This is a pretty simple project; career regular season value only as reflected in the Approximate Value metric (no peak, no playoffs, no adjustments, no rate stats, it's super basic). AV started in 1960, so for the pre 60s players I looked to the Hall of Fame, that's it. Not complicated.
It's a roster, not a ranking, so I'm not taking 5 quarterbacks, I'm filling out positions. Also, I don't have starters, I don't really think this type of ranking facilitates that so well - at some point, I'll cut out the middle part and choose starters solely based on top seasonal performances (maybe)
25 offense, 25 defense. Kicker. Punter. I didn't pick a 53rd person for the roster, figuring that needs to be a long snapper or some other type of special teams specialist.
Okay - I'm doing starters, they're in bold, based on their top seasons. And...I'm fudging a tick on the straight AV ranking, using some All Pro nods as leavening
This is all through 2023.
QB
D.Carr
K.Stabler
R.Gannon 2002
RB
M.Allen 1985
C.Daniels
M.van Eeghan
M.Hubbard
C.Davis
WR
T.Brown
F.Biletnikoff 1971
C.Branch 1974
A.Powell
TE
T.Christensen 1983
D.Casper 1976
C
J.Otto 1968
D.Dalby
D.Mosebar
G
G.Upshaw 1977
S.Wisniewski 2000
W.Hawkins
G.Buehler
T
A.Shell 1977
H.Lawrence
L.Kennedy 2002
B.Sims
DE
H.Long 1985
G.Townsend
B.Davidson
M.Crosby
DT
C.McGlockton 1995
O.Sistrunk
T.Kelly
OLB
R.Martin 1984
T.Hendricks 1980
P.Villapiano
G.Otto
K.Mack 2016
ILB
D.Conners 1967
M.Millen
G.Biekert
CB
W.Brown 1973
L.Hayes 1980
C.Woodson
T.McDaniel
D.Grayson
N.Asomugha
M.Haynes 1984
S
G.Atkinson 1973
J.Tatum 1974
E.Anderson
PK
S.Janikowski 2011
P
S.Lechler 2009