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Gil Brandt's greatest NFL defensive tackles of all time

NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. Take a look at how they stack up.

Gil Brandt

Chicago Bears, 1985-1993; Philadelphia Eagles, 1993-1994
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Recorded 29.5 sacks in 138 NFL games

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31. William 'Refrigerator' Perry

Chicago Bears, 1985-1993; Philadelphia Eagles, 1993-1994
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Recorded 29.5 sacks in 138 NFL games

Vernon Biever/Associated Press

Oakland Raiders, 1996; New Orleans Saints, 1997-2001; Dallas Cowboys, 2002-2005; St. Louis Rams 2006-2008
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
» 2000 NFC Defensive Player of the Year
» 2000 NFL sacks leader (17.5)
» Finished career with 433 tackles, 83.5 sacks and 16 forced fumbles

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30. La'Roi Glover

Oakland Raiders, 1996; New Orleans Saints, 1997-2001; Dallas Cowboys, 2002-2005; St. Louis Rams 2006-2008
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
» 2000 NFC Defensive Player of the Year
» 2000 NFL sacks leader (17.5)
» Finished career with 433 tackles, 83.5 sacks and 16 forced fumbles

Scott Boehm/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers, 1994-2007
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
» Had 89.5 sacks and 618 tackles in 208 career games

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29. Bryant Young

San Francisco 49ers, 1994-2007
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
» Had 89.5 sacks and 618 tackles in 208 career games

Al Golub/Associated Press

Cleveland Browns, 1946-1953
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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28. Bill Willis

Cleveland Browns, 1946-1953
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Julian Wilson/Associated Press

Baltimore Ravens, 2006-2014; Detroit Lions, 2015-Present
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» Started 160 of 162 NFL games
» Has 29.5 sacks, 491 tackles, 6 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions in 11 NFL seasons

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27. Haloti Ngata

Baltimore Ravens, 2006-2014; Detroit Lions, 2015-Present
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» Started 160 of 162 NFL games
» Has 29.5 sacks, 491 tackles, 6 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions in 11 NFL seasons

Detroit Lions/Associated Press

Baltimore Ravens, 2013-Present
» One of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in NFL today
» Became highest-paid nose tackle in the NFl by signing a five-year, $54 million deal with Ravens in March
» Has 4.5 sacks and 101 tackles in 55 career games

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26. Brandon Williams

Baltimore Ravens, 2013-Present
» One of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in NFL today
» Became highest-paid nose tackle in the NFl by signing a five-year, $54 million deal with Ravens in March
» Has 4.5 sacks and 101 tackles in 55 career games

Kevin Terrell/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals, 1983-1994
» Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» Recorded 34.5 sacks and 1,017 career tackles
» Missed only four games (out of 192) in 12-year career

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25. Tim Krumrie

Cincinnati Bengals, 1983-1994
» Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» Recorded 34.5 sacks and 1,017 career tackles
» Missed only four games (out of 192) in 12-year career

NFL Photos

Detroit Lions, 1958-1970
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
» Missed only one game in 12-year career

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24. Alex Karras

Detroit Lions, 1958-1970
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
» Missed only one game in 12-year career

Pro Football Hall of Fame/Associated Press

New England Patriots, 2001-2008; Oakland Raiders, 2009-2012
» Three-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
» Logged 57.5 sacks and recorded 496 career tackles

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23. Richard Seymour

New England Patriots, 2001-2008; Oakland Raiders, 2009-2012
» Three-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
» Logged 57.5 sacks and recorded 496 career tackles

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings, 1985-1990; Green Bay Packers, 1992; Seattle Seahawks, 1992; Philadelphia Eagles, 1993
» Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 1989 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
» Holds NFL record for most sacks by DT in single season (18)
» Three double-digit sack seasons
» Recorded 58 career sacks

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22. Keith Millard

Minnesota Vikings, 1985-1990; Green Bay Packers, 1992; Seattle Seahawks, 1992; Philadelphia Eagles, 1993
» Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 1989 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
» Holds NFL record for most sacks by DT in single season (18)
» Three double-digit sack seasons
» Recorded 58 career sacks

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Houston Oilers, 1985-1995; Dallas Cowboys, 1996
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» NFL-record three fumble recoveries in single game
» Recorded 76.5 sacks, 861 tackles, and 19 forced fumbles in 12-year NFL career

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21. Ray Childress

Houston Oilers, 1985-1995; Dallas Cowboys, 1996
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» NFL-record three fumble recoveries in single game
» Recorded 76.5 sacks, 861 tackles, and 19 forced fumbles in 12-year NFL career

Anonymous

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1950-1963
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls (1957 Pro Bowl MVP), First Team All-Pro once
» NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
» Recorded 23 fumble recoveries and at time of retirement was the all-time career safeties leader with three
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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20. Ernie Stautner

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1950-1963
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls (1957 Pro Bowl MVP), First Team All-Pro once
» NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
» Recorded 23 fumble recoveries and at time of retirement was the all-time career safeties leader with three
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers, 1950-1963
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
» 49ers' first-ever draft pick
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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19. Leo Nomellini

San Francisco 49ers, 1950-1963
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
» 49ers' first-ever draft pick
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL Photos

Baltimore Colts, 1950; New York Yanks, 1951; Dallas Texans,
1952; Baltimore Colts, 1953-1961
» Two-time NFLchampion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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18. Art Donovan

Baltimore Colts, 1950; New York Yanks, 1951; Dallas Texans, 1952; Baltimore Colts, 1953-1961
» Two-time NFLchampion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Anonymous

Cleveland Browns, 1957-1958; Green Bay Packers, 1959-1969
» Two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time NFL champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls (1961 Pro Bowl MVP), First Team All-Pro five times
» 21 career fumble recoveries
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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17. Henry Jordan

Cleveland Browns, 1957-1958; Green Bay Packers, 1959-1969
» Two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time NFL champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls (1961 Pro Bowl MVP), First Team All-Pro five times
» 21 career fumble recoveries
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press

Chicago Bears 1979-1990
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
» Made All-Pro as both defensive end and defensive tackle
» Officially credited with 57 career sacks
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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16. Dan Hampton

Chicago Bears 1979-1990
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
» Made All-Pro as both defensive end and defensive tackle
» Officially credited with 57 career sacks
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

David Durochik/Associated Press

New York Jets, 1977-1987; Indianapolis Colts, 1989
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 1981 AFC Player of the Year
» Started 145 of 155 NFL games
» 24 career sacks, 9 fumble recoveries in 10 NFL seasons
» Anthony Munoz called Klecko "the strongest guy I ever faced."

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15. Joe Klecko

New York Jets, 1977-1987; Indianapolis Colts, 1989
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 1981 AFC Player of the Year
» Started 145 of 155 NFL games
» 24 career sacks, 9 fumble recoveries in 10 NFL seasons
» Anthony Munoz called Klecko "the strongest guy I ever faced."

NFL Photos

Minnesota Vikings, 1967-1978; Chicago Bears, 1978-1981
» Played in four Super Bowls, one-time NFL champion
» 1971 NFL MVP
» Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
» Played in 238 consecutive games
» Had six seasons of double-digit sacks, including 18 in 1976; unofficially finished with 173 career sacks
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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14. Alan Page

Minnesota Vikings, 1967-1978; Chicago Bears, 1978-1981
» Played in four Super Bowls, one-time NFL champion
» 1971 NFL MVP
» Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
» Played in 238 consecutive games
» Had six seasons of double-digit sacks, including 18 in 1976; unofficially finished with 173 career sacks
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL Photos

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, 2014-Present
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
» Set record for fastest recorded 40 time for DT at NFL Scouting Combine
» Has logged 28 sacks and 116 tackles in his three NFL seasons
» Voted 15th best player in NFL on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017

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13. Aaron Donald

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, 2014-Present
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
» Set record for fastest recorded 40 time for DT at NFL Scouting Combine
» Has logged 28 sacks and 116 tackles in his three NFL seasons
» Voted 15th best player in NFL on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017

Greg Trott/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals 2010-present
» Voted to Pro Bowl six times, First Team All-Pro twice
» 290 career tackles, 61 sacks, and eight forced fumbles

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12. Geno Atkins

Cincinnati Bengals 2010-present » Voted to Pro Bowl six times, First Team All-Pro twice
» 290 career tackles, 61 sacks, and eight forced fumbles

Aaron M. Sprecher/Associated Press

Detroit Lions, 1960-1966; Los Angeles Rams, 1967-1969
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» Member of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome"
» First player in NFL history with playing weight exceeding 300 pounds
» Sacked Bart Starr seven times (one for a safety) in the famous 1962 "Thanksgiving Day Massacre"

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11. Roger Brown

Detroit Lions, 1960-1966; Los Angeles Rams, 1967-1969
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» Member of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome"
» First player in NFL history with playing weight exceeding 300 pounds
» Sacked Bart Starr seven times (one for a safety) in the famous 1962 "Thanksgiving Day Massacre"

NFL Photos

Kansas City Chiefs, 1968-1974; Houston Texans 1974-1980;
Detroit Lions, 1980-1981
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» 1975 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» Unofficially had 68 sacks and 14 forced fumbles in 14 NFL seasons
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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10. Curley Culp

Kansas City Chiefs, 1968-1974; Houston Texans 1974-1980; Detroit Lions, 1980-1981
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» 1975 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» Unofficially had 68 sacks and 14 forced fumbles in 14 NFL seasons
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

David Durochik/Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings, 1990-2000; Seattle Seahawks, 2001-2003
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» 1997 NFL sacks leader
» NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
» Played in 219 career NFL games, recording 137.5 sacks and 556 tackles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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9. John Randle

Minnesota Vikings, 1990-2000; Seattle Seahawks, 2001-2003
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» 1997 NFL sacks leader
» NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
» Played in 219 career NFL games, recording 137.5 sacks and 556 tackles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Kevin Terrell/Associated Press

Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1975
» One-time Super Bowl champion, two-time AFL champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times,
six AFL All-Star games
» Played in 182 career NFL games, including 166 consecutively
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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8. Buck Buchanan

Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1975
» One-time Super Bowl champion, two-time AFL champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times, six AFL All-Star games
» Played in 182 career NFL games, including 166 consecutively
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL Photos

Seattle Seahawks, 1990-2000
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 1992 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
» Had 58 sacks and 568 tackles durin 11-year NFL career
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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7. Cortez Kennedy

Seattle Seahawks, 1990-2000
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 1992 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
» Had 58 sacks and 568 tackles durin 11-year NFL career
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press

New York Yanks, 2948-1949; New York Giants, 1950-1953
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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6. Arnie Weinmeister

New York Yanks, 2948-1949; New York Giants, 1950-1953
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Ray Howard/Associated Press

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1995-2003; Oakland Raiders, 2004-2007
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» NFL All-Decade Team in 1990s and 2000s
» Recorded 96.5 career sacks, 435 tackles, and 19 forced fumbles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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5. Warren Sapp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1995-2003; Oakland Raiders, 2004-2007
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» NFL All-Decade Team in 1990s and 2000s
» Recorded 96.5 career sacks, 435 tackles, and 19 forced fumbles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Paul Spinelli/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys, 1975-1988
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Super Bowl XII co-MVP
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
» Unofficially recorded 111 sacks (high of 16 in 1978) and 1,104 tackles in 14 NFL seasons
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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4. Randy White

Dallas Cowboys, 1975-1988
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Super Bowl XII co-MVP
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
» Unofficially recorded 111 sacks (high of 16 in 1978) and 1,104 tackles in 14 NFL seasons
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press

Los Angeles Rams, 1962-1977
» Voted to 14 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» 1962 NFL Rookie of the Year
» NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team,Br>
» Member of two NFL All-Decade Teams (1960s, 1970s)
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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3. Merlin Olsen

Los Angeles Rams, 1962-1977
» Voted to 14 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» 1962 NFL Rookie of the Year
» NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team,Br> » Member of two NFL All-Decade Teams (1960s, 1970s)
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Peter Read Miller/Associated Press

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1969-1981
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
» Recorded unofficial 78.5 career sacks and 16 fumble recoveries
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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2. 'Mean' Joe Greene

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1969-1981
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year
» NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
» Recorded unofficial 78.5 career sacks and 16 fumble recoveries
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Anonymous

Dallas Cowboys, 1961-1974
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
» member of NFL's All-Decade Teams in 1960s and 1970s
» Started every game (164) of his 14-year career
» 29-yard sack of Bob Griese in Super Bowl VI is NFL record and one of the most memorable in Super Bowl history
» Scored four defensive touchdowns in career
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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1. Bob Lilly

Dallas Cowboys, 1961-1974
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
» member of NFL's All-Decade Teams in 1960s and 1970s
» Started every game (164) of his 14-year career
» 29-yard sack of Bob Griese in Super Bowl VI is NFL record and one of the most memorable in Super Bowl history
» Scored four defensive touchdowns in career
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press

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