NFL
5 Greatest NFL Defenders of All-Time + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest defenders in NFL history from Lawrence Taylor to Aaron Donald to Deion Sanders
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Legendary DL Aaron Donald celebrated his 33rd birthday on May 23rd, 2024, so it’s a great time to look at the top 5 greatest NFL defenders of all time with him highlighting the list.
Despite often getting outshined by the Quarterbacks and Running Backs of the world, the importance of a strong defensive unit is reflected through the famous phrase: Defense Wins Championships. By generating stops, the defense is not only a precursor to the offense, but also a group with the ability to provide momentum and energy to push their team to victory. The top defenders in the NFL have the dedication to be willing to put their bodies on the line and make sacrifices in order to help their team succeed.
Whether it’s through sacks, fumbles, interceptions, tackles for loss, or pass deflections, a defender’s capacity to make big plays is often the difference between a win and a loss. What sets apart the all-time greats is their determination to disrupt the offense and force turnovers week in and week out. Each of these legends attained speed, physicality, and a sense for the game that allowed them to anticipate plays and react in a split second. A great defender terrorizes the offense and forces opposing teams to change their game plan.
These hard-hitting showstoppers hold some of the highest achievements in the sport, from accolades and records to awards and Super Bowl rings. The craft of defense often gets ignored, especially in an era where more points are being scored than ever, yet a defense is still the spine of a football team and the NFL has been lucky enough to see some of the sport’s greatest icons line on that side of the ball. Honorable mention includes: EDGE Bruce Smith, DL “Mean” Joe Greene, S Ed Reed, LB Jack Lambert, and LB Mike Singletary
Here are the top 5 greatest NFL defenders of all time. Do you agree? Create your own rankings below!
– Only unanimous defensive MVP | 3x NFL DPOY
– 8x All-Pro | 10x Pro Bowl | The last defender to win MVP
– 2x Super Bowl Champ | NFL 100 All-Time Team
There has never been a player to master the art of defense like Lawrence Taylor. Taylor made the Left Tackle—the Quarterback’s blind side blocker—the most lucrative position in football following the QB himself because of what he did to opposing signal-callers throughout his illustrious career.
Lawrence Taylor's HOF resume:
– 10x Pro Bowl
– 8x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
– 3x NFL DPOY
– 2x Super Bowl Champ
– 1986 NFL MVP, SK (20.5) leader
– 1981 NFL DROY
– NFL 75th/100th Anniversary All-Time Teams
– 1980s NFL All-Decade
– #56 retired by #Giantspic.twitter.com/gn9KybQ1kq— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 23, 2022
– 2x NFL DPOY + 5x finished top-3 | 8x All-Pro
– 13x Pro Bowl | 2x NFL SK leader | NFL 100 All-Time Team
– Most consecutive seasons (9) of 10+ SK | SB 31 Champ
Reggie White‘s greatness and utter dominance as a pass rusher earned him the highest nickname: The Minister of Defense. White, who has the second most sacks (198) in league history, was truly an Offensive Coordinator’s biggest nightmare.
The greatest pass-rush move of all time?
Reggie White's hump move was pretty much unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/1mFaGMAwUO
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) February 18, 2019
– 3x NFL DPOY | 7x All-Pro 1st Team | 9x Pro Bowl
– Most consecutive 1st Team All-Pros (7) in Super Bowl era
– SB 56 Champ | 2x TFL leader | 2010s NFL All-Decade
Known for his ability to both neutralize the run and harass the quarterback at high levels, Aaron Donald is one of the 21st century’s top defensive stars, all while being undersized at his position.
Aaron Donald's HOF resume:
– 8x Pro Bowl
– 7x All-Pro 1st Team
– 3x NFL DPOY
– Super Bowl 56 Champ
– 2014 NFL DROY
– 2x NFL TFL leader
– 2018 NFL SK (20.5) leader
– 2010s NFL All-Decade
– Most consecutive 1st Team All-Pros (7) in Super Bowl era
pic.twitter.com/cH776v007j— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 8, 2022
– 13x Pro Bowl (Most by LB) | 10x All-Pro (T-most by LB)
– 2x Super Bowl Champ, 2001 SB MVP | 2x NFL DPOY
– 3x TKL leader | NFL career COMB & SOLO TKL leader
What separated Ray Lewis from the rest wasn’t just his physical dominance, but his cutthroat mentality, vision skills, and intimidation he brought to every snap.
Ray Lewis’ HOF resume:
– 13x Pro Bowl (Most by LB)
– 10x All-Pro (T-most by LB)
– 2x Super Bowl Champ, 2001 SB MVP
– 2x NFL DPOY
– 3x NFL TKL leader
– 2000s NFL All-Decade
– NFL career COMB & SOLO TKL leader
– Only player with 40+ SK & 30+ INTpic.twitter.com/EEoVFETIN9— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 16, 2022
– 8x Pro Bowl | 6x All-Pro 1st Team | 1994 NFL DPOY
– 2x Super Bowl Champ | NFL 100 All-Time Team
– Only athlete to play in a Super Bowl & World Series
Before climbing the coaching ranks, Deion Sanders‘ consistent play-making ability made him the textbook definition of a lockdown corner. Known for his electric and flashy style on and off the field, he truly lives up to the names ‘Prime Time’ and ‘Neon Deion’.
Deion Sanders' HOF resume:
– 8x Pro Bowl
– 6x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
– 1994 NFL DPOY
– 1989 PFWA All-Rookie Team
– 2x Super Bowl Champ
– 1990s NFL All-Decade
– NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
– Only athlete to play in a Super Bowl & World Seriespic.twitter.com/fFIIhqzljo— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) November 21, 2022
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