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The NFL List: The Top Five Pass Rushers Of All Time

Originally posted on Full Press Coverage
By Terrance Biggs | Last updated 11/9/22

Throughout the history of the NFL, pass rushers show up every game. However, who is the best ever to play the game?

Pass rushers initiate the action after the ball snaps. Without a doubt, teams win championships on their ability to generate a rush. Those opening seconds of a pass play will quickly dictate the course of any game. NFL teams spend millions to protect their franchise quarterbacks. Draft capital rests with offensive linemen. As a result, they feel comfortable in their attempt to execute their offense. However, pass rushers solely exist to wreak havoc and destroy gameplans. Below, in ascending order, are the five best players to line up. Now, before we begin, Aaron Donald is not on this list but he is an active player. Plus, there is no certainty that he would crack the top five.

5. Deacon Jones

The pioneer. Jones began his trade at South Carolina State. Not to mention he coined the term sack. What made Jones an elite pass rusher was his approach. By using the rules at the time, Jones used his arms and particularly his hands to get home. For example, Jones would use his hands to jolt the helmet of the blocker. This move, dubbed the head slap, placed opponents off-balance. After staggering his foe, Jones used a quick first step and long stride to get to the quarterback. No player in NFL history boasts three seasons of twenty-plus sacks. Jones finished with 173.5 sacks in fourteen seasons, playing with the Rams, Chargers, and Washington.

4. Julius Peppers

If you consider nothing but physical gifts like speed, strength, and agility, Julius Peppers ranks as the most gifted player on this less. Standing six-foot-six and weighing 283 pounds, Peppers could have just won on those tools alone. Yet, when he evolved as a rusher, stringing together moves, and using the mental game to keep tackles guessing. Peppers, to use modern parlance, stayed in his bag. The hump, rip, spin, and speed rushes were all at his disposal. For seventeen seasons, Peppers terrorized teams as members of the Panthers, Bears, and Packers. 159.5 sacks and fifty-two forced fumbles scream higher on this list, but the three ahead can never be quibbled with.

3. Derrick Thomas

Of all of the rushers on this list, Thomas played the fewest years with eleven. While that may be true, it underscores the impact of Thomas’ play resonates in the modern-day NFL. For example, when you see a player scream off the edge with bend and leverage that forces the tackle to concede the outside foot, this was a Thomas staple. If blockers attempted to cheat, widening their split, Thomas shoots the gap, nullifying the wider split. Basically, Thomas, one-on-one was simply too fast for many tackles. His presence forced tight ends and backs to help contain him. Two of the top five single-game sack records belong to the former Alabama product. Thomas finished his career with 126.5 career sacks.

2. Reggie White

Larry Allen, known as one of the strongest players in NFL history struggled with Reggie White. While the bull rush is usually the first move taught to pass rushers, White brought his own twist to the move. The hump move is equal parts bull rush, footwork, confidence, and superhuman strength. White drives his right arm under the opponent’s left. Next, he drives forward while throwing the blocker away with one arm. If you’ve never seen it and just read that description, you would not believe it. White would also use the traditional bull rush to defeat combo block. In addition, the Hall of Famer possessed the speed at three hundred pounds to use speed to get home. The Minister of Defense. The eight-time All-Pro finished with 198 sacks. More importantly, on the biggest stage, White’s three sacks in Super Bowl XXXI sealed the victory for the Green Bay Packers.

1. Lawrence Taylor

If Deacon Jones was the pioneer pass rusher, Lawrence Taylor is the game-changer. For the past forty years, teams endeavored to replicate what Taylor brought to the field for the New York Giants. The position of an edge rusher, a hybrid linebacker/defensive end that could rush from a two or three-point stance with equal aplomb. Taylor devastated offenses. For instance, Joe Gibbs, on record, said that he crafted Washington’s offensive gameplan with Taylor in mind, in order to neutralize him. What made Taylor a headache was the first step, in concert with leg strength, closing speed, and cat-like balance. While Taylor’s life off the field looked out of control, between the lines, his play exemplified timing, discipline, and a tenacious nature that won games. Granted, other pass rushes can brag about higher sack totals. Yet, none of them changed the course of NFL history.

The Smith Conundrum

While many of you will see and probably object to Bruce Smith’s omission from the list. Bruce Smith is a Hall of Famer, an all-time great pass rusher, without a doubt. Yet, he never lead the league in sacks and only tallied two sacks in four Super Bowls. Additionally, if you look at his prime, was he one of the two or three best pass rushers during any given year?

This article first appeared on Full Press Coverage and was syndicated with permission.

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