Best NFL players born in South Dakota
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 South Dakota.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#25. Bob Stransky (HB) (tie)
- City: Yankton
- Years played: 1960-1960
- Games played: 14
- Weighted career value: 1
#25. Mike Busch (QB) (tie)
- City: Huron
- Years played: 1987-1987
- Games played: 2
- Weighted career value: 1
#25. Neil Graff (QB) (tie)
- City: Sioux Falls
- Years played: 1974-1977
- Games played: 29
- Weighted career value: 1
#22. Matt Farniok (G) (tie)
- City: Sioux Falls
- Years played: 2021-2022
- Games played: 19
- Weighted career value: 2
#22. Robb White (DE) (tie)
- City: Aberdeen
- Years played: 1988-1990
- Games played: 23
- Weighted career value: 2
#22. Tom Welter (T) (tie)
- City: Yankton
- Years played: 1987-1987
- Games played: 3
- Weighted career value: 2
#21. Derrek Tuszka (DL)
- City: Warner
- Years played: 2020-2022
- Games played: 39
- Weighted career value: 3
#20. Cooper DeJean (DB)
- City: Sioux Falls
- Years played: 2024-2024
- Games played: 16
- Weighted career value: 5
#19. Craig Puki (RILB)
- City: Deadwood
- Years played: 1980-1982
- Games played: 39
- Weighted career value: 7
#18. Larry Jacobson (DT)
- City: Sioux Falls
- Years played: 1972-1974
- Games played: 33
- Weighted career value: 9
#16. Duane Putnam (G) (tie)
- City: Pollack
- Years played: 1952-1962 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 121
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 11
#16. Tucker Kraft (TE) (tie)
- City: Timber Lake
- Years played: 2023-2024
- Games played: 34
- Weighted career value: 11
#15. Bill Winter (LB)
- City: Milbank
- Years played: 1962-1964 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 33
- Weighted career value: 13
#14. Norm Van Brocklin (QB)
- City: Eagle Butte
- Years played: 1949-1960 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 140
- Pro Bowl selections: 9
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 17
#13. Nathan Gerry (SS)
- City: Sioux Falls
- Years played: 2017-2022
- Games played: 50
- Weighted career value: 18
#12. Bryan Schwartz (LB)
- City: Miller
- Years played: 1995-1999 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 55
- Weighted career value: 19
#11. Bob Scholtz (C)
- City: Watertown
- Years played: 1960-1966 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 81
- Weighted career value: 27
#10. Paul Laaveg (G)
- City: Sioux Falls
- Years played: 1970-1975 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 72
- Weighted career value: 29
#9. Dallas Goedert (TE)
- City: Britton
- Years played: 2018-2024 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 93
- Weighted career value: 35
#8. Sonny Bishop (G)
- City: Winner
- Years played: 1962-1969 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 110
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 37
#7. Jay Novacek (TE)
- City: Martin
- Years played: 1985-1995 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 158
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 44
#6. Adam Vinatieri (K)
- City: Yankton
- Years played: 1996-2019
- Games played: 365
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 46
#5. Dallas Clark (TE)
- City: Sioux Falls
- Years played: 2003-2013 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 143
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 51
#4. Riley Reiff (T)
- City: Parkston
- Years played: 2012-2023 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 164
- Weighted career value: 60
#3. Chad Greenway (LB)
- City: Mount Vernon
- Years played: 2007-2016 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 156
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 66
#2. Ordell Braase (DE)
- City: Mitchell
- Years played: 1957-1968 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 157
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 70
#1. John Dutton (DT)
- City: Rapid City
- Years played: 1974-1987 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 185
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 72
