PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eangles during an NFL football game September 15, 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
There have been many incredible players to come through the NFL since its inception, but who is the greatest one of each NFL franchise? DrRoto.com attempts to answer this question. Do you agree with our selections? Let us know in the comments.
Arizona Cardinals—WR Larry Fitzgerald
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)
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.
Baltimore Ravens—LB Ray Lewis
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 31: A general view of the Baltimore Ravens logo during training camp at M&T Bank Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
One day, Lamar Jackson might stake his claim, but for now, Lewis stands out as one of the greatest ever at his position.
Buffalo Bills—DE Bruce Smith
Smith was impossible to stop as he helped lead the Bills to four Super Bowl appearances
Carolina Panthers—QB Cam Newton
Cam beats out Luke Kuechly by a smidge.
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.
Cincinnati Bengals—OT Anthony Munoz
CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 15: A detail view of a Cincinnati Bengals logo during an offseason workout at Paycor Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Munoz might be a top five all-time player at his position.
Cleveland Browns—RB Jim Brown
(Original Caption) Jim Brown (32) has just taken hand off from Quarterback Frank Ryan (13) in game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Arguably the greatest RB to have played.
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.
Denver Broncos—QB John Elway
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 25: John Elway #7 of the Denver Broncos turns to hand the ball off to a running back against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXII on January 25, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Broncos won the Super Bowl 31-24. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
It’s Elway by a mile for the team from the Mile High City.
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.
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.
Houston Texans—DE J.J. Watt
Watt edges out Andre Johnson for best Texan.
Indianapolis Colts—QB Peyton Manning
INDIANAPOLIS – JANUARY 24: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass while playing against the New York Jets during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Jets 30-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Had this been the Baltimore Colts, Johnny Unitas could easily have been the choice.
Jacksonville Jaguars—OT Tony Boselli
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 27: A Jacksonville Jaguars logo is seen at TIAA Bank Field during a game against the Chicago Bears on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
A sensational OL who played under the radar.
Kansas City Chiefs—QB Patrick Mahomes
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 13: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he takes the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Still in the prime of his career.
Las Vegas Raiders (Oakland)—OT Gene Upshaw
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 10: A team logo is shown above the entrance at the 336,000-square-foot Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center under construction on June 10, 2020 in Henderson, Nevada. The site will serve as the team’s practice facility and will include three outdoor football fields, a 150,000-square-foot field house with one-and-a-half indoor football fields, a three-story office area, and a 50,000-square-foot performance center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Was a leader on the field, in the locker room, and for the player’s union.
Los Angeles Chargers (San Diego)—LB Junior Seau
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 7: A general view of the Los Angeles Chargers logo in the end zone from an elevated position before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
Philip Rivers and LT were tremendous, but Seau’s determination was the heart of the franchise.
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.
Miami Dolphins—QB Dan Marino
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY–OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Dan Marino #13 of the Miami Dolphins follows the action in the game between the Miami Dolphins vs the New York Jets at The Meadowlands (aka Giants Stadium) on October 4, 1998 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
The best QB never to win a Super Bowl.
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.
New England Patriots—QB Tom Brady
New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady (12) as he completes a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game, 01/19/2002. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images)
The G.O.A.T.
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.
New York Jets—CB Darrelle Revis
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 9: A close up of a New York Jets logo prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on November 9, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
No wide receiver was safe on “Revis Island.”
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.
Pittsburgh Steelers—DT Joe Greene
Hall of Fame defensive tackle “Mean” Joe Greene (75) of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Steelers 35-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII on January 21, 1979 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images)
The leader of the Steel Curtain defense that led Pittsburgh to four Super Bowls.
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.
Tennessee Titans—RB Derrick Henry
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 07: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs off the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Might be one of the hardest running backs to tackle in NFL history.
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.
