NFL Analysis
7/24/24
12 min read
Ranking the 10 Greatest Defensive Players in NFL History
Quarterbacks and playmakers have drawn the most excitement throughout the NFL's 105-year history, but the job of a defensive player is the most challenging task within football. To overcome rules that favor offensive scoring and the fact offensive players know the play call before the snap, the best athletes are usually on the defensive side of the ball.
We're ranking the 10 best defensive players in NFL history. Those who have logged multiple years of high-end production and created a lasting legacy that defined or redefined their position stand out among a huge sea of qualified peers. This list is only for the crème de la crème of defensive stars since the NFL began.
From Mean Joe Greene to Prime Time to The Minister of Defense, where did the greatest defensive players in NFL history land?
Ranking the 10 Best Defensive Players in NFL History
The Hall of Fame sends Happy Birthday wishes to Mean Joe Greene!
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) September 24, 2023
The @steelers legend turns 77 today. pic.twitter.com/lCwRC2dmyR
10. Joe Greene
There are close to a dozen all-time players who have an argument to make this list, but not putting the heart and soul of the Steel Curtain defense would be misguided. Mean Joe Greene was the core of an incredibly loaded defense, springing the Pittsburgh Steelers' rise to the NFL's best defense for much of the 1970s. Simply put, the Steelers don't win four Super Bowls from 1974 to 1979 without Greene.
His 77.5 career sacks are far from the top headline among Greene's impact and contributions. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year made 10 straight Pro Bowls until he turned 34. He also landed on four First-Team All-Pro lists and two Second-Team nods. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder earned his nickname as the most physical player in the league, setting the tone for Chuck Noll's tenure.
An easy inclusion to the All-1970s Team, Greene was too fast, physical, relentless, and determined to be stopped. He totaled eight or more sacks in four out of his first six seasons when the NFL was run-dominant.
9. Rod Woodson
Rod Woodson wasn't just a top cornerback of his time but also excelled as a safety after transitioning to the role in 1999. Throughout his Hall of Fame career, Woodson was recognized with 11 Pro Bowl nods and six first-team All-Pro honors, with his last selection coming at age 37, following a league-leading eight-interception season.
In 17 seasons, Woodson completed his career with 1,158 tackles, 71 interceptions, and 13.5 sacks. He twice led the NFL in interceptions and was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. Woodson holds the NFL record for interceptions returned for touchdowns (12) and fumble recoveries (32).
Additionally, he ranks second in all-time interception return yards (1,483) and third in total interceptions. Woodson was also a key player for the 2000 Baltimore Ravens' defense, a team renowned for allowing the fewest points in a 16-game NFL season and securing a Super Bowl victory.
The great Aaron Donald was selected to his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl. Each season of his career
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) January 4, 2024
That ties him with 2nd most all time consecutive, just behind the great Merlin Olsen (14)
It’s hard to believe the legacy of #99 just continues to grow, but the GOAT is relentless! pic.twitter.com/XDEAD7MW8T
8. Aaron Donald
Despite many doubts regarding the durability of a 6-foot-1, 280-pound defensive tackle like Aaron Donald, he proved to be an unstoppable force until his retirement this offseason. Throughout his career, Donald, a 10-time Pro Bowler and eight-time All-Pro, achieved nearly every accolade imaginable.
He secured a Super Bowl title, was named Defensive Player of the Year three times, and won Defensive Rookie of the Year. The only recognitions that eluded him were the Super Bowl MVP and league MVP honors.
It's fair to argue that Donald could have also easily claimed those awards. In 2018, he broke the record for most tackles for loss, leading the NFL with 20.5 sacks — a highlight of an eight-year stretch during which he always recorded at least eight sacks per season, with only two exceptions where he didn't make the first-team All-Pro.
Donald's secret to success lay in his quickness off the snap, enabling him to penetrate offensive lines and overpower blockers with his agility and power. His remarkable influence during an era marked by peak athleticism and the rise of data analytics only further underscores his dominance in the sport.
7. Deacon Jones
Delving into football history, it's impossible to overlook Deacon Jones, the quintessential sack master whose impact on the game remains immense. This legend of the Los Angeles Rams dominated the NFL before and after the league merged, topping the sack charts no less than five times. Between 1964 and 1969, he boasted an astonishing average of more than 19 sacks per season.
His remarkable achievements naturally led to his induction into the Hall of Fame, inclusion in the All-1960s Team, eight Pro Bowl selections, and five All-Pro honors.
Viewing footage of the 6-foot-5, 272-pound defensive end is akin to watching a grown man effortlessly dominate much younger opponents with sheer power and zeal. Jones narrowly missed out on the 1967 MVP, finishing just behind Johnny Unitas and Gale Sayers, an accomplishment in itself.
Until Reggie White surpassed him 23 years after his retirement, Jones held the record for the most career sacks. This feat underlines the extraordinary level of his talent and performance.
Despite his stats tapering off in the last four years of his career due to physical decline, with only 18.5 sacks, one could speculate that his record might have been even more impressive had he benefited from the technological advances and enhanced training facilities that arrived after his time.
6. Bruce Smith
The league's history honors its all-time sacks leader as one of its most outstanding players. This remarkable athlete, taken as the first overall pick, initiated his career with a promising 6.5 sacks during his debut season. He then had two streaks of five years or more, finishing each season with at least 10 sacks.
His career highlight came in 1990 when he amassed 19 sacks, becoming the pivotal defensive force behind his team's push toward the Super Bowl for three consecutive years. Smith mastered the art of overwhelming blockers by utilizing a combination of speed and strength in his maneuvers. He was equally skilled at outmaneuvering tackles with his speed and overpowering them with brute force.
This remarkable ability secured him 11 Pro Bowl appearances, eight All-Pro selections, inclusion in the All-NFL Teams of the 1980s and 1990s, and two Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
After a 15-year tenure with Buffalo, he spent his final four seasons in Washington. Remarkably, even between the ages of 37 and 40, Smith displayed a high level of play. Although he never topped the NFL in sacks during any single season, his extraordinary consistency left an indelible mark on the game.
5. Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott was one of the most extraordinary talents the NFL has seen. Lott shone in the roles of cornerback, free safety, and strong safety, proving to be a defining force in the San Francisco 49ers' defense. His versatility was such that opposing offenses were compelled to plan their strategies around his presence. Known for his intelligence, dynamism, and effectiveness, Lott consistently disrupted plays, making him someone teams had to avoid.
Lott transitioned to safety after demonstrating All-Pro-worthy performances as a cornerback for four seasons. This shift began a remarkable phase in his career, earning him five First-Team All-Pro selections in six years. Although the 49ers boasted legendary talents like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, Lott's contributions were equally pivotal in defining the team's success during the 1980s.
Notably, Lott led the NFL in interceptions twice, showcasing his exceptional defensive skills, especially in his debut year as a full-time safety, when he snagged 10 interceptions. His career stats are impressive, with 1,146 tackles, 63 interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, 8.5 sacks, and 17 fumble recoveries. Lott's accolades include 10 Pro Bowl appearances, six First-Team All-Pros, four Super Bowl championships, and recognition on All-1980s and 1990s Teams.
Renowned for being arguably the hardest hitter to ever play, Lott combined his unmatched ball skills with a pulverizing ability to tackle, making him a fearsome opponent on the field. His 14-year career was marked by excellence, including three consecutive seasons with more than 100 tackles in his mid-30s, highlighting his enduring athleticism and skill.
I'll never get tired of watching Deion Sanders highlights. pic.twitter.com/8dDQo6Ledd
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) July 13, 2022
4. Deion Sanders
Although he’s now known for his role as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders is by far the best cornerback in NFL history. He’s also one of the elite athletes of all time, famously playing in the NFL and the MLB for eight congruent seasons.
Sanders was a preeminent presence during a time when the league boasted numerous star wide receivers. Recognized for his game-changing abilities, Sanders established himself as a premier shutdown corner. He concluded his illustrious career with 53 interceptions and 1,331 yards returned from interceptions, ranking second in this category upon retirement.
Sanders made history as the first player to record two interception returns for touchdowns exceeding 90 yards in a single season (1994) and ended his career tied for the second-highest interceptions returned for touchdowns, both in a single season (three in 1994) and in the span of his career (nine). In 1994, his extraordinary play earned him the title of the league's Defensive Player of the Year, alongside securing eight Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro nods.
Sanders is often considered the most pivotal player on the defenses of two Super Bowl-winning teams and was honored as part of the 1990s All-Decade Team. His contributions redefined the concept of the "shutdown corner."
2x DPOY + 2x Super Bowl champ. Happy birthday to the great @raylewis! 💪 pic.twitter.com/ymY3Utks5l
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) May 15, 2023
3. Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis's achievements are unparalleled for a player in his position, making him a legendary figure for the Baltimore Ravens. He is the only player in the league's history to achieve more than 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in his career.
Furthermore, with 50 career takeaways, including 31 interceptions and 19 fumble recoveries, he ranks as the second-highest linebacker in terms of takeaways since the merger of the AFL and NFL.
A two-time recipient of the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2000 and 2003, Lewis was the cornerstone of the Ravens' defense in 2000, considered one of the finest defensive units ever in NFL history. That year, the Ravens set records for the fewest rushing yards allowed (970), most shutouts (four), and fewest points conceded (165) in a 16-game season, with Lewis earning the Super Bowl XXXV MVP award.
He concluded his illustrious career with a victory in Super Bowl XLVII, marking his second Super Bowl title.
With a record 2,059 combined tackles (officially tracked since 1987), leading the league three times, and ranking second in solo tackles with 1,568 (since 1994), Lewis is the NFL's all-time leader in these categories. He is also amongst the elite group of only 15 players selected for at least 12 Pro Bowls.
Lewis' career also includes being named a first-team All-Pro seven times, a recognition given to only four other linebackers, and his 10 All-Pro selections set a record for an inside linebacker. His performance and contributions to the game make a strong case for him being the greatest inside linebacker in NFL history.
2. Lawrence Taylor
Deciding who holds the title of history's greatest pass rusher and, therefore, the best overall defensive player is immensely close and could go either way between Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor.
Taylor, who played outside linebacker, changed the game with his unprecedented explosiveness and aggression, setting an incredibly hard-to-match standard. His transformative effect on football is undisputed, and being ninth in all-time sacks hardly scratches the surface of his true influence.
From the moment New York selected him as the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, Taylor, hailing from North Carolina, shined brightly. He clinched the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards, amassing 9.5 sacks in his debut season.
By the end of his illustrious career, Taylor had secured an NFL MVP Award, garnered Defensive Player of the Year honors on two additional occasions, made 10 Pro Bowl appearances, and was selected for eight All-Pro teams.
Despite a shorter career span than some of his contemporaries, with just 18 sacks in his last three seasons before retiring at age 34, Taylor's zenith arguably represents the pinnacle of performance across any position to date.
1. Reggie White
With an astonishing average of 13 sacks per season, Reggie White's career highlights include an impressive streak despite a final season tally of just 5.5 sacks after taking a whole season off.
White became an icon while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, racking up 124 sacks in eight seasons, with standout years where he notched 21 and 18 sacks. His move to the Green Bay Packers at age 31, post-six All-Pro seasons, is often cited as the most successful NFL free agency signing in history.
Contrary to expectations that his best years were behind him, White proved his mettle by securing two more first-team honors during his six years with the Packers. There, he added 68.5 sacks to his record, highlighted by a remarkable 16-sack season in his final year at age 37, which won him the 1998 Defensive Player of the Year Award.
While Smith may hold the all-time sacks record, achieving this milestone required four more seasons than White, who ended his career with a monumental total of 198 sacks. White's unparalleled influence and consistent high-level performance in his career serve as the gold standard for evaluating greatness in the sport, epitomizing what it means to be the greatest of all time in one's field.
