# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published July 28, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-28-greatest-nfl-defensive-ends-of-all-time*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Reggie White** — 66.67% (2 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Eagles and Packers dominant DE with 198 career sacks, two-time DPOY, Super Bowl XXXI champion.
2. **Bruce Smith** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 894/1000)
   Buffalo Bills star and the NFL's all-time sacks leader with 200 career sacks.
3. **Charles Haley** — 0% (0 votes · score 663/1000)
   49ers and Cowboys defensive end who won five Super Bowl rings.
4. **Osi Umenyiora** — 0% (0 votes · score 609/1000)
   New York Giants strip-sack specialist and two-time Super Bowl champion.
5. **Coy Bacon** — 0% (0 votes · score 609/1000)
   Rams, Chargers, Bengals and Redskins pass rusher of the 1970s known for prolific unofficial sack totals.
6. **Andy Robustelli** — 0% (0 votes · score 609/1000)
   New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end anchoring championship defenses in the 1950s-60s.
7. **Carl Eller** — 0% (0 votes · score 546/1000)
   Minnesota Vikings anchor of the 'Purple People Eaters' front four.
8. **Robert Mathis** — 0% (0 votes · score 546/1000)
   Indianapolis Colts sack specialist who paired with Dwight Freeney to terrorize quarterbacks.
9. **Ed 'Too Tall' Jones** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Dallas Cowboys towering defensive end and three-time Pro Bowler of the 1970s-80s.
10. **Dwight Freeney** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Indianapolis Colts star famous for his spin move, 125.5 career sacks.
11. **Justin Tuck** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   New York Giants edge rusher who won two Super Bowls with standout postseason performances.
12. **Deacon Jones** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Los Angeles Rams legend of the 1960s who coined the term 'sack' and revolutionized the position.
13. **Myles Garrett** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Cleveland Browns dominant modern-era edge rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
14. **Richard Dent** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX MVP and key piece of the legendary 1985 defense.
15. **J.J. Watt** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Texans and Cardinals dominant force, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
16. **Fred Dean** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Chargers and 49ers Hall of Fame pass rusher known for explosive quickness off the edge.
17. **Jared Allen** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Vikings and Chiefs sack artist known for his relentless motor, 136 career sacks.
18. **Jason Taylor** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer and 2006 Defensive Player of the Year.
19. **Chris Doleman** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Vikings and 49ers pass rusher who finished with 150.5 career sacks.
20. **Simeon Rice** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Buccaneers pass rusher who helped anchor Tampa Bay's Super Bowl XXXVII championship defense.
21. **Gino Marchetti** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Baltimore Colts pass-rushing pioneer of the 1950s-60s, 11-time Pro Bowler.
22. **DeMarcus Ware** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Cowboys and Broncos elite edge rusher with 138.5 sacks and a Super Bowl 50 ring.
23. **Michael Strahan** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   New York Giants great who set the single-season sack record and won Super Bowl XLII.
24. **Julius Peppers** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Panthers and Bears standout with 159.5 career sacks across a 17-year career.
25. **L.C. Greenwood** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Pittsburgh Steelers 'Steel Curtain' defensive end of the 1970s dynasty teams.
26. **Howie Long** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame defensive end of the 1980s, eight-time Pro Bowler.
27. **Leslie O'Neal** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   San Diego Chargers five-time Pro Bowl defensive end of the late 1980s-90s.
28. **Trace Armstrong** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Dolphins and Bears durable defensive end with a long, productive career in the 1990s-2000s.

Tags: football, players, nfl, defense