20 of The Greatest NFL Linemen

Thinking back to 20 of the greatest NFL linemen gives the impression that things used to be a lot tougher. Not only that, but many of these men helped to create legends.

Charles Haley

Haley carries the distinction of having five Super Bowl rings, one of two, since the other is Tom Brady. He also joined the 100-sack club at one point too, which is just as exclusive.

Richard Dent

The former defensive end for the Chicago Bears is considered to be one of the best athletes the NFL had to offer. He’s one of the three defensive linemen to win the Super Bowl MVP, so think about that.

Willie Davis

Many guys who played under Vince Lombardi knew what it was like to work hard and win. The former pass rusher had over 120 sacks to his name, and that’s nothing to sneeze at.

John Randle

How many other defensive tackles do you know who could ring up double-digit sacks over eight seasons? This guy cut through offensive lines like they were made of paper.

Warren Sapp

Although he was controversial during his time in the league, Sapp was still amazing to watch. From stuffing runs to compiling over 100 sacks, Sapp knew how to play the game.

Buck Buchanan

This big man missed one game in 13 seasons. Not 13 games, no, 13 seasons. That’s the kind of tough, hardened player that coaches love, especially when they’re good at what they do.

Julius Peppers

It’s funny to think he was a college basketball star, especially since he became one of the greatest linemen of all time. His level of play was outstanding, from his sacks to his forced fumbles to his six touchdowns.

Jack Youngblood

One thing you need to be as an NFL lineman is tough, and Jack was precisely that. How many players do you know who would play with a broken leg? Not in this day and age.

Lee Roy Selmon

Although his career didn’t last that long, the style of play he brought to the game had something to do with it. When you play hard, something is bound to give out eventually. But watching Selmon made it clear that he wasn’t someone quarterbacks wanted to see coming.

Michael Strahan

Strahan was a phenomenal player who was part of a generation that saw a lot of change in the game. He also became an amusing TV personality with a lot of clout.

Aaron Donald

It’s almost a prerequisite to be dominant as a lineman since you’re your team’s first line of defense. Donald took that to heart, as he was one of those offensive linemen who found it a true challenge up until his retirement in 2023.

Randy White

It pays to be durable as a lineman since it helps to lengthen your career and make the other team realize that you’re not easy to fend off. White is no stranger to title games and Super Bowls, as he racked up an MVP award and had well over a thousand tackles in his career.

Bob Lilly

Playing at a time when everyone on the field had to be made of iron to survive, Lilly only missed one game out of 14 seasons. Adding to his ruthless aggression, he was also one of the more intelligent linemen of his day, which led to an impressive career.

Gino Marchetti

It helps as a lineman if you can stop the run, and Marchetti was one of the best in his time. This fact is even more impressive; he was a machine gunner during WWII.

Merlin Olsen

In the days of the “Fearsome Foursome,” this former Rams defensive tackle terrorized offensive lines. He was even selected for the Pro Bowl 14 times.

Joe Greene

Many fans still remember the day of the “Steel Curtain” and their four Super Bowl titles. “Mean” Joe Greene served as a highly disruptive player renowned for his dominant style of play.

Deacon Jones

As one of the best linemen to ever sack a quarterback, he’s been credited with coining the term. The guy averaged 20 sacks or more a season, so it’s smart to give him that one.

Alan Page

The number of sacks this man put up is impressive, and he might have held the record had it been treated as an actual stat in his day. But thinking of how he gained this honor is exciting unless you were lined up across from him.

Bruce Smith

This guy was just dominant. It didn’t matter what position he was in. Even better, he was dominant when playing a 3-4 scheme, which many fans know is not great for racking up sacks.

Reggie White

What else can you say about him that his record doesn’t? This is the type of guy that quarterbacks keep their eye on if they are smart.