Top 10 greatest defensive players of all time in NFL history

Lines of defense are the first line of defense against an incoming run. They were admired and respected for their unique ability to dictate and influence the direction of play, knocking down opponents’ attacks by any means possible. Some defensive targets were more talented and successful in their position than others. According to Celebritys Worth, here’s a list of the top 10 defensive goals that shone brilliantly in terms of personal and team accomplishments.

The greatest defensive player of all time in the NFL

10. Bob Lilly

Lilly has been affectionately referred to as Mr. Cowboys by teammates and opponents because you can count on him to take offense at opponents every time he drives down the field. Drafted first by the Dallas Cowboys in 1961, he spent the next 14 years viciously dominating the defense and mastering the tackles on the boundary. Bob Lilly was loved by fans everywhere for his stamina and incredibly fast pace.

He can be counted on to claw, claw and make his way to the backcourt. He chased sales, stacked sacks, and paraphernalia. By the end of his career, he had four touchdowns, 104 return yards on 18 recoveries, two NFL championships, and a Super Bowl under his belt.

9. Howie Long

Long before Howie Long became an NFL sports personality on FOX, he served as a defensive end for the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders for 13 wonderful years. In fact, it was one of the biggest defensive goals the team has ever had. He helped his team win Super Bowl XVIII against the Redskins and was named NEA’s 1985 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He would switch positions every now and then, but his iconic rip move remained constant. Howie drew inspiration from some of his favorite players who dominated positions he had to master, like Randy White, Jack Youngblood, and Lee Roy Selmon.

8. Randy White

Despite being at his peak late in his career, Randy went on to have one of the greatest defensive goals the NFL has ever seen. He began his career as a linebacker and was initially considered a lost cause. That stench haunted him for three years until he was reassigned to the back of the line as a defensive right end, where he immediately transformed into a dominant force. He seemed to have limitless energy, durability, and strength. In the 14 years of his career, Randy only missed two games. He was one of the game’s biggest names in the 1980s, registering double-digit sacks for several years. He helped his team, the Dallas Cowboys, earning a Super Bowl XII win over the Denver Broncos and take home the MVP title with fellow teammate Harvey Martin.

Read More: How to choose a Cricket Tennis Ball

7. Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers has been active in the NFL since 2002 to the present day. He has played for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. While he wasn’t the most consistent player on this list, he’s still one of the greatest defenders of all time. There were years when he was in the pits and times when he was the most talented and dominant player a team could ask for. He moves so quickly on his feet and is able to stun enemy attacks and stun them while passing and running in play. Peppers has 8 career interceptions for two touchdowns, as well as 7 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pros. Considering that Julius still has a few active years left in his career before talks of retirement circulate, his stats will inevitably improve and reach greater heights.

6. Lee Roy Selmon

Lee Roy’s career is one of the greatest NFL has ever seen. He was a force to be reckoned with, combining power and speed to secure the frontier of defensive life. Lee could use his impressive height and weight to smash into his opponents like a raging bull, with enough one-on-one power to send them down. He would then bypass the offense and go to the quarterback. Lee Roy was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ main line of defense from 1976-to 1984 before his career was cut short by injury. But while he was still able to work his magic, Lee won the Pro Bowl six times, won the 1979 Defensive Player of the Year award, and sealed his Pro Football Hall of Fame credits.

5. Deacon Jones

Although most younger fans would recognize Deacon as a friendly neighborhood sports grandpa and camera vixen, James was one of the sharpest, strongest defensive targets he faced in his playing years on the field.

He was the player who invented the “sack” and gave it a new meaning. They carried the LA Rams on their backs, helped them win titles, revolutionized defensive play, and chased action from side to side without leaving a gap in the defense. Deacon patented the head slap, a unique and effective tactic that he used to launch the ball and smother any offensive lineman with a daring smack to the head, which blurred his vision and left Deacon roaming free deep in the offensive backfield. At the time of his retirement, Deacon had 8 Pro Bowl appearances and two MVP honors.

4. Bruce Smith

He was perfect in blocks, returning chips, and even playing dirty whenever he had to get out of the game. He was an unstoppable force and today has 200 sacks, the highest number in NFL history. Bruce was a well-rounded player. He had it all: strength, agility, talent, tactics, speed, recovery, and raw power. He crushed and blindsided quarterbacks left and right and caused the stadium to erupt in chants on numerous occasions. Bruce is one of the defending champions who deserved it the most on defense.

3. Alan Page

Alan is best known for his aggression-controlling defense for Minnesota’s Purple People Eaters. He’s one of the reasons the team was so feared and revered for several years. Page snapped, searched, destroyed, and overpowered every ball carrier with incredible speed. He could read how a player would move and react to it instinctively. Over his 15-year career, Alan has won numerous awards for his teams and amazing stats for himself.

2. Joe Greene

Joe Greene dominated the passing and running game and struck fear into the hearts of opposing offenses. His favorite technique was for him to wedge his body between the gap and the center guard, blocking plays and disrupting receivers. Joe had peaked in the 1970s, managing to lift four Super Bowl trophies and numerous playoff titles.

He is most famous for Super Bowl IX, where he traumatized the Minnesota Vikings, recording an interception, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.

Joe had a temper that often brought out the best in him and made him spit in one player’s face and challenge another to a fight in the middle of a game.

He was mean, but he knew what he was doing and was incredibly good at it. It’s no surprise that he’s one of the greatest defensive targets in NFL history.

1. Reggie White

When Reggie was alive and active, he was a force to be reckoned with. In fact, he was made defense secretary for mastering the hump tactic. He shrugged, shook his forearms to escape a right tackle, then wiggled inside, ran straight into the backcourt, and blew up a quarterback that crosses him in the moon.

In the six years he spent with the Packers, he ruled the game with double-digit sacks and a Lombardi title. He really is one of the greatest defensive targets ever.