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Best NFL defensive players drafted since 2000
Earl Thomas was taken in the first round in 2010 by the Seattle Seahawks. Troy Wayrynen/USA TODAY Sports

Best NFL defensive players drafted since 2000

The old adage that defense wins championships is as true as it ever was, even in a league driven by offense these days. While the rules favors those with the ball, a strong defense often bodes well for a team's Super Bowl hopes. Over the past 17 years, there have been some truly transformational defensive stars drafted. Here, we highlight 35 of the best defensive players drafted since 2000.

 
1 of 35

Brian Urlacher, 2000

Brian Urlacher, 2000
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Expected to be a member of the 2017 NFL Hall of Fame class, former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is one of the finest players to ever compete at Soldier Field. The 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Urlacher recorded over 1,000 tackles and played 182 games for the Bears in his 13 years in the Windy City. A first-round pick out of New Mexico, he made it to eight Pro Bowls.

 
2 of 35

John Abraham, 2000

John Abraham, 2000
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The 13th overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft, former Jets and Falcons defensive end John Abraham quietly went about his business for more than a decade and racked up 133.5 sacks in the process, good for 12th all time. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Abraham retired after the 2014 season.

 
3 of 35

Richard Seymour, 2001

Richard Seymour, 2001
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The sixth overall pick of the 2001 NFL Draft, defensive end Richard Seymour was an integral part of the Patriots' first three Super Bowl championships. Able to both stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback, Seymour made life for his teammates on defense much easier to handle. The seven-time Pro Bowl player retired after the 2012 NFL season.

 
4 of 35

Julius Peppers, 2002

Julius Peppers, 2002
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Julius Peppers has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL for 15 years now. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, he has recorded 143.5 sacks in his career, good for fifth all time. Now with the back with the Panthers for 2017 after spending four years in Chicago and three more with the Green Bay Packers, Peppers is still an effective pass rusher even at the age of 37.

 
5 of 35

Dwight Freeney, 2002

Dwight Freeney, 2002
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Known best by NFL fans for the spin move that has helped him garner 122.5 sacks over the course of his career, defensive end/linebacker Dwight Freeney will surely be in the Hall of Fame when he finally hangs up his cleats. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Freeney is still putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, helping the Atlanta Falcons reach Super Bowl LI.

 
6 of 35

Ed Reed, 2002

Ed Reed, 2002
The Sporting News/Getty Images

Very few defensive backs could change the dynamic of an NFL game like Ed Reed. The former Ravens great was a turnover-creating machine, evident by his 64 interceptions and nine defensive touchdowns over the course of his career. A five-time First-Team All-Pro selection, Reed was the 24th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft out of Miami (FL).

 
7 of 35

Kevin Williams, 2003

Kevin Williams, 2003
Tom Dahlin/Getty Images

Perhaps the most overlooked defensive lineman of this generation, former Vikings, Seahawks and Saints defender Kevin Williams was a five-time First-Team All-Pro selection over his 13-year career.

 
8 of 35

Terrell Suggs, 2003

Terrell Suggs, 2003
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Even in his mid-30s, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is still one of the most intimidating players in the NFL. The 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Suggs has recorded 114.5 sacks since entering the NFL in 2003 and is the unquestioned leader of the Ravens locker room. Sugg was taken one pick after Kevin Williams.

 
9 of 35

Troy Polamalu, 2003

Troy Polamalu, 2003
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Known best for his long, flowing hair, former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was also one heck of a football player. A first-round pick out of USC, Polamalu was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time First-Team All-Pro and was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. He won two Super Bowls in his time with the Steelers.

 
10 of 35

Lance Briggs, 2003

Lance Briggs, 2003
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Linebacker Lance Briggs made the Pro Bowl in seven straight seasons from 2005-11 after being drafted in the third round in 2003, pairing with Brian Urlacher to form one of the greatest linebacker duos of the past two decades. He was at the core of the Chicago defense that went to Super Bowl XLI, finishing his career with more than 1,000 tackles.

 
11 of 35

Robert Mathis, 2003

Robert Mathis, 2003
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Lance Briggs wasn't the only defensive gem unearthed beyond the first two rounds in 2003. The Colts took Robert Mathis in the fifth round, finding themselves a true steal. Mathis just wrapped up his 13-year career, finishing with 123 sacks, five Pro Bowls, one First-Team All-Pro selection and a Super Bowl ring.

 
12 of 35

Vince Wilfork, 2004

Vince Wilfork, 2004
Chrisitan Petersen/Getty Images

While he never put up gaudy stats, the impact nose tackle Vince Wilfork had on every game he played for the New England Patriots was evident to those watching closely. He clogged the middle, shutting down running lanes and forcing opposing quarterbacks to drift further back in the pocket, putting them in vulnerable positions. After 11 seasons with the Pats, Wilfork played for the Texans the past two seasons.

 
13 of 35

Jared Allen, 2004

Jared Allen, 2004
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

A fourth-round pick from Idaho State, Jared Allen was quietly one of the NFL’s best defensive linemen over the last decade. Playing for the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears and Panthers, Allen recorded 136 sacks before retiring at the end of 2015. He was a four-time First-Team All-Pro selection.

 
14 of 35

DeMarcus Ware, 2005

DeMarcus Ware, 2005
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

A no-doubt Hall of Fame player, linebacker DeMarcus Ware was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Since then, Ware was a constant source of terror for opposing NFL quarterbacks, as he garnered 138.5 sacks. Ware also won his first Super Bowl as a member of the Denver Broncos in 2015 and retired following the 2016 season.

 
15 of 35

Mario Williams, 2006

Mario Williams, 2006
Bob Levey/Getty Images

When the Houston Texans took defensive end Mario Williams over stud USC running back Reggie Bush with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, most NFL fans were stunned. In retrospect, it was a wise decision. Williams has recorded nearly 100 sacks so far in his NFL career and has made it to four Pro Bowls. While he's bounced around the league after signing a huge free agent contract with the Bills, Williams has made his impact felt much more than Bush.

 
16 of 35

Haloti Ngata, 2006

Haloti Ngata, 2006
Raj Mehta/USA TODAY Sports

For a time, Haloti Ngata was arguably the best interior defensive lineman in football, confirming Baltimore's belief in taking him in the first round. Ngata made five straight Pro Bowls from 2009-2013, is a two-time All-Pro and won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. He's slowed down some, playing his last two seasons in Detroit, but he's still a contributor for the upstart Lions.

 
17 of 35

Patrick Willis, 2007

Patrick Willis, 2007
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Had Patrick Willis not walked away from football at the age of 30, the middle linebacker would have likely gone down as one of the greatest to play his position. In his eight seasons playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Willis accounted for 732 solo tackles, made it to seven Pro Bowls and was a five-time First-Team All-Pro selection.

 
18 of 35

Darrelle Revis, 2007

Darrelle Revis, 2007
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Since 2007, many NFL receivers have rented property on “Revis Island.” Few players in NFL history have played the cornerback position as well as Darrelle Revis, as over the course of his career he has shut down opposing receivers to point where they simply are not targeted. Revis is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time First-Team All-Pro player, winning a Super Bowl with the Patriots. The past two seasons have not been pretty for Revis, who is clearly slowing down, but he's still playing his trade in the defensive backfield and will go down as one of the all-time greats.

 
19 of 35

Clay Matthews, 2009

Clay Matthews, 2009
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The nephew of Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews may join his uncle in Canton, Ohio, one day. Along with being a pass-rushing wizard, Matthews can play both inside and outside linebacker for Green Bay and has also proved to be an effective player in pass coverage as well. Since being drafted in 2009, Matthews has been selected to six Pro Bowls and won one Super Bowl.

 
20 of 35

Ndamukong Suh, 2010

Ndamukong Suh, 2010
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

In one of the most fruitful defensive drafts ever, Ndamukong Suh was the first defender off the board, going second overall. Suh is one of NFL’s best players, along with one of its dirtiest. An absolute beast of a man, Suh commands a double team every play from opposing linemen, as anyone who tries to block him one-on-one is usually just bulled over. Despite being a three-time First-Team All-Pro player, Suh has difficulty controlling his emotions on the field. The first-round pick out of Nebraska has been fined in excess of $250,000 by the NFL and suspended several games for his on-the-field antics.

 
21 of 35

Gerald McCoy, 2010

Gerald McCoy, 2010
Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

Taken one spot after Ndamukong Suh in the 2010 NFL Draft, Gerald McCoy has been every bit as good as Suh, if not better, without all the headaches. The massive defensive tackle has been to five consecutive Pro Bowls as a member of the Bucs, terrorizing opposing offensive linemen, quarterbacks and running backs. Quietly, he's one of the best players in the NFL.

 
22 of 35

Eric Berry, 2010

Eric Berry, 2010
Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports

The third defender to go in the top five of the 2010 draft, Eric Berry has been everything the Chiefs could have hoped for. He's made four of the past five Pro Bowls. The year he didn't make it in that stretch he was battling cancer, making his 2015 and 2016 First-Team All-Pro seasons that much more impressive. He's been to five Pro Bowls overall and is the heart and soul of the K.C. defense.

 
23 of 35

Earl Thomas, 2010

Earl Thomas, 2010
Troy Wayrynen/USA TODAY Sports

If Eric Berry isn't the best safety in the NFL, Earl Thomas is. If you need more proof, just look at the Seattle defense after he was injured in 2016. Thomas has been to five Pro Bowls, garnering First-Team All-Pro honors three times, and he was an integral part in the Seahawks' back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, winning one.

 
24 of 35

NaVorro Bowman, 2010

NaVorro Bowman, 2010
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

When healthy, 49ers linebacker NaVarro Bowman is a monster on the defensive side of the ball. A four-time First-Team All-Pro selection in six NFL seasons, Bowman always seems to be around the football and almost never misses a tackle. A third-round pick out of Penn State, he has recorded over 100 tackles four times in his career.

 
25 of 35

Geno Atkins, 2010

Geno Atkins, 2010
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Out in Cincinnati, Geno Atkins has become one of the best interior linemen in football. Able to stop the run and pressure the passer, the Bengals star commands a double team on most plays and sets the tone for head coach Marvin Lewis and his defense. A two-time First-Team All-Pro player, Atkins was a fourth-round pick out of Georgia by the Bengals in 2010.

 
26 of 35

Kam Chancellor, 2010

Kam Chancellor, 2010
David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports

Arguably the most intimidating hitter in the defensive backfield in the NFL, Kam Chancellor was a steal in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft for the Seahawks. The four-time Pro Bowler is paired with Thomas to form the best safety duo in the league. It's incredible to think Seattle was able to get both players in the same draft, a credit to the team's remarkable drafting acumen over the past 10 years.

 
27 of 35

Von Miller, 2011

Von Miller, 2011
Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The MVP of Super Bowl 50, Broncos linebacker Von Miller might be the best pure pass rusher in the NFL today. Miller has recorded 73.5 sacks in 88 regular-season games for the Broncos and was also named a First-Team All-Pro for the third time in his career in 2016. Expect Miller to continue to be one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players for years to come.

 
28 of 35

Patrick Peterson, 2011

Patrick Peterson, 2011
Elsa/Getty Images

A Pro Bowl player in all six of his NFL seasons, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is one of the best athletes in the NFL. Along with being a dangerous return man, Peterson is a shut-down corner and has recorded 20 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries so far in his career. Peterson, 26, is just now entering the prime years of his career — a scary thought for his NFC West rivals.

 
29 of 35

J.J. Watt, 2011

J.J. Watt, 2011
Scott Halleran/Getty Images

While 2016 was a lost year for the injured J.J. Watt, when healthy he's been the defensive best player in the NFL, if not the best player period. Watt made four consecutive Pro Bowls while being named First-Team All-Pro in all of those seasons, three times winning Defensive Player of the Year. He's led the league in sacks twice, including his 20.5-sack 2012 campaign, and has 76 career sacks in just 83 games played. Watt has become one of the faces of the NFL for good reason.

 
30 of 35

Robert Quinn, 2011

Robert Quinn, 2011
David Welker/Getty Images

Although his 2015 and 2016 seasons were cut short due to injury, Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn is still one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Since entering the league in 2011, Quinn has recorded 54 sacks in 62 starts for the Rams and has been named to two Pro Bowl rosters. The 26-year-old Quinn is just now entering his prime and should cause havoc for his opponents for years to come.

 
31 of 35

Justin Houston, 2011

Justin Houston, 2011
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports

Taken in the third round, Justin Houston has shown he is a first-round talent. In six NFL seasons with the Chiefs, Houston has made four Pro Bowls, recording 60 sacks in just 69 games started. Coming off of injury at the end of 2015, Houston didn't suit up until November in 2016 but still recorded four sacks in five games and is the most feared pass rusher for the Chiefs.

 
32 of 35

Richard Sherman, 2011

Richard Sherman, 2011
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

With long arms and a jaw that refuses to stay shut, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has become one of the NFL’s most hated players. He also happens to be one of its best as well. A fifth-round pick out of Stanford, Sherman effectively shuts down the left side of the field for head coach Pete Carroll and the Seahawks. Sherman, 29, is a three time First-Team All-Pro selection.

 
33 of 35

Luke Kuechly, 2012

Luke Kuechly, 2012
Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Luke Kuechly is widely considered the best middle linebacker in the NFL, though a scary concussion cut his 2016 season short. The ninth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, Kuechly was named Defensive Player of the Year in just his second season in the NFL in 2013. The Panthers star is a tackling machine, can play in coverage and can even put pressure on the quarterback when asked to by his coaches. Simply put, Kuechly can do it all. Here's hoping he remains healthy in 2017.

 
34 of 35

Khalil Mack, 2014

Khalil Mack, 2014
Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off his 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in just third NFL season, Khalil Mack is already one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. The 26-year-old was taken fifth overall in 2014 by the Raiders, and he's proven to be a wise pick. With back-to-back All-Pro selections, Mack has helped lead the Raiders back to prominence, recording 30 sacks in three years.

 
35 of 35

Aaron Donald, 2014

Aaron Donald, 2014
Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

If J.J. Watt has any competition for the best defensive lineman in football, it's Donald, the Rams' 2014 first-round pick. The 25-year-old out of Pitt has made the Pro Bowl in all three of his NFL seasons, earning First-Team All-Pro honors the past two years. He is the best player on the Los Angeles Rams and is set to get a staggering contract as he enters his prime years.

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