Who are the top 5 Nose Tackles of all-time?

[Jetsfan80]

Leading up to the start of the season, I'll be posting a thread once every day or so devoted to determine the top 5 all-time at each position, as voted on by JN.

I am using football-reference.com's AV (Approximate Value) metric to help compare across eras.  The "Peak AV Average" means the average "score" for each player's among their top 5 performing years in the league, to help establish which players had the high peaks and which players were more of the "compilers" over a long career.  Utilizing a "peak AV" also allows for players with careers shortened by injury to be included.

Also note that AV only goes back so far, so some players from the earliest days in NFL history (primarily the 30s, 40s and early 50s) are, unfortunately, excluded.

 

Yesterday, JN voted on Right Tackles:

 

 

Today, we vote on Nose Tackles...one of the few positions where the Jets have multiple candidates!

Below are the candidates and their resumes, ranked in the order weighted by AV/Peak AV:

 

1.  Vince Wilfork, NE/HOU (2004-2016)

• Career AV:  116
• Peak AV Average:  13
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  5

2.  Ted Washington, SF/DEN/BUF/CHI/NE/OAK/CLE (1991-2007)

• Career AV:  121
• Peak AV Average:  12
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  4

3.  Fred Smerlas, BUF/SF/NE (1979-1992)

• Career AV:  104
• Peak AV Average:  13  
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  5

4.  Greg Kragen, DEN/KC/CAR (1985-1997)

• Career AV:  96
• Peak AV Average:  11
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  1

5.  Curley Culp, KC/HOU/DET (1968-1981)

• Career AV:  106
• Peak AV Average:  10
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  6

6.  Michael Carter, SF (1984-1992)

• Career AV:  76
• Peak AV Average:  12
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  3

7.  Jamal Williams, SD/DEN (1998-2010)

• Career AV:  82
• Peak AV Average:  11
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  2
• Pro Bowl Selections:  3

8.  Casey Hampton, PIT (2001-2012)

• Career AV:  95
• Peak AV Average:  10
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  4

9.  Bob Golic, NE/CLE/RAI (1979-1992)

• Career AV:  92
• Peak AV Average:  10
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  3

10.  Charlie Johnson, PHI (1977-1984)

• Career AV:  75
• Peak AV Average:  11
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  2
• Pro Bowl Selections:  3

11.  Joe Klecko, NYJ/IND (1977-1988)

• Career AV:  91
• Peak AV Average:  9
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  2
• Pro Bowl Selections:  4

12.  Tim Krumrie, CIN (1983-1994)

• Career AV:  80
• Peak AV Average:  9
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  2

13.  Jay Ratliff, DAL/CHI (2005-2015)

• Career AV:  63
• Peak AV Average:  10
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  4

14.  Dontari Poe, KC/ATL/CAR/DAL (2012-2020)

• Career AV:  65
• Peak AV Average:  9
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  2

15.  Kris Jenkins, CAR/NYJ (2001-2010)

• Career AV:  76
• Peak AV Average:  8
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  2
• Pro Bowl Selections:  4

16.  Sione Pouha, NYJ (2005-2012)

• Career AV:  39
• Peak AV Average:  9
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  0

17.  Damon Harrison, NYJ/NYG/DET/GB/SEA (2012-2020)

• Career AV:  62
• Peak AV Average:  7
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  0

18.  Jim Burt, NYG/SF (1981-1991)

• Career AV:  48
• Peak AV Average:  7
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  1

19.  Steve McLendon, PIT/NYJ/TB (2010-2021)

• Career AV:  50
• Peak AV Average:  6
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  0

 

Just missed the cut:  B.J. Raji, Jeff Wright, Alvin Wright

[Hal N of Provo]

NTs don’t make all pro teams I guess.
 

I remember Gilbert Brown being a force.  I knew he didn’t put up stats but he was a force who played DT like a NT.  I looked him up - no stats or Pro Bowls but he ate up blockers like crazy.  A good example of why good football players contributions are missed.  And if he’s a DT he will never be noticed lol.  

[CSNY]

Kris Jenkins was a freaking monster at the Nose Tackle position. Dam shame he couldn’t stay healthy for us. 

[Barry McCockinner]

You are a sick individual.

[The Crusher]

6 minutes ago, CSNY said:

Kris Jenkins was a freaking monster at the Nose Tackle position. Dam shame he couldn’t stay healthy for us. 

Exactly. 

[Beerfish]

5 minutes ago, CSNY said:

Kris Jenkins was a freaking monster at the Nose Tackle position. Dam shame he couldn’t stay healthy for us. 

I voted him #1, even though he had no staying power.  He just tossed olineman all over the place.

I just did not think of klecko as a pure nose tackle thus i did not vote him until 3rd or 4th.

[CSNY]

1 minute ago, Beerfish said:

I voted him #1, even though he had no staying power.  He just tossed olineman all over the place.

I just did not think of klecko as a pure nose tackle thus i did not vote him until 3rd or 4th.

Put Joe on top well because it’s Klecko and I am a Jets fan so he gets the nod strictly on the homer basis but Dayum Jenkins was the best I’ve seen.Took three guys to move him and still he wouldn’t budge  Just how much better would Rex’s defense been if he was in there 

[maury77]

Ted Washington was a beast for a very long time

[Mogglez]

14 minutes ago, Beerfish said:

I voted him #1, even though he had no staying power.  He just tossed olineman all over the place.

I just did not think of klecko as a pure nose tackle thus i did not vote him until 3rd or 4th.

Exactly how I feel and voted.

[Jetsfan80]

2 hours ago, Beerfish said:

I voted him #1, even though he had no staying power.  He just tossed olineman all over the place.

I just did not think of klecko as a pure nose tackle thus i did not vote him until 3rd or 4th.

FTR Klecko will make another appearance when I do 3-4 DEs.  

[Jetsfan80]

2 hours ago, Barry McCockinner said:

You are a sick individual.

Agreed.  But did you vote?

[Barry McCockinner]

1 minute ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Agreed.  But did you vote?

voted for Mark Bavaro.

[Maynard13]

My top vote goes to this guy. Look at the nose on him. Hands down, the Winner!