50 Greatest NFL Players of all time, ranked

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50 Greatest NFL Players of all time, ranked

Julian Fadullon, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Tue, Jul 7, 2026 ·

46 min read

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50 Greatest NFL Players of all time, ranked appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The NFL is over 100 years old. It was founded as the American Professional Football Association in 1920 before taking on the National Football League moniker in 1922. The game has changed a lot in over a century of existence at the professional level. One thing is for sure, though, and that is that a lot of great players have put their cleats on with the intention of dominating the gridiron. So, who are the best NFL players in history ?

HM. Terrell Owens

Position: WR

Years active: 1996-2010

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Teams: San Francisco 49ers , Philadelphia Eagles , Dallas Cowboys , Buffalo Bills , Cincinnati Bengals

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2018); 5x First-Team All-Pro; 6x Pro Bowl

Despite the heavy controversy surrounding his career, Terrell Owens was the greatest wide receiver of his day outside of Randy Moss. He was unfortunately stuck on some heartbreakingly good teams. His Niners were on the verge of glory before they ran into a historical anomaly in the early 2000s Tampa Bay Buccaneers , and he later was a part of the Eagles team that fell victim to Tom Brady . Despite that, his NFL stats and influence are both undeniable.

Owens was a prima donna of sorts, and he caught a lot of flak for that. With 15,934 yards and 153 receiving touchdowns, though, the numbers are incredible. Both of those metrics rank top three among all receivers ever . The pass catcher known for saying "That's my quarterback" was a physically imposing receiver, which is why he was so dominant in the red zone.

HM. Steve Young

Position: QB

Years active: 1985-1999

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2005); 3x Super Bowl Champion; 1x Super Bowl MVP; 2x MVP; 1x OPoY; 3x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 7x Pro Bowl; 2x NFC OPoY; 2x Bert Bell Award

The heir to Joe Montana 's throne in San Francisco, Steve Young, was a proper successor to the heritage of the Niners. One of the first great mobile quarterbacks , Young was extremely efficient, and he has the fifth-most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, with 43.

Young's lefty throw was a thing of beauty, too. He was the passing touchdowns leader four times and the passer rating leader six times. This comes despite the fact that Young wasn't a full-time starter until his 30s. He played for the USFL's Los Angeles Expos when he left BYU, he spent two forgotten seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he was Montana's backup for nearly a half-decade. Had Young not been such a late bloomer, there is no telling how high he could have ranked on this list.

HM. Forrest Gregg

Position: T

Years active: 1956-1971

Teams: Green Bay Packers , Dallas Cowboys

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1977); 3x Super Bowl Champion; 5x NFL Champion; 7x First-Team All-Pro 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl

The unheralded offensive anchor to the legendary Vince Lombardi's legendary Packers teams, Forrest Gregg was the wall and heart of eight total NFL championships. He later joined Roger Staubach and the Cowboys to nab his third Super Bowl towards the end of his career. Offensive linemen never get their due, but Gregg has too many accolades not to be anointed as one of the best NFL players in history.

50. O.J. Simpson

Position: RB

Years active: 1969-1979

Teams: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1985); 1x MVP; 1x OPoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 5x Pro-Bowl; 1x AP Athlete of the Year; 1x Bert Bell Award; 1x AFL All-Star

Unfortunately, OJ Simpson has become one of the most infamous American figures of the last century, but not necessarily for what he did on the field. When ignoring the off-the-field stuff, Simpson's career was the stuff of legend. After winning the Heisman Trophy, Simpson would go on to win an MVP at the NFL level.

He led the NFL in rushing yards four times, and he was also the only non-kicker to lead the NFL in scoring in a season in the '70s. Perhaps most impressively, Simpson was the first player ever to rush for 2,000 yards , and he did it during just a 14-game season.

49. Chuck Bednarik

Position: C/LB

Years active: 1949-1962

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1967); 2x NFL Champion; 10x First-Team All-Pro; 8x Pro Bowl

Concrete Charlie, as he was named, is distinctive as the last and greatest of the NFL's "60-minute men." What does that mean? He played full-time minutes on both offense and defense and was the most-feared tackler of his era. Being a full-time two-way player is basically unfathomable now. Just look at Travis Hunter, who tried it for one season before being converted to full-time cornerback duties and part-time responsibilities at receiver ahead of his second season.

Bednarik played the game with unmatched physicality and aggression. Defensively, he was one of the hardest-hitting linebackers ever, and he thrived at center despite being undersized for the position.

48. Roger Staubach

Position: QB

Years active: 1969-1979

Teams: Dallas Cowboys

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1985); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 1x Super Bowl MVP; 1x MVP; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 6x Pro Bowl; MoY; Bert Bell Award

The leader of the first great Cowboys dynasty, Roger Staubach, led Dallas to five Super Bowl appearances, winning two. What's even crazier is that if not for a long tour of Vietnam after college, he might have had five more cracks at the NFL chip. He finished his career with 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns.

Had it not been for his prowess as a signal caller, the Cowboys may not have become America's team. Plus, the Navy product really helped revolutionize the game. It was his Cowboys that popularized the spread formation that paved the way for modern offenses.

47. Travis Kelce

Position: TE

Years active: 2013-present

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs

Notable accolades: 3x Super Bowl Champion; 4x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 11x Pro Bowl

Travis Kelce is a member of the NFL's newest dynasty. Like the New England Patriots before them, the Kansas City Chiefs are the team to beat year in and year out, and that doesn't change after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, which was Kelce's second season in the league.

Kelce contemplated retirement before re-committing to the Chiefs . For fans of pop culture, rather than football, he also just married Taylor Swift. It is his immense pass-catching talent that lands him on this list, though. Kelce always finds a way to get open, and he has already surpassed the 13,000-yard threshold.

46. Jim Thorpe

Position: RB

Years active: 1920-1928

Teams: Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, New York Giants , Chicago Cardinals

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1963); 1x First-Team All-Pro

Jim Thorpe is remembered more for his general cultural impact than NFL influence. A Native American icon and the AP "greatest athlete" from the first half of the 1900s, Thorpe is defined as one of the greatest and most versatile athletes in modern history. He was a rare three-sport pro, playing football, basketball, and baseball, while also setting an Olympic record in the decathlon.

He also served as the first president of the APFA (the precursor to the NFL), and has an entire town named after him. Thorpe's football success is still enough to label him as one of the best NFL players ever, though. His speed and athletic traits were well ahead of his time.

45. Earl Campbell

Position: RB

Years active: 1978-1985

Teams: Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1991); 1x MVP; 1x PFWA MVP; 3x OPoY; 3x First-Team All-Pro; 5x Pro Bowl; ORoY; Bert Bell Award

The Houston Oilers have been lost to the test of time, but Earl Campbell was the centerpiece of the franchise during their most successful era. Campbell has a legitimate claim to be the greatest power runner in NFL history. His career was shorter than one would like, but an MVP-caliber season where he led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns bumps him up several spots.

Campbell wasn't just a one-season wonder. His three-year prime, from 1978 to 1980, included three Offensive Player of the Year nods. He was the rushing leader during each of those seasons, too.

44. Mike Singletary

Position: LB

Years active: 1981-1992

Teams: Chicago Bears

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1998); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 2x DPoY; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 10x Pro Bowl; 3x NFC PoY; MoY

The marquee name of the Chicago Bears defense in the 1980s (known as the Monsters of the Midway), Mike Singletary was one of the most feared and yet most respected defenders in the NFL. He only missed one All-Pro and Pro Bowl team each in his career and was as hard-hitting as the Bears of the past.

Singletary was the best player on the best defensive team in NFL history . During the first of two Defensive Player of the Year seasons, Singletary led a team that didn't allow a single postseason score on them until the championship game. The year prior, Singletary's squad set the record for single-season sacks with 72.

43. John Hannah

Position: G

Years active: 1973-1985

Teams: New England Patriots

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1991); 10x All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl

Easily the second-greatest offensive lineman in NFL history (the greatest will make his appearance down this list), John Hannah held the title himself for some time, dubbed the lineman GOAT by Sports Illustrated in 1981. He is also notable for being the first-ever player inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

42. Ray Nitschke

Position: LB

Years active: 1958-1972

Teams: Green Bay Packers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1978); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 5x NFL Champion; 11x First-Team All-Pro; 5x Second-Team All-Pro; 1x Pro Bowl

When you talk about football history, you can't not talk about Ray Nitschke. He was the commander of Vince Lombardi's defense on the Green Bay Packers. A career Packer, Nitschke led Green Bay to five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls in history. You can owe the Packers' existence and prestige to him.

Nitschke used the hardships of his childhood to play with unmatched willpower in the NFL. He was a pioneer of the sport, and considering Green Bay has the most wins and the best winning percentage in NFL history, the franchise has never really looked back from the winning ways that Nitschke established.

41. Eric Dickerson

Position: RB

Years active: 1983-1993

Teams: Los Angeles Rams , Indianapolis Colts , Los Angeles Raiders, Atlanta Falcons

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1999); 1x OPoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 3x NFC OPoY; 6x Pro Bowl; ORoY

Don't let the rec specs throw you off, Eric Dickerson was an absolute stud. The holder of the NFL's single-season rushing record (2,105), Dickerson amassed 13,000 career rushing yards and nearly broke the 2,000 rushing-yard benchmark his rookie year, despite playing only 14 games.

A career that started with the best rookie season ever ended with four rushing titles and three UPI NFC Offensive Player of the Year titles. Dickerson is arguably the best non-QB to never win the Super Bowl. With passing games becoming all the more commonplace, it is possible that Dickerson's single-season rushing record will never be broken.

40. Mel Blount

Position: DB

Years active: 1970-1983

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1989); 4x Super Bowl Champion; 1x DPoY; 2x First-Team All-Pro; 4x Second-Team All-Pro; 1x AFC DPoY; 5x Pro Bowl

The primary perimeter lynchpin of the iconic Steel Curtain Steelers, Mel Blount, was as physical as his more famous NFL teammates and feared as the prototypical secondary defender in the league. Receivers feared for their lives when going up for passes against Blount, and when he wasn't hitting the daylight out of opponents, he was usually intercepting the ball.

His 57 interceptions played a big part in the Steelers winning four championships during his tenure. Blount's ability to lock opponents up deep down the field helped front-seven players like Jack Lambart, Jack Ham, Joe Greene, and L.C. Greenwood get after the quarterback, too.

39. Rod Woodson

Position: DB

Years active: 1987-2003

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens , Oakland Raiders

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2009); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 1x DPoY; 1x AFC PoY; 6x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 11x Pro Bowl

An heir to the great Steelers defenses of decades past, Woodson did his part to continue that legacy before helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV. Built like a tank (6-0, 205 pounds), Woodson was a deceptively skilled ball hawk, nabbing 71 career interceptions (3rd all-time) and 32 career defensive fumble recoveries.

Woodson started his career as a cornerback, where he established himself as one of the best players ever at that respective position. He was talented and versatile enough to spend the twilight of his career at the safety spot. The move paid off in dividends for Woodson, as he hadn't earned a First-Team All-Pro in seven seasons before he did so as a 37-year-old in 2002. It was one of six times on the All-Pro First-Team for Woodson.

38. Tony Gonzalez

Position: TE

Years active: 1997-2013

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2019); 6x First-Team All-Pro; 4x Second-Team All-Pro; 14x Pro Bowl

Tony Gonzalez retired with no Super Bowl wins or appearances, paling in comparison to other greats at the position, including Rob Gronkowski , Shannon Sharpe, and, most recently, Travis Kelce. But what makes him the greatest tight end of all time is his stats. For his career length alone, he holds the positional all-time record for career receiving yards (15,127) and receptions (1,325), trailing only two wideouts for the most receptions overall.

Gonzalez was also famous for his durability and glue-like hands (he only missed two games over his entire NFL career), and he fumbled the ball only twice in his career. So don't blame him for his lack of a championship resume. He's a winner all the same. Gonzales came from a basketball background, and his ability to high point a football, similar to securing a rebound, made him a nightmare matchup for anyone. He was too fast to be defended by linebackers but too big for defensive backs to have a shot.

37. Gino Marchetti

Position: DE

Years active: 1952-1966

Teams: Dallas Texans; Baltimore Colts

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1972); 2x NFL Champion; 9x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 11x Pro Bowl

The enforcer behind two of Johnny Unitas' pre-Super Bowl championships with the Baltimore Colts, Gino Marchetti was one of the first great defensive players in NFL history and was voted the league's all-time greatest DE in 1972. His hard work and heart were famous, as he notably made a switch to OT briefly to understand how to beat blockers.

Whatever he did worked, as the next year he ended up in his first Pro Bowl. Sacks weren't recorded even unofficially until late into Marchetti's career, but he had alleged double-digit sack numbers in four of his last six seasons. He was even more dominant in bringing opposing quarterbacks down earlier in his career.

36. Aaron Rodgers

Position: QB

Years active: 2005-Present

Teams: Green Bay Packers, New York Jets , Pittsburgh Steelers

Notable accolades: 1x Super Bowl Champion; 1x Super Bowl MVP; 4x MVP; 4x First-Team All-Pro; Second-Team All-Pro; 10x Pro Bowl, NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Aaron Rodgers is often labeled "the most talented quarterback to ever play the game" because of his freakish arm talent and ability to make unnatural throws. Rodgers uses different arm angles to whip touchdown passes and can use his legs to avoid the rush before delivering darts deep down the field.

He holds the all-time season passer rating record with 122.5 and has the NFL's all-time lowest career interception percentage (1.4%). The latter is impressive because it isn't like Rodgers is a QB who doesn't take risks or won't attempt the deep ball. Rodgers has ridden both efficiency and talent to all-time statistical highs, and an MVP-level performance in 2020 and 2021 is nothing to sneeze at. The Packers legend has spent the twilight of his career with the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 2026 season seems likely to be his last.

35. Dick Lane

Position: CB

Years active: 1952-1965

Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1974); 7x First-Team All-Pro; 7x Pro Bowl

Mostly iconic for his awesome nickname, Dick "Night Train" Lane was a DB infamous for his ball skills, nabbing a still-standing record of 14 interceptions his rookie year. He would secure 68 picks during his entire career, a mark good enough for fourth on the all-time list, and he was even highlighted for his speed and tackling.

The 1952 season was one of two in which Lane led the league in interceptions. He did so with a double-digit interception season in 1954 as well. After his first half-decade in the league, opposing quarterbacks really stopped targeting him. When they did, the results were typically favorable for the defense.

34. Bob Lilly

Position: DT

Years active: 1961-1974

Teams: Dallas Cowboys

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1980); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 7x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 11x Pro Bowl

You'll notice that defensive players with lengthy careers are super prominent on this list, and Bob Lilly had a long career in which he was able to stick with one team. Before Jimmy Johnson made the Cowboys what they are today, Lilly established them as an initial power. In his time, Lilly was the linchpin of a defense with an iconic nickname: the Doomsday Defense.

Regularly double- and triple-teamed due to his athleticism, Lilly was a consistent threat who was famous for never missing time. He played 196 straight regular season games, and his only career missed game played came in the playoffs. Lilly started his career as a defensive end, so interior offensive linemen weren't prepared for the speed and agility he brought to the defensive tackle position once transitioning inside.

33. Sammy Baugh

Position: QB

Years active: 1937-1952

Teams: Washington Redskins

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1963); 2x NFL Champion; 2x NFL PoY; 4x First-Team All-Pro; 4x Second-Team All-Pro; 6x Pro Bowl

The first great Washington player, Sammy Baugh's place on this list is lower than expected due to how far back his career goes. His championships came before the Super Bowl era, relegating him to the prehistory of modern football. However, his talent and numbers cannot be denied. Baugh led the NFL in completion percentage eight times, with four passing yards titles and three titles in passer rating to boot.

Baugh helped revolutionize the quarterback position. He helped popularize the importance of passing and was truly decades ahead of his time. While Baugh's numbers dwell in comprising to modern game passers, it was truly unbelievable at the time for a QB to nearly throw for 3,000 passing yards, as he did when he threw for 2,938 yards in 1946. Baugh also played heavy minutes as a punter and DB, probably due to the relative size of the league back then. He actually led the league in both interceptions and punting yards in 1943, illustrating the incredible athlete he was.

32. Ed Reed

Position: S

Years active: 2002-2013

Teams: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2019); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 1x DPoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl

Ed Reed could do it all at the safety position, and his versatility shined bright on a Baltimore Ravens team that was one of the best defensive teams in league history . Reed was both a heavy-hitter and a ball-hawker deep down the field. His pairing with Ray Lewis is arguably the best defensive pairing ever. It certainly was this century.

Reed played the safety position with the IQ of a quarterback. He'd often bait QBs into thinking they had an open throw, just to sneak over for an INT last second. When Reed eventually got the ball in his hands, he was always deadly, too. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl XLVII champion is also the NFL's all-time interception yardage leader. He racked up 1,590 interception yards, which is baffling for a defensive player. Reed had interception returns of 106 and 107 yards, which are the two best marks ever, too.

31. Drew Brees

Position: QB

Years active: 2001-2020

Teams: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints

Notable accolades: 1x Super Bowl Champion; 1x Super Bowl MVP; 2x OPoY; 1 First-Team All-Pro; 4x Second-Team All-Pro; 13x Pro Bowl; MoY; CPoY

Maybe his placement here is a result of recency bias, but Drew Brees is the greatest and most singular New Orleans Saints player of all time and deserves his place for what he has done and meant to his team and city. Of course, his stats and records are not to be overlooked either. Aside from a Super Bowl win and several deep playoff runs, he owns the all-time record for season passing yards crowns (7) and passing touchdowns titles (4).

Brees ranks second in NFL history in passing yards (80,358) and touchdowns (571). Under Sean Payton's tutelage, Brees put up huge passing numbers on a year-to-year basis. This came after an early injury scare with the San Diego Chargers, proving Brees had the resiliency and ability to face adversity that is mandatory for great QBs. While some have claimed that Brees was a product of his system, if he would have won more than one championship, he could have ranked even higher on this list.

30. Don Hutson

Position: E

Years active: 1935-1945

Teams: Green Bay Packers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1963); 3x NFL Champion; 2x MVP; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 4x NFL All-Star

Don Hutson is from a bygone era of football. What the hell is an end, or an NFL All-Star? Well, if you're enjoying wide receivers or dynamic pass-catching tight ends, thank Don Hutson. He was the first and greatest of the receiving 'ends', which during his era were just part of the offensive line. His rise and stardom launched the popularity of the forward pass, and to have him here rather than his quarterback points to the game changer that he truly was.

Hutson racked up the accolades in the '30s and '40s. He was a two-time MVP with three championship victories. He also led the NFL in receptions eight times, receiving yards seven times, and receiving touchdowns nine times. All of those are NFL records and even surpass the marks from the best receiver ever, who will appear much higher on this list.

29. Bruce Smith

Position: DE

Years active: 1985-2003

Teams: Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2009); 2x DPoY; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 11x Pro Bowl; 4x AFC DPoY

If for nothing else, the NFL's career sack leader can't slide lower than the low 20s. As the highest-ranking Buffalo Bill , Bills fans would be upset if he slid any lower than that, too. How do you manage to even reach 200 career sacks? Von Miller, Cameron Jordan, Calais Campbell, T.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Danielle Hunter, and Myles Garrett are the only active players to even reach triple digits.

He has all of the accolades and all of the longevity, and if not for four straight championship-level heartbreaks, he would have four Super Bowl rings to his name as well. If the Bills weren't seemingly Super Bowl cursed, Smith would rank much higher on this list. Still, he was the epitome of consistency and clearly one of the best sack artists in NFL history.

28. Alan Page

Position: DT

Years active: 1967-1981

Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1988); 1x NFL Champion; 1x MVP; 2x DPoY; 6x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl; 1x NFC PoY; 2x NFC DPoY

How in the world did a true rushing defensive tackle manage to enjoy a 14-year-long career? As the prototype for Aaron Donald, Page made his money as one of the most feared members of the Minnesota Vikings' blitz package (shout out to the Purple People Eaters). Not only did Page play in over 200 consecutive NFL games, but he is also one of the few defensive players to ever win a league MVP.

In fact, he was the first of just two defensive players to be crowned the best player in the league for a particular season. Football is a two-way sport, and Page's greatest accolade gives hope to defenders to this day that they can be recognized with such honor. Page unofficially has 148.5 sacks. Everyone ahead of him on the all-time sack leaderboard was an edge rusher, not a defensive tackle. Page's ability to get to the quarterback in a hurry despite rushing from the interior is truly the stuff of legend.

27. Jack Lambert

Position: LB

Years active: 1974-1984

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1990); 4x Super Bowl Champion; 1x DPoY; 9x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl; DRoY

The thunder to 'Mean' Joe Greene's other thunder, Jack Lambert, made his reputation as the more mobile half of Pittsburgh's iconic 'Steel Curtain' defenses through the 1970s. There are some players on this ranking that are celebrated for their winning, career length, or accolades; Lambert is the rare case that checks off all three boxes. His less iconic name prevents him from being higher on this list, but he has an argument to make the top 20.

Lambert is one of three members of Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain defense, proving just how dominant that unit was. As a linebacker, he'd diagnose rushing lanes and stuff the run before ball carriers had a chance to break free. He led the Steelers in tackles every season until his last and finished his career with 1,479 tackles.

26. Randy Moss

Position: WR

Years active: 1998-2012

Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2018); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 3x MVP; 1x OPoY; 4x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 6x Pro Bowl

Short of championships, Randy Moss was the heir to Jerry Rice 's throne as the best pass catcher in the NFL, and if not for a pesky New York Giants team and history on Ray Lewis' side, he would have gotten himself a pair of rings to boot. His talent has scarce equal on this list, and as the second-greatest wide receiver in NFL history (you'll meet number one a little later), he has the stats and records to make a case for its most talented.

Moss is the namesake for the phrase "Mossing" an opponent, where a receiver makes a highlight catch in contested fashion over a defensive back. That is because Moss regularly bested defensive backs in jump ball situations. This was most on display when Moss caught 23 touchdown passes in 2007, which stands as the all-time record. His rookie season was just as impressive, as he had 17 touchdowns in his first season coming out of Marshall.

25. Brett Favre

Position: QB

Years active: 1991-2010

Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2016); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 3x MVP; 1x OPoY; 3x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 11x Pro Bowl

Mostly remembered for his time on the Green Bay Packers, Favre made history on the back of a legendary decade in the 1990s. His Super Bowl win won't be remembered outside of Green Bay, sandwiched as it was in the middle of the more famous Cowboys and Broncos dynasties, but Favre's peak as the league's resident gunslinger was as good as anyone's. He is the first quarterback to beat all 32 teams, and his three MVP years are the most times the award was consecutively received.

Favre had a flair for the dramatic. His first career completion was to himself, and he had no problem tossing long bombs deep down the field, even if it risked interception. He was a high-risk, high-reward player, evidenced by the fact that he has both the longest touchdown pass ever (99 yards) and is the all-time leader in interceptions (336). Favre's willingness to take chances is what made him so unstoppable when he was on.

24. Gale Sayers

Position: RB

Years active: 1965-1971

Teams: Chicago Bears

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1977); 5x First-Team All-Pro; 4x Pro Bowl

Point of order: Gale Sayers' accolades, to the untrained eye, don't hold up to his contemporaries. But this list also celebrates peaks, and Sayers at his peak was as good as any running back to ever play in the NFL. He was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro back until multiple ailments took his career at the turn of the 70s, and he remains the youngest ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at 34. He is second in the hearts of Bears lifers to only Walter Payton and is remembered for his heart as much as his skill (RIP, Brian Piccolo).

The Kansas Comet owns a number of records that showcase his incredible peak. He had 22 touchdowns as a rookie and the most all-purpose touchdowns in a game (six). Sayers also has the highest combined yards per game average over a career (138.75).

23. Otto Graham

Position: QB

Years active: 1946-1955

Teams: Cleveland Browns

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1965); 3x NFL Champion; 4x AAFC Champion; 3x MVP; 2x AAFC MVP 4x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro 5x Pro Bowl; 3x First-Team All-AAFC

The Cleveland Browns have become infamous for being unable to get the quarterback position right. They've had 42 different starters under center this draft-bust-filled century. That wasn't always the case, though. Otto Graham is one of the forgotten greats of the game if you're not a huge football fan, or a proper Browns fan. You'll see the first great modern quarterback later on in this list, but Graham was the first great quarterback, period (think basketball's George Mikan, relevant since Graham played ball in the NBL himself).

He was the Brown's greatest leader alongside Jim Brown, and his career extends beyond that to the prehistoric AAFC. But the highest winning percentage of any quarterback in history and the leader in yards per pass attempt is nothing to scoff at. Both records remain untouched, and if we count the NFL with its precursor, no quarterback until Brady matched Graham's championship trophy count.

22. Aaron Donald

Position: DT

Years active: 2014-2023

Teams: Los Angeles Rams

Notable accolades: 1x Super Bowl Champion; 3x DPoY; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Deacon Jones Award; 10x Pro Bowl

At 280 pounds, Aaron Donald was undersized for the defensive tackle position, but he wreaked havoc anyway. Donald is arguably the best interior pass rusher we have ever seen, and it resulted in him becoming one of only three three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winners.

He used speed and leverage to his advantage, and still played much bigger than is size. Now, rumors are swirling that Donald could come back from hiatus to join a Rams team littered with talent. After trading for Myles Garrett, a player who just missed the cut of this list but is the best active player in the NFL, the Rams could sign Donald to help in one more ring pursuit.

21. Deacon Jones

Position: DE

Years active: 1961-1974

Teams: Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1980); 2x DPoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 8x Pro Bowl

Deacon Jones played at the very beginning of the Super Bowl era, and as such, is largely forgotten, playing in the shadow of the mighty Green Bay Packers. But his impact is no less for all of that: Jones is considered to be the prototypical modern defensive end, and is largely credited with being the first pass rushing specialist, and the person who coined the term 'sack' :

"You take all the offensive linemen and put them in a burlap bag, and then you take a baseball bat and beat on the bag. You're sacking them, you're bagging them. And that's what you're doing with a quarterback."

Unofficially, Jones has 173.5 sacks, which would be the third-best mark ever. The Secretary of Defense played his career before sacks were officially tracked, but some analysts believe he had 26 sacks in 1967 during a 14-game season, which would blow the official record out of the water.

20. Anthony Munoz

Position: LT

Years active: 1980-1992

Teams: Cincinnati Bengals

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1998); 9x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 11x Pro Bowl; MoY

The offensive line needs more respect. They'll never get it, of course, but without a decent line, all the talent in the world wouldn't be able to generate quality offense. Take Anthony Munoz, for example. There is a reason why two of the Bengals' three AFC titles came under his tenure.

Blindside protectors are of the utmost importance because left tackles ensure their quarterbacks don't get nailed when they don't see it coming. It is estimated that Munoz gave up fewer than 20 sacks throughout the course of his entire career.

19. Dan Marino

Position: QB

Years active: 1983-1999

Teams: Miami Dolphins

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2005); 3x Super Bowl Champion; MVP; RoY; MoY; 3x First-Team All-Pro; 5x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl

If you haven't already noticed, one-team players, particularly one-team quarterbacks, are given special attention on this list. You'll see a few more of these before this list is through. Dan Marino is the best quarterback ever to never win a title, and championships are often considered a quarterback statistic, but his iconography on the Dolphins is second to none, and he was the eminent stat gobbler of his time. At the time of his retirement, Marino held over 40 total NFL records (you'll see those record breakers later) and was the first quarterback to ever surpass both the 50 and 60,000 passing yard thresholds, as well as the 400-touchdown-pass mark.

Marino was far ahead of his time, and he went down as arguably the best ringless player ever. He came from arguably the greatest draft class ever , the quarterback class of 1983. The 1984 MVP would amass 61,361 yards over his career, and it is a true travesty that he didn't retire with a ring. The talent was evident, though, but at the end of the day, football is a team sport, and Marino just didn't have quite enough help. No statistic proves his offensive brilliance more than the fact that Marino is the only pre-21st-century QB in the top 10 for all time passing yards.

18. Deion Sanders

Position: CB

Years active: 1989-2000, 2004-2005

Teams: Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2011); 2x Super Bowl Champion; DPoY; 6x First-Team All-Pro; 8x Pro Bowl

Probably the greatest journeyman in NFL history, Deion Sanders is most known for his multi-dimensional athleticism. During his NFL career, Sanders also put in legitimate seasons (9 total) in the MLB. He is the only athlete to ever compete in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, and it is this distinction that is a testament to his greatness. Prime Time is again making a name for himself as the coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.

Many consider Sanders to be the greatest cornerback ever, and it certainly was a show when he took the field. He also thrived as one of the best return men ever. Sanders would even take reps on offense to maximize his athletic traits. The aura of Sanders was unmatched, but he was much more than just swagger and talk.

17. Barry Sanders

Position: RB

Years active: 1989-1998

Teams: Detroit Lions

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2004); 1x MVP; 2x OPoY; ORoY; 6x First-Team All-Pro; 4x Second-Team All-Pro; 10x Pro Bowl

Considered by many to be the greatest player to never compete in a Super Bowl, Barry Sanders is nonetheless still counted among the greatest running backs of all time. His name is synonymous with speed, footwork, and quickness, and he is rightfully cited as a high comp for every smaller back with turbojets in the league (re: Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey).

He is the first NFL player to ever log 10 straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons because he simply couldn't be tackled. The 1997 MVP's vision and elusiveness were unmatched. Said MVP came in 2,000-yard fashion and just a year before his retirement, as Sanders still had plenty left in the tank when he hung up his cleats earlier than expected while still healthy.

16. Dick Butkus

Position: LB

Years active: 1965-1973

Teams: Chicago Bears

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1979 Class); 2x DPoY; 6x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 8x Pro Bowl

One of the hardest hitters in NFL history, Dick Butkus' accolades don't necessarily measure up with his contemporaries this high on the list, but that's fine considering his relatively short career. His reputation was built on the eye test, and his tackles were famous for being hard enough to generate regular turnovers. Similar to other players at this point of the list with their own teams, the Bears wouldn't be where they are without Butkus.

Butkus is the gold standard when it comes to linebackers. With eight Pro Bowl nods and two Defensive Player of the Year titles in nine seasons, he became the middle linebacker that MIKEs would model their games after for decades to come.

15. Ray Lewis

Position: LB

Years active: 1996-2012

Teams: Baltimore Ravens

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2018); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 1x Super Bowl MVP; 2x DPoY; 7x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 13x Pro Bowl

Just like Butkus, Ray Lewis is iconic and the undisputed GOAT of his team. The only difference is that he won more. Ray Lewis is the greatest middle linebacker of all time. The two-time Super Bowl champion won the Super Bowl MVP once and was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner.

He earned these accolades by racking up the tackle numbers. Not only did he lead the league in that regard three times, but his 2,059 tackles are the most in league history. His 156-tackle season in 1997 is the best tackling season ever, too. He was the leader of a defense in 2000 that allowed just 165 total points and 970 rushing yards.

14. Patrick Mahomes

Position: QB

Years active: 2017-present

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs

Notable accolades: 3x Super Bowl Champion; 3x Super Bowl MVP; 2x MVP; 2x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 1x NFL OPoY; 1x passing yards leader; 2x passing touchdowns leader; 6x Pro Bowl

Patrick Mahomes certainly had a rough go at things during Super Bowl 59, but that doesn't change that he had a better start to his career than anybody before him. Mahomes made the Super Bowl in five of his first seven seasons as a starter, and he was named the Super Bowl MVP in all three of his wins. The quarterback is still only 30 years old, too, so he has plenty of time to re-establish a top-10 all-time case.

Mahomes has a way to go to get into Tom Brady conversations, but he is the only player who even has a remote chance to do so. The quarterback has unmatched arm strength and is still arguably the best player currently in the NFL .

13. John Elway

Position: QB

Years active: 1983-1998

Teams: Denver Broncos

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2004 Class); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 1x MVP; 1x Super Bowl MVP; 2x AFC OPoY; 1x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl

From a pure talent perspective, it didn't get better than John Elway. He was arguably the most highly touted prospect coming out of college ever, and he spurned the Colts to end up with the Denver Broncos. Elway showed off a cannon for an arm and underrated rushing ability throughout his career, but with three Super Bowl losses in the '80s, championship success long eluded him.

Then, Elway rode into the sunset with back-to-back Super Bowls to end his career. All in all, the 1987 MVP finished his career with 51,475 yards and 333 total touchdowns.

12. Ronnie Lott

Position: S

Years active: 1981-1994

Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2000 Class); 4x Super Bowl Champion; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 10x Pro Bowl

Ronnie Lott is the first of three 49ers from the team's iconic '80s run, and just like the other two of the trio, Lott is considered by many to be the greatest at his position. While not as individually highlighted as some of his predecessors on this list, Lott's viciousness as a hitter on the perimeter, and his leadership of arguably the greatest core of all time earns him his spot here.

The safety made 10 Pro Bowls and twice led the NFL in interceptions. This came after previously leading the league in tackles, too. Dynasties are a rarity in NFL history, but of the ones that have existed, rarely was there a defensive player that found so much success for so long with the one team. Lott is the exception.

11. Joe Green

Position: DT

Years active: 1969-1981

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1987 Class); 4x Super Bowl Champion; 2x DPoY; DRoY; 1x MoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 10x Pro Bowl

"Mean" Joe Green was the definitive defensive (some say overall) NFL player of the 1970s and was synonymous with the "Steel Curtain" Steelers. If you're looking for the progenitor of the modern juggernaut Steelers, look no further. You don't get their iconic defense and reputation without the most dominant defensive lineman to ever play.

10. Emmitt Smith

Position: RB

Years active: 1990-2004

Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2010); 1x MVP; 1x Super Bowl MVP; ORoY; 4x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 8x Pro Bowl; multiple records (rushing yards, touchdowns, attempts

Emmitt Smith is by far the greatest of the Cowboys ' offensive trio that made Dallas the juggernaut brand it is today. As the starting running back for the most successful era of America's team, Smith has an argument to be the greatest NFL running back of all time, and the stats back it up.

His records are very much untouched, and his production remained even with Aikman and Irvin eating up possessions. Smith ran for 18,335 yards and 164 touchdowns on 4,409 attempts, all of which are the most ever.

9. Peyton Manning

Position: QB

Years active: 1998-2015

Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2021 Class); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 5x MVP; 2x OPoY; 1x MoY; 7x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 14x Pro Bowl; multiple records (career MVPs, Pro Bowls, 4,000-yard passing seasons, single-season passing yards (5,477), single-season passing TDs (55)

Numbers. That sums up Peyton Manning 's career. Honestly, the biggest nod to his greatness was the effectiveness of a Colts offense (and team, really) that rested solely on his shoulders. The next player on this list is more prototypical and more iconic/nostalgic in the sport of football, but Peyton, with his huge arm, is arguably the most talented quarterback in NFL history.

How in the world does one even approach 5,000 yards and 55 touchdowns? Even after his Colts days, he was still breaking records (see his 55-touchdown season) with the Broncos. Manning also won with incredible football IQ. He always knew which adjustments to make at the line and which receivers were going to be open and for how long against certain coverages. Nobody else has won five MVPs.

8. Johnny Unitas

Position: QB

Years active: 1955-1973

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1979 Class); 4x Champion (1x Super Bowl, 3x pre-Super Bowl); 3x MVP; 1x MoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 10x Pro Bowl

Considered the first great quarterback by many, Johnny Unitas' story was a precursor to Tom Brady: drafted in the 9th round by Pittsburgh, only to be released before the season began, Unitas was asked at the last minute to join the Baltimore Colts. The rest, as you say, is history.

While not as statistically brilliant as his successors, Unitas' place here is not simply nostalgic. His NFL record of 47 straight games with a touchdown pass went unbroken until 2012, not by Brady or Manning, but by Drew Brees. You don't get a nickname like the Golden Arm for nothing.

7. Reggie White

Position: DE

Years active: 1985-2000

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2006 Class); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 2x DPoY; 3x NFC DPoY; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 5x Second-Team All-Pro; 13x Pro Bowl

Reggie White, the Minister of Defense, was one of the greatest defensive players of all time. At such a violent defensive end position, without today's modern medicine and health solutions, imagine playing for nearly two decades, and only missing two All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods for your entire career.

White was just two sacks shy of the 200-sack threshold, but he still ranks second all time. His time with the Packers was just as impressive as his Eagles' tenure, and he amazingly won Defensive Player of the Year trophies with over a decade separating the two.

6. Walter Payton

Position: RB

Years active: 1975-1987

Teams: Chicago Bears

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1993 Class); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 1x MVP; 1x OPoY; 2x NFC OPoY; 1x MoY; 7x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl

The late Walter Payton, rest his soul, has a legitimate argument to be placed multiple spots higher on this list. It seems almost wrong, therefore, to list him this low, but quarterbacks are generally more historically remembered, and the 'greatest' running back in NFL history is more iconic and is statistically comparable (even better in some cases) on a per-game basis. If this were a ranking of the 'best', rather than 'greatest' NFL players of all time, Payton would arguably be at the top of the list. His ranking here is still debatable and should be a credit to those ranked above him, rather than a knock on his legacy.

Sweetness moved on the football field with a fluidity that was a thing of art. He won the 1977 MVP while carrying the Bears on his back, and luckily, he stuck around long enough for the rest of the team to catch up and help him win a Super Bowl in 1985. Payton had 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns during a career in which he started 170 straight games.

5. Joe Montana

Position: QB

Years active: 1979-1994

Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2000 Class); 4x Super Bowl Champion; 3x Super Bowl MVP; 2x MVP; 3x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 8x Pro Bowl

The original "Joe Cool", Joe Montana, just exuded Hollywood-style quarterback energy. Synonymous with the peak of the San Francisco 49ers, Montana was the undisputed GOAT quarterback before a certain Patriot/Buccaneer leveled up in the 2010s (more on that later).

From his name to his looks to his stats to nearly everything else about him, Montana has been the modern prototype for every hopeful signal caller in the NFL and for good reason. The Comeback Kid was uber clutch and the ultimate winner.

4. Jim Brown

Position: RB

Years active: 1957-1965

Teams: Cleveland Browns

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1971 Class); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 3x MVP; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl; RoY (1957)

Jim Brown marks the beginning of GOAT territory in this list. He and the three players ranked above him are the four greatest to ever play at their positions, all in a row. From here on out, we are dealing with absolutely undisputed top-of-the-mountain prestige. So it should speak to the talent above Brown that as the greatest to ever play arguably the second-most important role on an NFL team, he ranks at the bottom of this particular Mt. Rushmore.

Brown was unstoppable with the football in his hands. He was the rushing yards leader eight times and the top rushing scorer another five times. Brown only trails the next three players on this list because of inferior longevity.

3. Lawrence Taylor

Position: LB

Years active: 1981-1993

Teams: New York Giants

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1999 Class); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 1x MVP; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 3x DPoY; DRoY

Naturally, as only one of two defensive players to earn MVP honors, and the only one to do so unanimously, Lawrence Taylor is popularly regarded as the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL. As the saying goes, 'defense wins championships', so Taylor naturally can slide no lower than 3rd on this list. He continues the trend of definitive GOATs at their position, and only slides down to 3rd because of the insane longevity of the two players ahead of him.

A 12-year NFL career as the hardest hitter in football is no joke, though, and he has accolades to back up that claim. He brought modern love to the less glamorous side of football, and for that alone, he belongs here.

2. Jerry Rice

Position: WR

Years active: 1985 – 2004

Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks

Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2010 Class); 3x Super Bowl Champion; 1x Super Bowl MVP; 1x MVP; 10x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 2x OPoY; 13x Pro Bowl; All-Time Leader in touchdowns (208), receiving touchdowns (197), receptions (1,549), consecutive 1+ reception games (274)

You'll find that wide receivers are rare on these types of lists. Up until recently, the game was predicated on defense, running backs, and if the air game was good enough, quarterbacks. If you're looking for the man who brought pass catchers into vogue, you found him.

What makes Jerry Rice's case unique is his longevity and extended excellence. Wide receivers are usually the lightest players in the NFL behind punters, kickers, and occasional quarterbacks, and most have had their careers cut short by injury. Not Jerry. Until our number one-ranked player came along, he was the league's iron man. To make matters more impressive, Rice dominated despite suspect speed and athleticism. He was just so steady and had reliable hands and precise route running. The Mississippi Valley State product had 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns, all of which far trump second place among pass catchers. He did this while playing on a dynasty.

1. Tom Brady

Position: QB

Years active: 2000-2022

Teams: New England Patriots; Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Notable accolades: 7x Super Bowl Champion (1st All-Time); 5x Super Bowl MVP (1st All-Time); 3x MVP; 3x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 2x OPoY; 15x Pro-Bowl; multiple Super Bowl, playoff & regular season records

If you were wondering where Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr. was on this list, wonder no longer. He was already named to the NFL 100 in 2019, but after smashing the massively favored Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on his first try with a brand-new team, he silenced all questions about his individual greatness.

Belichick was great in New England as well and was vital to Brady's growth, but all questions have been answered. Tom Brady can now rightfully claim his title as the GOAT. Brady's seven Super Bowls are more than any individual team. He was a three-time MVP, 15-time Pro Bowler, and five-time passing touchdowns leader. This greatness came despite coming into the NFL as a fourth-stringer.

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