While the #79 is most often worn by offensive linemen in today’s game, that has not always been the case throughout NFL history. With 79 days left until the 2024 NFL season, we will be taking a look at the five best players to wear the #79 jersey. Click here to see the best NFL players from yesterday.
With 79 days until the 2024 NFL season, we give you the best NFL players to wear #79. Of course, some of the all-time greats at this number will still be playing this season. They have the ability to continue rising up the list! The official ranking of these players is based on the Approximate Value (AV) from Pro Football Reference.
Without further ado, here are the all-time best players to wear #79 in NFL history.
Best Players to Wear 79 in NFL History
1) Ray Childress, DT/DE (1985-95)
NFL Draft: 1985, Round 1, Pick 3 to the Houston Oilers
5x Pro Bowl | 1x All-Pro
887 Tackles, 76.5 Sacks, 19 Forced Fumbles
2) Jacob Green, DE (1980-91)
NFL Draft: 1980, Round 1, Pick 10 to the Seattle Seahawks
2x Pro Bowl
115.5 Sacks, 3 Interceptions, 4 Defensive TDs
3) Harvey Martin, DE/DT (1973-83)
NFL Draft: 1973, Round 3, Pick 53 to the Dallas Cowboys
4x Pro Bowl | 1x All-Pro
Super Bowl Champion (XII)
Super Bowl MVP (XII)
Defensive Player of the Year (1977)
114 Sacks, 2 Interceptions
4) Harris Barton, OT/G (1987-96)
NFL Draft: 1987, Round 1, Pick 22 to the San Francisco 49ers
1x Pro Bowl | 2x All-Pro
Super Bowl Champion (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)
134 NFL Starts
5) Barney Chavous, DE/DT (1973-85)
NFL Draft: 1973, Round 2, Pick 36 to the Denver Broncos
75 Sacks, 1 Defensive TD
