The NFL has seen its fair share of dominant defensive players, but only a select few have been drafted in Round 1 and delivered a HOF worthy career. Here are the top 5 Round 1 defensive players in NFL history. (Calm down Cowboys and Niners fans. Parsons and Bosa will be on the list in due time.)
Lawrence Taylor - New York Giants (1981) Lawrence Taylor is widely considered the best defensive player in NFL history, and his rookie season was no exception. In 1981, Taylor recorded 9.5 sacks and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He went on to win two Super Bowls, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and was named to 10 Pro Bowls. LT was the ultimate game-wrecker.
Reggie White - Philadelphia Eagles (1984) Reggie White was an absolute force on the defensive line, and his rookie season set the tone for his career. In 1984, White recorded 13 sacks and was named the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He went on to win two Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Super Bowl, and was named to 13 Pro Bowls. His nickname was "The Minister of Defense," enough said.
Ray Lewis - Baltimore Ravens (1996) Ray Lewis had an immediate impact on the Ravens defense during his rookie season. In 1996, he recorded 142 tackles and was named the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Lewis went on to win two Defensive Player of the Year awards, two Super Bowls, and was named to 13 Pro Bowls. An argument can be made that we will never see another Ray Lewis on an NFL field again, due to the rule changes favoring offenses in today's game. There's no doubt that we will never see another Ray Lewis in an NFL locker room again. His leadership and ability to galvanize his team and fans continues to be unmatched.
J.J. Watt - Houston Texans (2011) J.J. Watt burst onto the scene in 2011, recording 5.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in his second season, but his rookie year was equally impressive. Watt has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, been named to five Pro Bowls, and has 114.5 career sacks. He was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team as well. Despite multiple significant injuries throughout his career, Watt still managed to produce a Hall of Fame worthy career before retiring this past January.
Julius Peppers - Carolina Panthers (2002) Julius Peppers was a dominant force on the Panthers' defensive line from the very beginning. In his rookie season, he recorded 12 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and was named the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Peppers went on to have a 17-year career, making nine Pro Bowls and recording 159.5 sacks, which ranks fourth all-time in NFL history. He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s. I could be werong, but I have little doubt that Peppers will be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the end of the decade. My guess is that it will be sooner rather that later.
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