10. Von Miller

Von Miller is the only active NFL player to make this list. Miller is a 2x Super Bowl champion, 3x All-Pro, Super Bowl MVP and 8x Pro Bowler. He is a nightmare for opposing offenses with his ability to quickly shed would-be blockers and attack the quarterback. At age 34, Miller is showing no signs of slowing down as he finished the 2022 season with 8 sacks.

*Career Stats:

123.5 sacks

431 solo tackles

27 forced fumbles

9. James Harrison

James Harrison‘s journey to becoming an elite outside linebacker is a testament to his perseverance. Undrafted and underestimated, Harrison’s work ethic and desire to win propelled him to become a 2x Super Bowl champion. He also had one of the most iconic plays in NFL history, his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII.

Career Stats:

84.5 sacks

583 solo tackles

34 forced fumbles

8. Rickey Jackson

Rickey Jackson may not have sought the spotlight, but his on-field performance spoke volumes. Jackson was a crucial part of the New Orleans Saints famed “Dome Patrol” linebacking corps. His ability to disrupt plays and create turnovers helped pave the way for the Saints defensive success. He is a 1x Super Bowl champ and Hall of Famer.

Career Stats:

136 sacks

1173 solo tackles

40 forced fumbles

7. Kevin Greene

Kevin Greene‘s relentless pursuit of quarterbacks made him one of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history. The former Pittsburgh Steeler had 160 sacks over his 15-year career. Greene’s explosive first step and tenacious spirit earned him the 1996 Defensive Player of the Year award. His ability to disrupt plays and force turnovers remains legendary.

Career Stats:

160 sacks

669 solo tackles

23 forced fumbles

6. DeMarcus Ware

DeMarcus Ware‘s combination of speed and power made him a nightmare for offensive linemen. His proficiency in both rushing the passer and defending against the run solidified his reputation as one of the best to ever do it. With nine seasons of double-digit sacks, Ware’s impact on the Dallas Cowboys and later the Denver Broncos was indisputable.

Career Stats:

138.5 sacks

505 solo tackles

35 forced fumbles

5. Ted Hendricks

At 6’7″, Ted Hendricks was a mountain of a man at the outside linebacker position. His exceptional wingspan allowed him to swat down passes and disrupt opposing offenses in ways no other linebacker could. A Hall of Famer and a key figure in the dominant Raiders defenses of the 70s. Hendricks was a 4x Super Bowl champ and 4x All-Pro.

Career Stats:

61 sacks

4. Junior Seau

The late great Junior Seau‘s passion for the game was unmatched. His boundless energy and tenacity made him a tackling machine at the outside linebacker position. With an uncanny ability to diagnose plays and a knack for delivering bone-crushing hits, Seau earned 12 Pro Bowl selections and remains an NFL icon.

Career Stats:

56.5 sacks

1522 solo tackles

11 forced fumbles

3. Jack Ham

Jack Ham was a key component of the Pittsburgh Steelers Steel Curtain defense. Ham’s intelligence on the field allowed him to read plays, intercept passes, and neutralize tight ends with ease. Ham was no doubt one of the best coverage outside linebackers we have seen in the NFL. He was a 4x Super Bowl champ and 6x All-Pro.

Career Stats:

25.5 sacks

32 interceptions

2. Derrick Thomas

Derrick Thomas was a force to be reckoned with. Armed with an unparalleled ability to sack quarterbacks, he holds the record for the most sacks in a single game at 7. His speed off the edge and his uncanny knack for creating turnovers made him a nightmare for opposing offenses and a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs defense.

Career Stats:

126.5 sacks

599 solo tackles

41 forced fumbles

1. Lawrence Taylor

Regarded by many as the prototypical outside linebacker, Lawrence Taylor‘s impact on the NFL is immeasurable. With lightning-fast speed and a ferocious playing style, Taylor redefined the position by becoming a dual threat against both the run and the pass. His ability to disrupt quarterbacks and change the course of a game earned him 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards. Taylor was 8x All-Pro and 2x Super Bowl champion.

Career Stats:

126.5 sacks

599 solo tackles

41 forced fumbles

* = Active NFL player

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Dominating the Field: Holt’s Stellar Statistics

Torry Holt’s statistical achievements firmly establish his case for the Hall of Fame. Over his 11-year NFL career, Holt recorded an impressive 920 receptions, 13,382 receiving yards, and 74 touchdown catches. His consistency and ability to make big plays were instrumental in the success of the St. Louis Rams “Greatest Show on Turf” offense. Holt’s numbers rank him among the all-time greats in receiving yards and receptions, highlighting his exceptional production and impact on the game.

Championship Success: Holt’s Contributions to the Rams

Torry Holt played a pivotal role in the St. Louis Rams Super Bowl-winning season in 1999. As a key component of the team’s explosive offense, Holt’s dynamic playmaking ability and reliable hands made him a go-to target for quarterback Kurt Warner. His performance in Super Bowl XXXIV, where he caught seven passes for 109 yards, helped lead the Rams to their first-ever championship. Holt’s contributions to the Rams success further solidify his Hall of Fame credentials.

Holt’s Durability and Impact

Torry Holt’s consistency and longevity throughout his career are additional factors that make him a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame. He recorded eight consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, showcasing his ability to consistently produce at an elite level. Holt’s durability and reliability as a top-tier receiver made him a trusted weapon for his quarterbacks year after year. His impact extended beyond his individual numbers, as he drew attention from opposing defenses and opened up opportunities for his teammates including Isaac Bruce.

Recognition and Accolades

Torry Holt’s exceptional skills and contributions to the game have garnered respect and admiration from his peers. He was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times, a testament to the recognition he received from fellow players, coaches, and fans. Holt’s ability to consistently perform at a high level and earn the respect of those around him further cements his Hall of Fame candidacy. His impact on the field and career success make him a deserving candidate for enshrinement.

In my eyes, Holt should already be in the Hall of Fame. The only blemish to his resume (if you can call it that) is he played in 11 seasons and it may be one of the reasons why he isn’t there yet. Still, you can’t deny the impact he had on one of the greatest offenses the NFL has ever seen. It’s not a matter of if Torry Holt will make the Hall of Fame, it’s when.

The post Is Torry Holt a Future Hall of Famer? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt tied Michael Strahan’s sack record (22.5) and won the defensive player of the year award last season. It should also be noted that Watt recorded 22.5 sacks in 17 games 15 games. It’s clear that the second Watt brother to win DPOY has cemented himself as a mythical football figure. There is already a mighty question that many Steelers fans have regarding the 27-year-old pass rusher: Is T.J. Watt already a future first-ballot Hall of Famer? Well, I will unveil his career production and conclude if his current resume is impressive enough to make it as a first-ballot HOF at this moment.

Watt has been an All-Pro player in each of the past three seasons. The four-time Pro Bowl selection also has 72.5 career sacks, 150 QB hits, and 80 career tackles for loss. Watt and his older brother in Arizona are still seeking the elusive Super Bowl ring.

I believe Demarcus Ware has a very fascinating career comparison to Watt right now. The former Cowboys legendary sack artist had 138.5 career sacks, two seasons of 19.5+ sacks, and he made four All-Pro teams in his career. Unfortunately, Ware did NOT make the Hall of Fame in his first year of HOF eligibility (2022).

Watt has 1 DPOY award, while Ware has 0 DPOY awards. The two pass rushers have the same number of All-Pro honors and they both have been consistently superb in sacking the QB at this point. Ware actually has an upper hand on Watt in a pivotal category: Super Bowl victories. Ware has a Super Bowl ring, while Watt hasn’t won a SB thus far. Ware also notched two sacks and five tackles in the SB.

I honestly don’t believe Watt is the first-ballot HOF yet. If Watt can have two or three more All-Pro seasons, or win another DPOY (while making another All-Pro team), I believe the reigning DPOY should join Aaron Donald as a sure-fire first-ballot HOF. His fellow DL teammate Cameron Heyward is still playing at a high level at 32 years old (10 sacks in 2021) and I expect the “highest-paid defensive player in the league” to continue to prove every penny of his hefty contract. When the younger Watt on the Steelers retires, he should be another greek god-like Steeler to wind up as a first-ballot HOF.

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