Who are the greatest defensive linemen in football history? Here are the top 24, ranked by their rating in 17-0 — the free game where you draft an all-time roster and simulate whether it can go a perfect 17-0 season. Aaron Donald (Rams) tops the list at 98.
The ranking
Best defensive linemen ever · rating out of 100
- 1Aaron Donald
Rams · 2020s98 - 2Reggie White
Eagles · 1980s97 - 3Deacon Jones
Rams · 1960s96 - 4Joe Greene
Steelers · 1970s96 - 5J.J. Watt
Texans · 2010s96 - 6Bob Lilly
Cowboys · 1960s95 - 7Bruce Smith
Bills · 1990s95 - 8Myles Garrett
Browns · 2020s95 - 9Alan Page
Vikings · 1970s94 - 10Randy White
Cowboys · 1980s93 - 11Warren Sapp
Buccaneers · 2000s93 - 12Michael Strahan
Giants · 2000s93 - 13Nick Bosa
49ers · 2020s93 - 14Merlin Olsen
Rams · 1960s92 - 15Julius Peppers
Panthers · 2000s92 - 16Chris Jones
Chiefs · 2020s92 - 17DeMarcus Ware
Cowboys · 2010s92 - 18Maxx Crosby
Raiders · 2020s91 - 19Will Anderson Jr.
Texans · 2020s91 - 20Trey Hendrickson
Bengals · 2020s91 - 21Jack Youngblood
Rams · 1970s90 - 22Howie Long
Raiders · 1980s90 - 23Cortez Kennedy
Seahawks · 1990s90 - 24John Randle
Vikings · 1990s90
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