Top 30 NFL players of the 1990

Top 30 NFL players of the 1990s

DENVER, UNITED STATES: Denver Brocos running back Terrell Davis (30) makes a 12 yard carry late in the second quarter during game action 24 September, 2000 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. AFP PHOTO/ MARK LEFFINGWELL (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater (27) during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game, a 38-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins on January 9, 1999, at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by William R. Sallaz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

12. Steve Atwater

Ask Christian Okoye how good Steve Atwater was (insert winking emoji here). While the former first round pick out of Arkansas may not have been the biggest guy on the field, but damned if he didn’t hit the hardest. The Smiling Assassin de-cleated a fair number of receivers and running backs in his day, and is widely regarded as one of the hardest hitters in the history of the league.

Atwater made it to eight Pro Bowls in the 1990s, and also made two consecutive first-team All-Pros in 1991 and 1992. While he was known for his devastating hits, Atwater was also an underrated ball hawk playing centerfield. He finished his career with 24 interceptions, including five in 1992. Atwater was a vital member of the Broncos teams at the tail end of the decade that won consecutive Super Bowls.

The legendary safety is one of the greatest Broncos of all time, and easily one of the greatest safeties in the history of the NFL. He is a member of the 1990s All-Decade team and was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

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