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NFL 100: These are the best players in the history of each NFL franchise

USA TODAY

There have been a lot of talented players in the 100 years of the NFL. 

And each of the league's 32 squads has its own storied history, rich with names like Montana, Payton, Brown, and Brady.

To commemorate the NFL entering its historic 100th season, the USA TODAY Sports Network has unveiled the best 100 players from every franchise. 

Previously in our celebration of the league's centennial, we've listed out the 100 greatest teams in NFL history, the greatest players to ever wear each jersey number, the 15 ugliest uniforms in league history and much more

And in October, we'll unveil our list of the 100 greatest players across the NFL. Until then, these are the ultimate rankings from our network-wide experts on all 32 NFL teams:

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

NFC NORTH 

The best player from each franchise in the NFL's NFC North division.

CHICAGO BEARS

1. Walter Payton, RB

2. Dick Butkus, LB

3. Brian Urlacher, LB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Bears)

DETROIT LIONS

1. Barry Sanders, RB

2. Joe Schmidt, LB

3. Calvin Johnson, WR

(click here for the rest of the greatest Lions)

GREEN BAY PACKERS

1. Brett Favre, QB

2. Aaron Rodgers, QB

3. Don Hutson, End

(click here for the rest of the greatest Packers)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 

1. Fran Tarkenton, QB

2. Randy Moss, WR

3. Alan Page, DL

(click here for the rest of the greatest Vikings)

***

NFC EAST 

The best players of all time for the four franchises in the NFC East.

DALLAS COWBOYS 

1. Roger Staubach, QB

2. Emmitt Smith, RB

3. Tony Dorsett, RB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Cowboys)

NEW YORK GIANTS

1. Lawrence Taylor, LB

2. Emlen Tunnell, S

3. Rosey Brown, OT

(click here for the rest of the greatest Giants)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

1. Reggie White, DE

2. Chuck Bednarik, C/LB 

3. Brian Dawkins, S

(click here for the rest of the greatest Eagles)

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

1. Darrell Green, CB

2. Chris Hanburger, LB 

3. Charley Taylor, WR

(click here for the rest of the greatest Redskins)

***

***

NFC SOUTH

The best players from each team in the NFL's NFC South division.

ATLANTA FALCONS

1. Matt Ryan, QB

2. Julio Jones, WR

3. Mike Kenn, OT 

(click here for the rest of the greatest Falcons)

CAROLINA PANTHERS

1. Cam Newton, QB

2. Julius Peppers, DE

3. Steve Smith, WR

(click here for the rest of the greatest Panthers)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 

1. Drew Brees, QB

2. Rickey Jackson, LB

3. Jahri Evans, OG

(click here for the rest of the greatest Saints)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

1. Derrick Brooks, LB

2. Ronde Barber, CB

3. Warren Sapp, DT

(click here for the rest of the greatest Buccaneers) 

***

NFC WEST 

The best players from each team in the NFC West division.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

1. Larry Fitzgerald, WR

2. Larry Wilson, S

3. Dan Dierdorf, OT

(click here for the rest of the greatest Cardinals)

LOS ANGELES RAMS

1. Deacon Jones, DE

2. Merlin Olsen, DT

3. Aaron Donald, DT

(click here for the rest of the greatest Rams)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

1. Jerry Rice, WR

2. Joe Montana, QB

3. Steve Young, QB

(click here for the rest of the greatest 49ers)

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

1. Steve Largent, WR

2. Russell Wilson, QB

3. Walter Jones, OT

(click here for the rest of the greatest Seahawks)

***

***

AFC NORTH    

The best players from every franchise in the AFC North division.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

1. Ray Lewis, LB 

2. Jonathan Ogden, OT

3. Ed Reed, S

(click here for the rest of the greatest Ravens)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

1. Anthony Muñoz, OT

2. Ken Anderson, QB

3. Boomer Esiason, QB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Bengals)

CLEVELAND BROWNS

1. Jim Brown, RB

2. Otto Graham, QB

3. Lou Groza, K/OT

(click here for the rest of the greatest Browns)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 

1. Joe Greene, DT

2. Jack Lambert, LB

3. Mel Blount, CB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Steelers)

***

AFC SOUTH 

These are the best players by franchise in the AFC South.

HOUSTON TEXANS

1. J.J. Watt, DL

2. Andre Johnson, WR

3. Arian Foster, RB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Texans)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

1. Peyton Manning, QB

2. Johnny Unitas, QB

3. Gino Marchetti, DE

(click here for the rest of the greatest Colts)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

1. Fred Taylor, RB

2. Jimmy Smith, WR

3. Tony Boselli, OT

(click here for the rest of the greatest Jaguars)

TENNESSEE TITANS

1. Bruce Matthews, OL

2. Earl Campbell, RB

3. Warren Moon, QB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Titans)

***

***

AFC WEST 

The best players for every franchise in the NFL's NFC West division.

DENVER BRONCOS

1. John Elway, QB

2. Terrell Davis, RB

3. Shannon Sharpe, TE

(click here for the rest of the greatest Broncos)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

1. Derrick Thomas, DE/LB

2. Len Dawson, QB

3. Tony Gonzalez, TE

(click here for the rest of the greatest Chiefs)

OAKLAND RAIDERS

1. Ken Stabler, QB

2. Gene Upshaw, OL

3. Marcus Allen, RB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Raiders)

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

1. Junior Seau, LB

2. Philip Rivers, QB

3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Chargers)

***

AFC EAST

The best players from each franchise in the NFL's AFC East division.

BUFFALO BILLS

1. Bruce Smith, DE

2. Jim Kelly, QB

3. O.J. Simpson, RB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Bills)

MIAMI DOLPHINS

1. Dan Marino, QB

2. Larry Csonka, FB

3. Larry Little, OG

(click here for the rest of the greatest Dolphins)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

1. Tom Brady, QB

2. John Hannah, OG

3. Andre Tippett, DE

(click here for the rest of the greatest Patriots)

NEW YORK JETS    

1. Joe Namath, QB

2. Don Maynard, WR

3. Curtis Martin, RB

(click here for the rest of the greatest Jets)

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