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Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time

NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Take a look at how all 47 of his selections stack up.

Gil Brandt

New Orleans Saints, 1986-1994; Carolina Panthers, 1995-1997
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Recorded 1,142 career tackles

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47. Sam Mills

New Orleans Saints, 1986-1994; Carolina Panthers, 1995-1997
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Recorded 1,142 career tackles

Allen Kee/Associated Press

New Orleans Saints, 1986-1992; Detroit Lions, 1993-1994; Oakland Raiders, 1995-1998
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Recorded 107.5 career sacks

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46. Pat Swilling

New Orleans Saints, 1986-1992; Detroit Lions, 1993-1994; Oakland Raiders, 1995-1998
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Recorded 107.5 career sacks

Tom DiPace/Associated Press

New York Giants, 1984-1992; Washington Redskins, 1993; Cleveland Browns, 1994-1995
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro once
» Recorded 39.5 career sacks and 826 career tackles

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45. Carl Banks

New York Giants, 1984-1992; Washington Redskins, 1993; Cleveland Browns, 1994-1995
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro once
» Recorded 39.5 career sacks and 826 career tackles

Kevin Reece/Associated Press

Detroit Lions, 1988-1995; Buffalo Bills, 1996-1997
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Recorded 1,181 career tackles

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44. Chris Spielman

Detroit Lions, 1988-1995; Buffalo Bills, 1996-1997
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Recorded 1,181 career tackles

David Durochik/Associated Press

Miami Dolphins, 1996-2007; Dallas Cowboys, 2008
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Recorded 1,100 career tackles

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43. Zach Thomas

Miami Dolphins, 1996-2007; Dallas Cowboys, 2008
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Recorded 1,100 career tackles

David Stluka/Associated Press

Los Angeles Rams, 1954-1962
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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42. Les Richter

Los Angeles Rams, 1954-1962
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL Photos

Boston Patriots, 1962-1968; Miami Dolphins, 1969-1976
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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41. Nick Buoniconti

Boston Patriots, 1962-1968; Miami Dolphins, 1969-1976
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals, 1969-1973; Philadelphia Eagles, 1974-1980
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice

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40. Bill Bergey

Cincinnati Bengals, 1969-1973; Philadelphia Eagles, 1974-1980
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice

Cliff Welch/Associated Press

Chicago Bears, 1955-1966
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times

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39. Joe Fortunato

Chicago Bears, 1955-1966
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times

National Football League

St. Louis Rams, 1998-2001; Buffalo Bills, 2002-2006; Washington Redskins, 2007-2013
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls
» Recorded 1,380 career tackles

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38. London Fletcher

St. Louis Rams, 1998-2001; Buffalo Bills, 2002-2006; Washington Redskins, 2007-2013
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls
» Recorded 1,380 career tackles

Paul Spinelli/Associated Press

Washington Redskins, 1965-1978
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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37. Chris Hanburger

Washington Redskins, 1965-1978
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

David Durochik/Associated Press

New York Giants, 1976-1988
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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36. Harry Carson

New York Giants, 1976-1988
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL Photos

New York Giants, 1956-1963; Washington Redskins 1964-1969
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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35. Sam Huff

New York Giants, 1956-1963; Washington Redskins 1964-1969
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League

Pittsburgh Steelers 2002-2012, 2014-2017; Cincinnati Bengals 2013; New England Patriots 2017
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Recorded 84.5 career sacks, 793 tackles

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34. James Harrison

Pittsburgh Steelers 2002-2012, 2014-2017; Cincinnati Bengals 2013; New England Patriots 2017
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Recorded 84.5 career sacks, 793 tackles

Greg Trott/Associated Press

Denver Broncos, 1974-1983
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice

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33. Randy Gradishar

Denver Broncos, 1974-1983
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice

NFL Photos

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1981-1985; Miami Dolphins, 1985-1991
» Voted to two Pro Bowls

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32. Hugh Green

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1981-1985; Miami Dolphins, 1985-1991
» Voted to two Pro Bowls

Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys, 1963-1976
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once

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31. Lee Roy Jordan

Dallas Cowboys, 1963-1976
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once

NFL Photos

San Francisco 49ers, 2007-2014
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Recorded 732 tackles in eight career NFL seasons

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30. Patrick Willis

San Francisco 49ers, 2007-2014
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Recorded 732 tackles in eight career NFL seasons

Peter Read Miller/Associated Press

New England Patriots, 1982-1993
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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29. Andre Tippett

New England Patriots, 1982-1993
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League

Chicago Bears, 1948-1955
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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28. George Connor

Chicago Bears, 1948-1955
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Vernon Biever/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys, 2005-2013; Denver Broncos, 2014-2016
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Recorded 138.5 career sacks, which ranks No. 8 on the all-time list

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27. DeMarcus Ware

Dallas Cowboys, 2005-2013; Denver Broncos, 2014-2016
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Recorded 138.5 career sacks, which ranks No. 8 on the all-time list

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons, 1966-1976
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time

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26. Tommy Nobis

Atlanta Falcons, 1966-1976
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time

NFL Photos

Houston Oilers, 1975-1984
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times
» NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1975)
» NFL 1970s All-Decade Team member
» Finished career with 48 sacks, 1,281 tackles, and 13 interceptions

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25. Robert Brazile

Houston Oilers, 1975-1984
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times
» NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1975)
» NFL 1970s All-Decade Team member
» Finished career with 48 sacks, 1,281 tackles, and 13 interceptions

NFL Photos

Kansas City Chiefs, 1967-1977
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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24. Willie Lanier

Kansas City Chiefs, 1967-1977
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press

Carolina Panthers 2012-present
» Voted to Pro Bowl five times, four-time First Team All-Pro
» NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2013)
» NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012)
» 818 career tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15 interceptions

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23. Luke Kuechly

Carolina Panthers 2012-present
» Voted to Pro Bowl five times, four-time First Team All-Pro
» NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2013)
» NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012)
» 818 career tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15 interceptions

Ryan Kang/NFL

Buffalo Bills, 1987-1995; Atlanta Falcons, 1996-1998; Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2000
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Recorded 71.5 career sacks
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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22. Cornelius Bennett

Buffalo Bills, 1987-1995; Atlanta Falcons, 1996-1998; Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2000
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Recorded 71.5 career sacks
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

David Durochik/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers, 1964-1974
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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21. Dave Wilcox

San Francisco 49ers, 1964-1974
» Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL Photos

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-1984
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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20. Jack Lambert

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-1984
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League

Chicago Bears, 2000-2012
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Recorded 41.5 career sacks and 1,040 career tackles

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19. Brian Urlacher

Chicago Bears, 2000-2012
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Recorded 41.5 career sacks and 1,040 career tackles

Tom DiPace/Associated Press

New Orleans Saints, 1981-1993; San Francisco 49ers 1994-1995 » One-time NFL champion » Voted to six Pro Bowls » Recorded 128 career sacks, which ranks No. 15 on the all-time list » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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18. Rickey Jackson

New Orleans Saints, 1981-1993; San Francisco 49ers 1994-1995
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to six Pro Bowls
» Recorded 128 career sacks, which ranks No. 15 on the all-time list
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League

Philadelphia Eagles, 1949-1962
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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17. Chuck Bednarik

Philadelphia Eagles, 1949-1962
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL Photos

Chicago Bears, 1981-1992
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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16. Mike Singletary

Chicago Bears, 1981-1992
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

David Durochik/Associated Press

Green Bay Packers, 1963-1972; Washington Redskins 1973-1974
» Three-time NFL champion
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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15. Dave Robinson

Green Bay Packers, 1963-1972; Washington Redskins 1973-1974
» Three-time NFL champion
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Vernon Biever/Associated Press

San Diego Chargers, 1990-2002; Miami Dolphins, 2003-2005; New England Patriots, 2006-2009
» Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» Recorded 56.5 career sacks and 1,522 career tackles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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14. Junior Seau

San Diego Chargers, 1990-2002; Miami Dolphins, 2003-2005; New England Patriots, 2006-2009
» Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» Recorded 56.5 career sacks and 1,522 career tackles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

David Durochik/Associated Press

Los Angeles Rams, 1985-1992; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1993-1995; Carolina Panthers, 1996, 1998-1999; San Francisco 49ers, 1997
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
» Recorded 160 career sacks, which ranks No. 3 on the all-time list

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13. Kevin Greene

Los Angeles Rams, 1985-1992; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1993-1995; Carolina Panthers, 1996, 1998-1999; San Francisco 49ers, 1997
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
» Recorded 160 career sacks, which ranks No. 3 on the all-time list

David Durochik/Associated Press

Baltimore Ravens, 1996-2012
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 13 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» Recorded 41.5 sacks and 1562 career tackles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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12. Ray Lewis

Baltimore Ravens, 1996-2012
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 13 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» Recorded 41.5 sacks and 1562 career tackles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Paul Jasienski/Associated Press

Green Bay Packers, 1958-1972
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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11. Ray Nitschke

Green Bay Packers, 1958-1972
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro twice
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press

Detroit Lions, 1953-1965
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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10. Joe Schmidt

Detroit Lions, 1953-1965
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1971-1982
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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9. Jack Ham

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1971-1982
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press

Chicago Bears, 1958-1959; Dallas Cowboys, 1961-1973
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times

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8. Chuck Howley

Chicago Bears, 1958-1959; Dallas Cowboys, 1961-1973
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times

Ferd Kaufman/Associated Press

Chicago Bears, 1952-1966; Los Angeles Rams 1966
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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7. Bill George

Chicago Bears, 1952-1966; Los Angeles Rams 1966
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL Photos

Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1974
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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6. Bobby Bell

Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1974
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1995-2008
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Recorded 1,297 career tackles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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5. Derrick Brooks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1995-2008
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Recorded 1,297 career tackles
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Paul Spinelli/Associated Press

Baltimore Colts, 1969-1973; Green Bay Packers, 1974; Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1975-1983
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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4. Ted Hendricks

Baltimore Colts, 1969-1973; Green Bay Packers, 1974; Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1975-1983
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Peter Read Miller/Associated Press

Chicago Bears, 1965-1973
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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3. Dick Butkus

Chicago Bears, 1965-1973
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League

Kansas City Chiefs, 1989-1999
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Recorded 126.5 career sacks, which ranks No. 16 on the all-time list
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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2. Derrick Thomas

Kansas City Chiefs, 1989-1999
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Recorded 126.5 career sacks, which ranks No. 16 on the all-time list
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Kevin Reece/Associated Press

New York Giants, 1981-1993
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Recorded 132.5 career sacks, which ranks No. 13 on the all-time list
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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1. Lawrence Taylor

New York Giants, 1981-1993
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Recorded 132.5 career sacks, which ranks No. 13 on the all-time list
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

David Durochik/Associated Press

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