Jerry Rice, Tom Brady and Lawrence Taylor top our list of the 100 greatest NFL players of all time (2024)

Table of Contents
1:Jerry Rice 2: Tom Brady 3: Lawrence Taylor 4: Jim Brown 5: Walter Payton 6: Joe Montana 7: Reggie White 8: Peyton Manning 9: Johnny Unitas 10: Barry Sanders 11: Joe Greene 12: Dick Butkus 13: Ronnie Lott 14: Anthony Munoz 15: Deacon Jones 16: Deion Sanders 17: Otto Graham 18: John Elway 19: Emmitt Smith 20: Dan Marino 21: Gale Sayers 22:Sammy Baugh 23: Ray Lewis 24: Randy Moss 25: Don Hutson No. 26 Brett Favre 27: Alan Page 28: Bruce Smith 29: Jack Lambert 30: John Hannah 31: Bob Lilly 32:Ed Reed 33: Dick 'Night Train' Lane 34: Drew Brees 35:Gino Marchetti 36: Tony Gonzalez 37: Rod Woodson 38: Eric Dickerson 39: Mel Blount 40: O.J. Simpson 41: Aaron Rodgers 42: Ray Nitschke 43: Forrest Gregg 44: Chuck Bednarik 45: Jim Thorpe 46: Mike Singletary 47: Red Grange 48:Roger Staubach 49: Jim Parker 50:Bronko Nagurski 51:John Mackey 52: Terrell Owens No. 53 Merlin Olsen No. 54. LaDainian Tomlinson No. 55 Gene Upshaw No. 56 Steve Young No. 57 Marshall Faulk No. 58 Raymond Berry 59:Earl Campbell 60: Junior Seau 61: Charles Woodson 62:Lance Alworth 63: Bart Starr 64:J.J. Watt 65: Larry Fitzgerald 66: Mike Webster 67: Jack Ham 68: Joe Namath 69: Orlando Pace 70: Art Shell 71: Ted Hendricks 72: Randy White 73: Bruce Matthews 74: Larry Allen 75: Terry Bradshaw 76: Sid Luckman 77: Jim Otto 78:Michael Strahan 79: Kellen Winslow Sr. 80: Adrian Peterson 81:Walter Jones 82:Willie Lanier 83:Michael Irvin 84:Jonathan Ogden 85:Marvin Harrison 86: Derrick Thomas 87:Troy Polamalu 88: Aaron Donald 89: Rob Gronkowski 90: Tony Dorsett 91:Lee Roy Selmon 92: Fran Tarkenton 93: Marion Motley 94: Herb Adderley 95: Adam Vinatieri 96: Darrell Green 97: Mike Haynes 98: Willie Brown 99: Franco Harris 100: Troy Aikman

USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Rice, Tom Brady and Lawrence Taylor top our list of the 100 greatest NFL players of all time (1)

Jerry Rice, Tom Brady and Lawrence Taylor top our list of the 100 greatest NFL players of all time (2)

Show Caption

In conjunction with the NFL’s 100th season celebration, 19 current and former reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network were asked to compile a list ranking the 100 greatest players in pro football history.

The challenge was daunting, considering each person had to assess talent back to 1920. While there were no strict parameters, the process for making decisions focused on the field of play and considered elements such as induction to the Hall of Fame, statistics, awards, reputation and the eye test. Each voter was asked to rank 60 players. Those votes produced a list of 170 names. A points system was used for the rankings starting with 60 points for the top player on a list down to 1. Ties were broken by using the highest single vote a player received.

Our panel: Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY; Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press; Christine Brennan, USA TODAY; Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer; Nate Davis, USA TODAY; Pete Dougherty Green Bay Press-Gazette; Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star; Gentry Estes, Nashville Tennessean; Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire; Martin Frank, Wilmington (Del.) News Journal; Mike Jones, USA TODAY; Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY; Joe Rexrode, formerly Nashville Tennessean; Steven Ruiz, For The Win; Kent Somers, Arizona Republic; Rachel Shuster, former USA TODAY; Art Stapleton, Bergen (N.J. Record); Andy Vasquez, Bergen (N.J.) Record; Larry Weisman, former USA TODAY.

Feel free to agree, disagree, argue or simply enjoy a tripthrough the years. Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.

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EVERY TEAM'S BEST: Top players in the history of each NFL franchise

BEST TEAMS EVER: Which squad is best in league history?

With that, here are the best 100 player in NFL history:

***

1:Jerry Rice

Position: WR

Years: 1985-2004

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

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010); 3-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP; NFL MVP; 13 Pro Bowls; Leads the NFL in all-purpose touchdowns (208); Leads the NFL in receiving yards (22,895); Only player in NFL history with more than 20,000 receiving yards; Leads the NFL in total receptions (1,549); Leads the NFL in all-purpose yards (23,546); Leads the NFL in TD receptions (197); leads the NFL in consecutive games with at least one reception (274); holds 36 total NFL records

***

2: Tom Brady

Position:QB

Years: 2000-Present

Team: New England Patriots

Achievements: 6-time Super Bowl champ; 4-time Super Bowl MVP; 3-time NFL MVP; 3-time First-team All-Pro (2007, 2010, 2017); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (2005, 2016); 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010); NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2009); Holds NFL record for most Super Bowl wins as a player (6); Holds multiple Super Bowl records including most TD passes (18), most passing yards (2,838), most completed passes (256), most passing attempts (392) and most consecutive competitions in a single SB (16); Holds NFL record for most games won by a QB (207); only QB to have 3 consecutive games w/ 300+ passing yards, 3+ TD passes and 0 interceptions; Tied for most Pro Bowl selections (14); Holds NFL record for most postseason games played (40); Holds NFL record for most postseason TD passes (73); Oldest QB to win a Super Bowl (41 years, 6 months)

***

3: Lawrence Taylor

Position: LB

Years: 1981-1993

Team: New York Giants

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999); 2-time Super Bowl champ; 10-time Pro Bowl; 9-time first-team All-Pro (1981-1989); second-team All-Pro (1990); NFL MVP (1986); 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981)

***

4: Jim Brown

Position: RB

Years: 1957-1965

Team: Cleveland Browns

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1971); 1964 NFL Champ; 4-time NFL MVP (1957,1958, 1963, 1965); 8-time first-team All-Pro (1957-1961, 1963-1965); All-Pro 2nd-team (1962); 9 Pro Bowls appearances; NFL Rookie of the Year (1957); 1st player to reach 100 rushing touchdowns ; 1st NFL player to rush for over 10,000 yards; 10th most touchdowns in NFL history (126); 5th most rushing TDs in NFL history (106); Leads the NFL in average rushing yards per game in career (104.3)

***

5: Walter Payton

Position: RB

Years: 1975-1987

Team: Chicago Bears

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1993); Super Bowl champ; 7-time first-team All-Pro (1976-1980, 1984, 1985); second-team All-Pro (1986); NFL MVP (1977); NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1977); second leading rusher in NFL history (16,726); 4th most rushing TDs in NFL history (110)

***

6: Joe Montana

Position: QB

Years: 1979-1994

Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000); 4-time Super Bowl champ; 3-time Super Bowl MVP; 2-time NFL MVP (1989, 1990); 8 Pro Bowl invites; 3-time first-team All-Pro (1987, 1989, 1990); 2-time second-team All-Pro (1981, 1984); holds a Super Bowl record passer rating of 127.8; holds Super Bowl records for most throws without an interception (122)

***

7: Reggie White

Position: DE

Years: 1985-2000

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2006; Super Bowl champion (1996); AP Defensive Player of the Year (1987, ‘98); 1st-team All-Pro (1986, ‘87, ‘88, ‘89, ‘90, ‘91, ‘95, 98); 13-time Pro Bowler

***

8: Peyton Manning

Position: QB

Years: 1998-2015

Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos

Achievements: 2-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP; 14-time Pro Bowl; 7-time first-team All-Pro (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013); 3-time second-team All-Pro (1999, 2000, 2006); 5-time NFL MVP (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013); 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2004, 2013); leads the NFL in career TD passes (539); holds the NFL record for most passing yards in a single season (5,477 in 2013); 2nd most passing yards in NFL history (71,940); 3rd most passes completed in NFL history (6,125)

***

9: Johnny Unitas

Position: QB

Years: 1956-1971

Teams: Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1979); Super Bowl champ; 3-time NFL Champ; 3rd longest TD streak in NFL history (47 games)

***

10: Barry Sanders

Position: RB

Years: 1989-98

Team: Detroit Lions

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF 2004; 15,269 rushing yards, 3rd all-time; 10 pro bowls; 6-time All Pro; first player to rush for 1,000 yards in his first 10 seasons.

re are Nos. 11-100 in our list of the greatest NFL players of all time:

***

11: Joe Greene

Position: DT

Years: 1969-1981

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1987); 4-time Super Bowl champ; 5-time First-team All-Pro (1972-1974, 1977, 1979); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1971, 1975, 1976); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1972, 1974); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1969); 10-time Pro Bowler

***

12: Dick Butkus

Position: LB

Years: 1965-1973

Team: Chicago Bears

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1979); 6-time first-team All-Pro (1965, 1967-1970, 1972); 2-time second-team All-Pro (1966, 1971); 8 Pro Bowls; 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1969, 1970)

***

13: Ronnie Lott

Position: DB

Years: 1981-94

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

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2000; 4-time Super Bowl Champion (1982, ‘84, ‘88, ‘89); 1st-team All-Pro (81, ‘86, ‘87, ‘89, ‘90, ‘91); 10-time Pro Bowler

***

14: Anthony Munoz

Position: LT

Years: 1980-92

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1998; 1st-team All-Pro (1981, ‘82, ‘83, ‘85, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88, ‘89, ‘90); 11-time Pro Bowler; 1991 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year

***

15: Deacon Jones

Position: DE

Years: 1961-1974

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

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1980); 5-time First-Team All-Pro (1965-1969); 3-time second-team All-Pro (1964, 1970, 1972); 8 Pro Bowls; 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1967, 1968); NFL didn’t record sacks an as official stat until 1982, but it is said Jones had 194.5 during his career

***

16: Deion Sanders

Position: DB

Years: 1989-2000, 2004-05

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

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2011; 2-time Super Bowl Champion (1995, ‘96); 1994 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (‘92, ‘93, ‘94, ‘96, ‘97, ‘98); 8-time Pro Bowler

***

17: Otto Graham

Position: QB

Years: 1946-55

Team: Cleveland Browns

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1965; 3-time NFL Champion (1950, ‘54, ‘55); 4-time AAFC champion (1946, ‘47, ‘48, ‘49); 3-time NFL UPI MVP (1951, ‘53, ‘55), 1st-team All-Pro (1947, ‘48, ‘49, ‘51, ‘53, ‘54, ‘55); 5-time Pro Bowler

***

18: John Elway

Position: QB

Years: 1983-98

Team: Denver Broncos

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2004; two-time Super Bowl champion (1998, ‘99); 1989 AP MVP; 1998 Super Bowl MVP; 1992 Walter Payton Man of the Year; 9-time Pro Bowler;

***

19: Emmitt Smith

Position: RB

Years: 1990-2004

Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Footbal HOF 2010; 18,355 rushing yards, No. 1 all-time; 4,409 attempts, No. 1 all-time; 164 rushing TDs, first all-time; started 219 of 226 games; three-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP after 1993 season; NFL MVP 1993 season.

***

20: Dan Marino

Position: QB.

Years: 1983-1999

Teams: Miami Dolphins

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2005); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1984-1986); 4-time second-team All-Pro; NFL MVP (1984); Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (1998); NFL Rookie of the Year (1983); NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1994); 9-time Pro Bowler; Held multiple NFL passing records that have since been broke

***

21: Gale Sayers

Position: RB

Years: 1965-71

Team: Chicago Bears

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1977; 1st-team All-Pro (1965, ‘66, ‘67, ‘68, ‘69); 4-time Pro Bowler; four seasons in top 10 of all NFL rushers; career cut short by injuries; as a rookie scored four TDs, including 96-yard kickoff return, against Vikings, and later in season scored six touchdowns against 49ers including an 80-yard pass play, 50-yard run and 65-yard punt return.

***

22:Sammy Baugh

Position: QB

Years: 1937-52

Team: Washington Redskins

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1963; 2-time NFL champion (1937, ‘42); 1st-team All-Pro (1937, ‘40, ‘42, ‘43); 6-time Pro Bowler

***

23: Ray Lewis

Position: LB

Years: 1996-2012

Team: Baltimore Ravens

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2018; 2-time Super Bowl champion (2001, 2013); 2003 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 2000-01 Super Bowl MVP; ranks second in league history for solo tackles; 1st-team All-Pro (1999, 2000, ‘01, ‘03, ‘04, ‘08, ‘09); 13-time Pro Bowler

***

24: Randy Moss

Position: WR

Years: 1998-2012

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

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2018); 4-time First-team All-Pro (1998, 2000, 2003, 2007); NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1998); 6-time Pro Bowler; Pro Bowl MVP (1999); Holds NFL record for most TD receptions in a season (23); Holds NFL record for most TD receptions in a rookie season (17); Only player to catch 90+ touchdown passes, return a punt for a touchdown, and throw 2 touchdown passes

***

25: Don Hutson

Position: E

Years: 1935-45

Team: Green Bay Packers

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1963; 3-time NFL champion (1936, ‘39, ‘44); 2-time NFL MVP (1941, ‘42); 1st-team All-Pro (1938, ‘39, ‘40, ‘41, ‘42, ‘43, ‘44, ‘45); 4-time Pro Bowler

***

No. 26 Brett Favre

Position: QB

Years: 1991-2010

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

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2016); Super Bowl champ; 3-time first-team All-Pro (1995-1997); 3-time second-team All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2007); 11-time Pro Bowler (1992, 1993, 1995-1997, 2001-2003, 2007-2009); 3-time AP NFL MVP; 2nd in the NFL in career passing yards (71,838); Has the most career starts of any NFL player (298, 322 including the post season); 1st player to 500 career TD passes; 1st NFL QB to defeat 32 franchises

***

27: Alan Page

Position: DT

Years: 1967-81

Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF in 1988 in hometown of Canton, Ohio; played in 238 consecutive games, including postseason; NFL MVP for 1971 season; NFL defensive player of the year 1971, 1973; 23 fumble recoveries.

***

28: Bruce Smith

Position:DE

Years: 1985-2003

Teams: Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2009); 8-time First-team All-Pro (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993-1997); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1989, 1998); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1996); NFL career sack record (200 sacks)

***

29: Jack Lambert

Position: LB

Years: 1974-1984

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1990); 4-time Super Bowl champion; 6-time First-team All-Pro (1976, 1979-1983); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1975, 1978); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1976, 1983); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1974); 9-time Pro Bowler

***

30: John Hannah

Position: G

Years: 1973-85

Team: New England Patriots

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1991; 1st-team All-Pro (1976, ‘78, ‘79, ‘80, ‘81, ‘83, ‘85); 9-time Pro Bowler.

***

31: Bob Lilly

Position: DT

Years: 1961-74

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1980; Super Bowl Champion (1972); 1st-team All-Pro (1964, ‘65, ‘66, ‘67, ‘68, ‘69, ‘71); 11-time Pro Bowler

***

32:Ed Reed

Position: S

Years: 2002-2013

Teams: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2019); Super Bowl Champion; 5-time First-team All-Pro (2004, 2006-2008, 2010); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (2003, 2009, 2011); 9-time Pro Bowler; NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004); Tied for Most Career Playoff Interceptions (9); Longest Interception Return in NFL History (107 yards); Most Career Interception Return Yards (1,590); First player in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt and fumble for a TD; Holds the record for most multi-interception games in a career (12); Tied for most career blocked punts returned for TD (3)

***

33: Dick 'Night Train' Lane

Position: CB

Years: 1952-1965

Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1974); 7-time first-team All-Pro (1956-1957, 1959-1963); 7 Pro Bowls; 4th most interceptions in NFL history (68); most interceptions in a season in NFL history (14)

***

34: Drew Brees

Position: QB

Years: 2001-Present

Teams: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints

Achievements: Super Bowl XLIV champion; 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011); First-team All-pro (2006); 12 pro bowls

***

35:Gino Marchetti

Position: DE

Years: 1952-66

Teams: Dallas Texans, Baltimore Colts

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1972; 2-time NFL champion (1958, ‘59); 1st-team All-Pro (1957, ‘58, ‘59, ‘60, ‘61, ‘62, ‘64); 11-time Pro Bowler

***

36: Tony Gonzalez

Position: TE

Years: 1997-2013

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2019); 6-time First-team All-Pro (1999-2001, 2003, 2008, 2012); 4-time Second-team All-Pro (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007); 14-time Pro Bowler (tied for most all-time); holds the NFL record for total receiving yards by a TE (15,127); Leads the NFL in career receptions for TEs (1,325); Second in NFL history for receptions behind Jerry Rice; tied for most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a TE (4).

***

37: Rod Woodson

Position: DB

Years: 1987-2003

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

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2009; 2001 Super Bowl champion; 1993 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1989, ‘90, ‘92, ‘92, ‘94, 2002); 11-time Pro Bowler

***

38: Eric Dickerson

Position: RB

Years: 1983-93

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

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1999; 1986 AP Offensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1983, ‘84, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88); 6-time Pro Bowler

***

39: Mel Blount

Position: DB

Years: 1970-83

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1989; 4-time Super Bowl champion (1974, ‘75, ‘78, ‘79); 1975 AP Defensive Player of Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1975, ‘81); 5-time Pro Bowler

***

40: O.J. Simpson

Position: RB

Years: 1969-79

Teams: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1985; 1973 NFL AP MVP; 1973 Bert Bell Award winner; 1st-team All-Pro (1972, ‘73, ‘74, ‘75, ‘76); 6-time Pro Bowler

***

41: Aaron Rodgers

Position: QB

Years: 2005-Present

Team: Green Bay Packers.

Achievements: Super Bowl XLV champion; 2x NFL MVP (2011, 2014); Super Bowl XLV MVP; 2-time First-team All-pro (2011, 2014); Second-team All-pro (2012); Seven pro bowls

***

42: Ray Nitschke

Position: LB

Years: 1958-72

Team: Green Bay Packers

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1978; 3-time NFL champion (1961 ‘62, ‘65); 2-time Super Bowl champion (1966, ‘67); 1st-team All-Pro (1964, ‘65); Pro Bowler

***

43: Forrest Gregg

Position: T

Years: 1956-71

Teams: Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1977); 3-time Super Bowl Champion, 7-time First-team All-pro (1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967); nine pro bowls.

***

44: Chuck Bednarik

Position: C/LB

Years: 1949-62

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1967; 2-time NFL champion (1949, ‘60); 1st-team All-Pro (1950, ‘51, ‘52, ‘53, ‘54, ‘60); 8-time Pro Bowler

***

45: Jim Thorpe

Position: RB

Years: 1920-28

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

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1963); First-team All-pro (1923)

***

46: Mike Singletary

Position: LB

Years: 1981-92

Team: Chicago Bears

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1998); Super Bowl XX Champion; 7-time First-team All-pro (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991); Second-team All-pro (1990); 10 pro bowls

***

47: Red Grange

Position: RB

Years: 1925-34

Teams: Chicago Bears, New York Yankees

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1963); 2-time First-team All-pro (1930, 1931)

***

48:Roger Staubach

Position: QB

Years: 1969-79

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF in 1985; NFL MVP 1971, Super Bowl VI MVP; 22,700 passing yards, 153 passing touchdowns, 20 rushing touchdowns, 2,264 rushing yards; lost statistics by delaying entry into NFL for four years because of military commitment after graduating from the Naval Academy.

***

49: Jim Parker

Position: OG/OT

Years: 1957-1967

Team: Baltimore Colts

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1973); 2-time NFL champion, 9-time First-team All-Pro (1957-1965); Second-team All-Pro (1966); 8-time Pro Bowler

***

50:Bronko Nagurski

Position: FB

Years: 1930-43

Team: Chicago Bears

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1963; 3-time NFL champion (1932, ‘33 ‘43,); 1st-team All-Pro (1932, ‘33, ‘34, ‘36)

***

51:John Mackey

Position: TE

Years: 1963-72

Teams: Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1992); Super Bowl V champion; 3-time First-team All-pro (1966,1967,1968); five pro bowls

***

52: Terrell Owens

Position:WR

Years: 1996-2010

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

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2018); 5-time First-team All-pro (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007); 3rd all-time receiving yards; six pro bowls

***

No. 53 Merlin Olsen

Position: DT

Years: 1962-1976

Team: Los Angeles Rams

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1982); 5-time First-team All-Pro (1966-1970); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1965, 1973, 1974); NFL Rookie of the Year (1962); 14-time Pro Bowler (this is a career NFL record. Olsen is tied with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Bruce Matthews and Tony Gonzalez)

***

No. 54. LaDainian Tomlinson

Position: RB

Years: 2001-11

Teams: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2017); NFL Most Valuable Player (2006); NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2006); 3-time First-team All-pro (2004, 2006, 2007); 2-time Second-team All-pro (2002, 2003); five pro bowls

***

No. 55 Gene Upshaw

Position: G

Years: 1967-81

Team: Oakland Raiders

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1987); 2-time Super Bowl champion; AFL Champion; 5-time First-team All-pro (1968, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1977); 4- time Second-team All-pro (1972, 1973, 1975, 1976); seven pro bowls

***

No. 56 Steve Young

Position: QB

Years: 1985-99

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF 2005; two-time NFL MVP (1992, 1994); Super Bowl MVP (1994); 33,124 passing yards, 64.3 completion percentage, 232 touchdowns, 4,239 rushing yards, 43 touchdowns; seven-time Pro Bowler; won six NFL passing titles.

***

No. 57 Marshall Faulk

Position: RB

Years: 1994-2005

Teams: Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2011); Super Bowl champion; 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999-2001); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1994, 1995, 1998); NFL MVP (2000); 3-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1999-2001); NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1994); 7-time Pro Bowler; one of only 3 NFL players to amass at least 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards; only player to accumulate 12,000 rushing and 6,000 receiving yards; only NFL RB with 100+ rushing and 30+ receiving TDs; holds NFL career record for most games with a rushing and receiving TD (15).

***

No. 58 Raymond Berry

Position: Split end

Years: 1955-67

Team: Baltimore Colts

Achievements: Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973; 2-time NFL champion (1958, ‘59); 1st-team All-Pro (1958, ‘59, 60); 6-time Pro Bowler

***

59:Earl Campbell

Position: RB

Years: 1978-85

Teams: Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1991; 1979 AP MVP; NFL PFWA MVP (1978, ‘79); AP Offensive Player of the Year (1978, 1979, 1980); 1st-team All-Pro (1978, ‘79, ‘80); 5-time Pro Bowler

***

60: Junior Seau

Position: LB

Years: 1990-2009

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2015); 8-time First-team All-Pro (1991-1996, 1998, 2000); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1997, 1999); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992); NFL Man of the Year (1994); 12-time Pro Bowler

***

61: Charles Woodson

Position: DB

Years: 1998-2015

Teams: Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers

Achievements: Super Bowl XLV champion; 2009 Defensive Player of the Year; 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999, 2009, 2011); Four-time Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2008, 2010, 2015); nine pro bowls; NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

***

62:Lance Alworth

Position: WR

Years: 1962-72

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1978); Super Bowl VI champion; AFL Champion (1963); AFL Player of the Year (1963); 6-time First-team All-Pro (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968); Second-team All-Pro (1969); seven pro bowls

***

63: Bart Starr

Position: QB

Years: 1956-1971

Team: Green Bay Packers

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1977); 2-time Super Bowl champ; 2-time Super Bowl MVP; 5-time NFL champ; 4-time Pro Bowl; first-team All-Pro (1966); 3-time second-team All-Pro (1961, 1962, 1964); NFL MVP (1966); holds the NFL record for the highest postseason passer rating (104.8)

***

64:J.J. Watt

Position: DE

Years: 2011-Present

Team: Houston Texans

Achievements: 5-time First-team All-Pro (2012-2015, 2018); 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014, 2015); Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2017); 5-time Pro Bowler; Pro Bowl Defensive MVP (2014); Bert Bell Award (2014); first player with multiple 20-sack seasons (2012, 2014)

***

65: Larry Fitzgerald

Position: WR

Years: 2004-Present

Team: Arizona Cardinals

Achievements: 1st-team All-Pro (2008); 2-time 2nd-team All-pro (2009, 2011), 11-time Pro Bowler, Pro-Bowl MVP (2008); Holds NFL record for most seasons with 90+ receptions (8); Most TD receptions in a postseason (7 in 2008); Most receptions in a postseason (30 in 2008); Most receiving yards in a postseason (546 in 2008); Third all-time in career receptions (1,303); Second all-time in career receiving yards (16,279)

***

66: Mike Webster

Position: C

Years: 1974-90

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1997); 5-time First-team All-pro (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983); Second-team All-Pro (1984); nine pro bowls

***

67: Jack Ham

Position: LB

Years: 1971-1982

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1988); 4-time Super Bowl champ; 6-time First-team All-Pro (1974-1979); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1973, 1980); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975); 8-time Pro Bowler

***

68: Joe Namath

Position: QB

Years: 1965-77

Teams: New York Jets, L.A. Rams (1977)

Achievements: Five pro bowls; Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP; Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1985); first to pass for more than 4,000 yards in one season; had 27,663 passing yards and 173 TDs for career.

***

69: Orlando Pace

Position:LT

Years: 1997-2009

Teams: St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2016); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001, 2003); Second-team All-Pro (2000); seven pro bowls.

***

70: Art Shell

Position: OT

Years: 1968-82.

Team: Oakland Raiders (L.A. 1982).

Achievements: Two-time Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Played 207 games. NFL 1970s all-decade team.

***

71: Ted Hendricks

Position: LB.

Years: 1969-83

Teams: Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, L.A. Raiders.

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1990); 4-time Super Bowl champion; 4-time First-team All-Pro (1971, 1974, 1980, 1982); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1972, 1976); 8-time Pro Bowler

***

72: Randy White

Position: DT.

Years: 1975-88

Team: Dallas Cowboys.

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1994; 1977 Super Bowl Champion; 1977 Super Bowl MVP; 1st-team All-Pro (1978, ‘79, ‘81, ‘82, ‘83, ‘84, ‘85); 9-time Pro Bowler

***

73: Bruce Matthews

Position: OL.

Years: 1983-2001

Teams: Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans.

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2007; 1st-team All-Pro (1988, ‘89, 90, ‘92, ‘98, ‘99, 2000); 14-time Pro Bowler; started 293 games in career (second in NFL history).

***

74: Larry Allen

Position: OL.

Years: 1994-2007

Teams: Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers.

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2013; 1995 Super Bowl Champion; 1st-team All-Pro (1996, ‘97, ‘98, ‘99, 2000, ‘01); 11-time Pro Bowler

***

75: Terry Bradshaw

Position: QB

Years: 1970-83

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers.

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1989; 4-time Super Bowl champion (1974, ‘75, ‘78, ‘79) ; 1978 AP MVP; Super Bowl MVP (1978, ‘79); 1978 Bert Bell Award winner; 1st-team All-Pro (1978); 3-time Pro Bowler

***

76: Sid Luckman

Position:QB.

Years: 1939-50

Team: Chicago Bears.

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1965; 1943 Joe F. Carr MVP Trophy winner; 4-time NFL Champion (1940, ‘41, ‘43, ‘46); 1st-team All-Pro (1941, ‘42, ‘43, ‘44. ‘47); 3-time Pro Bowler

***

77: Jim Otto

Position: Center.

Years: 1960-74

Team: Oakland Raiders.

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1980; 1st-team All-Pro selection (1960, ‘61, ‘62, ‘63, ‘64, ‘65, ‘67, ‘68, ‘69, ‘70); 12-time Pro Bowler

***

78:Michael Strahan

Position: DE.

Years: 1993-2007

Team: New York Giants.

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014); Super Bowl champ; 7 Pro Bowls; 4-time first-team All-Pro (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003); 2-time second-team All-Pro (2002, 2005); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001); holds the NFL record for most sacks in a season (22.5); 6th most career sacks in NFL history (141.5)

***

79: Kellen Winslow Sr.

Position: TE.

Years: 1979-87

Team: San Diego Chargers.

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1995); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1980-1982); Second-team All-Pro (1987); 5-time Pro Bowl selection

***

80: Adrian Peterson

Position: RB.

Years: 2007-present

Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins.

Achievements: NFL Most Valuable Player (2012); NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2012); 4-time First-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012, 2015); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (2007, 2010, 2013); seven pro bowls; NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2007). Eight on all-time rushing list coming into 2019 season.

***

***

81:Walter Jones

Position: OT.

Years: 1997-2008

Team: Seattle Seahawks

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2014); 4-time First-team All-Pro (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (2006, 2008); nine pro bowls.

***

82:Willie Lanier

Position: LB.

Years: 1967-77

Team: Kansas City

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1986); Started 146 of 149 regular-season games. Eight pro bowls (1968-75). Three-time All-Pro (1968, 1971, 1973).

***

83:Michael Irvin

Position: WR.

Years: 1988-1999

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2007); 3-time Super Bowl champ; First-team All-Pro (1991); Two-time Second-team All-pro (1992, 1993); five pro bowls.

***

84:Jonathan Ogden

Position: OT.

Years: 1996-2007

Team: Baltimore Ravens

Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2013); Super Bowl champ; 4-time First-team All-Pro (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003); 5-time Second-team All-Pro (1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006); 11 pro bowls.

***

85:Marvin Harrison

Position: WR.

Years: 1996-2008

Team: Indianapolis Colts

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2016); Super Bowl champ; 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999, 2002, 2006); 5-time Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2001, 2003-2005); 8-time Pro Bowl selection; Holds multiple NFL receiving records including most receptions in a single season (143), most consecutive seasons of 1,000+ all-purpose yards and 10+ TD receptions (8), first player to record two seasons of 1,600 yards receiving in NFL history, (1999 & 2002); also holds multiple records with Peyton Manning as a QB/WR pair.

***

86: Derrick Thomas

Position: LB.

Years: 1989-1999

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2009); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1990-1992); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1993, 1994, 1996); 9-time Pro Bowl selection; NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1989); holds the NFL record for sacks in a single game (7).

***

87:Troy Polamalu

Position: S.

Years: 2003-14

Team: Pittsburgh

Achievements: Eight pro bowls (2004-08, 2010-11, 2013) and four-time All-Pro (2006, 2008, 2010-11). Twice had seven interceptions in a season. Started 142 regular-season games. NFL defensive player of the Year in 2010 (AP). Super Bowl champ.

***

88: Aaron Donald

Position: DL.

Years: 2014-present

Teams: St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams

Achievements: 2-time AP Defensive Player of the Year (2017, ‘18); 1st-team All-Pro (2015, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18); 5-time Pro Bowler.

***

89: Rob Gronkowski

Position: TE.

Years: 2010-18

Team: New England Patriots

Achievements: 3-time Super Bowl Champion 2015, ‘17, ‘19); 1st-team All-Pro (2011, ‘14, ‘15, ‘17); 5-time Pro-Bowler; 2014 AP Comeback Player of the Year.

***

90: Tony Dorsett

Position: RB.

Years: 1977-88

Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1994; 1977 Super Bowl champion; 1st-team All-Pro (1981); 4-time Pro Bowler; 1977 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

***

91:Lee Roy Selmon

Position: DE.

Years: 1976-84

Team: Tampa Bay

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1995; 1979 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1979); six pro bowls.

***

92: Fran Tarkenton

Position: QB.

Years: 1961-78

Teams: Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants.

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1986; 1975 NFL MVP; 1st-team All-Pro (1975); nine pro bowls (1964-65, 1967-70, 1974-76).

***

93: Marion Motley

Position: FB.

Years: 1946-55

Teams: Cleveland (AAFC), Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1968. 2nd black player ever inducted); NFL champion; 4-time AAFC champion; Pro Bowl; 2-time First-team All-Pro (1948, 1950); averaged 5.6 YPC (a record that still stands for FBS).

***

94: Herb Adderley

Position: DB.

Years: 1961-72

Teams: Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1980; 3-time Super Bowl Champion (1965, ‘66, ‘67); 1st-team All-Pro (1962, ‘63, ‘65, ‘66); 5-time Pro Bowler

***

95: Adam Vinatieri

Position: K.

Years: 1996-Present

Teams: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts

Achievements: 4-time Super Bowl champ; 3-time First-team all-Pro (2002, 2004, 2014); 3-time Pro Bowl selection; Holds NFL records for most consecutive FGs made (44), most career FGs made (582) and most career points in NFL history (2,600); Only player to score 1,000+ points for 2 teams.

***

96: Darrell Green

Position: CB.

Years: 1983-2002

Team: Washington Redskins

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2008; 2-time Super Bowl champion (1987, ‘91); 1996 Walter Payton Man of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1991); 7-time Pro Bowler.

***

97: Mike Haynes

Position: CB.

Years: 1976-89

Teams: New England Patriots, L.A. Raiders

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1997); Super Bowl champ; 2-time First-team All-Pro (1984, 1985); 6-time Second-team All-Pro (1976-1980, 1982); 9-time Pro Bowl selection; NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1976).

***

98: Willie Brown

Position: CB.

Years: 1963-78

Teams: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1984); 3-time Super Bowl champ; 2-time First-team All-Pro (1971, 1973); AFL champion (1967); 3-time First-team All-AFL (1964, 1968, 1969); 4-time Pro Bowl selection; held the Super Bowl record for longest interception (75 yards) until James Harrison broke it.

***

99: Franco Harris

Position: RB.

Years: 1972-84

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks

Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1990); 4-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP; First-team All-Pro (1977); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1972, 1975); NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1972); 9-time Pro Bowl selection; rushed for 1,000 or more yards in 8 seasons

***

100: Troy Aikman

Position: QB.

Years: 1989-2000

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2006; 3-time Super Bowl champion (1992, ‘93, ‘95); 1992 Super Bowl MVP; 1997 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1993); 6-time Pro Bowl selection

Contributing: Tess DeMeyer, Lila Bromberg,, Thomas Hindle

Sources: Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pro Football Reference, USA TODAY research

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