The Biggest Steals in NFL History: Defensive Players

In the final part of our series, we look at defensive players who have been the biggest steals in NFL history.

These players may have been the backbones of their respective teams, but they were not high draft picks. Many of these players were eventually recognized for their outstanding work on the field, but it had nothing to with their college reputations.

These players earned their status based on their on-field production.

Defensive Back Everson Walls

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Drafted: Undrafted free agent

Career: 1981-1993

Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1981-1989); New York Giants (1990-1992); Cleveland Browns (1992-1993)

Key Stat: 57 career interceptions, including a league-high 11 picks in 1981.

Overview: Everson Walls was not drafted after a fine college career at Grambling, but the Dallas Cowboys liked what they saw from him when they brought him into training camp.

Tom Landry immediately put Walls in the lineup, and he was rewarded with one of the best seasons any rookie free agent has ever had in the NFL. Walls became the league's top ball hawk, and he made it very dangerous for opposing quarterbacks to test the Cowboys secondary.

Walls would maintain his status as a top cover corner throughout his 13-season career in the NFL.

Defensive End Richard Dent

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Drafted: Eighth round, 1983 draft (203rd pick)

Career: 1983-1997

Teams: Chicago Bears (1983-1993); San Francisco 49ers (1994); Chicago Bears (1995); Indianapolis Colts (1996); Philadelphia Eagles (1997)

Key Stat: Recorded a league-best 17.0 sacks in 1985; had eight seasons with 10.0 sacks or more.

Overview: The Chicago Bears had one of the best championship seasons of any team in NFL history in 1985. The 18-1 Bears were led by one of the best defensive teams in pro football history. Richard Dent was their best pass-rusher.

Dent had an array of moves that he used to get after the quarterback, and he performed them all at warp speed. There was an air of inevitability that went with Chicago's "46" defense that opposing quarterbacks knew they were going to get hit hard, and it was usually Dent who led the charge.

Dent was a skinny college player from Tennessee State when the Bears drafted him. They soon realized that dental problems were the cause of his underdeveloped frame because he could not eat without pain. The Bears sent Dent to the dentist, and he quickly put on weight and strength and became one of the most devastating pass-rushers in the league.

Dent was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Linebacker Zach Thomas

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Drafted: Fifth round, 1996 draft (154th pick)

Career: 1996-2008

Team: Miami Dolphins (1996-2007); Dallas Cowboys (2008)

Key Stat: Registered 100 tackles or more four times in his career; five-time All-Pro.

Overview: Zach Thomas was one of the hardest-working players in the 1996 draft, and he developed a reputation as a linebacker who could go sideline to sideline to make plays while playing for high-scoring Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders were an offensive-minded, high-scoring team when Thomas played for them, and a lot of scouts did not pay much attention to an undersized (5'11" and 230 pounds) linebacker.

Thomas knew this, and he used that slight to fuel his motivation throughout his career. Even though he regularly went up against opponents who were bigger, stronger and faster, Thomas won the battle and was the Dolphins' most consistent defensive player during his tenure with the team.

Defensive End Deacon Jones

Drafted: 14th round, 1961 draft (186th pick)

Career: 1961-1974

Team: Los Angeles Rams (1961-1971); San Diego Chargers (1972-1973); Washington Redskins (1973)

Key Stat: Eight-time Pro Bowler; five-time All-Pro.

Overview: You won't see Deacon Jones' name next to any of the NFL's official sack records, because when he tackled a quarterback behind the line of scrimmage, it was not an official sack during his playing career.

But it was Jones who coined the word and made it part of the NFL's lexicon. "I called it sacking the quarterback because it was like war when they would 'sack' the city," Jones told me in a 2009 interview. "It was just devastating, man. That was my contribution to the game."

If the statistic had been kept, Jones would have exceeded the 20.0 mark on a regular basis. Former Rams coach George Allen recognized him as the most devastating defensive player of his era.

Defensive Tackle John Randle

Drafted: Undrafted free agent

Career: 1990-2003

Team: Minnesota Vikings (1990-2000); Seattle Seahawks (2001-2003)

Key Stat: Registered 15.5 sacks in 1997; had eight consecutive seasons with 10.0 or more sacks between 1992 and 1998.

Overview: John Randle was a self-made player who went from undrafted free agent to Hall of Famer.

Like many of the undrafted players we have referenced in this series, Randle was an undersized player when he came out of tiny Texas A&M-Kingsville. Few teams took Randle seriously because he was a 6'1", 290-pound defensive tackle.

Randle was well aware of the skeptics, and he demonstrated his talent and his non-stop motor on an every-week basis. He was one of the great warriors in the game, and he outworked the competition to cause havoc. Randle was known for letting out war whoops as he attacked opposing quarterbacks, and he claimed that getting that sack was "better than sex."

Cornerback Ronde Barber

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Drafted: Third round, 1997 draft (66th pick)

Career: 1997-2012

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key Stat: League-high 10 interceptions in 2001; five-time Pro Bowl performer.

Overview: While his twin brother Tiki Barber received the lions' share of the publicity while both were playing in the NFL, Ronde Barber was known for his strong and consistent play throughout his run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Barber understood how to read quarterbacks and knew how to set them up so he could come up with the interception at the crucial point in a game. While the Bucs were known for their hard-hitting defense with Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp and John Lynch during their 2002 championship run, don't forget about Barber's skill as a cover corner.

He was also a productive tackler even though he was undersized at 5'10" and 184 pounds.

Defensive End Charles Haley

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Drafted: Fourth round, 1996 draft (96th pick)

Career: 1986-1999

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1986-1991); Dallas Cowboys (1992-1996); San Francisco 49ers (1998-99)

Key Stat: Registered 16.0 sacks in 1990; five-time Pro Bowl performer.

Overview: Charles Haley was one of the most dominant, intimidating and devastating football players of the last 30 years.

In a league filled with mean, nasty and tough players, Haley may be at the top of the list. Opponents feared him, and teammates gave him a wide berth because they did not want to get on the wrong side of him.

Haley played the game with a sense of inevitability that was fueled by fury. He knew that he was going to get opposing quarterbacks, and they knew it was going to happen as well. Haley had strength, power, a quick first step and the desire to maim anyone who got in his way.

Cornerback Lester Hayes

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Drafted: Fifth round, 1977 draft (126th pick)

Career: 1977-1986

Team: Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Key Stat: League-high 13 interceptions in 1980; five-time Pro Bowl performer.

Overview: Lester Hayes was one of the great cover men of his era, and he was a spectacular performer in the 1980 season. He dominated the NFL with 13 interceptions, and any quarterback who challenged him was likely to come out on the losing end.

Hayes used to coat his hands and forearms with "Stick 'Em," which helped him hold onto any football that he got his hands on. The NFL would eventually ban its use, but Hayes was one of the key components of the Raiders' 1980 Super Bowl championship season.

Defensive Back Bill Bradley

Drafted: Third round, 1969 draft (69th pick)

Career: 1969-1977

Team: Philadelphia Eagles (1969-76); St. Louis Cardinals (1977)

Key Stat: League-high 11 interceptions in 1971; three-time Pro Bowl performer.

Overview: The late 1960s and early to mid-1970s was not an easy time to be a Philadelphia Eagles fan, as the team endured a litany of losing seasons.

While the Eagles were not a good team, they had one of the hardest-hitting players in the league in Bill Bradley, who also proved to be an athletic and acrobatic ball hawk. If Bradley thought he had a chance to intercept a pass, he would dive over an opposing receiver just to give himself the opportunity to create a turnover for his team.

Defensive End Manny Fernandez

Drafted: Undrafted free agent

Career: 1968-1975

Team: Miami Dolphins

Key Stat: Voted All-Conference or All-Pro four consecutive times between 1970 and 1973.

Overview: Manny Fernandez was one of the unsung heroes on the Miami Dolphins' No-Name defense that helped the team secure back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1972 and and 1973.

Fernandez could play anywhere on the defensive line, and he created huge matchup problems for opponents because of his speed, quickness and agility. Fernandez was able to get to the quarterback—before sacks became an official statistic—and he was equally good against the run.

Fernandez, an alligator hunter during the offseason, was a fearless performer who helped the Dolphins get to the top of the NFL.

Linebacker Woodrow Lowe

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Drafted: Fifth round, 1976 draft (131st pick)

Career: 1976-1986

Team: San Diego Chargers

Key Stat: Five interceptions, including a league-high two returned for touchdowns in 1979.

Overview: Woodrow Lowe was one of the most underrated players of his era. While he played on a team that was known for its offensive prowess thanks to head coach Don Coryell and quarterback Dan Fouts, Lowe was one of the most important players on the team.

The Chargers of that era struggled on the defensive side of the ball. They had only a few impact players, but Lowe was one of them. He was a not a big linebacker at 6'0" and 227 pounds, and that cost him when he was confronted by a huge lineman or a 240-pound running back.

However, Lowe had explosive speed, went sideline to sideline to make plays and was an effective tackler. If the Chargers could have surrounded Lowe with more good players, they would have had a chance to win a Super Bowl during Lowe's time in San Diego.

Linebacker London Fletcher

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Drafted: Undrafted free agent

Career: 1998-2013

Team: St. Louis Rams (1998-2001); Buffalo Bills (2002-2006); Washington Redskins (2007-2013)

Key Stat: 106 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions in 2000.

Overview: Based on his lack of height, it was no surprise that London Fletcher was not drafted in 1998 after finishing his college football career at the obscure John Carroll University.

However, the 5'10" Fletcher was invited to come to Dick Vermeil's training camp with the St. Louis Rams. The emotional head coach quickly recognized that what the undersized Fletcher lacked in the measurables, he made up in instincts and desire.

Fletcher, who would eventually fill out and play at 245 pounds, was an outstanding tackler. He helped the Rams win a Super Bowl and was also a solid player with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins.

Fletcher loved the game, showed younger players the right way to compete and left it all on the field until he retired at the end of the 2013 regular season.

Linebacker Tom Jackson

Drafted: Fourth round, 1973 draft (88th pick)

Career: 1973-1986

Team: Denver Broncos

Key Stat: Seven interceptions in 1976; named to three Pro Bowls.

Overview: Tom Jackson is a lot more than Chris Berman's partner on ESPN's NFL pregame show. He was one of the fastest linebackers of his era, and he was a key performer on Denver's Orange Crush defense in the late 1970s.

Jackson was both athletic and cerebral as he manned the middle linebacker position for Red Miller's team, which made it all the way to the Super Bowl in 1977.

His speed put him in a position to make play after play, and he came to the point of attack with nasty intentions.

Defensive End L.C. Greenwood

Drafted: 10th round, 1969 draft (238th pick)

Career: 1969-81

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Stat: Six-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro.

Overview: The Pittsburgh Steelers were perhaps the most moribund franchise in the NFL during 1969. Not only did they finish with a 1-13 record, but the team had never even come close to winning an NFL championship even though it had been around since 1933.

However, the seeds of the Steelers' turnaround were sewn in the 1969 draft. They selected Mean Joe Greene in the first round of that draft, and they also added L.C. Greenwood to play defensive end. Greenwood was not highly regarded, as he played his college football at Arkansas-Pine Bluff and did not face a high level of competition. 

However, the Steelers quickly recognized his athleticism and talent, and he became a huge part of the Steel Curtain defense that would win four Super Bowls in the 1970s under head coach Chuck Noll.

He was one of Steelers' best defensive players, and it was a great find to pick him up in the 10th round of the draft.

Linebacker Jessie Tuggle

Drafted: Undrafted free agent

Career: 1987-2000

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Key Stat: Credited with 207 tackles in 1991.

Overview: Jessie Tuggle did not appear on anybody's draft list in 1987 even though he had a stellar career at Valdosta (Ga.) State. That's because Tuggle was small at 5'11" and 230 pounds, and he faced a low level of competition.

However, Tuggle was like a missile on the football field. He was one of the fastest linebackers in the last 30 years, and once he got his hands on a running back or a receiver, he was a superb tackler.

Many decry the tackling in the game today. Coaches who want to improve their team in that area should get a reel of Tuggle's form tackling. 

Tuggle averaged 193.8 tackles for a five-year period between 1989 and 1993. He gave the Falcons superb production throughout his career.

Defensive End Leonard Marshall

Drafted: Second round, 1983 draft (37th pick)

Career: 1983-1994

Team: New York Giants (1983-1992); New York Jets (1993); Washington Redskins (1994)

Key Stat: Recorded 99 tackles and 15.5 sacks in 1985; two-time Pro Bowler.

Overview: The Giants had a formidable task in front of them in the mid-1980s. They had not won an NFL championship since the 1956 season, and if they were going to get to and win the Super Bowl, they were going to have to get past Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers and Walter Payton and the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Bill Parcells had a lethal defense to attack those teams with, and while Lawrence Taylor was impressive, the Giants were not a one-man gang. Defensive end Leonard Marshall became one of the game's best pass-rushers, and he was also solid against the run.

Marshall made the Pro Bowl following the 1985 season, and he repeated that showing when he had 12.5 sacks in 1986. The Giants rolled that season and defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, thanks in large part to Marshall's huge contribution (2.0 sacks and one fumble recovery).

Linebacker Doug Buffone

Drafted: Fourth round, 1966 draft (60th pick)

Career: 1966-1979

Team: Chicago Bears

Key Stat: 24 career interceptions.

Overview: Doug Buffone was the No. 2 man on the Chicago Bears' defense in the late 1960s and early 1970s. That's not a bad position to be in when the No. 1 player is Dick Butkus.

While Butkus was marauding the middle of the field, Buffone was playing the thinking man's game on the outside. He excelled in pass coverage, was stout against the run and could put pressure on the passer when he was asked to blitz.

He may have been in Butkus' shadow, but Buffone was a complete football player who was a tremendous steal for George Halas.

Defensive Tackle Gary Larsen

Drafted: 10th round, 1964 draft (133rd pick)

Career: 1964-74

Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1964); Minnesota Vikings (1965-1974)

Key Stat: Two-time Pro Bowler.

Overview: The Los Angeles Rams had little use for Gary Larsen after they drafted him out of tiny Concordia (Ill.) College. Larsen was not a dynamic pass-rusher, but he could anchor against the run.

The Vikings liked Larsen, and he manned a defensive tackle position next to Alan Page, and they were surrounded by defensive ends Carl Eller and Jim Marshall. Few teams have ever put together a better front four than the Vikings of the late 1960s and early '70s.

Larsen was the policeman of the group. Eller, Page and Marshall were more talented as pass-rushers, and Larsen often just held his ground to make sure that the Vikings were not vulnerable on a draw play or a scramble.

Linebacker Tedy Bruschi

Drafted: Third round, 1996 draft (86th pick)

Career: 1996-2008

Teams: New England Patriots

Key Stat: 81 tackles, three interceptions (two returned for TDs) and three forced fumbles in 2003.

Overview: Tedy Bruschi combined a coach's knowledge of the game with the force of a wrecking ball when he was on the field.

Bruschi studied his opponents astutely, so he was nearly always in the proper position to deliver a big hit. Bruschi had been a dominant college player at Arizona, and he continued in the same role once he got to New England.

Bruschi rarely made the same mistake twice, and when he delivered a square hit, there was a good chance that the ball-carrier was about to put the ball on the ground.

Linebacker Bobby Bell

Drafted: Seventh round, 1963 draft (56th pick)

Career: 1963-1974

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Key Stat: Nine-time Pro Bowler.

Overview: The Kansas City Chiefs built a powerful defense when they played in the American Football League. Outside linebacker Bobby Bell is perhaps the most dynamic player the Chiefs have ever had at that position.

Bell had game-changing speed that allowed him to race from one side of the field to the other and make huge hits. 

He had excellent hands for a linebacker, as evidenced by the five interceptions and two fumble recoveries he had in 1968. 

Bell was a big part of the defense in 1969 when the Chiefs won the last AFL Championship and then defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in Super Bowl IV.

Bell was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983.