Greatest Defensive Backs in NFL History

They could cover and hit — and changed the game.

There is no more unforgiving position in football than defensive back. Safeties and cornerbacks are counted on to cover the most elite athletes on the other team’s offense and, in the crucial moments of games, make plays that can be the difference between winning and losing.

If they do their job at the very highest level, there’s a big chance you might not hear their names called very much. And if they fail, they’re the ones who get blamed the most. The best of them have short memories on the field, but we’ll remember them forever.

These are the greatest defensive backs in NFL history.

30. John Lynch, Safety

John Lynch was an underrated safety. John C. Fahrentold / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 25, 1971 (Hillsdale, Illinois)

High school: Torrey Pines High School (San Diego, California)

College: Stanford

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 220 pounds

NFL career: 15 seasons (1993-2007)

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993-2003), Denver Broncos (2004-07)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2002), four-time NFL All-Pro (1999-2002), nine-time Pro Bowl (1997, 1999-2002, 2004-07)

Bottom Line: John Lynch

Jack Dempsey / AP Photo

John Lynch is in the Hall of Fame alongside longtime teammates Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp, who all helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their lone Super Bowl win.

Lynch, a second-round pick by the Florida Marlins, was ready to start his baseball career until Stanford coach Bill Walsh convinced him to return for his senior season.

29. Jalen Ramsey, Cornerback

Jalen Ramsey forced a trade to the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. Kyusung Gong / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 24, 1994 (Smyrna, Tennessee)

High school: Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tennessee)

College: Florida State

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 208 pounds

NFL career: 8 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-19), Los Angeles Rams (2019-22), Miami Dolphins (2023-present)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2022), three-time NFL All-Pro (2017, 2020, 2021), six-time Pro Bowl (2017-22), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2016)

Bottom Line: Jalen Ramsey

Abbie Parr / AP Photo

At 29 years old, Jalen Ramsey is by far the youngest player on this list, so it would be easy to say he doesn’t belong alongside some of the greatest defensive backs in the history of the game.

Rarely has there been a cornerback who could cover and hit like Ramsey, who signed a five-year, $105.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams that included a $71 million signing bonus. The payoff as a Super Bowl championship in Feb. 2022.

28. Yale Lary, Safety

Yale Lary turned his back on a lucrative MLB career to play in the NFL. AP Photo

Born: Nov. 24, 1930 (Fort Worth, Texas)

Died: May 11, 2017 (Fort Worth, Texas)

High school: North Side High School (Fort Worth, Texas)

College: Texas A&M

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 185 pounds

NFL career: 11 seasons (1952-53, 1956-64)

Teams: Detroit Lions

Career highlights: Three-time NFL champion (1952, 1953, 1957), five-time NFL All-Pro (1956-59), nine-time Pro Bowl (1953, 1956-62, 1964), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Yale Lary

Alvan Quinn / AP Photo

Yale Lary wasn’t just a football player. He was a big-time baseball player who set the Southwest Conference record for doubles and led Texas A&M to the 1951 College World Series.

Offered $20,000 to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals, Lary chose football instead and was the lynchpin behind three NFL championships for the Detroit Lions in the 1950s.

27. Brian Dawkins, Safety

Brian Dawkins was nicknamed “Weapon X” after the Marvel Comics character Wolverine. Chris Gardner / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 13, 1973 (Jacksonville, Florida)

High school: Raines High School (Jacksonville, Florida)

College: Clemson

Height/weight: 6-foot, 210 pounds

NFL career: 16 seasons (1996-2011)

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1996-2008), Denver Broncos (2009-11)

Career highlights: Five-time NFL All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009), nine-time Pro Bowl (1999, 2001, 2002, 2004-06, 2008, 2009, 2011) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Brian Dawkins

Michael Perez / AP Photo

Few safeties in NFL history have been as intimidating as Brian Dawkins.

He was nicknamed “Weapon X” because of his strong similarities to Marvel character Wolverine and ability to do anything a defense needed.

Dawkins was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018 and also was known for being a great mentor to younger players throughout his career.

26. Patrick Peterson, Cornerback

Patrick Peterson set the NFL single-season record with four punt returns for touchdowns in 2011. Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Born: July 11, 1990 (Pompano Beach, Florida)

High school: Pompano Beach High School (Pompano Beach, Florida)

College: LSU

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 203 pounds

NFL career: 13 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Arizona Cardinals (2011-20), Minnesota Vikings (2021-22), Pittsburgh Steelers (2023-present)

Career highlights: Four-time NFL All-Pro (2011, 2013, 2015, 2018), eight-time Pro Bowl (2011-18), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Patrick Peterson

Charlie Neibergall / AP Photo

Patrick Peterson almost single-handedly kept the Cardinals competitive on defense through his first decade with the team.

Peterson still has an outside shot at making the Hall of Fame with a strong finish to his career.

He already owns two NFL records — most punt returns in a single-season (four) and longest overtime punt return for a touchdown (99 yards).

25. Willie Wood, Safety

Willie Wood, left, made the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1960. AP Photo

Born: Dec. 23, 1936 (Washington, D.C.)

Died: Feb. 3, 2020 (Washington, D.C.)

High school: Armstrong High School (Washington, D.C.)

College: USC

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 190 pounds

NFL career: 12 seasons (1960-71)

Teams: Green Bay Packers

Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967), five-time NFL champion (1961, 1962, 1965-67), nine-time NFL All-Pro (1962-70), eight-time Pro Bowl (1962, 1965-70), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Willie Wood

Paul Shane / AP Photo

Willie Wood was a two-way player at USC, at safety and as the first African-American quarterback in Pac-12 history.

Wood was injured for most of his last two seasons and went undrafted, but earned a tryout with the Packers after writing a letter to head coach Vince Lombardi.

Wood ended up being one of the greatest Packers of all time, a seven-time NFL champion and nine-time All-Pro.

24. Cliff Harris, Safety

Cliff Harris, right, played in five Super Bowls in 10 seasons. AP Photo

Born: Nov. 12, 1948 (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

High school: Des Arc High School (Des Arc, Arkansas)

College: Ouachita Baptist

Height/weight: 6-foot, 188 pounds

NFL career: 10 seasons (1970-79)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys

Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1971, 1977), five-time NFL All-Pro (1974, 1975-78), six-time Pro Bowl (1974-79), NFL 1970s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Cliff Harris

AP Photo

Cliff Harris went undrafted out of tiny Ouachita Baptist but made the Dallas Cowboys roster as a free agent in 1970.

He carved out one of the greatest careers of any safety in NFL history — he only played 10 seasons but was a five-time All-Pro, played in five Super Bowls and won twice.

Harris was finally elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

23. Willie Brown, Cornerback

Willie Brown, right, won three Super Bowls with the Raiders. John Storey / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 2, 1940 (Yazoo City, Mississippi)

Died: Oct. 21, 2019 (Tracy, California)

High school: Taylor High School (Yazoo City, Mississippi)

College: Grambling State

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 195 pounds

NFL career: 12 seasons (1967-78)

Teams: Oakland Raiders

Career highlights: Three-time Super Bowl Champion (1976, 1980, 1983), four-time Pro Bowl (1970-73), four-time NFL All-Pro (1970-73), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

Bottom Line: Willie Brown

AP Photo

The amazing thing about Willie Brown’s NFL career is he was actually an AFL All-Pro for five seasons before the first year of the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Brown’s career almost never got off the ground when he was cut from his first training camp with the Houston Oilers as a rookie.

But he caught on with the Raiders and helped lead them to three Super Bowl wins.

22. Paul Krause, Safety

Paul Krause, left, lost four Super Bowls with the Minnesota Vikings. AP Photo

Born: Feb. 19, 1942 (Flint, Michigan)

High school: Bendle High School (Burton, Michigan)

College: Iowa

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds

NFL career: 16 seasons (1964-79)

Teams: Washington Football Team (1964-67), Minnesota Vikings (1968-79)

Career highlights: Seven-time NFL All-Pro (1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1975), eight-time Pro Bowl (1964, 1965, 1969, 1971-75)

Bottom Line: Paul Krause

AP Photo

Paul Krause led the NFL with 12 interceptions in his rookie season, then led the league in return yards on 10 picks in 1975, his 12th season.

Krause was drafted into Major League Baseball as a center fielder but a shoulder injury diverted him to football.

He was one of 11 players who played in all four of the Vikings’ Super Bowl losses from 1969 to 1977.

21. Ty Law, Cornerback

Ty Law led the NFL in interceptions twice. Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 10, 1946 (Aliquippa, Pennsylvania)

High school: Aliquippa High School (Aliquippa, Pennsylvania)

College: Michigan

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds

NFL career: 15 seasons (1995-2009)

Teams: New England Patriots (1995-2004), New York Jets (2005), Kansas City Chiefs (2006-07), New York Jets (2008), Denver Broncos (2009)

Career highlights: Three-time Super Bowl champion (2001, 2003, 2004), two-time NFL All-Pro (1998, 2003), five-time Pro Bowl (1998, 2001-03, 2005), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Ty Law

Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

Ty Law was arguably the best defensive player on three New England Patriots teams that won Super Bowls in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

He led the league in interceptions twice and pass deflections once and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Where’d Law learn to be so great? He spent summers as a kid with his uncle, fellow Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett.

20. Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback

Stephon Gilmore was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Winslow Townson / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 19, 1990 (Rock Hill, South Carolina)

High school: South Pointe High School (Rock Hill, South Carolina)

College: South Carolina

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 202 pounds

NFL career: 12 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Buffalo Bills (2012-16), New England Patriots (2017-20), Carolina Panthers (2021), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Dallas Cowboys (2023-present)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2018), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2019), two-time NFL All-Pro (2018, 2019), five-time Pro Bowl (2016, 2018-21)

Bottom Line: Stephon Gilmore

Stacy Bengs / AP Photo

The five-year, $65 million contract Stephon Gilmore signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots as a free agent in 2017, including an $18 million signing bonus, seems like highway robbery today.

Since joining the Pats, Gilmore is a two-time All-Pro, won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and helped lead them to a Super Bowl victory in 2018.

One of football’s great mysteries of the last decade is how Gilmore didn’t make a single Pro Bowl or All-Pro team in his first five seasons in Buffalo despite having some of the best stats in the league.

19. Aeneas Williams, Cornerback

Aeneas Williams, center, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his third year of eligibility. David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 29, 1968 (New Orleans, Louisiana)

High school: Fortier High School (New Orleans, Louisiana)

College: Southern

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1991-2004)

Teams: Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1991-2000), St. Louis Rams (2001-04)

Career highlights: Four-time NFL All-Pro (1994, 1995, 1997, 2001), eight-time Pro Bowl (1994-99, 2001, 2003), NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Aeneas Williams

Morry Gash / AP Photo

Few players in NFL history have had as much of a knack for coming up with big plays as Aeneas Williams, who scored 12 defensive touchdowns in his career on nine interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

Somehow, Williams didn’t make the Pro Football Hall of Fame until his third year on the ballot.

18. Ken Houston, Safety

Ken Houston scored 12 defensive touchdowns in his career. AP Photo

Born: Nov. 12, 1944 (Lufkin, Texas)

High school: Dunbar High School (Lufkin, Texas)

College: Prairie View A&M

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 197 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1967-80)

Teams: Houston Oilers (1967-72), Washington Football Team (1973-80)

Career highlights: 12-time NFL All-Pro (1968-79), 12-time Pro Bowl (1968-79), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

Bottom Line: Ken Houston

Peter Cullen / AP Photo

Few players in NFL history have had a knack for knowing where the ball was going to be more than Ken Houston, a ninth-round pick by the Houston Oilers in the 1967 AFL-NFL draft.

Houston, who played offensive line and linebacker in college, intercepted 49 passes and recovered 21 fumbles in his career for 1,498 return yards and 12 touchdowns.

17. Herb Adderley, Corneback

Herb Adderley won Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. AP Photo

Born: June 8, 1939 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Died: Oct. 30, 2020

High school: Northeast High School (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

College: Michigan State

Height/weight: 6-foot, 205 pounds

NFL career: 12 seasons (1961-72)

Teams: Green Bay Packers (1961-69), Dallas Cowboys (1970-72)

Career highlights: Three-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967, 1971), five-time NFL champion (1961, 1962, 1965-67), five-time Pro Bowl (1963-67), seven-time NFL All-Pro (1962-67, 1969), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Herb Adderley

AP Photo

Herb Adderley was a seven-time NFL All-Pro, won five NFL championships and two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers, then added another Super Bowl win with the Dallas Cowboys.

Adderley didn’t play defense until Green Bay coach Vince Lombardi moved him from halfback to cornerback as a rookie. Adderley retired with a career record of seven interception returns for touchdowns and added two scores on 3,080 kick return yards.

16. Mel Renfro, Safety/Cornerback

Mel Renfro, right, made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons. AP Photo

Born: Dec. 30, 1941 (Houston, Texas)

High school: Jefferson High School (Portland, Oregon)

College: Oregon

Height/weight: 6-foot, 190 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1964-77)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys

Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1971, 1977), seven-time NFL All-Pro (1964-66, 1969, 1971-73), 10-time Pro Bowl (1964-73)

Bottom Line: Mel Renfro

AP Photo

Mel Renfro made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons despite switching positions from safety to cornerback in his fifth year.

His career took off after that, leading the NFL in interceptions in 1969 and helping the Cowboys win two Super Bowls.

Even more impressive about Renfro was he played running back in college and didn’t move to defense until he was in the NFL.

15. Troy Polamalu, Safety

Troy Polamalu was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo

Born: April 19, 1981 (Garden Grove, California)

High school: Douglas High School (Winston, Oregon)

College: USC

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 207 pounds

NFL career: 12 seasons (2003-14)

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers

Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2005, 2008), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2010), six-time NFL All-Pro (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011), eight-time Pro Bowl (2004-08, 2010, 2011, 2013), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Troy Polamalu

Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo

Troy Polamalu was the centerpiece of two Super Bowl-winning teams for the Pittsburgh Steelers and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.

Few players could lay a hit as hard as Polamalu in NFL history, and he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2020.

14. Emmitt Thomas, Cornerback

Emmitt Thomas, left, won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1969. Chiefs / Twitter

Born: June 3, 1943 (Angleton, Texas)

High school: Angleton High School (Angleton, Texas)

College: Bishop

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 192 pounds

NFL career: 12 seasons (1967-78)

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1969), four-time NFL All-Pro (1969, 1971, 1974, 1975), five-time Pro Bowl (1968, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975)

Bottom Line: Emmitt Thomas

Bob Scott / AP Photo

Emmitt Thomas played for tiny Bishop College and made the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 1967 and helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win in 1969.

Thomas was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by the Seniors Committee in 2008 and won two more Super Bowl titles as an assistant coach with the Washington Redskins.

13. Mike Haynes, Cornerback

Mike Haynes was also a dominant punt returner in the early part of his career. AP Photo

Born: July 1, 1953 (Denison, Texas)

High school: John Marshall High School (Los Angeles, California)

College: Arizona State

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 192 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1976-89)

Teams: New England Patriots (1976-82), Los Angeles Raiders (1983-89)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1983), eight-time NFL All-Pro (1976-80, 1982, 1984, 1985), nine-time Pro Bowl (1976-80, 1982, 1984-86), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1984), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1976), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Mike Haynes

Mike Haynes, Michael Haynes, Curt Warner

Barry Sweet / AP Photo

Mike Haynes teamed with Lester Hayes on the Raiders to form one of the greatest cornerback duos of all time, including a Super Bowl win in 1983.

Haynes, who was a dominant punt returner in the early part of his career, was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1984 after he racked up a stunning 220 return yards on six interceptions.

12. Richard Sherman, Cornerback

Richard Sherman may have already earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Elaine Thompson / AP Photo

Born: March 30, 1988 (Compton, California)

High school: Dominguez High School (Compton, California)

College: Stanford

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 195 pounds

NFL career: 11 seasons (2011-21)

Teams: Seattle Seahawks (2011-17), San Francisco 49ers (2018-20), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2013), five-time NFL All-Pro (2012-15, 2019), five-time Pro Bowl (2013-16, 2019), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Richard Sherman

Gregory Payan / AP Photo

One of the more outspoken, intelligent players in NFL history, Richard Sherman led the “Legion of Boom” Seattle defense to a Super Bowl win in 2013, which was the same year he led the league in interceptions.

Sherman is probably the best example of a true cornerback’s worth not being judged through statistics alone — teams rarely threw his way from 2013 to 2017. Sherman retired in 2021 after 11 seasons and seems like a prime Hall of Fame candidate.

11. Charles Woodson, Cornerback

Charles Woodson won a national title with Michigan and a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. Jim Prisching / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 7, 1976 (Fremont, Ohio)

High school: Snider High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

College: Michigan

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 210 pounds

NFL career: 18 seasons (1998-2015)

Teams: Oakland Raiders (1998-2005), Green Bay Packers (2006-12), Oakland Raiders (2013-15)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2010), eight-time NFL All-Pro (1999-2001, 2008-11, 2015), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2009), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1998), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Charles Woodson

Elise Amendola / AP Photo

Charles Woodson became the only primary defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1997, the same year he led Michigan to its last national title.

He somehow managed to live up to the hype in the NFL, playing 18 dominant seasons.

How good was he? Woodson was the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and made his final All-Pro team in his final season in 2015.

10. Larry Wilson, Safety

Larry Wilson does a handstand after intercepting a pass. Rusty Kennedy / AP Photo

Born: March 24, 1938 (Rigby, Idaho)

Died: Sept. 17, 2020 (Scottsdale, Arizona)

High school: Rigby High School (Rigby, Idaho)

College: Utah

Height/weight: 6-foot, 192 pounds

NFL career: 13 seasons (1960-72)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Career highlights: Seven-time NFL All-Pro (1963, 1965-70), eight-time Pro Bowl (1962, 1963, 1965-70), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1966), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Larry Wilson

Fred Waters / AP Photo

Larry Wilson was a seventh-round draft pick by the Cardinals and became one of the greatest safeties the NFL has ever seen.

Wilson was so good he made two of the NFL’s official All-Decade teams for the 1960s and the 1970s, despite retiring in 1972.

Wilson’s also one of the few players in NFL history to play over a decade and never make the playoffs.

9. Champ Bailey, Cornerback

Champ Bailey led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2006. Jack Demspey / AP Photo

Born: June 22, 1978 (Fort Campbell, Kentucky)

High school: Charlton County High School (Folkston, Georgia)

College: Georgia

Height/weight: 6-foot, 192 pounds

NFL career: 15 seasons (1999-2013)

Teams: Washington Football Team (1999-2003), Denver Broncos (2004-13)

Career highlights: Seven-time NFL All-Pro (2000, 2003-07, 2012), 12-time Pro Bowl (2000-07, 2009-12), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Champ Bailey

Mark Humphrey / AP Photo

One of the greatest cornerbacks of all time, Champ Bailey was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2019 and is the NFL career leader for passes defended with 203.

Bailey led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2006 but ended his career without a Super Bowl win.

8. Rod Woodson, Cornerback

Rod Woodson was a pro in two sports, football and track and field. Jeff Glidden / AP Photo

Born: March 10, 1965 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

High school: Snider High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

College: Purdue

Height/weight: 6-foot, 205 pounds

NFL career: 17 seasons (1987-2003)

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-96), San Francisco 49ers (1997), Baltimore Ravens (1998-2001), Oakland Raiders (2002-03)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2000), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1993), eight-time NFL All-Pro (1989-94, 1996, 2002), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Rod Woodson

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo

Rod Woodson was a once-in-a-generation athlete — good enough that he raced in international track and field competitions in the high hurdles during a contract holdout with the Steelers as a rookie in 1987.

Woodson won NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1993, helped lead the Steelers to the AFC title in 1995 and won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2000.

7. Emlen Tunnell, Safety/Return Specialist

Emlen Tunnell is one of the greatest players in NFL history, but his exploits have almost been forgotten to time. AP Photo

Born: March 29, 1984 (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania)

Died: July 23, 1975 (Pleasantville, New York)

High school: Radnor High School (Radnor, Pennsylvania)

College: Iowa

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 211 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1948-61)

Teams: New York Giants (1948-58), Green Bay Packers (1959-61)

Career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1956, 1961), six-time NFL All-Pro (1949, 1951, 1952, 1954-56), nine-time Pro Bowl (1950-57, 1959), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Emlen Tunnell

John Lindsay / AP Photo

Emlen Tunnell played his last NFL game almost 70 years ago, but at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he still would be considered an elite safety in today’s game.

Tunnell helped lead two different franchises, the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, to NFL championships and retired as the NFL’s career leader for interceptions, interception return yards, punt returns and punt return yards.

6. Ed Reed, Safety

Ed Reed set the NFL record with his 107-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 11, 1978 (St. Rose, Louisiana)

High school: Destrehan High School (Destrehan, Louisiana)

College: Miami

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 205 pounds

NFL career: 12 seasons (2002-13)

Teams: Baltimore Ravens (2002-13), Houston Texas (2013), New York Jets (2013)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2012), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004), eight-time NFL All-Pro (2003, 2004, 2006-11), nine-time Pro Bowl (2003, 2004, 2006-12), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Ed Reed

Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

Ed Reed led the NFL in interceptions three times and holds two career records, for most interception return yards and the longest interception return for a touchdown at 107 yards.

In a testament to Reed’s greatness and diversity on the field, he led the NFL in six different statistical categories throughout his career.

Reed won his only Super Bowl in his final season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

5. Mel Blount, Cornerback

Mel Blount won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a key part of the “Steel Curtain” defense. AP Photo

Born: April 10, 1948 (Vidalia, Georgia)

High school: Lyons High School (Lyons, Georgia)

College: Southern

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1970-83)

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers

Career highlights: Four-time Super Bowl champion (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979), five-time Pro Bowl (1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981), six-time NFL All-Pro (1975-79, 1981), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

Bottom Line: Mel Blount

Cris Collinsworth, Ken Anderson, Mel Blount

Gene Puskar / AP Photo

Mel Blount defined cornerback play in his era and probably would’ve defined it in any era.

At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Blount’s combination of size and speed made him an impossible matchup for other teams.

He was the star of the secondary for Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” defense in four Super Bowl wins and elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

4. Darrell Green, Cornerback

Darrell Green was the oldest defensive back in NFL history at 42 years old. Doug Mills / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 15, 1960 (Houston, Texas)

High school: Jones High School (Houston, Texas)

College: Texas A&M-Kingsville

Height/weight: 5-foot-9, 184 pounds

NFL career: 20 seasons (1983-2002)

Teams: Washington Football Team

Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1982, 1987), four-time NFL All-Pro (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991), seven-time Pro Bowl (1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Darrell Green

Pete Wright / AP Photo

Darrell Green was one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play the game and set an NFL record with an interception in 19 consecutive seasons.

Green, who played at NCAA Division II Texas A&M-Kingsville, played 20 total seasons and won two Super Bowls.

He retired in 2002, at 42 years old, making him the oldest defensive back in NFL history.

3. Ronnie Lott, Safety

Ronnie Lott chose to have part of his finger amputated instead of miss the start of the 1986 NFL season. Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Born: May 8, 1959 (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

High school: Eisenhower High School (Rialto, California)

College: USC

Height/weight: 6-foot, 203 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1981-94)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1981-90), Los Angeles Raiders (1991-92), New York Jets (1993-94)

Career highlights: Four-time Super Bowl champion (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989), eight-time NFL All-Pro (1981, 1983, 1986-91), 10-time Pro Bowl (1981-84, 1986-91), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Ronnie Lott

Kathy Willens / AP Photo

The greatest safety in NFL history, Ronnie Lott was a four-time Super Bowl champion, and some of the stories of Lott’s toughness were mythical even during his playing days.

Even at that, one story still stands above the rest. When Lott severely injured his left pinkie finger making a tackle in 1985, he was told bone graft surgery was the only way to save the finger cosmetically.

It would also force him to miss the start of the 1986 season. Lott chose to have the top of the pinky amputated and led the NFL in interceptions in 1986.

2. Dick “Night Train” Lane, Cornerback

Dick “Night Train” Lane’s career and life seem pulled from a Hollywood script. Harold P. Matosian / AP Photo

Born: April 16, 1928 (Austin, Texas)

Died: Jan. 29, 2002 (Austin, Texas)

High school: Anderson High School (Austin, Texas)

College: Scottsbluff Junior College

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 194 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1952-65)

Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1952-53), Chicago Cardinals (1954-59), Detroit Lions (1960-65)

Career highlights: Seven-time All-Pro (1956, 1957, 1959-63), seven-time Pro Bowl (1954-56, 1958, 1960-62), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Dick ‘Night Train’ Lane

Preston Stroup / AP Photo

1. Deion Sanders, Cornerback/Return Specialist

Few professional athletes have captured the public’s imagination like Deion Sanders. John Greilick / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 9, 1967 (Fort Myers, Florida)

High School: North Fort Myers High School (North Fort Myers, Florida)

College: Florida State

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 198 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (1989-2000, 2004-05)

Teams: Atlanta Falcons (1989-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995-99), Washington Redskins (2000), Baltimore Ravens (2004-05)

Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1994, 1995), eight-time NFL All-Pro (1992-94, 1996-98), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1994), NFL 100th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Deion Sanders

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deion Sanders

Kevork Djansezian / AP Photo

Simply the greatest defensive back of all time, Deion Sanders played with a flash and exuberance that seemed to transcend the game itself.

One of the fastest humans who ever lived, Sanders also played Major League Baseball full-time for his first seven seasons in the NFL, led the National League in triples in 1992 and returned for two more seasons in the majors in 1997 and 2001.

Sanders won Super Bowls in back-to-back years with two different teams, the 49ers and Cowboys, and retired from the NFL for three years before returning for two seasons with the Ravens in 2004 and 2005.