Offense
QB: Tom Brady
The Super Bowl wins, the career passing records, the longevity and so much more make Brady the undisputed GOAT.
RB: Barry Sanders
This was a tough decision but if you watch Barry Sanders highlights it’s clear why he’s the best running back ever. He was so shifty and made NFL players look like JV players.
WR: Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson
Rice is the undisputed GOAT WR and put up mind boggling stats for two decades, maybe none more impressive than having a 1,200 yard season and being an All-Pro at age 40. “Moss” is literally a verb we use to describe an incredible catch by a WR. That tells you everything you need to know about how good Randy was. Johnson is perfectly nicknamed Megatron as he was not human. 6’5” 240 lbs, ran a 4.3 40, could out leap anyone, and dominated despite being on an awful team his whole career.
TE: Rob Gronkowski
He may not have the longevity of other TEs, but when he played, he absolutely dominated. He was unguardable in the passing game, but what really sets his place as the best TE is his willingness and ability to block. Many older TE could block but weren’t great catchers and many modern TEs are just bigger WRs, but Gronk could do it all.
LT: Anthony Muñoz
The 11x All-Pro and Hall of Famer is the epitome of a perfect left tackle.
LG: Randall McDaniel
McDaniel is not super well-known but was a stalwart at left guard for 14 years.
C: Mike Webster
A star for the Steel Curtain Steelers Dynasty, Webster was part of two All-Decade Teams.
RG: Bruce Matthews
The 10x All-Pro was extremely versatile and could play all over the offensive line.
RT: Joe Thomas
He was a left tackle, but the extremely durable 8x All-Pro played 10,363 snaps in a row and excelled for bad Cleveland teams his whole career.
Defense
Interior DLine: Aaron Donald, JJ Watt
Donald is still active in the league but is still already in the conversation as the greatest defensive player of all time. He has won three DPOY awards and has been wreaking havoc his whole career. Injuries may have cut his prime short, but Watt could make plays from any position on the D-Line and also won three DPOY awards.
Edge Rushers: Lawrence Taylor, Bruce Smith
Lawrence Taylor still lays claim to being the defensive GOAT and is the last defensive player to win MVP. Bruce Smith dominated for two decades and holds the record for most sacks in a career.
Linebackers: Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, Jack Lambert
As much as I don’t like Lewis, he is the epitome of what a MLB should be and was the heart of a physical Ravens defense his whole career. Mike Singletary was the man in the middle for the greatest defense in NFL history and won two DPOY awards. Jack Lambert was one of the stars of the Steel Curtain Defense that won four Super Bowls in the 70s.
CB: Rod Woodson, Deion Sanders
With 7th All-Pros and 11 Pro Bowls, Rod Woodson is one of the greatest defensive players ever. Prime Time was as flashy as he was dominant and this team wouldn’t be complete without his swagger and skill.
Safeties: Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed
The heart of the defense for those great 1980s 49ers teams could make plays all over the field. Ed Reed was the ultimate centerfielder and was always a threat to produce a takeaway and take one back to the house.
Special Teams
Kicker: Justin Tucker
With more First Team All-Pro selections than any other kicker and the highest field goal percentage of all time, Tucker is a clear choice.
Returner: Devin Hester
The Windy City Flyer had more return touchdowns than any player in NFL history and could take a kick or punt back to the end zone at any point.
