NFL Power Rankings: 30 Greatest Defensive Players Of All-Time

Notables

*Represent Top Snubs

Listen, don’t get on me about having 50 guys in the notables section.

I don’t want to hear it.

This is a list of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. It’s not broken down by position, era, or any other conceivable way. The notables section needs to be this large when we’re discussing it in such general terms. It’s as simple as that.

Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Another issue when gauging the top defenders of all-time comes into play when trying to decide on pre-modern guys.

Statistical information is very scarce when thinking about pre-modern, or even pre-merger times. Also, guys frequently played both sides of the ball. Guys like Bulldog Turner, Dan Fortmann and Turk Edwards are just impossible to try to fit into a list like this.

For crying out loud, even guys “Slinging” Sammy Baugh and Don Hutson played defense in those days. Baugh collected 31 career interceptions.

Aside from pre-modern, the toughest players to keep out of the Top 30 were these 10: Junior Seau, Derrick Thomas, Ernie Stautner, Leo Nomellini, Darrelle Revis, Kenny Houston, Mike Haynes, Larry Wilson, Sam Huff and Ray Nitschke.

Seau and Thomas, a pair of contrasting dominating linebackers from the 1990s, were especially tough to leave off. Nomellini, a two-day lineman stalwart for the San Francisco 49ers, is also quite deserving.

Hayes, Houston and Nitschke were all named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team in 1994.

Furthermore, if it hadn’t been for Revis missing a full season and taking another full year in Tampa Bay to get back to superstar status, he’d be in the Top 30 as well. Quite honestly the only better pure cover corner in the history of the NFL has been Deion Sanders. Revis just hasn’t done it long enough yet.

There’s no question he’d be in the top 50.

Although these 50 are all deserving, it’s now time to get on to the big show:

Note: let’s completely avoid the need to utter the phrase “Hall of Fame” at all during this list. All of these guys either are already Hall of Famers, or will be Hall of Famers. No need to even bring it up.

Next: Number 30