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Arguably the most athletic position in all of football, we have seen countless elite athletes over the years rush the passer. Some of these decisions were not easy, but we believe we narrowed it down to the best of the best. Let’s dive in and count down the 30 greatest to ever do it.
30. Jevon Kearse
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A first-round pick by the Titans in 1999, Kearse wasted no time cementing himself as one of the top pass rushers in the league. In his rookie season, Kearse registered 14.5 sacks, eight pass deflections, and a league-high nine forced fumbles. He was named Rookie of the Year and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. His speed, size and explosiveness earned him the nickname ‘The Freak’. While his career didn’t span a lengthy amount of time, Kearse’s impact was surely felt. He was widely regarded as one of the most feared pass rushers of his era.
29. Myles Garrett
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Just seven years into his career, Myles Garrett has already accomplished so much and continues to get better. 2023 was the best season to date for Garrett. The former No. 1 overall pick won the Defensive Player of the Year vote after recording 14.0 sacks and four forced fumbles over 16 games. Garrett ranks second in sacks (81.5) since 2018. He’s been named a Pro Bowler and All-Pro selection in each of the five seasons that he’s been fully healthy. The Cleveland edge rusher is the type of superstar that you can build an entire defense around. And, he’s still in the heart of his prime.
28. T.J. Watt
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Not many expected T.J. Watt to be this good. The former Wisconsin Badger was the 30th overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft — being selected behind several other pass rushers. The hybrid linebacker/end showed flashes as a rookie but broke out as a sophomore in 2018 when he collected 13.0 sacks en route to a Pro Bowl nod. He finished third, second, and finally first in Defensive Player of the Year voting from ’19-21 — collecting 52.0 sacks and 15 forced fumbles over 46 games — and was the runner-up once again in ’23. Watt’s ability lies in his versatility. He’s perfectly comfortable dropping back and helping in pass coverage and is an absolute terror when running downhill and corralling quarterbacks.
27. Clay Matthews Jr.
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Following in his father’s footsteps, Clay Matthews Jr. was also a first-round pick edge rusher out of USC. While Senior enjoyed the longer career, it was Junior who arguably had the greater impact. By Year 2, Matthews Jr. had become one of the most feared defensive playmakers in the league. In 2010, he finished with 13.5 sacks and 25 QB hits on his way to an All-Pro nod and a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He helped the Packers win the Super Bowl, starting all four playoff matchups and collecting 3.5 sacks. Matthews Jr. finished with six Pro Bowl honors.
26. Merlin Olsen
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A member of the “Fearsome Foursome,” Olsen spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Rams. Olsen played 15 seasons in the NFL, and was named a Pro Bowler on 14 occasions — only Tom Brady has more Pro Bowl nods. As a defensive tackle, Olsen stood out for his ability to rush the passer. Lining up alongside Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier, the Rams’ defensive line terrorized opposing offenses and completely took over games. Olsen was named a Hall of Famer in 1982 and enjoyed a successful career off the field as an actor (Little House on the Prairie, Father Murphy).
25. Richard Dent
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An unsung hero from the 1985 Chicago Bears, Dent was a key cog for arguably the greatest defense in league history. Dent was drafted in 1983, but operated as a reserve throughout much of his rookie season. In Year 2, Dent exploded for 17.5 sacks despite starting in only 10 games. ’85 marked the first year Dent was a locked-in starter, and he delivered by leading the league with 17.0 sacks and seven forced fumbles. The Bears finished the season first in all major defensive categories. In the playoffs, Dent was a wrecking ball registering 6.0 sacks in Chicago’s three wins.
24. Rickey Jackson
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New Orleans Saints’ all-time great pass rusher Rickey Jackson oftentimes gets overlooked. That might be because Jackson was a member of the highly-decorated 1981 draft class which featured six defensive players who would go on to make the Hall of Fame — including Lawrence Taylor, Mike Singletary and Howie Long. Jackson’s numbers are right up there with his peers. The 2010 Hall of Fame inductee finished his career with 136.0 sacks and 40 forced fumbles. Jackson was a member of the famed “Dome Patrol” Saints defense which is regarded as the best linebacking group in league history.
23. John Abraham
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John Abraham was drafted in 2000 and was a productive pass rusher until his final season. Abraham was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2001 for the Jets under Herm Edwards. He registered double-digit sack totals eight times in his career — including his final two healthy seasons in 2012 and ’13. Abraham was an unusual player as he combined speed and agility within a 6-foot-4, 270-pound frame. He wasn’t simply bull rushing offensive linemen. Abraham utilized an array of counters — including a wicked spin move — to gain access to opposing backfields.
22. John Randle
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A fearless pass rusher who played with an edge, Randle defied expectations at each stage of his NFL career. After going undrafted due to his relatively small stature for the position, the Vikings signed Randle in 1990. Randle played eleven years with the Vikings, notching seven Pro Bowls and six All-Pro nods. What Randle lacked in size he made up for in suddenness and burst. No offensive lineman could keep the shifty Randle in front of them, and he ended his career with 137.5 sacks.
21. Robert Mathis
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A year after the Colts drafted Dwight Freeney in the first round, it’s hard to imagine the team realized it would be getting another premier pass rusher in the fifth round. Robert Mathis was selected 138th overall out of Alabama A&M in 2003. Mathis was more of a rotational piece for his first few years, entering the game in obvious passing situations to give the Colts a different look. However, in Year 6, the league began to take notice of the Indy edge rusher. He would go on to make five Pro Bowls from ’08-13. A 32-year-old Mathis enjoyed a dominant 2013 campaign which saw him collect a league-high 19.5 sacks only to finish second in Defensive Player of the Year voting (Luke Kuechly).
20. Cameron Jordan
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After 13 seasons in the league, teams still have to account for Cameron Jordan whenever he’s on the field. Jordan has been a one-man wrecking crew for a Saints defense that was quietly among the league’s best groups over the last several seasons. Since 2012, Jordan has recorded 116.5 sacks — the most in the league over that span. As a traditional 4-3 end, Jordan can disrupt both the pass and run game. His ability to play both is what makes game-planning for the near 290-pound edge rusher so difficult. Jordan has made eight Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro First-Team selection in 2017.
19. Alan Page
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Vikings legend Alan Page made history in 1971 when he became the first primarily defensive player to win the NFL Most Valuable Player trophy. At that time, the only players to win MVP were quarterbacks and running backs. Page made his case undeniable by dominating the line of scrimmage all season long. In 15 seasons with the Vikings, Page helped the team capture four conference titles and a league championship. He was a member of the popular “Purple People Eaters” defensive line which was known for getting after opposing quarterbacks. Page ended his career with 148.5 sacks and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
18. Dwight Freeney
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Dwight Freeney was a game-changer from the moment he stepped into the NFL. As a defensive end, Freeney’s speed was unmatched for the position. Using a sharp first-step, Freeney could blow by offensive linemen before they could even get their hands on him. He quickly became one of the league’s premier pass rushers and collected 51.0 sacks over his first four seasons. In 2006, Freeney helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI as he recovered a fumble in the win.
17. Terrell Suggs
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His teammates Ray Lewis and Ed Reed often drew more praise, but Terrell Suggs was an All-Pro talent in his own right. Suggs completed the first 16 years of his career with the Ravens, becoming a stalwart for a franchise that has become synonymous with the defensive side of the ball. Suggs won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003 after starting in just one game all year and finishing with 12.0 sacks. When his Baltimore run had ended, Suggs finished with 132.5 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, a Defensive Player of the Year trophy (2011) and a Super Bowl championship. He collected one more Super Bowl ring in his final year as a member of the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs.
16. Jason Taylor
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A Hall of Fame inductee in 2017, Jason Taylor was an elite athlete who utilized his length and burst to wreak havoc on opposing defenses. The Dolphin legend finished his career with 139.5 sacks over 15 seasons. His most prolific year came in 2002 when registered a league-high 18.5 sacks and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. While some thought Taylor peaked in that season, he silenced all critics by putting up another monster year in ’06. Starring for a stacked Miami defense, Taylor collected 13.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, 11 deflected passes, and scored twice on defense on his way to a Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
15. Simeon Rice
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Simeon Rice entered the league with a ton of hype and surely lived up to it. In his rookie year, Rice tied the NFL record with 12.5 sacks by a first-year player. He was named a Pro Bowler on three occasions. In 2002, Rice was named a First-Team All-Pro after collecting 15.5 sacks. He later helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl that year when he collected two sacks in the championship game. Rice was an ironman (missed just two games in 10 years) who always seemed to play his best on the biggest stage.
14. Jared Allen
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A fourth-round pick who ended up being a four-time All-Pro. Allen entered the league with little fanfare but gained some notoriety after finishing his rookie season with 9.0 sacks. Allen’s career didn’t take off until he joined the Vikings in 2008. From ’08-13, Allen played in 96 games and registered 85.5 sacks. In 2011, Allen set a career-high with 22.0 sacks — just 0.5 short of Michael Strahan’s record — and won Defensive Player of the Year. His sudden burst off the line and endless motor made him impossibly difficult to contend with.
13. Jack Youngblood
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Pro Football Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood is among the greatest players to ever don a Rams uniform. Youngblood played the entirety of his 14-year career with the Rams and was a consistent force on the defensive side. For six-straight seasons from 1974-79, Youngblood was named an All-Pro each year and collected 79.0 sacks in 88 games. He ended his career with 151.5 sacks and is a member of the NFL’s All-1970s Team.
12. Von Miller
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It was evident from Miller’s first season that he would eventually become one of the league’s premier defenders. The No. 2 overall pick in a stacked 2011 NFL Draft, Miller won Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named a Second-Team All-Pro in his first year with the Broncos. He was regularly in the discussion as one of the best edge rushers and truly cemented himself as an all-time great in Super Bowl 50 when he won MVP honors.
Had he retired following that game, Miller very likely would have already done enough to be a Hall of Famer. He’s played seven more seasons since then (notching 63.5 additional sacks) and won another Super Bowl as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. When he does finally decide to hang up his cleats, Miller has a one-way ticket to Canton, Ohio.
11. Derrick Thomas
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Derrick Thomas cannot be overlooked when discussing the top defenders in league history. Playing the entirety of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Thomas was as prolific of a pass rusher as there was in the league. In just his second year as a pro, Thomas notched 20.0 sacks — just two shy of the all-time record. And, he did so while missing a game — a game in which the Chiefs (sans Thomas) sacked the opposing QB six times. In Week 10 of the 1990 season, Thomas set the record for the most sacks in a single game with 7.0 — a record which still stands to this day. After his career was tragically cut short due to a fatal car crash in 2000, Thomas was posthumously enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
10. Michael Strahan
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Strahan had a flexible frame which did him wonders. He wasn’t a bulky player carrying extra weight. Instead, he was light on his feet, agile, and thus super explosive coming off the edge. His career started somewhat slow from a statistical standpoint. However, the light turned on in Year 5 of his tenure with the Giants. It was here where he notched double-digit sacks for the first time (14.0). That eventually led to two monstrous years where Strahan accrued 22.5 sacks and 18.5 sacks, respectively. Unsurprisingly, the seven-time Pro Bowler was named the Defensive Player of the Year during that iconic season. To this day, only Al Baker (23.0) has more sacks in a single season than Strahan.
9. DeMarcus Ware
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Micah Parsons might one day be the best defender in the history of the Cowboys’ franchise. That certainly would be a major feat. However, as of right now, the most prolific pass rusher emanating from Dallas happens to be DeMarcus Ware. Hailing from tiny Troy University, Ware made his impact known immediately — notching 8.0 sacks as a rookie. From there, he enjoyed a stretch in which he accrued at least 10.0 sacks in eight of his next nine seasons. The best for Ware came in 2008 where he set career-highs in sacks (20.0) and tackles-for-loss (27.0). In many ways, he helped in redefining the rush end/stand-up OLB role we’ve grown so accustomed to seeing since he dominated in the 2000s.
8. Aaron Donald
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Aaron Donald doesn’t fall into the classic category of what many would consider to be a pass rusher. For one, the position is usually reserved for rangy 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-6 athletes who line up on the edges rather than up the middle. You know — guys with supreme length and jaw-dropping athleticism. Donald is a bowling ball of a man who’s even considered to be very undersized for his position as an interior defensive lineman.
Well…Donald shattered those preconceived notions — and more. Some think he’s the best defensive player to ever play the game. As an ‘undersized’ defensive tackle, Donald demonstrated himself to be a disruptor of the absolute highest order. Donald’s motor never stopped, and the low center of gravity with which he played enabled him to drive guards back into the pocket — namely because he’s equipped with ridiculous strength. As a defensive tackle (!), the three-time Defensive Player of the Year registered 111.0 sacks and 24 forced fumbles in 154 games.
7. Julius Peppers
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Peppers was a true physical specimen during his days in Carolina. Originally a basketball player for the North Carolina Tar Heels, he used his 6-foot-7 frame/correspondingly freakish wingspan to turn into one of the most dynamic defense ends in league history. Almost spider-like at the point of attack, Peppers was either making his way towards opposing quarterbacks or batting down passes at the line of scrimmage.
His background in basketball enabled Peppers to have terrific footwork. The short-area quickness was something Peppers prided himself on, and as a result, he was often able to evade tackles before they tried latching onto him. For his career, Peppers accumulated nine Pro Bowl appearances and 159.5 sacks (in only 266 games played).
6. J.J. Watt
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J.J. Watt’s career was stalled somewhat by injury. He won’t ultimately finish within the top-20 all-time in career sacks. For that reason, some may question why he’d be listed among the top-10 in this list. Well, there’s an argument to be made that he had arguably the most dominant four-year run of any NFL player — regardless of position.
From 2012-15, Watt accrued a whopping 69.0 sacks. Unsurprisingly, he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three separate times. Watt also was a five-time First-Team All-Pro selection. His combination of power and agility truly was striking before he became hindered by a plethora of injuries.
5. Kevin Greene
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A warrior. Greene was a player who exceeded his physical talents and instead became an all-time great based on work ethic, toughness, and the will to win at all costs. Astonishingly, he began his college career as a walk-on punter at Auburn — and eventually became third on the NFL’s all-time sack list (160.0). As his career got underway, Greene flipped back and forth between the defensive end and outside linebacker spot. He was a three-time All-NFL First-Team selection and a member of five Pro Bowl teams.
4. Deacon Jones
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Deacon Jones falls into the category of Jim Brown. Based upon the fact he wasn’t playing in what people consider to be the ‘modern-day’ NFL, there are those who place asterisks on how good these two gentlemen would’ve been versus athletes today. Well, we’re comfortable with going out on a limb to say that Jones would’ve been just fine.
In his day, he was the meanest, toughest, most athletic defensive lineman of his generation. Over 14 years (unofficially), it was said he racked up 173.5 sacks — which would rank him third all-time. He wouldn’t just look to sack the opposing quarterback…he’d look to inflict major physical pain on the player.
3. Bruce Smith
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Smith holds the distinction as the NFL’s all-time leader in career sacks. Throughout his 19-year career, Smith was simply destined to smash the prior record. He was the No. 1 Overall pick coming out of Virginia Tech, and immediately took to life in the NFL. Smith accrued 6.5 sacks as a rookie — and that number jumped to 15.0 as a second-year player.
Smith went on a run that included 13 years with at least 10.0 sacks (the most coming in 1990 with 19.0 sacks). While he wasn’t the biggest defensive end, Smith was a freak athlete. He was also immensely strong, which led to him shucking offensive tackles as if they were practice dummies. By the end of his career, Smith had made 11 Pro Bowls, 10 All-NFL teams, and won Defensive Player of the Year on two separate occasions.
2. Reggie White
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Second all-time with 198.0 sacks, White was a dream if you were to construct the ideal defensive lineman. The Tennessee native was a fantastic athlete at 6-foot-5 — possessing the ability to play both inside and outside in a pinch. Primarily operating as a defensive end, he was the type of talent that opposing teams would have to scheme their offense around. White was that dominant a player up front.
He had unheard-of lateral quickness for a man north of 300 pounds. His immense wingspan enabled him to get a great initial punch on offensive tackles. From there, his pedigree as a technician simply made him unblockable.
1. Lawrence Taylor
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The most feared player in the history of the NFL. The best defensive player in the history of the NFL. Arguably the most dominant player in the history of professional football. L.T. was a transcendent athlete when starring for over 10 years with the New York ‘football’ Giants. At outside linebacker, he single-handedly changed the way the position was played.
Normally, the outside linebacker would be stationed as a stay-at-home player — looking to help in both coverage and run support. Taylor wrecked opposing offenses with his pass-rushing ability off the edge. He was far took quick for linemen, and his natural power made the proposition of chipping him at the line of scrimmage with a tight end utterly foolish. As of 2023, he ranks No. 14 all-time in sacks (132.5).
