21-05-2025
Two Texas A&M Aggies make PFF's best defensive players list since 2000
Two Texas A&M Aggies make PFF's best defensive players list since 2000
A new era of NFL football is emerging, with young talent reshaping rosters. As legendary players like Tom Brady, Aaron Donald, Mike Evans, and Dak Prescott retire or surpass the 10-year milestone, a fresh wave of future Hall of Famers is making its mark.
One of the most debated topics among sports fans is determining the greatest players of all time. While this conversation is ever-changing, we can analyze the best players within specific periods.
Rankings can be based on a single game, a decade, or even the unique ruleset of an era. For this list, Jon Macri of PFF has compiled selections for the best defensive players at every position since 2000. Among the standout names are a few Texas A&M Aggie football players, further solidifying the program's legacy in producing elite talent.
All-PFF Defensive Team 2000s
Aaron Donald - Interior Defender
Team: St. Louis Rams / LA Rams
Games Played: 154
Career Stats: Tackles - 543 / TFLs - 176 / QB Hits - 260 / Sacks - 111
Accolades: 10x Pro Bowl / 8x All-Pro / 2014 Defensive RoY/ Defensive PoY / Super Bowl Champ / HOF
JJ Watt - Interior Defender
Team: Houston Texans / Arizona Cardinals
Games Played: 151
Career Stats: Tackles - 586 / TFLs - 195 / QB Hits - 317 / Sacks - 114.5 / Ints - 2
Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl / 5x All-Pro / Defensive PoY / 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year
Von Miller - Edge
Team: Denver Broncos / LA Rams / Buffalo Bills
Games Played: 186 (still active)
Career Stats: Tackles - 581 / TFLs - 171 / QB Hits - 256 / Sacks - 129.5 / Ints - 2 (still active)
Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl / 3x All-Pro / 2011 Defensive RoY / 2x Super Bowl Champ / Super Bowl 50 MVP (still active)
Myles Garrett - Edge
Team: Cleveland Browns
Games Played: 117 (still active)
Career Stats: Tackles - 352 / TFLs - 116 / QB Hits - 200 / Sacks - 102.5 (still active)
Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl / 4x All-Pro / Defensive PoY (still active)
Patrick Willis - Linebacker
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Games Played: 112
Career Stats: Tackles - 950 / TFLs - 60 / QB Hits - 41 / Sacks - 20.5 / Ints - 8
Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl / 5x All-Pro / 2007 Defensive RoY/ HOF
Ray Lewis - Linebacker
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Games Played: 228
Career Stats: Tackles - 2059 / TFLs - 99 / QB Hits - 40 / Sacks - 41.5 / Ints - 31
Accolades: 12x Pro Bowl / 7x All-Pro / Defensive PoY / 2x Super Bowl Champ / Super Bowl MVP / HOF
Richard Sherman - Cornerback
Team: Seattle Seahawks / San Fransico 49ers / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Games Played: 144
Career Stats: Tackles - 495 / Ints - 37 / Passes Defended - 116
Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl / 3x All-Pro / Super Bowl Champ
Antoine Winfield Sr - Cornerback
Team: Buffalo Bills / Minnesota Vikings
Games Played: 191
Career Stats: Tackles - 1094 / Ints - 27 / Passes Defended - 117 / Sacks - 7.5
Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl
Darrelle Revis - Cornerback
Team: New York Jets / Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Kansas City Chiefs
Games Played: 145
Career Stats: Tackles - 496 / Ints - 29 / Passes Defended - 139
Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl / 4x All-Pro / Super Bowl Champ / HOF
Troy Polamalu - Safety
Team: Pittsburg Steelers
Games Played: 158
Career Stats: Tackles - 783 / TFLs - 56 / Ints - 32 / Sacks - 12
Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl / 4x All-Pro / Defensive PoY / 2x Super Bowl Champ / HOF
Ed Reed - Safety
Team: Baltimore Ravens / Houston Texans / New York Jets
Games Played: 174
Career Stats: Tackles - 646 / TFLs - 34 / Ints - 64 / Passes Defended - 139 / Sacks - 6
Accolades: 9x Pro Bowl / 5x All-Pro / Defensive PoY / Super Bowl Champ / HOF
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