Welcome to part four in my series The Grand List, or: the top 1000 players in history. Today’s section of the list covers players 939-901. Here, you’ll find some underrated skill players, a few somewhat anonymous defenders who are fondly remembered only by fans of their team, and a few more current young bloods on their way to becoming full fledged legends. Don’t forget to send complaints to DeleteSansReading@gmail.com.

Previous articles in the series

The Grand List, part 1: Includes honorable/special mentions and players 1000-990.
The Grand List, part 2: Includes players 989-965.
The Grand List, part 3: Includes players 964-940.

Let’s have at it then.

The List, Continued

939. Anthony Carter (1983-1995)
Wide Receiver
Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders

Carter was a great deep threat, best known for his 1987 campaign, a season in which he had a remarkable 24.3 yards per catch in the regular season before exploding for 391 yards in the playoffs. The highlight of the season was a 227 yard outing against the heavily favored 49ers. San Francisco entered the game with the number three scoring defense and the league’s best DVOA against the pass. Carter shredded them. He had a short but high peak, and I believe he would have been a superstar on a team with a better quarterback or a more creative coach.

938. Derrick Henry (2016-Present)
Running Back
Tennessee Titans

Henry is a big, strong man who breaks arm tackles with ease, runs over defenders in the open field, and stiff arms tacklers into oblivion. His crowning achievement was the 2019 season, in which he captured a rushing title and led the league in rushing scores in the regular season before playing like a demigod in the playoffs. He moves far better than a man of his stature should, using his rare blend of speed and power to produce the second 99 yard touchdown run in NFL history. On that play, he outran defenders while manhandling others, demonstrating the range of his athletic capabilities.

937. Alvin Kamara (2017-Present)
Running Back
New Orleans Saints

Kamara possesses an uncanny combination of acceleration, power, and balance. His compact frame allows him to bounce off tackles as easily as he jukes them. He consistently generates yardage, even when he doesn’t break off huge plays, averaging over 99 yards from scrimmage per game in his young career. Kamara’s most valuable contribution comes in the passing game, where he has averaged just under 700 receiving yards per season.

936. Amani Toomer (1996-2008)
Wide Receiver
New York Giants

Toomer probably seems like an odd choice here. He never made a Pro Bowl or all pro team, and he didn’t produce a bevy of highlight reel type plays to trick us into thinking he was better than he actually was. Instead, he was kind of like the wide receiver version of The Eagles. That is to say he had a solid, steady career with several boring performances in a row. Tall and strong, Toomer was an excellent possession receiver who made boundary catches look mundane. His sure hands helped him haul in passes from the succession of mostly inaccurate passers he played with during his career. While two other receivers continue to get all the press, Toomer was New York’s leading receiver in their upset victory of the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. He was also a pretty good punt returner when called upon.

935. George Rogers (1981-1987)
Running Back
1981-1987

As a rookie, Rogers played on a bad team and alongside a respected veteran passer and still led the NFL in carries and rushing yards. His 1674 yards on the ground set a rookie record (which quickly fell to Eric Dickerson) and remain the second highest mark for a first year player. He averaged 1339 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns per 16 games during his time in the Big Easy before joining Joe Gibbs and friends in Washington. Playing behind better blockers, Rogers achieved a career high 18 touchdowns in 1986 and was a contributor to a title team the following year. Two strikes and lingering injuries took their toll on his numbers, but his per-16 game performance shows how effective he was during his seven years in the league.

934. Don Perkins (1961-1968)
Running Back
Dallas Cowboys

Butch Perkins was on the smallish size for a fullback, but he was a hard runner with a tendency to initiate contact with defenders. Not one to outrun or outmaneuver an opponent, he was content to just plow them into the ground. Perkins thrived as a running back on some lackluster squads, which, given what we know about game scripts, is no mean feat. ^[1]In his first five seasons, he had 1136 yards per 16 games without playing on a squad with a winning record. He was solid in pass pro, despite being a run-first fullback, and he was the first Cowboys player to receive first team all pro honors. Currently, Perkins trails only Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett in rushing yards in a Cowboys uniform.

933. Matt Snell (1964-1972)
Running Back
New York Jets

Snell was a big, strong back with a tough running style that perfectly complemented backfield mate Emerson Boozer’s shiftiness. He had a pretty good stat line, with a solid 1216 scrimmage yards per 16 games in his five mostly healthy seasons. However, his numbers don’t tell the whole story. Snell was a superb pass blocker, capable of quickly diagnosing pressure schemes and getting in position to protect his star quarterback. Once in position, he could deliver a forearm shiver like a Louisville Slugger to knock defenders off their tracks. Snell earned three trips to the Pro Bowl and four all pro nods for his efforts.

932. Landon Collins (2015-Present)
Safety
New York Giants, Washington

Collins got off to a rough start, putting together a few highlights in the middle of generally poor tape as a rookie. After just one offseason, he was able to significantly increase the highlight reel type plays as replace most of the bad ones with average-to-good ones. In 2016, he had a season that had him in the defensive player of the year discussion, with five interceptions (1 pick six), eight pass breakups, four sacks, nine tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Collins is a terror near the line of scrimmage, shutting down the run like few safeties ever have. He also has the ability to undercut routes and make big plays in the passing game. Playing on rosters in a seeming perpetual state of disrepair, Collins shows up and does his job.

931. Jalen Ramsey (2016-Present)
Cornerback
Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams

Ramsey only has four seasons under his belt, but they are four high quality campaigns. He has long arms and an accurate punch that allow him to thrive in press coverage, redirecting receivers off the line and throwing off the rhythm of the offense. Ramsey isn’t particularly fast, but he possesses tremendous leaping ability. His vertical prowess combined with those long arms makes completing passes over the top quite difficult. The 2017 season was the highlight of his career. He was probably the best corner in the league and was the most valuable member of a defense that led a team quarterbacked by Blake Bortles to the AFC Championship Game.

930. Darius Slay (2013-Present)
Cornerback
Detroit Lions

For the last seven seasons, Big Play Slay has earned his nickname. He isn’t a blanket cover artist in the Deion or Revis mold, but he has incredible ball skills and the confidence to gamble. Over his five year peak, Slay averaged a shade under 11 pass breakups and 3.4 per season. When adjusting for the league passing environment, his 8 pick performance in 2017 is among the most statistically dominant interception seasons in history.

929. Jamal Adams (2017-2019)
Safety
New York Jets

Adams is the rare safety who seems to have no identifiable weaknesses in his game. His blitzes are timed and executed to perfection. He fills run gaps and makes open field tackles with aplomb. He can play underneath routes and patrol the deep field effectively. Adams doesn’t get a ton of interceptions, but he does break up his share of passes. Basically a run stopper as a rookie, he improved his coverage skills tremendously by his second year, and his versatility has made him arguably the best current safety in the league. ^[2]I have Adams ranked higher than George Kittle and Alvin Kamara, who have also played just three NFL seasons. Despite Kittle being perhaps the best player in the league in 2019, I have him a little … Continue reading

928. Bob Golic (1979-1992)
Defensive Interior
Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Raiders, New England Patriots

In a move that would be basically unheard of today, Golic began his professional career as a linebacker before converting to nose tackle. He wasn’t that big, as the prototypical nose tackle of today is, but he made up for his relative lack of size with quickness and relentlessness. Golic did have plenty of power and could get a good push, but he was especially adept at beating blockers off the ball with his first step out of his beautiful four point stance. This provided him with a decent pass rush and allowed him to penetrate against the run, but it also left him susceptible to getting trapped.

927. Rulon Jones (1980-1988)
Defensive End
Denver Broncos

Jones made a couple Pro Bowls, earned a few all pro teams, and picked up a conference DPOY honors in 1986. He was one of the better pass rushers among 3-4 ends, and he provided a great interior rush when he would sink inside to play tackle on passing downs. Jones started off as a designated rusher and sacked quarterbacks 20 times in his first two seasons. As a regular starter, he notched three seasons with double digit sacks from 1984-86. A little trivia: Jones scored three safeties in his career. Only Ted Hendricks, Doug English, and Jared Allen have more (four apiece).

926. Earl Morrall (1956-1976)
Quarterback
Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Colts, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers

Morrall played a long time. A really long time. But despite his 21 seasons in the league, he is most famous for his role as a backup thrust into the starting role for two different super teams. His career in interesting, because he is a beloved historical figure who gets the occasional Hall of Fame push, despite the fact that he started at least 9 games just six times and was generally kept as a backup for most of his career. He was genuinely great in 1968, earning an MVP nod for his efforts, and he was efficient in limited action in 1970 and 1972. However, I cannot rate him any higher due to his performance on teams that weren’t full of stars. ^[3]Among quarterbacks with at least 1500 regular and postseason action plays, Morrall ranks 61st in Total Adjusted Yards above Average (VAL) with 2061 and 57th in TAYP+ (105).

925. Milt Plum (1957-1969)
Quarterback
Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants

Plum was an efficient passer, sort of a less talented Ken Anderson. He seems to receive most of his attention for his incredible 1960 campaign, in which he boasted a passer rating of 110.4 (when the league average was 64.2). However, that season came in the middle of an excellent three year span, with passer ratings of 87.2 and 90.3 flanking the famous “fluke.” Plum wasn’t the type of quarterback to go win the game by himself, but at his peak he was a high level game manager who was unlikely to throw a game away. ^[4]Among qualifying quarterbacks, Plum ranks 77th in VAL (1345) and 101st in TAYP+ (102).

924. Dallas Clark (2003-2013)
Tight End
Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens

As a tight end who caught over 500 passes – most of them from Peyton Manning – Clark seems to be remembered as a big wide receiver who you’d be crazy to have blocking. The reality, however, is that he was a good, even occasionally great, run blocker for most of his career. He was only okay in pass pro, but it didn’t really matter given Manning’s penchant for avoiding pressure. Besides, with Clark’s soft hands and sound ability to find openings in coverage, he was more useful out on routes anyway. His ability to split out wide or play a traditional tight end role gave the Colts the ability to run different looks without substitutions, enabling the offense to run at an even higher level.

923. Wesley Walls (1989-2003)
Tight End
Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers

Walls began his career backing up Brent Jones in San Francisco, rarely seeing much action as a receiver. He still played plenty because he was a very good blocker on the edge, but he needed an opportunity to start to prove he could be a top receiving threat. That chance came when he showed he had what it took in New Orleans before really breaking out with the Panthers. He didn’t have the most eye-popping numbers, but he was great at finding space in the condensed field of the red zone, with seasons of 10 and 12 touchdown receptions. At the time of his retirement, he ranked third in career touchdowns among tight ends.

922. Terron Armstead (2013-Present)
Offensive Tackle
New Orleans Saints

In Armstead’s seven years as a pro, he has made two Pro Bowl teams, but his play has been worthy of twice that. Since his third season, he has rated among the league’s top left tackles. His run blocking has ranged from okay to superb, but his pass protection has been fantastic, year in and year out. Given the relative importance of the two, Armstead has been one of the most valuable offensive linemen in the game when he’s on the field. That last part is the only knock on his career: he has yet to play a full 16 game season. Since taking over as starter in the penultimate game of his rookie season, he has started 71 of 98 possible regular season games.

921. Samari Rolle (1998-2008)
Cornerback
Tennessee Oilers/Titans, Baltimore Ravens

Rolle was a talented corner who rarely got the postseason recognition he deserved. He was among the league’s finest cornerbacks for most of his tenure in Tennessee. During his best five year stretch, he picked off 4.4 passes per season, and he was generally very good at generating yardage afterward.  He also excelled on corner blitzes early in his career, picking up 8.5 sacks in his first four years as a pro. Rolle was a key defender on the 1999 squad that, in a losing effort, held the powerhouse Greatest Show on Turf Rams offense to 23 points in the franchise’s only Super Bowl appearance.

920. Patrick Surtain (1998-2008)
Cornerback
Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs

Surtain possessed the excellent combination of tight coverage and good ball skills. He racked up 37 interceptions in a pass-friendly era. At his playmaking peak, from 2000-05, he averaged 4.8 picks per season. Dr. Z once noted that when Surtain gave up a pass, it was usually because of the perfect throw or an incredible catch, but rarely because of a lapse in coverage. He hung up his cleats with three Pro Bowls and two first team all pro selections under his belt.

919. Cris Dishman (1988-2000)
Cornerback
Houston Oilers, Washington, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings

Throughout his time in Houston and Washington, Dishman was a superb cover corner who rarely got his due. Sure, he made a couple of Pro Bowls and all pro teams, but those don’t reflect how well he played during most of his prime. Dishman was a fairly rare corner who could trail number ones, play exclusively outside, or move inside and match up in the slot. He kept up with his man in coverage, and he was a playmaker who once went seven straight contests with a turnover. When he retired, he had amassed 43 interceptions and 15 forced fumbles.

918. Ken Harvey (1988-1998)
Rushbacker
Phoenix Cardinals, Washington

Harvey was an exciting player to watch because he had the ability to play as a classic off-ball outside linebacker or as an attacking rushbacker, depending on what was needed of him. Viewers wouldn’t mistake him for Derrick Brooks or Lawrence Taylor in either role, but was good – if not elite – at both. Plus, his versatility was valuable and provided schematic flexibility. Like many pass rushing linebackers, Harvey tended to play on the edge on passing downs rather than playing in coverage like a classic Will. He wasn’t the type to take over a game by himself, but he did generate consistent pressure and put up pretty good sack totals, finishing his career with 89 QB takedowns.

917. Eric Wright (1981-1990)
Cornerback
San Francisco 49ers

Drafted a round after, and playing his career in the shadow of, Ronnie Lott, Wright rarely seemed to get his due for his stellar play. In his eight seasons as a regular starter, he was a key member of a defense that ranked in the top five in points allowed six times. Long and lean, Wright used his great wingspan to break up passes and control receivers in man coverage. His finest season came in 1983, when he hauled in seven interceptions for a league-leading 164 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that with two all pro seasons (when voters caught up with his play), in which opposing passers started paying him more respect. A bit of trivia: Wright only intercepted 18 passes in the regular season, but he did pick off both Ken Anderson and Dan Marino in title games.

916. Bob Gain (1951-1964)
Defensive Interior
Cleveland Browns, Ottawa Rough Riders

Gain was a versatile defender who was a key piece in a Cleveland defense that spent several consecutive seasons at or near the top. He was a regular starter from 1955-63, a span in which he made five Pro Bowls and seven all pro teams. Cleveland’s ranks in points allowed those years: 1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 3, 3. Prior to that, Gain was an all-CFL pick for the Rough Riders, who paid him more money than was offered by the Packers team that originally drafted him. Gain could play all over the line, from middle guard to end, and he was a hog against the run. He took time off from football to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War, so he was a real hero, not just a sports hero.

915. Rolland Lawrence (1973-1980)
Cornerback
Atlanta Falcons

Among readers of Football Perspective, Lawrence may be best-known as the defender with the highest single-season Approximate Value total (24) of any defender in history. While he didn’t actually have the best defensive season ever, and his high number highlights issues with the metric more than it highlights great play, Lawrence was the premier player on the Grits Blitz defense that allowed an absurd 9.2 points per game in 1977. One historic season isn’t enough to get a cornerback this high on the list, and Lawrence was more than a bit of trivia for stat geeks. Undersized, but tough, he never missed a game in his eight-year career. He was a hyper-aggressive man corner who wasn’t scared of anything, and he was a joy to watch. From 1975-79, he averaged 7 interceptions per 16 games and was always good for some added yardage after the pick.

914. Terry McDaniel (1988-1998)
Cornerback
Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks

McDaniel is a rare player who made five Pro Bowls at a value position, did so fairly recently, and still never comes up in conversations about greats at his position. Being a direct contemporary of Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson will do that, I guess. Despite the presence of those big names, McDaniel was arguably the very best corner in the league in 1992. ^[5]I gave the Prime Time Award to Woodson that year, but McDaniel made it close. He made three all pro teams and was a prolific playmaker, gaining 799 yards and 8 touchdowns off of turnovers in his career.

913. Steve Jordan (1982-1994)
Tight End
Minnesota Vikings

From 1985-91, Jordan averaged 696 yards and three scores per 16 games. He likely would have posted higher touchdowns totals had he been on better offenses (i.e., with better passers). Jordan wasn’t much of a blocker, but he more than made up for it with his receiving skill. Similar to Jason Witten, he wasn’t what you would call an elite athlete, but he was smart and seemingly always managed to find himself open.

912. Bob Tucker (1970-1980)
Tight End
New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings

Tucker was on a smallish side for a tight end, but he was a pretty good blocker nonetheless. His real talent was receiving. He averaged 722 yards and 4 touchdowns per 16 games at his peak. Adjusting for era and how tight ends typically were used at the time, those are impressive numbers. Tucker never received a Pro Bowl election, but he did earn all pro honors in 1972, a season that saw him surpass 1000 TRY.

911. Alan Ameche (1955-1960)
Running Back
Baltimore Colts

Ameche had his best season as a rookie, the year before Johnny Unitas showed up in Baltimore. He led the league in touches, yards, and touchdowns en route to picking up his only first team all pro nod. Steady and reliable, Ameche was a sure bet to pick up tough yards. The presence of the more talented and versatile Lenny Moore reduced his role in the offense, but he was nonetheless a key component in bring two titles to the Chesapeake region.

910. Dan Towler (1950-1955)
Running Back
Los Angeles Rams

Deacon Dan was a big, strong fullback who was all but impossible to bring down solo. He was all pro in four of his six seasons, but 1951-53 was his clear peak. During that span, he averaged 73 rushing yards per game at 6.1 yards per clip. He also earned a rushing title once and led the league in rushing touchdowns twice. Had he not split carries with a deep and talented committee group, ^[6]Including Dick Hoerner, Tank Younger, Glenn Davis, Vitamin Smith, and Skeets Quinlan. we may be talking about a Hall of Famer right now.

909. Archie Matsos (1960-1966)
Linebacker
Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers

Matsos is the first of two short-career, high-peak linebackers from the American Football League. Considered too small to star at linebacker in the elder league, Matsos took his talents to the upstart AFL, where he was an animal for 95 games. Sure, he wasn’t that big, but he was fast, and he was smart. In his first year as a pro, he picked off 8 passes and took one in for a score, ending the season with a first team all pro selection. He went on to pick up three more all pro nods, as well as a pair Enforcer Awards and a GridFe DPOY honor.

908. Sherrill Headrick (1960-1968)
Linebacker
Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals

The second of the aforementioned AFL stud linebackers, Headrick spent 108 games with the Texans/Chiefs playing like a bat out of hell. Due to his frenzied play, and the fact that he played two entire games with a fractured vertebra, he picked up the nickname Psycho. But he wasn’t just tough and crazy, he also happened to be a fine football player. He had good speed and quickness, and he supplemented that with excelled diagnostic ability, allowing him to play even faster. Headrick earned Enforcer Awards in 1961 and 1962, earned three first team all pro nods, and picked up another two second team selections. He won an AFL title in 1962 and played in the first Super Bowl.

907. Bill Maas (1984-1993)
Defensive Interior
Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers

Maas was a hoss, a behemoth who looked like the final foe from a Van Damme movie. He was a physically intimidating powerhouse with an attitude, and he seemed to barely break a sweat having his way with guards and centers. Though he typically grinded out a living at nose, he was an effective pass rusher in nickel, finishing his career with 40 sacks. Maas started his career hot, earning defensive rookie of the year honors and two first team all pro selections in his first four seasons.

906. Buster Ramsey (1946-1951)
Offensive Guard, Linebacker
Chicago Cardinals

Ramsey had a standout career with the champion Cardinals. He played just six years but was named to an all pro team in all but his final, abbreviated season. Ramsey was a solid blocker on offense, but his forte was on the other side of the ball. He was a cog of the 1948 defense that held the mighty Eagles to 7 points in Chicago’s title loss. Athletically, he didn’t seem to stand out from the pack. It was his mind that made him great, allowing him to play faster and facilitating his subsequent career as a coach. Upon retirement, Ramsey became defensive coordinator of dominant Detroit Lions dynasty, and, later, the first head coach of the Buffalo Bills. He helped develop 4-3 defense and make blitzing linebackers a regular part of the defensive gameplan.

905. Bucko Kilroy (1943-1955)
Offensive Guard/Tackle, Defensive Interior, Linebacker
Phil-Pitt Steagles, Philadelphia Eagles

On offense, Kilroy played both guard and tackle. He was an imposing drive blocker and a sound pass protector, regardless of his position on the line. Part of a dominating line that paved the way for Steve Van Buren to lead the NFL in rushing yards per game five consecutive seasons. Bucko played primarily on defense as he got older and was a stout middle guard who seemed to have little trouble controlling the line of scrimmage. He also had the speed to chase plays sideline to sideline as a linebacker. His play on both sides of the ball was enough to earn him an all pro nod every year from 1948-1954. Following his career, Kilroy became a legendary scout and eventual executive who is often referred to as the father of the modern NFL draft.

904. Matt Light (2001-2011)
Offensive Tackle
New England Patriots

Light was not an athletic specimen like an Armstead or Lane Johnson. Instead, he was a highly intelligent player who used sound technique to win his battles. He attacked run defenders with great angles, and he defended Brady with excellent hand usage and anticipation of pass rush moves, maintaining equal effectiveness in both areas. A beloved figure in New England for his role in three title teams and an undefeated regular season. Light earned an all pro nod and three trips to the Pro Bowl.

903. Donnell Woolford (1989-1997)
Cornerback
Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers

Woolford retired as the Bears’ career leader in interceptions (32) for a corner, and has since been surpassed by Charles Tillman. He excelled in man coverage, and he could bump and run with the best of his day. Woolford was a tough player who appeared to love putting an end to runs to the outside, throwing his body around with abandon to make stops. He was short, but his tremendous leaping ability enabled to break up deep passes with relative ease.

902. Johnathan Joseph (2006-Present)
Cornerback
Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals

Despite playing excellent football for the Bengals, Joseph was overshadowed by an inferior teammate and was allowed to walk after his rookie contract expired. He signed with Houston and picked up where he left off, consistently making life hard on opposing receivers and quarterbacks. As his athleticism declined, he was able to make a smooth transition to an off ball role that relied on savvy. His instincts and smarts allowed him to maintain a starting role till the age of 35, and maybe later pending this year’s free agency period.

901. Abner Haynes (1960-1967)
Running Back
Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets

Shifty and lightning quick, Haynes was the AFL’s answer to Gale Sayers. At his peak, he produced excellent efficiency numbers on the ground and always posted big numbers as a receiver. He led the league in rushing scores in each of his first three seasons, and he averaged an astounding 1498 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns per 16 games during his five seasons with the Texans/Chiefs. Haynes handled punt and kick return duties and usually had great success in those areas. An electric open field runner, he could make cuts without sacrificing speed and often left defenders grasping at air.