Tyler Sambrailo of the Tennessee Titans

Ty, a Watsonville, California native, is an offensive lineman for the Titans who weighs a lean 315 pounds. He was a high school student at Saint Francis Central Coast Catholic High School when he started his career as a two-way lineman and three-year team captain. Later on, Ty became a first-team all-state selection as a senior and was also named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year.

In Week 3 of his rookie year, he made his first start for the Falcons at Detroit wherein he saw action against Green Bay, relieving an injured RT Ryan Schraeder. During his entire career, he has seen action in 28 games with nine starts. However, he was placed on injured reserve after the first three games of his career. He then made a return and played in 10 games, making four starts in 2016.

Larry Warford, Free Agent

The 317-pound Pro Bowl guard was born in June 1991, in San Diego, California. Larry used to be a young basketball player in his Oceanside California high school. But in his second season at the school, Larry also earned a position as an offensive tackle for the football team. The Warford family moved to Richmond prior to Larry’s junior season. He enrolled at Madison Central HS where he lettered twice in football.

As a junior, Larry gained second-team All-State honors from the Associated Press while he was first-team All-State accolades from the AP and Louisville Courier-Journal as a senior. Before moving on, he concluded his prep career by playing in the Kentucky East-West All-Star Game. In 2017, he brought his size, strength, and foot quickness to the New Orleans Saints offensive line.

Tyron Smith of the Dallas Cowboys

A five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, Tyron Smith weighs a total of 320 pounds. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California where he also finished his education at Moreno Valley Rancho Verde and the University of Southern California. The Dallas Cowboys drafted Tyron in the 2011 NFL Draft with the ninth overall pick.

While playing college football, he was recognized for his performance that made him the best offensive or defensive lineman on the West Coast. So far, the offensive tackle has been featured in five Pro Bowls and was also named First-team All-Pro twice. Though Tyron’s shot-put and discus throwing skills are also notable, his football skills earned him numerous regional honors.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif of the Kansas City Chiefs

Now at 321 pounds, Duvernay-Tardif was a baby boy born in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, though he grew up in Montreal. His career showed early signs of greatness when he played football as a child. However, he did not pursue the sport in high school. Apparently, Duvernay-Tardif made a comeback at McGill University where he became a member of the McGill Redmen football team from 2010-2013.

What’s really amazing with this big guy is how he balanced college football with his medical studies. At some point in his two-way journey, he decided to focus on football before completing his residency in emergency medicine. Duvernay-Tardif says that he wants to “focus and see how good I can be. I’m putting medicine on hold to really maximize my opportunity in the NFL.”

D.J. Jones of the San Francisco 49ers

Hailing from Piedmont, South Carolina, Jones is an American football defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. His father is known as “Big Dave” for his cooking and catering business. Two sauces carry his moniker, namely Big Dave’s Texas Red and Big Dave’s All-American Hawaiian Bold Gold.

After high school, Jones pursued his tertiary education at East Mississippi Community College. There, he was listed as the no. 3 junior college prospect by ESPN. Two seasons later, he transferred to Ole Miss and was distinguished as the most improved defensive player on the team during the 2016 season. Like Duvernay-Tardif, Jones also checks in 321 pounds.

Lane Taylor of the Houston Texans

Born in Arlington Texas, Lane Dominick Taylor grew to become a 324-pound offensive lineman for the Houston Texans. He has three children with his wife, Kasey. Back in high school, Taylor lettered two years in football and four years in track at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas.

Though he was undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, Taylor got the opportunity to sign with the Green Bay Packers in May 2013. He played on special teams predominantly in his rookie season wherein he appeared in ten games. In his second season in 2014 though, Taylor competed in all 16 games, playing both left and right guard.

Joe Barksdale, Retired

Joseph Brennen Barksdale was born in Detroit, Michigan on the 4th of January 1988. He towers over others at a height of 6 ft 5 in, and he tips the scales at 326 pounds. Barksdale’s started as a two-way lineman in his high school, the Cass Technical High School in his native town. He then went on to play college football at Louisiana State University. Listed as the no. 6 defensive tackle prospect in the nation, Barksdale made history by becoming the first state of Michigan signee in LSU.

In the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft, he was drafted by the Oakland Raiders. He then went on to play for the St. Louis Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers.

Linval Joseph of the Los Angeles Chargers

The 329-pound defensive tackle of the Vikings grew up in Florida, though he was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands in October of 1988. In high school, Joseph was a four-year letterman in football for the Raiders in Santa Fe High School, Alachua, Florida. His achievements include being a two-time All-state selection (Class AAA) as a junior and senior and being an All-region selection as well.

Although Joseph was prominent in football, he also lettered three times in both powerlifting and track. He earned ten varsity letters in total. In college, he played football at East Carolina where the New York Giants drafted him in the 2nd round, 46th overall of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Marshall Newhouse, Free Agent

Marshall Edward Newhouse is a big deal, literally and figuratively. Weighing a whopping 330 pounds, this giant was a former Super Bowl champion (XLV). Newhouse attended Lake Highlands High School wherein he was a two-year letterman in football, though he was originally from Dallas, Texas, born September 1988.

Later on, Newhouse played college football at Texas Christian. The Green Bay Packers drafted him in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Newhouse won Super Bowl XLV with them over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Among the teams he played for are the Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, and Oakland Raiders.

Greg Robinson, Free Agent

At the same weight as Newhouse, Gregory Robinson also weighs 330 pounds. He was born in October of 1992 in Raceland, Louisiana where he also attended high school in Thibodaux High School, Thibodaux, Louisiana. There, he played as a two-time all-state lineman for the Tigers football team. Robinson didn’t play on the offensive line until his junior year, after playing defensive line in his freshman year.

Robinson continued his football career in college at Auburn University where he was drafted by the St. Louis Rams 2nd overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. He played three seasons with the Rams and was traded to the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2017 season. Unfortunately, an injury led him to take a break from playing in November of 2017.

Quinton Spain of the Cincinnati Bengals

Quinton Lamar Spain was born in August of 1991 in Petersburg, Virginia. Now, he is 330 pounds, has a son named Kingston Lamar Spain, and is still living with his family in Virginia. Spain spent his high school  years in Petersburg (Va.) High School, where he also played in the U.S. Army All-American game.

He attended college in West Virginia and signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent after the 2015 NFL Draft. In the end, Spain made the Titans’ final roster as a rookie where he played in seven games, six starts at guard. Although he missed 3 of 13 games in 2016, the Titans’ offensive line of that year was proclaimed as one of the best in the league.

Kenny Wiggins of the New York Giants

Kenny Wiggins, an Elk Grove, California baby, is a guard for theNew York Giants whose weight is 330 pounds. He attended Elk Grove High School and went on to play at Fresno State for his college years. There he played in 42 career games all in all. In his junior year, Wiggins was named second-team All-Western Athletic conference while in his senior year, he was named first-team.

At first, Wiggins didn’t make a roster to start the season in 2011 but he joined the Ravens practice squad, nonetheless. It was the start of his career, and he has since played for the 49ers and the Chargers. Now, Wiggins is currently playing for the New York Giants.

Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams

The 5th and last of the 330-pounders, Andrew James Whitworth, was born in December of 1981 in his hometown Monroe, Louisiana. Starting young, Whitworth led West Monroe High School to three Class 5A state football titles in his freshman, sophomore, and senior years. Not only was he renowned on the football field; he is also a recognized tennis and golf player.

Whitworth seems to have a gentle giant side to him; he is committed to community service through his BigWhit 77 Foundation. His football career took flight when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the 2nd round of the 2006 NFL Draft. During his career, Whitworth has been chosen to participate in the Pro Bowl four times and has been named a First-Team All-pro twice.

Mike Iupati, Retired

Michael Iupati, pronounced “yoo-PAH-tee,” was born in May of 1987 in Vaitogi, Tutuila, American Samoa. His career started early when he became a captain at Western (Anaheim, CA) High School wherein he also earned All-State and all-conference honors as a senior. His high school also decided to retire his number, No. 78, in March of 2015.  Aside from football, Iupati also competed in wrestling and track and field.

Iupati didn’t live in the continental United States until prior to his freshman year of high school. Later on in his career, he was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award for the 2015 season by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. The said award acknowledges the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian ancestry.

Marcell Dareus, Free Agent

The 331-pound newly acquired run stopper of the Jaguars was born in March 1990 in Birmingham, Alabama. Aside from football, Dareus also played basketball and competed in track & field as a shot putter in Huffman High School in his hometown. He shined brightest in football though, wherein he was an ASWA All-State honorable mention as a defensive lineman.

Despite the much recognition, awards, and offers from Auburn, Tennessee, North Carolina to name a few, Dareus still chose Alabama. There, he played college football, playing nose tackle in the Crimson Tide’s 3-4 defenses. The Buffalo Bills drafted the 6 ft 3 in giant in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Mike Pennel of the Chicago Bears

Checking in at 332 pounds is Michael Maurice Pennel Jr., the undrafted nose tackle from the Colorado State-Pueblo. Born in May 1991 in Topeka, Kansas, Pennel attended high school in Grandview Aurora, Colorado. For college, he played football at Scottsdale Community College, Arizona State University, and Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Unfortunately, Pennel was suspended indefinitely by Arizona State in 2012 for some comments he made via Twitter. He eventually transferred to Colorado State-Pueblo. Pennel signed with the Green Bay Packers after going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft but was suspended for the first four games f the 2016 season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. The New York Jets claimed him off waivers in 2017.

Akiem Hicks of the Chicago Bears

Despite his height of 6ft 5 in and weight of 332 pounds, Akiem Jamar Hicks is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. He was born in November 1989 in Elk Grove, California but he grew up in Sacramento, California. Hicks attended Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks and proceeded to begin his college career at Sacramento City College.

Though Hicks was rated as a top junior college player and has signed with LSU, he was made ineligible for the 2009 season due to recruiting violations of the LSU.  He was then unable to transfer to another American football program. Finally, he had an offer to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, but still, he chose his education and college football career with the Regina Rams of the Canada West Universities.

Zach Kerr of the San Francisco 49ers

Now at 334 pounds, Zachariah Winston Kerr was a baby born in August 1990 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. However, he went to Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and proceeded to spend one season at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy before moving up to college. In both years of 2006 and 2007, Kerr earned and all-Met, all-county, and all-state honors.

After beginning his college football career at the University of Maryland, Kerr played two seasons at the University of Delaware. His statistics paved the way to first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors and second-team All-CAA honors. In 2014, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts and is now a nose tackle for the 49ers.

Morgan Moses of the New York Jets

A father to three children, this offensive tackle for the New York Jets weighs 335 pounds. Morgan Moses was born in March 1991 in Richmond, Virginia. He was a two-time all-state, all-region, and all-district selection in his secondary at Meadowbrook High School in North Chesterfield, Virginia.

Moses initially committed to Virginia, but eventually, he played a year of prep football at Fork Union Military Academy so that he could academically qualify to attend the University of Virginia. In his senior year, he garnered third-team All-ACC honors. The 6 ft 6 in behemoth took a broad variety of courses such as African American Studies and Military Science departments. In the 3rd round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Moses was drafted by the Washington Football Team.

Gabe Jackson of the Seattle Seahawks

Born and raised in Liberty, Mississippi, Gabriel C. Jackson came out to the world on July 12, 1991, and has now grown to be a 335-pound football guard for the Seattle Seahawks. He started playing football for his father, Charles Jackson who is the team’s head coach at Amite High School in Liberty, Mississippi. In the entirety of his four-year career, Jackson played on both sides of the ball at tackle. He then attended college in Mississippi State.

The Raiders, Jackson’s former team, hold annual Thanksgiving events wherein Oakland’s offensive line gifts local families in need with all the food needed to make a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Jackson actively partakes in it for three consecutive years. They drafted the 6 ft 3 in giant in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and they kept him as a football guard until last season.

Jordan Phillips of the Arizona Cardinals

A huge leap from the previous 335, the next monster is at 341 pounds. Phillips was born on September 1992 in Wichita, Kansas, and attended high school in the Towanda (KS) Circle. He earned recognition from Scout.com which rated him as a five-star recruit while Rivals.com rated him as a four-star. Later on, Phillips committed to the University of Oklahoma to pursue his career in college football.

He was redshirted as a freshman and has appeared in 12 games. However, a back injury limited him to only four games in his sophomore season. Phillips entered the 2015 NFL Draft after his junior season where the Miami Dolphins drafted him. But as the 2018 season progressed, Phillips’ playing time slumped, which led to an outburst on the sideline. The Dolphins waived him, but the Buffalo Bills claimed him off the waivers in October 2018. He now plays for the Arizona Cardinals

Damon Harrison, Free Agent

Damon Paul Harrison tied with Phillips with 341 pounds on the scale. Nicknamed “Snacks,” this big guy was born in New Iberia, Louisiana in November 1988. His high school days at Lake Charles Boston High School primarily consist of his shooting guard play on the school’s basketball varsity team. However, Snacks injured the meniscus in his left knee during his junior season, adding 40-50 pounds on his weight over the next two months.

This caused him to consider football for his senior year where he played both offensive and defensive line. Despite his achievements, Snacks didn’t get any scholarship offers and had dropped out of Mississippi Community College after the first semester to work instead. Fortunately, former NMCC assistant coach Steve Miller recruited him to William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa. In 2012, the New York Jets signed Snacks as an undrafted free agent.

D.J. Fluker of the Miami Dolphins

342-pound Danny Lee Jesus “D.J.” Fluker, a Hurricane Katrina survivor, was born and raised in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. After fleeing the tragedy, they moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, and later Mobile, Alabama. There, Fluker attended McGill-Toolen Catholic High School where he was a dominating defensive lineman. However, for his junior year, family issues took him back to Biloxi where he remained at defensive tackle though he almost gave up on his football career.

Fluker moved back to Alabama prior to his senior year. This time, he attended Foley High School, and head coach Todd Watson encouraged him to play on the offensive line to develop his full potential. Fluker very much grew up an LSU Tigers fan, but he still committed to Alabama. The San Diego Chargers drafted him in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Orlando Brown Jr. of the Kansas City Cheifs

A Baltimore Ravens legacy, Orlando Claude Brown Jr. is the son of the late Orlando Brown, who was also an offensive tackle for the Ravens. He now plays for the Chiefs. Little Brown was born in May 1996 in Duluth Georgia. He completed his secondary education at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia where he was a 3-star prospect, earning him scholarship offers from major NCAA schools.

The 345-pound offensive tackle decided to attend the University of Oklahoma though he initially committed to Tennessee. He was redshirted in his freshman year and was named the starting left tackle the next. The Ravens drafted Brown Jr. in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft where he was the ninth offensive tackle and was considered by analysts to be one of the biggest steals in the draft.

Josh Tupou of the Cincinnati Bengals

Josh “TEW-po,” 345 pounds, has Long Beach, California as his hometown where he was born in May 1994. He spent the first three years of high school in Orange High but graduated from Buena Park High; both schools are in the Los Angeles area. While Tupou only played on offense at Orange, he played both guard and defensive tackle at Buena Park.

Tupou was a Communications major at Colorado where his uncle Villiami Maumau also played back then and in the NFL with the Denver Broncos. The Bengals signed him as an undrafted free agent in May 2017 but were waived in September, signing him to the practice squad the next day. Came December, he was promoted back to the active roster but was placed on injured reserve on November the following year after suffering a torn pectoral in practice.

Denzelle Good of the Las Vegas Raiders

Born in March 1991 in Gaffney, South Carolina is Denzelle Good, now at 345 pounds. He completed his secondary education in his hometown. Initially, Good went to North Carolina State on a football scholarship but was released as a redshirt freshman in 2010. He transferred to Mars Hill University after that.

In the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts drafted him, making him the third player from Mars Hill University ever to be drafted, and first since 2003. Good started as a right tackle when he entered the 2017 season. Unfortunately, he was placed on injured reserve in September 2017 but come November and the big guy managed to get back up to the active roster. In December of 2018 though, the Las Vegas Raiders claimed him off waivers.

Dontari Poe, Free Agent

Three hundred forty-six pounds heavy, Dontari Poe, came from Memphis, Tennessee where he was born in August 1990. He also finished his studies there, going to Wooddale High School and then the University of Memphis for college. Poe didn’t have any prior football experience, but when Coach Cedric Miller spotted him in the marching band practice, he told the gigantic student to report to football practice the next day.

The recognition he earned granted him offers from Auburn, Colorado, Ole Miss, and Mississippi. The heavyweight defensive tackle was also talented in the shot put and discus throw. Poe was named one of the “10 strongest men in college football” prior to his junior season. Later on, he decided to forgo his senior season to enter the 2012 NFL Draft wherein the Kansas City Chiefs drafted him.

Jordan Mailata of the Philadelphia Eagles

Jordan “my-LOT-uh” is another one of Samoan heritage in the heavyweight category, weighing 346 pounds. He was born in March 1997 in Bankstown, Sydney, and was formerly a rugby player. During a rugby workout, 17-year-old Mailata fainted and apparently needed emergency surgery to repair both the upper and lower chambers of his heart. After taking a year off, he played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

This exposure inclined NFL executives to invite Mailata to try out for their International Pathway Program. In the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the giant Samoan became the second player to be drafted with no American high school or college experience. The Eagles called Mailata aboard their 53-man roster in September 2018.

Vita Vea of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As heavy as his weight of 347 pounds, this defensive tackle from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also has a strong name of Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea. Commonly known as Vita Vea, the monster was born in Milpitas, California in February 1995. Vea attended Milpitas High School and eventually moved to Washington for college.

During his junior year, Vea was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, winning him the Morris Trophy. He then declared his 2018 NFL Drafts intentions in January 2018. However, he was not able to complete all drills due to a hamstring injury. Nonetheless, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Zach Banner of the Pittsburgh Steelers

Now down to the second most massive player in the NFL, Zachery Samuel Banner tips the scales at 360 pounds. Banner was born on Christmas day of 1993 in Puyallup, Washington though he was of Chamorro and African-American descent. As a senior at Lakes High School, he garnered 2011 honors including USA Today All-USA first team, Super Prep All-American, and Prep Star All-American.

For college, Banner moved to the University of Southern California to play college football under coaches Steve Sarkisian and Clay Helton. The Indianapolis Colts drafted him in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but they waived him in September 2017. The next day, the Cleveland Browns claimed Banner off waivers yet rereleased him in March 2018. He was claimed off the waivers by the Carolina Panthers this time but was released in May. Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Banner in August 2018.

Trent Brown of the New England Patriots

The most massive player in the entirety of the NFL traces its roots in Bastrop, Texas, born April 1993. Trenton Jacoby “Trent” Brown attended high school in Albany, Georgia first in Deerfield-Windsor School and then in Westover Comprehensive High School where he graduated. He moved to football in his junior year after playing basketball in the first two years of high school.

Georgia Military College and the University of Florida sheltered Brown’s college football. The San Francisco 49ers drafted him in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Brown was placed on injured reserve in 2017 due to a shoulder injury. Come April 2018 and Brown was traded along with the 143rd selection in the 2018 NFL Draft to the New England Patriots for the 95th selection. How much does he weigh? 380 pounds.

While certain positions in football require skill or speed, others require brute strength. In keeping with the tone of heavy players, next up, take a look at the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history.

The Greatest Defensive Linemen in NFL History

Jason Taylor

Miami Dolphins 1997-2007 & 2009 & 2011; Washington Redskins 2008; New York Jets 2010

4-time All-Pro, 6-time Pro Bowler

2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

2-time NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year (2005, 2006)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2017

Playing defensive end and outside linebacker, Taylor is the Miami Dolphins’ all-time sack leader and one of the all-time great pass rushers. A member of the 100 Sacks Club, his grand total of 139.5 career sacks rank seventh all-time, while his 246 fumble return yards rank as the fourth-highest total in NFL history.

The two-time D-lineman of the Year also had 46 forced fumbles and eight interceptions in a stellar career. He was named NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2007 and was selected to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. In 2008, he was the first NFL player to compete in Dancing With The Stars and finished runner-up! After retiring in 2011 after his third stint with the Dolphins, Jason made the Hall of Fame in 2017.

J.J. Watt

Houston Texans 2011-2020; Arizona Cardinals 2021-present

5-time first-team All-Pro, 5-time Pro Bowler

3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014,2015)

2014 NFL MVP runner-up

2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

While Abbott and Costello famously asked, “Who’s on first base?” we could ask, “Watts in the endzone?” Why, it’s Justin James Watt, arguably the greatest player in Houston’s young history. In the 2011 season, he started all 16 games and led the Texans to their first-ever playoffs. Across those playoff games, J.J. made his famous Thanksgiving Day Pick Six. But he also recorded 11 solo tackles, three assisted tackles, one pass defended, and 3.5 sacks.

That year, he was named Texans Team Rookie of the Year and went on to become a club legend. Until February 2021, when he requested to be released. Watt then signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year three times and is a member of the prestigious 100-Sack Club.

Chris Doleman

Minnesota Vikings 1985-1993 & 1999; Atlanta Falcons 1994-1995; San Francisco 49ers 1996-1998

5-time All-Pro, 8-time Pro Bowler

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2012

This explosive defensive end ranks fifth in league history with 150.5 career sacks, mostly recorded through his legendary ten seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He collected double-digit sacks in eight seasons during his hallowed Hall of Fame career, and in 1989, he led the NFL with 21 sacks and helped Minnesota to a franchise-best 71 team sacks.

As a speedy pass rusher, he ranks only behind other legends Bruce Smith, Reggie White, and Julius Peppers among defensive linemen. Tragically, Chris died from brain cancer at the age of 58 on January 28th, 2020. Five days later, he was honored before Super Bowl LIV kicked off. Rest in peace, Chris.

Carl Eller

Minnesota Vikings 1964-1978; Seattle Seahawks 1979

7-time All-Pro, 6-time Pro Bowler

1969 NFL champion

1971 NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2004

Remember the Vikings’ famous “Purple People Eaters” unit that dominated from the late 1960s to the late 1970s? Alongside DE Jim Marshall (and DTs Alan Page and Gary Larsen), Carl Eller was the left defensive end of the Vikings’ front four. But was he any good?

The NFL didn’t record sacks as an official stat until 1982, but Eller’s unofficial 133.5 career sacks would rank 13th all-time. Nevertheless, he was named 1971 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, appeared in four Super Bowls, and joined the Hall of Fame in 2004. After football, he became a licensed drug and alcohol counselor but pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in 2006 and was arrested in 2008 for assaulting a police officer and refusing to submit to chemical testing.

Doug Atkins

Cleveland Browns 1953-1954; Chicago Bears 1955-1966; New Orleans Saints 1967-1969

10-time All-Pro, 8-time Pro Bowler

2-time NFL champion (1954, 1963)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1982

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Born in Humboldt, Tennessee, during The Great Depression, Doug Atkins went on to play college football for the Tennessee Volunteers under legendary head coach Robert Neyland. Standing 6’8”, he also happened to be a high jump champion, which put him in great stead to be drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1953.

Doug used his Goliath-like size and wrathful god-like disposition to dominate opposing offensive linemen over the next 17 seasons for the Browns, Bears, and Saints. He batted passes down at the line of scrimmage like he was swatting flies and leapfrogged blockers (or stomped them) to get to the quarterback. Atkins was also one of the finest pass rushers you’ll ever lay your eyes on. The two-time NFL champ was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Charles Haley

San Francisco 49ers 1986-1991 & 1998-1999; Dallas Cowboys 1992-1996

2-time All-Pro, 5-time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl XXIII, XXIV (49ers), XXVII, XXVIII and XXX (Cowboys) champion

2-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1994)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2015

Charles Haley was the ultimate hybrid player. Or even tribrid if we’re allowed to make up our own words. Using his hugely versatile defensive skills, the Virginia native began his career as a specialty outside linebacker and ended it as a fully-fledged defensive end. But, in between, the area he truly left his mark on was in the trenches as a disruptive edge pass rusher. He was never especially liked, but he was respected.

Of course, the Hall of Famer is a member of the 100-Sack Club, but all stats pale into insignificance in comparison to winning two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers (XXIII, XXIV) and three with the Dallas Cowboys (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX). In doing so, Charles became the first player to win the Super Bowl five times. Only one man, Tom Brady, has won more, with seven Championship titles. Not bad company to keep!

Richard Dent

Chicago Bears 1983-93 & 1995; San Francisco 49ers 1994; Indianapolis Colts; 1996; Philadelphia Eagles 1997

4-time All-Pro, 4-time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl XX (Bears), XXIX (49ers) champion

Super Bowl XX MVP

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2011

Richard Dent was the standout defensive end for the famed 1985 Chicago Bears “46 Defense”. And that’s no mean feat, considering the ‘85 Bears team is widely regarded as the best in the NFL’s history. It’s just a shame their rapping skills weren’t up to scratch!

During that halcyon season, Richard Dent recorded a league-best 17 sacks and ties for 10th––with John Randle––on the all-time sacks list with 137.5. Richard was also named MVP for his out-of-this-world performance in Super Bowl XX, which included 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Again, that’s no mean feat when you consider a) only three defensive linemen have ever won Super Bowl MVP, and b) Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, and William “The Refrigerator” Perry were also on his team!

Willie Davis

Cleveland Browns 1958-1959; Green Bay Packers 1960-1969

5-time All-Pro, 5-time Pro Bowler

5-time NFL Champion (1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967)

Super Bowl I, II (Packers) champion

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1981

Never mind Green Bay, Willie Davis was more Green Beret! After military service in the US Army, he went on to rank near the top of the NFL’s most decorated players. For ten seasons, he went to war as part of Green Bay’s defensive line and played 138 consecutive regular-season games. Willie was a vital component in all five of Vince Lombardi’s NFL dynasty-crowning, title-winning, record-breaking teams and played in Super Bowls I and II. 

As if that wasn’t enough, Davis had even more strings to his bow up his decorated sleeves! He was also an exceptional pass rusher. Again, neither tackles nor sacks were recorded back in the day, but it’s thought Willie accrued over 120 sacks over his Hall of Fame career. Legend.

John Randle

Minnesota Vikings 1990-2000; Seattle Seahawks 2001-2003

6-time All-Pro, 7-time Pro Bowler

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2010

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Trash-talking John Randle goes down as one of the NFL’s most colorful linemen, but he didn’t just talk the talk; he walked the walk as one of the best linemen. He’s also one of the best players to wear the Vikings’ purple and gold, with 10-plus sacks in eight consecutive seasons between 1992 and 1999.

His 137.5 career sacks officially rank 10th all-time and first among defensive tackles. Moreover, out of the 100-Sack Club’s 34 members, Randle is the only true defensive tackle to make the list. In short, John Randle was a force of nature.

Warren Sapp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1995-2003; Oakland Raiders 2004-2007

6-time All-Pro, 7-time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl XXXVII champion

1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2013

Warren Carlos Sapp is right behind Randle with the second-highest career sacks for a defensive tackle compiled (96.5). He was also one of the NFL’s all-time great trash talkers, and his on-field play backed up his words helping Tampa Bay to their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXVII.

His size, speed, power, and athleticism helped him to 100 career sacks (including playoffs), officially the second-highest for a DT in NFL history. Yet Warren was also an unparalleled run stuffer, compiling a ridiculous 573 career tackles across a glorious 13-year career. Warren is just one of three players to have his number retired by the Buccaneers. Teammate Derrick Brooks is another, and the third is…

Lee Roy Selmon

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976-1984

5-time All-Pro, 6-time Pro-Bowler

1979 NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year

1979 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1995

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

The youngest of nine children, Lee Roy Selmon, was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (in their first year as an expansion team) as the first overall pick in the 1976 NFL draft. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to injury, yet he still became legendary enough for the Buccs to retire his number. In French, Lee Roy––or Le Roi––means The King, and he was definitely royalty in his own way.

Just check out his stats, and you’ll soon be singing his praises as one of the greatest DEs in history. Don’t believe us? Here we go… Selmon is the Buccaneers’ all-time sack leader (78.5), forced 28.5 fumbles, forced 380 quarterback pressures, and accumulated a staggering 742 tackles in just 121 career games. Just look at him, bow down and worship the King!

Buck Buchanan

Kansas City Chiefs 1963-1975

6-time All-AFL, 6-time AFL-All Star

1971 All-Pro, 2-time Pro Bowler

2-time AFL Champion (1966, 1969)

Super Bowl IV champion

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1990

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Bucky Buchanan might sound like Marvel comics’ Winter Soldier, but unlike Captain America’s best friend––Sergeant James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes––this fella was never frozen out of a game. Across his 13 years playing for the Chiefs, he missed just one game.

Standing 6’7”, Junious “Buck” Buchanan’s enormous size, explosive speed, and raw power gave him a massive advantage against linemen in the trenches, helping him bat down 16 passes in 1967. He also helped the Chiefs beat the Vikings in Super Bowl IV. Tragically, Buck was diagnosed with lung cancer just one week before his Hall of Fame induction and died in Kansas City, aged 51.

Julius Peppers

Carolina Panthers 2002-2009, 2017-2018; Chicago Bears 2010-2013; Green Bay Packers 2014-2016

6-time All-Pro, 9-time Pro Bowler

2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

2004 NFC Defensive Player of the Year

2004 NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year

This former college basketball star is considered one of the best defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. He started his Carolina Panthers career in 2002 and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, with 12 sacks and 28 tackles. Young Julius improved year on year for the next seven seasons, earning the reputation as the most dangerous player in the NFC South Division.

He ended his time in Charlotte with 81 sacks and went on to play for the Bears and the Packers. He retired in 2019 with a crazy total of 715 career tackles, and his 159.5 career sacks place him fourth on the all-time list. Peppers was also responsible for 52 forced fumbles, 11 interceptions, six touchdowns, and countless batted balls. See you in the Hall of Fame, Julius!

Jack Youngblood

Los Angeles Rams 1971-1984

8-time All-Pro, 7-time Pro Bowler

2-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1975, 1976)

1975 NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2001

As well as owning one of the best names in the history of the NFL, Jack Youngblood––or Herbert Jackson Youngblood III to be more precise––is also one of its most brilliant pass rushers and one of the toughest men ever to play the game. Wanna know why?

Jack famously played throughout the playoffs, Super Bowl XIV, and the 1980 Pro Bowl with a fractured left fibula. The future Hall of Famer compiled 151.5 sacks during his 202 games, a total which would place him fifth on the all-time sacks list. In 2014, he opened the Jack Youngblood Center for NeuroEnhancement in Orlando, Florida, to treat the symptoms of traumatic brain injury. But if you turn up with a broken leg, Jack himself will tell you to “Man up!”

Michael Strahan

New York Giants 1993-2007

6-time All-Pro, 7-time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl XLII champion

2-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year

2001 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2014

Michael Strahan––pronounced ‘Stray-han’––is the New York Giants’ all-time sack leader and officially ranks sixth in NFL history with 141.5 career sacks. This impressive defensive end also holds the official record for sacks in a single NFL season with 22.5, which he set in 2001. In the last of 15 seasons he spent with the Giants, he helped his team beat the New England Patriots in 2007’s Super Bowl XLII.

More recently, the well-loved Hall of Famer has carved a successful career as a TV personality. He’s a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America and won two Daytime Emmy Awards. We just hope there’s enough room for those Emmys on his mantelpiece amongst all his footballing trophies!

Aaron Donald

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams 2014-Present

6-time All-Pro, 7-time Pro Bowler

3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018, 2020)

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2014)

NFL 2010’s All-Decade Team

It’s hard to name a more dominant defensive tackle playing right now than Aaron Donald. The modern era’s quintessential D-lineman, his individual accomplishments are mind-blowing for a player that’s only been playing for seven seasons. In 2018, he signed a six-year, $135 million contract extension with $87 million guaranteed. The deal made him the highest-paid defensive player in history… for exactly one day. The next day, Khalil Mack signed a $141 million contract with the Bears!

In his time with the Rams, Aaron has won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and been named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times in 2017, 2018, and 2020. Before the 2021 season, he made 357 tackles and 85.5 sacks. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… see you in Canton, Aaron! Words alone cannot describe how good this guy is; you need to see him in action.

Bob Lilly

Dallas Cowboys 1961-1974

9-time All-Pro, 11-time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl VI champion

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1980

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Quite simply, Robert Lewis Lilly was one of the most intelligent players to have ever played the game. Not that he needed intelligence, as his speed and strength alone would have made him one of the all-time defensive tackle greats. But he did have intelligence… oodles of it.

Starting out as a DE, Cowboys coach Tom Landy moved him to DT, becoming the leading man in Dallas’ famed “Doomsday Defense,” and boy did it pay off. During his 14 ultra-successful seasons with the Cowboys, he won Super Bowl VI in 1972, was named an All-Pro seven times, and was an eleven-time Pro Bowler. In all that time, “Mr. Cowboy” missed just one game. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1980, the first year he was eligible.

Randy White

Dallas Cowboys 1975-1988

9-time All-Pro, 9-time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl XII champion & co-MVP

1978 NFC Defensive Player of the Year

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1994

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Randall Lee White is another player who famously changed positions. In 1977, during his third season in Dallas, he switched from linebacker to right defensive tackle, the same position legendary Bob Lilly occupied from 1961 to 1974. And Mr. Cowboy’s boots were some big cowboy boots to fill! Luckily, Randy White was just the man to take over from Lilly. How come no one ever coined this era The Lilly-White Years? Can we copyright that?

Randy went on to thrive as one of the league’s best-ever interior linemen. Just like Bob, he missed just one game for the Cowboys in his 14-year Dallas career. He featured in six NFC title games, three Super Bowls, and is one of just three D-linemen to win a Super Bowl MVP. Unofficially, he compiled 1,104 career tackles and 111 career sacks.

Gino Marchetti

Dallas Texans 1952; Baltimore Colts 1953-1964 & 1966

10-time All-Pro, 11-time Pro Bowler

2-time NFL champion (1958, 1959)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1972

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Like Bob Lily, Gino Marchetti was also an eleven-time Pro Bowler. They don’t make ‘em like they used to. His skills as an elite run-stopper and relentless pass rusher saw him revolutionize the defensive end position. In 1969, he was named in the NFL’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 1994, he was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Then, in 2019––the year he died––Gino was unanimously named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Yet, impressive as all those honorable achievements are, Gino Marchetti also served in World War II as part of the Fighting 69th Infantry Division. In fact, he was a machine gunner in the Battle of the Bulge. He called his war service “life-altering” and said without it; he would have worked in a factory all his life in his hometown of Antioch, California.

Merlin Olsen

Los Angeles Rams 1962-1976

9-time All-Pro, 14-time Pro Bowler

1962 NFL Rookie of the Year

1974 Professional Football Player of the Year (Bert Bell Award)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1982

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Merlin was a wizard. One school classmate described him as a “natural, big, strong leader … he could have been successful at anything,” and they weren’t wrong! Even today, more than half a century later, Merlin is still remembered as one of the finest DTs ever. As a fierce member of the Rams’ famous “Fearsome Foursome” defensive front, he played alongside Deacon Jones and was named in the NFL’s 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams and 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams.

Merle Olsen was selected to play in the Pro Bowl a record 14 times; a record he shares with Tony Gonzalez, Peyton Manning, Bruce Matthews, and Tom Brady. Unfortunately, Merlin missed the Pro Bowl cut in only his final pro season. It didn’t really matter to Merle, though: After he retired, he became an actor appearing in Little House on the Prairie and in his own western series, Father Murphy. He died, a cowboy legend in 2010 aged 70.

Joe Greene

Pittsburgh Steelers 1969-1981

8-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl IX, X, XIII, XIV champion

1969 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1972, 1974)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1987

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

“Mean” Joe Greene was the spine of Pittsburgh’s famous 1970s Steel Curtain defense. What’s more, this mean, green fighting machine was one of the most feared men in football, totaling 78.5 sacks. If you hadn’t already guessed, he earned his nickname thanks to a mean streak that often carried on long after the whistle had blown. The only person more mean and more green than Mean Joe Greene was The Incredible Hulk!

Playing defensive tackle and wearing number 75, Joe was effective against both the run and the pass, despite constant double-teams throughout his 13-year career. He helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win four Super Bowls in six years and was a ten-time Pro-Bowler. Just don’t make him angry; you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry!

Deacon Jones

Los Angeles Rams 1961-1971; San Diego Chargers 1972-1973; Washington Redskins 1974

8-time All-Pro, 8-time Pro Bowler

2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1967, 1968)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1980

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Known as “The Secretary of Defense,” Deacon Jones was so legendary that the term “sacking the quarterback” was coined with him in mind. But don’t take our word that he was great; the Los Angeles Times said he was the “most valuable Ram of all time,” and ex-Rams coach George Allen described him as the “greatest defensive end of modern football.” He died in 2013.

He averaged over 20 sacks per season between 1964 and 1968. Unofficially, he had 173.5 career sacks, which would be good enough for third all-time today. Jones was famous for his incredible speed, but he wasn’t always as pious as his holy-sounding name. For example, he would stun opposing offensive linemen with his famed “head slap” until this move was deemed illegal and eventually outlawed by the WWE NFL. Good job, too!

Alan Page

Minnesota Vikings 1967-1978; Chicago Bears 1978-1981

9-time All-pro, 9-time Pro Bowler

1969 NFL champion

2-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1970, 1971)

2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (AP 1971, NEA 1973)

1971 NFL MVP

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1988

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Born and raised in Canton, Ohio, Alan Page didn’t want to be a footballer as a boy; he wanted to be a lawyer. So, he became both. First, he became Minnesota Vikings’ best-ever defensive tackle and changed the way the position was played. Over the years, his work rate opened up a slew of opportunities for his fellow “Purple People Eaters,” Jim Marshall and Carl Eller, who both owe him credit for causing havoc in the middle.

Alan made history in 1971 when he was named the first defensive player ever to win the NFL MVP award. Over 12 years marauding and pillaging as a Viking, he (unofficially) made 173 career sacks behind only Bruce Smith and Reggie White. He was a first-team All-Pro selection six times, nine-time Pro Bowler, and he became a lawyer at the same time! He made the vaunted Hall of Fame, which he helped build with his own hands in 1963! In 2018, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Talk about a life well-lived!

Bruce Smith

Buffalo Bills 1985-1999; Washington Redskins 2000-2003

11-time All-Pro, 11-time Pro Bowler

3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1993, 1996)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2009

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Speaking of Bruce Smith, never mind defensive linemen, this man was one of the most dominant players in NFL history, across any position or era. The former Buffalo Bills man is the NFL’s all-time sack leader with an other-worldly 200 sacks, is the NFL leader in quarterback sacks, and also holds the NFL record for going 13 seasons with double-digit sacks. Even at college, as a Virginia Tech Hokie, he was known as “The Sack Man.”

In notching his 52nd sack in 1989, Smith became the Bills’ all-time sack leader. He went on to break his own record another 119 times! His illustrious career was a whisker away from being even better. Bruce was part of the Buffalo team that made it to four consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s but lost them all.

Reggie White

Philadelphia Eagles 1985-1992; Green Bay Packers 1993-1998; Carolina Panthers 2000

13-time All-Pro, 13-time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl XXXI champion

Most sacks in a Super Bowl (3)

3-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1987, 1991, 1995)

2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1987, 1988)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2006

NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)

Reggie White is the greatest defensive lineman ever to play the game. How do we know? Well, who else is nicknamed the “Minister of Defense”? No other player could rip through an offensive line using so many techniques. From the Swim Move to the Bull Rush and his Forearm Shiver, he’d always somehow battle through constant double-teams to become an unstoppable pass rusher.

In a decade and a half, he took down opposing quarterbacks 198 times, the second-highest in NFL history. He was just as impressive shutting down the run, amassing 1,112 tackles. Sadly, Reggie died in 2004, aged just 43. He was a 13-time Pro Bowler, was selected to the All-Pro 13 times, posthumously made the Hall of Fame in 2006, and even has streets named after him in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, just a Hail Mary throw from the Lambeau Field.