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RotoBaller's NFL All-Quarter Century Team highlights the best NFL players at every position since 2000. Analysis and insight into the greatest football players.
NFL All-Quarter Century Team: The Best Player at Every Position Since 2000
Greatness can be hard to define, but we think our NFL All-Quarter Century Team speaks for itself. Read ahead for our best player at every position since 2000 and see if you agree with our selections…
Quarterback - Tom Brady (Years Active: 2000-2022)
Brady is the gold standard that all quarterbacks now aspire to. The former sixth-round draft pick went to 10 Super Bowls and won seven – six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and TDs.
Running Back - LaDanian Tomlinson (Years Active: 2001-2011)
One of the most dangerous dual-threat weapons in NFL history, Tomlinson rushed for over 1,200 yards in his first seven NFL seasons. LT earned five Pro Bowl nods, the 2006 NFL MVP, and finished his career with 162 TDs.
Wide Receiver - Randy Moss (Years Active: 1998-2012)
A revolutionary deep threat, Moss was blessed with a freakish combination of size, speed, and leaping ability. While he was known for making highlight-reel plays, his consistency shouldn’t go overlooked, as he had 10 seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. Moss finished his career with 156 TD receptions.
Wide Receiver - Larry Fitzgerald (Years Active: 2004-2020)
Fitzgerald earned his greatness through consistent high-level production and longevity. His ball skills were legendary, as he only had 29 documented drops across his 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and topped 1,000 receiving yards in nine of those seasons. He trails only Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time receiving list with 17,492 career yards.
Wide Receiver - Antonio Brown (Years Active: 2010-2021)
While Antonio Brown’s antics during the latter stages of his career and after his retirement might have tarnished his reputation, his on-field performance can’t be ignored for our Quarter-Century team. While with the Steelers from 2013 to 2018, Brown put together put together one of the most dominant stretches for a wide receiver in NFL history, averaging 114 receptions, 1,524 receiving yards, and 11 TDs per year over that six-season span.
Tight End - Rob Gronkowski (Years Active: 2010-2021)
The first 25 years of this century has showcased some of the best tight ends in the history of the game. As the position has continued to evolve, players such as Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, and Travis Kelce have made strong cases as the best to ever play. However, Rob Gronkowski dominance both as a receiver and a blocker set him apart.
“Gronk” was at one point in his career arguably the most unguardable player in the NFL due to his rare combination of size, speed, and strength. He was also an elite run blocker who was a de facto sixth offensive lineman when he stayed inside.
Offensive Tackle - Joe Thomas (Years Active: 2007-2017)
Despite playing for a Browns team that struggled for most of career, Thomas was a certified iron man along the Cleveland offensive line. He never missed a snap until a career-ending injury in his 11th season, playing 10,363 consecutive snaps before the injury. His unparalleled durability helped to earn 10 Pro-Bowl nods and six First-Team All-Pro honors.
Offensive Tackle - Jonathan Ogden (Years Active: 1996-2007)
While his NFL career began in the mid-90s, Jonathan Ogden remained plenty dominant after the year 2000. He was a prototype left tackle for the Ravens, serving as an anchor for a Super Bowl-winning squad. Dominant in both pass protection and run blocking, Ogden was an 11-time Pro Bowler.
Offensive Guard - Alan Faneca (Years Active: 1998-2010)
A bulldozer in the run game, Faneca was perhaps the greatest pulling guard of all time. He made nine Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro teams, while also winning a Super Bowl with the Steelers. While known for his explosive power as a run blocker, Faneca was also an excellent pass protector.
Offensive Guard - Zack Martin (Years Active: 2014-2024)
Martin recently announced his retirement, but will undoubtedly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when his time comes. Widely considered one of the most technically sound offensive lineman in history, Martin famously finished his career with more Pro Bowls (9) than accepted holding penalties against him (7). In an era where pass protection has become increasingly important, Martin’s ability to diagnose blitzes and stunts was flawless.
Center - Jason Kelce (Years Active: 2011-2023)
Now settling into retirement, Kelce redefined the center position during his 13-year career in Philadelphia. He possessed elite athleticism and quickness, as well as an almost unparalleled ability as a puller in the run game. Kelce’s longevity was also impressive, as he played at an All-Pro level into the latter stages of his career while well into his 30s.
Defensive End - J.J. Watt (Years Active: 2011-2022)
A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner, Watt wasn’t just a great pass rusher or run stopper – he was a game wrecker that impacted every aspect of the game. His elite physical tools, relentless motor, and ability to deflect passes at the line of scrimmage made him one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the game.
Defensive End - Myles Garrett (Years Active: 2017-Present)
One of the few active players on our Quarter-Century squad, Garrett gets the nod over some strong competition. Since entering the league, Garrett has been arguably the NFL’s most disruptive edge rusher. The 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he’s recorded double-digit sacks in seven consecutive seasons and already has over 100 sacks for his career.
Defensive Tackle - Aaron Donald (Years Active: 2014-2023)
Donald broke the mold at his position and was a disruptive force unlike anything the NFL had seen from an interior defensive lineman. A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Donald helped the Rams to a Super Bowl title while being named a First-Team All-Pro eight times. He is considered by many to be the greatest defensive tackle of all time.
Defensive Tackle - Vince Wilfork (Years Active: 2004-2016)
The prototypical nose tackle, Wilfork dominated double teams while stuffing the run. He had surprising quickness and agility for a man that routinely weighed in at 325+ lbs. Wilfork’s durability and leadership was a steadying presence for the Patriots dynasty, and he won two Super Bowl titles while in New England.
Linebacker - DeMarcus Ware (Years Active: 2005-2016)
One of the most feared and productive pass rushers of his (or any other) era, Ware finished his career with 138.5 sacks. He had seven consecutive with 10+ sacks, a feat that highlights his elite consistency. Often utilized as an outside linebacker in 3-4 schemes, Ware wasn’t just a pass rusher. His versatility allowed him to excel when setting the edge against the run or dropping into coverage.
Linebacker - Ray Lewis (Years Active: 1996-2012)
The heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens defense for over a decade, Lewis is one of the most impactful and iconic middle linebackers in NFL history. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion, he demonstrated exceptional instincts for the game while racking up an NFL-record 2,059 tackles and 12 Pro Bowl nods across his storied career.
Linebacker - Von Miller (Years Active: 2011-Present)
One of the few active players with over 100 career sacks, Miller was a certified game wrecker in his prime, winning Super Bowl titles with both the Broncos and Rams. He earned Super Bowl MVP honors for his unforgettable performance in Super Bowl 50 – a game in which he logged 2.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. Miller had a knack for making the biggest plays in the biggest games. He was an unstoppable pass-rushing force who used both speed and power to reach opposing QBs.
Cornerback - Darrelle Revis (Years Active: 2007-2017)
The “Revis Island” nickname wasn’t just catchy, it was accurate. For stretches of his illustrious career, Darrelle Revis simply took whatever receiver he was covering – usually the other team’s top WR – out of the game. The fact that he “only” had 29 career interceptions is a testament to the fact that opposing QBs simply refused to throw the ball in his direction for a number of years.
Cornerback - Champ Bailey (Years Active: 1999-2013)
One of the few corners who could play both man and zone at an equally high level, Bailey was a shutdown CB for a remarkably-long period of time. He holds the NFL record for most career passes defended (203) and earned 12 Pro Bowl selections. His longevity at a premium position was truly astounding.
Free Safety - Ed Reed (Years Active: 2002-2013)
Reed was a cornerstone of Baltimore’s dominant defenses for over a decade. A legendary ball hawk, he led the NFL in interceptions a record-tying three times and hold the all-time NFL record for most career interception return yards. In addition to the interceptions, Reed was a versatile playmaker who became the first player in NFL history to score TDs off a punt return, blocked punt, interception, and fumble recovery.
Strong Safety - Troy Polamalu (Years Active: 2003-2014)
A truly unique player, Polamalu is well-known for his unpredictable playmaking and aggressive style. He redefined the strong safety position, often by deploying a “positionless”, roaming style ahead of the snap. Polamalu impacted every facet of the game from rushing the quarterback, attacking the run, and covering deep. He helped lead the Steelers to a pair of Super Bowl titles over his unforgettable 12-year tenure in Pittsburgh.
Kicker - Adam Vinatieri (Years Active: 1996-2019)
This position is a two-man race between Vinatieri and Justin Tucker, though we’ll give the nod to Vinatieri because he was simply so clutch for so long. He made numerous game-winning and Super Bowl-deciding kicks for both the Patriots and Colts. Vinatieri is the NFL’s all-time points scoring leader. He won three Super Bowl titles with New England and one with Indianapolis.
Punter - Johnny Hekker (Years Active: 2012-Present)
Hekker has revolutionized the position with his exceptional net punting average and pinpoint directional kicking. He holds the NFL single-season record for punts inside the 20 (51 in 2016). A four-time First-Team All-Pro selection, Hekker’s career net average is 42.9 yards per punt, and his athleticism has consistently made him a great weapon on fake punts.
