Top Ten Greatest NFL Defenders of All Time

It is often said in football that defense wins championships and rightfully so. These players are often considered the bad guys of the game, yet they are also the necessary means to win championships. Consider the "Doomsday Defense" of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s-1970s, the Pittsburgh Steelers "Steel Curtain" of the 1970s, the 49ers defense in the 1980s, the Chicago Bears defense in the 1980s, the New York Giants' "Big Blue Wrecking Crew" led by Lawrence Taylor, and more recently the Baltimore Ravens led by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and the Seattle Seahawks' "Legion of Boom". These are all examples of Super Bowl dynasties that we're carried by their solid defense.

For defensive players I'm going to group them all into one category, rather than separate positions. I'm also going to include more than 10 with several honorable mentions since I'll be covering various positions. It's quite different ranking defensive players as opposed to QBs, RBs, or WRs because the stats are not quite as definitive. For example a player with the most tackles does not make him the greatest defender of all time (also these statistics are not as historically compiled as yards gained). There's also other stats to consider such as sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, and just play disruption in general. So here is my list of top 10 as well as honorable mentions. Many of these names came before my time however I have often heard of their significant impact on the game. This post will give me a chance to better understand and share their defensive legacy.

Honorable Mention

Charles Woodson

• Career: Oakland Raiders (1998-2005) Green Bay Packers (2006-2012) Oakland Raiders (2013-2015)
• Position: Cornerback, Safety
• Tackles: 1,105
• Interceptions: 65; 5th all time
• Sacks: 20
• Pro-Bowls: 9 (1998-2001, 2008-2011, 2015)
• Super Bowls: 1 (2011)
• Defensive MVP: 1 (2009)
• Legacy: He is the most recent person on this list, still yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame but should surely be a 1st ballot selection. He has a very impressive resume going back into his college days with Michigan where he won the Heisman Trophy and also the National Championship in 1997. In those days he was an all around threat on defense, offense, and special teams as a superstar kick returner. In the NFL he quickly thrived with the Oakland Raiders and won Rookie of the Year in 1998. He went on to make 9 Pro Bowls, was selected Defensive MVP in 2009, and led the league in interceptions twice in 2009 and 2011. With the Green Bay Packers he was able to win his first and only super bowl. He finished his last three seasons with the Oakland Raiders. 

Dick Lane

• Career: Los Angeles Rams (1952-1953) Chicago Cardinals (1954-1959) Detroit Lions (1960-1965)
• Position: Cornerback
• Interceptions: 68; 4th all time
• Games Played: 157
• Pro-Bowls: 7 (1954-1956, 1958, 1960-1962)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Defensive MVP: 0
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1974
• Legacy: He is a legendary cornerback who was dubbed the "Night Train" in his rookie season with the LA Rams, since he would always listen to the famous hit song by Jimmy Forrest. His claim to fame was his coverage and interceptions of which he set many records in. For two seasons he was the league's interception leader in 1952 and 1954. In 1952 his 14 interceptions in a regular season is a record that still stands today. He made the Pro Bowl 7 times and currently sits 4th on the all time interceptions list.  

Julius Peppers

• Career: Carolina Panthers (2002-2009) Chicago Bears (2010-2013) Green Bay Packers (2014-2016) Carolina Panthers (2017-present)
• Position: Defensive End
• Tackles: 700
• Interceptions: 11
• Sacks: 155; 4th all time
• Pro-Bowls: 9 (2004-2006, 2008-2012, 2015)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Defensive MVP: 0
• Legacy: He is the only active player on this list who continues to add to his legendary resume. He has dominated the defensive line for 18 seasons now and is currently 4th all time for sacks. In his first season with the Carolina Panthers he became Rookie of the Year in 2002. He went on to make 9 Pro Bowls with the Panthers, Bears, and Packers. His size, strength, intelligence, and quickness have made him one of the most disruptive defensive lineman of the modern day. 

Bob Lilly

• Career: Dallas Cowboys (1961-1974)
  
• Position: Defensive Tackle
• Games Played: 196
• Pro-Bowls: 11 (1962, 1964-1973)
• Super Bowls: 1 (1972)
• Defensive MVP: 0
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1980
• Legacy: He was long before my time, however his name has become iconic with legendary defenders. Throughout the 1960s he was the heart of the Dallas defense often referred to as "Mr. Cowboy". Under the coaching of legendary Tom Landry, the Cowboys established themselves as a team to be reckoned with. Much of this was thanks to the leadership of Lilly and star linebacker Chuck Howley who established one of the best defenses in the league known as the "Doomsday Defense".  In 1972 the Dallas Cowboys won their 1st Super Bowl under the management of Tom Landry, star quarterback Roger Staubach, and the Doomsday Defense led by Bob Lilly. Throughout his career he went on to make the Pro Bowl 11 times and is considered an all time Cowboy and football legend. 

Mel Blount

• Career: Pittsburg Steelers (1970-1983)
• Position: Cornerback
• Interceptions: 57; 13th all time
• Games Played: 200
• Pro-Bowls: 5 (1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981)
• Super Bowls: 4 (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980)
• Defensive MVP: 1 (1975)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1989
• Legacy: He is yet another defensive legend whose name has become synonymous with defensive secondary coverage. He was a key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers 1970s dynasty which consisted of the Steel Curtain at the defensive line, and the star quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Blount's style of play was very physical and he was able to disrupt routes thru extremely tight coverage in a time where pass interference and defensive holding penalties were not as enforced. In the middle of his career, the coverage rules were changed in which the DB could only make contact with the receiver 5 years from the line of scrimmage. The rule was fittingly named after Mel Blount. His career accomplishments demonstrate his legacy. He was defensive MVP in 1975 in which he also led the league that season in interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl 5 times and helped his team win the Super Bowl 4 times.  

Ed Reed

• Career: Baltimore Ravens (2002-2012) Houston Texans (2013) New York Jets (2013)
• Position: Safety
• Tackles: 643
• Interceptions: 64; 7th all time
• Sacks: 6
• Pro-Bowls: 9 (2003, 2004, 2006-2012)
• Super Bowls: 1 (2013)
• Defensive MVP: 1 (2004)
• Legacy: He is a modern day defensive legend and a key member of the iconic Baltimore Raven defense. His claim to fame was his knack to track the ball, a skill he acquired by studying his quarterbacks and receivers. He was an interception hound and lead the league for 3 seasons (2004, 2008, 2010) in most interceptions. In 2004 he won the honors of Most Valuable Defensive Player. He has many defensive records including longest interception touchdown for 107 yards. He made the Pro Bowl 9 times, won the Super Bowl once, and sits 7th on the all time interception list. He is recently up for Hall of Fame inclusion and should be a 1st ballot selection.  

Paul Krause

• Career: Washington Redskins (1964-1967) Minnesota Vikings (1968-1979) 
• Position: Safety
• Interceptions: 81; 1st all time
• Games Played: 226
• Pro-Bowls: 8 (1964, 1965, 1969, 1971-1975) 
• Super Bowls: 1 (1969)
• Defensive MVP: 0
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1998
• Legacy: He is yet another old-school defensive icon, best regarded for his interception greatness of which he still holds the all time record at 81. This appears to be an untouchable record in the modern game with nobody even close to the rate of which Krause made interceptions. He played for 16 seasons and made the Pro-Bowl 8 times. In 1969 he helped his Minnesota Vikings win the last championship before the Super Bowl era began. 

Derrick Thomas

• Career: Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1999)
  
• Position: Outside Linebacker; Defensive End
• Tackles: 642
• Sacks: 126.5; 17th all time
• Pro-Bowls: 9 (1989-1997)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Defensive MVP: 0
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2009
• Legacy: He was a defensive superstar when I began tuning into the NFL in the mid 1990s, often considered one of the greatest pass rushers of all time. He was Rookie of the Year in 1989 after his first season with the Kansaas City Chiefs. The next year he led the league in sacks with an impressive 20. His most impressive record was his 7 sacks in one game against the Seattle Seahawks in 1990, a record that still stands to this day. Although he never won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs, he went on to make the Pro Bowl 9 times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 and passed away at the early age of 33 due to a blood clot.  

Ronnie Lott

• Career: San Francisco 49ers (1981-1990) Los Angeles Raiders (1991-1992) New York Jets (1993-1994) Kansas City Chiefs (1995) San Francisco 49ers (1995)
• Position: Defensive Back
• Tackles: 1,146
• Interceptions: 63; 8th all time
• Pro-Bowls: 10 (1981-1984, 1986-1991)
• Super Bowls: 4 (1982, 1985, 1989, 1990)
• Defensive MVP: 0
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2000
• Legacy: He is often considered among the defensive greats at the safety position high up on the all time interceptions list. He played with various teams however his greatest was with the San Francisco 49ers. During this time in the 1980s he helped establish the 49ers as a dynasty, helping them win 4 Super Bowls. He made the Pro Bowl 10 times and for two seasons he lead the league in interceptions in 1986 and 1991. His number was retired by the 49ers and he made the Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Jack Lambert

• Career: Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1984)
• Position: Middle linebacker
• Games played: 146
• Tackles: 1479
• Interceptions: 28
• Sacks: 23.5
• Pro-Bowls: 9 (1975-1983)
• Super Bowls: 4 (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980)
• Defensive MVP: 2 (1976, 1983) 
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1990
• Legacy: He was a key member of the Steel Curtain Pittsburgh defense of the 1970s, often considered one of the meanest linebackers of his time. During his impressive career with the Steelers, he made the Pro Bowl 9 times and won Defensive Player of the Year twice in 1975 and 1983. He helped the Steelers win 4 Super Bowls throughout the 1970s, and along with Mel Blount and Mean Joe Green made up one of the most dynamic defenses in NFL history. 

Top Ten


10. Rod Woodson

• Career: Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-1996) San Francisco 49ers (1997) Baltimore Ravens (1998-2001) Oakland Raiders (2002-2003)
• Position: Safety, Cornerback
• Tackles: 1,049
• Interceptions: 71; 3rd all time
• Pro-Bowls: 11 (1989-1994, 1996, 1999-2002)
• Super Bowls: 1 (2001)
• Defensive MVP: 1 (1993)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2009
• Legacy: He is a fellow Fort Wayne native arguably the greatest athlete to ever come from my home city. He was in his prime with the Pittsburgh Steelers when I began tuning into the NFL. He was one of the smartest most effective defensive backs in the game, quick yet also capable to deliver brutal hits. He also had a keen eye for interceptions and for two seasons he lead the league in interceptions in 1999 and 2002. He sits 3rd all time on total interceptions at the impressive number of 71. He was Defensive MVP in 1993 and made the Pro Bowl 11 times. He came up short in the 1996 Super Bowl against the Cowboys however was able to win himself a ring with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001.  

9. Mike Singletary

• Career: Chicago Bears (1981-1992)
• Position: Middle Linebacker
• Tackles: 1,488
• Interceptions: 7
• Sacks: 19
• Pro-Bowls: 10 (1983-1992)
• Super Bowls: 1 (1985)
• Defensive MVP: 2 (1985, 1988)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1998
• Legacy: He was the heart of Chicago Bears defense in the 1980s leading them to their 1st and only Super Bowl victory in 1985. He is a perfect example of a defensive player who did not dominate on the stat sheet however still dominated on the field. He was referred to as Samurai Mike or the Minister of Defense for the incredible intensity and focus he brought to the game. He made the Pro Bowl 10 times nearly every year he played and was awarded Defensive MVP for two seasons in 1985 and 1988. He is one of several legendary Chicago Bears linebackers. 

8. Ray Lewis

• Career: Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012)
  
• Position: Middle Linebacker
• Tackles: 2061
• Interceptions: 31
• Sacks: 41.5 
• Pro-Bowls: 13 (1997-2001, 2003, 2004, 2006-2011)
• Super Bowls: 2 (2001, 2013)
• Defensive MVP: 2 (2000, 2003)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2018
• Legacy: Ray Lewis is one of the first defensive superstars I witnessed rise in the NFL. Along with Brian Urlacher there was no other linebacker quite as dominant in the 2000s. He was the driving force that established the new franchise of the Baltimore Ravens as a defensive team the past 20 years now. He was smart as he was ruthless, a hard hitting versatile player. He made the Pro Bowl 13 times, won the defensive MVP twice in 2000 and 2003, and helped his team win two Super Bowls. He was the captain and face of the Ravens for 17 seasons and his iconic pre-game entrance will forever live on as a NFL trademark. 

7. Deacon Jones

• Career: Los Angeles Rams (1961-1971) San Diego Chargers (1972-1973) Washington Redskins (1974)
• Position: Defensive End
• Games Played: 191
• Unofficial Sacks: 173; 3rd all time
• Pro-Bowls: 8 (1964-1970, 1972)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Defensive MVP: 2 (1967, 1968)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1980
• Legacy: He came way before my time however his name is among the legends of defensive football known as the "Secretary of Defense". He is often credited as the king of sacks, in a time when the statistic of sacks was not recorded. He had a revolutionary technique to get past offensive linemen thru speed and hand-work and bring the quarterback down. He is also often credited with coining the phrase sack as well as it being recorded as a statistic. He would have been 3rd all time had all his sacks been recorded. He never won a Super Bowl however he was selected Defensive MVP twice in his career and made the Pro Bowl 8 times.   

6. Deion Sanders

• Career: Atlanta Falcons (1989-1993) San Francisco 49ers (1994) Dallas Cowboys (1995-1999) Washington Redskins (2000) Baltimore Ravens (2004-2005) 
• Position: Cornerback, Punt Returner
• Interceptions: 53; 25th all time
• Pro-Bowls: 8 (1991-1994, 1996-1999)
• Super Bowls: 2 (1995, 1996)
• Defensive MVP: 1 (1994)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2011
• Legacy: Deion "Prime-Time" Sanders was in his prime when I began tuning into the NFL. He was the premier defensive back for the Falcons, 49ers and the Cowboys through their dominant years. He was a key part of the 49ers Super Bowl win in 1995 and the Dallas Cowboys win in 1996. He was known for his incredible speed which made him very effective on pass coverage and intercepting the ball. He was also one of the greatest kickoff/punt returners of all time. He was also known for his celebrations and entertaining flair he brought to the game, most notable his high step into the end zone. He was selected MVP in the 1994 season and made it to 8 Pro-Bowls throughout his career. He also played professional baseball for nine seasons with above average statistics. His overall athleticism on the field has hardly been matched to this day. 

5. Dick Butkus

• Career: 1965-1973
• Position: Linebacker
• Games Played: 119
• Interceptions: 22
• Pro-Bowls: 8 (1965-1972)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Defensive MVP: 2 (1969, 1970)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1979
• Legacy: He is yet another iconic Chicago Bears linebacker often considered one of the greatest most hardest hitting of all time. He set a record in his time for fumbles recovered at 27, and instilled fear in all who went up against him. He was also extremely quick and agile for the larger size. Although he never won a Super Bowl with his team, he went on to make the Pro Bowl 8 seasons (almost every season he played) and was also selected as the defensive player of the year for 2 seasons. 

4. Reggie White

• Career: Philadelphia Eagles (1985-1992) Green Bay Packers (1993-1998) Carolina Panthers (2000)
• Position: Defensive End
• Interceptions: 3
• Sacks: 198; 2nd all time
• Pro-Bowls: 13 (1986-1998)
• Super Bowls: 1 (1997)
• Defensive MVP: (1987, 1998)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2006
• Legacy: He is yet another iconic superstar defensive player who was in his heyday when I began watching the NFL. I especially remember him with the Green Bay Packers leading their defense to win the Super Bowl in 1997. However before he arrived with the Packers he had already become a superstar with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was also a sack specialist and had a way to get pass the offensive line and to the quarterback. He finished just 1 sack shy of the all time record behind Bruce Smith' (who began and retired almost the same years as Reggie). Reggie made the Pro Bowl an impressive 13 times and won Defensive MVP honors twice in 1987 and 1998. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 2006 and his number was retired by both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. He unfortunately died at the young age of 43 suffering cardiac arrest during his sleep. 

3. Bruce Smith

• Career: Buffalo Bills (1985-1999) 
• Position: Defensive End
• Tackles: 1,225
• Sacks: 200; 1st all time
• Pro-Bowls: 11 (1987-1990, 1992-1998)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Defensive MVP: 2 (1990, 1996)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2009
• Legacy: I remember Bruce Smith was in his heyday when I began following the NFL as a kid, and was considered one of the most destructive defensive linemen in the game. He was one of several superstars for the Buffalo Bills and lead their defense to 4 unsuccessful Super Bowl runs. Throughout his career he was regarded as a sack expert and set the all time record at 200 sacks which still stands today. He made the Pro Bowl nearly every season he played and won defensive MVP honors twice in his career. His number was retired by the Bills, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame on a 1st ballot, and he sits atop a record for sacks that may never be matched. 

2. Joe Green

• Career: Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1981)
  
• Position: Defensive Tackle
• Games Played: 181
• Unofficial Sacks: 78.5
• Pro-Bowls: 10 (1969-1976, 1978, 1979) 
• Super Bowls: 4 (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980)
• Defensive MVP: 2 (1972, 1974)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1987
• Legacy: He is perhaps one of the most iconic legendary defensive linemen of all time famous for his nickname "Mean" Joe Green. He has also become a pop-culture sensation from his iconic Coca-Cola commercial in 1979 where he gave his jersey to a young fan. He was the centerpiece of the infamous Pittsburgh Steelers defense known as the "Steel Curtain" which won 4 Super Bowls during the 1970s. He made it to 10 Pro-Bowls and was chosen twice as the Defensive MVP in 1972 and 1974. His nickname was "mean" because he played extremely hard and physical. His aggressive demeanor of play has become a benchmark for any great defensive linemen in the game today.  

1. Lawrence Taylor

• Career: New York Giants (1981-1993)
  
• Position: Linebacker
• Tackles: 1,089
• Interceptions: 9 
• Sacks: 132.5; 13th all time
• Pro-Bowls: 10 (1981-1990)
• Super Bowls: 2 (1987, 1991)
• Defensive MVP: 3 (1981, 1982, 1986)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1999
• Legacy: He is often considered the undisputed greatest defender of all time, perhaps in the likes of Jerry Rice at the receiver position. Not so much for his stats but his general dominant style of play. He was the centerpiece of the infamous "Big Blue Wrecking Crew" for the New York Giants that lead his team to two Superbowl championships in 1987 and 1991. He was known for his strength, quickness, intelligence, yet also intimidation at the linebacker position. He was able to create fear among offenses that he went against thru his trash talking and hard hitting style. In 1981 he was selected as Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl 10 times from 1981 to 1990. He led the league in sacks in 1986 at an impressive 20.5 and sits 13th all time on the career sacks list. He won Defensive MVP honors 3 times in his career (Only JJ Watt has matched this feat). His name is synonymous with NFL legends and regarded as the undeniable greatest defensive player of all time.