The NFL has seen some outstanding players throughout its history. Narrowing it down to just 25 was not easy, but that is what I am attempting to do here. These are my top 25 NFL players of all time.
25. Don Hutson, WR, GB
Hutson played so long ago that his NFL career began before World War II. However, there’s no denying that he was football’s first dominant vertical threat at the receiver position. His 1942 season – 74 catches, 1,211 and 17 touchdowns – was absolutely unheard of at the time.
24. Dan Marino, QB, MIA
One of the most talented quarterbacks ever, the only thing missing from Marino’s legacy is a Super Bowl ring. His powerful arm and exceptional anticipation helped him become the first QB in NFL history to toss for 5,000 yards in a season in 1984.
23. John Elway, QB, DEN
Another special talent at QB, Elway’s dual-threat playstyle made him extremely difficult to defend in his prime. The nine-time Pro Bowler ended his career in style, winning back-to-back Super Bowls in his final two seasons.
22. Ray Lewis, LB, BAL
A ferocious linebacker with outstanding instincts, Lewis was the heart and soul of a loaded Ravens defense. Lewis was a 12-time Pro Bowler, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Super Bowl champion in Baltimore.
21. Mel Blount, CB, PIT
Blount was such a physical and dominant force at the cornerback position that the NFL rule book had to be changed. The “Mel Blount Rule,” which stated that defensive backs cannot contact receivers more than five yards downfield, is still in effect today. Blount intercepted 57 passes, made five Pro Bowls and was All-AFC four times.
20. Tony Gonzalez, TE, KC/ATL
The best tight end in NFL history, Gonzalez enjoyed a long and productive career – he caught 93 passes at age 36! The 14-time Pro Bowler and 6-time All-Pro dominated with his smooth route-running, sticky hands and explosive leaping ability.
19. Gale Sayers, RB, CHI
While Sayers’ career was cut short due to injury, he was without a doubt one of the best ballcarriers the sport of football has ever seen. Weaving through tacklers with almost inhuman quickness and balance, the Kansas Comet was a special talent at the running back position.
18. Otto Graham, QB, CLE
Graham revolutionized football alongside coach Paul Brown, inspiring a generation of quarterbacks to seek the big play and go deep. The seven-time All-Pro dominated in the AAFC and the NFL for the Browns, winning seven league championships.
17. Dick Butkus, LB, CHI
Butkus struck fear into the hearts of ballcarriers with his wild attitude and fierce tackling. He once knocked a starting quarterback, running back, fullback and center out of the same game! Butkus made eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons before a knee injury ended his career.
16. Deacon Jones, DE, LAR
Jones was the NFL’s scariest pass rusher in the 1960s. He recorded over 20 sacks a whopping three times and totaled an impressive 173.5 sacks for his career. Jones made eight Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro five times.
15. Sammy Baugh, QB, WAS
Another influential early QB, Baugh also played defensive back and punter during his time in pro football. He made six Pro Bowls and helped push the NFL towards the passing league that it is today.
14. Bruce Smith, DE, BUF
The greatest sack artist in NFL history, nobody has more than Smith’s 200. An 11-Time Pro Bowler and eight-time All-Pro, Smith will forever be remembered as one of the best defensive ends in NFL history.
13. Alan Page, DT, MIN
During his time in Minnesota, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more disruptive interior lineman in the NFL than Page. He recorded at least 10 sacks in eight different seasons and even won NFL MVP in 1971.
12. Anthony Muñoz, OT, CIN
Muñoz is my pick for the best offensive lineman in NFL history. An 11-time Pro Bowler and nine-time All-Pro, no left tackle was as good or as consistent as Muñoz, who helped the Bengals reach two Super Bowls during his time in Cincinnati.
11. Peyton Manning, QB, IND/DEN
Manning never did have the strongest arm or the fastest legs, but he sure could run an offense. The Sheriff won Super Bowls for both the Colts and Broncos, made 14 Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro seven times.
10. Walter Payton, RB, CHI
Payton was called Sweetness for a reason – his sweet feet made him one of the best running backs of the Super Bowl era. His nine Pro Bowls, five All-Pros and 16,726 career rushing yards speak for his greatness and longevity.
9. Joe Greene, DT, PIT
Mean Joe Greene was a force in the middle of Pittsburgh’s vaunted Steel Curtain defense. He played his entire career in the Steel City, making 10 Pro Bowls and 4 All-Pro teams. Greene also helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 1970s.
8. Ronnie Lott, S, SF
A hard-hitting safety who excelled in coverage, Lott is arguably the greatest defensive back to ever put on cleats. He had the versatility to play cornerback, free safety and strong safety during his illustrious career. Lott made 10 Pro Bowls, won four Super Bowls and intercepted 63 passes.
7. Jim Brown, RB, CLE
The greatest pre-Super Bowl era football player, Brown possessed a special combination of power, speed, and agility for a 232-pound man. An eight-time All-Pro and three-time NFL MVP, Brown accomplished so much in just a nine-year career.
6. Barry Sanders, RB, DET
In my opinion, a prime Barry Sanders was more difficult to bring down than anyone in NFL history. His electrifying change of direction and exceptional quickness left defenders grasping for air trying to tackle him. In his 10-year career, Sanders made 10 Pro Bowls and rushed for 15,269 yards.
5. Reggie White, DE, PHI/GB
The Minister of Defense was a one-man wrecking crew at defensive end. White recorded at least 11 sacks in 12 different seasons, and his lowest total was a 5.5-sack season at age 39. White made 13 Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro eight times in his amazing career.
4. Lawrence Taylor, LB, NYG
It’s not often a single outside linebacker would cause offensive coaches to completely alter their game plans, but L.T. was that good. Nearly impossible to stop even while double-teaming, Taylor made 10 Pro Bowls, eight All-Pro teams and won NFL MVP in 1986.
3. Jerry Rice, WR, SF
Rice got his sure hands from catching bricks as a child, and those hands made him the greatest wide receiver in NFL history. His insane career totals of 22,895 receiving yards and 208 total TDs may never be caught.
2. Joe Montana, QB, SF
Joe Cool was the epitome of top quarterback play in the 1980s; a sharp, intelligent and clutch passer with surprising mobility. The eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL MVP won four Super Bowls with the 49ers and won an impressive 117 of his 164 career games.
1. Tom Brady, QB, NE/TB
The greatest of all time had to be #1 on this list. Despite being a late-round draft choice, Brady fought his way into New England’s starting lineup and the rest was history. His achievements speak for themselves: 15 Pro Bowls, seven Super Bowls and 3 NFL MVPs.
