Ranking the top 10 defensive players in NFL history…

1. Lawrence Taylor

Drafted second overall by the New York Giants in the 1981 NFL Draft out of the University of North Carolina, Taylor quickly established himself as a revolutionary outside linebacker, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in his debut season.

Over his entire 13-season career with the Giants, Taylor anchored the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew” defense, leading to two Super Bowl wins (XXI, XXV).

He recorded double-digit sacks annually from 1984 to 1990, peaking at 20.5 in 1986, when he became the first defensive player since 1971 to win NFL MVP .

Taylor won three Defensive Player of the Year awards (1981, 1982, 1986) and forced offenses to adapt with extra blockers and new schemes. Nota

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