Getty Images, Brightcast Media
The 2024 NFL season is on the horizon, so it only feels right that we look at the 25 best players to grace the gridiron since 2000. Has Patrick Mahomes done enough to crack the top-5? How about Justin Jefferson — is the elite wideout worthy of a spot? Let’s see…
25. Antonio Brown
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Antonio Brown’s behavior on and off the field in recent years has overshadowed his ridiculous talent. From 2011 to 2018, Brown was nearly unstoppable. Brown earned his first Pro Bowl nod in his second season and by 2013 blossomed into an elite player. AB led the league in receptions and receiving yards twice — and had an absurd six-year stretch in which he tallied 686 receptions for 9,145 yards and 67 touchdowns. A four-time All-Pro, Brown is one of the most gifted receivers the game has ever seen.
24. Brian Urlacher
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
For 13 years, Brian Urlacher was the main cog of one of the NFL’s best defenses. Playing middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, Urlacher was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2000 and earned his first Pro Bowl nod. The Chicago legend was an All-Pro in Year 2 and finished fifth in the MVP vote. In 2005, Urlacher won Defensive Player of the Year. While the Hall of Famer never won a Super Bowl with the Bears, he spearheaded an elite defense that led Chicago to the big game in 2006.
23. Antonio Gates
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
For a majority of the 2000s, Antonio Gates was arguably the best tight end in the NFL. Playing for the San Diego Chargers — and eventually the Los Angeles Chargers — Gates was a three-time First-Team All-Pro at tight end. Overall, Gates was a five-time All-Pro and ranks fourth since 2000 with 116 touchdown receptions. With Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce becoming household names over the past 15 years Gates’ accomplishments have been overshadowed. However, we cannot forget his greatness.
22. Ben Roethlisberger
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
The end of Ben Roethlisberger’s career may have clouded the judgment of fans, but Big Ben is certainly worthy of this spot. Roethlisberger led Pittsburgh from 2004 — when he went 13-0 as the starting QB — to 2021. During that time, Pittsburgh went 165-81-1 in games started by Roethlisberger and won two Super Bowls, as well. Overall, Roethlisberger threw for 64,088 yards and 418 TD. The Pittsburgh great is one-of-three QBs to throw for over 60,000 yards and win two Super Bowls…joining Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
21. Jonathan Ogden
Joe Murphy/Getty Images
It is hard to compare linemen to players at skill positions, but Jonathan Ogden was an absolute monster along Baltimore’s offensive line. The UCLA product began his career in 1996 and was a three-time All-Pro before the turn of the century. From 2000 until his retirement following the 2007 season, Ogden continued to dominate. The 6-foot-9 tackle earned first-team All-Pro honors during Baltimore’s Super Bowl-winning season in 2000. Three years later, Ogden paved the way for Jamal Lewis’ 2,000-yard season.
20. Tony Gonzalez
Sporting News/Getty Images
The only thing standing in Antonio Gates’ way to being the undisputed No. 1 tight end during his prime was Tony Gonzalez. Easily one of the greatest TEs of all-time, Gonzalez kicked off the century by posting a 1,200-yard season in 2000. Gonzalez was a five-time First-Team All-Pro in the 2000s — six-time overall — and leads all TEs in NFL history with 1,325 receptions and 15,127 yards.
19. Troy Polamalu
Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images
Ben Roethlisberger may have been at the helm of two Super Bowl-winning teams in Pittsburgh, but Troy Polamalu was the heart and soul of the Steelers. The Hall of Fame safety finished in the top-5 of Defensive Player of the Year voting twice over his first seasons, but he put together his greatest campaign coming off an injury-shortened 2009 season. In 2010, Polamalu won the Defensive Player of the Year Award after notching seven interceptions in 14 games. Polamalu was a six-time All-Pro (four First-Team) and finished his career with 32 interceptions and two SB rings.
18. Charles Woodson
USA TODAY Sports
There is not much that needs to be said about why Charles Woodson is on this list. He was an All-Pro at cornerback as a second-year player in Oakland. 10 years later, Woodson won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in Green Bay. In 2010, the Hall of Famer won the Super Bowl. Woodson finished his career back with the Raiders, switched to safety, and was named an All-Pro at the age of 39. Pretty good.
17. Adrian Peterson
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
At his best, Adrian Peterson was one of the greatest running backs the league has ever seen. After rushing for over 1,300 yards and 12 TD as a rookie, Peterson led the league with 1,760 yards in his second season. The great topped 1,200 yards each of his first four seasons, but those efforts didn’t come close to his 2012 season. Coming off a torn ACL and MCL in December 2011, Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards — the second-best single-season effort in NFL history — en route to winning the ’12 MVP. The Viking legend led the league in yards for a third time in ’15 and ultimately totaled 14,918 yards and 120 TD before retiring in 2021.
16. Drew Brees
Donald Miralle/Getty Images
Drew Brees overcame a career-threatening shoulder injury to become a hero in New Orleans and a future Hall of Famer. Brees spent the first five years of his career in San Diego where he topped 3,000 yards three times, but he truly became a star with the Saints. Brees led the league in passing yards seven times — including five-of-six years from 2011-2016 — and paced the NFL in passing TD four times. Impressively, Brees was one of the most accurate passers of all-time and led the NFL in completion percentage six times, as well. As a 40-year-old in 2019, Brees completed 74.3-percent of his attempts.
15. Darrelle Revis
Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
In the 2010s, ‘Revis Island’ was a nightmare for receivers. Darrelle Revis was the league’s top cornerback and his man-to-man coverage was so elite that the Jets opted to put Revis on the opponents’ top receiver with no safety help — hence, ‘Revis Island’. Revis was a four-time All-Pro and was selected to the team three years in a row (2009-2011) while with the New York Jets. In 2009, Revis snagged a career-high six interceptions and led the league with an absurd 31 passes defensed. As a result, Revis finished second for DPoY.
14. Travis Kelce
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Kelce’s career is ongoing and he may very well be considered the greatest tight end of all-time when he hangs up his cleats. Kelce has been a dominant force at his position for the majority of his career. From 2016-2022, Kelce topped 1,000 yards seven seasons in a row — no other TE in history has more than four 1,000-yard seasons. Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target, Kelce enters the 2024 season with over 11,000 receiving yards and 74 TD. In the postseason, Kelce has 1,903 yards and 19 TD to go along with three rings.
13. Rob Gronkowski
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
If Kelce isn’t already considered the greatest tight end of all-time, Rob Gronkowski is the last person standing in his way. Gronk was elite catching the ball, but what truly made him special was his ability to block. The Arizona Wildcat burst onto the scene as a rookie with 10 TD, and in Year 2 Gronk went off for 1,327 yards and a league-leading 17 TD. Injuries robbed the legend from adding on to his impressive stats, but his impact on the field will not be forgotten any time soon.
12. Ed Reed
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Ed Reed was a legend at the University of Miami and quickly became one in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. Reed is seen as one of the greatest safeties in league history, and some may forget that he was electric on special teams, as well. Reed’s brilliance resulted in a Defensive Player of the Year trophy in 2004 as he led the NFL with nine interceptions. Overall, Reed paced the league in picks three times (’04, ’08, ’10).
11. Ray Lewis
Mitchell Reibel/Getty Images
Playing in front of Ed Reed for a decade was this man — Ray Lewis. Lewis was the most feared man in the NFL during his prime. Roaming the middle of the field, Lewis finished in the top-6 of DPoY voting eight times. Lewis was a tackling machine and his intensity was the hallmark of Baltimore’s vaunted defense. A two-time DPoY, Lewis led Baltimore to its first Super Bowl triumph in 2000 and to a second victory in 2012 — his final season.
10. J.J. Watt
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Watt wasted little time making an impact in the NFL. After registering 5.5 sacks as a rookie in 2011, Watt exploded for 20.5 sacks in his second season. Unsurprisingly, Watt was named the Defensive Player of the Year and earned his first All-Pro nod. Two years later, Watt once against notched 20.5 sacks and won his second DPoY — and finished second for MVP behind Aaron Rodgers. The all-time great won a third DPoY in 2015, but injuries would soon rob Watt of a handful of seasons. Between 2016-2021, Watt played eight games or fewer four times. In his final season, ’22, Watt recorded 12.5 sacks with the Arizona Cardinals.
9. Calvin Johnson
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Calvin Johnson followed in the footsteps of Barry Sanders by walking away from the NFL — and the Detroit Lions — during his prime. Known as Megatron, Johnson had 12 or more touchdowns four times during his nine-year career. In 2012, Johnson put together an all-time season for a receiver. Catching passes from Matthew Stafford, Johnson finished the year with 122 catches and 1,964 yards — the single-season record for yards. Megatron tallied 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season before walking away from the game at the age of 30.
8. LaDainian Tomlinson
Peter Brouillet/NFLPhotoLibrary
How good was LaDainian Tomlinson? LT reached double-digit touchdown totals in each of his first nine seasons in the league. The five-time Pro Bowler won the 2006 MVP Award based upon a season in which he rushed for 1,815 yards and an NFL record 28 touchdowns. Tomlinson had a stretch in which he scored at least one touchdown in 18-straight contests. The TCU product is second all-time in career rushing touchdowns (145). He also ranks seventh in career rushing yards (13,684) and third in receptions for a running back (624).
7. Terrell Owens
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Many people believe Terrell Owens is a top-3 receiver in NFL history. Owens made his debut in 1996 and posted one 1,000-yard season before the turn of the century. Then, T.O. became a legend. Owens was named an All-Pro three years in a row (2000-2002) while averaging 1,387 yards and 14 TD. T.O. led the league in touchdowns three times and scored the second-most TD in the 2000s. Overall, Owens is third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.
6. Randy Moss
USA TODAY Sports
In our opinion, Randy Moss is the only receiver since 2000 that tops Terrell Owens. Moss ranks second all-time in receiving touchdowns and is fourth in receiving yards. Moss was incredible as a rookie in 1998 and he didn’t slow down in the 2000s — leading the league in touchdowns four times and recording eight 1,000-yard seasons. In 2007, Moss and Tom Brady connected for an absurd 23 touchdowns in ‘The Freak’s’ first season with the Patriots.
5. Peyton Manning
Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty Images
Peyton Manning was viewed as a generational talent while at the University of Tennessee and he more than lived up to the hype in the NFL. While with the Indianapolis Colts, Manning threw 347 touchdown passes in the 2000s, won four MVPs, and led his team to a Super Bowl victory over the Chicago Bears. Incredibly, after missing an entire season with a neck injury, Manning reached new heights in Denver. At the age of 37 in 2013, Manning threw for 5,477 yards and 55 TD en route to his fifth MVP. Two years later, Manning won his second Super Bowl.
4. Aaron Rodgers
Tom Hauck/Getty Images
If Aaron Rodgers had won three or four Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers, he may be considered the G.O.A.T. Instead, Rodgers is often talked about as the ‘most gifted QB of all-time’ — but not the best. After sitting behind Brett Favre for the first three years of his career, Rodgers took charge of Green Bay’s offense in 2008. From 2008-2021, Rodgers won one Super Bowl, four MVPs — including back-to-back trophies at 37 and 38 years old — and threw 448 TD passes and a mere 92 interceptions. Now with the New York Jets, Rodgers will look to top 500 TD and 60,000 yards in 2024.
3. Patrick Mahomes
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Mahomes is the most gifted passer the league has seen since prime Aaron Rodgers. Mahomes will be 29 years old during the 2024 season…and arguments are already being made that he is better than Tom Brady. Mahomes has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories in his first six years as their starter and has two MVPs to his name. In his first season as QB1, 2018, Mahomes won the MVP following a 50-TD, 12-INT season.
2. Aaron Donald
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Donald is the best defensive player since Lawrence Taylor and some would argue he is the greatest defensive player of all-time. Donald retired following the 2023 season and had plenty left in the tank had he continued to play for the Rams. The legendary defensive tackle was a Pro Bowler all 10 seasons of his career and he registered a remarkable 111 sacks. Donald won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014 and proceeded to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award three times — while also finishing in the top-5 on four other occasions.
1. Tom Brady
Elsa/Getty Images
Was there ever a doubt? After becoming New England’s starting quarterback in 2001, Tom Brady led the Patriots to six Super Bowls wins. In 20 years with the Pats, Brady threw for over 74,000 yards and won three MVPs. Brady then joined Tampa Bay as a 43-year-old and promptly threw for 4,633 yards and 40 TD en route to winning his seventh ring. As an encore, Brady led the league with 5,316 yards and 43 TD. In 2022, at the age of 45, Brady threw for nearly 4,700 yards and 25 TD in his final season.
