The Unlikely Contenders for Defensive Greatness

The 1980s were a transformative time for the NFL, marked by draft classes that produced some of the greatest defenses in league history. None more so than the Class of 1981, which sent six players to the Hall of Fame, including Lawrence Taylor, Kenny Easley, and Ronnie Lott.

This decade has seen another class emerge as a contender: the Class of 2011. This group has been quietly building a case for themselves over the years, with Cameron Heyward and Cameron Jordan remaining among the last few players still active from the original crop. Their chances of being recognized as one of the greatest defensive classes in NFL history are slowly increasing.

The 2011 draft was unique due to its timing. It took place before the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) had a profound impact on the league’s salary structure, capping rookie salaries and eliminating the trend of highly drafted players becoming the highest-paid at their positions without ever having played an NFL snap. This changed the calculus for teams, making top draft picks more desirable but also limiting their earning potential.

One factor in the Class of 1981’s success was a combination of fortuitous timing and raw talent. The prior classes hadn’t been particularly strong on defense, which meant that the 1981 class stood out even more by comparison. In contrast, the Class of 2011 was preceded by several strong defensive draft classes, including the 2009 group, which collectively earned just one first-team All-Pro nod.

The 2011 class was part of an impressive run of defensive prowess that spanned several years. From 2009 to 2012, no fewer than eight different players from each draft class made at least one first-team All-Pro appearance. This level of talent and consistency has been a hallmark of the Class of 2011, with ten defenders earning at least one first-team All-Pro nod over their careers.

By one metric – the average number of players who earned multiple first-team All-Pro appearances per defensive draft class from 1970 to 2014 – the Class of 2011 was right on par. However, what truly sets them apart is their sheer number of defenders who made significant impacts at the top level. The 1981 class had Taylor and a handful of other elite talents, while the 2011 group boasted a more diverse array of contributors.

As we approach the end of this decade, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Cameron Heyward and Cameron Jordan will play a crucial role in determining whether their class can match the 1981 group. If both players continue to excel at high levels, it’s possible that we could see a significant shift in how the NFL’s greatest defensive classes are perceived.

The Class of 2011 has been quietly building a case for themselves over the years, and it’s up to them to prove that their legacy will endure long after they’re gone.