15. Deacon Jones — Rams, Chargers, Redskins (1961-1974)
Deacon Jones revolutionized the defensive end position in the 60’s — and is famously known for creating the phrase “sacking the quarterback.”What separated Jones from every other defensive end was his speed and his ability to make tackles from sideline to sideline, which was unheard of in his time. Nowadays the NFL is stacked with superhuman defensive ends like Von Miller, J.J. Watt, and Jadeveon Clowney – but back in the 60’s players of his size (6-foot-five and 270 pounds) lacked athleticism. How good was Jones…?
In 1967, Jones had 21½ sacks in only 14 games; he tallied 22 sacks in 14 games the following year. Aside from his elite size and speed, Jones prided himself on his extreme work ethic. Something that was necessary for a guy selected as a 14th-round draft choice from Mississippi Vocational College. Jones was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980 — his first year of eligibility.