By John Turney
We are going to attempt to rank the 40 ends (4-3) as we did with the 30 ends (3-4). The challenge is, as usual, with the players who are on the edges of a transition or who played both schemes. We handle those case by case and simply rendering our view of whose careers who most impactful and we try to look at peak performance and well and sustained greatness (longevity) as well as looking at stats, honors and the "testimonials" about the players.
As with any list, it's just opinion and it's prone to criticism, and that's fine. But remember, we've tried to look as deep as we could, researched the subject, watch film even of the older players like Gino Marchetti and Len Ford and have formulated views on them.
Randy Cross once told us that if the best players he faces, like a Joe Greene or Merlin Olsen were rated a "10" then the worst player he faced in the NFL would still be an "8" or so. With that in mind remember that these are the best of the best and the top of the list will be full of "10s" or "9.5s" and the bottom will still be "9s" or "8.5s" at worst. So if your favorite defensive end didn't make the top 50 keep in mind that the margins are narrow and there is not much difference between 25th and 50th and 75th on this list.
Artists include Merv Corning, Chuck Ren, Leroy Neiman, Cliff Spohn, et al.
So, with all those qualifiers, enjoy:
1. Reggie White
From 1986-92 White averaged 61 pressures a season, as tallied by the Eagles coaches and ended his career with 855 tackles (60.5 were stuffs) 57 passes defensed, 33 forced fumbles, and blocked four placekicks. His 198.0 sacks speak volumes and his ten All-Pro selections and 13 Pro Bowl selections do as well.
He had unusual “triangle numbers” or "PQ" as Proscout, Inc. calls them—the combination of size, speed, and strength (6-5, 285, 4.6, 400+ bench press) and had enough speed to take the corner and then counter it with his “hump move” which was usually called an inside club move.
White, however, performed his signature move with exceedingly more power than others. Then if a tackle wanted to defend against it he had to sit inside with his weight on his inside foot, and if he did that, White had the speed to go to the outside and beat the tackle around the corner—a deadly combination of move and counter move and then counter move and move, if you will.
When the Eagles used head coach Buddy Ryan’s 46 defense he would play over the center like Dan Hampton did in Chicago and Howie Long did with the Raiders and he was just too much for most NFL centers. When he was with the Packers he also played a little left defensive tackle with Bryce Paup at White’s normal left end spot. Gannett News Services' Joel Buchsbaum said “No one can handle him. He’s been called a bigger, faster, stronger Joe Greene.”
In the mid-1990s White, who was still called “awesome” by Buchsbaum, sometimes got a bit heavy and lacked the stamina he did earlier in his career but even the best players cannot win everyone over. One prominent right tackle told us in 1993, “I don’t like to use White as an example (of the best) because he didn’t come all the time. The best I block now is Charles Mann and the best in the first part of my career was Jack Youngblood because you had to go against great talent and all-out effort every play”
Really, though, White had it all and his positives outweigh the few negatives and when it comes to the best and most accomplished DE in NFL history it has to be between him and Bruce Smith with perhaps a coin toss needed to see who gets the crown of best DE ever, regardless of scheme.
2. Deacon Jones
Jones made the Rams as both an offensive and defensive lineman, in fact, he started his first game in the NFL as a left tackle. That ended quickly and by early mid-season he was the Rams starting left end.
He was excellent, though error-prone, as a rookie, better as a sophomore, then gained weight (up to 285) in 1963 and he slumped. In 1964 he began his streak of dominant seasons which continued through 1970.
An arch injury hampered him in 1971 and he missed three games and starts and Rams had Jack Youngblood in reserve so after looking at the 1971 production of both players they shipped Jones to the Chargers in 1972, where he went to his eighth Pro Bowl. He had a so-so season in 1973 and signed with the Redskins for 1974 because, after being publically implicated in a drug (Dexedrine, Benzedrine, Phenobarbital et al) scandal in San Diego, he said: “Pete Rozelle was not going to run me out of the league." Jones ended his career as a designated pass rusher for the Redskins in 1974. There was talk he would go back to the Rams for a final 15th season as a backup to Youngblood and Fred Dryer, but that transaction never materialized and A.C. Cowlings was the third defensive end for the Rams in 1975, not Jones.
Again, like Reggie White, Jones would catch some occasional criticism. In 1970, the year the Baltimore Colts moved to the AFC Rams defensive coach Tom Caitlin called a friend on the Colts staff and made a pitch, “Since you guys are no longer a division rival, could he give me some thoughts so we can self-scout? The Colt coach told him, ‘well, we would have run the ball at Deacon Jones all the time, but we couldn’t. Why is that, responded Catlin. ‘Because the guy next to him (Merlin Olsen) wouldn’t allow it.” In other words, Olsen’s unselfish play at tackle allowed Deacon to go after the passer play after play and the scheme didn’t suffer because Olsen was covering the sucker plays. So, let’s just say Deacon had some help in being able to use his ‘get up the field” style.
Jones isn’t on the top of the 40 end list because he just didn’t sustain his greatness it quite as long as White did. When Jones was acting as a designated rusher for the Redskins, White was winning Defensive Player of the Year awards. At their peaks, Jones would perhaps get the nod due to rare, rare speed. It’s Jones’s peak that put him past Marchetti, but White had a high peak as well (Two DPOY Awards 10 All-Pros, and 13 Pro Bowls) and he was a top player to the end. Jones was a two-time DOPY and a six-time All-Pro (five consensus) and an eight-time Pro Bowler) So, Jones is number two since we call the ‘peaks’ about even and the longevity/consistency edge to White.
3. Gino Marchetti
So, he was back to his natural spot in 1954 and he played well enough to be voted to his first Pro Bowl and he was voted to the next ten Pro Bowls (he missed 1958 with a broken leg). He was First-team All-Pro nine times and a Second-team All-Pro one time and in 1958 was the AP Lineman of the Year, sort of, but not exactly the precursor to the Defensive Player of the Year Award and was voted as the best defensive end on the NFL’s 50th Anniversary team as well as the 75th Anniversary team.
Sid Gillman once said that Marchetti was, “The most valuable man to ever play his position.” Marchetti was a “grabber and thrower” according to Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman and our film study shows that as well. He would get his hands on the outside of the shoulder pads of the offensive tackle and he’d throw him whichever way the tackle was leaning, using the motion of the tackle against that tackle and that would free Marchetti to get to the quarterback.
We don’t have complete sack data on Marchetti’s career but we do have the key years of 1960-64 and he had at least 56.5 in those five seasons. Our T.J. Troup once shared this story with me after seeing that Marchetti was not All-Pro in 1963. “Dad, why wasn’t Gino on the All-Pro team”?
Well, Marchetti averaged 12 sacks a season in 1960-62 and 1964, but in 1963 he had only 8½. This wasn’t known by the AP or UPI voters, but it’s likely they saw him make fewer plays and thus he got fewer All-pro votes. Now, for the record, Marchetti was First-team All-Pro by the NEA (the player’s All-Pro team) but the consensus All-Pros were Doug Atkins and Jim Katcavage.
Marchetti was going to retire after 1963, actually, he DID retire but it was reported that Don Shula talked him out of it and he came back and had a fine 1964 season. He retired after that season, only to be talked out of retirement again, in 1966 as a “favor” to Colt owner Carroll Rosenbloom to backup an injury-savaged Colt defensive line.
Said longtime Colt executive Ernie Accorsi, “He had just unbelievable quickness and when he got near the quarterback he was like a 747 banking toward landing. The great ones have an instinct for closing like that. For years, for All-Time teams you could stir up debate at most positions but no one ever questioned that Gino was the best defensive end. There was no debate.”
4. Jack Youngblood
In 1973 Youngblood broke out and had 16½ sacks and 13½ run stuffs and was a consensus Second-team All-Pro and likely should have been First-team All-Pro. The new defensive coordinator in 1973 was Ray Malavasi who brought a new scheme to the Rams and new techniques, especially versus the run and it was successful. In Malavasi’s five years as the defensive coordinator, the Rams allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL, the fewest total yards and were second in sacks with 213 (Dallas had 215).
Youngblood was a Consensus All-Pro five times and a Second-team All-Pro three other times and was All-NFC seven times and was Second-team All-NFC two additional times as well as seven Pro Bowls and a few other times he was an alternate to the Pro Bowl. He ended his career with 151½ sacks and was a good kick blocker with a total of eight in his career and he also forced 33 fumbles and was credited with 49 passes defensed.
Youngblood also did something that Jones and Marchetti couldn’t have done and that was play defensive end in a 3-4 defense which Youngblood did in 1983 and 1984. Proscout, Inc. rated him as the 13th best defensive end in 1983 and Joel Buchsbaum rated him 12th in 1984. The Rams were the second-best in the NFL versus the run in 1983 and 1984 and Youngblood had 20 sacks in those two years. (Howie Long had 25, for example). So, when doing an All-time ranking such as this, it is worth mentioning that he was good at another scheme, not just the 4-3.
Mike Giddings of Proscout, Inc., said, “speed wide-40 DE. Warrior who was tops at the left DE despite eight (weak) weight. Known for his ferocious rush but as long as in wide technique was a top run defender”
Hall of Fame tackle Dan Dierdorf added, “I played against Jack my entire career and I can say that he was the most difficult assignment I ever had during my career. He was the most challenging player I ever had to block. He’s extremely competitive and extremely strong, a lot stronger than most other ends, He plays the run really well, he’s a tough guy and he’s smart.”
Ron Yary chimed in, "Jack Youngblood was the best defensive end I ever faced. He did it all, he did what a defensive end was supposed to do better than anyone. Period. In my opinion, he's one of the top four defensive linemen of all time.”
Dr. Z said in 1976, “Jack Youngblood is the best. When he turns it on there are none better.”Great motor, Speed rusher primarily, relentless.’ And finally Gordon Forbes, “Great upper body strength and fierce competitive instincts.”
5. Michael Strahan
He, like Youngblood, went to seven Pro Bowls but also got some jewelry for winning a Super Bowl. Strahan was a strong player, used leverage and could push back much bigger tackles, but he was at his best as a speed rusher who was quick enough (though not the quickest) to get past the good right tackles in the NFL.
When Strahan played the top tackles in the league were on the left side, in Marchetti’s and Youngblood’s time the premium tackle spot was the right tackle, the front side tackle as it were. Even Art Shell, a left tackle, was really a “front sider’ because Stabler was left-handed. When he was protecting for Plunkett in 1980 he was a true left tackle.” As a result, sometimes Strahan gets “dinged” in All-time ratings.
We think he was great and worthy as a top-five guy in the 4-3 list. Joel Buchsbaum said in 1997, “Developed into a fine rusher last year, but also got a lot of cheap sacks.” And this was four years before the Brett Favre “belly weak” dubious sack for the NFL record. Still, his “motor ran 100% unlike Bruce Smith” was Buchsbaum’s 1998 comment on Strahan.
As we’ve seen everyone has a least one detractor. Strahan’s is Warren Sapp. Sapp told the media that Strahan failed as a right defensive end and had to be moved to left end to essentially save his career. Strahan did begin his career on the right side, but his body style and skill set was more suited for the left side.
The most fun part of Strahan’s game to watch was his pushing back the big tackles of the time—Jon Runyan, Jon Jansen, and others. He, at times, abused them.
6. Willie Davis
Davis had just under 100 sacks from 1960-69 with a high of 14½. He was a five-time First-team All-Pro (four of them consensus) and was also a Second-team All-Pro once. He won five rings with the Pack and was an NFL 1960s All-Decade choice as well.
One thing Davis lacks is a lot of "testimonials"—the comments opponents make about opposing players. However, it's likely that there are not a lot of "he was the best defensive end I faced" since in the first part of his career Gino Marchetti was in the league and in the last part of his career Deacon Jones was in his prime.
Davis and HOF left linebacker Dave Robinson often switched positions and responsibilities to confuse the blockers and it put Davis on the tight end or back if they were in the pass protection scheme. It was very effective and when we’ve talked to both players it was something they both recounted—perhaps displaying a bit of pride in their strategy.
7. Carl Eller
Eller, according to media reports and film study, was excellent as a rookie in 1964 but dipped in 1965 and there was talk about moving him to defensive tackle. But in 1966 dropped some weight and rebounded and played very well for the next decade. From 1967 through 1975 he got some sort of post-season honors. He was a five-time First-team All-Pro (four consensus—same as Strahan) and a six-time Pro Bowler and was a Second-team All-Pro twice and an All-NFC choice nearly every year including 1975, marking his ninth season of “honors.” In addition, he was the 1971 NEA Defensive Player of the Year and was the highest vote-getter among defensive players in the 1969 AP and UPI MVP/Player of the Year polls.
He had, by the count of the Vikings, 133 career sacks and in 1977, his 14th season he had 15 sacks, which tied his career-high he established in 1969. However, Father Time caught up with him in 1978 and was traded to the Seahawks for his 16th and final season. He lost his starting job in Seattle at midseason ended a great run.
Said Giddings, “Power-40 defensive end who “knew how” to play as any. Anchored Purple People Eaters left side. Seldom (eyes) out of position and few tackles could pass pro when he “turned it on.”
8t. Len Ford
Sadly, Ford had a drinking problem and it, for all intents and purposes, ended his NFL career. Nonetheless, Ford was a five-time All-Pro and was a Second-team All-Pro twice, totaling seven seasons of “honors” and was a key to several NFL championships.
8t. Doug Atkins
In 1957 the light came on and he was named to his first Pro Bowl. There, he spoke to fellow Western Conference defensive end Gino Marchetti and asked Marchetti for advice. Marchetti told him to get rid of the giant pads on his shoulder and in his pants, to drop a bit of weight, to wear low-cut shows rather than the giant high tops Atkins preferred. Atkins told us that that helped more than people could imagine.
Atkins was a three-time All-Pro (one consensus) and a seven-time Second-team All-Pro. He is given credit for eight Pro Bowls though he should get credit for 1968. He was voted to the team but due to a cracked kneecap he had to decline, but back then the NFL didn’t announce who was voted to the team and then who subsequently replaced the injured players.
Atkins was known for a couple of moves, one was his ability to leap blockers who tried to cut him and also for throwing tackles, much in the same way Marchetti did. However, Atkins threw them further. Said Atkins, “Hell, I wasn’t throwing them, they were throwing themselves by committing too far.” Like Reggie White’s ‘hump move’ he was throwing guys who leaned too far to the outside and White would club them in the direction they were already going. (Look up the Reggie White-Larry Allen clip).
We don’t have complete data for Atkins but we show he had 98½ in the 1960s and his best sack season may have been 1958. PFJ’s Nick Webster thinks Atkins could have a career total north of 150.
10. Claude Humphrey
In his prime, he made First-team All-Pro five times (two were consensus All-Pros) and was a Second-team All-Pro three additional seasons and was a Pro Bowler six times and an All-NFC selection six times, and a one-time Second-team All-NFC pick.
His teammate center Jeff Van Note said that Humphrey had the second-best head slap in the NFL—behind Deacon Jones. Also during his prime, in this case, 1971, one veteran NFL right tackle said "Humphrey is the best defensive end in the league—better than Deacon, Eller and Jackson, and I have played against them all."
Giddings states, “One of the first of the ‘athletic’ 40 DEs, he combined speed, power, and knowledge. His real tribute is his late-career production at Phi, when despite losing a step he continued to be a top one through ethic and savvy.”
11. Andy Robustelli
Robustelli, like Len Ford, began his career as a stand-up defensive end but when he was traded to the Giants he was a full-time 4-3 end with his hand in the dirt.
He was a seven-time First-team All-Pro (though only two were consensus) and was a Second-team All-Pro four additional times to go with his seven Pro Bowl selections.
Teammate Frank Gifford stated, “Sure Andy was quick but he was tough, strong and very, very smart, too. He made players play better than their ability, he brought it out of them. I thought he was far and away the best defensive end of the era.”
Robustelli’s detractor was Gino Marchetti, who told us that “Brito was faster and quicker off the ball” and wasn’t as impressed with Robustelli’s play as Gifford was.
Giddings states, “One of the first of the ‘athletic’ 40 DEs, he combined speed, power, and knowledge. His real tribute is his late-career production at Phi, when despite losing a step he continued to be a top one through ethic and savvy.”
11. Andy Robustelli
He was a seven-time First-team All-Pro (though only two were consensus) and was a Second-team All-Pro four additional times to go with his seven Pro Bowl selections.
Teammate Frank Gifford stated, “Sure Andy was quick but he was tough, strong and very, very smart, too. He made players play better than their ability, he brought it out of them. I thought he was far and away the best defensive end of the era.”
Robustelli’s detractor was Gino Marchetti, who told us that “Brito was faster and quicker off the ball” and wasn’t as impressed with Robustelli’s play as Gifford was.
“Watch Andy on the field,” his final coach Allie Sherman once said, “and you’ll be studying a real master. Terrific speed of mind, hands and feet make him the best. But without burning desire, he would be just an average football player.”
Still, Robustelli, who entered the league in 1951, was still a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year as late as 1962 according to Troup. He was that effective in his twelfth year.
Still, Robustelli, who entered the league in 1951, was still a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year as late as 1962 according to Troup. He was that effective in his twelfth year.
12. Chris Doleman
Doleman began his career as a linebacker, he was envisioned as a strong-side Lawrence Taylor. It didn’t work out and every time Floyd Peters would turn and see Doleman standing next to him on third downs he moved Doleman to the Vikings 4-3 flop defense and a wide-40 end and Doleman didn’t disappoint.
He ended with 151 sacks, 47 forced fumbles, was an NFC Defensive Player of the Year, A Second-team All-Decade for the 1990s and gave certain tackles fits. He once got four sacks off of Anthony Munoz and four off of Willie Roaf, to name two.
Doleman was an eight-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro and led the NFL in sacks in 1989 with 21. Buchsbaum called him “A speed rusher with a knack for cause fumbles”
13. Julius Peppers
Peppers, still active, was a linebacker for a few years in Green Bay and was a designated rusher last season in his return to Carolina. His sack total currently is 155 and he has 52 forced fumbles.
He is a four-time All-Pro, a Second-team All-Pro twice and went to nine Pro Bowls. He also seems to have a nose for the ball after he’s knocked it loose, recovering four fumbles (two were scoop and scores) and pick off 11 passes (four were returned for touchdowns) and defensed 78 passes, likely second only to Too Tall Jones’s total for defensive ends.
14. Fred Dean
Dean played 11 seasons in the NFL and about half were as a part-time player—as a designated rusher. He had 93 sacks, was the 1981 UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year, and was an All-Pro in 1980 and 1981. He began his career as a 223-pound left defensive end (strong side) and was moved to a more natural right end spot in 1977. He could have been All-Pro in 1978 when he ended with 14½ sacks.
Dean was the missing piece for the 49ers in 1981 and his rush helped the 49ers get their first Super Bowl win. He ended the year with 13 sacks. In 1983 he was again a Pro Bowler and had 17.5 sacks. He held out in 1984 but returned for the playoff run and the second Super Bowl win in the Walsh dynasty. In 1985 he slumped and was gone after the season, being replaced by Charles Haley.
He was not a particularly dedicated athlete once stating, "I get the urge to lift weights. I just lie down for a while and the urge passes." Still, he had amazing natural strength and to this day is in the conversation for the fastest defensive lineman ever—he has a 4.48 forty-yard dash to his credit. Jevon Kearse, Cliff Avril, Leonard Little, and Deacon Jones are the only ones who are in that league.
Dean was undersized, 6-2, 230 pounds or so, but was often reported to get below 220 near the end of a season. Giddings comments, “Lightest strong-man ever viewed. Uncanny leg base and strength combined with top, top speed allowed him to attack much bigger blockers low and whip them most of the time." Zander Hollander added this, "He gives Art Shell fits and he outweighs him by 100 pounds. Once last year (1978) He shoved Shell backward like he was a lightweight."
15. Rich Jackson
A Dr. Z favorite, we have made it a special mission to watch his game film and he was what Zimmerman said. He was very, very strong and quick, though not fast, you didn’t see him chase people down like Deacon Jones did but could avoid blockers at will. He had 46 sacks and was All-AFL/NFL in 1968, 1969, and 1970 and All-AFC in 1971.
He prided himself on playing the run. When asked he told us, “If they were going to run block me, I’d use their same technique on the, in a sense I’d run block them only getting lower and with more power.”
He was the enforcer on the Broncos defense as well as the best pass rusher. He led the team in 1969 with 12½ and 10 in 1970. Broncos lore is filled with Jackson’s massive bench press and overall body strength.
In the Broncos scheme, he moved around on the line some playing some tackle and right end and even stood up as a linebacker on occasion. But he was best at his power moves and a combination of different head slaps and other pass rush moves.
With his 114 sacks and 1977 Defensive Player of the Year Award (20 sacks that season), Martin was one of the better ends of his era. He was an All-Pro once and a three-time Second-team All-Pro and was a four-time All-Pro. He was also second-team All-Decade for the 1970s.
A pure blind side rusher who was All-Pro once and Second-team All-Pro twice and ended his career with 122 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, three Pro Bowls and a ring.
Rice certainly has a high opinion of himself, recently saying “I’m good with what I did,” Rice says. “I was the best in the world at what I did. I know I was transcendent. I know defenses were built around me. I know I affected players around me. I know I was able to call my shot. Whether I get elected to the Hall of Fame, don’t get elected . . . that ain’t on me anymore.”
The statistics of “stuffs” or PFJ’s run/pass stuffs are just that, one data point that gives an idea of a player’s performance just like sacks do. They are not the end-all-be-all, just like sacks are not. When we look at run/pass stuffs for Rice he averaged 3.5 per season with a high of 6.5. Those are not the numbers of a player who is making plays in the backfield year-in and year-out. Does it absolutely prove Rice, like many other of these 40 ends, was not great versus the run, but it does paint a fair background.
In his era, Rice was a top, top rusher. From 1996-2005, his full seasons, he led the NFL with 119.0 sacks, leading Strahan by 2.5 sacks.
30. Jim Katcavage
One of our favorites, three-time All-Pro and two more seasons he was an All-Conference selection. He had 20 sacks in 1963 and was a solid run defender throughout his career. In 1963 he can make a claim as the NFL Defensive Player, in fact, he'd get our vote.
He’s not well known to even hardcore football fans. But was very, very good.
31. Michael Bennett
Chris Collinsworth called Michael Bennett an “all-time great” on an NBC telecast last year. Well, almost, we say. Solid versus the run, plays some defensive tackle in passing downs, makes run stops for losses as well as solid pass rusher. Bennett is one of few defensive ends we've run across who has not run stuffs than sacks and considering he's a fine pass rusher from inside and outside, that's saying something.
So far in his career, he has 63 run stuffs and 54 sacks, if he keeps that pace up he could end career with 100+ sacks and stuffs, a rare feat if he chooses to play for another four or five years and he stays at his peak. So far, he's a three-time Pro Bowler Not an all-time great, but an all-time very good.
In 2012 Pro Football Journal named him Second-team All-Pro and First-team All-NFC. In 2013 PFJ named him Second-team All-Pro as a nickel rusher and in 2014 Bennett was a Pro Bowl alternate and Grantland.com named him All-Pro and PFJ named him Second-team All-NFC and did so again in 2015 when Sports Illustrated's Peter King named Bennett First-team All-Pro (Bennett also made his first Pro Bowl in 2015 and was a PFWA All-NFC pick as well). Bennett followed all those "all" years with two more Pro Bowls in 2016 and 2017.
In 2016 Carson Palmer called Bennett, the second-best defensive lineman in the NFL behind Los Angeles' Aaron Donald. "He's J.J. Watt-like. He moves around all over the place. He's inside, he's outside. He's dominant in the run. He's dominant in the pass."
32. Ed "Too Tall" Jones
Too Tall Jones had 106 sacks and 102 passes deflected, the only 100-100 club member. Probably should have been better than he was, we’re told the flex defense likely held him back in pass rush situations when teams threw on first down.
Giddings view is, “Doubt there has been & maybe won’t be a big, tall man with his level of football athletic ability. Immovable at the point of attack (even in his final years) and no stronger power rusher. Wonder how many sacks he would have had if not in “Flex” position, off the line of scrimmage and so many 1st and 10s in his career.
Ron Yary agreed, “Too Tall was saddled with a bad scheme for him. If he played for the Rams, where they let their guys get up the field and react to the run, he may have been the best ever.” Said Buchsbaum, “(P)lays the run extremely well and because of his height is difficult to throw over.” Jones also was credited with 11 blocked kicks in his career.
33. Jim Marshall
Many advocate for Jim Marshall to be included in the Hall of Fame. We respectfully disagree unless you want players who were good for a long time but never great. Marshall did have 127 sacks, but he played 20 seasons (19 for which we have data) which is an average of just under 7 sacks a season. He also never made a First-team, though he did make a couple of Pro Bowls. He was certainly someone to admire on the field, sometimes weighing under 220 pounds and taking on big left tackles. He was a leader, a hustler, a tough guy and an iron man. Is that enough for HOF? Maybe. But production should count for some of the equation, no?
His best season was 1969 when he had 17 sacks and was Second-team All-Pro and in 1964 he had 11½ sacks and was also Second-team All-Pro.
34. Cedrick Hardman
Cedrick Hardman may be the classic great rusher, no run defense type of end. One of the 49er defensive coaches, Mike Giddings told us, “We threw a party for Ced when he closed his first trap. It was 1972.” For the record, 1972 was Hardman’s third season, showing he really could be suckered his first few years in the NFL. Hardman led the NFL in sacks in the 1970s and was a Pro Bowler in 1971 and 1975. At the end of his career he won a ring with the Oakland Raiders in 1980. It marked a milestone of sorts, he was the first designated pass rusher to win a Super Bowl ring.
Bacon had a long career with the Rams, Chargers, Bengals, and Redskins. He also played a year in the USFL for the Washington Federals. Bacon was a Second-team All-Pro in 1971 and 1976 and was a Pro Bowler in 1971, 72, 76. He had 130 career sacks including 21½ in 1976.
Was traded to the Chargers in 1973 because the Rams brass didn’t think he’d fit in the odd-man scheme the Rams were installing that season with the arrival of Chuck Knox and Ray Malavasi. He was effective with the Chargers, as he had been with the Rams. He was traded in 1976 to the Bengals for Charlie Joiner where he went to two Pro Bowls with that club, unofficially leading the NFL in sacks with 21½ in 1976. He went to the Redskins for a few years and then was a decent player for a season in the USFL in 1983.
Bacon, though not stellar versus the run did average 6 tackles for loss per season (during his prime) with a high of 13.5 in 1971—which is a rare number. He should have been First-team All-Pro that year since he had 11 sacks to go with the stuffs.
Said Giddings, "'Late-bloomer' who did not fit into Dallas’s disciplined system but could wreak havoc when turned loose. More of a 30-DE or 40-DT 'power-you' type. Perfect fit next to a disciplined, read DL."
37. Al Baker
Baker, like Bacon, was a supreme pass rusher and so-so versus the run. As a rookie, he recorded 23 sacks, the most we’ve found in any one season. He had 132 career sacks. Buchsbaum “tremendous rusher with great outside move and long arms he uses to keep blockers at bay but can be baited and pulled out of the position versus the run.”
Baker was a consensus All-Pro in 1978 and a Pro Bowler in 1978-80. He followed defensive line coach to St. Louis and moved to the left end and had decent seasons in 1983 and 1984.
In his first nine seasons Baker averaged 12½ sacks a season but just 4 run stuffs, showing the focus more on sacks than the run. In his last four seasons he spent three as a designated rusher (a good role for him) but he was not all that effective compared to others in that same role.
38. Bill Stanfill
Stanfill was a solid all-around end and was First-team All-Pro in 1972 and 1973 and a Second-teamer in 1974 and was voted to five Pro Bowls. In 1973 Dick Anderson was the AP Defensive Player of the Year but Stanfill might have been the better choice, he had 18½ sacks and 10 run stuffs for a top defense (though Jack Youngblood might have something to say about it—16½ sacks and 13½ run stuffs on the #1 defense).
Stanfill’s neck injuries ended his career early. He played plenty in a 3-4 defense, but not enough to consider him a pure 3-4 end. Teammate Vern Den Herder is a tougher call.
Giddings view is, “A power guy who was faster than foes figured”
39. Michael McCrary
McCrary may be the first defensive end we heard referred to as having “a high motor.” That phrase is commonplace now, but in the mid-1990s not so much. He was a situational rusher for a few years in Seattle, finally becoming a starter in his fourth season, 1996. He had 13.5 sacks that season and was a UFA after the season and signed with the Ravens. From 1997 through 2001 he averaged 11 sacks per 16 games but ultimately injuries cut his career short.
In 1998 he should have had a strong claim on the Defensive Player of the Year totaling high numbers in sacks and stuffs and was chosen to Dr. Z’s All-pro team. The winner of the DPOY award, Reggie White had 16 sacks but only three stuffs. Buchsbaum said, “a great leverage player with tremendous instincts and reactions.”
Like Curtis Greer, his knees just gave out and he didn’t get the long career that some on this list did. He did get a ring and was a part of the 2000 Ravens defenses so he does have a decent NFL legacy.
40. Jack Gregory
Gregory replaced Bill Glass at right end in Cleveland and was traded to the New York Giants in 1972 where he had a strong case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year He led the NFL in sacks in 1972 with 18½ and was All-Pro. He was deployed by the Giants as a "rover" in 1972 where he would line up an any of the five defensive line positions and but was usually the weak-side end. The Rover defense was patterned after what the Raiders did with Dan Birdwell, moving him around to take advantage of situations or to keep him away from exceptional blockers. The defensive coordinator in 1972 and 73 was Jim Garrett and the Rover was his baby and he left after the 1973 season when Giant head coach Alex Webster was let go.
In 1974 the Giants hired Bill Arnsparger as head coach and the Rover was out and his role became very similar to that of Bill Stanfill. In his career he a total of two Pro Bowls and had a good claim on a Pro Bowl slot in 1975 but lost out to Cedrick Hardman and Fred Dryer.
Giddings of Proscout, Inc. states, “Underrated pro. Who won by both ability and smarts. The type whose ‘numbers’ add up when you finished evaluating him.
41. Ike Lassiter
One of the four top AFL ends, he unofficially led the AFL in sacks in 1967 with 17. The prior year he was a Second-team All-AFL choice and in 1968 and 1969 he was also a Second-team All-AFC selection. He began his career with the Broncos and ended it with the Patriots (not counting a year with the WFL) but he did not have the kind of success that he had with Oakland. From our film study he should have been All-AFL more, maybe over Jerry Mays or Ron McDole a couple of times but that is, of course, 20-20 hindsight.
42. Clyde Simmons
Often overshadowed but a long-time, steady performer. He was All-Pro in 1991 and 1991 and led the NFL in sacks with 19 in 1992 and additionally was a Second-team All-NFC pick in 1989. He scored four defensive touchdowns—two pick-sixes and two scoop-and-scores and was good versus the run. In his prime—from 1989-93 he averaged 7 stuffs and 12 sacks a year.
Was mostly a right end, but moved to defensive tackle at times when Eagles, and then the Cardinals had a good rusher to play outside and they were trying to get four best rushers on the field. This happened most often in Jacksonville when they went with a four DE set and some with the Cardinals when Keith McCants was healthy.
He also played the same spot as Richard Dent when he was with Buddy Ryan in Philly and Zona so he could be seen left end if the tight end was on the offensive left side as the 46 had the end and two “46” linebackers flop sides according to strength. Like many on this list, he ended his career as a designated rusher.
43. Rob Burnett
One of the top-run defending defensive ends of the 1990s and could rush the passer as well, but his forte was playing left defensive end in run situations and playing defensive tackle in likely passing downs. In 1994 he was a Second-team All-AFC and in 2000 he was Second-team All-Pro. He likely should have been a Pro Bowler in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1999 in addition to the 1994 Pro Bowl, which he made. It’s not like he should have made all of them, just that they were seasons worthy of selection.
Paul Zimmerman wrote this in 2000—
"Here's what Burnett means to the Ravens: He's the only member of their front four who can rush the passer and still stand firm at the point. Which allows the tackles, Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams, to slant away from Burnett and toward Michael McCrary, freeing him to rush upfield, a skill at which he excels. It's a terrific scheme, and Burnett, who never takes a play off and can put on a serious pass rush of his own, is the guy who makes it go."
44. Jerry Mays
Mays was a five-time All-AFL selection plus two additional Second-team selections and went to 7 AFL-All-Star games and was All-Decade for the AFL. A solid, not spectacular type who began his career as a defensive tackle and moved to left end early in his career. He also played some 3-4 end as the Chiefs were one of the AFL teams that switched fronts most often.
45. John Abraham
A 40-speed rusher with great skill, but another of the so-so run defenders. He was a three-time All-Pro and voted to five Pro Bowls. Abraham had eight seasons with double-digit sacks with a career-high of 16.5 in 2008.
He ended his career as a hybrid 3-4 LBer/DE in nickel player and had good success in that role with the Cardinals. He was a penchant for forcing fumbles, ending his career with 47 and had three seasons with six—a rare feat shared only with Leonard Little.
46. Cameron Wake
Currently, Wake has 92 sacks in nine NFL seasons and has been to five Pro Bowls, and was a First-team All-Pro twice and a Second-team All-Pro twice. He played in the CFL before going to the Dolphins in 2009. He played some base linebacker when the Dolphins played in a 3-4 one-gap scheme. The last six years he’s been a 40-speed end and a very good one. The problem is run defense. He seems to get up field well but when run "shows" he doesn't make the number of plays as he likely should. Since becoming a full-time defensive end in 2012 he has only 12.5 run stuffs—about two per season, a very low total.
47. Fred Dryer
Dryer was a Junior College All-American and a Little College All-America with SDSU. He was a first-round pick in 1969 and he totaled 28½ sacks the Giants. He had 75 sacks with the Rams. He was an alternate to the 1970 Pro Bowl but didn’t play due to a late-season hip injury and was voted to the 1975 Pro Bowl when he had 12 sacks. He was a First-team All-Pro in 1974 and a Second-team All-pro in 1975.
He was quick off the ball and was terrific in pursuit. However, no defensive end was hurt more as the NFL loosened the rules for offensive linemen in how they could use his hands. “My effectiveness went down beginning in 1976”, said Dryer and it was a struggle for him the rest of his career. From 1976-81 he had only one double-digit sack season and that was 1979 and in that season he had 5 sacks in one game in that campaign. He had double digits in sacks in 1970, 1973-75 as well.
Stated Giddings, "A taller, higher cut Hardman. Ted Hendricks in a 3-point stance. Fame was outside speed rusher but he was a top run defender via reads and 'staying alive'. Blockers rarely hit him square, run or pass."
48. Dexter Manley
Manley’s 1986 season was terrific, he had 18.5 sacks and drew offensive left tackles across the line of scrimmage into 27 penalties--including 15 holding calls--for a total of 218 yards and was a consensus All-Pro. He ended with 103.5 sacks in his career, averaging about 11 sacks a season from 1981-89. He was the “blind side” rusher for the Redskin teams that won two Super Bowls (1982 and 1987) during his tenure.
Manly was quirky, to say the least. He showed up at training camp in 1983 with a Mohawk haircut and the new, self-imposed nickname of Mr. D. He wore many different styles of facemasks, rarely if ever the same, year in and year out.
He had a cup of coffee with the Cardinals and Buccaneers and was then banned from the NFL due to drug-related issues (a fourth failed drug test). He played a handful of games over a few seasons before calling football quits.
49. Curtis Greer
Greer entered in the NFL in 1980 and was especially good from 1981-85. Joel Buchsbaum called him an “Almost All-Pro type” who rarely gets the credit due. From 1981-85 he averaged 13 sacks per 16 games. A chronic knee injury caused him to miss 1986 and he came back in 1987 and was not effective and was placed on injured reserve late in the season.
In 1988, for the third straight season, he was placed on I.R. In 1989 he tried to catch on with the Vikings to spell Chris Doleman but again that didn’t work out and 1989 ended with another delegation to the injured reserve list. A week later his career ended as his contract was terminated by the Vikings and Greer took them to court.
It’s really too bad so few know of Greer’s career and how a bad knee dogged him for so long. "The kn-ee, al-ways th-e kn-ee" said Howard Cosell.
50 tie. Bubba Smith
Had Bubba Smith not hurt his knee on a sideline chain in the 1972 preseason he may have gone on to be an All-time great and is in the same boat as Rich Jackson and Earl Faison to name two. He was an All-Pro in 1971 and Second-team All-Pro in 1968 and 1970. After the knee injury, he was never the same and had mediocre seasons in Oakland in 1973 and 1974 (after being traded for Raymond Chester) and was a backup to his younger brother, Tody, in 1975.
Bubba’s reputation was such that in 1969 when he had an average year for him, Bob “Boomer” Brown still voted for him on the NEA (Players) All-Pro team. Brown didn’t want to hear about an “off year” stating “Bubba Smith is a load and you can quote me.” His teammate Roy Hilton once said, “I know I can never be the best defensive end on this team because Bubba Smith is the best in the world.”
Smith was one of the early defensive ends to move around, sometimes playing over the center when the Colts employed a three defensive end rush with Billy Newsome and Roy Hilton at the end positions.
50 tie. Ron McDole
In his 18 seasons, McDole played well, but though he was 295 pounds he was not a power player so we don’t call him a 40-power end. He was a quick guy despite the weight and could give some tackles fits. His career-high in sacks was 9 in 1976, but usually, he averaged around 5-6 sacks a season—not what you’d expect from a good pass rusher but seemingly every time Tom Brookshier and Pat Summerall would broadcast a Washington game they would mention they was among the best run stoppers "for a long time."
He ended with 151 sacks, 47 forced fumbles, was an NFC Defensive Player of the Year, A Second-team All-Decade for the 1990s and gave certain tackles fits. He once got four sacks off of Anthony Munoz and four off of Willie Roaf, to name two.
Doleman was an eight-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro and led the NFL in sacks in 1989 with 21. Buchsbaum called him “A speed rusher with a knack for cause fumbles”
13. Julius Peppers
He is a four-time All-Pro, a Second-team All-Pro twice and went to nine Pro Bowls. He also seems to have a nose for the ball after he’s knocked it loose, recovering four fumbles (two were scoop and scores) and pick off 11 passes (four were returned for touchdowns) and defensed 78 passes, likely second only to Too Tall Jones’s total for defensive ends.
14. Fred Dean
Dean was the missing piece for the 49ers in 1981 and his rush helped the 49ers get their first Super Bowl win. He ended the year with 13 sacks. In 1983 he was again a Pro Bowler and had 17.5 sacks. He held out in 1984 but returned for the playoff run and the second Super Bowl win in the Walsh dynasty. In 1985 he slumped and was gone after the season, being replaced by Charles Haley.
He was not a particularly dedicated athlete once stating, "I get the urge to lift weights. I just lie down for a while and the urge passes." Still, he had amazing natural strength and to this day is in the conversation for the fastest defensive lineman ever—he has a 4.48 forty-yard dash to his credit. Jevon Kearse, Cliff Avril, Leonard Little, and Deacon Jones are the only ones who are in that league.
Dean was undersized, 6-2, 230 pounds or so, but was often reported to get below 220 near the end of a season. Giddings comments, “Lightest strong-man ever viewed. Uncanny leg base and strength combined with top, top speed allowed him to attack much bigger blockers low and whip them most of the time." Zander Hollander added this, "He gives Art Shell fits and he outweighs him by 100 pounds. Once last year (1978) He shoved Shell backward like he was a lightweight."
15. Rich Jackson
He prided himself on playing the run. When asked he told us, “If they were going to run block me, I’d use their same technique on the, in a sense I’d run block them only getting lower and with more power.”
He was the enforcer on the Broncos defense as well as the best pass rusher. He led the team in 1969 with 12½ and 10 in 1970. Broncos lore is filled with Jackson’s massive bench press and overall body strength.
In the Broncos scheme, he moved around on the line some playing some tackle and right end and even stood up as a linebacker on occasion. But he was best at his power moves and a combination of different head slaps and other pass rush moves.
Jackson began his career late, at age 25, playing linebacker with the Oakland Raiders. He didn't play much (five games, recording five tackles) and the Raiders traded him to Denver where he began his dominance.
In 1971 he severely injured a knee and missed the last half of the season. He came back in 1972 and was not yet 100% but was asked to play anyway and when his performance was not up to snuff he was traded to the Browns where he finished his career. The treatment of Jackson and the trade to the Browns angered some of the Broncos including Lyle Alzado who carried a grudge against John Ralston, the Broncos coach, for those actions.
In 1973 Jackson was contacted by Chuck Fairbanks, the new coach of the Patriots, about being their nose tackle. The Patriots were going to a 3-4 defense and though Jackson may not have had the former speed to play end anymore, he was fully capable of playing nose, with his overwhelming strength.
Jackson told Fairbanks he would do it one onde condition—if he could be a player-coach, coaching the defensive line. Jackson, an education major, was ready to get his next career going, teaching, coaching, whatever that may ential. So, he would have liked to play but also wanted to get experience coaching as well.
Fairbanks turned down the offer and Jackson's career was officially over.
16. Jason Taylor
A true edge rusher, he moved around from left end to right end, from lineman to linebacker. He ended his career with 139.5 sacks, 46 forced fumbles, 8 interceptions (3 were pick-sixes) and was a three-time First-team All-Pro (with one additional Second-team selection), and was a six-time Pro Bowler and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. He missed by one being in the 100 sack, 100 passes defensed club with Ed “Too Tall” Jones. Taylor had 99, Jones 102.
Taylor was a tall, lanky, slipper type. He had good speed and great quickness, but not the type of speed of a Fred Dean or Jevon Kearse. But he developed the ability to slip tackles and make plays.
Taylor was a first-ballot HOFer, making him in the same group as Gino Marchetti, Deacon Jones, Reggie White and Bruce Smith. Come on. As good as Taylor was, the HOF committee didn’t get that right. If indeed, the first-ballot moniker means anything (and some think it is, other do no) then that was an injustice. Taylor just does not have a career with the gravitas of Marchetti, Jones, White and Smith.
However, he is one of the best, just not one of the top five.
17. Charles Haley
Charles Haley was half 3-4 linebacker and half 4-3 end. He was the 1990 UPI Defensive Player of the year as a linebacker and in 1994 he won the same award in 1994 as a defensive end for Dallas. He won two rings with the 49ers and three with Dallas, totaling five.
Haley ended his career with 100.5 sacks. He suffered quite a lot of injuries that limited his career totals. In 1994 Buchsbaum called him “the best speed rusher in the game provided his back is okay.”
Haley may be one of those whose numbers don’t reflect his skills. He had some good years in sacks but it was his QB hits and hurries that made a big difference on the Cowboys defense. Like Fred Dean was to the 49ers, Charles Haley was to the Cowboys—he was the edge pressure guy that was thought of as the “missing piece” of the defense.
18. Richard Dent
Dent, a two-time All-Pro (and two-time Second-team All-Pro), and a four-time Pro Bowl. Dent likely should have earned more post-season honors in terms of Pro Bowls because of when the voting was done and also to untimely injuries. Dent was dominant in 1985 and capped that season with a Super Bowl MVP award.
Still, it seems Dent should have been better than he was, given his skills. Said Buchsbaum, “Had gotten better versus the run and can still rush the passer.” In 1987 Buchsbaum said that “success may have gone to Dent’s head” and “He didn’t wake up and play football until late in the 1986 season.”
In 1988 it was reported that Ditka was upset with Dent’s “inconsistent play and poor practice habits.” He ended up playing as a designated pass rusher in Philadelphia and Indianapolis. It was also reported that Dent was heavy in 1989.
Even with the criticisms, Dent did have a fine career, but on balance maybe somewhat overrated. But he’s not overrated to himself. In 1986, when threatening to hold out of the Super Bowl, he said: “Yeah, I’m the best defensive end in the league.” And continued, “I’ve played linebacker, I don’t think Howie Long can play linebacker. We both can play end and tackle, I feel I can play any position on the field.” And I get more sacks than Long.” Yes, Dent did get more sacks than Howie Long, but fewer run stuffs (only 41 in his career), and fewer All-Pro selections and Pro Bowls, too.
Fairbanks turned down the offer and Jackson's career was officially over.
16. Jason Taylor
Taylor was a tall, lanky, slipper type. He had good speed and great quickness, but not the type of speed of a Fred Dean or Jevon Kearse. But he developed the ability to slip tackles and make plays.
Taylor was a first-ballot HOFer, making him in the same group as Gino Marchetti, Deacon Jones, Reggie White and Bruce Smith. Come on. As good as Taylor was, the HOF committee didn’t get that right. If indeed, the first-ballot moniker means anything (and some think it is, other do no) then that was an injustice. Taylor just does not have a career with the gravitas of Marchetti, Jones, White and Smith.
However, he is one of the best, just not one of the top five.
17. Charles Haley
Haley ended his career with 100.5 sacks. He suffered quite a lot of injuries that limited his career totals. In 1994 Buchsbaum called him “the best speed rusher in the game provided his back is okay.”
Haley may be one of those whose numbers don’t reflect his skills. He had some good years in sacks but it was his QB hits and hurries that made a big difference on the Cowboys defense. Like Fred Dean was to the 49ers, Charles Haley was to the Cowboys—he was the edge pressure guy that was thought of as the “missing piece” of the defense.
18. Richard Dent
Still, it seems Dent should have been better than he was, given his skills. Said Buchsbaum, “Had gotten better versus the run and can still rush the passer.” In 1987 Buchsbaum said that “success may have gone to Dent’s head” and “He didn’t wake up and play football until late in the 1986 season.”
In 1988 it was reported that Ditka was upset with Dent’s “inconsistent play and poor practice habits.” He ended up playing as a designated pass rusher in Philadelphia and Indianapolis. It was also reported that Dent was heavy in 1989.
Even with the criticisms, Dent did have a fine career, but on balance maybe somewhat overrated. But he’s not overrated to himself. In 1986, when threatening to hold out of the Super Bowl, he said: “Yeah, I’m the best defensive end in the league.” And continued, “I’ve played linebacker, I don’t think Howie Long can play linebacker. We both can play end and tackle, I feel I can play any position on the field.” And I get more sacks than Long.” Yes, Dent did get more sacks than Howie Long, but fewer run stuffs (only 41 in his career), and fewer All-Pro selections and Pro Bowls, too.
One issue is that in his 15 seasons Dent started ten or more games just ten times—his last two were as a designated rusher and he was hurt the two seasons before that. It just seems Dent could have been much more.
19. Mark Gastineau
It’s true, Mark Gastineau didn’t play the run very well (except for 1983 when he had 11.5 run stuffs) but his pass-rush ability was amazing. He was a four-time All-Pro (two of them were consensus) and was a Second-team All-Pro in 1981 as well. He was the NEA Defensive Player of the Year in 1982 and he was a five-time Pro Bowl selection. In ten seasons he amassed 107.5 sacks.
Joel Buchsbaum wasn’t as down on Gastineau’s play versus the run as many in the media, including Dr. Z. In 1984 Buchsbaum wrote, “size, strength, speed, stamina, intensity, and knowledge to back up the publicity he gets. He’s simply the best defensive end in the NFL.”
Said Buchsbaum in early 1986, “He has great explosive strength and is the premier pass rusher in the game and has become a force against the run.”
Proscout, Inc., essentially concurred, ranking Gastineau as the top DE in NFL in 1981 and a “blue” player every year from 1981-85. Injuries and then personal issues ended his career in 1988. Had he hung around and even played somewhere as a nickel rusher he might have ended with 140 or more sacks. But, he was another of the near meteor-like careers that are on this list.
20. Earl Faison
Like fellow AFLer Rich Jackson, Earl Faison had a career shortened by injuries, predominately a severe back injury. He was an All-AFL pick and played some as a linebacker when the Chargers deployed a 3-4 scheme.
He was the AFL rookie of the Year in 1961 and from 1961-65 was usually an All-AFL pick. He was large for the era and moved well and had natural strength. The Chargers strength coach Alvin Roy said that had Faison wanted to he could have been the strongest man in the world, competing in powerlifting contests.
He ended his career with a very short stint in Miami but his back was not up to the task.
19. Mark Gastineau
Joel Buchsbaum wasn’t as down on Gastineau’s play versus the run as many in the media, including Dr. Z. In 1984 Buchsbaum wrote, “size, strength, speed, stamina, intensity, and knowledge to back up the publicity he gets. He’s simply the best defensive end in the NFL.”
Said Buchsbaum in early 1986, “He has great explosive strength and is the premier pass rusher in the game and has become a force against the run.”
Proscout, Inc., essentially concurred, ranking Gastineau as the top DE in NFL in 1981 and a “blue” player every year from 1981-85. Injuries and then personal issues ended his career in 1988. Had he hung around and even played somewhere as a nickel rusher he might have ended with 140 or more sacks. But, he was another of the near meteor-like careers that are on this list.
20. Earl Faison
He was the AFL rookie of the Year in 1961 and from 1961-65 was usually an All-AFL pick. He was large for the era and moved well and had natural strength. The Chargers strength coach Alvin Roy said that had Faison wanted to he could have been the strongest man in the world, competing in powerlifting contests.
He ended his career with a very short stint in Miami but his back was not up to the task.
21. Jared Allen
Allen ended with 136 sacks in 12 seasons and was a two-time NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year winner. He was a four-time All-Pro (three were consensus) and five-time Pro Bowler. He had a career-high 22 sacks in 2011 and had a string of seven straight double-digit sack seasons from 2007-13. He led the NFL in sacks in 2007 and 2011 as well and from 2005-13 he led the NFL in sacks with 119.5.
Allen was hampered a bit because he had short arms for an end (No Neil Smith was he) but he had the ability to get into a blocker and break holds by tackles and once free had great effort and hustle to close the distance to a quarterback. Imagine what he'd have done with longer arms!
22. Gene Brito
Brito was another short career player, with Lou Gehrig’s-type disease driving him from the game. On film he was quicker off the ball than anyone in his era and had a nice little spin move to the inside. He began, like Len Ford, as an offensive receiver and didn’t permanently move to defensive end until 1955 (not counting his year in the CFL).
He was a four-time consensus All-Pro and was Second-team All-Pro one season with the Rams. His illness opened up a spot at left defensive end, where Deacon Jones took over.
23. Neil Smith
Smith was close to being considered a 3-4 end and not included here. But, but by a small percentage, he spent more time in a 40 than a 30. And when he was in the 3-4 it was more of a one-gap 3-4 scheme than a traditional two-gap, so here he is, with the 4-3 ends.
Allen was hampered a bit because he had short arms for an end (No Neil Smith was he) but he had the ability to get into a blocker and break holds by tackles and once free had great effort and hustle to close the distance to a quarterback. Imagine what he'd have done with longer arms!
22. Gene Brito
He was a four-time consensus All-Pro and was Second-team All-Pro one season with the Rams. His illness opened up a spot at left defensive end, where Deacon Jones took over.
23. Neil Smith
He was good versus the run, had long arms, and was an excellent pass rusher. And ‘long arms’ is an understatement, he was 6'4” but his wingspan was 7'0'—a rule of thumb is that one’s height is about the same as his wingspan.
Smith was a one-time First-team All-Pro and three-time Second-team All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler. He ended his career with 104.5 sacks. He was "blue" more often than not when graded by Proscout, Inc., and was still rock solid with the Broncos in the late 1990s when he was part of getting a couple of rings for the Broncos.
Smith was a one-time First-team All-Pro and three-time Second-team All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler. He ended his career with 104.5 sacks. He was "blue" more often than not when graded by Proscout, Inc., and was still rock solid with the Broncos in the late 1990s when he was part of getting a couple of rings for the Broncos.
24. Harvey Martin
He began his career as the first full-time designated pass rusher in league history, playing left end in on passing downs. He did that for two years before becoming a starter in 1975. Billy Kilmer said about Martin, "He's is the premier defensive end in the league. Nobody's close, he's better than all of them."
Said Giddings, "Power-40 DE. Not as fast/quick as many but had those power slaps plus the "long first step" that is mandatory for a top outside rusher. Similar style to Eller but on right side."
Said Giddings, "Power-40 DE. Not as fast/quick as many but had those power slaps plus the "long first step" that is mandatory for a top outside rusher. Similar style to Eller but on right side."
25. L.C. Greenwood
Greenwood came close to the Hall of Fame several times, being a Final 15 member but failed to make it. He ended his career, by our count, with 78 sacks, was a two-time All-Pro and voted to six Pro Bowls. His career-high in sacks was 11 in 1974 and 10½ in 1971 and for a tall (6-6) thin (245) player he was good versus the run, but it also helped having Jack Ham on his left flank and Joe Greene to his right.
He could have been the MVP of both Super Bowl IX and X, but lost out to Franco Harris and Lynn Swann and in addition, Greenwood still holds the unofficial Super Bowl sack record with four (though it was really three) in Super Bowl X.
Giddings states, "Again, a lot like Eller, but maybe quicker. Relied more on his feet than Eller. Top slaps."
26. Leslie O'Neal
O’Neal was a great technician but was not always the type of leader teams wanted in the locker room. He ended with 132 sacks and 21 forced fumbles. Buchsbaum “A smart pass rusher who knows how to set a tackle up.” Our view is that he had every pass rush move in the book and used his hands as well as anyone. He would fit very well into today's game because so much of pass-rushing is about hands, maybe now more than ever, though "hands" have always been vital.
O’Neal was never a First-team All-Pro but was a Second-team All-Pro in 1990, 1992, and 1994 and was a six-time Pro Bowler. He ended his career with 133.5 sacks with a career-high 17 in 1992. From 1989-91 the Chargers played a 3-4 hybrid defense which had O’Neal standing us as a linebacker on likely run downs/base defense, but playing his usual right defensive end in passing situations.
27. Charles Mann
A truly underrated player, he was in an era with Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Chris Doleman, and Richard Dent. With those four in the NFL, it was hard to make All-Pro and White, Doleman and Dent were in the same conference. Still, Mann made four Pro Bowls and was a Second-team All-Pro in 1987 and 1991. Was a “blue” (Proscout, Inc.’s top rating) all but a few seasons in his career. He played the left side, opposite Dexter Manley and was a top two-way end (run and pass) who had a distinctive stance with his left hand down. He didn't get any post-season honors in 1985, 86, and 90 but certainly was qualified for them.
He could have been the MVP of both Super Bowl IX and X, but lost out to Franco Harris and Lynn Swann and in addition, Greenwood still holds the unofficial Super Bowl sack record with four (though it was really three) in Super Bowl X.
Giddings states, "Again, a lot like Eller, but maybe quicker. Relied more on his feet than Eller. Top slaps."
26. Leslie O'Neal
O’Neal was never a First-team All-Pro but was a Second-team All-Pro in 1990, 1992, and 1994 and was a six-time Pro Bowler. He ended his career with 133.5 sacks with a career-high 17 in 1992. From 1989-91 the Chargers played a 3-4 hybrid defense which had O’Neal standing us as a linebacker on likely run downs/base defense, but playing his usual right defensive end in passing situations.
27. Charles Mann
A truly underrated player, he was in an era with Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Chris Doleman, and Richard Dent. With those four in the NFL, it was hard to make All-Pro and White, Doleman and Dent were in the same conference. Still, Mann made four Pro Bowls and was a Second-team All-Pro in 1987 and 1991. Was a “blue” (Proscout, Inc.’s top rating) all but a few seasons in his career. He played the left side, opposite Dexter Manley and was a top two-way end (run and pass) who had a distinctive stance with his left hand down. He didn't get any post-season honors in 1985, 86, and 90 but certainly was qualified for them.
28. Dwight Freeney
Like Rice, a blindside guy with a great inside spin move. The only issue is if you do that too often you turn your back to the offense and they can take advantage of that.
He had 125.5 sacks and 46 forced fumbles, seven Pro Bowls, and was All-Pro three times. He also got a good endorsement from Titans tackle Michael Roos who called Freeney the "best defensive end he ever faced."
Like Rice, a blindside guy with a great inside spin move. The only issue is if you do that too often you turn your back to the offense and they can take advantage of that.
He had 125.5 sacks and 46 forced fumbles, seven Pro Bowls, and was All-Pro three times. He also got a good endorsement from Titans tackle Michael Roos who called Freeney the "best defensive end he ever faced."
Nonetheless, he was a one-trick pony, a speed rusher was a devastating inside spin move. With that came lots of rewards but some issues since that move requires the player to turn his back to the offense and allows for running backs to take advantage of that it the play is a pass-action run, like a draw or screen.
In the final analysis he will likely be voted into the Hall of Fame at some point because of his postseason honors, his Super Bowl ring and his 2000s All-Decade Team selection.
29. Simeon Rice
Rice certainly has a high opinion of himself, recently saying “I’m good with what I did,” Rice says. “I was the best in the world at what I did. I know I was transcendent. I know defenses were built around me. I know I affected players around me. I know I was able to call my shot. Whether I get elected to the Hall of Fame, don’t get elected . . . that ain’t on me anymore.”
The statistics of “stuffs” or PFJ’s run/pass stuffs are just that, one data point that gives an idea of a player’s performance just like sacks do. They are not the end-all-be-all, just like sacks are not. When we look at run/pass stuffs for Rice he averaged 3.5 per season with a high of 6.5. Those are not the numbers of a player who is making plays in the backfield year-in and year-out. Does it absolutely prove Rice, like many other of these 40 ends, was not great versus the run, but it does paint a fair background.
In his era, Rice was a top, top rusher. From 1996-2005, his full seasons, he led the NFL with 119.0 sacks, leading Strahan by 2.5 sacks.
30. Jim Katcavage
He’s not well known to even hardcore football fans. But was very, very good.
31. Michael Bennett
So far in his career, he has 63 run stuffs and 54 sacks, if he keeps that pace up he could end career with 100+ sacks and stuffs, a rare feat if he chooses to play for another four or five years and he stays at his peak. So far, he's a three-time Pro Bowler Not an all-time great, but an all-time very good.
In 2012 Pro Football Journal named him Second-team All-Pro and First-team All-NFC. In 2013 PFJ named him Second-team All-Pro as a nickel rusher and in 2014 Bennett was a Pro Bowl alternate and Grantland.com named him All-Pro and PFJ named him Second-team All-NFC and did so again in 2015 when Sports Illustrated's Peter King named Bennett First-team All-Pro (Bennett also made his first Pro Bowl in 2015 and was a PFWA All-NFC pick as well). Bennett followed all those "all" years with two more Pro Bowls in 2016 and 2017.
In 2016 Carson Palmer called Bennett, the second-best defensive lineman in the NFL behind Los Angeles' Aaron Donald. "He's J.J. Watt-like. He moves around all over the place. He's inside, he's outside. He's dominant in the run. He's dominant in the pass."
32. Ed "Too Tall" Jones
Giddings view is, “Doubt there has been & maybe won’t be a big, tall man with his level of football athletic ability. Immovable at the point of attack (even in his final years) and no stronger power rusher. Wonder how many sacks he would have had if not in “Flex” position, off the line of scrimmage and so many 1st and 10s in his career.
Ron Yary agreed, “Too Tall was saddled with a bad scheme for him. If he played for the Rams, where they let their guys get up the field and react to the run, he may have been the best ever.” Said Buchsbaum, “(P)lays the run extremely well and because of his height is difficult to throw over.” Jones also was credited with 11 blocked kicks in his career.
33. Jim Marshall
His best season was 1969 when he had 17 sacks and was Second-team All-Pro and in 1964 he had 11½ sacks and was also Second-team All-Pro.
34. Cedrick Hardman
After an injury-marred 1979 season he went to the Raiders where he played in their four defensive end nickel set and recorded 9½ sacks. He played one more year for the Raiders and in 1983 played a season for the Oakland Invaders of the USFL.
Giddings again, “Ex-running back, perhaps no DE has his upfield burst of speed. Made him ‘trappable’ early in his career but his ‘eyes lit up’ when 49ers put an opponent in 3rd and long.”
35. Tommy Hart
Hart was the strong-side end in the 49ers Flex defense from 1970-75 after being a backup and special teamer his first two seasons. In 1976 new defensive line coach Floyd Peters installed an up-the-field scheme and it freed up Hart and Hardman. Hart was voted to his first Pro Bowl that season and was a consensus First-team All-Pro as well after totaling 16 sacks, the second-most of his career (he had 17 in 1972). Peters said of Hart, "You'll find him in the darndest places, chasing someone fifteen yards downfield and chasing someone (maybe the quarterback) twenty yards the other way."
Giddings again, “Ex-running back, perhaps no DE has his upfield burst of speed. Made him ‘trappable’ early in his career but his ‘eyes lit up’ when 49ers put an opponent in 3rd and long.”
35. Tommy Hart
After a six-sack performance in a 16-0 win over the Rams on Monday Night Football, John Williams, the Rams right tackle told the media, "I've been saying this for a long time that Tommy Hart is one of the best defensive linemen in the National Football League. I can't think of anyone I've played against who is definitely better...He's so quick you have to play the game without blinking. With his quickness and agility he could easily be a linebacker."
In 1977 his production dropped and he was traded to the Bears. In week one in 1978 he had 2 sacks versus Dan Dierdrof who hadn’t given up a sack since 1975. Hart backed up Dan Hampton in 1979 and was a late-season starter in 1980 for the Saints. He’d been signed by the Saints since he had experience in the Flex defense.
Giddings view is, "Came up 6-4, 207, 4.65 forty with the 49ers as an OLBer. Was kept as a linebacker and special teamer and DL coach Paul Wiggin bulked him up to 245 in the off-season. He was unsung, smart, no-harder working 40 DE who developed top pass rush moves. No more solid run-stopper."
Giddings view is, "Came up 6-4, 207, 4.65 forty with the 49ers as an OLBer. Was kept as a linebacker and special teamer and DL coach Paul Wiggin bulked him up to 245 in the off-season. He was unsung, smart, no-harder working 40 DE who developed top pass rush moves. No more solid run-stopper."
36. Coy Bacon
Was traded to the Chargers in 1973 because the Rams brass didn’t think he’d fit in the odd-man scheme the Rams were installing that season with the arrival of Chuck Knox and Ray Malavasi. He was effective with the Chargers, as he had been with the Rams. He was traded in 1976 to the Bengals for Charlie Joiner where he went to two Pro Bowls with that club, unofficially leading the NFL in sacks with 21½ in 1976. He went to the Redskins for a few years and then was a decent player for a season in the USFL in 1983.
Bacon, though not stellar versus the run did average 6 tackles for loss per season (during his prime) with a high of 13.5 in 1971—which is a rare number. He should have been First-team All-Pro that year since he had 11 sacks to go with the stuffs.
Said Giddings, "'Late-bloomer' who did not fit into Dallas’s disciplined system but could wreak havoc when turned loose. More of a 30-DE or 40-DT 'power-you' type. Perfect fit next to a disciplined, read DL."
37. Al Baker
Baker was a consensus All-Pro in 1978 and a Pro Bowler in 1978-80. He followed defensive line coach to St. Louis and moved to the left end and had decent seasons in 1983 and 1984.
In his first nine seasons Baker averaged 12½ sacks a season but just 4 run stuffs, showing the focus more on sacks than the run. In his last four seasons he spent three as a designated rusher (a good role for him) but he was not all that effective compared to others in that same role.
38. Bill Stanfill
Stanfill’s neck injuries ended his career early. He played plenty in a 3-4 defense, but not enough to consider him a pure 3-4 end. Teammate Vern Den Herder is a tougher call.
Giddings view is, “A power guy who was faster than foes figured”
39. Michael McCrary
In 1998 he should have had a strong claim on the Defensive Player of the Year totaling high numbers in sacks and stuffs and was chosen to Dr. Z’s All-pro team. The winner of the DPOY award, Reggie White had 16 sacks but only three stuffs. Buchsbaum said, “a great leverage player with tremendous instincts and reactions.”
Like Curtis Greer, his knees just gave out and he didn’t get the long career that some on this list did. He did get a ring and was a part of the 2000 Ravens defenses so he does have a decent NFL legacy.
40. Jack Gregory
In 1974 the Giants hired Bill Arnsparger as head coach and the Rover was out and his role became very similar to that of Bill Stanfill. In his career he a total of two Pro Bowls and had a good claim on a Pro Bowl slot in 1975 but lost out to Cedrick Hardman and Fred Dryer.
Giddings of Proscout, Inc. states, “Underrated pro. Who won by both ability and smarts. The type whose ‘numbers’ add up when you finished evaluating him.
41. Ike Lassiter
42. Clyde Simmons
Was mostly a right end, but moved to defensive tackle at times when Eagles, and then the Cardinals had a good rusher to play outside and they were trying to get four best rushers on the field. This happened most often in Jacksonville when they went with a four DE set and some with the Cardinals when Keith McCants was healthy.
He also played the same spot as Richard Dent when he was with Buddy Ryan in Philly and Zona so he could be seen left end if the tight end was on the offensive left side as the 46 had the end and two “46” linebackers flop sides according to strength. Like many on this list, he ended his career as a designated rusher.
43. Rob Burnett
Paul Zimmerman wrote this in 2000—
"Here's what Burnett means to the Ravens: He's the only member of their front four who can rush the passer and still stand firm at the point. Which allows the tackles, Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams, to slant away from Burnett and toward Michael McCrary, freeing him to rush upfield, a skill at which he excels. It's a terrific scheme, and Burnett, who never takes a play off and can put on a serious pass rush of his own, is the guy who makes it go."
44. Jerry Mays
45. John Abraham
He ended his career as a hybrid 3-4 LBer/DE in nickel player and had good success in that role with the Cardinals. He was a penchant for forcing fumbles, ending his career with 47 and had three seasons with six—a rare feat shared only with Leonard Little.
46. Cameron Wake
47. Fred Dryer
He was quick off the ball and was terrific in pursuit. However, no defensive end was hurt more as the NFL loosened the rules for offensive linemen in how they could use his hands. “My effectiveness went down beginning in 1976”, said Dryer and it was a struggle for him the rest of his career. From 1976-81 he had only one double-digit sack season and that was 1979 and in that season he had 5 sacks in one game in that campaign. He had double digits in sacks in 1970, 1973-75 as well.
Stated Giddings, "A taller, higher cut Hardman. Ted Hendricks in a 3-point stance. Fame was outside speed rusher but he was a top run defender via reads and 'staying alive'. Blockers rarely hit him square, run or pass."
48. Dexter Manley
Manly was quirky, to say the least. He showed up at training camp in 1983 with a Mohawk haircut and the new, self-imposed nickname of Mr. D. He wore many different styles of facemasks, rarely if ever the same, year in and year out.
He had a cup of coffee with the Cardinals and Buccaneers and was then banned from the NFL due to drug-related issues (a fourth failed drug test). He played a handful of games over a few seasons before calling football quits.
49. Curtis Greer
In 1988, for the third straight season, he was placed on I.R. In 1989 he tried to catch on with the Vikings to spell Chris Doleman but again that didn’t work out and 1989 ended with another delegation to the injured reserve list. A week later his career ended as his contract was terminated by the Vikings and Greer took them to court.
It’s really too bad so few know of Greer’s career and how a bad knee dogged him for so long. "The kn-ee, al-ways th-e kn-ee" said Howard Cosell.
50 tie. Bubba Smith
Bubba’s reputation was such that in 1969 when he had an average year for him, Bob “Boomer” Brown still voted for him on the NEA (Players) All-Pro team. Brown didn’t want to hear about an “off year” stating “Bubba Smith is a load and you can quote me.” His teammate Roy Hilton once said, “I know I can never be the best defensive end on this team because Bubba Smith is the best in the world.”
Smith was one of the early defensive ends to move around, sometimes playing over the center when the Colts employed a three defensive end rush with Billy Newsome and Roy Hilton at the end positions.
50 tie. Ron McDole
He did have a knack for picking off passes, snatching 12 in his career and he blocked at least 18 kicks in his career, fifth all-time according to available records and may have a couple more.
McDole started his career on the offensive line and was moved to defensive end in 1963 and found a home as a starter in 1964. With the Bills he was a five-time All-AFL choice (though none were consensus) and he was a two-time AFL All-Star selection.
In his final year with the Bills he played some defensive tackle when Al Cowlings played the left end and in the mid-1960s he was occasionally a linebacker when the Bills employed a 3-4 scheme (depending on which way the line shifted either end might end up as a linebacker, usually it was Tom Day, but sometimes it'd be McDole. And in the late-1960s he'd even line up as an inside linebacker when the Bills switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 on a down or series of downs.
In 1971 he was traded to the Redskins and was a key member of the “Over the Hill Gang” and he lasted through 1978, making his one of the longest careers in NFL history at the time of his retirement.
50 tie. Gerry Philbin
Another of the good AFL defensive ends who was All-Pro in 1968 and All-AFL in 1968 and 1969. He had 14½ sacks in 1968 and 12 in 1969 and was part of the good Jets defenses in that era. Shoulder injuries hampered him in the early 1970s and he ended his career in the WFL in 1974.
He was on the small side (6-2, 245 or so) but was a good all-around end. He was known to be a tough and nasty player, on the high-strung side.
Honorable mentions:
53. William Fuller
Fuller was a four-time Pro Bowler and had 100.5 career sacks. On the short side, he was not an “angular” player according to scouts, but he could get good leverage and had a good rip move. He beat blockers with “technique, quickness, leverage and guile” accord to Buchsbaum.
Fuller began his career in the USFL and was drafted by the Rams in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL players. He ended up in Houston as part of the Jim Everett trade. He was a backup and fourth lineman (in a 3-man line) for two years and began as a right end and did that for a couple of years and when the Oilers moved to a 4-man line the left end spot was Fuller’s.
In 1994 he was signed as the left end for the Eagles to fill the hole left by Reggie White’s departure to the Packers prior to the 1993 season. Talk about big shoes to fill. He filled them, but it wasn’t the same as when White manned the left end position. He was a Pro Bowler all three seasons with the Eagles and a Second-team All-Pro in one of those, but it was simply an “All-Conference” level of play as opposed to an “All-Pro” level.
Fuller ended his career with 100.5 sacks and had a knack for batting down passes, finishing with 56.
54. Robert Mathis
Mathis was a designated rusher much of his career and an outside linebacker (rush backer) in his last five season. He forced 54 fumbles and was an All-Pro as a rush backer in 2013 and a five-time Pro Bowler. He played the left side and had decent overall body strength but still, like his linemate Dwight Freeney was more of a rusher than run stopper. Would rank higher but he was a starting 40 end 4½ seasons of his career.
55. Joe Johnson
An excellent two-way player, run and pass. He and a terrible knee injury in 1999, but was a Pro Bowler in 1998 and 2000 and could have been in 2001. One of the “solid, not spectacular” types whose career ended early due to injuries.
56. Elvis Dumervil
Another one who is hard to put into a category. He was an edge rusher for sure, as and end or linebacker but often came off the bench. Like Mathis and Freeney he was not known as a good run defender but was a dynamite rusher.
57. Mario Williams
It seems given his talents Williams could have achieved more, he was an All-Pro a three times a Second-team All-Pro one additional season and named to four Pro Bowls. He ended his career with 97.5 sacks, and during his prime he averaged 12 sacks per 16 games
58. Cameron Jordan
59. Robert Quinn
60. Kevin Carter
61. Verlon Biggs
Biggs was a good player as a Jet and had some good seasons as a Redskin as well. In 1973 he had 15 sacks on an excellent run-stopping team that also led the NFL in sacks. He was completely shut out of post-season honors though. He was a large player for his era and as such some thought he could have been better than he was. Teammate Gerry Philbin said, “If I were as big as Verlon, they’d have to pay me to let them (QBs) live.”
His post-season honors included being All-AFL in 1966 (12½ sacks) and Second-team All-NFL/AFL in 1967 (15 sacks) and 1972 and had a strong case for being at least Second-team All-Pro in 1973.
62. George Andrie
When the Cowboys were one of the top two defensive lines in the NFL (along with the Fearsome Foursome) Andrie was one reason why. Paired on the right side with Bob Lilly, Andrie often got single blocked and was productive. In 1966 he had 18½ “traps” (what Dallas called sacks) and was All-Pro in 1969, Second-team All-Pro in 1966, 1967, 1968 and a Pro Bowler from 1965 through 1969.
63. Lamar Lundy
The right end in the Rams famed Fearsome Foursome but got his only Pro Bowl in 1959, which was before the foursome was formed. He had some good years and was considered a good run player especially later in his career, policing the line of scrimmage when Jones, Olsen, and Roger Brown were getting upfield. Still, he was good for (on average) 8-10 sacks a season in his prime and played a little defensive tackle in 1962.
64. Hugh Douglas
“A natural pass rusher” according to Joel Buchsbaum, he was an All-Pro in 2000 and a Second-teamer in 2002 and a Pro Bowler from 2001-03. His career was relatively short and ended with just 80 sacks, but he was double digits in sacks four seasons and another where he had 9.5 sacks.
65. Justin Tuck
Tuck was a very good run defender and rusher, often moving inside in pass-rush situations. He had four double-digit sack seasons and was a two-time All-Pro. Could have been the MVP in the Super Bowl that ended the Patriots 18-0 dream. He ended his career with 66.5 sacks and 20 forced fumbles
66. Tony Brackens
Strong (440 bench press) and quick, was a designated rusher for his first couple of seasons and rushed from a down position and as a linebacker, often a middle linebacker in the Jaguars dime defenses. In some ways he was like Justin Tuck, similar size, style, versatility and production. Also had gimpy knees. He was a Second-team All-Pro in 1999 and a Pro Bowler that year as well.
67. Jevon Kearse
Like Jason Pierre-Paul and athletic end, was a legitimate 4.43 forty man who had his best season as a rookie. Buchsbaum called him the “best speed type in the game” who was working to become a more complete player. He was a consensus All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 1999 and a Pro Bowler for the next two seasons. In those first three seasons he had 36 sacks and 15 forced fumbles (though from viewing the games Kearse had 10 forced fumbles in 1999, not the eight he is credited with by Elias Sports Bureau). Regardless, he had 38.0 sacks and 13 forced fumbles the rest of his career—so it is fair to say his career was front-loaded.
68. Bill Glass
A right end in the 1960s who often got post-season honors. Was especially good at the rip, often credited being the first master of that move. He got postseason honors (All-Pro, Second-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl or All-Conference) from 1962 through 1967 with the exception of 1966. And though sacks were not known, the year he didn’t get post-season honors, 1966, he had just 6 sacks. In the years he did get post-season honors he averaged 12 sacks with a high of 16½ and a low of 10½.
69. Ordell Braase
Played opposite of Marchetti but was a fine player in his own right. Likely in the same category as Bill Glass and George Andrie and Lamar Lundy. He was a starter from 1960 through 1968 and was a Pro Bowler in 1966 and 1967 and a Second-team All-Pro in 1966 and 1967 by the major news services and was Second-team in 1960 and 1965 via the New York Daily News. In the seasons he was a starter he amassed 78½ sacks.
70. Leonard Little
71. Robert Porcher
Strong two-way player, solid versus the run and pass. According to Buchsbaum “A good solid player against the run or pass” who “does not have great flair.” He was an All-NFC pick in 1997, 1999 and 2001 and was a Pro Bowler in those same three years. He played some defensive tackle early in his career and was a double-digit sacker five times.
72. John Dutton
Began his career as a right-side end and ended it as a left defensive tackle. Was All-Pro in 1976, Second-team in 1975, and All-AFC in 1977. As a right end, he preferred to have his left hand down which is not common but not unheard of, either.
73. Fred Cook
An underrated player never got the post-season accolades he deserved. He was a Second-team All-AFC choice in 1976 and a First-team All-AFC pick in 1977 and from 1975-79 he totaled 52½ sacks. His rookie season, 1974 was not too productive nor was his final season of 1980. That final year the Colts moved from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense in the middle of the season and it just did not suit Cook. He was not built for it. In fact, the switch to the 3-4 is what ended fellow left end L.C. Greenwood’s career. He couldn’t hack it in 1982 so he hung them up.
Cook was traded to the Redskins in 1981 and couldn’t make the club and he sat out the year. In 1982 he was signed by the Chargers but was cut in August and Cook’s NFL ride was over.
74. Norm Willey
Much has been made of "Wildman" Willey's 17 sack game (which never happened). We've seen 15 and 12 sacks reported as well. Dr. Z was at the game and charted it and he swears Willey had a big game, not 17-sacks big, but big. Zim's number is eight, with Pete Pihos getting "something like 2½ and Sears getting one" like that.
Still, eight sacks would be the NFL record and given the account, we feel it's plausible but not provable until game film surfaces.
Willey was a leader of the Eagles "Suicide Squad" defense and was a two-time All-Pro and a Second-team All-Pro once. He played the bulk of his career in a 5-2 or 5-3 defense, but we are lumping those guys into the 4-3 group rather than considering them linebackers in a 3-4. It does skew the lists some but in an imperfect world we do the best we can at categorizing these players.
75. Chris Long
Long was the NFL Alumni Lineman of the year in 2011 and a four-time Pro Bowl alternate and in the last two seasons has won a ring. He was not really been worthy of his #2 overall status but he's been a good, high-motor rusher. He was particularly good from 2010-13 then injuries got to him. He was a top-flight 4-3 end in those years, being a top end by Proscout, Inc. in a couple of those seasons.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Football Outsiders (FO), two NFL metric websites, have been particularly kind to him. PFF credits him with 504 "disruptions" in his 10-year career. A 'disruption' is the combination of sacks, QB hits, and QB hurries. FO's total is 373 for a similar combination of sacks, hits, and hurries—which shows the difference of opinion when it comes to "hurries". Nonetheless, both organizations have Long in the upper echelon of players in that metric for the past decade.
76. Aaron Schobel
A right end in a 4-3, hustle-type, good technique. A two-time Pro Bowler and a four-time double-digit sacker.
77. Patrick Kerney
Solid player, like a Porcher or Kampman but not spectacular.
78. Osi Umenyiora
Forced a lot of fumbles and was solid enough versus run. He was a one-time All-Pro and a one-time Second-team All-pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.
79. Jason Pierre-Paul
A highly athletic end, he was late to football and became very skilled. A fireworks accident curbed his development but he seems to be at the level he was before the injury but still has time to move up.
80. Aaron Kampman
Kampman was a Dr. Z favorite, but his career was pretty short, was Second-team All-Pro twice and a Pro Bowler in the same two seasons. In 2006 he had 15.5 sacks and in 2007 he had 12.0. He played some defensive tackle in his career and was known as being better versus the run, but as mentioned had a few good sacking seasons.
81. John Zook
Zook was drafted by the Rams but was traded twice before he set foot on an NFL field after having been sent to the Eagles in the Harold Jackson trade then traded to the Falcons for Jim Purnell. He was a solid player, again, not a spectacular player as evidenced by his sack totals year-to-year. From 1969 through 1976 had 9½, 9, 10, 7½, 7, 9, and 7 sacks. He ended his career just short of 80 sacks.
He was Second-team All-NFC in 1972 and 1973 and Second-team All-Pro in 1973. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976—the Cardinals felt they were a good pass rush away from being a top Super Bowl contender.
Zook was always a right defensive end in the 4-3 fronts of the Falcons and Cardinals He became somewhat of a designated pass rusher in late 1977 when the Cardinals played more 3-4 fronts and was the right defensive end in 1978 when they went to the 3-4 full time.
Mike Giddings of Proscout Inc opined, “He and Humphrey ideal bookend 40 DEs. Similar to Eller and Martin, more of the smart, power type.”
82. Ben Davidson
Big Ben Davidson was a backup for the Packers and Redskins before he became a solid starter for the Oakland Raiders. In 1965 he was a Second-team All-AFL pick and he was also Second-team in 1966 and in 1967 he achieved First-team All-AFL status. He was part of the Raiders defense that set a then-pro football record of 67 team sacks.
He was 6-8, 275 pounds and played the right end in multiple fronts, though the vast majority of them were in a 4-3. Given his talents, maybe was a bit of an underachiever. His career-high for sacks was 11½ in 1970 and was just under 10 sacks from 1967-69. Good, but not dominant numbers for a player in his peak years.
83. Michael Sinclair
Led the NFL in sacks in 1998 with 16.5. A lanky player, with good moves and not a lot of strength. Was tutored in the WLAF by Jack Youngblood and took some of those skills to the NFL making the Pro Bowl in 1996, 1997, and 1998.
84. Everson Griffen
Became a top end in the NFL in 2017 after being a nickel rusher early on.
85. Sean Jones
Jones was a Pro Bowler in 1993, a Second-team All-NFC pick in 1994 and 1995 and finished his career with 113 sacks, even leading the AFC in 1986 with 15.5.
86. Marcellus Wiley
Wiley backed up Bruce Smith for three years in Buffalo and when he got a chance he did well registering 10.5 sacks in 2000. But, he was to be an unrestricted free agent and out the door he went and was a Pro Bowler for San Diego in 2001 totaling 13 sacks. He was a good versus the run and could get some pass rush but we wonder if he wouldn’t have been a very good 3-4 defensive end in the 1980s. One who could be stout versus runs his way and get some rush as an inside player in passing downs.
87. Ezra Johnson
Began his career well, was All-Rookie in 1977 and went to Pro Bowl in 1978, when he had 20½ sacks. Was not very responsible versus the run and spent a lot of time as a designated pass rusher.
88. Bob Dee
A left end for the Patriots and a fan favorite in Boston. He began in the NFL with the Redskins and then was a four-time All-AFL selection and if you add in AFL All-Star games he has post-season honors every season from 1960-65—six consecutive years.
89. Cliff Avril
Avril, another current player, has 74 career sacks and made the Pro Bowl in 2016. Avril one of the fastest NFL defensive ends in history with a 4.50 40-yard dash.
90. Chuck Smith
Bad knees ended Smith's career for all intents and purposes. He had three seasons with double-digit sacks and ended his nine-year career with 58.5. When healthy and a starter he averaged 9 sacks per 16 games from 1994-99.
He was Second-team All-Pro in 1997 and All-NFC that same year. Perhaps his biggest claim to fame is lighting HOF left tackle Willie Roaf up with 5 sacks that year.
91. Shaun Ellis
A two-time Pro Bowler and a double-digit sacker in 2003 and 2004.
92. Carl Kammerer
Kammerer never got any post-season honors but in the late 1960s was a very good end. In 1966 he had 16½ sacks and he added 11 more in 1967
93. Aaron Brown
A fine Chiefs defensive end who got post-season honors in 1969, 70, and 1971. He was a converted fullback with good speed. From 1968-70 he led the Chiefs with 11, 14 and 13 sacks. He had just 5 in 1971 but he was All-AFC and likely shouldn't have been, but in 1968, he was probably shorted at least a Second-team All-AFL selection.
94. Lionel Aldridge
Aldridge was an All-Conference selection in 1964 and had 14½ in 1970. He was part of the Packers dynasty and ended his career playing opposite Deacon Jones in San Diego.
95. Trace Armstrong
A pass rush specialist at the end of his career, Armstrong was underrated when he was a starter in Chicago. He was the first defensive end ever to be voted to the Pro Bowl without starting a game in 2000.
96. Grant Wistrom
A speed 40 rusher, played right end, and was a solid player. Was popular with John Madden and Peter King and was a hustle player, the proverbial "motor" player. King named his to his personal All-Pro team in 2001 and Madden named him to his All-Madden team in 1999 and 2001.
97. Joe Robb
Robb played 13 years and was a Pro Bowler and Second-team All-NFLer in 1966, he was a decent rusher and good run player who had good strength for his era. He liked to roll up his sleeves to show off his "guns"—among the first players to do that. He would also stand up as a linebacker when the Cardinals wanted to shows a 3-4 look.
98. Jim Jeffcoat
No post-season honors of Jeffcoat, but he did finish career with 102.5 sacks and had five seasons of double-digit totals for sacks.
99. Ed O'Bradovich
O'Bradovich was a long-time left end starter for the Chicago Bears. Solid, strong, but not fast. A power 40-type.
100.tie Tony Cline
Cline exploded onto the NFL scene in 1970 with 17½ sacks while playing left defensive end. He also played some linebacker when the Raiders changed things up with a 3-4 defense. In 1973 he had to move to right defensive end to make way for Bubba Smith who the Raiders acquired from the Colts.
In 1975, after Bubba Smith was gone he had 11 sacks. Cline was said to be a good leverage player by John Madden.
100.tie Horace Jones
Jones was yet one more good defensive end whose career was shortened by knee injuries. He was a starter as a rookie for the Raiders in 1971 and his second year he had 9½ sacks to lead the team and also had 16 tackles for loss on running backs. He also had 13 sacks in 1975. The acquisition of Bubba Smith caused him to miss snaps in 1973 even though Smith was not his usual self. Jones missed the 1976 season with an injury and tried to make a comeback with Seattle in 1977 but it lasted just one game.
100. tie Dwight White
White was a Pro Bowl level performer from 1972-75 even making Second-team All-Pro in 1975. From 1972-74 it was a Pro Bowl/All-AFC level of play for him. As a rookie, he had 9 sacks, and upped it to 10 in 1973. In 1973 and 1974 he had 7½ and 8½ respectively and then, in 1975, he had 7½. He was hurt in 1976 but had a good season in 1977. From 1978-80 he was just kind of "there"—he had 42½ his first five years then had just 12½ sacks the rest of the way.
He was very good versus the run. He had quite an advantage playing on a team loaded with All-Stars but he did his part. Played in Super Bowl IX with pneumonia earning his tough-guy cred.
100. tie Freddie Joe Nunn
A bit of a hybrid, he played some 3-4 outside linebacker but was mostly an end. In 1987 and 1988 he totaled 25 sacks and ended his career with 67.5. He was voted Second-team All-NFC in 1988 and had a few other fine seasons. He had 11 forced fumbles in 1990 and 1991 combined.
Joey Bosa, Demarcus Lawrence, Chandler Jones, and Ezekiel Ansah are coming on but have too few seasons to be ranked. We expect all of them to burst onto the list after the 2018 or 2019 season. Jones has played a couple of seasons as a rushbacker but in 2018 he's going to be more of a traditional defensive end. If he has a good season we'd likely put him in the top 60 right away.
McDole started his career on the offensive line and was moved to defensive end in 1963 and found a home as a starter in 1964. With the Bills he was a five-time All-AFL choice (though none were consensus) and he was a two-time AFL All-Star selection.
In his final year with the Bills he played some defensive tackle when Al Cowlings played the left end and in the mid-1960s he was occasionally a linebacker when the Bills employed a 3-4 scheme (depending on which way the line shifted either end might end up as a linebacker, usually it was Tom Day, but sometimes it'd be McDole. And in the late-1960s he'd even line up as an inside linebacker when the Bills switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 on a down or series of downs.
In 1971 he was traded to the Redskins and was a key member of the “Over the Hill Gang” and he lasted through 1978, making his one of the longest careers in NFL history at the time of his retirement.
50 tie. Gerry Philbin
He was on the small side (6-2, 245 or so) but was a good all-around end. He was known to be a tough and nasty player, on the high-strung side.
Honorable mentions:
53. William Fuller
Fuller began his career in the USFL and was drafted by the Rams in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL players. He ended up in Houston as part of the Jim Everett trade. He was a backup and fourth lineman (in a 3-man line) for two years and began as a right end and did that for a couple of years and when the Oilers moved to a 4-man line the left end spot was Fuller’s.
In 1994 he was signed as the left end for the Eagles to fill the hole left by Reggie White’s departure to the Packers prior to the 1993 season. Talk about big shoes to fill. He filled them, but it wasn’t the same as when White manned the left end position. He was a Pro Bowler all three seasons with the Eagles and a Second-team All-Pro in one of those, but it was simply an “All-Conference” level of play as opposed to an “All-Pro” level.
Fuller ended his career with 100.5 sacks and had a knack for batting down passes, finishing with 56.
54. Robert Mathis
55. Joe Johnson
56. Elvis Dumervil
57. Mario Williams
58. Cameron Jordan
In seven seasons Jordan has amassed 59.5 sacks and has been All-Pro once and voted to three Pro Bowls. Probably the best current all-around end in the NFL. He will jump on this list but we are holding back a little because he's still playing and had not finished "making his mark." So, when we update this, expect a top 30 ranking.
59. Robert Quinn
The 2013 PFWA NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Quinn was still rated highly as a rusher by scouts after moving to outside linebacker in the Rams one-gap 3-4 scheme. He was a strong pass rusher and also made a lot of run stops in the backfield (double digits in 2013 to go with his 19 sacks and 7 forced fumbles). And like many blindside rushers he has a knack for forcing fumbles. From 2011 through 2017 only Cliff Avril had more forced fumbles among defensive ends.
60. Kevin Carter
When motivated Carter was as good as any. He was the NFL’s best defensive end in 1999 being named All-Pro and leading the NFL with 17 sacks and even was Dallas Morning News's Defensive Player of the Year that season. Later, with the Dolphins he was praised by Belichick for his strength and effectiveness as an inside rusher. Likely would have been a great 3-4 end in the 1980s, one who could reduce to tackle in passing situations. He did that as a 4-3 end as well, but given his style, we think he was born a decade or two too late to maximize his NFL skill set. Buchsbaum called him “smart and durable who is getting better and better” in 1999.
61. Verlon Biggs
His post-season honors included being All-AFL in 1966 (12½ sacks) and Second-team All-NFL/AFL in 1967 (15 sacks) and 1972 and had a strong case for being at least Second-team All-Pro in 1973.
62. George Andrie
63. Lamar Lundy
64. Hugh Douglas
65. Justin Tuck
66. Tony Brackens
67. Jevon Kearse
68. Bill Glass
69. Ordell Braase
70. Leonard Little
Small, but fast—a legit 4.5 forty guy. Forced a lot of fumbles, even more so for a left end, not being on the quarterback’s blindside. Was not bad versus the run even though he was small because he had good overall body strength and savvy. He was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2003. He could have had a few more Pro Bowls but the Rams were not as good during his prime as they were during the Greatest Show on Turf era. In 2002 and 2006 was as good as he was in 2003. He had three seasons of six or more forced fumbles, only one player has more
71. Robert Porcher
Strong two-way player, solid versus the run and pass. According to Buchsbaum “A good solid player against the run or pass” who “does not have great flair.” He was an All-NFC pick in 1997, 1999 and 2001 and was a Pro Bowler in those same three years. He played some defensive tackle early in his career and was a double-digit sacker five times.
72. John Dutton
Began his career as a right-side end and ended it as a left defensive tackle. Was All-Pro in 1976, Second-team in 1975, and All-AFC in 1977. As a right end, he preferred to have his left hand down which is not common but not unheard of, either.
73. Fred Cook
Cook was traded to the Redskins in 1981 and couldn’t make the club and he sat out the year. In 1982 he was signed by the Chargers but was cut in August and Cook’s NFL ride was over.
74. Norm Willey
Much has been made of "Wildman" Willey's 17 sack game (which never happened). We've seen 15 and 12 sacks reported as well. Dr. Z was at the game and charted it and he swears Willey had a big game, not 17-sacks big, but big. Zim's number is eight, with Pete Pihos getting "something like 2½ and Sears getting one" like that.
Still, eight sacks would be the NFL record and given the account, we feel it's plausible but not provable until game film surfaces.
Willey was a leader of the Eagles "Suicide Squad" defense and was a two-time All-Pro and a Second-team All-Pro once. He played the bulk of his career in a 5-2 or 5-3 defense, but we are lumping those guys into the 4-3 group rather than considering them linebackers in a 3-4. It does skew the lists some but in an imperfect world we do the best we can at categorizing these players.
Long was the NFL Alumni Lineman of the year in 2011 and a four-time Pro Bowl alternate and in the last two seasons has won a ring. He was not really been worthy of his #2 overall status but he's been a good, high-motor rusher. He was particularly good from 2010-13 then injuries got to him. He was a top-flight 4-3 end in those years, being a top end by Proscout, Inc. in a couple of those seasons.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Football Outsiders (FO), two NFL metric websites, have been particularly kind to him. PFF credits him with 504 "disruptions" in his 10-year career. A 'disruption' is the combination of sacks, QB hits, and QB hurries. FO's total is 373 for a similar combination of sacks, hits, and hurries—which shows the difference of opinion when it comes to "hurries". Nonetheless, both organizations have Long in the upper echelon of players in that metric for the past decade.
76. Aaron Schobel
A right end in a 4-3, hustle-type, good technique. A two-time Pro Bowler and a four-time double-digit sacker.
77. Patrick Kerney
Solid player, like a Porcher or Kampman but not spectacular.
78. Osi Umenyiora
Forced a lot of fumbles and was solid enough versus run. He was a one-time All-Pro and a one-time Second-team All-pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.
79. Jason Pierre-Paul
A highly athletic end, he was late to football and became very skilled. A fireworks accident curbed his development but he seems to be at the level he was before the injury but still has time to move up.
80. Aaron Kampman
Kampman was a Dr. Z favorite, but his career was pretty short, was Second-team All-Pro twice and a Pro Bowler in the same two seasons. In 2006 he had 15.5 sacks and in 2007 he had 12.0. He played some defensive tackle in his career and was known as being better versus the run, but as mentioned had a few good sacking seasons.
81. John Zook
Zook was drafted by the Rams but was traded twice before he set foot on an NFL field after having been sent to the Eagles in the Harold Jackson trade then traded to the Falcons for Jim Purnell. He was a solid player, again, not a spectacular player as evidenced by his sack totals year-to-year. From 1969 through 1976 had 9½, 9, 10, 7½, 7, 9, and 7 sacks. He ended his career just short of 80 sacks.
He was Second-team All-NFC in 1972 and 1973 and Second-team All-Pro in 1973. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976—the Cardinals felt they were a good pass rush away from being a top Super Bowl contender.
Zook was always a right defensive end in the 4-3 fronts of the Falcons and Cardinals He became somewhat of a designated pass rusher in late 1977 when the Cardinals played more 3-4 fronts and was the right defensive end in 1978 when they went to the 3-4 full time.
Mike Giddings of Proscout Inc opined, “He and Humphrey ideal bookend 40 DEs. Similar to Eller and Martin, more of the smart, power type.”
82. Ben Davidson
Big Ben Davidson was a backup for the Packers and Redskins before he became a solid starter for the Oakland Raiders. In 1965 he was a Second-team All-AFL pick and he was also Second-team in 1966 and in 1967 he achieved First-team All-AFL status. He was part of the Raiders defense that set a then-pro football record of 67 team sacks.
He was 6-8, 275 pounds and played the right end in multiple fronts, though the vast majority of them were in a 4-3. Given his talents, maybe was a bit of an underachiever. His career-high for sacks was 11½ in 1970 and was just under 10 sacks from 1967-69. Good, but not dominant numbers for a player in his peak years.
83. Michael Sinclair
Led the NFL in sacks in 1998 with 16.5. A lanky player, with good moves and not a lot of strength. Was tutored in the WLAF by Jack Youngblood and took some of those skills to the NFL making the Pro Bowl in 1996, 1997, and 1998.
84. Everson Griffen
Became a top end in the NFL in 2017 after being a nickel rusher early on.
85. Sean Jones
Jones was a Pro Bowler in 1993, a Second-team All-NFC pick in 1994 and 1995 and finished his career with 113 sacks, even leading the AFC in 1986 with 15.5.
86. Marcellus Wiley
Wiley backed up Bruce Smith for three years in Buffalo and when he got a chance he did well registering 10.5 sacks in 2000. But, he was to be an unrestricted free agent and out the door he went and was a Pro Bowler for San Diego in 2001 totaling 13 sacks. He was a good versus the run and could get some pass rush but we wonder if he wouldn’t have been a very good 3-4 defensive end in the 1980s. One who could be stout versus runs his way and get some rush as an inside player in passing downs.
87. Ezra Johnson
Began his career well, was All-Rookie in 1977 and went to Pro Bowl in 1978, when he had 20½ sacks. Was not very responsible versus the run and spent a lot of time as a designated pass rusher.
88. Bob Dee
A left end for the Patriots and a fan favorite in Boston. He began in the NFL with the Redskins and then was a four-time All-AFL selection and if you add in AFL All-Star games he has post-season honors every season from 1960-65—six consecutive years.
89. Cliff Avril
Avril, another current player, has 74 career sacks and made the Pro Bowl in 2016. Avril one of the fastest NFL defensive ends in history with a 4.50 40-yard dash.
90. Chuck Smith
Bad knees ended Smith's career for all intents and purposes. He had three seasons with double-digit sacks and ended his nine-year career with 58.5. When healthy and a starter he averaged 9 sacks per 16 games from 1994-99.
He was Second-team All-Pro in 1997 and All-NFC that same year. Perhaps his biggest claim to fame is lighting HOF left tackle Willie Roaf up with 5 sacks that year.
91. Shaun Ellis
A two-time Pro Bowler and a double-digit sacker in 2003 and 2004.
92. Carl Kammerer
Kammerer never got any post-season honors but in the late 1960s was a very good end. In 1966 he had 16½ sacks and he added 11 more in 1967
93. Aaron Brown
A fine Chiefs defensive end who got post-season honors in 1969, 70, and 1971. He was a converted fullback with good speed. From 1968-70 he led the Chiefs with 11, 14 and 13 sacks. He had just 5 in 1971 but he was All-AFC and likely shouldn't have been, but in 1968, he was probably shorted at least a Second-team All-AFL selection.
94. Lionel Aldridge
Aldridge was an All-Conference selection in 1964 and had 14½ in 1970. He was part of the Packers dynasty and ended his career playing opposite Deacon Jones in San Diego.
95. Trace Armstrong
A pass rush specialist at the end of his career, Armstrong was underrated when he was a starter in Chicago. He was the first defensive end ever to be voted to the Pro Bowl without starting a game in 2000.
A speed 40 rusher, played right end, and was a solid player. Was popular with John Madden and Peter King and was a hustle player, the proverbial "motor" player. King named his to his personal All-Pro team in 2001 and Madden named him to his All-Madden team in 1999 and 2001.
97. Joe Robb
Robb played 13 years and was a Pro Bowler and Second-team All-NFLer in 1966, he was a decent rusher and good run player who had good strength for his era. He liked to roll up his sleeves to show off his "guns"—among the first players to do that. He would also stand up as a linebacker when the Cardinals wanted to shows a 3-4 look.
98. Jim Jeffcoat
No post-season honors of Jeffcoat, but he did finish career with 102.5 sacks and had five seasons of double-digit totals for sacks.
99. Ed O'Bradovich
O'Bradovich was a long-time left end starter for the Chicago Bears. Solid, strong, but not fast. A power 40-type.
100.tie Tony Cline
Cline exploded onto the NFL scene in 1970 with 17½ sacks while playing left defensive end. He also played some linebacker when the Raiders changed things up with a 3-4 defense. In 1973 he had to move to right defensive end to make way for Bubba Smith who the Raiders acquired from the Colts.
In 1975, after Bubba Smith was gone he had 11 sacks. Cline was said to be a good leverage player by John Madden.
100.tie Horace Jones
Jones was yet one more good defensive end whose career was shortened by knee injuries. He was a starter as a rookie for the Raiders in 1971 and his second year he had 9½ sacks to lead the team and also had 16 tackles for loss on running backs. He also had 13 sacks in 1975. The acquisition of Bubba Smith caused him to miss snaps in 1973 even though Smith was not his usual self. Jones missed the 1976 season with an injury and tried to make a comeback with Seattle in 1977 but it lasted just one game.
100. tie Dwight White
White was a Pro Bowl level performer from 1972-75 even making Second-team All-Pro in 1975. From 1972-74 it was a Pro Bowl/All-AFC level of play for him. As a rookie, he had 9 sacks, and upped it to 10 in 1973. In 1973 and 1974 he had 7½ and 8½ respectively and then, in 1975, he had 7½. He was hurt in 1976 but had a good season in 1977. From 1978-80 he was just kind of "there"—he had 42½ his first five years then had just 12½ sacks the rest of the way.
He was very good versus the run. He had quite an advantage playing on a team loaded with All-Stars but he did his part. Played in Super Bowl IX with pneumonia earning his tough-guy cred.
100. tie Freddie Joe Nunn
A bit of a hybrid, he played some 3-4 outside linebacker but was mostly an end. In 1987 and 1988 he totaled 25 sacks and ended his career with 67.5. He was voted Second-team All-NFC in 1988 and had a few other fine seasons. He had 11 forced fumbles in 1990 and 1991 combined.
Joey Bosa, Demarcus Lawrence, Chandler Jones, and Ezekiel Ansah are coming on but have too few seasons to be ranked. We expect all of them to burst onto the list after the 2018 or 2019 season. Jones has played a couple of seasons as a rushbacker but in 2018 he's going to be more of a traditional defensive end. If he has a good season we'd likely put him in the top 60 right away.
Also remember, rankings can be deceiving because the difference between number 53 and 88 might be miniscule or maybe the difference between 25 and 50 also very close. Plus, it's just my opinion. Yours may differ and who is to say whose is better?
Excellent! Incredible research and detail. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask why Joe Klecko has been ignored on both the 3-4 and 4-3 ends lists though?
ReplyDeletehe was a hyrbid player. He was never honored as 3-4 end and had 2 years and 2 games as a 4-3 DE. Most of his time was as tackle or nose tackle.
DeleteThats fair. I thought Klecko had at least 5 years as a 3-4 end but I was wrong. Were the comments from Mike Giddings recent or were those from the archives?
ReplyDeleteHow do you experts come to the conclusion of who is a power or speed type of end. I have heard Chris Doleman referred to as a power end but sounds like Buchsbaum said he was a speed guy. Also surprised Ron McDole wasn't classified as a power player.
Giddings stuff was from archives, his files. McDole was not speed or power, but a quick guy, like a basketball player. Doleman was strong but his forte was speed rush mixed with good hand use.
DeleteWas there something about Chris Doleman when he raised his game against elite tackles? You mentioned big games against Munoz and Roaf. Did he have many games like that in his career?
ReplyDeleteFrom the Bears fan corner: I think you’ve given Richard Dent a raw deal here.
ReplyDeleteThe criticism of his 1986 pre-Super Bowl comments don’t hold when examining context. Dent was being paid the veteran minimum through 1985, a season in which he led the league in sacks, forced 7 fumbles, intercepted 2 passes, and was generally the most disruptive force on the most disruptive defense in NFL history.* Dent probably was the best DE in the NFL in 1985-86 season—and he was being paid the veteran minimum!( Dent was not alone among Bear defensive players who felt severely under paid. ProBowl strong safety Todd Bell held out the entire 85-’86 season, and Hall of Fame middle linebacker Mike Sinlgetary had a long hold out that almost ended in his sitting out the season as well.)
The Buchsbaum 1987 comments about his run play don’t add up. From 1984 (Dent’s first year as a starter) though 1988 the Bears ranked 1st or 2nd against the run each year. Doesn’t seem like a defense that had a run vulnerability at right end. If Dent was not motivated for the first half of 1986, that sure wasn’t a problem going forward. From mid-1986 through 1988 Dent had 30.5 sacks in 33 games.
As far Ditka complaining about Dent in 1988—Ditka complained about everyone and everything around him in 1988. Take the Da Coach’s anger with a grain of salt.
The 1989 being heavy was following a broken leg late 1988. If memory serves, the injury took far longer to heal than originally expected, and Dent was unable to do a full pre-camp workouts, and came about 10lbs over (if memory serves).
*Dent totaled 23 sacks in regular season and playoffs combined. I don’t believe anyone else has done that in the post ’82 sack era.
Sadly, Buchsbaum isn't around to defend his statements, I do know he was well-connected and was likely repeating what scouts and others were telling him.
DeleteDent was on the trading block as early as 1986, and it was know Dent was not one who liked to workout and lift. He was not strong in the upper body, but had great natural strength in his legs.
But his weight issues were likely from not pushing away from the table. But even with his flaws we have him as 19th best. Not sure anyone would take him above many or any of the top 18
I wish Buschbaum was around as well. He an Dr.Z were my favorite writers.
DeleteYou say Dent was on the trading block in 1986? Was that to Tampa as part of a deal to get Steve Young? I'd heard rumors about Bears seeking Young, but never seen anything concretely reported.
Would Ed Sprinkle fall into this category or under a different position?
ReplyDeletemore of 6-2 and 5-3 guy
DeleteThank you answering my question. Any chance we could see a list of the top lineman who played in 5 and 6 man lines?
Deletethat is a hard done, so little film available. Certainly Sprinkle, Tom Wham, Larry Brink...and even Len Ford would be on that list since be played both. Jack Russell, Ray Poole.
DeleteThank you for at least providing a few other names!
DeleteI have graded a lot of the top DE's off of old youtube videos according to the Dr Z. system and Richard Dent rated the highest of all of them. Better than Reggie White, Lee Roy Selmon, Jack Youngblood and Howie Long.
ReplyDeleteI know that grading doesn't account for how many blockers these guys face and if their sacks and pressure are unblocked but still I was impressed with Dent.
Reasonable people can disagree. Pro Scout Inc's system wasn't that kind to him, Buchsbaum was good at pointing out his flaws. I got lots of his full games, including all of 1985, many from 1984 and 1987-88. In 1984 he had 17.5 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. 1986 2.5 tackles for loss. He didn't make plays in the run game like some others. I think he's good, but if you think he grades out better than Selmon, Youngblood and Long, well, we're seeing different things.
DeleteGreat list, John. We purple bleeders echo your comments regarding the ridiculous delays in voting the Grant-era Vikings into the HOF. As you know, Sir Francis also had to wait until his third year of eligibility to get the call.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the fence with Jim Marshall's candidacy. Your points are absolutely valid but is it possible that he may have achieved more personal honors if he wasn't overshadowed by Page and Eller? Did he play a more "stay at home" role because of Page and Eller? Only three members of the dominant 1968-77 Vikings defense have been enshrined in Canton. If there were to be a fourth, would Marshall be the logical candidate?
If there were a 4th from than era it would be Marshall, sure. But the guy who gets robbed is Matt Blair. Pro Scout has him as a "blue" most every year, and outside Hendricks and Page and Whitsell, best kick blocker ever. He's top 4, put it that way. But no one knows how good Blair was except Vikings fans.
DeleteBut the preoccupation with Marshall by many overshadows Blair. That's my take anyway. People are for sure, free to disagree.
Absolutely agree that Matt Blair was a great player...a difference maker on defence and on special teams. HOVG material for certain.
ReplyDeleteBlair with his size and agility seems like he would easily transition to 2018 NFL.
ReplyDeleteIt's my understanding that many of these old time players' defensive statistics are going to be published in a book sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteHow about Tony Tolbert? He had a rather brief career (9 years and he retired before his 30th birthday) but was a key defensive player on those championship Cowboys teams of the 1990's.
ReplyDeleteDoug Atkins should be top 5 at least.
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't able to secure a fulltime starting job in 4 of his first 5 seasons. Slow start. Also, only 3-time All-Pro, one being consensus. He's tenth. You could argue maybe as high as 8th or 9th.
DeleteHe's not a top 5 DE
Hi John, Did I miss Dwight White? Didn't see him in this list. We gave him higher grades than McDole, Horace Jones and Tony Cline. Especially 1972-75.
ReplyDeletePenalties have also been refreshed and are a hybrid of free-kick mechanics and last years timed finishing. 1st, target exactly where you want your shot to go, then ascertain its energy by holding inside the shoot button. Undertaking so increases the reticle size, but by pressing it once more because the players foot tends to make get in touch with together with the ball you'll be able to lessen the diameter considerably, resulting in a additional precise penalty. For more particulars, you may verify out at IGN, and should you hunt for the top place to obtain MUT 21 Coins, I nevertheless suggest the EZMUT, since it may be the best Madden 21 Coins supplier who trades coins by way of Player Auction 3.0, Comfort Trade 3.0 and Player Auction P2P to help keep the game account secure.
ReplyDeleteDerrick Thomas kC???
ReplyDelete3-4 OLBer, and some other base positions---not a 4-3 DE
DeleteThanks for having an excellent blog. I'm curious as to why Jeff Merrow of the Falcons didn't make the list, but John Zook did. I always thought of them as similar players with Merrow being better against the run, Zook slightly better at pass rush. Also a recent post asked about Dwight White, I found him at spot 100, which is surprisingly low. Is it because White was only playing at a very high level for 5 seasons?
ReplyDeleteWhat about Greg Townsend? Did you consider having him somewhere on here?
ReplyDeleteHe is one of the Top designated rushers ever. He have him #2 all time
Deletehttps://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2020/10/top-designated-pass-rushers-of-all-time.html
Are their season by season totals of Deacon Jones tackle for loss tallies? If so, I’m curious as to what figures he was posting from 1964-1968 when he was at his statistical best. Furthermore, are these tackle for loss including the cases when a sack is marked for a TFL, or are these pure tackles for loss excluding sacks?
ReplyDeleteJones link -- https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JoneDe00.htm
ReplyDeleteTFL, to us, means sacks not included. For the NFL they included them, I sued TFL because not everyone knows the term stuff (a tackle for loss, included forced fumble plays accounted for the same was as sacks---like STATS, LLC did ... but these include pass plays, too, like maybe a screen pass ... STATS didn't do that
Are the year by year TFL totals posted anywhere? I see the sack totals listed on Pro Football Reference but not tackles for loss.
DeleteI see Jones’ sack totals listed yearly on pro football reference however not his tackles for loss. Are his non sack tackles for loss listed on any other stat cite or spreadsheet anywhere? Also are there totals of his forced fumbles listed anywhere?
DeleteNick is still working on th 1960s but Jones had over 100 stuffs other than the sacks... but he's trying to complete it but be average maybe 7-8-9 a year with a tope year maybe around 13-15...something like that
Delete