Who will land the top spot in our list of Top 10 Defensive Linemen of All Time ?!?

Another episode in our Top 10 series. This week stary focused on the men in the trenches, but this time on the defensive side of the ball. We are counting down the Top 10 Defensive Linemen of All-Time!
Who will take the top spot? Stay tuned to find out!
How I ranked the linemen:
Review each defensive lineman from the 1970 season up to and including the 2015 season and apply the following calculations:
- Total number of All-Pro selections * 7
- Total number of Pro Bowl appearances * 3
- Total games played * 0.50
- Total sacks * 5
- Total interceptions * 4
Then, rank the linemen based on the total FGV.
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Chapters
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00:00 Intro
00:12 Dataset and Criteria
00:35 FGV explained
00:57 #10
02:44 #9
03:40 #8
04:20 #7
05:02 #6
06:08 #5
06:56 #4
07:52 #3
08:42 #2
09:47 #1
10:36 Wrap up
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Just a guy that enjoys the NFL. Sharing my thoughts, memories and serving up nostalgia on a weekly basis. If you love NFL football, this is the place for you!
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[@studogable]

A list of top ten defensive linemen without Joe Greene is weird.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

He’s on the list, just not in the top 10 (#26)🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching!

[@williamstoesser3633]

@@thefootballguyusa7941That’s laughable. Mean Joe Greene is top 1-3 all time. Take the advice of other commentators, discard your flawed data and come up with something more accurate.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@williamstoesser3633 thanks for the feedback!

[@mattsweeny3957]

Right???

[@marcusanderson933]

These players selected are based on sack totals. No Joe Greene, Bob Lilly, Art Donavan, Randy White, Doug Atkins and Gino Marchetti.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Sacks are definitely taken into consideration and the fact that the game has changed over the last several decades places a higher importance on that stat. Donavan, Atkins and Marchetti all ended their careers before 1970 which was the initial stipulation. It’s not perfect, but it’s my best (1st) attempt at an unbiased list. Thanks for watching!

[@billlawrence1899]

Thank you. Any list that doesn't have Bob Lilly and Merlin Olsen on it is not.a valid list.

[@billlawrence1899]

Then there was Joe Klecko, all pro at 3 different positions ( who else has done that ? ) and rated by the best offensive linemen of his era as the best and strongest they faced.

[@0723martin]

I totally agree with your assessment of the sacks. There are unofficial sacks that could be used. However, interceptions with defensive linemen? Let's use a stat that's more representative of a defensive lineman: fumbles and fumble recoveries. In addition, let's include some players that the Hall of Fame has shunned for various reasons or players within five years to be voted on. Yes, I will be a Homer (and I know three Vikings are on the list already), Jim Marshall, and Aaron Donald. Just some things to think about when making these lists.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@0723martin Thanks for watching and the feedback! I used interceptions only because of a lineman can grab the ball out the air I think that helps change the game. Now fumbled and/or fumble recoveries are something to think about! I’ll definitely take that into consideration in the future!

[@domenicdurante966]

Bob Lilly was easily one of the top 3-4 defensive tackles in NFL history.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching!

[@williamhannonjr3710]

Reggie White is the greatest defensive lineman of all time

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching!

[@patman147]

Best lineman all time, and had a heart of gold.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@patman147 thanks for watching!

[@JA_WILL]

Any man who was past his prime at that time could toss Larry Allen into the air has to be the best.

[@timothywayne3813]

I saw Page play against the Chargers in 1971 on his way to becoming the first defensive lineman to win an MVP. He and Carl Eller were awesome to watch. Just the sound of the hits they made caused the crowd to gasp. Oddly enough, neither one had a sack that day and the Chargers won.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Awesome story! Thanks for watching!

[@JA_WILL]

The great Wrestling Ability of Curley Culp makes him one of the best.

[@johnscritchfield5736]

Alan Page,Deacon Jones ,Reggie white,Richard Dent,Bob Lilly,Merlin Olsen,Dan Hampton,RandyWhite,Leroy Selmon,Julius peppers

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Nice list you have there! I see we have some crossover there! Thanks for watching!

[@johnscritchfield5736]

@@thefootballguyusa7941 absolutely! I somehow forgot Bruce Smith so I’ll replace Randy white with him

[@johnward7564]

Joe greene??? The formula isn't fair to dts

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Joe Greene comes in at #26…only played in 181 games and had 77.5 sacks. I think the way the league has shifted from predominantly a run league to a pass league definitely shifts the focus from DT to DE. Not sure how to use the stats to balance the equation. 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching!

[@mbd501]

@@thefootballguyusa7941 The problem is, you can't measure tying up blockers so that linebackers can make a lot of tackles with a stat. Greene did a lot of that.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@mbd501 I’m with you, still trying to take my formula-based approach.

[@biffmarcum5014]

Terrible list, but then the criteria used is going to generate the list is a flawed list. Unfortunately for a lot of the older players individual statistics generally were not kept for some of the linemen, such as tackles for loss or tackles in general. So, the criteria used is going to favor pass rushers and more modern players. Be that as it may, if Elvin Bethea is NOT on your list, you know you have a problem. The guy was averaging double digits sacks with 2 fewer games a year than most the defensive ends on your list and with quarterbacks generally only throwing about 15-20 passes a game! Bethea gets lost in a lot of discussions because he played for Houston at time when Houston generally sucked, so he would be overlooked sometimes. For instance, in 1976 he had 14.5 sacks to LC Greenwood's 4.5 but yet Greenwood made the pro bowl.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Bethea came in at #17 mostly due to lower sack total of 105 (compared to the top 10 average of 160) and he was never selected to the All-Pro 1st team (plenty of Pro Bowls with 8). I agree that lack of stats makes era comparisons more difficult, but I think this is the best I can do.🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching!

[@KamikazeJustice]

Sure... Bruce Smith had 200 sacks, but it took him 19 seasons to do it. Reggie White had 198 sacks, and did it in only 15 seasons. Smith was All-Pro 11 times in 20 seasons, but White was All-Pro 14 times, and did it in 15 seasons. White had 13 Pro Bowls, Smith had 11 Pro Bowls. White led the NFL in sacks twice, and Smith didn't lead the NFL ever. White had more Approximate Value pts than Smith (231-229), even though he played four years less, which shows that White had higher productive seasons. In White's best 3 yr span, from 1986 - 1988, White had 57 sacks. In Smith's best 3 yr. span, from 1988 to 1990, Smith had 43 sacks.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback! For clarity, I’m only looking at 1st team AP selections. Personally, I agree with you - White is my #1, but I’m trying to make an unbiased list based on the stats.🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching!

[@KamikazeJustice]

@@thefootballguyusa7941 Both were 1st team AP eight times. An unbias look at the stats would still show White with the best stats. Just because Smith had 2 sacks more than White, doesn't make him better than White, since White got his 198 sacks while playing four less years. Smith playing 19 years is also deceptive, since 8 of those years, Smith wasn't an All-Pro... 1st or 2nd team. That gives Smith 11 exceptional years. White played in 15 years, and wasn't an All Pro (1st or 2nd team) just 1 season... his last season. That gives White 14 exceptional years to Smith's 11 exceptional years.

[@paulpeterson4216]

It can't be an "all-time" list if it's limited to the past 50 years or so.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

This is done for two reasons: 1) this is when the AFL and NFL merged into one league and 2) there weren’t a lot of stats kept prior to 1970. My lists try to use available stats to compare players across decades to come up with an unbiased top 10 list. I would go so far as to say my formulas may never be perfect, but these are my attempts. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffphillips916]

Even LT said Reggie White was the greatest of all time. Bruce Smith would agree and has.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

I think if we took into consideration his couple of years in the USFL he would be ranked #1. Thanks for watching!

[@KamikazeJustice]

I agree, also.

[@jeffphillips916]

@@thefootballguyusa7941 if you speak to Bruce Smith with whom I met, he would agree. Reggie White while with the Eagles had more sacks than games he parlayed over many years.

[@ericbutler739]

​@@jeffphillips916 I'm good with putting Reggie #1, but let's not forget on that Eagles team he had two pro bowlers on the line with him (Brown, Simmons), a HOF caliber LB right behind him (Joyner), a HOF caliber Corner locking up the other teams #1 wr (Allen), and a coach who brought the kitchen sink often (Ryan). He was less awesome in GB, though he remained elite and was a little older. Still gets my vote, but context is needed

[@inreellife8258]

Randy White and Harvey Martin belong here.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@allanclark2102]

Any DL list that doesn't have Bob Lily or Joe Greene isn't a LIST! They have more All-Pro selections than everyone on your list

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Actually, Smith and White have the most 1st team AP selections at 8 a piece while Lilly has 7 and Greene has 4. Thanks for the feedback and for watching the video!

[@terryshaw9471]

I’ll check it out later but some of my favorites are old school DL like Deacon Jones, Merlin Olson, Joe Greene, Danny White, Bob Lilly, Reggie White, Alan Page, Michael Stratham and Claude Humphries. Any list without these fellows for me is incomplete

[@mattsweeny3957]

Bruce Smith played 19 years?? Holy Cow..I agree

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Yup, 19 years! Thanks for watching!

[@bearcards3497]

Bruce Smith was fantastic.

[@JCH2768]

Where are Merlin Olsen & Bob Lilly?

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Olsen comes in at #19 with 91 sacks and Lilly is #16 with 95.5 sacks, both lower than the average top 10 of 160 sacks. Thanks for watching! What other top 10 lists do you want to see?

[@JCH2768]

@@thefootballguyusa7941 Thanks. Of course putting sacks in the formula benefits DE's over DT's. My guess is that these two would skyrocket up the list if sacks weren't included. A running back list would be cool but creating a formula that's fair to every era seems tough. (pure rushers like Campbell vs. players like Faulk for example. )

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@JCH2768 I did running backs a while back (check out my playlist)…I’ll revisit them at some point, but I’ll probably hit the QBs before them (had to delete those videos 🤷‍♂️)

[@alvermeil5884]

You also forgot Merlin Olsen. One of the best ever play. There are several others that you forgot the table already been mentioned. Too much emphasis on the last couple decades.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching the video!

[@bearcards3497]

Olsen had five straight 1st team All-Pro seasons and went to 14 straight Pro Bowls, an all-time record until Tom Brady broke it. Olsen was a beast for sure.

[@JA_WILL]

I would have thought Merlin Olsen would have been in with his number of Pro Bowl selections.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

You would think so, but AP selections are worth more and most of the top 10 have more AP selections and almost 1.5 times more sacks. Thanks for watching!

[@robertsprings3591]

Great video Mr Football Guy USA. Have a good Tuesday to you and have a good week, ✌️ Mr Football Guy USA.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching Robert! Where do you stand…Reggie White or Bruce Smith?

[@ericc5556]

Awesome video!!! Thanks for the breakdown, can't disagree with any of your top 10!!!

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks Eric! I appreciate the positive feedback! Thanks for watching!

[@dominicromano1611]

Don't need a list. There's only one #1, Reggie White.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching! Sometimes it’s nice to have the numbers back it up 😉

[@John-go9xe]

1) Randy White Dallas-won a Superbowl- MVP in Superbowl 12--played in 3 Superbowls. 2) TJ Watt-Pittsburgh 4 x Steelers MVP! --4X all pro. 3) JJ Watt 3 x NFL Defensive player of the year! Nick Bosa -Defensive Player of the year in 2023 and still playing!.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback. The last three on your list aren’t in the HOF which was one of the initial criteria. Randy White came in at #15 and was just slightly lower than the average of the top 10 in both games played and sacks. He was definitely a beast. Thanks for watching!

[@RandyFelts2121]

When I saw the post of this video I thought the # 1 and 2 would be Randy or Reggie White take your pick, but that said there were a lot of good ones on the list and some I had never heard of until now.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@RandyFelts2121 awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching and feel free to shoot me ideas for more top 10 lists in the future!

[@pjtheory]

Hate to break it you, but from 1960-2023, the consensus Top 3 D-Tackles in NFL history are Bob Lilly, Merlin Olsen, and Joe Greene. Olsen went to 14 Pro Bowls, Lilly to 11 Pro Bowls, and Greene to 10 Pro Bowls. Lilly was dominant in Super Bowl 5 and 6, he recorded a 29 yard sack in Super Bowl 6, and the Cowboys won Super Bowl 6. Greene won 4 Super Bowls in 6 years with the Steelers and he played a significant role in all 4 Super Bowl victories. Heck, Randy White is better than Randle or Page and the proof is in the run stopping pudding. Randle was frequently bludgeoned in the run game and Page was manhandled in not 1, not 2, not 3, but in 4 Super Bowls. White was not as good as Lilly, Olsen, and Greene in the run game, but you couldn't overpower the Manster on a consistent basis. It's important to note that White was named the co-MVP of Super Bowl 12.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks the feedback and for watching the video!

[@paulkweiner6577]

Excellent plus job !!!

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks Paul! I appreciate that very much! Thanks for watching!

[@h.henryw.wilson9527]

Who has the most Super Bowl rings, "Mean Joe Greene

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching!

[@KamikazeJustice]

Super Bowls is a team accomplishment, not an accomplishment by any one person. What are Joe Greene's stats? Are they better than Reggie White's or Bruce Smith's?

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@KamikazeJustice they are not.

[@hcosby627]

but but defensive tackles aren't pass rush responsible whether good at it or not. DE's are. go Joe Greene!

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Joe Greene is my all-time favorite player! I agree that the game has changed so much that more focus is put on the DEs now. Thanks for watching!

[@bryanjones4444]

I like that you have a formula to use and parameters to start with. But your formula favors defensive ends over tackles. I am a Viking fan and any formula that has Doleman over Page has a problem with it.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching and the feedback! I’m definitely open to hearing others’ suggestions.

[@michaeltorres5331]

Without injuries JJ Watt is a top five defensive lineman of all time

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

If JJ were in the HOF right now he’d rank #16. Thanks for watching!

[@kevinblount267]

Living in Norfolk Virginia at one point Bruce Smith my boy. Hear is a good one for you 1981 Booker T Washington High State Basketball Championship Bruce Smith starting center. Yeah we go way back.😊

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Wow! That’s awesome! Thank for sharing and thanks for watching!

[@joemilbrandt9320]

Bruce Smith deserves number 1 ( from a Bills fan obviously) but highlighting all these guys brings back so many great memories. Thanks for the video.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Always fun to walk down “memory lane” and refresh ourselves on a lot of these great players! Smith was definitely a dominant player for a lot of years! Thanks for watching!

[@thewaxpackdad]

Good work man. I'd put Reggie #1 but a pretty solid list. How do you rank Suh or Donald? Interior lineman are tough to grade

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Honestly, haven’t looked at their stats because I knew they weren’t in the HOF. I’ll have to check them out and get back to you!

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Donald would’ve come in at #17, while Suh would be #30. Suh didn’t have enough APs or PBs or sacks and Donald was a little light on games played at 154 (228 avg for top 10) and sacks at 111 (160 for avg top 10).

[@TCBsprtscards]

Glad to see Bruce take that 1st spot, wouldn’t have hated White taking it though. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks TCB, technically White would take it if we take into consideration his USFL production…either way those two are 1 - 2. Thanks for watching!

[@Backpackfiles]

Sometimes, the eye-test is better than the numbers. Most of those guys are arguably top ten but then I think of names like Hampton, Dent, Sapp, J. Greene, Donald.... But that's sports, right?

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

The eye test is fine but how can fans that never watched someone like Alan Page (or any of the greats of past) play compare him to someone (like Joe Greene) whom they did see play? Thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback!

[@Backpackfiles]

@@thefootballguyusa7941 oh, I definitely agree. I mean, my eye test is flawed because at 53, "my" Allan Page was Dan Hampton's mentor, Deacon Jones had funny beer commercials, and Joe...late career badass.

[@kevinfrelander1024]

Noticeably absent from your list are the following: Joe Greene, Bob Lilly, Randy White, LC Greenwood, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, Joe Klecko, Aaron Donald, and JJ Watt. All of the aforementioned are in the Hall, except for Donald and Watt who are locks to get in when eligible.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

They’re all on the list just not in the top 10 according to the numbers. Thanks for the feedback and for watching the video!

[@mattburton3233]

DEacon Jones invented the sack and was not credited with many sacks before it was a stat. he would have bene #1. a list without j.greene and lee roy selmon is incomplete.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Selmon ranked #30 with only 121 games played and 78.5 sacks, and I am using a database that has added sacks going back to 1960. Jones did come in at #3 overall. Thanks for watching!

[@SCECJs1]

So being voted the best Lineman in the league in any given season is worth less than 2 sacks? Points for interceptions? Why would there be any points given for a statistic that is close to useless for an interior lineman and even traditional ends? A journeyman playing an extra season as the backup and getting 0 sacks is worth more than a lineman that plays one less year, but is considered a first-team All-Pro in that season? Sorry, but you could just have made a list of the top-10 sack leaders and it'd be just as accurate, if not more so than this.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback. This will give me something to think about in the future.

[@KamikazeJustice]

Something that should be taken into account... Reggie White only had 2 sacks less than Bruce Smith (200 to 198), but White played 4 years less. White was clearly more productive.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@KamikazeJustice and played 2 years in the USFL…crazy.

[@LaurenFrye-vu2jk]

No doubt about #1 bruuuce!! Mafia rules, & so did Bruce!

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching! Bruce was definitely a force to be reckoned with!

[@Boomhower89]

Bob Lilly number 1, Lee Roy Selmon 2

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Two great players, but my numbers don’t support it. I respect your list! Thanks for watching!

[@Boomhower89]

@@thefootballguyusa7941 aLOT the numbers don’t show. Lilly was at a minimum double teamed every play and triple teamed on others. Lee Roy double teamed constantly. Lee Roy being on the Bucs even when they had a miserable offense had a dominating defense that kept loses to 10 or so points a lot of games where the offense wouldn’t get a first down until the second half. Neither is easy to do and throw in that Lilly had a lot less opportunities for sacks with the run game being so prevalent. Walsh even said he believed Lilly was the best defensive player he had ever seen. But that’s the thing about lists like this. Everyone has their own opinion. Best of luck with your channel hope it keeps growing 👍🇺🇸

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@Boomhower89 I agree that changes in the game do skew away from interior linemen to ends and there aren’t other stats that can help tell the story (such as double-teamed, etc). I just try to use what stats are available to put together an unbiased list. Thanks for watching!

[@kevinmassey1164]

I’m not even a Steelers fan but wtf??? No Joe Greene? And instead of picking some arbitrary year why not just say “of the Super Bowl era”?

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

I think I did say the modern era? Joe Greene is on the list, just not in the top 10. Thanks for watching!

[@bruceharrison8160]

Allen Paige he won M.V.P.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Awesome player! Also he held a Minnesota Supreme Court seat for 22 years! Thanks for watching!

[@vitoponzio2234]

C'mon, are you serious? Bruce Smith as the #1? Great player but Reggie White is the clear cut winner here, hands down. Played all 4 defensive line positions. Threw offensive linemen around like Raggedy Ann dolls with one arm. Excelled at both stopping the run and sacks, and covered tight ends occasionally. Always had to be blocked by 2 offensive linemen and/or a tight end in most games. And offensive coordinators had to change their game plans to account for him at all times, like Lawrence Taylor (LB).

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@discostu483]

I agree with @scottpagent2925. MERLIN OLSON was a monster if you watch him on NFL films it's unreal how hard he was to block and you couldn't run the ball outside on him. Give him some sacks for being double teamed on every play making it easier for DJ.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

If only they kept track of double teams! Thanks for watching!

[@HaroldMccoy-vv4lt]

No Mean Joe Greene ,Bob Lily ,Randy Manster White , Deacon Jones ,Merlin Olson this list is too consumed in some cases with low impact sack accumalation and not enough intrinsic impact substance ,sacrifice of personal stats to enhance players around them by consuming multiple blockers ,leadership , big game performance ,staunch run defense for instance stance Greene won def rookie of year ,two time def player of year ,clogged up several blockers to allow his comrades easier access to qb and rb ,they often only recieved one or no blockers to deal with.The 13 goat on nfl top 100 all time lists and top DT ,he should be top 10 .Greene ,Lily ,White ,Olson all played superior run defense than any vikings player on lists ,complete combo run stopper ,pass rush. DT's . For first time I've been disappointed in one of his lists ,not objective ,just stats orientated . Intangible impact which resonated upon entire team " Mean Joe Greene ,Bob Lily ,Randy White " dismissed . How many great sb's any vikings player on list have ? Joe Greene teammate Andy Russell once stated Mean Joe Greene could arguably be considered player of the 70's decade ,his intangible and tangible presence nurtured a legendary defense and. help a team believe greatness was possible . Greene ,Lily ,White , not making this list is baffling .

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for more great feedback! Deacon Jones came in at #3. Greene at #26, Lilly at #16, White at #15, Olsen at #19. I completely agree about “intrinsic impact” but how do you quantify that? I’m just trying to go off what’s available. I will admit I did overlook DPOY award which I may take into account in future videos. Thanks for watching!

[@enigma9971]

The too 2 defensive lineman of all time are Mean Joe Greene and Alan Page.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Two stand out players, and being a Steelers fan, I can say Joe Greene is my all time favorite player! Thanks for watching!

[@mattsweeny3957]

Understood, I was making a Position analogy..yah mean?

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Gotcha! I know that some players have the IT factor, my issue is how to realistically quantify that. 🤷‍♂️

[@godisgreat8462]

Well done

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks GiG! Good to see you! Who’s your favorite D-Lineman?

[@johnkusske7535]

Should have read "Top Ten Pass Rushers of All Time," not "Top 10 Defensive Linemen of All Time." There is more to playing DL than rushing the passer.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching the video!

[@DireHammer]

This list is just sad considering it's just adding numbers together, which weren't even accurately tracked until the 1980s.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@jjw56]

Great list!! I believe you should bury the saying ‘throw back player.’ Since you’re starting with 70 no need to hint at the great players that you are leaving off the list: Roger brown, Gino marchetti (sp) …..

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Yeah, I see your point there. Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@MrCaptainCrazy]

The criteria is better for DE's than DT's.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Yeah, I think the way the game has changed over the last few decades lends to a higher focus on defensive ends as well. Thanks for watching!

[@colinrison3449]

Another great list no real complaints maybe Aaron Donald later since he isn't a HOF right now but will be in the near future keep dropping them list love it

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks Colin! Someone else suggested I look at Donald and Suh and here’s what I came up with: Donald would’ve come in at #17, while Suh would be #30. Suh didn’t have enough APs or PBs or sacks and Donald was a little light on games played at 154 (228 avg for top 10) and sacks at 111 (160 for avg top 10). Thanks for watching!

[@colinrison3449]

I got 2 more J.J Watt and Jared Allen

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@colinrison3449 great names here, I even added TJ Watt to measure him up to his brother. Allen comes in at #11 with 187 games played and 136 sacks (both a little low) and then JJ Watt at #16 with 151 games/114.5 sacks and little brother TJ already ranks #23 with 104 games/96.5 sacks.

[@colinrison3449]

Ok thanks for info

[@scottpaget2925]

How could you have Deacon Jones ahead of Merlin Olson? Don’t get me wrong I love Deacon, if you asked him do you think this player will play this week? He would always say depends…….whether he takes the shot or not (cortisone) and his earplug slap gave concussions BUT what made it the fearsome foursome was Merlin Olson cause he demanded a double team every play or he would make every play!! I do love the story where Deacon, who was an eye for an eye kind of guy, would tell Merlin stop apologizing to these guys!! You need to put them into and under the ground!! Didn’t matter every time Merlin would make the play he would help them up and apologize if he hit them too hard. Mr. Olson in an interview said he detest violence but when he joined the Rams he made a promise that he swore he would keep.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Great feedback! Thank you very much! Olsen came in at #19. Thanks for watching!

[@Mr-mopar]

I had Reggie #1 and Bruce smith number 2….but I like your list overall..

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

That’s probably the way I would’ve gone, but the numbers said otherwise! Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@majorsynthqed7374]

I have to put Reggie #1.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Reggie is my personal #1, but that takes into account other factors. Thanks for watching!

[@KamikazeJustice]

​@@thefootballguyusa7941 Bruce Smith had 200 sacks, only 2 more sacks than Reggie White, but Smith needed 4 more years to get those 2 sacks. Also, compare their best 3 consecutive years, and White does best there, too. Smith's 19 yrs of the NFL sounds nice, but Smith was not an All Pro for 8 of those years. White played 15 seasons, and missed being an All Pro just once, and that was his last year.

[@DarkShadow66177]

Richard Dent Hampton

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Integral parts of that nasty ‘85 defense in Chicago! Thanks for watching!

[@tedharrington5432]

Outstanding video. The Top 10 was a bit different than I excepted. Thought Jack Youngblood would have been one spot higher. I truly thought Deacon Jones would have been #1. Guess he would have been if the 1960's were not so much a running than passing decade. Also coupled with the NFL only playing 14 games per season brought his FGV score down.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Good points, Ted, about the difference in eras, but those are the best stats I could use I guess 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching!

[@F.W.ENDER.75]

MILLAAAAAAARD.

[@stephanreale5653]

You forget and don’t include that the throwbacks played less games and going farther back no records were kept. That should be a disclaimer.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Good points. I’ll take that into consideration. Thanks for watching!

[@stephanreale5653]

To add 0n to my point Up thru the 50s some players went both ways for the whole game watch Chuck Bednarik.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@stephanreale5653 Bednarik is one of my all-time favorite players! The last of the 60-minute men!

[@thomaskeane5723]

Respectfully, as I've seen you wear his jersey in another video, but there's something wrong with your measurement system if Joe Greene isn't included.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Yes, Greene is a personal favorite of mine and he came in at #26 with 181 games played (compared to top 10 average of 228) and only 77.5 sacks (compared to an average of 160). Thanks for watching!

[@kevinmassey1164]

@@thefootballguyusa7941that should have been the exact moment you realized your formula was poo. Is your position there are 20+ better defensive linemen?

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@kevinmassey1164 according to the numbers. I never said the formula was perfect, but it was my take on trying to put together a list without bias.

[@bigbrush1313]

Nice video, but your somewhat arbitrary criteria and point system could be deemed bias. Keep up the good work! ​@@thefootballguyusa7941

[@davetessmer6424]

Reggie White without a doubt # 1.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for weighing in on the “Who’s #1” debate and thanks for watching!

[@GoPioneersLaser0]

I take issue with no Joe Greene or Dan Hampton, but thats bound to happen when you're looking at history, maybe split it up and do two lists between edge and interior...also you gotta put Reggie ahead of Bruce. Yes Bruce has the sack record, but he played end only and Reggie played all the spots when he was in Philly (the most dominant part of his career)

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback! I did look at splitting up the DTs and DEs but I think that split the list into two smaller lists of about 15 or 16 players and making a top 10 video with only a total of 15 players seemed a little bit ridiculous to me.🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching!

[@jamessills5802]

Deacon Jones

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Good guess! Thanks for watching?

[@tedperea1817]

Good list but you could have put Mean Joe Green or warren Sapp. I don't know why so many interior defensive lineman are not valued as much as the defensive ends? That doesn't seem right.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks. I think the change in the game from run heavy to pass heavy over the last 30 years may have shifted the focus from DT to DE. Thanks for watching!

[@georgenauert9370]

Thinking Warren Sapp is missing.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Sapp came in at #18. He was a little low compared to the average top 10 in games played (198) and sacks (96.5). Thanks for watching!

[@sefi36]

Bob Lilly and Randy White are the greatest defensive lineman of all-time, and Strahan, Peppers, and Taylor even being on this list at all is an absolute joke.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback!

[@charlesroulette5296]

Oh crap, you came up with a capricious point system.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Just trying to take the bias out picking a top 10 list. Always willing to listen to good ideas on how to make the formula a bit better. Thanks for watching!

[@taneumjct5156]

Cortez Kennedy deserves a mention

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Kennedy came in at #32 with a lower than average games played (226) 167 and a much lower than average (160) sack total of 58. Thanks for watching!

[@edtoth4676]

No Bob Lilly ? Wow.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Yeah, I was a bit surprised too!🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching!

[@gregford4555]

Michael Strahan

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for watching!

[@markgables6026]

Minister of Defense Reggie white rip

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Yeah, I agree…his couple of year’s in the USFL plus the fact in took Smith a few years more to get there would make White my pick for #1! Thanks for watching!

[@jamescampbell9533]

The best player ever was Leroy Selmon. Period.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

He was a stud! Too bad he didn’t have a longer career! Thanks for watching!

[@bigoneleesmith6969]

What about MJG ?

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

MJG?

[@user-hw3zw1ry7h]

Warren Sapp, but Reggie is #1

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Sap came in at #18 with 198 games played and 96.5 sacks compared to top 10 averages of 228 and 160. Thanks for watching!

[@garyphillips3552]

No LT.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Linebacker. We’re looking at D-Lineman. Thanks for watching!

[@mattsweeny3957]

Joe Klecko???

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

#29, low games played at 155 and sacks at 78

[@mattsweeny3957]

I know you have a system, BUT some players have that IT factor...IMPACT...Butkus lasted only 9 seasons, but he was The Most impactful MLB of All. Klecko was similar

[@mattsweeny3957]

Nitschke played 15 yrs..Ray Lewis 18? Top 5 of all time..Butkus #1 because of his impact in his era...AND the actual impact, thrust & kinetic energy of his tackles..Fullbacks & HBs...always went BACKWARDS...sometimes a few yards backwards...Dick would also bowl over 2 or three guys like bowling 🎳 pins

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

@@mattsweeny3957 those were definitely great players, but were all linebackers. We’re focused on D-Linemen in this video.

[@mattsweeny3957]

Alex Karas??

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Came in at #20, low games played at 161 and sacks at 100

[@charlesroulette5296]

Remind to never again watch your crap.

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

LOL. A bit harsh, but thanks for your feedback! All the best!

[@michaelbirmingham4216]

This list is horrible

[@thefootballguyusa7941]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching.