The NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame have revealed the 2010s All-Decade Team to honor the league's best over the past 10 years. We're talking Top Gun -- the best of the best. But who was the best of the best of the best? I set out to answer this impossible prompt below, ranking all 52 players who were named to the prestigious roster.
My rankings criteria involved accounting for the major accolades the All-Decade Team members earned from 2010 to '19 -- All-Pros, Pro Bowls, MVPs, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards, etc. -- combined with their respective impact on the game, something I admit is far less objective and harder to measure.
Look, all of these guys are phenomenal. Remember that when you start lampooning me on social media because your favorite player isn't as high on this list as you might like.
Note: Players are listed with the teams they played for from 2010 to '19 only.
**Oakland Raiders (2010-12), Houston Texans (2013-17)**
I don't want to anger Rich Eisen -- for the record, I do recognize that punters are people, too. And Lechler was one of the best. As evidenced by being on two different All-Decade Teams and the NFL's All-Time Team. But by midway through the period, his best years were behind him.
**New England Patriots (2010-19)**
Everyone remembers Adam Vinatieri making numerous clutch kicks to win New England Super Bowls in the 2000s, but Gostkowski replaced the future Hall of Famer with aplomb, building a highly decorated career of his own.
**San Francisco 49ers (2010-14), Indianapolis Colts (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019)**
Gore's Hall of Fame-caliber career dates all the way back to 2005, and the RB was still finding ways to contribute in 2019 at age 36. Although his production tailed off toward the end of the decade, he did manage to top 1,000 yards rushing five times and earn three Pro Bowl nods during the period.
**New England Patriots (2010-13), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-15)**
Mankins was a pillar of the Patriots' offensive line in the early part of the decade, earning three Pro Bowl trips and a first-team All-Pro selection, then chipped in one more Pro Bowl nod in the last of two seasons with the Buccaneers.
**Cleveland Browns (2010-15), Atlanta Falcons (2016-19)**
Mack consistently graded out as a top-10 player at his position, per Pro Football Focus, including a top-ranked finish among centers for the 2016 season. He made six Pro Bowls and earned second-team All-Pro three times, starting all 16 games in nine of his 10 campaigns during the decade.
**Chicago Bears (2010-13), Green Bay Packers (2014-16), Carolina Panthers (2017-18)**
Another player who had a long, distinguished career in the NFL that will one day land him in the Hall of Fame. Peppers posted four double-digit sack seasons from 2010 to '19 -- all after his 30th birthday.
**Denver Broncos (2011-19)**
Harris will start the new decade with the Los Angeles Chargers after nine productive years with the Broncos. One of the best undrafted players of all time, Harris was a member of the Super Bowl 50 championship team and earned All-Pro honors in 2016.
**Philadelphia Eagles (2010-19)**
Here's the crazy thing about Peters: He's put together a 16-year career that's included nine Pro Bowls (six during the 2010s), two first-team All-Pro selections (both in the 2010s) and a Super Bowl title after going undrafted in 2004. Peters is such a bad man that he earned the second of his two All-Pros in 2013 -- one year after he ruptured his Achilles twice within a two-month period. The rock-solid tackle was PFF's second-highest graded player at his position (93.6) during the decade.
**Arizona Cardinals (2010-16), Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-19)**
He's a five-time Pro Bowler and a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner who made waves when he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent in 2017. He earned his first-ever All-Pro selection and was the Pro Football Writers of America's Defensive Player of the Year that season.
**Arizona Cardinals (2013-17), Houston Texans (2018), Kansas City Chiefs (2019)**
The two-time All-Pro and reigning Super Bowl champ is someone offensive coordinators need to account for on every snap. The guy is everywhere, actively playing mind games with opposing coaches like Chris Jericho standing ringside during an Inner Circle match.
**Kansas City Chiefs (2016-19)**
While Hill has developed into one of the game's elite receivers, he earned his spot on the roster for his work on special teams. He has the most punt return yards (1,009) in the NFL since entering the league, while boasting the second-highest yards-per-punt-return mark of the decade (11.9 yards, min. 50 returns), behind only Devin Hester.
**Arizona Cardinals (2010-19)**
Fitzgerald has been one of the NFL's most productive receivers for nearly 20 years. He had three seasons with at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards from 2015 to '17, including a league-high 107 receptions in 2016 -- the same year he was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. Fitz would rank much higher if this were an All-Millennium Team.
**New Orleans Saints (2011-19)**
Obviously, when you think of the Saints, you immediately think about their great offense. But Jordan has been quietly dominant on the defensive side of the football for years, as evidenced by his five double-digit sack seasons during the decade.
**San Diego Chargers (2010), New Orleans Saints (2011-13), Philadelphia Eagles (2014-19)**
One of the game's elite returners and one of the most versatile offensive players of the last 15 years, Sproles is now just the fourth player in NFL history to be named to an All-Decade Team at multiple positions (punt returner and flex).
**Chicago Bears (2010-13), Atlanta Falcons (2014-15), Baltimore Ravens/Seattle Seahawks (2016)**
This one is really tough. Hester is obviously a Hall of Famer and would get my vote for the best returner of all time. But based only on the 2010s? Unfortunately, I just can't move him up any higher ... as much as I want to.
**Philadelphia Eagles (2012-19)**
An imposing force in the middle for the Eagles during the decade, he went to five Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2018. But most importantly, Cox helped lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title in franchise history.
**New England Patriots (2012-15), Arizona Cardinals (2016-19)**
Won a Super Bowl with the Patriots, then was shipped to the Cardinals at just 26 years old. Jones didn't miss a beat away from Bill Belichick, though, posting four consecutive double-digit sack seasons in the desert, including 19 last year and a league-leading 17 in 2017.
**Cincinnati Bengals (2010-19)**
You know, the Bengals had some pretty good teams during the middle of the decade, when they earned five consecutive playoff berths. And Atkins, an eight-time Pro bowler, was a huge reason why.
**St.Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-19)**
Look, Hekker would've had my (imaginary) vote for Super Bowl MVP if the Rams had managed to beat the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, when Hekker punted nine times at 46.3 yards per punt. Instead he'll have to settle for the best punter in the league (and on these rankings).
**Minnesota Vikings (2013-16), Oakland Raiders (2017), New England Patriots (2018), Chicago Bears (2019)**
Seems strange to have Patterson higher on this list than Hester, but CP was fantastic during the decade. Despite getting a late start, he ranked first in kick return yards (6,101), TDs (seven) and average (29.9 yards, min. 20 returns) during the 10-year period.
**Kansas City Chiefs (2013-19)**
After overcoming a slow start to his career, Kelce is now arguably the best tight end in the game (depending on how you feel about George Kittle). He had 200 combined receptions in the past two years and four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to go along with his five straight Pro Bowl nods.
**San Diego Chargers (2010-15), Baltimore Ravens (2016-18), Los Angeles Rams (2019)**
A second-round pick by the Chargers in 2007, Weddle didn't really establish himself as one of the NFL's best safeties until 2011, when he tied for the league lead in picks (seven) and notched the first of two first-team All-Pro honors. The recently retired defender earned his reputation for being a trusted leader and playmaker.
**Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-19)**
The premier center during the decade. When you think of the Steelers' high-octane offenses from the 2010s, your fantasy-centric brain likely goes directly to the Killer Bs ( Big Ben, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown). But don't forget about the eight-time Pro Bowler up front who's been the linchpin to a top-end O-line. There's a reason why so many running backs have had success in Pittsburgh over the past 10 years.
**Arizona Cardinals (2011-19)**
Peterson has been one of the top (and few remaining) shutdown cornerbacks in the league for years. And not only was he extremely talented, but he didn't miss a single game due to injury from 2011 to '19 (including 128 consecutive starts).
**Buffalo Bills (2010), Seattle Seahawks (2010-15, '19), Oakland Raiders (2017-18)**
Beast Mode was as bruising, balanced and entertaining a running back as we've ever seen. He reminded us of that, week in and week out, during the first half of the decade, when he led the league in rushing touchdowns (2013 and '14) and appeared in two Super Bowls (winning one). You have to wonder what his already impressive legacy would be if, you know, he had gotten the call from the 1-yard line.
**New Orleans Saints (2010-16), Green Bay Packers (2017)**
Evans was a dominant lineman for many years in New Orleans. And while his Super Bowl win didn't come during the 2010s, three of his four consecutive first-team All-Pro nods did (2009-2012).
**Philadelphia Eagles (2010-14), Buffalo Bills (2015-18), Kansas City Chiefs (2019)**
The dual-threat running back led the NFL in rushing yards (1,607) in 2013 and rushing touchdowns (17) in 2011. But the thing that made him so dangerous for so much of the decade was his receiving ability out of the backfield; he's recorded 40-plus receptions in a season seven times over his career (six in the 2010s).
**Kansas City Chiefs (2010-18)**
Berry was the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and quickly became one of the top players at his position. An All-Pro in 2013, Berry was forced to cut his 2014 season short after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He recovered and returned the following year to earn All-Pro honors once again, nabbing the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
**Detroit Lions (2010-14), Miami Dolphins (2015-17), Los Angeles Rams (2018), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019)**
After a decorated career at Nebraska, Suh went No. 2 overall to the Lions, with whom he'd earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and three All-Pro nods. Although he hasn't made a Pro Bowl since 2016, he still operated as a Rob Gronkowski-type disruptor (WWE Gronk, that is) for the Rams and Bucs to close out the decade.
**New York Jets (2010-12, '15-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013), New England Patriots (2014), Kansas City Chiefs (2017)**
Revis Island was one of the loneliest places on the football field for years. And there is no doubt Revis was one of the best to ever do it. But the lockdown corner of his generation gets knocked here because three of his highly productive seasons (including an All-Pro year) occurred during the 2000s.
**San Francisco 49ers (2010-14)**
Willis should have been selected to the Hall of Fame in 2020. I thought he was one of the locks. Even though he retired in 2014 and played just five seasons in the 2010s, he was as dominant during that stretch (three All-Pros, four Pro Bowls) as nearly anybody on this list. I'm baffled as to why he didn't get into Canton this year.
**Detroit Lions (2010-15)**
Like Patrick Willis, Megatron is a Hall of Famer for sure despite his short(ish) career. He posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his six seasons during the decade, including his NFL-record 1,964 yards in 2012. He also averaged 100-plus yards receiving per game three times, earning All-Pro honors in each of those campaigns. Johnson was an absolute nightmare to defend and an absolute marvel to watch.
**Seattle Seahawks (2011-17), San Francisco 49ers (2018-19)**
Sherman was a converted receiver at Stanford and a fifth-round pick of the Seahawks. The unheralded corner then worked (and trash-talked) his way into becoming one of the vocal leaders of the Legion of Boom and a Super Bowl champion. The decade's leader in INTs (35) tore his Achilles in 2017, and you had to wonder if he would ever be the same. He was. And in 2019, Revis made his third Super Bowl appearance of the 2010s.
**Seattle Seahawks (2010-18), Baltimore Ravens (2019)**
When Pete Carroll took over the Seahawks in 2010, his first ever draft pick for the franchise was Thomas, with the 14th overall selection -- Carroll even passed over his own guy, Taylor Mays, who had played for him at USC, to take Thomas. Thomas rewarded Carroll's faith by becoming a key member of the Legion of Boom. Thomas would garner six Pro Bowl selections and three consecutive first-team All-Pro nods (tied for most by a safety in the decade) while helping the Seahawks to their first ever Super Bowl win, then was named to a seventh Pro Bowl in his first season with the Ravens in 2019.
**Baltimore Ravens (2012-19)**
I know a lot of folks will be cross that a kicker has landed this high in the rankings. No. 1: I'm a Bears fan, so you're lucky he's not first overall; and 2) Let's be fair about this and recognize Tucker as one of only eight unanimous selections to this team. There really is no other kicker in the game who is as consistent or reliable. So, if anything, I might be underrating his value a little bit.
**Baltimore Ravens (2010-19)**
Speaking of Ravens unanimously selected to this team, here comes the recently retired Yanda. Honestly, former general manager Ozzie Newsome is never given enough credit for how well he built this Ravens franchise. Yanda, a third-round pick out of Iowa, made eight Pro Bowls during the 2010s, including back-to-back nods at ages 34 and 35, and helped bring another Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore. Tired of hearing me wax poetic about an interior O-lineman? Maybe you'd prefer to hear several of his All-Decade Team compatriots sing his praises.
**Dallas Cowboys (2014-19)**
I was at Radio City Music Hall when the Cowboys selected Martin 16th overall. The crowd was ready to pop so hard for Jerry Jones and Co. to pick Johnny Manziel in that spot, like it was the 2014 Royal Rumble. But then Dallas took Martin, and what a pick it was. As great as Marshal Yanda was, I would've sided with the four-time All-Pro Martin as the unanimous selection of the two. I'd like to meet the person who didn't vote for him.
**Atlanta Falcons (2011-19)**
Julio is awesome. I could probably just stop right there, but then you'd miss out on all these juicy stats the NFL research team compiled: He ranks first in receiving yards (12,125) and third in receptions (797) during the decade, is the only player in NFL history with five straight seasons with at least 1,400 receiving yards and owns the best career yards per game mark (96.2). The only knock against him is that his touchdown totals could be higher. But I blame the Falcons coaching staff for that more than I do Julio.
**Oakland Raiders (2014-17), Chicago Bears (2018-19)**
This Chicago Bears great should probably be first on this list. I know, I know. But being objective here, Mack has been a consistent nuisance to quarterbacks since the Raiders selected him out of Buffalo with the fifth overall pick in 2014. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 and is the only defender with 60-plus sacks, 20-plus forced fumbles and two-plus INTs since 2014, per NFL Media research. His trade to the Bears sent waves throughout the league in 2018. And while that doesn't really have anything to do with his place on this list, I like recognizing that deal as one of those rare occurrences where both teams can legitimately feel happy with the outcome, with the Raiders landing four picks, including two first-rounders.
**Seattle Seahawks (2012-19)**
Wagner is unquestionably one of the best middle linebackers I've ever seen play. This must be what it was like for my dad to watch Mike Singletary all of those years ago. Obviously, we know how good the Seahawks defense has been. But it's still a little stunning to check Wagner's career resume and see five first-team All-Pro selections (four consecutive) and a second-team selection, to boot. If anything, I might not be giving him enough respect here.
**Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-18), New England Patriots (2019)**
I've said this before, but AB is the best receiver of the last 20 years. He's the only player in NFL history with six consecutive 100-catch seasons and ranks second in the decade in receiving yards (11,263), receptions (841) and receiving first downs (549). Brown has had his fair share of issues off the field over the last 18 months. But his production from 2010 through '18 speaks for itself.
**New England Patriots (2010-18)**
Gronkowski is the greatest tight end in NFL history. He scored 79 career receiving touchdowns, including a league-high 17 in 2011. The three-time Super Bowl champ had double-digit scores in five of his nine seasons. As amazing as he was as a receiver (and believe me, he was), dude was even better as a blocker and was a huge part of the Patriots' rushing attack.
**Minnesota Vikings (2010-16), New Orleans Saints/Arizona Cardinals (2017), Washington Redskins (2018-19)**
While it's difficult for a running back to maintain a high level of success for an entire decade, Peterson came pretty close; he averaged at least 4.2 yards per carry in each of the seven seasons since 2010 in which he had at least 200 carries. He led the NFL in rushing twice, including in 2012, when he ran for 2,097 yards and became only the third non-QB to win MVP in the last 20 seasons. That the man they call All Day is still productive at age 35 is both surprising and totally inevitable.
**Green Bay Packers (2010-19)**
Rodgers was fantastic during the early part of the decade, when he won MVP twice (2011, 2014). He also guided the Packers to a title in Super Bowl XLV and was selected as the game's MVP. His ball security and overall efficiency for much of that span (he finished the decade with a sick 305:63 TD-to-INT ratio) is nearly unmatched, while his 103.6 passer rating ranks No. 1 among passers with at least 1,500 attempts. If you're wondering why he's not a touch higher, it's because the bane of every Bears fan has seen his production and precision decline over the last three years.
**Cleveland Browns (2010-17)**
Another unanimous selection on the team, and for good reason. The Browns selected Thomas with the third overall pick in 2007, and he didn't miss a single snap until 2017. We're talking more than 10,000 snaps, people. On the Browns. Think about that. Thomas was an All-Pro selection in six of the eight seasons he played in the 2010s (including his second-team nod in 2012), was the highest-graded tackle by PFF (93.8) and, simply put, one of the best linemen of all time.
**Carolina Panthers (2012-19)**
Kuechly retired in January, and I found it amusing people were debating his Hall of Fame worthiness. He's getting in. Dude followed up his 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign by winning the 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and was selected to seven All-Pro teams (including five first-team bids). In an era with some pretty damn good linebackers, Kuechly was as versatile and dependable as they come -- a sure tackler who could drop back in coverage and rush the passer when needed. He was one of the best of his generation, this generation.
**Houston Texans (2011-19)**
Watt has battled through some injuries over the last four years, so if you're critical of him ranking this high or being one of the unanimous picks, then recency bias might be clouding your judgement a bit. Allow me the opportunity to remind you of just how extraordinary Watt was during this decade. He was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner and a five-time first-team All-Pro. He posted 20.5 sacks in two separate seasons, finishing the decade tied for second-most in the NFL (96), while ranking first in QB hits (265) and tackles for loss (158). And he was also a great dude, winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2017.
**St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2014-19)**
There are going to be people who will say Donald is the best player in the NFL right now. Which he very might well be. But this ranking measures what a guy did for an entire decade, so ... he was named 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year ... earned five straight first-team All-Pros ... won two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards ... was the 2018 sack leader (as an interior lineman) ... You're right, he might be the best player in the league right now. Getting the Rams to the Super Bowl was also amazing, but he's still just top three for me.
**Denver Broncos (2011-19)**
I fully accept that this might be an unpopular opinion ( I mean, that is what I do, after all), especially because most people would likely favor Donald and his two DPOYs over Miller's zero. But the Broncos' edge rusher finished the decade with seven All-Pro selections (three first-team honors), a league-leading 106 sacks and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Most importantly, though, he won a Super Bowl MVP award (in Super Bowl 50). Donald might have gotten one of those, too, had the Rams beaten the Pats a few years back. But he didn't. Miller did. And if quarterbacks get judged on Super Bowls, it's only fair to give credit to a guy who basically willed Peyton Manning and the Broncos to a title.
**New England Patriots (2010-19)**
It's a chalk pick, I know. Brady has never been able to post the passing numbers that many of his contemporaries put up during the decade, though I would like to point out that not only did he pace the league in passing touchdowns in 2010 and 2015, but he was first-team All-Pro and the league leader in passing yards in 2017 -- at 40 years old. And while he and Aaron Rodgers were the only two players during the decade to win two MVPs, Brady has 32 more wins in the decade than the Packers' QB (138 to 106, including playoffs). But again, it comes down to titles. Brady had the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game eight times in 10 years, winning five conference titles and three Super Bowls (plus two Super Bowl MVPs).
There's no sense throwing more stats or accolades at you, because it would all be in the service of just telling you something you already know: Brady was the best player of the decade.
Follow Adam Rank on Twitter @adamrank.
