Top 100 NFL Players of All Time: Part 1

(last updated on January 15, 2026)

The NFL is a league steeped in legendary figures whose feats of athleticism and tactical brilliance have left an indelible mark on the gridiron. But who truly stands above the rest? Who deserves to be enshrined in the pantheon of the NFL’s greatest players ever?

This article explores a portion of the prestigious NFL Top 100 list, a dynamic ranking compiled by current and former players, coaches, and media experts. We’ll dissect the criteria that separate the elite from the exceptional, exploring factors like dominance on the field, leadership qualities, and lasting impact on the game.

Prepare to embark on a journey through time, encountering iconic quarterbacks who orchestrated game-winning drives, shutdown defenders who haunted opposing offenses, and electrifying running backs who defied expectations. This list encompasses the best of the best, from the gridiron warriors of yesteryear to the modern-day superstars.

So, please sit back, relax, and join us as we delve into Part 1 of the definitive NFL’s Top 100 list: the best players of all time. This exploration promises to ignite debates, rekindle memories of legendary plays, and solidify your understanding of the men who have truly shaped the game we love.

A few years ago, the NFL released a list called the NFL 100. It was a media frenzy and stirred controversy and discussion as only the NFL can. For our list, we will consult the NFL’s choices but also use the power of Stathead Football and its approximate value and fantasy rankings data to provide a top 100 of the NFL’s best players.

It is a complex set of choices to make when making a list of the top 100 when there are so many qualified players deserving of the honor. Let’s do it by position groups and in multiple posts, and when we are finished, we will have a nice 100 to chat about.

First up are the big guys in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Offensive Linemen

The big guys in the trenches have always been the workhorses in football. Having contact with another human about your size on every scrimmage play has been described as being in a series of car crashes. In a game where the strongest and best athletes survive, here are some considerations for the NFL Top 100.

Gregg made his hay blocking on the productive Green Bay Packers during the successful Lombardi era.

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The legendary center for the New York Football Giants made a difference during his time in the NFL.

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Who can think of the Oakland Raiders teams of the 1970s and not think of big ole Art Shell hammering holes through defensive lines?

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One of the largest athletes to play the game, and, boy, could Larry Allen block. He was as versatile as they come, lining up at multiple positions on the line for the Cowboys.

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“Concrete Charlie” was a bruising NFL legend. A two-way terror for the Eagles, he played offense as a center and defense as a linebacker – a rarity in his era. Renowned for his bone-crushing tackles and fierce determination, Bednarik helped the Eagles win two NFL championships. He’s still considered one of the toughest and most versatile players in football history.

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This NFL Hall of Famer dominated as an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens his entire career. An 11-time Pro Bowler, he helped pave the way for running backs and was a big piece of the Ravens’ Super Bowl XXXV title.

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Otto, a Hall of Fame center, anchored the Oakland Raiders offensive line for 15 seasons. Renowned for his toughness and durability, he earned All-League honors every year he was in the AFL and appeared in Super Bowl II.

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This legendary offensive tackle dominated the NFL for 13 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Renowned for his agility and strength, he earned numerous accolades, including enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and is considered by some to be the greatest offensive tackle.

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Hannah was a force to be reckoned with. This Pro Football Hall of Fame guard, playing entirely for the Patriots, dominated for 13 seasons.  He anchored an offensive line that set rushing records and earned him All-Pro honors for 10 straight years.

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Jim Parker, a dominant offensive lineman for the Baltimore Colts (1957-1967), paved the way for QB Johnny Unitas’ success. An All-Pro nine times, he earned enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 for his exceptional pass protection skills.

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Matthews was an ironman offensive lineman who played a record 19 seasons for the Houston/Tennessee franchise. Renowned for his versatility, he mastered every position on the line, earning 14 Pro Bowls and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Upshaw was a dominant offensive guard who anchored the Oakland Raiders for 15 years, winning two Super Bowls. He later became the NFL Players Association’s executive director, helping players and adding to his legacy of excellence.

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The Hall of Fame center anchored the Steelers’ offensive line during their Super Bowl dynasty of the 70s. Renowned for his toughness and leadership, “Iron Mike” battled the best that the NFL had to offer and generally won.

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Defensive Line

Let’s now flip over to the other side of the ball and display the main antagonists of the O-linemen we just unveiled … the defensive line.

“The Minister of Defense” was a dominant defensive end known for his relentless sacks and religious devotion. He terrorized quarterbacks for 15 seasons: first with the Eagles, amassing a league-leading sack record (since broken), and later a Super Bowl XXXI title with the Green Bay Packers. This two-time DPOY finished his career with Carolina in 2000.

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Jones, a feared defensive end, terrorized quarterbacks in the 60s and 70s. Nicknamed “The Deacon,” he dominated with speed, power, and his signature head slap move (later outlawed). A Hall of Famer, he’s considered one of the NFL’s greatest pass rushers with an unofficial estimate of over 173 QB sacks.

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Bruce Smith, a terror for quarterbacks, holds the NFL record for career sacks with 200. He spent most of his legendary career with the Buffalo Bills, anchoring their defense during their Super Bowl runs in the early 90s.

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Gino Marchetti, a terror for quarterbacks, was a Hall of Fame defensive end for the Baltimore Colts. He dominated the 1950s and 1960s with his relentless pass rush.

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Michael Strahan, a Hall of Fame defensive end, made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks for the NY Giants for 15 seasons. He held the record for most sacks in a single season (22.5) until it was broken in 2025 and was a key part of their Super Bowl XLII victory.

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Willie Davis, a Hall of Fame defensive end formerly of the Green Bay Packers, was a nemesis for opposing quarterbacks. He anchored their championship runs in the 1960s under Lombardi, racking up sacks and fumble recoveries with his relentless pursuit.

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This fearsome defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the trenches in the 70s. Known for his relentless pass rush and punishing tackles, he helped put the young Bucs on the map and earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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“Mean Joe,” the Hall of Fame defensive tackle, anchored the Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense in the 1970s. He was known for his fierce play and leadership, and many consider him the key cog that helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls.

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Aptly called “Mr. Cowboy,” Bob Lilly was a defensive tackle who anchored the Dallas Cowboys’ famed “Doomsday Defense.” A first-ballot Hall of Famer, his durability and dominance helped the Cowboys win their first Super Bowl title.

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Olsen, a rock-solid defensive tackle, anchored the legendary “Fearsome Foursome” of the LA Rams for 15 seasons. A 14-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer, he later became a popular broadcast color commentator of NFL games.

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Alan Page, a powerhouse defensive tackle, defied expectations as a key to the “Purple People Eaters.” The first defensive MVP in 1971, he anchored the Minnesota Vikings defense for over a decade, reaching four Super Bowls and earning Hall of Fame glory.

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White was a menace for opposing quarterbacks. A Hall of Fame defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, White anchored their “Doomsday Defense” for 14 seasons, racking up sacks and tackles while rarely missing a game.

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Conclusion

There you have it … the offensive and defensive lineman in our top 100 of the greatest NFL players of all time. Look back soon for the next part of this series which will cover the other position groups and fill out the top 100 list.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 at 5:02 pm and is filed under Top Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.