The majority of the NFL is on vacation, but with the Independence Day holiday coming and going, training camps are just around the corner. Training camps mean that fantasy football content starts to ramp up, and the Hall of Fame ceremony is approaching. It’s also a great time to reflect on the past 25 seasons of the NFL in the 21st century. The past quarter century has witnessed several legendary offensive players strike fear into defenses, while athletic defenders stopped them in their tracks. Offenses continued to send hordes of transcendent superstars to combat the defenses designed to counter their tactics. Let’s take a look at the cavalcade of front-seven defenders who fuel the second team.
Note: All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference
NFL All-Quarter Century Team: Front Seven Fuels Second Team Defense
EDGE
Von Miller / Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Buffalo Bills
There are plenty of superstar EDGE rushers who played in the past quarter century, but Miller stands tall among giants. He has numerous accolades, including one Super Bowl MVP and two Super Bowl titles, which add to his Hall of Fame resume. How dominant of a player was he to begin his career? Miller would’ve had ten straight Pro Bowls if not for injury in his third season. He’s a big game player, notching a total of nine sacks in his two title runs. The former second-overall selection made All-Pro teams in seven of his first nine seasons, including three first-team selections. While injuries have sapped his superpowers during his mid-to-late 30s, his 20s were truly dominant, as he made seven consecutive Pro Bowl teams and posted double-digit sacks multiple times. Miller is still a capable player as he approaches his 14th season.
It remains to be seen if he signs with a team in 2025, but if this is the end, he’s a perfect EDGE1 to fuel the second team defense from the front seven. Miller is a no-doubt Hall of Fame pass rusher who started as an inside linebacker before transitioning to the outside. Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney and Terrell Suggs were also considered for this spot.
Career Statistics: 581 combined tackles, 135 tackles for loss, 256 QB hits, 129.5 sacks, 27 forced fumbles, and 24 PBUs
Jason Taylor / Miami Dolphins, Washington, and New York Jets
The Miami Dolphins made one of the best draft picks in their history by using a third-round selection in the 1997 draft on Taylor. He parlayed a 15-year career into a bronze bust in Canton after producing 139.5 sacks, which ranks in the top ten. The versatile pass rusher also posted a remarkable 87 passes defended and eight interceptions as a terrifying athlete. His six fumble-recovery touchdowns rank as the best in league history. The first eight seasons of the 21st century were highly fruitful for Taylor, resulting in 100 sacks, 524 tackles, 34 forced fumbles, and 61 pass breakups. He was elected to six Pro Bowls and named to first-team All-Pro thrice.
Taylor is one of the league’s greatest sack artists and set the tone for the freakishly athletic pass rushers. He retired as a Dolphin after the 2011 season, earning the call to Canton in 2017. Fellow Hall of Fame pass rusher Jared Allen provided a hearty and spirited debate, but ultimately Taylor won out.
Career Statistics: 788 combined tackles, 151 tackles for loss, 67 QB hits, 139.5 sacks, 87 PBUs, 46 forced fumbles, eight interceptions (three)
IDL
Cameron Heyward
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) celebrates with fans following a game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Cameron Heyward / Pittsburgh Steelers
As is Steelers tradition, it took a couple of seasons for Heyward to earn his due, but when Pittsburgh turned him loose, Heyward never looked back. Initially, he started his career as a defensive end in the Steelers’ famed 3-4 system. The versatile lineman has played both defensive end and tackle throughout his career. He’s been a steadying force for Pittsburgh, usually averaging over 50 tackles and seven sacks annually. Heyward has been elected to the Pro Bowl in seven of the past eight seasons, earning four first-team All-Pro selections in that period. The 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year has signed multiple lucrative extensions to remain in the Steel City. Pittsburgh’s defense remains a force to be reckoned with, thanks to Heyward’s immense contributions.
He should be yet another Steelers’ addition to the hallowed halls of Canton when he’s done with an outside chance at 100 sacks, which would be impressive for a defensive tackle. The only other names considered for a front seven that fuels the second-team defense were Ndamukong Suh and Haloti Ngata.
Career Statistics: 718 combined tackles, 133 tackles for loss, 199 QB hits, 88.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, 58 PBUs, and two interceptions
Chris Jones / Kansas City Chiefs
In the age of Aaron Donald’s unquestioned reign as the best defensive lineman alive, Jones quietly carved out his fiefdom as the next best. The Chiefs’ defensive superstar is making a loud run to Canton himself as he enters his 30s. He is well-compensated for his contributions as the key man in Kansas City’s defense. Since becoming a standout in the Show-Me State, he has become more vocal both on and off the field, raising awareness and celebrating lighthearted moments. In his nine seasons, he has made six straight Pro Bowls and three consecutive All-Pro first-teams. He produced 56.5 sacks and 143 QB hits in that period, making him one of the most feared DTs in the game. If all goes well as he ages, Canton is a surefire summertime destination for the three-time Super Bowl champion once he retires.
Former Eagles star and fellow Mississippi State alum Fletcher Cox also merited consideration alongside Vince Wilfork. Jones anchors a talented front seven, which fuels the second-team defense.
Career Statistics: 310 combined tackles, 87 tackles for loss, 195 QB hits, 80.5 sacks, 37 PBUs, 13 forced fumbles, and two interceptions (one)
Linebacker
Derrick Brooks / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers legend was the heart and soul of those late 1990s and early 2000s Tampa Bay defenses. He carried the defense that won the Super Bowl in 2002, earning a DPOY award. Brooks had a ridiculous ten-year streak of Pro Bowl invitations that stretched from 1997 to 2006. In seven seasons from 2000 to 2007, he made the All-Pro First-Team four times while posting triple-digit tackle seasons every year. The 2000 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner had only two seasons of fewer than 80 tackles, his first and last. Brooks is the blueprint for cerebral, undersized linebackers who punish ball carriers. Without him to set the standard, there is no Willis, Keuchly, or a host of great ones. The gold jacket found Brooks in a class full of elite players, including Aeneas Williams, Walter Jones, and Michael Strahan.
Miami Dolphins franchise icon Zach Thomas’ CV also warranted a thorough examination, but Brooks ultimately won the front-seven spot that fueled the second-team defense.
Career Statistics: 1,713 combined tackles, 68 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 84 PBUs, 24 forced fumbles, 25 interceptions (six)
Luke Keuchly / Carolina Panthers
Keuchly’s time in the league may have been brief, but his impact is still felt to this day as a player who carried the tradition of smart, bruising, and athletic linebackers. He played only eight seasons, but numerous stellar plays marked his time in the league. The former Panthers legend shockingly retired after the 2019 season, citing injuries and future health as a reason. He racked up over 1,000 tackles, earning All-Pro recognition in every season but one. In five of eight seasons, he merited selection on the All-Pro first team. He won DPOY in just his second season. Keuchly earned heavy consideration for the first-team all-quarter-century defense for his dominance, but longevity ultimately kept him out. No other linebacker was considered for the honor on the team. Much like first-team icon Patrick Willis, the wait for Canton will be a brief one for the Panthers’ superstar.
Career Statistics: 1,092 combined tackles, 75 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 66 PBUs, 18 interceptions (one), and seven forced fumbles
Brian Urlacher / Chicago Bears
Dick Butkus. Mike Singletary. Urlacher joined the pantheon of all-time linebackers that continued the Monsters of the Midway tradition. The Bears legend set the standard for all future inside linebackers to emulate alongside Ray Lewis. He broke the triple-digit tackle barrier seven times in eight seasons, going to seven Pro Bowls. He won DPOY in 2005, cementing himself as a legend with four first-team All-Pros in that time frame. If there ever was a quintessential Chicago Bear during the 21st century, Urlacher was it. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018 as part of an all-time great class. Longtime veteran and hopefully future Hall of Fame linebacker London Fletcher was also considered.
Career Statistics: 1,361 combined tackles, 138 tackles for loss, 41.5 sacks, 90 PBUs, 22 interceptions (two), and 11 forced fumbles
Cornerback
Patrick Peterson / Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers
Peterson is one of the founding fathers of the DBU claim made by former LSU defensive backs. He got off to one of the best starts a cornerback could dream of, earning eight consecutive Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pros. While the counting stats are less resplendent compared to his peers, Peterson is one of the generation’s best. He also functioned as the Cardinals’ punt returner during the early part of his career, thanks to his exceptional athletic abilities. After a stellar ten seasons in Arizona, he moved to Minnesota in 2021 and finished his career with Pittsburgh in 2023. The standout corner was one of the best cornerbacks of the past quarter-century and is well deserving of his spot on the second-team defense. Canton will be calling one day soon for his services. Peterson earned the selection over another accomplished cornerback, Asante Samuel, Sr.
Career Statistics: 652 combined tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 122 PBUs, 36 interceptions (two); 195 punt returns for 1,816 yards and four touchdowns
Richard Sherman / Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The hard-nosed cornerback from Stanford defined a standard of cornerback play while being the leader of the “Legion of Boom.” Sherman shut down a who’s who of top-tier receivers nearly every time he stepped on the field. He began his career impressively, earning four Pro Bowls in five seasons and three All-Pro first-team selections. During his first six seasons, he produced 92 pass deflections and 26 interceptions. Interestingly, he later played for the franchise he tormented for many years. Sherman’s stellar tenure in the PNW ended during the 2018 offseason after an unfortunate ruptured Achilles ended his 2017 campaign. He started to decline in San Francisco, never regaining the form in Seattle. Sherman retired in 2022 after spending an injury-riddled season at Tampa Bay.
The Seahawks legend should earn a call to Canton relatively soon, but cornerback is a notoriously fickle subject among voters. He earned the spot on the quarter-century second-team defense over Hall of Famer Ronde Barber.
Career Statistics: 495 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 116 PBUs, 37 interceptions (three), and five forced fumbles
Safety
Charles Woodson / Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers
The 1997 Heisman Trophy winner became a top-five selection in the 1998 NFL Draft and never looked back. Woodson is the modern poster child for the aging cornerback who converted to a standout safety. He started his career on a hot streak, winning DROY and making four consecutive Pro Bowls. The nine-time Pro Bowl defensive back experienced a resurgence during the latter stages of his career, earning four successive All-Pro teams and winning the DPOY award in 2009. After spending seven seasons of his prime in Green Bay, he returned to the Silver and Black to finish in a flurry with a Pro Bowl in 2015. The all-around defender produced 65 interceptions, which places him fifth all-time. He’s fourth all-time in passes defended with 183. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2021 after an accolade-filled 18-year career.
Eric Weddle earned consideration for this position, but Woodson was always running away with a spot on the Second Team defense.
Career Statistics: 1,220 combined tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 183 PBUs, 65 interceptions (11), and 33 forced fumbles
Brian Dawkins / Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos
If there ever was a free safety comparable to the peerless Ed Reed, Dawkins is that dude. The former Eagles and Broncos superstar played 16 seasons at a marvelous standard as one of the most feared safeties in the league. Known as a hard hitter and instinctive playmaker, he notched over 1,100 tackles, 153 PBUs, and 37 interceptions in his career. Canton came knocking on his door in 2018, and that class could be considered one of the best in Hall history. Hall of Fame safety John Lynch also merited consideration, but Dawkins’ CV was too impressive.
Career Statistics: 1,147 combined tackles, 59 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, 153 PBUs, 37 interceptions (two), and 36 forced fumbles
Main Image: Isaiah J. Downing – Imagn Images