{"id":428,"date":"2024-04-19T17:13:35","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T21:13:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=428"},"modified":"2026-01-13T16:24:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T20:24:43","slug":"12-best-right-tackles-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2024\/04\/12-best-right-tackles-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Top NFL Right Tackles of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on January 13, 2026)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the gladiator arena of the NFL, the quarterback reigns supreme. But without his loyal guardian on the right side, his reign can be short-lived. Enter the offensive right tackle, a stalwart warrior tasked with a protecting the quarterback and creating running lanes. These titans of the offensive line excel in the trenches, wielding their strength, technique, and unwavering focus to neutralize some of the league’s most ferocious pass rushers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we embark on a journey through gridiron history, unveiling the legendary right tackles who kept quarterbacks upright and paved the way for offensive dominance.  From the immovable mountains who anchored rushing attacks to the nimble technicians who neutralized elite speed rushers, get ready to be introduced to the pantheon of the NFL’s most dominant right tackles.  Who will claim the top spot?  Let the debate begin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to Recognize the Best Right Tackles in the NFL<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The statistics and measurables for right tackles in the league are few and far between. After all, what these men in the trenches do goes almost unnoticed unless they do something wrong or blow an assignment. It is often a thankless job, but as the NFL has progressed over the years, the accolades for offensive linemen, in general, have given us some tangible metrics to see the success of the offensive tackle and the men who have staffed the position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help us along the way, we will look at Pro Bowl selections, All-Pro counts, Hall of Fame inductions, games started, and years played in the NFL at the position as tangible evidence of these right tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hall of Fame<\/strong> Right Tackles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What higher honor can a professional football player have as a reward for their hard work and dedication to the sport than to be enshrined in Canton? This honor is bestowed to an elite few, especially when offensive linemen like right tackles are concerned. Here are the elite tackles to the right of the center who have a bronze bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tForrest Gregg<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Alvis Forrest Gregg\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

6-4<\/span>, 249lb<\/span> (193cm, 112kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tOctober 18<\/a>, 1933\n \n \n in Birthright, TX<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n April 12<\/a>, 2019 (Aged 85-176d)<\/span>\n <\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tSMU<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 96 (190th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tSulphur Springs<\/a> (TX<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Green Bay Packers<\/a> in the 2nd round (20th overall) of the 1956 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n\t\tPlayer in 1977<\/a>\n(Full List<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Coach<\/strong>: 11 Yrs\n\t\n\t(Full Record<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Exec<\/strong>: 3 Yrs\n\t(Full Record<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

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