Fansided

Arian Foster and the 10 best undrafted free agents

By Connor Learn

Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs with the ball for a third quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs with the ball for a third quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Priest Holmes
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Priest Holmes /

9. Priest Holmes, RB, Texas

Seeing few carries behind Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, Priest Holmes went undrafted in 1997 before being signed by the Baltimore Ravens. After being inactive during his rookie season, Holmes became the Ravens starter in 1998 and eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards. Despite his 1,000 yard season, the Ravens didn’t want to commit to Holmes and he lost the job during his third season. He was the backup to Jamal Lewis when the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2000. Following that season, Holmes signed an inexpensive contract with the Kansas City Chiefs to little fanfare.

Priest Holmes earned the Chiefs starting job before the 2001 season and soon became a fantasy football king. He ran led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,555 and then ran for 1,615 in 14 games in 2002. Holmes really made noise that season by scoring 24 touchdowns, setting a precedent that he broke in 2003 with a then-NFL-record 27 rushing touchdowns. He joined Emmitt Smith as the only two NFL running backs to ever post back to back 20 touchdown seasons. Holmes was on his way to again breaking the NFL records for touchdowns in 2004, with 15 midway through the season, but was injured and lost the rest of his season.

Priest Holmes never turned in a healthy season again after that. He injured his spinal column and lost his starting role to Larry Johnson. He wasn’t able to return from his spinal injury until 2007, and then he only played for about a month before re-injuring his neck and calling it a career. Holmes retired second in rushing in Kansas City Chiefs history and is their all-time touchdown leader. While his peak in the NFL wasn’t terribly long, it was electric, and Priest Holmes deserves to be remembered for it.

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