Best NFL players born in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#49. Doug Buffone (LB) (tie)
– Years played: 1966-1979 (11 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 65
#49. Henry Lawrence (T) (tie)
– Years played: 1974-1986 (10 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 65
#48. Mike Hartenstine (DE)
– Years played: 1975-1987 (9 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 66
#43. Ed McCaffrey (WR) (tie)
– Years played: 1991-2003 (6 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 67
#43. Jim Katcavage (DE) (tie)
– Years played: 1956-1968 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 67
#43. Jim Sweeney (C) (tie)
– Years played: 1984-1999 (11 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 67
#43. Matt Millen (LB) (tie)
– Years played: 1980-1991 (12 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 67
– Years played: 1970-1981 (7 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 67
#40. Dan Conners (LB) (tie)
– Years played: 1964-1974 (9 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 68
#40. Matt Schaub (QB) (tie)
– Years played: 2004-2020 (7 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 68
#40. Tom Matte (RB) (tie)
– Years played: 1961-1972 (5 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 68
– Years played: 1991-2001 (8 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 69
#36. Chuck Muncie (RB) (tie)
– Years played: 1976-1984 (7 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 72
#36. Lou Michaels (DE) (tie)
– Years played: 1958-1971 (7 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 72
#36. Marques Colston (WR) (tie)
– Years played: 2006-2015 (7 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 72
#34. Gary Collins (FL) (tie)
– Years played: 1962-1971 (8 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 74
#34. Lincoln Kennedy (T) (tie)
– Years played: 1993-2003 (9 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 74
#32. Eddie George (RB) (tie)
– Years played: 1996-2004 (8 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 76
#32. Joe Klecko (DT) (tie)
– Years played: 1977-1988 (9 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 76
– Years played: 1981-1991 (9 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
– Weighted career value: 78
– Years played: 1989-2001 (12 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 80
– Years played: 1969-1976 (6 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 81
#26. Brandon Marshall (WR) (tie)
– Years played: 2006-2018 (10 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 83
#26. Kerry Collins (QB) (tie)
– Years played: 1995-2011 (11 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 83
#26. LeSean McCoy (RB) (tie)
– Years played: 2009-2020 (10 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 83
– Years played: 1964-1973 (8 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
– Weighted career value: 87
#23. Fred Biletnikoff (WR) (tie)
– Years played: 1965-1978 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 88
– Years played: 1995-2009 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 88
#21. Darrelle Revis (DB) (tie)
– Years played: 2007-2017 (9 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 4
– Weighted career value: 93
#21. Mike Munchak (G) (tie)
– Years played: 1982-1993 (11 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 93
– Years played: 1965-1977 (9 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 94
#18. George Blanda (QB) (tie)
– Years played: 1949-1975 (9 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 97
#18. Rich Gannon (QB) (tie)
– Years played: 1987-2004 (8 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
– Weighted career value: 97
– Years played: 1985-2000 (14 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 98
– Years played: 1992-2001 (9 years as starter)
– Weighted career value: 100
– Years played: 1995-2005 (11 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 102
– Years played: 1986-1996 (11 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 103
– Years played: 1961-1972 (11 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
– Weighted career value: 106
– Years played: 1977-1988 (11 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 107
#11. Cameron Heyward (DT)
– Years played: 2011-2024 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 4
– Weighted career value: 108
– Years played: 1971-1982 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 6
– Weighted career value: 113
#9. Johnny Unitas (QB) (tie)
– Years played: 1956-1973 (14 years as starter)
– Pro Bowl selections: 10
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
– Weighted career value: 113
– Years played: 2006-2017 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 4
– Weighted career value: 114
– Years played: 1975-1988 (11 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 7
– Weighted career value: 116
– Years played: 1997-2011 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
– Weighted career value: 118
#4. Aaron Donald (DT) (tie)
– Years played: 2014-2023 (10 years as starter)
– Pro Bowl selections: 10
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 8
– Weighted career value: 123
#4. Marvin Harrison (WR) (tie)
– Years played: 1996-2008 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
– Weighted career value: 123
– Years played: 1979-1994 (12 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
– Weighted career value: 125
– Years played: 1983-1999 (16 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
– Weighted career value: 145
– Years played: 2008-2022 (15 years as starter)
– All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
– Weighted career value: 146