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15 best Michigan football NFL careers ever

By Chris Peterson

Nov 21, 1998; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tom Brady (10) in action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio St. defeated Michigan 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 1998; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tom Brady (10) in action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio St. defeated Michigan 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports /
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DETROIT – SEPTEMBER 14: Charles Woodson #21 intercepts a pass from Jon Kitna and returns it for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions on September 14, 2008 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Domenic Centofanti/Getty Images)
DETROIT – SEPTEMBER 14: Charles Woodson #21 intercepts a pass from Jon Kitna and returns it for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions on September 14, 2008 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Domenic Centofanti/Getty Images) /

2. Charles Woodson, defensive back

Few players in NFL history have impacted the game on the defensive side of the ball like Michigan football legend Charles Woodson and it’s not a stretch to say he’s one of the greatest defensive backs of all time.

Woodson’s final NFL stats are staggering. He finished his career with 65 interceptions (fifth all-time in the NFL). He also scored 13 non-offensive touchdowns in his career (11 interceptions) which is fifth all-time.

In 2009, Woodson reinvigorated his career with the Green Bay Packers and won Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a Super Bowl in 2010. That means he won the Heisman, Defensive MVP, a national title, and a Super Bowl.

Yet, what makes Woodson the best defensive back of all time, in my opinion, was his ability to impact the game in so many ways. The man forced 33 fumbles during his career and recovered 18 more. He also had over 1,200 career tackles, 54 tackles for loss, and 20 sacks. Plus 183 pass breakups for good measure as one of the great man-to-man cover guys ever.

When he played slot for the Packers, he essentially was their edge defender and one of their best pass rushers, as well as their top cover guy. Literally, he could do it all.

Woodson also won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1998, as well as winning Player of the Month five times and Player of the Week nine times.

Even in his final NFL season with the Raiders in 2015, six years before he went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Woodson picked off five passes and earned his ninth career Pro Bowl selection. He was First-Team All-Pro five times.

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