The NFL's Top 50 Defensive Backs of the Modern Era
With the draft behind us, Bleacher Report thought it would be a fun idea to take a look at the 50 greatest DBs of the modern era. We'll let you try to determine where a few of this years' draft choices fall. There are certainly a few that could crack this list in 10 years or so.
Patrick Peterson looks to be a complete CB, while Jimmy Smith brings a different skill set to the mix that could leave him being one of the best of this decade. Even Ras-I Dowling could turn out to be a dominant corner if he can stay healthy.
There were two requirements for making this list. First, the DB had to have playing time since the 1976 expansion. Second, they guy had to be a standout player. OK...maybe that was obvious.
DB positions seem to fluctuate, focusing on skill at some points, and at other times down-right toughness. We'll blend the two into overall effectiveness for your reading enjoyment!
50. New York Jets/Arizona Cardinals: Kerry Rhodes
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Kerry Rhodes is still building a resume, but playing in a conference with Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu made it tough to get many Pro Bowl nods.
49. Dallas Cowboys: Charlie Waters
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Waters was a big hitter with a nose for finding the football. He roamed the backfield with Cliff Harris, and picked off 41 passes in his career. He made three straight Pro Bowls (76-78).
48. New England Patriots: Rodney Harrison
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Harrison has to make this list for one simple reason...he is the only player in NFL history to notch 30 sacks and 30 INTs. He only made two Pro Bowl teams, but came up big in big games. In Super Bowl XXXIX, he had 1 Sack, 2 INTs, and 1 Forced Fumble.
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47. San Francisco 49ers: Dwight Hicks
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Hicks made four Pro Bowls in seven years, and was the defensive team captain for the '84 Super Bowl Champion team.
46. Miami Dolphins/Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Madison
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Madison had a solid career, playing on a Super Bowl Champion team and making four Pro Bowls. He also had 38 INTs.
45: Indianapolis Colts: Bob Sanders
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I considered leaving him off the list altogether, as health hasn't exactly been a cornerstone of his career. It is hard to ignore his production when he is on the field, though. Sanders has been voted to two Pro Bowl teams and was the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY).
44. Denver Broncos: Louis Wright
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Wright was a member of the NFL's All-Decade team for the '70s. He spent twelve season roaming the backfield for the Broncos, making it to five Pro Bowls.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Eric Wright
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Wright managed two Pro Bowls in his 10 year career, but played for four Super Bowl Championship teams. He also worked the same backfield as some other so-so player of that decade...Ronnie something or another.
42. Cleveland Browns: Hanford Dixon/Frank Minnifield
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Yes, I just double-dipped. These two were threatening tandem that fed off each other, so I didn't think it would be right to choose one without the other.
Minnifield had a short career, but was Second Team on the 1980's All Decade Team. He played in four Pro Bowls and had 20 career interceptions.
Dixon made three Pro Bowls in eight years with the Browns, recording 26 INTs and 2 sacks.
41. Dallas Cowboys: Everson Walls
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Walls was a four-time Pro Bowl selection with an impressive 57 interceptions in his career. He was a big part of the team that won Super Bowl XXV.
40. Pittsburgh Steelers/Jacksonville Jaguars: Carnell Lake
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Carnell was a second-team 1990's All-Decade Team.
39. Kansas City Chiefs: Albert Lewis
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Lewis played in four Pro Bowls in his 15 year career with the Chiefs.
38. Miami Dolphins: Dick Anderson
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Anderson played in three Pro Bowls, was on two Super Bowl Championship teams, and was the 1973 DPOY. He also made the 1970's All-Decade Team.
37. Minnesota Vikings: Joey Browner
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Browner is known as a hard-hitting tackler, but still racked up 37 INTs in his 10 year career. He was elected to six Pro Bowls and was a member of the 1980's All-Decade Team (second team).
36. Kansas City Chiefs: Deron Cherry
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Cherry's career info is very similar to Browner. He had 11 seasons, but the same six Pro Bowls and a Second Team All-Decade Team in the '80s with Browner. However, Cherry had 50 INTs and was the 1986 AFC DPOY.
35. New England Patriots/Philadelphia Eagles: Asante Samuel
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Samuel is still going, and working on moving up this list. He has two Super Bowl rings and four Pro Bowl selections.
He missed several games in 2010, and his tackle numbers reflect that. However, he still managed an impressive 7 INTs and 14 Passes Defended.
34. Green Bay Packers: LeRoy Butler
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Butler won a Super Bowl with the Packers and was selected to the Pro Bowl four times. He was named to the 1990s NFL All Decade Team and had 38 INTs in his career. Butler was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2007.
33. Philadelphia Eagles, Et Al.: Troy Vincent
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Vincent could fall in many different areas on this list, depending on what aspect you wan to look at. I'll just focus on his five Pro Bowls and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
32. Oakland Raiders/Houston Oilers: Jack Tatum
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To say Tatum was a hard-hitter would still be an understatement. He punished WRs like a linebacker from the Safety position. He was selected to three Pro Bowls, 37 INTs, and was the player that applied the hit to John Fuqua during the Immaculate Reception.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronde Barber
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Barber holds NFL records in most consecutive starts by a CB and most QB sacks for the position (26). He was voted to the 2000's All-Decade Team and has been selected to five Pro Bowls.
30. Denver Broncos: Steve Atwater
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While his interception totals were an uninspired 21, Atwater was a strong hitter that was a beast in run defense. He was a part of eight Pro Bowl teams with the Broncos, won two Super Bowls, and was named to the 1990's All-Decade Team. He is one of the most popular Broncos of all time, and one of the least-liked amongst Raider, Chief and Seahawk fans.
And I do realize Atwater signed a three year contract with the Jets, playing just one. But he was so hurt during the season, I don't consider that season in my assessment.
29. Dallas Cowboys: Cliff Harris
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Harris wasn't drafted...at least not by the NFL. He did have some military duty that interrupted part of one season. He became a starting free safety his rookie year, and played in six Pro Bowls.
Harris was also part of the 1970's All-Decade Team, and is in the Cowboy's Ring of Honor.
28. Green Bay/Minnesota/New Orleans: Darren Sharper
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Sharper has 14 seasons in the NFL, and capped off one of his better ones a year ago with a Super Bowl win. He was elected to his fifth Pro Bowl, and rode the performances onto the 2010 All-Decade Team.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: Ken Riley
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When Riley retired he was ranked fourth in the NFL in interceptions with 65. He played in four Pro Bowls, which seems good enough!
26. Philadelphia/New Orleans: Eric Allen
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Take your pick...Allen gets in because of his 54 INT or six Pro Bowl nominations. He moves up to the middle of the pack because he did both.
25. Oakland Raiders: Nnamdi Asomugha
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It is hard to know where to place Asomugha, but just know as he spends more time in the league his position will rise. Much like the next player on the list...
24. New York Jets: Darrelle Revis
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So really, how high can we put a 25 year old that has only been in the league for four years? Even if he was DROY and a three-time Pro Bowler. About this high...
One rule I had was young players in the NFL wouldn't be ranked above guys in the Hall of Fame. I'm just silly like that.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Polamalu
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In eight seasons, Polamalu has racked up six Pro Bowl selections, the 2010 NFL DPOY, played on two Super Bowl winning teams and was second team 2000 All-Decade team.
22. San Francisco 49ers: Jimmy Johnson
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Johnson part of the 1994 Hall of Fame Class following a solid career as a 49er. He used outstanding speed and leaping ability to close off his side of the field. He had 47 career interceptions and played in five Pro Bowl games.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Emmitt Thomas
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Five-time Pro Bowler, 58 Interceptions...pretty good start. I guess if he is good enough for the Hall, he's good enough for this list.
20. Oakland Raiders: Lester Hayes
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Hayes had a distinctive career with the Raiders, known for his hard hits. He was selected to five Pro Bowls, made the 1980's All-Decade Team, and won the DPOY award in 1980.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Dawkins
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Dawkins is still going...trying to add to his eight Pro Bowls,37 INTs, 22 Sacks and the 2000's All-Decade Team. Three more sacks would get him into the 25/25 Club. That may not be a real thing, but the 20/20 Club is and he's already made it into that one. Just trying to raise the bar!
18. Broncos/Raiders: Willie Brown
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What is it with the Broncos and Raiders and DBs? Oh well...
Brown played in five AFL All Star games and four Pro Bowls. He won a Super Bowl. He was on the 1960's All-Decade/AFL All-Time Team, and won an AFL Championship. His efforts led to an induction into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
17. Arizona Cardinals: Aeneas Williams
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Williams notched 55 interceptions and scored 12 defensive touchdowns in his career (9 off INTs and 3 from fumble recoveries). He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and was a second team CB on the 1990's All Decade Team. His two INTs helped the Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1998 playoffs.
16. Detroit Lions: Lem Barney
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Barney racked up 56 INTs, 7 TDs, seven Pro Bowl selections, the 1967 DROY and the 1960's all decade team. It was his selection in the 1992 class inducted into the Hall of Fame that guaranteed his placement, though.
15. St. Louis Cardinals: Roger Wehrli
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Wehrli amassed 40 career interceptions while recovering 19 fumbles for the Cardinals. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s, and was All-Pro and All-NFC five times, with seven Pro Bowl selections.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mel Renfro
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In Renfro was anything, he was consistent. He did the same thing every season from 1964-73...made the Pro Bowl. He did shake things up a bit in 1970 and was the Pro Bowl MVP.
He barely made this list, finishing his career in 1977. For some icing on the cake, he entered Canton in 1996.
13. New England/NY Jets: Ty Law
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Law picked up three Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, and spent time with the Jets and Denver Broncos. He made five Pro Bowls and the 2000 All-Decade Team.
12. Washington Redskins/Denver Broncos: Champ Bailey
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Once Bailey turns 40 and decides to stop playing, and then waits five years and is enshrined in Canton, he'll move up this list. For now this is as high as I could place him.
As for his accomplishments: He just managed to make the Pro Bowl every year from 2000-2010 except for 2008 when he was injured. He holds a record for most Pro Bowls by a CB, and it is likely redundant to mention he was on the All-Decade team for the 2000's.
11. Baltimore Ravens: Ed Reed
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About the main thing I can say about Ed Reed is he changed the way we think about safeties. Well, at least he makes us think about the tough safeties from the 80's, like Kenny Easley and Ronnie Lott.
Reed could very well challenge for the top of this list when he is done playing. He has compiled 54 INTs, seven Pro Bowl selections, 2004 NFL DPOY and the 2000's All-Decade Team in eight seasons.
Huh...time to bump him up this list already!
10. Seattle Seahawks: Kenny Easley
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While Easley's career was shortened by kidney failure, allegedly caused by an overdose of Advil following an ankle surgery in 1986, he was mentioned in stride with Ronnie Lott during the '80s. He was a hard-hitting safety that had a nose for the football.
He was the AFC DPOY in 1983 and had seven interceptions on the season. The following year he led the league with 10 INTs, two returned for TDs, and was named the NFL's DPOY. He was named to five Pro Bowls in seven seasons with 32 INTs. He joined Lott as a safety on the 1980's All-Decade Team.
Reed has better overall numbers, but any player that plays through the issues Easley had...let's just say I'm not going to hold curtailed numbers because of kidney failure against him. I'll let the Hall do that...and all the readers that I know will want to blow up over this placement.
9. Oakland Raiders/Green Bay Packers: Charles Woodson
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Woodson is still rounding out his resume, but he has been a force in the NFL for almost fifteen years. What he has already accomplished is being a member of the All-Decade team for the 2000's, seven Pro Bowls, 2009 NFC Defensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl win (XLV).
8. Washington Redskins/Minnesota Vikings: Paul Krause
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Krause was selected for eight Pro Bowls, and was All-Pro eight times as well. Oddly enough, the years don't completely overlap. Aside from being voted into the Hall of Fame, he retired with a certain NFL record with 81 career interceptions. That's enough to make my top-10! Even if he was part of four losing Super Bowl teams.
7. Washington Redskins: Darrell Green
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Darrell Green deserves to make this list because of his longevity alone. He played 20 seasons, amazingly all with the same team, setting an NFL record. During the course of his career he was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was named to the 1990's All-Decade Team.
6. Atlanta/San Francisco/Dallas/Washington/Baltimore: Deion Sanders
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It seemed the only thing the Sanders couldn't do was what he didn't want to do. Two sports, DB, WR, KR, PR...to this day, when I see Sanders on TV I can't help but think of the old Pizza Hut commercials with him and Jerry Jones. It gave a new philosophy—instead of one or the other, have both.
As for his football career, he may have missed the 75th Anniversary Team, but that's about all he didn't accomplish. Eight Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl wins, 1994 DPOY, two-time NFC DPOY and his 2011 Hall of Fame Induction.
He really did transform the position.
5. Houston Oilers/Washington Redskins: Ken Houston
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Houston was a feared safety in the AFL and NFL. He recorded 49 interceptions and forced 21 fumbles en route to 12 Pro Bowl selections and being named to the All-Decade Team of the 1970's and the 75th Anniversary All-Time team.
Houston was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
4. New England/Oakland: Mike Haynes
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Haynes started out his career with a bang, catching eight interceptions as a rookie. He grew from there, recording 46 on his career. He was on the 75th Anniversary Team, the 1980's All-Decade Team, and a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. He's obviously in the Hall of Fame.
3. Pittsburgh/San Francisco/Baltimore/Oakland:Rod Woodson
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How can Woodson's career be summed up in one slide? Maybe the banner that hung in Three Rivers Stadium for years is the only way..."Rod is God."
A stud CB turned Safety late in his career, he holds the NFL record for INTs returned for a TD (12), had 71 INTs, 32 fumble recoveries, '93 DPOY, '90's All-Decade Team, won a Super Bowl, was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and was on the NFL 75th Anniversary Team. Then there is that Hall of Fame picture...that was pretty cool, too.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mel Blount
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How better to list our Blount's achievements than by just listing them? Keep in mind...he was a major part of the defense that was the major reason the Steelers won four Super Bowls.
- 5× Pro Bowl selection (1975, 1976, 1978, 1979,1981)
- 4× First-team All-Pro selection (1975, 1976,1977, 1981)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro selection (1978, 1979)
- 4× Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV)
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- 1975 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- 1975 NFL Defensive Back of the Year
- 1976 Pro Bowl MVP
1. San Francisco 49ers: Ronnie Lott
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Determining the places for the top five selections is no easy task, as all were amazing players and part of the all-everything team of the NFL, also known as the 75th Anniversary team. The things that set Lott apart is that he played safety and corner back, along with four Super Bowl championships, making the All-Decade team twice (80's and 90's) and being a 10-Time Pro Bowl selection.
What else can you say? Oh...yeah. He was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee. Big surprise.
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