10. 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers land at number 10 on our list. They were known for their stifling defense led by defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. The Bucs held opponents to just 12.3 points per game during the regular season. Led by Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks, they went on to win Super Bowl XXXVII, showcasing one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history.

Overall Record: 15-4

Super Bowl XXXVII Champion

9. 1991 Washington Redskins

Securing a spot among the all-time greats, the 1991 Washington Redskins come in at #9. Coached by Joe Gibbs and led by a potent offense featuring Mark Rypien and the “Posse” of wide receivers, the Redskins went 14-2 in the regular season and dominated in the playoffs, culminating in a Super Bowl XXVI victory. The team is often overlooked amongst the greats but is still one of the best NFL teams of all time.

Overall Record: 17-2

Super Bowl XXVI Champion

8. 1999 St. Louis Rams

The 1999 St. Louis Rams, under the leadership of head coach Dick Vermeil and quarterback Kurt Warner, introduced the NFL to the “Greatest Show on Turf.” The Rams’ high-flying offense, featuring Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, led them to a Super Bowl victory and a place among the greatest NFL teams of all time.

Overall Record: 16-3

Super Bowl XXXIV Champion

7. 1971 Dallas Cowboys

The 1971 Dallas Cowboys, coached by the legendary Tom Landry, earn their spot at number 7. This team featured the “Doomsday Defense” and was led by stars like Roger Staubach and Duane Thomas. The Cowboys won Super Bowl VI, marking the beginning of their dominance in the 1970s.

Overall Record: 14-3

Super Bowl VI Champion

6. 1992 Dallas Cowboys

The 1992 Dallas Cowboys, were led by head coach Jimmy Johnson and featured the iconic “Triplets”. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin powered this unstoppable Cowboys offense. This memorable team clinched Super Bowl XXVII, marking the start of a dynasty.

Overall Record: 16-3

Super Bowl XXVII Champion

5. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers

The 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers, the last of their four Super Bowl-winning teams in the ’70s, earned their spot at number 5. The Steel Curtain defense, featuring legends like Mean Joe Greene and Jack Lambert, powered the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XIII.

Overall Record: 17-2

Super Bowl XIII Champion

4. 1984 San Francisco 49ers

The 1984 San Francisco 49ers, coached by the legendary Bill Walsh, showcased the brilliance of the West Coast Offense. Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and a stellar supporting cast led the 49ers to a 15-1 regular-season record and a Super Bowl XIX victory, solidifying their place among the all-time greats.

Overall Record: 18-1

Super Bowl XIX Champion

3. 1985 Chicago Bears

The 1985 Chicago Bears, led by head coach Mike Ditka and a ferocious defense are hailed as one of the greatest teams of all time. Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, and the Bears dominated the regular season with a 15-1 record and stormed through the playoffs to win Super Bowl XX.

Overall Record: 18-1

Super Bowl XX Champion

2. 2007 New England Patriots

The 2nd spot goes to the 2007 New England Patriots, who finished the regular season with a flawless 16-0 record. Coached by Bill Belichick and led by Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and a dynamic offense, the Patriots came within one game of a perfect season. They ultimately fell short, losing in Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants. That one blemish keeps them from the top spot in our top 10 list.

Overall Record: 18-1

1. 1972 Miami Dolphins

The 1972 Miami Dolphins, coached by Don Shula and quarterbacked by Bob Griese, accomplished a feat no other team has matched: a perfect season. They capped off this amazing feat with a Super Bowl VII victory. The Dolphins undefeated run secures their position as the best team in NFL history.

Overall Record: 17-0

Super Bowl VII Champion

If you enjoyed this list be sure to check out our 10 best Super Bowl games of all time.

The post Top 10 NFL Teams of all Time appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

10. Aaron Donald

The previously mentioned Aaron Donald is the prototypical modern defensive tackle. His combination of speed, strength, and technique is unmatched. In his 10 year career, Donald has accumulated numerous accolades, including three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. multiple All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl ring. Donald recently flirted with retirement but decided to continue his career in 2023.

*Career Stats:

322 solo tackles

105.5 sacks

165 TFL

9. Dan Hampton

Hall of Famer Dan Hampton spent his 12 year career with the Chicago Bears. Hampton was a 6x All Pro and 4x Pro Bowler. Nicknamed the “Danimal” he was a versatile defensive lineman who had multiple seasons with double digit sacks. Hampton was one of the key reasons that the Bears led the NFL in fewest rushing yards and touchdowns during his career there.

Career Stats:

82 sacks

10 fumble recoveries

8. Cortez Kennedy

Cortez Kennedy made a huge impact in the NFL and for the Seattle Seahawks. Despite playing on teams with limited success, Kennedy’s dominance at defensive tackle was second to none. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 1992 and earned eight Pro Bowl selections during his Hall of Fame career.

Career Stats:

569 solo tackles

58 sacks

11 forced fumbles

7. Bob Lilly

Bob Lilly, known as “Mr. Cowboy,” was a staple of the Dallas Cowboys defense for 14 seasons. His combination of strength and agility was impressive for his era. Lilly earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and was the first defensive tackle to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He is a Hall of Famer and also a Super Bowl champion.

Career Stats:

95.5 sacks

18 fumble recoveries

6. Reggie White

Reggie White was a transcendent talent who could dominate from multiple positions along the defensive line. While he is often associated with defensive end play, White’s versatility allowed him to excel as a tackle as well. With two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl victory, White’s impact on and off the field is still felt to this day.

Career Stats:

198 sacks

175 solo tackles

5. Merlin Olsen

Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen was known as a gentle giant off the field and a destructive force on it. A stalwart for the Los Angeles Rams Fearsome Foursome, Olsen’s combination of size, strength, and agility made him a dominant force. He earned 14 Pro Bowl selections and 5 All Pro selections.

Career Stats:

91 sacks

9 fumble recoveries

4. John Randle

John Randle‘s journey from undrafted rookie to Hall of Famer is the stuff of legends. His fiery personality and relentless motor made him a disruptive force for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. Randle, an eight-time Pro Bowler, recorded double-digit sacks in six seasons.

Career Stats:

137.5 sacks

277 solo tackles

40 TFLs

3. Alan Page

Alan Page was not only a defensive tackle but also a legal scholar and judge off the field during his Hall of Fame career. On it, his menacing play set him apart at the position. A member of the famed Purple People Eaters, Page combined strength, agility, and a deep understanding of the game to garner nine Pro Bowl selections and an NFL MVP award.

Career Stats:

148.5 sacks

23 fumble recoveries

2. Warren Sapp

Warren Sapp brought a new era of athleticism to the defensive tackle position. His quickness off the line and pass-rushing finesse redefined the role. With seven Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl victory, Sapp remains one of the most dominant defensive tackles of the modern era. Off the field he continues to mentor the next great defensive linemen and is currently the working with Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado.

Career Stats:

96.5 sacks

440 solo tackles

138 TFLs

1. Mean Joe Greene

Joe Greene, famously known as “Mean Joe,” tops our list as the best defensive tackle of all time. His ferocious play for the Pittsburgh Steelers Steel Curtain defense set the gold standard for defensive tackles going forward. Greene’s relentless pursuit of quarterbacks and ability to stuff running backs earned him four Super Bowl rings and two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Career Stats:

77.5 sacks

16 fumble recoveries

*= Active NFL player

The post Top 10 Defensive Tackles of All Time appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

BACKGROUND

Jalen Carter is a Defensive Tackle prospect from Apopka, Florida. In the class of 2020, Carter was ranked the 49th best prospect according to Rivals. As a defensive tackle, he was ranked #5 for his position and #9 in the state overall. As a senior, he had a dominant season with Apopka High School, where he had 12 sacks. He committed to play for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2019.

COLLEGE CAREER

As a freshman, Jalen Carter played sparingly. In eight games, he gathered just 12 tackles and scored a TD reception. In his sophomore year, that’s when he exploded onto the scene. As a sophomore, he was named to the 2021 Second Team All-SEC. He had three sacks and 31 tackles in the 12 games he played.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

There were a lot of uncertainties for the 2022-2023 Georgia Bulldogs as a record number of players were drafted into the NFL. Among the 15 players drafted, an NFL draft record, five were taken in the 1st round. Four more defensive players were drafted later on. Even with all the drafted players, Georgia had a deep enough defensive pool in order to be a contender to repeat. One of them was Jalen Carter.

As a junior, Carter missed five games due to an MCL injury. When he was on the field, he was a force to handle. He had 18 tackles and 25 total pressures which were 17 QB pressures, five QB hits, and three sacks. His impressive season in Georgia led him to a 2022 First Team All-SEC.

STRENGTHS: Presence

The presence of Jalen Carter is a big factor to why he’s being hailed as one of the best prospects in the draft. One thing you can be assured of is a high pressure rate. With the QB being the most heralded position in the league, a DT who can wreck the game is very valuable. With this presence, he is often double-teamed and defenses can take advantage of this. His mix of strength and power make him a top prospect.

WEAKNESSES: Injury Concerns

As a junior, Jalen Carter did miss five games due to a MCL injury. Now, with his projection in top five, teams will be very cautious with his medical. To draft a player this high with a possible injury concern can be a red flag for teams. Players have slipped due to this. He does have other weaknesses such as no response to a double team or consistency but these can be developed and trained at the NFL.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Warren Sapp

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Multiple mock drafts have him in the top 5 and some have him as the first defensive player taken. This is with multiple scouts and analysts calling him the best defensive prospect and even the best prospect overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Some pegged him #1 overall if the Chicago Bears keep the pick. If a trade does happen and a QB is selected first, look at Arizona and Seattle in the top 5 to possibly take him and shore up the defensive line.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Jalen Carter appeared first on Pro Football Mania.