Top 30 NFL players of the 1900s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1900s

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers passes during pregame warm up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 13, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the 49ers 30-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

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PASADENA – JANUARY 25 : Linebacker Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants looks over to the sideline against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXlI at the Rose Bowl on January 25, 1987 in Pasadena, California. The Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20. (Photo by Nate Fine/Getty Images) /

3. Lawrence Taylor

You can make the argument for someone not named Lawrence Taylor being the greatest defensive player of all time. You’d be wrong, but that’s your right.

Taylor was an instant star in New York, as he put together one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. He had 9.5 sacks and one both the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was also the first player in history to be named an All-Pro at two positions in the same season (inside and outside linebacker).

1986 was Taylor’s best season. He recorded 20.5 sacks and won the league MVP, an incredibly rare feat for a non-quarterback, much less a defensive player. He won his third Defensive Player of the Year award that season, as well, and the Giants defeated the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Taylor is the definition of a once in a lifetime player. His dominance off the edge changed the course of an entire franchise. The eight-time first-team All-Pro selection retired with 132.5 sacks and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 on his first ballot. If there is one player that encapsulates the word “dominance,” it’s Lawrence Taylor.

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