The NFL has been around since 1920, when it started as the American Professional Football Association before rebranding as the National Football League two years later. The game has changed dramatically over a century. The players have gotten bigger, faster, and the rules have shifted to favor passing attacks. But one thing remains the same: greatness is undeniable. So who are the best to ever put on a helmet? This list ranks the 50 greatest NFL players of all time.
The Honorable Mentions
Before we get to the top 50, a few legends deserve recognition for their incredible careers.
Terrell Owens
Owens was a walking controversy and a dominant force at wide receiver. He played for five teams over 15 seasons, racking up 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns. Those numbers rank top three all-time at the position. He was a physical freak, a red-zone nightmare, and the best receiver of his era not named Randy Moss. He made the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Steve Young
Young had the impossible task of replacing Joe Montana in San Francisco. He pulled it off. A true dual-threat quarterback before that was the norm, Young rushed for 43 career touchdowns and led the league in passer rating six times. He won three Super Bowls, two MVPs, and a Super Bowl MVP.
Forrest Gregg
Offensive linemen rarely get their due, but Gregg was the anchor of Vince Lombardi’s Packers dynasty. He won seven NFL championships and later added a third Super Bowl with the Cowboys. He made seven All-Pro teams and nine Pro Bowls. He was the unsung heart of a dynasty.
50. O.J. Simpson
It’s impossible to separate Simpson’s football career from his infamy off the field. But strictly on the gridiron, he was a legend. He won the Heisman at USC, then an NFL MVP with the Bills. He led the league in rushing four times and became the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. He did it in just 14 games.
49. Chuck Bednarik
Known as Concrete Charlie, Bednarik was the last of the 60-minute men. He played both center and linebacker full-time for the Eagles, a feat that’s basically unfathomable today. He was a two-time champion, a 10-time All-Pro, and one of the most feared tacklers of his era.
48. Roger Staubach
Staubach led the Cowboys to five Super Bowls and two wins. He served a tour in Vietnam before his NFL career even started, which likely cost him several more prime seasons. He finished with 22,700 passing yards and 153 touchdowns. His Cowboys popularized the shotgun formation that modern offenses still use.
47. Travis Kelce
Kelce is the centerpiece of the Chiefs’ dynasty alongside Patrick Mahomes. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion, an 11-time Pro Bowler, and has already surpassed 13,000 receiving yards. He’s the most prolific tight end of his generation and shows no signs of slowing down.
46. Jim Thorpe
Thorpe was a Native American icon and one of the most versatile athletes of the 20th century. He played pro football, baseball, and basketball, and won an Olympic gold in the decathlon. He was the first president of the APFA, the NFL’s precursor, and his speed and athleticism were far ahead of his time.
45. Earl Campbell
Campbell was a power runner for the Houston Oilers. He won MVP and Offensive Player of the Year three times. His prime from 1978 to 1980 was as dominant as any running back’s in history. He led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in each of those seasons.
44. Mike Singletary
The heart of the Bears’ Monsters of the Midway defense, Singletary was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He led a defense that set the single-season sack record with 72 in 1984 and allowed no playoff points until the championship game the next year. He was a 10-time All-Pro.
43. John Hannah
Hannah was considered the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history by Sports Illustrated in 1981. He made 10 All-Pro teams and nine Pro Bowls for the Patriots. He was the first player inducted into New England’s Hall of Fame.
42. Ray Nitschke
Nitschke was the commander of Lombardi’s Packers defense. He led Green Bay to five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. He was an 11-time All-Pro and played with a willpower forged by a difficult childhood. The Packers’ winning tradition starts with him.
41. Eric Dickerson
Dickerson holds the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards. He nearly broke 2,000 as a rookie despite playing only 14 games. He finished with 13,000 career yards and four rushing titles. He’s arguably the best non-quarterback to never win a Super Bowl.
40. Mel Blount
Blount was the shutdown corner for the Steelers’ Steel Curtain defense. He won four Super Bowls and 57 interceptions. Receivers feared going up against him. His ability to lock down deep receivers allowed Pittsburgh’s front seven to terrorize quarterbacks.
39. Rod Woodson
Woodson started as a cornerback and finished as a safety, making All-Pro at both positions. He had 71 interceptions, third all-time, and 32 fumble recoveries. He won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and made 11 Pro Bowls.
38. Tony Gonzalez
Gonzalez never won a Super Bowl, but he’s the all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions for a tight end. He missed only two games in 17 seasons and fumbled just twice. He was a basketball player who used his leaping ability to high-point passes. He’s the greatest tight end in history by the numbers.
37. Gino Marchetti
Marchetti was the enforcer of Johnny Unitas’ Colts defenses. He was voted the NFL’s all-time greatest defensive end in 1972. He switched to offensive tackle briefly to understand blocking, then returned to dominate. Sacks weren’t officially recorded, but he allegedly had double-digit sack seasons late in his career.
36. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers is often called the most talented quarterback ever due to his freakish arm angles and ability to make off-script throws. He holds the record for best career passer rating and lowest interception percentage. He won four MVPs and a Super Bowl. At 41, he’s still playing, now with the Steelers.
35. Dick Lane
Night Train set the rookie record with 14 interceptions in 1952, a mark that still stands. He finished with 68 career picks, fourth all-time. Quarterbacks stopped throwing his way after a few seasons. When they did, it usually ended badly for them.
34. Bob Lilly
Lilly was the original star of the Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense. He started as a defensive end before moving inside, where his speed and agility overwhelmed interior linemen. He played 196 straight regular-season games and was a 9-time All-Pro.
33. Sammy Baugh
Baugh revolutionized the quarterback position with his passing. He led the NFL in completion percentage eight times and threw for nearly 3,000 yards in 1946. He also played defensive back and punter, leading the league in interceptions and punting yards in 1943.
32. Ed Reed
Reed was a ball-hawking safety who played with the IQ of a quarterback. He baited passers into throws and then intercepted them. He’s the NFL’s all-time leader in interception return yards. He won a Super Bowl and Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.
31. Drew Brees
Brees ranks second in career passing yards and touchdowns. He won a Super Bowl with the Saints and helped rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He led the league in passing yards seven times and touchdowns four times. Some say he was a system quarterback, but the numbers are undeniable.
30. Don Hutson
Hutson was the first great receiver. He led the league in receptions eight times, receiving yards seven times, and receiving touchdowns nine times. Those are still NFL records. He won two MVPs and three championships. Modern receivers owe him a debt of gratitude.
29. Bruce Smith
Smith is the NFL’s all-time sack leader with 200. He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and made 11 Pro Bowls. He played for the Bills and Redskins over 19 seasons. If not for four straight Super Bowl losses with Buffalo, he’d rank even higher.
28. Alan Page
Page was the first defensive player to win NFL MVP. He was a dominant defensive tackle for the Vikings’ Purple People Eaters. He unofficially had 148.5 sacks, all from the interior. He made 9 Pro Bowls and played in over 200 consecutive games.
27. Jack Lambert
Lambert was the middle linebacker of the Steelers’ Steel Curtain. He won four Super Bowls and Defensive Player of the Year in 1976. He was a 9-time All-Pro and led the Steelers in tackles almost every season. His toothless grin became an iconic image of tough football.
26. Randy Moss
Moss is the second-greatest receiver of all time. He coined the term Mossing for his ability to catch contested balls over defenders. He set the single-season touchdown record with 23 in 2007. He made 4 All-Pro teams and was a Hall of Fame lock.
25. Brett Favre
Favre was the NFL’s ultimate gunslinger. He won three straight MVPs and a Super Bowl. He’s the all-time leader in interceptions, but also holds the record for consecutive starts. He beat all 32 teams and threw a 99-yard touchdown pass. High risk, high reward.
24. Gale Sayers
Sayers had a short career due to injuries, but his peak was unmatched. He scored 22 touchdowns as a rookie and six all-purpose touchdowns in a single game. He has the highest career yards-per-game average for a running back. He’s the youngest Hall of Fame inductee at 34.
23. Otto Graham
Graham won seven championships in 10 seasons with the Browns. He has the highest winning percentage of any quarterback in history. He also played professional basketball. His numbers would look even better if the AAFC was fully counted.
22. Aaron Donald
Donald was undersized for a defensive tackle at 280 pounds, but he was the most dominant interior pass rusher ever. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. He finally got a Super Bowl ring with the Rams in 2022. He’s currently taking a break but could return.
21. Deacon Jones
Jones coined the term sack. He was the first modern pass-rushing specialist. Unofficially, he had 173.5 sacks, with 26 in 1967 alone. That would shatter the official single-season record. He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
20. Anthony Munoz
Munoz is the gold standard for left tackles. He protected the blind side for the Bengals for 13 seasons and gave up fewer than 20 sacks in his entire career. He made 9 All-Pro teams and 11 Pro Bowls. Cincinnati won two AFC titles with him on the line.
19. Dan Marino
Marino is the best quarterback to never win a Super Bowl. He held over 40 NFL records at retirement. He was the first to throw for 50,000 and 60,000 yards and 400 touchdowns. He did it with a quick release and a cannon arm. He made 9 Pro Bowls.
18. Deion Sanders
Prime Time was a shutdown corner and an elite return man. He also played Major League Baseball. He’s the only athlete to play in a Super Bowl and a World Series. He won two Super Bowls and was a 6-time All-Pro. He’s now coaching at Colorado.
17. Barry Sanders
Sanders is arguably the most elusive runner in NFL history. He posted 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons. He won MVP in 1997 with 2,000 yards. He retired suddenly at his peak, still with plenty left. He never played in a Super Bowl, but his highlights are legendary.
16. Dick Butkus
Butkus was the hardest hitter of his era. He won two Defensive Player of the Year awards in just nine seasons. His tackles often forced turnovers. He set the standard for middle linebackers. He made 8 Pro Bowls despite a relatively short career.
15. Ray Lewis
Lewis is the greatest middle linebacker of all time. He won two Super Bowls and was Super Bowl MVP in one. He had 2,059 career tackles, the most in NFL history. He was a 7-time All-Pro and a 13-time Pro Bowler. He was the leader of the 2000 Ravens defense that allowed just 165 points.
14. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes has had the best start to a career of any quarterback. He made the Super Bowl in five of his first seven seasons as a starter and won three. He’s a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP. He’s only 30. He has a legitimate shot at catching Tom Brady.
13. John Elway
Elway was the most hyped prospect ever coming out of Stanford. He had a rocket arm and underrated mobility. He lost three Super Bowls before winning two in a row to end his career. He finished with 51,475 yards and 333 touchdowns.
12. Ronnie Lott
Lott was a vicious hitter and a ball-hawking safety. He won four Super Bowls with the 49ers. He made 8 All-Pro teams and 10 Pro Bowls. He twice led the NFL in interceptions. He was the defensive backbone of San Francisco’s dynasty.
11. Joe Greene
Mean Joe Greene was the anchor of the Steel Curtain. He won four Super Bowls and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was a 5-time All-Pro and a 10-time Pro Bowler. He’s the reason the Steelers became a defensive powerhouse.
10. Emmitt Smith
Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns. He won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys and was Super Bowl MVP in one. He was a 4-time All-Pro and an 8-time Pro Bowler. His records might never be broken.
9. Peyton Manning
Manning won five MVPs, more than anyone. He set the single-season records for passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55). He won two Super Bowls with two different teams. His football IQ was unmatched. He made 7 All-Pro teams and 14 Pro Bowls.
8. Johnny Unitas
Unitas was the first great modern quarterback. He was drafted in the 9th round by the Steelers, released, then became a legend with the Colts. He threw a touchdown pass in 47 straight games, a record that stood until 2012. He won four championships.
7. Reggie White
The Minister of Defense was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He ranks second all-time with 198 sacks. He won a Super Bowl with the Packers and made 8 All-Pro teams. He played 15 seasons and missed only two All-Pro nods.
6. Walter Payton
Payton is the greatest running back to ever play. He won MVP in 1977 and a Super Bowl in 1985. He had 16,726 yards and 110 touchdowns. He started 170 straight games. Sweetness moved with a fluid grace that was art on the field.
5. Joe Montana
Montana was Joe Cool. He won four Super Bowls and was Super Bowl MVP three times. He never lost a Super Bowl. He was a two-time MVP and a 3-time All-Pro. He defined the 49ers dynasty and set the standard for clutch quarterback play.
4. Jim Brown
Brown was unstoppable. He led the league in rushing eight times in nine seasons. He won three MVPs and a championship. He retired at his peak to pursue acting. He was a 8-time All-Pro. His 104.3 rushing yards per game remains the highest in history.
3. Lawrence Taylor
Taylor is the only defensive player to win MVP unanimously. He won two Super Bowls and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was an 8-time All-Pro. He changed how offenses game-planned for a single player. He’s the greatest defensive player ever.
2. Jerry Rice
Rice is the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. His numbers lap the field. He won three Super Bowls and was Super Bowl MVP in one. He made 10 All-Pro teams. He redefined what a wide receiver could be.
1. Tom Brady
Brady won seven Super Bowls, more than any franchise. He was Super Bowl MVP five times. He won three league MVPs. He played until age 45. He won with the Patriots and then the Buccaneers. He holds nearly every major playoff and regular-season passing record. The debate ended years ago. He’s the GOAT.
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