The Top 10 Best Defensive Tackles Of All Time Rankings

The defensive tackle is one of the most important positions on the defensive line. Defensive tackles are responsible for stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback, and disrupting the passing game. They are typically large and powerful players who can anchor the defensive line and make plays in the trenches.

In this article: hide

1 What is a defensive tackle?

2 The history of the defensive tackle position

3 The Top 10 best defensive tackles of all time

What is a defensive tackle?

A defensive tackle is a defensive lineman who lines up between the guards on the offensive line. Defensive tackles are typically responsible for stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback, and disrupting the passing game. They are typically large and powerful players who can anchor the defensive line and make plays in the trenches.

The history of the defensive tackle position

The defensive tackle position has evolved over time. In the early days of the NFL, defensive tackles were typically smaller and quicker players who were responsible for rushing the passer. However, as the game became more pass-oriented, defensive tackles became larger and more powerful players who were better suited to stopping the run.

Also Read: Who is the best offensive tackle prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft?

The Top 10 best defensive tackles of all time

There have been many great defensive tackles in NFL history. Here are some of the best:

Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald holds the title of the greatest defensive tackle of all time. He is a dominant force on both the run and the pass. Donald has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and he is a seven-time All-Pro. He is also the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks by a defensive tackle.

Donald was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1991. He played college football at Pitt, where he was a two-time All-American. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Donald has been a dominant force since he entered the NFL. He has led the NFL in sacks twice, and he has been named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. He is also a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Donald is a physical specimen. He is 6’1″ and 280 pounds, and he has incredible strength and power. He is also very athletic, and he has great speed and agility.

Donald is a complete player. He is excellent against the run, and he is also a devastating pass rusher. He is able to win with power, speed, and technique.

Donald is considered one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He is a force to be reckoned with, and he is a key reason why the Rams have been one of the best teams in the NFL in recent years.

Mean Joe Greene

Mean Joe Greene was a dominant defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s. He was a key member of the Steeler’s “Steel Curtain” defense, which won four Super Bowls. Greene was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a nine-time All-Pro. He has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Greene was born in Temple, Texas, in 1946. He played college football at North Texas State, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft.

Greene was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. Moreover, he holds a position in the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Greene was a physical specimen. He was 6’3″ and 270 pounds, and he had incredible strength and power. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

Greene was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

Greene was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Steelers were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 1970s.

Reggie White

Reggie White was a dominant defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in the 1980s and 1990s. He was known for his devastating pass rush. White was a 13-time Pro Bowler and a 10-time All-Pro. He has been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

White was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1961. He played college football at Tennessee, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft.

White was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. Furthermore, he is part of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

White was a physical specimen. He stood at a height of 6’5″ and weighed 270 pounds, displaying incredible strength and power. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

White was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

White was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Eagles and Packers were two of the best teams in the NFL in the 1980s and 1990s.

Bob Lilly

Bob Lilly was a dominant defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a key member of the Cowboys “Doomsday Defense,” which won two Super Bowls. Lilly was a 10-time Pro Bowler and a nine-time All-Pro. He belongs to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lilly was born in Austin, Texas, in 1939. He played college football at TCU, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft.

Lilly was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. He holds a position in the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Lilly was a physical specimen. He stood at an impressive height of 6’5″ and weighed 275 pounds, possessing remarkable strength and power. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

Lilly was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

Lilly was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Cowboys were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 1960s and 1970s.

Lilly’s career statistics are staggering. He retired with 200 sacks, which was the most by any defensive tackle at the time. He also had 11 Pro Bowl selections, 9 All-Pro selections, and 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Lilly is one of the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. He was a dominant force on both the run and the pass, and he was a key reason why the Cowboys were one of the best teams in the NFL for two decades.

Alan Page

Alan Page was a dominant defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings in the 1970s. He was known for his versatility, as he was equally effective against the run and the pass. Page was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a nine-time All-Pro. He has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Page was born in Canton, Ohio, in 1945. He played college football at Notre Dame, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft.

Page was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. He has earned a spot on the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Page was a physical specimen. He stood at a height of 6’3″ and weighed 280 pounds, possessing exceptional strength and power. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

Page was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

Page was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Vikings were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 1970s.

Page’s career statistics are impressive. He retired with 148.5 sacks, which was the most by any defensive tackle at the time. He also had 11 Pro Bowl selections, 9 All-Pro selections, and 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Willie Davis

Willie Davis was a dominant defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams in the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his versatility, as he was equally effective against the run and the pass. Davis was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a nine-time All-Pro. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Davis was born in Greenville, Mississippi, in 1940. He played college football at Grambling State, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft.

Davis was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. Furthermore, he is part of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Davis was a physical specimen. He stood at a height of 6’5″ and weighed 255 pounds, displaying extraordinary strength and power. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

Davis was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

Davis was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Packers were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 1960s and 1970s.

Davis’s career statistics are impressive. He retired with 190.5 sacks, which was the most by any defensive tackle at the time. He also had 11 Pro Bowl selections, 9 All-Pro selections, and 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Randy White

Randy White was a dominant defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s and 1980s. He was known for his devastating pass rush. White was a 12-time Pro Bowler and a 10-time All-Pro. He has been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

White was born in Taylor, Texas, in 1953. He attended Texas A&M for college football, where he earned the prestigious title of two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft.

White was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. He is also a member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

White was a physical specimen. He was 6’5″ and 270 pounds, and he had incredible strength and power. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

White was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

White was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Cowboys were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 1970s and 1980s.

White’s career statistics are staggering. He retired with 152 sacks, which was the most by any defensive tackle at the time. He also had 12 Pro Bowl selections, 10 All-Pro selections, and 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

John Randle

John Randle was a dominant defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings in the 1990s. He was known for his disruptive play and his ability to get to the quarterback. Randle was a 9-time Pro Bowler and a 7-time All-Pro. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Randle was born in Fairburn, Georgia, in 1962. He played college football at Texas A&M, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Vikings in the 7th round of the 1990 NFL Draft.

Randle was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. He is also a member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team.

Randle was a physical specimen. He was 6’2″ and 280 pounds, and he had incredible strength and power. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

Randle was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

Randle was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Vikings were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 1990s.

Randle’s career statistics are impressive. He retired with 137.5 sacks, which was the most by any defensive tackle at the time. He also had 9 Pro Bowl selections, 7 All-Pro selections, and 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Cortez Kennedy

Cortez Kennedy was a dominant defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks in the 1990s. He was known for his size and strength, and his ability to disrupt the offensive line. Kennedy was a 10-time Pro Bowler and a 9-time All-Pro. He holds a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kennedy was born in Osceola, Florida, in 1968. He played college football at Miami, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Seahawks in the 1st round of the 1990 NFL Draft.

Kennedy was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. He is also a member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team.

Kennedy was a physical specimen. He was 6’3″ and 300 pounds, and he had incredible size and strength. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

Kennedy was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

Kennedy was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Seahawks were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 1990s.

Kennedy’s career statistics are impressive. He retired with 91.5 sacks, which was the most by any defensive tackle at the time. He also had 10 Pro Bowl selections, 9 All-Pro selections, and 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Buck Buchanan

Buck Buchanan was a dominant defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his size and strength, and his ability to disrupt the offensive line. Buchanan was a 7-time Pro Bowler and a 5-time All-Pro. He is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Buchanan was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1940. He played college football at Grambling State, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the 1st round of the 1963 NFL Draft.

Buchanan was a dominant force from the moment he entered the NFL. He was a 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl every year of his career. He is also a member of the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.

Buchanan was a physical specimen. He stood at an impressive height of 6’7″ and weighed 285 pounds, showcasing remarkable size and strength. He was also very athletic, and he had great speed and agility.

Buchanan was a complete player. He was excellent against the run, and he was also a devastating pass rusher. He was able to win with power, speed, and technique.

Buchanan was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he was a key reason why the Chiefs were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 1960s and 1970s.

Buchanan’s career statistics are impressive. He retired with 77.5 sacks, which was the most by any defensive tackle at the time. He also had 7 Pro Bowl selections, 5 All-Pro selections, and 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

READ MORE: The Best NFL Players of All Time

Conclusion

These are just a few of the best defensive tackles of all time. There have been many other great defensive tackles who have made significant contributions to the game. Defensive tackles are an important part of any successful defense, and they continue to be a key position in the NFL today.

FAQs

What are the most important qualities for a defensive tackle?

The most important qualities for a defensive tackle are size, strength, and power. Defensive tackles need to be able to anchor the defensive line and make plays in the trenches. They also need to be able to rush the passer and disrupt the passing game.

What are the most important qualities for a defensive tackle?

What are some of the best defensive tackles in the NFL today?

Some of the best defensive tackles in the NFL today include Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, and Chris Jones. These players are all dominant forces on both the run and the pass. They are also all young and still improving, which means they could be even better in the years to come.

Is Aaron Donald the best defensive tackle of all time?

Aaron Donald is certainly one of the best defensive tackles of all time. He has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and he is a seven-time All-Pro. He is also the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks by a defensive tackle. However, there are other great defensive tackles who could also be considered the best of all time. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide who they believe is the best defensive tackle of all time.

What is the future of the defensive tackle position?

The future of the defensive tackle position is bright. The NFL is becoming more pass-oriented, but defensive tackles are still an important part of any successful defense. Defensive tackles need to be able to anchor the defensive line and make plays in the trenches. They also need to be able to rush the passer and disrupt the passing game. If defensive tackles can continue to develop their pass-rushing skills, they will continue to be a key position in the NFL for years to come.

The Top 10 Best Defensive Tackles of All Time Rankings