Football

The All-Time Best NFL Players At Every Position

Austin Weber 36 min read Oct 6, 2022

Over the years, we've come to know thousands upon thousands of NFL players who have attempted to make their mark on the sport. Some have flown under the radar and had relatively short careers on the field, while others have dominated and ensured no one will ever forget them.

It's the latter that we're interested in; the ones who impacted the NFL for the better and went down in history as some of the sport's biggest stars. Each position has had its share of GOATs, but which ones truly stand out as the greatest NFL players of all time?

Tight end: Rob Gronkowski managed to be two types of tight ends

Position: Tight end
Name: Rob Gronkowski
Team(s): Tampa Bay Buccaneers; New England Patriots
Years of Career: 2010 - 2021
Achievements: Four times First-team All-Pro; 4x Super Bowl champion; NFL Comeback Player of the Year; Most total, career, and receiving touchdowns in one season by a tight end

Compared to many of the NFL's greatest players of all time, Rob Gronkowski is a pretty new addition. He only finished playing in 2022, having devoted himself to the sport for 11 seasons. Much of his time in the NFL was spent with the New England Patriots, although he did play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before officially retiring.

Throughout his time in the NFL, Gronkowski made a name for himself in the tight end position. It's a position that has evolved quite a bit over the years, to the point that you typically get two types of tight ends - blocking and pass-catching. Rob is considered one of the NFL GOATs in this position because he excelled as both.

Rob Gronkowski won four Super Bowls and had a touchdown rate of 64.3%

Of course, it's easy to say that Rob Gronkowski is one of the greatest NFL players of all time, but where's the proof? It's in the stats, of course. Throughout 143 career games, he managed 92 touchdowns. That's a 64.3% success rate without even adding in his postseason accomplishments. No other tight end has reportedly managed that.

You can add to that his five Pro Bowl selections, four All-Pro recognitions, and being named the 2014 AP Comeback Player of the Year. Gronkowski managed 9,286 receiving yards, the 5th most of any tight end, and 64.9 yards per game, the 3rd most. Plus, he won the Super Bowl an incredible four times between 2015 and 2021.

Running back: Walter Payton certainly stood out as a running back

Position: Running back
Name: Walter Payton
Team(s): Chicago Bears
Years of Career: 1975 - 1987
Achievements: NFL Most Valuable Player; Super Bowl champion; Five times First-team All-Pro; NFL Man of the Year; Most consecutive starts by a running back

When it comes to running backs, most people's minds instantly go to Walter Payton. He's a man you don't need to spend much time arguing about his GOAT status, because many agree he's one of the greatest players of all time. He was with the NFL for 13 seasons, spending all of them with the Chicago Bears.

While some might say that Walter wasn't the number one runner or blocker in the NFL, there aren't many who have ever been exceptional at both. Walter impressed in both of these areas, though, and that wasn't all. He was a great leader and a brilliant receiver too, making him quite a threat on the field.

Walter Payton set plenty of records and had quite a monumental year in 1977

Like many GOATs of the NFL, Walter Payton held some impressive records during his sporting career. These were for career rushing yards, touchdowns, and all-purpose yards. He also managed to win a Super Bowl before retiring, doing so in 1986, a year before he left the sport. Payton’s team won out against the New England Patriots.

Along with this win, Payton also had five All-Pro selections, nine Pro Bowl selections, and he was voted the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1977. That same year, he was also named the Offensive Player of the Year and the Man of the Year. He also still holds the record for the most consecutive starts by a running back - 170.

Fullback: Jim Brown managed more in nine seasons than many in their entire NFL careers

Position: Fullback
Name: Jim Brown
Team(s): Cleveland Browns
Years of Career: 1957 - 1965
Achievements: Eight times First-team All-Pro; NFL champion; Three times NFL Most Valuable Player; Pro Football Hall of Fame

When it comes to fullbacks, it's Jim Brown who really stands out as one of the NFL's greatest players of all time. In fact, Sporting News credited him as the greatest professional football player ever in 2002. It's understandable why given all that he achieved during his time with the Cleveland Browns in the ‘50s and ’60s.

While many of the NFL GOATs stuck around for at least a decade, Brown fell slightly short of that with nine seasons on the field. That was enough time for him to crush most major rushing records and prove he wasn't someone to be messed with, though. To this day, some of Brown’s incredible records still remain unbeaten.

Jim Brown set records like it was nothing and created an everlasting legacy

One of Brown's records that is reportedly still intact is his average of 104.3 rushing yards per game. He's apparently the only NFL star to ever average over 100 rushing yards for their career. He actually led the league in rushing yards for all but one of his seasons and succeeded in receiving a Pro Bowl invitation every year.

Other notable accomplishments include being NFL champion in 1964, carrying the ball 2,359 times - a record back then - and scoring 106 touchdowns - also a record. Brown was named the NFL Most Valuable Player on three occasions and achieved eight All-Pro selections. He's repeatedly been added to Anniversary All-Time Teams and was the rushing touchdowns leader in five separate seasons.

Outside linebacker: Jack Ham was a left linebacker that the Pittsburgh Steelers could rely on

Position: Outside linebacker
Name: Jack Ham
Team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers
Years of Career: 1971 - 1982
Achievements: Four times Super Bowl champion; Eight times Pro Bowl; Six times First-team All-Pro; Pro Football Hall of Fame

When it comes to the linebacker position, players typically prioritize one side over the other. If we're talking about NFL GOATs who dominated on the left, we can't help but focus our attention on Jack Ham. He was with the NFL for much of the ‘70s and the start of the '80s, making his mark with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Like many of these NFL GOATs, Ham remained with the same team throughout his professional playing career, and it served him well. He always seemed to be one step ahead of his opposition and was rarely ever off his game. You could almost guarantee that Ham wouldn't drop the ball or miss a tackle because he was just that good.

Jack Ham entered the Hall of Fame after achieving incredible things as a linebacker

Having the skills down to a tee meant that Jack Ham was able to achieve incredible things during his 12 seasons with the Steelers. This included helping his team to victory in the Super Bowl four times in the 1970s. It's perhaps no wonder he received six All-Pro selections during the same period, along with eight Pro Bowl selections.

Jack has been in the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 1988, and for a good reason. He reportedly has more takeaways - 53 - than any other non-defensive back in the NFL, as well as 25 (unofficial) sacks, 21 fumbles recovered, and 32 interceptions. The latter statistic apparently ranks Ham 3rd, just behind fellow linebackers Don Shinnick and Stan White.

Outside linebacker: Lawrence Taylor undeniably made his mark as a right linebacker

Position: Outside linebacker
Name: Lawrence Taylor
Team(s): New York Giants
Years of Career: 1981 - 1993
Achievements: Two times Super Bowl champion; Eight times First-team All-Pro; NFL Most Valuable Player; Pro Football Hall of Fame

While Jack Ham might rank as one of the NFL's greatest players of all time in terms of left linebackers, Lawrence Taylor is up there when it comes to right linebackers. Much like Ham, he had quite a long career in the NFL, playing 13 seasons with the same team from start to finish - the New York Giants.

Taylor might not have the best reputation among the NFL GOATs, given his issues with substance abuse and other criminal behavior. However, when you simply look at what he achieved on the field, there's no denying that he made his mark like no one else in his position. His competition had nothing on “L.T.”

Lawrence Taylor was arguably the defensive player of his generation

It's pretty standard for GOATs in the NFL to have at least one Super Bowl win in their belt, provided this competition was around when they played. Lawrence Taylor certainly achieved this, winning twice in 1987 and 1991. The former came after a celebratory year for Taylor, with the right linebacker being named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1986.

That year also marked his sixth time achieving All-Pro selection, something Taylor managed on eight occasions during his career. When you consider his ten Pro Bowl selections along with that, it's clear he was quite a hot commodity. That makes sense, given Taylor’s 1,089 tackles, 142 sacks, and nine interceptions. The man knew how to play defense.

Offensive tackle and guard: Jim Parker impressed as a left guard after transitioning positions

Position: Offensive tackle, guard
Name: Jim Parker
Team(s): Baltimore Colts
Years of Career: 1957 - 1967
Achievements: Nine times First-team All-Pro; Two times NFL champion; Pro Football Hall of Fame

Linebacker isn't the only NFL position where players tend to specialize in one side. Guard is another one, with Jim Parker easily one of the greatest to make his mark on the left of the field. Of course, it's been a long time since anyone's seen him play, given that his NFL career ended in 1967.

While he might have been out of the game for over half a century, though, that doesn't mean his decade with the Baltimore Colts has been lost to history. Parker actually had the remarkable ability to impress as both a tackle and a guard, with the NFL star transitioning from one to the other in the middle of his career.

Jim Parker entered the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility

No matter what position Jim Parker played in, he managed to wow on the field. Throughout his time with the Colts, he achieved nine All-Pro selections and eight Pro Bowl selections. He was also an NFL champion in 1958 and 1959, with Parker later becoming a regular on the Anniversary All-Time Teams, including the 75th and 100th.

The left guard has been in the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 1973, the first year that he was eligible for admission. That alone tells you just how much of an impact Parker had while he was still playing. Across 135 games, he made a mark that fans continue to cherish now he's no longer around.

Guard, center, offensive tackle, and long snapper: Bruce Matthews played more games in the NFL than most

Position: Guard, center, offensive tackle, and snapper
Name: Bruce Matthews
Team(s): The Tennessee Titans
Years of Career: 1983 - 2007
Achievements: 14 times Pro Bowl; Seven times First-team All-Pro; Most career starts with one team; Pro Football Hall of Fame

It can be hard to sustain an NFL career for much longer than a decade. Injuries and the natural process of aging often stand in the way, although Bruce Matthews had little trouble sticking around for as long as possible. He nearly made it two decades on the field as one of the NFL's greatest players of all time.

Matthews spent his career with the Tennessee Titans - originally known as the Houston Oilers when he joined - and jumped between various positions during his tenure. Due to the longevity of his career, there are only two athletes who have played more NFL games than the 293 he managed. He really was dedicated to the sport.

Bruce Matthews managed to play in every offensive line position during his NFL career

What do the stats have to say about Bruce Matthews being one of the greatest NFL players of all time? For one, he achieved seven All-Pro selections and 14 Pro Bowl selections. Although he never won any Super Bowls, Matthews did make it onto the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. He also sits in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

There are plenty of positions Matthews could have been a contender for here, given that he played every position on the offensive line during his career. Although he was only a right guard in 67 of his nearly 300 games, it's here that Matthews seems to stand out most against the rest of his competition.

Offensive tackle: Anthony Muñoz, as a left tackle, had an unforgettable impact

Position: Offensive tackle
Name: Anthony Muñoz
Team(s): Cincinnati Bengals
Years of Career: 1980 - 1993
Achievements: NFL Man of the Year; 11 times Pro Bowl; Nine times First-team All-Pro; Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tackle is an NFL position that can be both offensive and defensive. Various players have made their marks in both, but when it comes to left tackles, it's hard to imagine anyone other than Anthony Muñoz being the ultimate star. He spent over a decade proving precisely why he's one of the greatest NFL players of all time.

The bulk of that time was with the Cincinnati Bengals in the '80s and early '90s, with an additional brief offseason run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was one of the first additions to the Bengals' Ring of Honor, and no one else has ever quite managed to replicate Muñoz’s success in the position he played.

Anthony Muñoz repeatedly impressed on the field, despite a tendency to get injured

Anthony Muñoz is another of these NFL GOATs who didn't manage to bag a Super Bowl win during his career. However, he was the NFL Man of the Year in 1991, with nine All-Pro and 11 Pro Bowl selections across his 13 seasons. He played 185 games during this time, which was pretty impressive given his history of injuries.

Voted Offensive Lineman of the Year repeatedly by the NFL Players Association and the NFL Alumni Association, he's deservedly considered one of the greatest players in any position. The NFL Network placed Muñoz at number 12 in 2010, the highest ranking for any offensive lineman on the list. No one could play in this position like Muñoz.

Offensive tackle: Forrest Gregg was devoted to the NFL as both a player and a coach

Position: Offensive tackle
Name: Forrest Gregg
Team(s): Dallas Cowboys; Green Bay Packers
Years of Career: 1956 - 1971
Achievements: Three times Super Bowl champion; Nine times Pro Bowl; Seven times First-team All-Pro; Pro Football Hall of Fame

Forrest Gregg is someone whose devotion to the NFL was clear throughout his life. He spent several decades as a coach after he retired from playing professionally, helping teams like the San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers achieve victory. He was a head coach at the last of those, which was fitting given who he'd played for.

The vast majority of Gregg's career on the field was with the Packers, where he spent 15 of his 16 seasons as an offensive tackle. He favored the right side, something that helped earn him a spot as one of the NFL GOATs on every list. Well, the stats speak for themselves in that regard.

Forrest Gregg won three out of the first four Super Bowls in NFL history

When Forrest Gregg began his NFL playing career, the Super Bowl didn't exist. By the time he retired, though, he had three wins under his belt for the first, second, and fourth Super Bowl in NFL history. These went nicely with his five NFL championships, seven All-Pro selections, and nine Pro Bowl selections that also came during his playing career.

Forrest ultimately played in 193 games across 16 seasons, managing eight fumble recoveries during that time. Vince Lombardi, considered by many to be one of the NFL's greatest coaches, allegedly said that Gregg was "the finest player" he'd ever helped on the field. It's no wonder he's arguably the sport's best right tackle and one of the greatest NFL players.

Center: Mike Webster sadly suffered repeated head trauma during his 17 seasons

Position: Center
Name: Mike Webster
Team(s): Kansas City Chiefs; Pittsburgh Steelers
Years of Career: 1974 - 1990
Achievements: Four times Super Bowl champion; Nine times Pro Bowl; Six times First-team All-Pro; Pro Football Hall of Fame

Football can be a dangerous game, and Mike Webster is often used as an example of that. He was the first NFL star diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and his untimely passing has helped to improve player safety in the sport. Thankfully, this isn't all that he's remembered for because he was also one of the NFL's greatest players.

Webster had one of the longest careers in the NFL, playing professionally for an incredible 17 seasons. Most of this was with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Mike moving to the Kansas City Chiefs for his final season in 1989 - ‘90. He played as a center for both teams, with Webster arguably the best to ever take up this position.

Mike Webster managed to stand out on a team with some notable centers

There are plenty of reasons why Mike Webster deserves to be remembered as one of the NFL GOATs, especially as a center. With the Steelers, he won four Super Bowls, managing consecutive wins on two separate occasions. He also achieved All-Pro selection six years in a row between 1978-83, along with 9 Pro Bowl selections.

Webster started in 217 of his 245 NFL games, managing six fumble recoveries during that time. Although the Steelers have had some highly regarded centers throughout the years, it's hard to see any of them quite on the same level as Mike. That's why he was selected for the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams.

Defensive tackle: Joe Greene success as a defensive left tackle helped him long after he stopped playing

Position: Defensive tackle
Name: Joe Greene
Team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers
Years of Career: 1969 - 1981
Achievements: Four times Super Bowl champion; Five times First-team All-Pro; 10 times Pro Bowl; Two times NFL Defensive Player of the Year; Pro Football Hall of Fame

Defensive tackles are just as important to an NFL team as offensive tackles. That's why it's worth highlighting some of the NFL GOATs who also made a name for themselves in these positions. For instance, Joe Greene. He spent 13 seasons playing professional football, and his work for the Steelers earned him an unforgettable reputation.

Often considered a tough player with a heart of gold, he was one of the defensive players who really dominated the NFL in the 1970s. His success on the field helped him to score coaching jobs for several decades after he retired. These involved working with the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, and his former team, the Steelers.

Joe Greene achieved similar success as his Steelers teammate Mike Webster

Joe Greene and Mike Webster were with the Steelers at the same time, so they both share Super Bowl successes. It makes sense that they achieved so many wins together, given they've both earned reputations as NFL GOATs. Greene made one less All-Pro selection than Webster, though. However, he also scored one more Pro Bowl selection than his teammate.

Joe had such an impact as a defensive left tackle that he was twice named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, earning the title in 1972 and 1974. He was also the NFL Man of the Year in 1979. With 181 games - of which Greene started 172 - 77.5 sacks, 16 fumble recoveries, and one interception, it makes sense.

Defensive tackle: Bob Lilly stands out as one of the NFL GOATs for plenty of reasons

Position: Defensive tackle
Name: Bob Lilly
Team(s): Dallas Cowboys
Years of Career: 1961 - 1974
Achievements: Super Bowl champion; 11 times Pro Bowl; Seven times First-team All-Pro; Pro Football Hall of Fame

Another of the NFL GOATs who stuck around far longer than most players is Bob Lilly. He also made his mark as a defensive tackle, typically playing in the right position. He played professionally for 14 seasons, starting in the early '60s and finishing in the mid-'70s. He was with the Dallas Cowboys the entire time.

There are plenty of great reasons why Bob Lilly stands out as one of the greatest NFL players of all time, especially in this position. He never sat out a game, he was a Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor inductee, and he was the first draft pick in the franchise's history. That's just the tip of the iceberg, too.

Bob Lilly was a popular choice in All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections

Bob Lilly only has one Super Bowl win to his name, but as we've seen, that's more than some NFL GOATs out there. It's more than made up for by his 11 Pro Bowl selections and seven All-Pro selections, most of which were consecutive in the mid to late ‘60s. Lilly was evidently a popular choice.

Lilly played 196 games during his 14 seasons, reportedly achieving 18 fumble recoveries and one interception. He was chosen for the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, as well as the 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams. While there are definitely other strong contenders in the defensive right tackle position, Bob definitely earned his spot on this list.

Defensive end: Reggie White was one of the NFL's greatest defensive stars

Position: Defensive end
Name: Reggie White
Team(s): Carolina Panthers; Green Bay Packers; Philadelphia Eagles; Memphis Showboats
Years of Career: 1984 - 2000
Achievements: Super Bowl champion; Eight times First-team All-Pro; 13 times Pro Bowl; Two times NFL Defensive Player of the Year; Pro Football Hall of Fame

When it comes to NFL players we lost too soon, Reggie White is absolutely up there. He was only 43 when he passed away, losing his life just four years after playing his final game for the Carolina Panthers. He wasn't with the team for long, having moved around quite a few teams throughout his career.

White started with the Memphis Showboats before moving onto the Philadelphia Eagles and later the Green Bay Packers. He was seemingly a man in demand, which makes sense as he's often regarded as one of the NFL's greatest defensive players. White’s work as a defensive end, primarily on the left, is still highly regarded all these years later.

Reggie White still holds some of his NFL sacks records today

It was with the Packers that Reggie White won his only Super Bowl title, achieving the win at Super Bowl XXXI. This was sandwiched in between wins for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, which he was awarded in 1987 and 1998. During his career, White also achieved eight All-Pro selections and 13 Pro Bowl selections, a near-perfect run.

Some of Reggie's enduring NFL records include the most consecutive seasons with 10 plus sacks - he managed nine - and the most seasons leading the league in sacks - two. He reportedly had 198 sacks by the time he retired, along with 1,112 tackles, 33 forced fumbles, and two touchdowns. As defensive plays go, White was seemingly an expert.

Defensive end: Bruce Smith managed nearly 20 seasons as one of the NFL's greatest players

Position: Defensive end
Name: Bruce Smith
Team(s): Washington Redskins; Buffalo Bills
Years of Career: 1985 - 2003
Achievements: Eight times First-team All-Pro; 11 times Pro Bowl; Most career sacks; Most seasons with 1 or ten more sacks; Two times NFL Defensive Player of the Year; Pro Football Hall of Fame

When you consider that many NFL players only manage a few years in the game, it's incredible how long someone like Bruce Smith stuck around. He began his professional playing career in 1985, when he made it onto the Buffalo Bills. He stuck with the team for over a decade, eventually parting ways with them in 1999.

This wasn't quite the end of his playing career, though, as Smith joined the Washington Commanders in 2000 and remained with them until 2003. By this point, he'd apparently played 19 seasons and proven he was one of the greatest NFL players of all time. As a defensive right end, it's hard for anyone to compare to Smith.

Bruce Smith is the only man who can challenge Reggie White on sacks accomplishments

The only person in the NFL with more career sacks than Reggie White is Bruce Smith. He managed 200 during his 19 seasons, and this isn't the only record. While White might have the most consecutive seasons with 10 plus sacks, Smith has the most overall seasons - 13. He also has the most seasons with 1 plus at 19.

Other achievements during Smith's career included being named the NFL Defensive Player of the year in 1990 and 1996. He also had eight All-Pro selections and 11 Pro Bowl selections, plus appearances in the 1980s and 1990s NFL All-Decade Teams. He now has a place on the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame and a defensive legacy that's tough to beat.

Middle linebacker: Ray Lewis was devoted to the Baltimore Ravens for almost two decades

Position: Middle linebacker
Name: Ray Lewis
Team(s): Baltimore Ravens
Years of Career: 1996 - 2012
Achievements: Two times Super Bowl champion; Seven times First-team All-Pro; 13 times Pro Bowl;Super Bowl Most Valuable Player; Two times NFL Defensive Player of the Year; Most combined tackles; Most career solo tackles; Most solo tackles in one season; Pro Football Hall of Fame

When it comes to NFL GOATs who played for the Baltimore Ravens, one person who should never be overlooked is Ray Lewis. The Ravens were the only team he played for throughout his professional career, and he did so for a whopping 17 seasons. Lewis was the middle linebacker they couldn't - and didn't want to - get rid of.

Lewis' retirement is still relatively fresh compared to many other GOATs of the NFL. While he might have only been off the field for a decade, though, there's no denying he's one of the greatest NFL players of all time. Not only did he have his defensive strategies down to a tee, but Lewis could also bust a move.

Ray Lewis was proficient at tackling during his time in the NFL

In the decade since his retirement, Ray Lewis has managed to avoid losing some of his incredible NFL records. These include having the most career combined tackles - 2,059 - the most solo career tackles - 1,568 - and the most solo tackles in a season - 156. He was a defensive player who knew how to stop the opposition in their tracks.

Lewis' skills helped him to win two Super Bowls, score seven All-Pro selections, and 13 Pro Bowl selections. He was also named the MVP at Super Bowl XXXV and twice received the accolade for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. We've seen some incredible defensive NFL GOATs, but we're not sure how many could match this middle linebacker.

Wide receiver: Jerry Rice was a player in demand across his 20 seasons in the NFL

Position: Wide receiver
Name: Jerry Rice
Team(s): Seattle Seahawks; Oakland Raiders; San Francisco 49ers
Years of Career: 1985 - 2005
Achievements: Three times Super Bowl champion; 10x First-team All-Pro; 13 times Pro Bowl; Two times NFL Offensive Player of the Year; Most career receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and all-purpose yards; Pro Football Hall of Fame

You can't talk about NFL GOATs and not show some love for Jerry Rice. The man is arguably the best wide receiver the sport has ever seen, and he's easily one of the greatest NFL players of all time. He wouldn't have managed to play professionally for 20 seasons if people didn't think that was the case.

Unlike many GOATs in the NFL, Rice didn't spend his entire career playing for one team. Most of his time in the NFL was spent with the San Francisco 49ers. However, in 2001, he joined the Oakland Raiders, followed by the Seattle Seahawks in 2004, and finally, the Denver Broncos in 2005. Rice was incredibly in demand.

Jerry Rice had one accomplishment after another during his playing career

What didn't Jerry Rice achieve during his NFL career? Super Bowl wins? He had three of them. All-Pro selections? Ten of them. Pro Bowl? 13. He was also twice named NFL Offensive Player of the Year and MVP at the Super Bowl XXIII. The man could seemingly catch like no one else, and he proved that repeatedly with these accomplishments.

Rice made sure to leave behind quite a legacy when he retired in 2005. He still holds many NFL records today, such as most career receptions - 1,549 - most career receiving yards - 22,895 - and most career receiving touchdowns - 197. You don't get many players like Jerry Rice, even when it comes to NFL GOATs.

Running back, return specialist, wide receiver: Cordarrelle Patterson is already one of the greatest NFL players

Position: Running back, return specialist, wide receiver
Name: Cordarrelle Patterson
Team(s): Atlanta Falcons; Chicago Bears; New England Patriots; Oakland Raiders; Minnesota Vikings
Years of Career: 2013 - present
Achievements: Super Bowl champion; Four times Pro Bowl; Four times First-team All-Pro; Tied for most career kickoff return touchdowns

The NFL has been going for over a century. So, when it comes to choosing all-time NFL GOATs at every position, you tend to get people who are retired but whose legacy still stands today. That's not always the case, though, as evidenced by Cordarrelle Patterson, who is arguably one of the greatest NFL players ever yet still playing.

His professional career only began in 2013 when he joined the Minnesota Vikings, but this versatile star has proven he's up there with the other NFL GOATs. In particular, he stands out as a kickoff returner. While he might not have tons of competition in this position, Patterson's not here by default; his stats speak for themselves.

Cordarrelle Patterson has achieved incredible things already, with the potential for more

Within his first year of playing professionally, Cordarrelle Patterson was already setting records. He did so during a game against the Green Bay Packers, where he set the record for the longest kick return at 109 yards. It's almost impossible for anyone else to beat that. During that game, he also tied the NFL record for longest play.

As of October 2022, Patterson has 272 receptions, 2,663 receiving yards, 1,975 rushing yards, 7,588 return yards, and 40 total touchdowns. He's also won one Super Bowl and made four All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl selections. We don't know how long he's got left, but we don't think Patterson is done making his mark yet.

Placekicker: Adam Vinatieri stuck around for 24 seasons because he was a phenomenal kicker

Position: Placekicker
Name: Adam Vinatieri
Team(s): Indianapolis Colts; New England Patriots; Amsterdam Admirals
Years of Career: 1996 - 2019
Achievements: Four times Super Bowl champion; Three times Pro Bowl; Three times First-team All-Pro; Most seasons with 100 plus points; Most career field goals made

We expect many players join the NFL hoping to have a career like Adam Vinatieri's. After all, he began playing for the New England Patriots in 1996 and didn't return until just last year. Few athletes make it to two dozen seasons in the NFL, but Vinatieri was something special. It wasn't just good health and athleticism either.

Adam wouldn't have managed his tenures with the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts if he wasn't a superstar on the field. Throughout his career, he was hailed as one of the best kickers in the game, which is why he's here amongst the NFL GOATs. There's no placekicker in NFL's history who can quite match his talent and achievements.

Adam Vinatieri scored more points than anyone else in the NFL

First and foremost, we can't talk about Adam Vinatieri's accomplishments without mentioning the fact that he's the NFL's all-time leading scorer. With 2,673 points, he has his closest competition beat by over 100 points. Some of his other NFL records include most consecutive field goals - 44 - most career field goals - 599 - and most seasons with 100 plus points - 21.

Adam was in the NFL for so long that he managed to win four Super Bowls, achieving all of them in the 2000s. It's no wonder he was selected for the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and later the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Although he only had three All-Pro and three Pro Bowl selections, Vinatieri’s other achievements prove why he's here.

Cornerback: Richard "Night Train" Lane was setting records from his first year in the NFL

Position: Cornerback
Name: Richard Lane
Team(s): Detroit Lions; Chicago Cardinals; Los Angeles Rams
Years of Career: 1952 - 1965
Achievements: Seven times Pro Bowl; Seven times First-team All-Pro; Two times NFL interceptions leader; Most interceptions in a season; Pro Football Hall of Fame

One of the earlier NFL GOATs on the list to make his mark was Richard Lane, or "Night Train" Lane, as people often called him. He started playing all the way back in the '50s, joining the Los Angeles Rams in 1952. Lane only stayed with the team for a year before moving to the Chicago Cardinals until 1959.

Richard finished his NFL career with the Detroit Lions, ultimately retiring in 1965 after 14 seasons. As a left cornerback, he absolutely made his mark, doing so as early as when he was a rookie. In his first year, Lane set the record for most interceptions in a season - 14 - which no one has beaten in 70 years.

Richard Lane achieved great things, like some of the highest interceptions in NFL history

Holding a record for that long alone makes Richard "Night Train" Lane one of the greatest NFL players of all time. Of course, to be considered the best left cornerback the sport has ever seen, he has to offer more than just that. Luckily, this was just the start of his achievements during his 14 seasons.

Seven All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections, 68 total interceptions - fourth highest in NFL history - and 1,207 interception return yards also mark him as one of the NFL GOATs. The man was a ferocious tackler who wasn't afraid to get creative on the field. Lane was deservedly inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

Cornerback: Deion Sanders juggled the NFL and MLB to great success

Position: Cornerback
Name: Deion Sanders
Team(s): Baltimore Ravens; Washington Redskins; Dallas Cowboys; San Francisco 49ers; Atlanta Falcons
Years of Career: 1989 - 2005
Achievements: Two times Super Bowl champion; Six times First-team All-Pro; Eight times Pro Bowl; Pro Football Hall of Fame; NFL Defensive Player of the Year

While Richard "Night Train" Lane made his mark as a cornerback, there are other NFL GOATs who were just as impressive. Someone who stood out on the right is Deion Sanders, who wasn't even born until after Lane retired. He joined the NFL in 1989 with the Atlanta Falcons and remained in the game for 14 seasons.

The 49ers, the Cowboys, the Commanders, and the Ravens were the other teams that Sanders played for during his career. While he was playing for most of these teams, he was also making his name in Major League Baseball as an outfielder. The man even once suited up for both sports on the same day in 1992.

Deion Sanders achieved incredible things in the NFL, despite other commitments

Despite playing both MLB and NFL, Deion Sanders still managed to establish himself as potentially the greatest right cornerback in the latter. He won two Super Bowls, one right after the other, and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1994. During his career, Deion also managed six All-Pro and eight Pro Bowl selections.

Some of his impressive stats as one of the greatest NFL players of all time include 54 interceptions, 1,331 interception yards, 60 receptions, and 22 total touchdowns. Since 2011, he's been in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, an accomplishment he wasn't eligible for until that year. It's no wonder Sanders made it onto the list.

Safety and return specialist: Jack Christiansen wasn't in the NFL for long but still made a major impression

Position: Safety and return specialist
Name: Jack Christiansen
Team(s): Detroit Lions
Years of Career: 1951 - 1958
Achievements: Three times NFL champion; Five times Pro Bowl; Six times First-team All-Pro; Pro Football Hall of Fame

Some athletes are able to become NFL GOATs even when they don't stick around as long as the others. Jack Christiansen managed it, and he only played professionally for eight seasons. He joined the Detroit Lions in 1951 and retired seven years later, ultimately dedicating more time to coaching NFL players than actually being one himself.

Evidently, though, he didn't see the need to outstay his welcome, achieving more in those eight seasons than some other athletes do in double the time. While there wasn't a strong safety position when he was with the Detroit Lions, what Christiansen did on the field was seemingly the equivalent and better than his contemporaries.

Jack Christiansen managed plenty of records in a short space of time

Despite a relatively short career, Jack Christiansen had many highlights that prove why he's one of the NFL's greatest players. In three of his eight seasons he helped the Lions to become NFL champions, succeeding in 1952, 1953, and 1957. Christiansen also managed six All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl selections, which was impressive given his short tenure.

Christiansen reportedly achieved 46 interceptions on the field, as well as 717 interception yards and three touchdowns. He repeatedly led the NFL in interceptions and punt returns for touchdowns during his career, holding a record in the latter until 1989. Although he was eventually overtaken, Christiansen’s record is still the fourth-best in the NFL all these years later.

Cornerback and safety: Ronnie Lott stood out as a free safety, despite some concerning injuries

Position: Cornerback and safety
Name: Ronnie Lott
Team(s): Kansas City Chiefs; New York Jets; Los Angeles Raiders; San Francisco 49ers
Years of Career: 1981 - 1995
Achievements: Four times Super Bowl champion; 10 times Pro Bowl; Eight times First-team All-Pro; Pro Football Hall of Fame

There are two safety positions in the NFL - strong and free. If Jack Christiansen is arguably the best in the former, Ronnie Lott is an excellent contender for the latter. Unlike Christiansen, Lott was around for quite a while, dedicating himself to the NFL for 14 years. Although he played for various teams, Lott started and finished with the 49ers.

Lott suffered some unfortunate injuries while in the NFL, including having part of his pinky finger amputated after it was crushed in a tackle in 1985. Despite those occasional struggles, though, Ronnie made his mark as both a cornerback and a safety. He impressed as the latter for being able to hit, cover ground, and lead exceptionally well.

Ronnie Lott never let injuries stand in the way of some amazing achievements

For a man who sometimes struggled with injuries during his playing career, Ronnie Lott did an excellent job of accomplishing things in the NFL. He finished his time on the field with four Super Bowl wins and eight All-Pro selections, two shy of his Pro Bowl selections. It's perhaps no surprise Lott was entered into the 49ers Hall of Fame.

Lott apparently managed 1,146 tackles, 63 interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, and five touchdowns throughout his career. In 1986, he managed a career-best of 10 interceptions for the season, resulting in him leading the season, despite missing several games because of an injury. It's clear to see why he was named the NFL interceptions leader twice over the years.

Quarterback: Otto Graham helped reach ten consecutive championship games

Position: Quarterback
Name: Otto Graham
Team(s): Cleveland Browns
Years of Career: 1946 - 1955
Achievements: Three times NFL champion; Four times First-team All-Pro; Five times Pro Bowl; 3x NFL Most Valuable Player; Pro Football Hall of Fame

The quarterback is perhaps the most notable position in the NFL. So, when it comes to GOATs of the NFL, it can be hard to get everyone to agree on who's number one. Many nowadays would put forward Tom Brady, but it's hard to overlook the accomplishments of Otto Graham, whose NFL career was in the '50s and '60s.

From 1946 to 1955, Graham devoted himself to the Cleveland Browns, and they were lucky to have him. Every year that Otto was on the team, they made it to the league championship games. They went on to win seven of those ten games, with Graham's position as quarterback meaning he played a pivotal role in each of those successes.

Otto Graham still has some notable NFL records after all this time

With quarterbacks being such prominent players in the game, many will look to the stats to separate the various NFL GOATs apart. Some of Otto Graham's most notable stats include the fact that he reportedly won 81% of his games across his decade in the sport. Graham was also a league leader in each major statistical category during his career.

After all these years, Otto still holds some notable records, including career average yards gained per pass attempt - 8.63 - and the highest career winning percentage for a starting quarterback - 0.810. Graham was also a three-time NFL champion, three-time NFL MVP, and had five Pro Bowl and four All-Pro selections. He truly was one of the NFL GOATs.

Quarterback, punter, and safety: Sammy Baugh impressed in several NFL positions, but most notably as a punter

Position: Quarterback, punter, and safety
Name: Sammy Baugh
Team(s): Washington Redskins
Years of Career: 1937 - 1952
Achievements: Two times NFL champion; 6x Pro Bowl; Four times First-team All-Pro; Highest average punting yards in a season; Pro Football Hall of Fame

There aren't as many people around nowadays who were there during Sammy Baugh's NFL career as there are most of these other NFL GOATs. After all, his professional career began in 1937 for the Washington Commanders. Whether people were around to see it or not, though, that doesn't change the fact he was one of the best NFL players ever.

Baugh's most notable position during his career was quarterback, one that's full of tough competition if you want to be the very best. He also spent time as a safety and a punter, though, with the latter being where he faces the least opposition. After all, Baugh’s 51.4 yards per punt in 1940 remains unchallenged to this day.

Sammy Baugh demonstrated versatility and punting prowess throughout his career

Sammy Baugh finished his career with a lot to be proud of. During several seasons, he led the leagues in various statistics, including completions, attempts, and yards. He established himself as a highly versatile player, being as good at passing as he was punting and playing defensively. Baugh ultimately led the league in yards per punt five times.

Baugh didn't get to compete in any Super Bowls, but he was the NFL champion in 1937 and 1942. He scored four All-Pro selections and six Pro Bowl selections, plus appearances in the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. By his retirement, Baugh had made 338 punts, covered 21,886 yards, and managed 31 interceptions, proving his sporting prowess.

Wide receiver and return specialist: Devin Hester proved he was a return specialist with his Super Bowl achievement

Position: Wide receiver and return specialist
Name: Devin Hester
Team(s): Seattle Seahawks; Baltimore Ravens; Atlanta Falcons; Chicago Bears
Years of Career: 2006 - 2016
Achievements: Three times First-team All-Pro; Four times Pro Bowl

Devin Hester is a name that many NFL fans should be familiar with. He only finished playing in 2016, rounding out his 11-season career with the Seattle Seahawks. He'd previously played for the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons, but Hester was best known for his time with the Chicago Bears. It was here he had his start in 2006.

Although he also played as a wide receiver, many praise Hester for his efforts as a return specialist. Few would probably argue that anyone else in the NFL has played this position better than him. For one thing, no one other than Devin has ever managed to return the opening kick of a Super Bowl back for a touchdown.

Devin Hester broke records and earned his spot on various dream teams

While Devin Hester might not have won that Super Bowl, that accomplishment was enough to establish him in NFL history. It's not the only record he still holds, either. Devin also achieved 20 return touchdowns and 14 punt return touchdowns in his career, more than anyone else. Meanwhile, his total return yards were 11,028 and his total receptions 255.

Although he didn't win any Super Bowls, Hester did achieve three All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl selections. These likely helped him get picked for the NFL 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Teams, as well as the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Hester now has a spot on the list of 100 Greatest Chicago Bears of All-Time, and rightfully so.

End: Don Huston had a major impact on the NFL during his decade in the sport

Position: End
Name: Don Hutson
Team(s): Green Bay Packers
Years of Career: 1935 - 1945
Achievements: Eight times First-team All-Pro; 3x NFL champion; Two times NFL Most Valuable Player; Four times NFL All-Star; Most seasons leading league in points and touchdowns

The NFL has been around since the 1920s, so it stands to reason that some of the NFL GOATs won't have played for a long time. Don Hutson is a good example of that. Argued by many as the best end the sport has ever seen, his playing career finished in the 1940s. It wasn't a short career, though.

Hutson devoted a decade of his life to the sport, playing for the Green Bay Packers throughout his time in the NFL. He had a significant impact on the game, with plenty crediting him for creating many of the pass routes utilized in the NFL today. Even though he's not been around for years, Hutson’s accomplishments are still pretty unchallenged.

Don Hutson managed a heap of NFL records before retiring from the game

So, how do the stats back Don Huston up as one of the greatest NFL players of all time? Well, the end managed 488 passes for 7,991 yards, along with 99 touchdowns. When he eventually retired, he held numerous records, such as those for career yards, receptions, and touchdowns. Hutson left his competitors at the time in the dust.

Hutson was also selected for eight All-Pro selections and four Pro Bro Bowl selections. Plus, he was an NFL champion on three different occasions. The Super Bowl wasn't around back then, so he never got to play one. However, given all that he achieved with the Green Bay Packers, we imagine they’d probably have won one or two with Hutson.

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