NFC South All-Decade Team of the 2000s: Ranking best defensive tackles

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NFC South All-Decade Team of the 2000s: Ranking best defensive tackles

John Sigler, Saints Wire · Saints Wire

Tue, Jul 7, 2026 ·

3 min read

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We've reached the standout players on defense in our look at the NFC South All-Decade Team of the 2000s, which means it's time to focus on the defensive line. There weren't many every-day starters in the division's early days but there were still some impressive players lining up over the center. Here's our take on the best to do it between the New Orleans Saints , Atlanta Falcons , Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers .

Methodology

One key stat we're relying on is Approximate Value from Pro Football Reference , which PFR defines as "an attempt to put a single number on the seasonal value of a player at any position from any year." In practice, that means giving higher numbers to player who start more games, play more snaps, and do more to help their team win by racking up yards, scoring touchdowns, creating turnovers and sacking quarterbacks, and so on. We're also assigning point values to being named a first-team All-Pro (ten points), second-team All-Pro (five points), and Pro Bowler (three points). And then we're adding those numbers together. Remember, these are all-decade teams for the NFC South, which didn't exist until 2002, and only contributions on the four teams in the division factor into our formula. So Drew Brees earning a Pro Bowl nod with the San Diego Chargers in 2005 doesn't help him, for example.

First team: Kris Jenkins

Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (77) celebrates as NFLreferee Johnny Grier (L) signals a safety after Cincinnati Bengal'srunning back Corey Dillon was tackled in the endzone during firstquarter NFL action December 8, 2002 at Ericsson Stadium. REUTERS/RobertPadgettRDP — Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (77) celebrates as NFL referee Johnny Grier (L) signals a safety after Cincinnati Bengal's running back Corey Dillon was tackled in the endzone during first quarter NFL action December 8, 2002 at Ericsson Stadium. REUTERS/Robert Padgett RDP

Team: Carolina Panthers (2002 to 2009)
AV:55
Honors: All-Pro first team (2), Pro Bowler (3)
Score:84

Jenkins was a slam-dunk pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, giving the Panthers seven years as a starter and some very impressive highlights. He did lose two seasons to separate injuries (hurting his shoulder in 2004 and his knee in 2005) but returned to win another Pro Bowl appearance in 2006. He was later traded to the New York Jets for a haul of draft picks to keep Carolina competitive, and still won a fourth Pro Bowl nod and a place on the All-Pro second team in New York.

First team: Warren Sapp

Unknown date; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp (99) in action against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002 and 2003)
AV: 33
Honors: All-Pro first team (1), Pro Bowler (2)
Score: 49

Our project caught Sapp at the wrong time -- he only spent two years in the NFC South before leaving to close out his career with the Oakland Raiders . But he made the most of that small window with an All-Pro team achievement and the last two of his seven Pro Bowls. We didn't give him any extra points for winning a Super Bowl on his way out, but Sapp's consistent level of play did a lot to help him out.

Second team: Chris Hovan

September 13, 2009; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Chris Hovan (95) during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005 to 2009)
AV: 39
Honors: N/A
Score: 39

Hovan wasn't pushing the pocket and sacking quarterbacks (he had just five sacks in 79 games) but he was a consistent starter during a series of rudderless years for Tampa Bay. They say the best ability is availability, and Hovan only missed a single game in five years with the Bucs.

Second team: Rod Coleman

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 12: Aaron Brooks #2 of the New Orleans Saints is chased from behind by Rod Coleman #75 of the Atlanta Falcons in NFL action December 12, 2005 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo By Streeter Lecka)

Team: Atlanta Falcons (2004 to 2007)
AV: 27
Honors: All-Pro second team (1), Pro Bowler (1)
Score: 35

Coleman was drafted by the Oakland Raiders out of East Carolina back in 1999 but signed with the Falcons as a free agent and enjoyed the best years of his career. He recorded 30 sacks in 49 games and won recognition as an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2005, his second year with double-digit sacks as a Falcon. An unfortunate injury cut his 2007 season short after just five games. He attempted a comeback with the Saints in 2009 but his body just wasn't up for it anymore.