Ranking the top 10 defensive players in NFL history…

9. Deacon Jones

Drafted 186th overall in the 14th round by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1961 NFL Draft out of South Carolina State and Mississippi Vocational, Jones quickly established himself as a dominant defensive end, forming part of the legendary “Fearsome Foursome” alongside Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy.

Over 11 seasons with the Rams, Jones revolutionized the pass rush, coining the term “sack” and unofficially amassing 159.5 sacks with the team, including back-to-back 22-sack seasons in 1964 and 1968.

He earned five consecutive consensus All-Pro selections from 1965 to 1969 and led the league in sacks multiple times, though the stat wasn’t officially tracked until 1982. Traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1972, he

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