Attempting to select the greatest NFL player of all time is like trying to identify the greatest cheeseburger of all time. There are so many contenders and so many different characteristics that it’s impossible to pick an absolute winner. Plus, each era owns its own legacy. Ask a fan who watched the NFL in the 1950s, and they might give a completely different opinion of what makes a great football player than someone who started watching football in the 2020s.
One can, however, possibly create a list of perhaps the greatest of the greats. That is what we’re crazy enough to tackle here at Pro Football Reference.
The NFL released its top 100 NFL players of all time for its 100th anniversary by position. I will use a similar template, listing some of the best NFL players of all time by position. There is no way to be completely comprehensive here, but I do believe this is a solid list to enjoy and discuss.
The 2022 NFL season gave fans one of the most spectacular varieties of a season where offenses found schemes to put points on the scoreboard. The talent at the quarterback position and the varied skillsets of the signal-caller talent is at an unprecedented level. Below are the top 10 NFL quarterbacks in 2022. Their stats from the Pro-Football-Reference database will support the selections, so be prepared to have your jaw drop a few times. We dialed in the Stathead football settings to look at QBs with a minimum of 250 snaps. We will pull the best NFL quarterbacks during the 2022 season in various statistical categories to help. To make it as fair of a comparison as possible, only the 2022 regular season numbers will be considered.
The 2022 National Football League season has recently come to a close, allowing us to reflect on the season that passed.Who was the best? The NFL’s top linebackers this past year will be looked at in this post using their 2022 statistics. We will look at four segments of the game that an LB can be measured with and the top performers in each using the vast resources of Stathead and Pro-Football-Reference. Our pool of players will be all backers; inside, outside, strong, weak, Edges, the Mikes, and the Wills. Only the regular season stats will be used in this study to keep things on a level playing field.
This Jacksonville Jaguars inside backer had a breakout year in his first season with the Jags after four solid seasons in Atlanta. 2022 was the second year in a row that Oluokun led the League in total combined tackles. His eye-popping 182 this past year, including a dozen that created a loss of yardage for his opponents, is a testament to Foyesade’s nose for the ball carrier.
This second-year player was a solid piece for the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs defense. Bolton took part in 180 tackles and dumped 9 of his victims behind the line of scrimmage. He also had a highlight reel moment on an 86-yard scoop and score fumble recovery during the season.
The Tackle for Loss Linebacker Leaders in 2022
Another way to gauge a linebacker’s effectiveness is how well they are penetrating into the offensive backfilled and taking down quarterbacks and runners for loss of yardage. A great stat to look at for this is the tackle-for-loss numbers. In 2022 here are the leaders at linebacker in the NFL:
This Carolina Panther defender wreaked havoc on opponents with 19 tackles for loss in 2022, including seven sacks. Luvu, in just his fifth year, had more takedowns behind the line this past season than his first four years in the NFL combined. Talk about a breakout performance! With numbers like these and consistent work, one becomes one of the top linebackers in the NFL.
In his first season with the Minnesota Vikings, after stops in Green Bay and Baltimore, Za’Darius spent a lot of time in the backfield of his opponents. He went back to his more natural position of Outside Linebacker from the Defensive End position that Green Bay had used in 2021 and it paid dividends for the player. 10.0 sacks and 15 Tackles for Loss make a strong case for Mr. Smith.
The Sack-Master Backers in ‘22
The statistic that may get the most attention for those in the linebacker position may be the number of times they get to the QB. These feats stand out and make us take notice of their rise as a top 10 linebacker in the NFL. Here were the leading LBs in the 2022 NFL season in sacks.
This third-year Pittsburgh Steeler defender registered 14-½ sacks and 12 tackles-for-loss, hitting the QB 20 times. The significant part of this is that his bookend on the other side of the Steelers D-line, T.J. Watt, was hampered via injury for half the season, so in those games, the protection was shifted Highsmith’s way, and he still got home!
Haason appeared to be shot out of a cannon on occasion when the ball was snapped with how well he moved through offensive tackles and Tight Ends to get to the passer. The Eagles had a great season, and their upfront pressure, which included Reddick, was a major factor in their defensive success. His 16.0 sacks led all linebackers for the season.
The New England Patriot Outside Linebacker fits Coach Bill Belichick’s scheme well. 15-½ sacks and 60 combined tackles made opposing Offensive Coordinators and Quarterbacks lose some sleep. If Matt Judon can continue double-digit sack years in New England, he may be heading to becoming one of the top NFL linebackers of all time.
Pass Defense LB Leaders
It is of great value to Defensive Coordinators to have linebackers that can stay on the field in passing sub-packages. It is hugely advantageous if you have a backer with the footwork and skillset to cover Tight Ends and Running Backs. Let’s look at some LBs that could get out in space to cover.
The Buffalo Bills man in the middle was exceptional near the line and could cover a potential receiver too. In 2022 Milano recorded 11 passes defended, including three interceptions—tremendous metrics for a guy in the front 7. His production speaks for itself.
Another Jacksonville linebacker is making the grade in 2022. Lloyd had three picked-off passes himself, with eight total passes defended. And guess what he was in his first year of playing NFL football, and the Jag’s defense was in its first season under a new defensive scheme and coaching. This is one young man to keep an eye on.
Roquan was a beast in 2022 on two teams in two different systems and still showed enough athleticism to have three interceptions on the season. Mr. Smith always seems to be where the ball is, which his recorded stats show. He also tallied 103 solo tackles and six passes defended. He plays like a guy with hair on fire, and his metric numbers pop.
There you have it, ten talented linebackers in the NFL from 2022. As we mentioned earlier, some of the superstars in the position, like Watt and Von Miller, had the injury bug during the season, restricting their overall performance numbers. It will be interesting to see what happens next season as these guys get healthy, the names on the list get better with experience, and a whole new flood of talented linebackers enter the NFL fray through the Draft. We could see some more record-shattering seasons for linebackers on the horizon.
FAQs
Who are the top NFL linebackers?
It is a loaded question depending on what criteria you set for the metric of determining the list. You could take any number of these players mentioned, like Milano, Judon, Oluokun, or Smith, and be right on the money. You can also pick men who were not at the top of the statistics this past year and have a valid case for the best in the business. Such is the NFL talent pool; these fellas on the 53-man rosters are exceptional athletes with great NFL smarts.
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Answering the question of, “Who is the best NFL running back ever?” is extremely difficult. Statistics tell part of the story, but not the entire story. Some running backs were also great receivers. Other running backs possessed excellent blocking skills on top of their running abilities. Some great running backs in NFL history played fullback, while others played halfback. Fullbacks tend to own more blocking responsibilities than halfbacks.
Jim Brown is a superb choice to start a list of top running backs of all time. Many football historians believe Jim Brown to be the greatest running back ever. While Brown only played nine NFL seasons, he led the league in rushing eight times and retired as the NFL’s all-time rushing leader. He scored 21 touchdowns in his final season of 1965. Jim Brown played fullback and running over defenders was a trademark piece of his game. Naming the greatest running back ever is a virtually impossible task, but based on overall dominance throughout a playing career, Jim Brown would make a respectable choice for that title.
Walter Payton was a rare combination of speed, power, and grace. Although he led the NFL in rushing yards only once during his brilliant career, he belongs near the top of the list of greatest running backs of all time because he retired as the leading rusher in NFL history. Payton still ranks second in that category. He was nicknamed “Sweetness,” and his signature moves included high kicking into the end zone as well as leaping over the pile near the goal line.
Marion Motley’s pro football career started in 1946 in the All-American Conference as a member of the Cleveland Browns. He and teammate Bill Willis helped break football’s color line. Motley also broke through defensive lines throughout his career. His astounding career average of 5.7 yards per carry places him as the top running back of all time in that category. Motley also played linebacker early in his career.
No list of top 10 running backs of all time would be complete with the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith. Smith surpassed Walter Payton’s yardage record and holds the record for most career touchdowns by a running back. Although some wonder if Smith would have set those records without the Cowboys outstanding defensive line, the facts stand. Furthermore, Smith turned in courageous performances. In Week 16 of the 1994 season, he rushed for 168 yards with a separated shoulder against the New York Giants. The win gave Dallas home field advantage throughout the playoffs, a large factor in their road to a second straight Super Bowl victory.
Earl Campbell won a Heisman Trophy at Texas and was the first pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. His four touchdowns and 199 yards rushing against the powerful Miami Dolphins defense on Monday Night Football in 1978 made him a breakout NFL star. Campbell led the NFL in rushing and yards per game in his first three seasons as a pro, and helped guide the Houston Oilers to two straight AFC Championship Games. A bruising back, Campbell’s hits on defense players became legendary. His 19 rushing touchdowns in 1979 tied the NFL record and the 6,457 yards gained in his first four seasons smashed the record previously held by Walter Payton by over 1,000 yards.
Steve Van Buren might not be the most famous name on this list of top running backs of all time, but the Philadelphia Eagles icon dominated his era like few others have. He led the league in rushing yards per game for five consecutive seasons and led the NFL in rushing yards for out of those five years. To top it all off, he scored the most rushing touchdowns in four out of those five seasons, including 15 touchdowns in a ten-game schedule in 1945. Van Buren came through in the big moments as well, scoring the lone touchdown in the 1948 NFL Championship Game to lift the Eagles to their first of back-to-back championships. Although an injury shortened his career, Van Buren retired with the most rushing yards and most rushing touchdowns in history.
You didn’t think we’d leave Barry Sanders off this list, did you? Of course not. Unquestionably one of the best running backs ever, Barry Sanders electrified the NFL during his playing days. The Oklahoma State product led the NFL in rushing four times, including in 1997 when he eclipsed the single-season 2,000 yard plateau. Incredibly, Sanders rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his ten seasons, all for the Detroit Lions. He surprised many when he retired after another stellar season of gaining over 1,400 rushing yards. His career total topped the 15,000 mark and many wonder if he would hold the career rushing record had he not retired in his prime.
Known as “The Kansas Comet,” Gale Sayers was a tremendous offensive threat. He remains one of only a handful of players in NFL history to score six touchdowns in a single game. Sayers performed that feat against the San Francisco 49ers during his rookie season of 1965. He scored four touchdowns in a game earlier that year against the Minnesota Vikings and scored a remarkable 22 touchdowns over that 14-game schedule. Sayers owned a varied skill set which made him so dangerous. He made elusive cuts, had reliable hands for receiving, and also a special teams threat on punt and kickoff returns. His brilliant career was shortened by two devasting knee injuries, but his still remains one of the all-time great running backs in NFL history.
You might remember that Jim Brown led the NFL in rushing for eight of his nine seasons in the league. The player who outrushed Jim Brown for one season was Jim Taylor of the Green Bay Packers. Like Brown, Taylor was a powerful back who crashed through defenders. He scored at least ten touchdowns in five consecutive seasons. His 19 rushing touchdowns in 1962 stood alone as an NFL record until Earl Campbell tied it in 1979. Taylor’s record still stands for the most in a 14-game regular season. The bruising fullback gained over 1,000 yards on the ground in five straight seasons, particularly impressive considering he shared the backfield with Hall of Fame halfback Paul Hornung. While Jim Brown dominated the NFL’s rushing leaderboard with eight rushing titles in nine seasons, Taylor finished second in four of those seasons and first in 1962.
Not even the great Jim Brown could touch a statistic that Baltimore Colts legend Lenny Moore dominated for the first six years of his career. Moore topped all NFL players in yards per touch from scrimmage from his rookie year in 1956 through 1961. Those six consecutive seasons of yards per touch dominance doubled the previous record co-held by receiver Don Hutson and wingback Eddie Caddell. Since Moore’s accomplishment, no NFL player has led the league in that department for more than two straight seasons. Only two running backs, Preston Pearson and Kelvin Bryant were able to repeat as the NFL leader in yards per touch. Moore was an outstanding rusher who averaged over 7 yards per carry for three seasons and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 1964. He also proved to be a sensational receiver, collecting over 900 yards receiving in 1958. He scored receiving touchdowns in each of the Colts’ back-to-back NFL Championship Game victories in 1958 and 1959. Not only that, his tremendous block paved the way for Alan Ameche to score the game-winning touchdown during overtime in the 1958 NFL Championship, often called “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
The term, “greatness” is subjective. These ten men were selected for this list because there can be little debate that their careers clearly rank them amongst the greatest running backs in pro football history. There are others worth mentioning that may not have dominated statistical categories but were exceptional players who impacted the game. Hugh McElhenny, “The King of the Halfbacks” who thrilled crowds with his long runs, might be considered one of the greatest open-field runners. Marcus Allen was another great open-field runner who made history with his famous run in Super Bowl 18. Others, such as Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski, could be considered among the greatest of all-time running backs due to their impact on the history of the game. Players such as Charley Trippi and George Taliaferro could be recognized for their great versatility in an early era of football.
FAQs
Who is the best running back of all time?
If one looks solely at statistics, Emmitt Smith could be considered the best running back of all time. He is the NFL’s career leader in both rushing yards and touchdowns. He also was the featured running back for the Dallas Cowboys when the team won three Super Bowls in four years.
Who is the greatest running back of all time?
Many historians consider Jim Brown to be the greatest running back of all time. He led the NFL in rushing in every season he played, except for one. He led the NFL in touchdowns five times in the nine seasons he played. In any discussion surrounding the greatest running back ever, Brown’s name will undoubtedly be mentioned.
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Who are the best cornerbacks of all time? That is a loaded question and depends on the criteria you measure them by. There have been countless cornerbacks throughout the history of the National Football League that have played the game at such a high level that the results of a big game, the outcome of a season, or even a rule have been changed as a result of their actions. With the 2023 Class, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has enshrined 23 cornerbacks among the legends housed there. This article \will look at the top CBs in several areas to recognize the best at the position.
The quarterback is the most celebrated and scrutinized position in American team sports. Major passing statistics only tell part of the story of a QB. The player under center is also heavily credited or faulted with the wins and losses of his team. Quarterbacks whose teams achieve championships are often given priority in these greatest-ever discussions. This list, however, will largely be determined by their approximate value (AV) – a regular season statistic. Although football stat lines do not capture all the contributions of a player the way they do in baseball and basketball, approximate value is a regular season-only statistic that attempts to attach a single number to every player since 1960. With that considered, here are the 25 best quarterbacks of all time in alphabetical order.
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