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Every NFL Team's Greatest Defensive Player - All 32 Franchises
In this ranking, we will identify every NFL team’s greatest defensive player of all time. We will look at several parameters to determine the representative for each team, such as first-team All-Pros, Pro Bowls, Super Bowls, games played, and team statistics. Let’s dive in.
Arizona Cardinals: Larry Wilson, S
Larry Wilson spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the then-St. Louis Cardinals. Across his tenure, the defensive back tallied an incredible 52 interceptions. He led the league interceptions during the 1966 campaign. He was a six-time first-team All-Pro and was nominated to eight Pro Bowls. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Atlanta Falcons: Claude Humphrey, DE
Claude Humphrey holds the franchise record in sacks (99.5). Humphrey played for the Falcons for the first 10 years of his 13-year NFL career. During his time in Atlanta, he won Rookie of the Year (1968) and was named to two first-team All-Pros. In addition, he tallied at least 10 sacks in all but two seasons in Atlanta and was eventually voted into the Hall of Fame.
Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis, LB
Ray Lewis is one of the greatest linebackers of all time. Across his 17-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, Lewis tallied an incredible 2,059 combined tackles, which is the league record. He was named to 12 Pro Bowl rosters and seven first-team All-Pros. He led the league in tackles three times. In addition to his incredible regular season play, he won two Super Bowls with Baltimore and was even named MVP in Super Bowl XXXV.
Buffalo Bills: Bruce Smith, DE
Bruce Smith is the only player in NFL history to record 200 career sacks. During his 15-year career in Buffalo (he played the final four seasons with Washington), Smith was named to an incredible eight first-team All-Pros and 11 Pro Bowls. He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Hall of Fame 1980s team. Even though he fell short in four straight Super Bowls, Smith will go down as one of the best to ever play in league history.
Carolina Panthers: Luke Kuechly, LB
Even though he only played for eight seasons, linebacker Luke Kuechly enjoyed one of the best careers of all time. During this short tenure, the linebacker was named to seven Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pros. He was awarded Defensive Rooke of the Year in 2012 and Defensive Player of the Year during the 2013 campaign. He led the league in combined tackles twice but only logged below 120 tackles twice in his career.
Chicago Bears: Dick Butkus, LB
Dick Butkus was a dominant linebacker during his short nine-year NFL career. He was named to the Pro Bowl during each of his first eight seasons and was named to five first-team All-Pros. During 1968 through 1970, Butkus made first-team All-Pro in each consecutive season. He was later named to the Hall of Fame All-1970s team.
Cincinnati Bengals: Geno Atkins, DT
Geno Atkins was a foundational piece during the 2010s on the Cincinnati defense. The defensive tackle tallied 75.5 career sacks across 11 seasons. He logged 384 career tackles with 100 tackles for a loss. He was named to two first-team All-Pros and eight Pro Bowls. In addition, he was nominated to the Hall of Fame All-2010s roster.
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE
The first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has been one of the best pass rushers in the sport since joining the Cleveland Browns. Garrett has been named to six Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pros through his first eight seasons. He was named 2023 Defensive Player of the Year by the AP and has tallied at least 10 sacks in all but one season of his career.
Dallas Cowboys: Bob Lilly, DT
Bob Lilly spent his entire 14-year NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. During his time in Dallas, he was named to 11 Pro Bowls and seven first-team All-Pros. He was named to six of these first-team All-Pro rosters in consecutive seasons, which is an incredible feat. He played a critical role in kickstarting their dynasty in the NFL, winning MVP honors during Super Bowl VI. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame and named to both the 1960s and 1970s Hall of Fame rosters.
Denver Broncos: Von Miller, LB
Despite only playing with the Broncos for 10 seasons, Von Miller holds the franchise record in sacks (110.5) and forced fumbles (25). Miller was named to three first-team All-Pro teams and eight Pro Bowls with the Broncos. In addition, Miller played a critical role in leading them to a victory in Super Bowl 50 as he was named the MVP of that contest.
Detroit Lions: Joe Schmidt, LB
Joe Schmidt spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions. Throughout his Hall of Fame career, Schmidt made 10 Pro Bowls and an impressive eight first-team All-Pros. He was also named to one second-team All-Pro roster. He was later named to the Hall of Fame All-1950s roster.
Green Bay Packers: Reggie White, DE
One of the greatest defensive players of all time represents the Green Bay Packers on this list. White began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles but proceeded to play six seasons with the Packers. While in Green Bay, White made two first-team All-Pros and four second-team All-Pros. During his tenure, he also received Defensive Player of the Year votes in each season and, more importantly, led the Packers to a Super Bowl XXXI victory.
Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, DE
Despite Houston’s shorter history, one of the greatest players in league history played on their roster for 10 seasons. As a Texan, Watt was named to five first-team All-Pros (four straight) and five Pro Bowls. In addition, Watt was awarded the AP’s Defensive Player of the Year three times. He also led the league in tackles for a loss three times and sacks twice.
Indianapolis Colts: Dwight Freeney, DE
Dwight Freeney was a journeyman during the end of his NFL career but is regarded as one of the greatest Indianapolis Colts of all time. Freeney spent the first 11 seasons of his 16-year with the Colts. He made an immediate impact during his rookie season, forcing an impressive nine fumbles and 13 sacks. Later in his career, Freeney made three first-team All-Pros and won Super Bowl XLI with the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Paul Posluszny, LB
Paul Posluszny spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Buffalo but is more known for his time in Duvall County. During his seven-year tenure in Jacksonville, Posluszny tallied 587 tackles, which is the franchise record. Posluszny led the league in solo tackles with 122 during the 2013 campaign. He was also named to one Pro Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Thomas, LB
Derrick Thomas wasted little time settling in at the NFL level as he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. During this season, he tallied 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. Then, during his second year, Thomas led the league in sacks (20) and was named first-team All-Pro. Throughout his Hall of Fame career, Thomas was named nine Pro Bowls, two First-Team All-Pros, and the 1990s Hall of Fame team.
Las Vegas Raiders: Charles Woodson, S
Charles Woodson was drafted by the then-Oakland Raiders with the fourth overall selection in the 1988 NFL Draft. Woodson began his Hall of Fame career with one of his best seasons, as he was named Rookie of the Year during his debut campaign. The following season he was named to first-team All-Pro. He also made four straight Pro Bowls during the first four seasons of his career. Then, after spending seven seasons in Green Bay, Woodson returned to Oakland for the final three seasons of his Hall of Fame career.
Los Angeles Chargers: Junior Seau, LB
Junior Seau spent the first 13 seasons of his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers. Seau made the Pro Bowl in all but one season as a Charger. During this incredible stretch of performances, Seau was named to six first-team All-Pros and two second-team All-Pros. He later went on to finish his career with the Dolphins and Patriots but will be remembered for his time in San Diego.
Los Angeles Rams: Aaron Donald, DT
Aaron Donald played just 10 seasons in the NFL before hanging up his cleats, but he carries an incredible legacy and is among the best defensive players in NFL history. Donald was awarded Rookie of the Year in his first debut season and then proceeded to be named to the first-team All-Pro roster for seven straight seasons. After missing out in 2022, Donald returned to first-team All-Pro status in his final campaign. He also was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl champion.
Miami Dolphins: Jason Taylor, DE
The first-ballot Hall of Famer spent the first 11 seasons of his 15-year NFL career with the Miami Dolphins. During his time in Miami, he enjoyed six double-digit sack campaigns and was named to six Pro Bowls. Taylor was named to three first-team All-Pro rosters and led the league in sacks during the 2002 season with 18.5.
Minnesota Vikings: Alan Page, DT
Allan Page played a critical role in the “Purple People Eaters” defensive line of the Minnesota Vikings. During his 12-season tenure in Minnesota, Page was named to nine Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pros. The Hall of Famer was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year Award during the 1971 campaign and the All-1970s Hall of Fame roster.
New England Patriots: Andre Tippett, DE
Andre Tippett holds the franchise record in sacks (100). Across his 11-year NFL career- Tippett was a lifelong Patriot and logged 151 games in New England. He was named to five Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pros. Tippett tallied double-digit sacks in three seasons. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame and was also named to the All-1980s Hall of Fame roster.
New Orleans Saints: Cam Jordan, DE
Cam Jordan is one of the few current-day players on this list. Across his 14-year tenure with the Saints, Jordan has set a franchise record in sacks (121.5). He has also logged 716 combined tackles and 160 tackles for a loss. He has been named to eight Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro. In addition, Jordan was named to the All-2010s Hall of Fame roster.
New York Giants: Lawrence Taylor, DE
Lawrence Taylor will go down as one of the greatest defensive players of all time. Throughout his 13-year career with the New York Giants, Taylor won two Super Bowls and was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. He was named to six straight first-team All-Pros to start his career and nominated to eight in total throughout his career. In addition, he was a 10-time Pro Bowler.
New York Jets: Mark Gastineau, DE
Mark Gastineau spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the New York Jets. After making just one start during his rookie season, Gastineau went on to be a key part of the New York defensive line for a decade. Gastineau was named to three straight first-team All-Pros (and one second-team) and five Pro Bowls. He led the league in sacks twice and still holds the franchise record with 107.5 sacks.
Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Dawkins, S
Brian Dawkins was the leader of the Philadelphia defense during the 2000s. Across his 13-year career in Philadelphia, Dawkins was named to four first-team All-Pros and seven Pro Bowls. He logged 21 sacks with 914 combined tackles. He tallied 34 interceptions with 32 forced fumbles. His 32 forced fumbles are a franchise record, and 34 interceptions tie him alongside Eric Allen and Bill Bradley for the team record.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Joe Greene, DT
Joe Greene is a franchise icon. “Mean” Joe Green spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his time in the Steel City, Greene was named to 10 Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pros. He was a four-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He was the foundation of the Steel Curtain defense.
San Francisco 49ers: Ronnie Lott, S
Even though Ronnie Lott spent the final four seasons of his NFL career with the Raiders and Jets, Lott is remembered for his time in San Francisco. The safety was named to five first-team All-Pros as a 49er (and one as a Raider). In addition, Lott was named to nine Pro Bowls (and one as a Raider). More importantly, the Hall of Famer was a four-time Super Bowl champion in San Francisco.
Seattle Seahawks: Bobby Wagner, LB
Bobby Wagner stands at the top of the franchise record books with 915 tackles and 651 assists. He spent 11 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and was named to nine Pro Bowls and six first-team All-Pros. During 2016 through 2020, Wagner made first-team All-Pro in each season. In addition, Wagner was named to the All-2010s Hall of Fame team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Warren Sapp, DT
Warren Sapp spent nine of his 13-year NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his in Tampa Bay, Sapp tallied 77 sacks, which is a franchise record. He made the Pro Bowl seven of these seasons and made four first-team All-Pros. In addition, he won a Super Bowl and was named 1999 AP Defensive Player of the Year. The defensive tackle was eventually named to the All-2000s Hall of Fame roster as well.
Tennessee Titans: Jevon Kearse, DE
Jevon Kearse, or “The Freak,” only spent seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans but made a significant impact. The defensive end was named to three Pro Bowls and tallied 52 sacks, which is the fourth-most in franchise history. Kearse was a first-team All-Pro during his rookie season and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In addition, he tallied double-digit sacks in each of his first three seasons.
Washington Commanders: Darrell Green, DB
Darrell Green spent his entire 20-year NFL career in the DMV and is known for not only being the team’s greatest defensive player of all time but potentially the greatest player in franchise history. Green won two Super Bowls in Washington and was named to seven Pro Bowls. He made one first-team All-Pro and was named to the All-1990s Hall of Fame team. He also holds the franchise record in interceptions (54).
