GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals—WR Larry Fitzgerald: Fitz stands out heads and shoulders above all other Cardinals skill players.
Atlanta Falcons—WR Julio Jones
Dec 6, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs against New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (26) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Ryan was the glue, but Jones was one of the top receivers in the NFL for over a decade.
Dallas Cowboys—RB Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith #22, Running Back for the Dallas Cowboys in motion running the football during the National Football Conference East Division game against the Arizona Cardinals on 13th October 1996 at the Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas, United States. The Dallas Cowboys won the game 17 – 3. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Allsport/Getty Images)
So many great Cowboys to choose from including Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, but Smith was integral to the Cowboys success.
New Orleans Saints—QB Drew Brees
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his second quarter touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Led the franchise to a Super Bowl and respectability.
New York Giants—LB Lawrence Taylor
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 5: Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants in action against the Houston Oilers during an NFL football game December 5, 1982 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor played for the Giants from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Quite possibly the greatest defensive player of all time.
Carolina Panthers—QB Cam Newton
Cam beats out Luke Kuechly by a smidge.
Detroit Lions—RB Barry Sanders
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 10: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game December 10, 1989 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
If only he didn’t retire too soon.
Los Angeles Rams—DT Aaron Donald
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after sacking quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Donald was so good that he could have fit in with the “Fearsome Foursome” as well.
Minnesota Vikings—WR Randy Moss
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 6: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings races upfield against the New Orleans Saints in the 2000 NFC Divisional Playoff Game at the Metrodome on January 6, 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Saints 34-16. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images)
It’s hard not to put Alan Page or Jim Marshall here, but Moss was truly special.
Green Bay Packers—QB Bart Starr
IRVING, TX – NOVEMBER 29: Tackle Chad Clifton #76 of the Green Bay Packers with a #21 sticker on his helmet for Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins during play with the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 29, 2007 in Irving, Texas (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Many will say it’s Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre, but they just continued Starr’s tremendous legacy at quarterback.
Chicago Bears—RB Walter Payton
American football player Walter Payton (1953 – 1999), of the Chicago Bears, pictured in uniform, Chicago, Illinois, November 21st 1977. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Sweetness was the greatest Bear on and off the field.
Philadelphia Eagles—DE Reggie White
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 17: A generic view of the Philadelphia Eagles logo against the Cleveland Browns during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Browns tied the Eagles 18-18. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The “Minister of Defense” was a sacking machine.
San Francisco 49ers—WR Jerry Rice
MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 22: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 20-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The greatest wide receiver of all time.
Seattle Seahawks—WR Steve Largent
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 29: The Seattle Seahawks throwback logo is seen on the football field at Lumen Field before the game against the Cleveland Browns on October 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
One of the most underrated players in NFL history.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers—LB Derrick Brooks
A tackling machine.
Washington Commanders—CB Darrell Green
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: A general view of the Washington Commanders logo on the stadium concourse before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Browns at FedExField on January 1, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
His speed at CB changed the way defensive coverage is played.
