Top 25 hardest hitters in NFL history

Detroit Lions player Barry Sanders (L) is tackled by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender John Lynch (R) after a short pass reception in the first quarter of their game 07 September at the Silverdome in Pontiac, MI. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL / AFP) (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 27: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers eyes quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions before a play during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

21. Patrick Willis

It’s a shame that Patrick Willis’ career only lasted eight seasons because he was fantastic from start to finish and had so much more to give.

The former 11th overall pick out of Ole Miss was an instant star in the NFL. He was named All-Pro as a rookie, which is a near impossible feat, especially on the defensive side of the ball. He led the league in tackles that season with 174, making his mark as one of the game’s toughest defenders, and hardest hitters, right away.

Willis once again led the NFL in tackles in 2009 and was named All-Pro for the second time. This began a streak of four straight seasons in which the 49ers star linebacker would be an All-Pro selection.

In terms of linebackers of his era, there weren’t any that were better than Willis. He was a Pro Bowler in seven of his eight seasons and a five-time All-Pro. He was one of the biggest reasons that the 49ers made it to consecutive NFC Championship Games and came within fingertips of winning the whole thing in 2012. Willis is someone who will likely get a gold jacket sooner or later. He is the hardest-hitting linebacker of his era, and one of the best 49ers defenders of all time.

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