 2
#37. Shann Schillinger (DB) (tie)
- City: Baker
- Years played: 2010-2013
- Games played: 37
- Weighted career value: 2
#31. Brian Salonen (LB) (tie)
- City: Glasgow
- Years played: 1984-1985
- Games played: 32
- Weighted career value: 3
#31. Joe Cummings (LB) (tie)
- City: Missoula
- Years played: 1996-1999
- Games played: 28
- Weighted career value: 3
#31. Jordan Tripp (OLB) (tie)
- City: Missoula
- Years played: 2014-2017
- Games played: 37
- Weighted career value: 3
#31. Lex Hilliard (RB) (tie)
- City: Kalispell
- Years played: 2009-2012
- Games played: 62
- Weighted career value: 3
#31. Mike McLeod (DB) (tie)
- City: Bozeman
- Years played: 1984-1985
- Games played: 20
- Weighted career value: 3
#31. Ron Warzeka (DT) (tie)
- City: Great Falls
- Years played: 1960-1960
- Games played: 14
- Weighted career value: 3
#27. Ed Breding (LB) (tie)
- City: Billings
- Years played: 1967-1968
- Games played: 28
- Weighted career value: 5
#27. Marc Mariani (WR) (tie)
- City: Havre
- Years played: 2010-2016
- Games played: 70
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 5
#27. Mike Friede (WR) (tie)
- City: Havre
- Years played: 1980-1981
- Games played: 27
- Weighted career value: 5
#27. Rick Ogle (RLB) (tie)
- City: Bozeman
- Years played: 1971-1972
- Games played: 10
- Weighted career value: 5
#22. Casey Fitzsimmons (TE) (tie)
- City: Wolf Point
- Years played: 2003-2009
- Games played: 99
- Weighted career value: 6
#22. Colt Anderson (DB) (tie)
- City: Butte
- Years played: 2010-2017
- Games played: 84
- Weighted career value: 6
#22. Ed Cummings (MLB) (tie)
- City: Anaconda
- Years played: 1964-1965
- Games played: 25
- Weighted career value: 6
#22. Shane Collins (DE) (tie)
- City: Roundup
- Years played: 1992-1994
- Games played: 30
- Weighted career value: 6
#22. Troy Andersen (LB) (tie)
- City: Dillon
- Years played: 2022-2024
- Games played: 26
- Weighted career value: 6
#20. Dane Fletcher (MLB) (tie)
- City: Bozeman
- Years played: 2010-2014
- Games played: 54
- Weighted career value: 8
#20. Don Schwartz (DB) (tie)
- City: Billings
- Years played: 1978-1981
- Games played: 51
- Weighted career value: 8
#18. Terry Falcon (G) (tie)
- City: Culbertson
- Years played: 1978-1980
- Games played: 31
- Weighted career value: 9
#18. Tom Neville (G) (tie)
- City: Great Falls
- Years played: 1986-1992
- Games played: 50
- Weighted career value: 9
#16. Brock Coyle (MLB) (tie)
- City: Bozeman
- Years played: 2014-2018
- Games played: 52
- Weighted career value: 10
#16. Cory Procter (G) (tie)
- City: Missoula
- Years played: 2007-2010
- Games played: 54
- Weighted career value: 10
#15. Pete Lazetich (DE)
- City: Billings
- Years played: 1972-1977
- Games played: 62
- Weighted career value: 13
#14. Will Dissly (TE)
- City: Bozeman
- Years played: 2018-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 87
- Weighted career value: 15
#13. Tim Hauck (DB)
- City: Butte
- Years played: 1990-2002
- Games played: 183
- Weighted career value: 17
#12. Bob McCullough (G)
- City: Helena
- Years played: 1962-1965 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 56
- Weighted career value: 22
#11. Michael Person (T)
- City: Glendive
- Years played: 2013-2019 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 73
- Weighted career value: 23
#10. Kroy Biermann (OLB)
- City: Hardin
- Years played: 2008-2015 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 114
- Weighted career value: 24
#9. Keith Wortman (T)
- City: Billings
- Years played: 1972-1981 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 96
- Weighted career value: 25
#8. John Friesz (QB)
- City: Missoula
- Years played: 1990-2000
- Games played: 69
- Weighted career value: 26
#7. Kirk Scrafford (T)
- City: Billings
- Years played: 1990-1998 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Weighted career value: 29
#6. Rick Dennison (LILB)
- City: Kalispell
- Years played: 1982-1990 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 128
- Weighted career value: 31
#5. Dwan Edwards (DT)
- City: Billings
- Years played: 2004-2015 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 136
- Weighted career value: 32
#4. Mike Tilleman (DT)
- City: Chinook
- Years played: 1966-1976 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 149
- Weighted career value: 51
#3. Wayne Hawkins (G)
- City: Fort Peck
- Years played: 1960-1969 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 136
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- Weighted career value: 58
#2. Pat Donovan (T)
- City: Helena
- Years played: 1975-1983 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 129
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 64
#1. Jerry Kramer (G)
- City: Jordan
- Years played: 1958-1968 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 130
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
- Weighted career value: 78
