The 28 Greatest NFL Defensive Ends of All Time

Bone-crushing sack artists and disciplined run-stoppers from every era share the same stage here, old-school grinders next to modern speed rushers. Which will win?

1

Reggie White

Eagles and Packers dominant DE with 198 career sacks, two-time DPOY, Super Bowl XXXI champion.

1000pts

2

Bruce Smith

Buffalo Bills star and the NFL's all-time sacks leader with 200 career sacks.

894pts

3

Charles Haley

49ers and Cowboys defensive end who won five Super Bowl rings.

663pts

4

Osi Umenyiora

New York Giants strip-sack specialist and two-time Super Bowl champion.

609pts

5

Coy Bacon

Rams, Chargers, Bengals and Redskins pass rusher of the 1970s known for prolific unofficial sack totals.

609pts

6

Andy Robustelli

New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end anchoring championship defenses in the 1950s-60s.

609pts

7

Carl Eller

Minnesota Vikings anchor of the 'Purple People Eaters' front four.

546pts

8

Robert Mathis

Indianapolis Colts sack specialist who paired with Dwight Freeney to terrorize quarterbacks.

546pts

9

Ed 'Too Tall' Jones

Dallas Cowboys towering defensive end and three-time Pro Bowler of the 1970s-80s.

473pts

10

Dwight Freeney

Indianapolis Colts star famous for his spin move, 125.5 career sacks.

473pts

11

Justin Tuck

New York Giants edge rusher who won two Super Bowls with standout postseason performances.

473pts

12

Deacon Jones

Los Angeles Rams legend of the 1960s who coined the term 'sack' and revolutionized the position.

473pts

13

Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns dominant modern-era edge rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

473pts

14

Richard Dent

Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX MVP and key piece of the legendary 1985 defense.

473pts

15

J.J. Watt

Texans and Cardinals dominant force, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

387pts

16

Fred Dean

Chargers and 49ers Hall of Fame pass rusher known for explosive quickness off the edge.

387pts

17

Jared Allen

Vikings and Chiefs sack artist known for his relentless motor, 136 career sacks.

387pts

18

Jason Taylor

Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer and 2006 Defensive Player of the Year.

387pts

19

Chris Doleman

Vikings and 49ers pass rusher who finished with 150.5 career sacks.

387pts

20

Simeon Rice

Buccaneers pass rusher who helped anchor Tampa Bay's Super Bowl XXXVII championship defense.

284pts

21

Gino Marchetti

Baltimore Colts pass-rushing pioneer of the 1950s-60s, 11-time Pro Bowler.

284pts

22

DeMarcus Ware

Cowboys and Broncos elite edge rusher with 138.5 sacks and a Super Bowl 50 ring.

284pts

23

Michael Strahan

New York Giants great who set the single-season sack record and won Super Bowl XLII.

158pts

24

Julius Peppers

Panthers and Bears standout with 159.5 career sacks across a 17-year career.

158pts

25

L.C. Greenwood

Pittsburgh Steelers 'Steel Curtain' defensive end of the 1970s dynasty teams.

158pts

26

Howie Long

Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame defensive end of the 1980s, eight-time Pro Bowler.

158pts

27

Leslie O'Neal

San Diego Chargers five-time Pro Bowl defensive end of the late 1980s-90s.

158pts

28

Trace Armstrong

Dolphins and Bears durable defensive end with a long, productive career in the 1990s-2000s.

158pts