One assumed his football dream was dead after he was cut by his college team as a freshman walk-on.
Another floundered academically in high school and watched every college that recruited him give up.
A third hurt his knee so badly that doctors warned him they might have to amputate his lower leg.
A fourth had to make a name for himself playing for a high school that consisted of portable trailers and little else.
Haason Reddick, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham each took unconventional, obstacle-laden roads to get to the NFL.