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The 28 Greatest NFL Defensive Ends of All Time

By YPB Team

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 — ranked #11
    Reggie White
    Eagles and Packers dominant DE with 198 career sacks, two-time DPOY, Super Bowl XXXI champion.
    1000pts
  2. Bruce Smith — ranked #22
    Bruce Smith
    Buffalo Bills star and the NFL's all-time sacks leader with 200 career sacks.
    894pts
  3. Charles Haley — ranked #33
    Charles Haley
    49ers and Cowboys defensive end who won five Super Bowl rings.
    663pts
  4. Osi Umenyiora — ranked #44
    Osi Umenyiora
    New York Giants strip-sack specialist and two-time Super Bowl champion.
    609pts
  5. Coy Bacon — ranked #55
    Coy Bacon
    Rams, Chargers, Bengals and Redskins pass rusher of the 1970s known for prolific unofficial sack totals.
    609pts
  6. Andy Robustelli — ranked #66
    Andy Robustelli
    New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end anchoring championship defenses in the 1950s-60s.
    609pts
  7. Carl Eller — ranked #77
    Carl Eller
    Minnesota Vikings anchor of the 'Purple People Eaters' front four.
    546pts
  8. Robert Mathis — ranked #88
    Robert Mathis
    Indianapolis Colts sack specialist who paired with Dwight Freeney to terrorize quarterbacks.
    546pts
  9. Ed 'Too Tall' Jones — ranked #99
    Ed 'Too Tall' Jones
    Dallas Cowboys towering defensive end and three-time Pro Bowler of the 1970s-80s.
    473pts
  10. Dwight Freeney — ranked #1010
    Dwight Freeney
    Indianapolis Colts star famous for his spin move, 125.5 career sacks.
    473pts
  11. Justin Tuck — ranked #1111
    Justin Tuck
    New York Giants edge rusher who won two Super Bowls with standout postseason performances.
    473pts
  12. Deacon Jones — ranked #1212
    Deacon Jones
    Los Angeles Rams legend of the 1960s who coined the term 'sack' and revolutionized the position.
    473pts
  13. Myles Garrett — ranked #1313
    Myles Garrett
    Cleveland Browns dominant modern-era edge rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
    473pts
  14. Richard Dent — ranked #1414
    Richard Dent
    Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX MVP and key piece of the legendary 1985 defense.
    473pts
  15. J.J. Watt — ranked #1515
    J.J. Watt
    Texans and Cardinals dominant force, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
    387pts
  16. Fred Dean — ranked #1616
    Fred Dean
    Chargers and 49ers Hall of Fame pass rusher known for explosive quickness off the edge.
    387pts
  17. Jared Allen — ranked #1717
    Jared Allen
    Vikings and Chiefs sack artist known for his relentless motor, 136 career sacks.
    387pts
  18. Jason Taylor — ranked #1818
    Jason Taylor
    Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer and 2006 Defensive Player of the Year.
    387pts
  19. Chris Doleman — ranked #1919
    Chris Doleman
    Vikings and 49ers pass rusher who finished with 150.5 career sacks.
    387pts
  20. Simeon Rice — ranked #2020
    Simeon Rice
    Buccaneers pass rusher who helped anchor Tampa Bay's Super Bowl XXXVII championship defense.
    284pts
  21. Gino Marchetti — ranked #2121
    Gino Marchetti
    Baltimore Colts pass-rushing pioneer of the 1950s-60s, 11-time Pro Bowler.
    284pts
  22. DeMarcus Ware — ranked #2222
    DeMarcus Ware
    Cowboys and Broncos elite edge rusher with 138.5 sacks and a Super Bowl 50 ring.
    284pts
  23. Michael Strahan — ranked #2323
    Michael Strahan
    New York Giants great who set the single-season sack record and won Super Bowl XLII.
    158pts
  24. Julius Peppers — ranked #2424
    Julius Peppers
    Panthers and Bears standout with 159.5 career sacks across a 17-year career.
    158pts
  25. L.C. Greenwood — ranked #2525
    L.C. Greenwood
    Pittsburgh Steelers 'Steel Curtain' defensive end of the 1970s dynasty teams.
    158pts
  26. Howie Long — ranked #2626
    Howie Long
    Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame defensive end of the 1980s, eight-time Pro Bowler.
    158pts
  27. Leslie O'Neal — ranked #2727
    Leslie O'Neal
    San Diego Chargers five-time Pro Bowl defensive end of the late 1980s-90s.
    158pts
  28. Trace Armstrong — ranked #2828
    Trace Armstrong
    Dolphins and Bears durable defensive end with a long, productive career in the 1990s-2000s.
    158pts

#football576#players565#nfl51#defense1

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