A new era of NFL football is emerging, with young talent reshaping rosters. As legendary players like Tom Brady, Aaron Donald, Mike Evans, and Dak Prescott retire or surpass the 10-year milestone, a fresh wave of future Hall of Famers is making its mark.
One of the most debated topics among sports fans is determining the greatest players of all time. While this conversation is ever-changing, we can analyze the best players within specific periods.
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Rankings can be based on a single game, a decade, or even the unique ruleset of an era. For this list, Jon Macri of PFF has compiled selections for the best defensive players at every position since 2000. Among the standout names are a few Texas A&M Aggie football players, further solidifying the program’s legacy in producing elite talent.
All-PFF Defensive Team 2000s
Aaron Donald – Interior Defender
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Team: St. Louis Rams / LA Rams
Games Played: 154
Career Stats: Tackles – 543 / TFLs – 176 / QB Hits – 260 / Sacks – 111
Accolades: 10x Pro Bowl / 8x All-Pro / 2014 Defensive RoY/ Defensive PoY / Super Bowl Champ / HOF
JJ Watt – Interior Defender
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 06: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans celebrates the play against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at NRG Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Team: Houston Texans / Arizona Cardinals
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Games Played: 151
Career Stats: Tackles – 586 / TFLs – 195 / QB Hits – 317 / Sacks – 114.5 / Ints – 2
Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl / 5x All-Pro / Defensive PoY / 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year
Von Miller – Edge
Aug 28, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) before the start a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Denver Broncos / LA Rams / Buffalo Bills
Games Played: 186 (still active)
Career Stats: Tackles – 581 / TFLs – 171 / QB Hits – 256 / Sacks – 129.5 / Ints – 2 (still active)
Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl / 3x All-Pro / 2011 Defensive RoY / 2x Super Bowl Champ / Super Bowl 50 MVP (still active)
Myles Garrett – Edge
Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Team: Cleveland Browns
Games Played: 117 (still active)
Career Stats: Tackles – 352 / TFLs – 116 / QB Hits – 200 / Sacks – 102.5 (still active)
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Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl / 4x All-Pro / Defensive PoY (still active)
Patrick Willis – Linebacker
Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) takes the field before the start of playoff game against the Packers at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Packers 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Games Played: 112
Career Stats: Tackles – 950 / TFLs – 60 / QB Hits – 41 / Sacks – 20.5 / Ints – 8
Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl / 5x All-Pro / 2007 Defensive RoY/ HOF
Ray Lewis – Linebacker
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans late in the game during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Adelphia Coliseum Jan. 7, 2001. Titans Vs Ravens In Afc Divisional Playoff Football
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Games Played: 228
Career Stats: Tackles – 2059 / TFLs – 99 / QB Hits – 40 / Sacks – 41.5 / Ints – 31
Accolades: 12x Pro Bowl / 7x All-Pro / Defensive PoY / 2x Super Bowl Champ / Super Bowl MVP / HOF
Richard Sherman – Cornerback
Aug 25, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) participates in pregame warmups against the Kansas City Chiefs at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Seattle Seahawks / San Fransico 49ers / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Games Played: 144
Career Stats: Tackles – 495 / Ints – 37 / Passes Defended – 116
Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl / 3x All-Pro / Super Bowl Champ
Antoine Winfield Sr – Cornerback
INNEAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 24: Antoine Winfield #26 of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the field during the game with the Chicago Bears September on 24, 2006 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Bears won 19-16. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Team: Buffalo Bills / Minnesota Vikings
Games Played: 191
Career Stats: Tackles – 1094 / Ints – 27 / Passes Defended – 117 / Sacks – 7.5
Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl
Darrelle Revis – Cornerback
Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets corner back Darrelle Revis (24) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Team: New York Jets / Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Kansas City Chiefs
Games Played: 145
Career Stats: Tackles – 496 / Ints – 29 / Passes Defended – 139
Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl / 4x All-Pro / Super Bowl Champ / HOF
Troy Polamalu – Safety
Sep 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) drops into pass coverage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Buccaneers won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Pittsburg Steelers
Games Played: 158
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Career Stats: Tackles – 783 / TFLs – 56 / Ints – 32 / Sacks – 12
Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl / 4x All-Pro / Defensive PoY / 2x Super Bowl Champ / HOF
Ed Reed – Safety
Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) walks the sideline during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Baltimore Ravens / Houston Texans / New York Jets
Games Played: 174
Career Stats: Tackles – 646 / TFLs – 34 / Ints – 64 / Passes Defended – 139 / Sacks – 6
Accolades: 9x Pro Bowl / 5x All-Pro / Defensive PoY / Super Bowl Champ / HOF
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football: Two Aggies recognized in PFF’s latest list
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