Best NFL players born in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#50. Nick Roach (MLB)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 2007-2013 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 96
- Weighted career value: 32
#49. Michael Bennett (RB)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 2001-2010 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 107
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 34
#48. Cory Raymer (C)
- City: Fond du Lac
- Years played: 1995-2005 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Weighted career value: 35
#46. A.J. Klein (ILB) (tie)
- City: Appleton
- Years played: 2013-2023 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 146
- Weighted career value: 37
#46. Joe Schobert (OLB) (tie)
- City: Waukesha
- Years played: 2016-2022 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 37
#42. Bill Schroeder (WR) (tie)
- City: Eau Claire
- Years played: 1997-2004 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 39
#42. Pete Banaszak (RB) (tie)
- City: Crivitz
- Years played: 1966-1978 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 173
- Weighted career value: 39
#42. Rich Seubert (G) (tie)
- City: Rozellville
- Years played: 2001-2010 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 104
- Weighted career value: 39
#42. Shelby Harris (DE) (tie)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 2014-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 129
- Weighted career value: 39
#40. Ricky Wagner (T) (tie)
- City: West Allis
- Years played: 2013-2020 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 118
- Weighted career value: 41
#40. Terry Stieve (G) (tie)
- City: Baraboo
- Years played: 1976-1984 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 113
- Weighted career value: 41
#39. Mike Reinfeldt (DB)
- City: Baraboo
- Years played: 1976-1983 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 104
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 43
#38. Casey Rabach (C)
- City: Sturgeon Bay
- Years played: 2002-2010 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 137
- Weighted career value: 44
#34. Colin Kaepernick (QB) (tie)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 2011-2016 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 69
- Weighted career value: 45
#34. Dale Hackbart (DB) (tie)
- City: Madison
- Years played: 1960-1973 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 152
- Weighted career value: 45
#34. DeAndre Levy (MLB) (tie)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 2009-2016 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 95
- Weighted career value: 45
#34. John Matuszak (DE) (tie)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 1973-1981 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 123
- Weighted career value: 45
#32. Jim Flanigan (DT) (tie)
- City: Green Bay
- Years played: 1994-2003 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 145
- Weighted career value: 46
#32. Rocky Bleier (RB) (tie)
- City: Appleton
- Years played: 1968-1980 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 140
- Weighted career value: 46
#30. Dave Manders (C) (tie)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 1964-1974 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 139
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 48
#30. John Offerdahl (LB) (tie)
- City: Wisconsin Rapids
- Years played: 1986-1993 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 89
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 48
#29. Doug Free (T)
- City: Manitowoc
- Years played: 2007-2016 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 124
- Weighted career value: 49
#28. Brandon Brooks (G)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 2012-2021 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 114
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 50
#24. Doug Sutherland (DT) (tie)
- City: Superior
- Years played: 1970-1981 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 164
- Weighted career value: 51
#24. Fuzzy Thurston (G) (tie)
- City: Altoona
- Years played: 1958-1967 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 116
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 51
#24. Jim Bakken (K) (tie)
- City: Madison
- Years played: 1962-1978
- Games played: 234
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 51
#24. Melvin Gordon (RB) (tie)
- City: Kenosha
- Years played: 2015-2023 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 112
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 51
#21. Frank Clarke (E) (tie)
- City: Beloit
- Years played: 1957-1967 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 140
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 52
#21. Gale Gillingham (G) (tie)
- City: Madison
- Years played: 1966-1976 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 128
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 52
#21. George Sauer (SE) (tie)
- City: Sheboygan
- Years played: 1965-1970 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 84
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 52
#20. Jeff Dellenbach (C)
- City: Wausau
- Years played: 1985-1999 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 211
- Weighted career value: 53
#19. Mark Tauscher (T)
- City: Marshfield
- Years played: 2000-2010 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 134
- Weighted career value: 55
#18. Tyrone Braxton (DB)
- City: Madison
- Years played: 1987-1999 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 181
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 56
#17. George Kittle (TE)
- City: Madison
- Years played: 2017-2024 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 113
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 57
#16. Karl Kassulke (DB)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 1963-1972 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 131
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 59
#14. Paul Gruber (T) (tie)
- City: Madison
- Years played: 1988-1999 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 183
- Weighted career value: 60
#14. Travis Frederick (C) (tie)
- City: Sharon
- Years played: 2013-2019 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 96
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 60
#13. Jay Schroeder (QB)
- City: Milwaukee
- Years played: 1985-1994 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 118
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 61
#12. Mark Bortz (G)
- City: Pardeeville
- Years played: 1983-1994 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 171
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 62
#10. John Anderson (LB) (tie)
- City: Waukesha
- Years played: 1978-1989 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 146
- Weighted career value: 63
#10. Tim Krumrie (NT) (tie)
- City: Eau Claire
- Years played: 1983-1994 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 188
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 63
#9. Ryan Ramczyk (T)
- City: Stevens Point
- Years played: 2017-2023 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 101
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 64
#8. Kevin Zeitler (G)
- City: Waukesha
- Years played: 2012-2024 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 198
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 66
#7. Tom Newberry (G)
- City: Onalaska
- Years played: 1986-1995 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 147
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 69
#6. Joe Thomas (T)
- City: Brookfield
- Years played: 2007-2017 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 167
- Pro Bowl selections: 10
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 6
- Weighted career value: 85
#5. T.J. Watt (OLB)
- City: Pewaukee
- Years played: 2017-2024 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 121
- Pro Bowl selections: 7
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 4
- Weighted career value: 90
#4. Dave Krieg (QB)
- City: Iola
- Years played: 1980-1998 (12 years as starter)
- Games played: 213
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 97
#3. J.J. Watt (DE)
- City: Pewaukee
- Years played: 2011-2022 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 151
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
- Weighted career value: 110
#2. Jim Otto (C)
- City: Wausau
- Years played: 1960-1974 (15 years as starter)
- Games played: 210
- Pro Bowl selections: 12
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 10
- Weighted career value: 112
#1. Mike Webster (C)
- City: Tomahawk
- Years played: 1974-1990 (14 years as starter)
- Games played: 245
- Pro Bowl selections: 9
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
- Weighted career value: 114
