All-Time NFL GOATs at Every Position

It's time to take the all-time debate to another level.

All-Time NFL GOATs at Every Position

We're not sure where this incessant Greatest of All Time talk started, but there has to be a better way. Take the NFL. So much has changed over the years, it’s impossible to compare players from different eras. We have no idea how Joe Montana and Tom Brady would have fared in the 1950s any more than Otto Graham and Johnny Unitas would now. No one does.

What we do know is how each player performed against his immediate peers. So before we choose the GOATs, we propose that we start with the GOHTs (Greatest of His Time). Then we can bicker about which dominated their eras to the largest degrees based on a combination of individual and team performances. Only then does this GOAT debate make sense.

That’s the process that we used to select the GOATs but with a twist. To better resemble a real all-time team, players were evaluated at their specific positions, that is, left or right side when applicable. And only members of the NFL 100th Anniversary Team were considered.

Now for the Greatest GOAT List of All Time.

End: Don Hutson

Career: 11 seasons (1935-45)

Teams: Green Bay Packers

Don Hutson Stats

Don Hutson at Green Bay Packers practice

All-Pro selections: 8 (1938-45)

Pro Bowl selections: 4 (1939-42)

Pass receptions/game: 4.2

Yards from scrimmage/game: 71.3

Touchdowns/game: 0.9

Bottom Line: Don Hutson

Buck Rogers wasn't this far ahead of his time. Take Don Hutson's insane 1942 season, when "The Alabama Antelope" caught 74 passes, nearly 3.1 times more than the next highest total.

Now consider that when Babe Ruth became the first major leaguer to reach the 50-home run mark, his 54 taters were only 2.8 times more than the runner-up.

Also considered: Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers)

Left Offensive Tackle: Anthony Munoz

Career: 13 seasons (1980-92)

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Anthony Munoz Stats

Anthony Munoz with Cincinnati Bengals offensive line

All-Pro selections: 9 (1981-83, 1985-90)

Pro Bowl selections: 11 (1981-91)

Fumble recoveries: 6

Bottom Line: Anthony Munoz

Anthony Munoz and Paul Brown were the first members of the Cincinnati Bengals' Ring of Honor, and they are widely considered to be the two most important figures in franchise history. And Brown was their cofounder and first head coach.

That says a lot about Munoz. If the USC product isn’t the best offensive linemen to ever play the game, then he deserves to be on the short list.

Also considered: Roosevelt Brown (New York Giants), Walter Jones (Seattle Seahawks), Jim Parker (Baltimore Colts)

Left Offensive Guard: Jim Parker

Career: 11 seasons (1957-67)

Team: Baltimore Colts

Jim Parker Stats

Jim Parker at Ohio State with coach Woody Hayes and teammates

All-Pro selections: 8 (1958-65)

Pro Bowl selections: 8 (1958-65)

Fumble recoveries: 6

Bottom Line: Jim Parker

Johnny Unitas’ bodyguard had more All-Pro seasons (five) at left tackle than the guard spot. But how could we penalize one of the most dominant players at any position because of his versatility? The guy whose best all-around season (1964) came after the move inside?

Answer: We couldn’t. Sorry, John Hannah.

Open for debate: Hannah (New England Patriots), Danny Fortmann (Chicago Bears), Randall McDaniel (Minnesota Vikings), Gene Upshaw (Oakland Raiders)

Center: Mike Webster

Career: 17 seasons (1974-90)

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-90)

Mike Webster Stats

All-Pro selections: 5 (1978-81, 1983)

Pro Bowl selections: 9 (1978-1985, 1987)

Fumble recoveries: 6

Bottom Line: Mike Webster

The Steel Curtain got the fame and nickname, but the offensive line wasn’t far behind in terms of performance. It started with "Iron Mike" Webster, who set the physical tone in the middle for 13 seasons.

Yo, Greatest 100 Players selection committee, where’s six-time All-Pro Jim Ringo, the all-time Packers great? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Honorable mention: Mel Hein (New York Giants), Dwight Stephenson (Miami Dolphins)

Right Offensive Guard: Bruce Matthews

Career: 19 seasons (1983-2001)

Team: Houston/Tennessee Titans

Bruce Matthews Stats

All-Pro selections: 7 (1988-90, 1992, 1998-2000)

Pro Bowl selections: 14 (1988-2001)

Fumble recoveries: 10

Bottom Line: Bruce Matthews

Here’s the one position that lacks an abundance of legit candidates, not that the youngest of the Matthews bros is Hamburger Helper or anything.

A few of Bruce Matthews' 14 consecutive Pro Bowl selections were more out of habit than merit, but in terms of consistency, versatility and durability, no one was in his class.

Not only did he take part in 296 of a possible 304 games, but he started at each of the five line positions at one time or another.

Right Offensive Tackle: Forrest Gregg

Career: 15 seasons (1956, 1958-71)

Teams: Green Bay Packers (1956, 1958-70), Dallas Cowboys (1971)

Forrest Gregg Stats

Forrest Gregg sits on bench with Green Bay Packers teammates

All-Pro selections: 6 (1960, 1962-67)

Pro Bowl selections: 9 (1959-64, 1966-68)

Fumble recoveries: 8

Bottom Line: Forrest Gregg

The master of the drive-and-seal maneuver was crucial to the success of the play that defined a dynasty — the vaunted Packers power sweep. (Cue head coach Vince Lombardi here). What we’re trying to get is a seal here . . . and a seal here . . . and try to run this play in the alley . . .

On the short list: Bob St. Clair (San Francisco 49ers), Dan Dierdorf (St. Louis Cardinals), Jackie Slater (Los Angeles Rams)

Tight End: Rob Gronkowski

Career: 11 seasons (2010-18, 2020-21)

Teams: New England Patriots (2010-18), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-21)

Rob Gronkowski Stats

Rob Gronkowski celebrates in Super Bowl 55

All-Pro selections: 5 (2011-12, 2014-15, 2017)

Pro Bowl selections: 4 (2011, 2014-15, 2017)

Pass receptions/game: 4.3

Yards from scrimmage/game: 64.8

Touchdowns/game: 0.7

Bottom Line: Rob Gronkowski

This position has morphed into a third wide receiver in the pass-drunk days of pro football. Rob Gronkowski is the notable exception. He’s a throwback to the days when tight ends were also required to get down and dirty in the run game.

We know about Gronk the pass receiver especially in the red zone, but he hasn’t gotten his due as one of the most effective blockers of his time.

Close second: John Mackey (Baltimore Colts)

Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice

Career: 20 seasons (1985-2004)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1985-2000), Oakland Raiders (2001-04), Seattle Seahawks (2004)

Jerry Rice Stats

All-Pro selections: 10 (1986-90, 1992-96)

Pro Bowl selections: 13 (1986-96, 1998, 2002)

Pass receptions/game: 5.1

Yards from scrimmage/game: 77.7

Touchdowns/game: 0.7

Bottom Line: Jerry Rice

Did Flash 80 make quarterback Joe Montana? Or did Montana make him? Who cares? All that matters is that Jerry Rice ranks No. 1 in pass receptions, yards and touchdowns at his position in pro football history.

And it would take a 12-hour flight and $250 Uber ride to find the next person on the list.

Also considered: Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers)

Quarterback: Otto Graham

Career: 6 seasons (1950-55)

Team: AAFC Cleveland Browns (1946-49), Cleveland Browns (1950-55)

Otto Graham Stats

All-Pro selections: 4 (1951, 1953-55)

Pro Bowl selections: 5 (1950-54)

Total yards gained/game: 187.2

Total touchdowns/game: 1.7

Bottom Line: Otto Graham

We rest our case on one irrefutable fact: Throw out his four AAFC championships in as many seasons, and Graham still is the most dominant quarterback of any era.

In six NFL seasons, he won 81 percent of his games and played in the championship game every time. He also was the league leader in every major statistical category at least once.

Automatic Otto fun fact: His insane .642 complete percentage in the 1953 season is the equivalent of .892(!) in the 2020 season. (Brady’s best mark: .689 in 2007).

Special mention: Brady (New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Johnny Unitas (Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers)

Running Back: Walter Payton

Career: 13 seasons (1975-87)

Team: Chicago Bears

Walter Payton Stats

All-Pro selections: 5 (1976-77, 1980, 1984-85)

Pro Bowl selections: 9 (1976-80, 1983-86)

Ball touches/game: 22.8

Yards from scrimmage/game: 111.9

Touchdowns/game: 0.7

Bottom Line: Walter Payton

There have been better runners. There have been better receivers. There have been better blockers. There have been better leaders. But there has never been a better combination of the four in the backfield than Walter Payton.

Not only that, but "Sweetness" did all this with some of the least talented and imaginative offenses this side of Charlie Brown’s All-Stars.

Also considered: Marshall Faulk (Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams), Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals), Barry Sanders (Detroit Lions), LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers, New York Jets)

Fullback: Jim Brown

Career: 9 (1957-65)

Team: Cleveland Browns

Jim Brown Stats

All-Pro selections: 8 (1957-61, 1963-65)

Pro Bowl selections: 9 (1957-65)

Ball touches/game: 22.2

Yards from scrimmage/game: 125.5

Touchdowns/game: 1.1

Bottom Line: Jim Brown

One can argue whether or not Jimmy Brown was the greatest football player ever.

Just don’t waste out time about whether he was the greatest at his position, OK?

Also considered: Not. A. One.

Kickoff Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson

Career: 8 (2013-present)

Teams: Minnesota Vikings (2013-16), Oakland Raiders (2017), New England Patriots (2018), Chicago Bears (2019-present)

Cordarrelle Patterson Stats

Cordarrelle Patterson runs for a touchdown

All-Pro selections: 4 (2013, 2106, 2019-20)

Pro Bowl selections: 4 (2013, 2106, 2019-20)

Return yards/kickoff: 29.8

Kickoff return touchdowns: 8

Bottom Line: Cordarrelle Patterson

So much greatness, so little room. We decided on Cordarrelle Patterson on the basis of consistent excellence and longevity. For starters, he’s No. 1 in touchdowns and No. 2 in yards per return in NFL history.

And he’s one of a select few to lead the league in every major category at least once in their careers — number of returns, yards, average yards, longest gain and touchdowns.

Honorable mention: Mel Gray (New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles), Gale Sayers (Chicago Bears), Abe Woodson (San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Cardinals)

Placekicker: Adam Vinatieri

Career: 25 seasons (1996-present)

Teams: New England Patriots (1996-2005), Indianapolis Colts (2006-present)

Adam Vinatieri Stats

Adam Vinatieri kicks game-winning field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI

All-Pro selections: 3 (2002, 2004 2014)

Pro Bowl selections: 3 (2002, 2004 2014)

Field goals: 599

Field goal percentage: .838

Bottom Line: Adam Vinatieri

The all-time points leader ranks first or second in virtually every category in league history, but it’s not only about how many. It’s also about when.

Pure and simple, "Iceman" nailed more clutch kicks in the postseason than anyone in league history. (Fist bumps to Gary Anderson and John Carney, the only placekickers with career 80 percent success rates to have played in the 1980s decade.)

On the radar: Justin Tucker (Baltimore Ravens)

Defensive End: Reggie White

Career: 15 seasons (1985-98, 2000)

Teams: USFL Memphis Showboats (1984-85), Philadelphia Eagles (1985-92), Green Bay Packers (1993-98), Carolina Panthers (2000)

Reggie White Stats

Reggie White congratulated by Packers teammates

All-Pro selections: 8 (1986-91, 1995, 1998)

Pro Bowl selections: 13 (1986-98)

Sacks: 198

Fumble recoveries: 20

Bottom Line: Reggie White

The "Minister of Defense" was the most versatile lineman of his time, if not all time.

Reggie White was strong enough to excel at tackle and quick enough to dominate at end, so much so that he was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection at both positions.

Big Dawg fun fact: His 0.85 sacks per game are more than Bruce Smith, the all-time leader in the category.

In the hunt: Deacon Jones (Los Angeles Rams), Gino Marchetti (Baltimore Texans-Colts)

Defensive Tackle: Joe Greene

Career: 13 seasons (1969-81)

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Joe Greene Stats

Joe Greene gets ready to block pass by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton

All-Pro: 4 (1972-74, 1977)

Pro Bowl selections: 11 (1969-79)

Sacks: NA

Fumble recoveries: 16

Bottom Line: Joe Greene

Why does the Steel Curtain rate as the greatest defense of alll time over an extended period? Simple. Because the "Mean One" occupied a couple or three blockers. So the defense played 10 against eight or nine when Joe Greene was on the field.

Look at game films early in his pro career, and the guy resembles a fifth-year senior who crashed the junior varsity game. The greatest Steeler of them all was that big and strong and athletic and ornery.

Runner-up: Merlin Olsen (Los Angeles Rams)

Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis

Career: 17 seasons (1996-2012)

Teams: Baltimore Ravens

Ray Lewis Stats

All-Pro selections: 7 (1999-2001, 2003-04, 2008-09)

Pro Bowl selections: 13 (1997-2001, 2003-04, 2006-2011)

Sacks: 41.5

Interceptions: 31

Fumble recoveries: 20

Bottom Line: Ray Lewis

We were tempted to disqualify "Sugar" because of that incredibly goofy and narcissistic dance of his but thought better of it.

Dick Butkus and Jack Lambert are in the conversation, but Butkus played on bum knees for too much of his career, and "Jack Splat" benefited greatly from players (read: Joe Greene) in front of him.

Close calls: Butkus (Chicago Bears), Lambert (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Defensive Tackle: Bob Lilly

Career: 1961-74 (14 seasons)

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Bob Lilly Stats

All-Pro selections: 6 (1964-69, 1971)

Pro Bowl selections: 11 (1962, 1964-1973)

Sacks: NA

Fumble recoveries: 18

Bottom Line: Bob Lilly

Wanna start an argument at a Big D sports bar? Ask a Cowboys fan to pick between Bob Lilly and Randy White.

We chose Lilly for these reasons:

5. He was the first draft pick in franchise history and Ring of Honor inductee.

4. He never sat out a game.

3. He did more with less around him.

2. Six consecutive All-Pro and 10 consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

1. Dude, he’s known as Mr. Cowboy, right?

In the debate: White, Alan Page (Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears), John Randle (Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks)

Defensive End: Bruce Smith

Career: 1985-2003 (17 seasons)

Team: Buffalo Bills (1985-99), Washington Redskins (2000-03)

Bruce Smith Stats

All-Pro selections: 8 (1987-88, 1990, 1993-97)

Pro Bowl selections: 11 (1987-90, 1992-97)

Sacks: 200

Fumble recoveries: 15

Bottom Line: Bruce Smith

Bruce Smith was one-dimensional early in his career, but what a dimension it was. As the all-time NFL sacks leader, he set the standard for what has become one of the most important positions on the field.

Consistent? Over a 13-year stretch (1986-98), he had at last 10 sacks in all except the 1991 season, when a bum left knee limited him to five games.

He also was more than a speed bump on run plays in later years.

Also considered: Doug Atkins (Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints)

Outside Linebacker: Jack Ham

Career: 12 seasons (1971-82)

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Jack Ham Stats

Jack Ham grabs Cincinnati Bengal quarterback Kenny Anderson's arm

All-Pro selections: 6 (1974-79)

Pro Bowl selections: 8 (1973-80)

Sacks: 3*

Interceptions: 32

Fumble recoveries: 21

*Sacks became an official NFL stat in 1982.

Bottom Line: Jack Ham

The "Hammer" was George Constanza to the Steel Curtain’s Jerry Seinfeld, the quiet one who often stole the show from his more celebrated homies.

Jack Ham was so fundamentally sound, textbooks asked him for advice. He was almost always one step ahead of the opposition. Rarely out of position. Seldom missed a tackle. Almost never dropped a ball.

If there was better pass defender at his position, then the name escapes us at the moment.

Next man up: Ted Hendricks (Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, Oakland-Los Angeles Raiders)

Outside Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor

Career: 13 seasons (1981-93)

Team: New York Giants

Lawrence Taylor Stats

r Lawrence Taylor pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon

All-Pro selections: 9 (1981-86, 1987-89)

Pro Bowl selections: 10 (1981-90)

Sacks: 132.5

Interceptions: 9

Fumble recoveries: 11

Bottom Line: Lawrence Taylor

Whenever the letters "L.T." are mentioned, one sentence comes to mind immediately. "Hey, baby, let’s go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs!" Yeah, that summed him up — crazed dog.

The guy wasn’t human as a relentless pass rusher and maniacal presence on the field. Few could raise the floor around him like this one.

Now we’d like to know what he really did before games.

On the radar: Derrick Brooks (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Junior Seau (San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots)

Cornerback: Dick 'Night Train' Lane

Career: 14 seasons (1952-65)

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

Dick 'Night Train' Lane Stats

Dick Lane brings down Jim Taylor in Detroit

All-Pro selections: 3 (1956, 1961-62)

Pro Bowl selections: 6 (1954-56, 1958, 1961-62)

Interceptions: 68

Fumble recoveries: 11

Bottom line: Dick 'Night Train' Lane

As the first of the big, athletic, great cornerbacks, "Night Train" turned the game upside down. Literally.

The 6-foot-1, 194-pounder brought a killer attitude to the position that it hadn’t seen before. The inventor of the clothesline tackle beheaded so many pass receivers, the tactic was outlawed not a second too soon.

He ranks fourth in interceptions in league history, and his 14 picks as a rookie is a record that could stand forever.

Special mention: Rod Woodson (Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders)

Cornerback: Deion Sanders

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)

Deion Sanders Stats

All-Pro selections: 6 (1992-94, 1996-98)

Pro Bowl selections: 8 (1991-94, 1996-99)

Interceptions: 53

Fumble recoveries: 13

Bottom Line: Deion Sanders

Yeah, "Prime Time" treated contact like it was a live hand grenade, all right. Given his outrageous athleticism and ball skills, he could play touch football while everyone else tackled.

It’s hard to deny that Prime Time was the best cover defender in pro football history, which is the No. 1 requirement of the position.

Honorable mention: Mel Blount (Pittsburgh Steelers), Mike Haynes (New England Patriots, Los Angeles Raiders)

Strong Safety: Jack Christiansen

Career: 8 seasons (1951-58)

Teams: Detroit Lions

Jack Christiansen Stats

All-Pro selections: 6 (1952-57)

Pro Bowl selections: 5 (1953-57)

Interceptions: 46

Fumble recoveries: 7

Bottom Line: Jack Christiansen

The Lions secondary was known as Chris’ Crew in the 1950s decade, so smart, athletic and inspirational was this three-time league champion.

In five seasons at the left side — there was no strong safety designation in Jack Christiansen day — the three-sport college star at Colorado State was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in each one of them.

Added bonus: His career 12.8 yards per punt return rank numero uno in league history.

In the mix: Ken Houston (Houston Oilers, Washington Redskins), Emlen Tunnell (New York Giants, Green Bay Packers)

Free Safety: Ronnie Lott

Career: 14 seasons (1981-94)

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

Ronnie Lott Stats

Ronnie Lott and 49ers teammates celebrate

All-Pro selections: 6 (1981, 1986-87, 1989-91)

Pro Bowl selections: 10 (1981-84, 1986-91)

Interceptions: 63

Fumble recoveries: 17

Bottom Line: Ronnie Lott

Ultra rare is the defensive back who can hit, cover ground and lead at the same time. Well, Ronnie Lott did all three at an elite level.

He accounted for nearly seven turnovers per 16-game season. Courage? You do know about the pinkie that he had amputated in order to suit up in a playoff game, right?

Also considered: Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, New York Jets), Larry Wilson (St. Louis Cardinals)

Punt returner: Devin Hester

Career: 11 seasons (2006-16)

Teams: Chicago Bears (2006-13), Atlanta Falcons (2014-15), Baltimore Ravens (2016)

Devin Hester Stats

All-Pro/Pro Bowl selections: 3 (2006-07, 2010)

Pro Bowl selections: 4 (2006-07, 2010, 2014)

Return yards/punt: 11.7

Punt return touchdowns: 14

Bottom Line: Devin Hester

There was a time when "The Windy City Flyer" was a bigger threat to score on one kick than the Bears offense in an entire quarter. Devin Hester ranks first in touchdowns, third in punt return yards and fifth in punt returns in league history.

As Bears play-by-play guy Jeff Joniak often sprained his larynx, "Devin Hester, you are ri-diculous!"

In the hunt: Billy Johnson (Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins),Eric Metcalf (Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers), Rick Upchurch (Denver Broncos)

Punter: Sammy Baugh

Career: 16 seasons (1937–1952)

Team: Washington Redskins

Sammy Baugh Stats

Sam Baugh passing for the Washington Redskins

All-Pro/Pro Bowl selections: 4 (1937, 1940, 1942-43)

Pro Bowl selections: 6 (1938-42, 1951)

Punts: 338

Yards/punt: 45.1

Bottom Line: Sammy Baugh

Twenty-two punters have a higher career average, but this Hall of Famer is the only one among them who played in the 20th century. Oh, and get this: His 51.4-yards average in 1940 is still the highest in league history.

As old-timers can tell you, Slingin’ Sammy was a dad-gum good quarterback and defensive back, too.

Close calls: Ray Guy (Oakland-Los Angeles Raiders), Sean Lechler (Oakland Raiders-Houston Texans)