This is a paid, sponsored post. The views expressed are not endorsed by Hudson Valley One or its editorial team.
It’s no secret that the NFL plays host to some of the world’s greatest American football players. These players hail from different US states, and from all over the world, to compete as football’s most elite talent.
Yet there’s something extra special about players that hail from The Empire State that we simply cannot ignore.
Many players from New York have gone on to play a huge role in some of the NFL’s biggest and most successful dynasties including the New York Giants, the New York Jets, and the New England Patriots, to name a few.
But there are a few names that truly stand out. In this article, we’ll be revealing the top NFL players from New York.
Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley was born in the Bronx in 1997. He grew up playing football and idolizing New York Jets star running back Curtis Martin (1998-2006).
Barkley, a talented running back in his own right, played at Penn State for three seasons and was later drafted into the league during the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Unfortunately, injuries have limited the star to minimal games throughout his last three NFL seasons.
However, that hasn’t stopped the New York Giants star from rising to the top in the current 2022 season! He looks to be back to full form and has established himself as one of the NFL’s most offensive weapons.
By taking a look at sports betting odds, you can stay up to date with how Barkley and the other active NFL players on this list (and their respective teams) are currently performing.
Rob Gronkowski
Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski was born in Amherst, New York, in 1989.
Gronk is one of the most prominent personalities to have ever played in the NFL. He embodied everything that a football tight end should be and went on to alter the perception of what the position entails through incredible stats.
Throughout his NFL career, he played with the New England Patriots (2010-2018) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-2021), earning lots of fans for his impressive athleticism and determination both on and off the field.
A.J. Terrell (Rochester)
A.J. Terrell was born in Rochester, New York, in 1998, but spent the majority of his life growing up in Atlanta, Georgia after moving there in 2001.
Terrell made his NFL debut for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 and quickly emerged as one of the most elite shutdown cornerbacks in the league.
He has flourished ever since and continues to dominate his position, playing as one of the most effective defensive players in the modern NFL.
Devin McCourty
The New England Patriots Pro Bowl safety and his twin brother, star cornerback Jason, were born in Nyack in 1987.
Devin was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft and has remained there ever since, signing multiple extension contracts to prolong his time with the team.
McCourty has missed only five games in his Patriots tenure, has received two Pro Bowl selections, and is a core member of three Super Bowl-winning teams. Plus, if that wasn’t enough, McCourty also possesses the highest number of postseason starts for a defensive player!
Jason McCourty
Jason McCourty is a former championship cornerback who excelled on the field, playing for a total of 13 seasons in the NFL.
He played for the Tennessee Titans (2009-2016), Cleveland Browns (2017), New England Patriots (2018-2020), and the Miami Dolphins (2021-2022) as a cornerback. However, he played free safety for the Dolphins.
Jason and Devin were the first set of NFL twins to play together in a Super Bowl.
Art Monk
Monk was born in White Plains, New York, in 1957. He was an established college player with a reputation as an all-time leading receiver and was eventually drafted to the NL during the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft.
He went on to play in the NFL for 14 seasons with the Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders), winning three Super Bowls in this time, the New York Jets in 1994, and the Philadelphia Eagles in the following year.
He’s considered one of the most talented wide receivers to have graced the league.
John Mackey
Born in Roosevelt in 1941, John Mackey entered the NFL during the 1963 draft and played 10 impressive seasons in the league.
He started his career with the Baltimore Colts and played nine seasons with them before his final NFL season with the San Diego Chargers in 1972.
Mackey was noted for an impressive combination of strength, speed, and size that revolutionized the tight end position — specifically showing that not all TEs need to be glorified, offensive linemen.
Mackey was a 1992 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his efforts. He was the second-ever pure tight end to receive this honor.
Summary
As this article shows, New York has produced some of the most recognizable talents in the NFL. With the level of talent drastically increasing each year, we have no doubts that this list will continue to expand as the league progresses.