{"id":388,"date":"2024-02-26T17:45:28","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T21:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=388"},"modified":"2026-01-12T13:53:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T17:53:25","slug":"10-best-defensive-ends-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2024\/02\/10-best-defensive-ends-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Top NFL Defensive Ends of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on January 12, 2026)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensive end is one of the most difficult and demanding positions to play in football. It’s the most important player on an NFL defense against tight ends and tackles. For this reason, they need an exceptional combination of size, strength and athleticism to be able to rush the passer, jam tight ends and drop back in coverage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the greatest defensive players in NFL history have played defensive end. Who are the very best NFL defensive ends to ever play? Here are 10 all-time greats using stats from Pro Football Reference. Who is your top NFL defensive end? <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tReggie White<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Reginald Howard White\n  (The Minister of Defense or Big Dawg<\/span>)\n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: DE-DT\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-5<\/span>, 291lb<\/span> (196cm, 131kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tDecember 19<\/a>, 1961\n \n \n in Chattanooga, TN<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span\"><\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n December 26<\/a>, 2004 (Aged 43-007d)<\/nobr><\/span>\n \n in Huntersville, NC<\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tTennessee<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 160 (5th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tHoward<\/a> (TN<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n\t\tPlayer in 2006<\/a>\n(Full List<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Relatives<\/strong>: Cousin Chris Matthews<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n