In the NFL’s high-octane environment, youth is often at the forefront. However, history has shown that age can provide a special combination of experience and durability for the gridiron. A few players, going against the standard timeline, have joined the league later in life. And they did not fail to establish valuable careers. Let’s look at the tales of the oldest players ever drafted into the NFL.
Oldest Players Picked in NFL Draft History
Chris Weinke: 28 years, 264 days
Chris Weinke’s sports career is one of determination and adaptability. First written up by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990, Weinke played some years of minor league baseball. It was before resuming football at Florida State University in 1997.
The payoff was worth it; he led the Seminoles to a national title in 1999 and 2000 as a 28-year-old. He was the oldest player to win the Heisman Trophy, with 4,167 yards passing and 33 touchdowns in his last year.
Signed by the Carolina Panthers in round four of the 2001 NFL Draft, Weinke’s initial season was challenging because the team achieved a 1–15 record. Barring the disastrous start, he set a franchise record for passing yards in 2006 by throwing 423 yards in a single game.
After spending time with the San Francisco 49ers, Weinke transitioned into coaching. He shared his wealth of experience working at various institutions, including the University of Tennessee.
Brandon Weeden: 28 years, 195 days
Brandon Weeden’s path to the NFL was equally unconventional. The athlete was a one-time second-round MLB draft pick by the New York Yankees in 2002. Weeden played a couple of years of pro baseball before joining Oklahoma State University in 2007. As the starting quarterback for the Cowboys, he set several school records, such as passing yards (4,727) and touchdown passes (37) in a single season.
Weeden was drafted 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns at age 28 in the 2012 NFL Draft, the oldest first-round quarterback in NFL history.
Weeden played in the NFL for the Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans and accumulated 6,462 passing yards and 31 touchdowns. Weeden’s career indicates the potential of athletes making a successful switch from one professional sport to another.
Jeris Pendleton: 28 years, 171 days
Jeris Pendleton’s story is one of determination and toughness. After high school, family responsibilities delayed his college career. He eventually enrolled at Joliet Junior College and then Ashland University, where he was a presence on the defensive line. Pendleton was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft at age 28.
Pendleton played with the Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and Indianapolis Colts in his NFL career. After injury retirement, he transitioned to coach and scout, participating in the NFL’s Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellowship program with the Colts. His post-football life shows a continued passion for the game and a commitment to mentoring future generations of athletes.
Mark Drabczak and Andre King
Mark Drabczak, drafted at age 27 (184 days) by the New Orleans Saints in 1991, and Andre King, drafted at age 27 (146 days) by the Cleveland Browns in 2001, are two late bloomers who maximized their opportunities in the NFL.
KEEP READING: Top 10 College Football RBs of All Time
Though their careers were brief, their journeys to the league highlight the diverse paths that athletes may take to the pinnacle of American football.
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