Ranking the 13 greatest Jets players ever, from Joe Namath to Mark Gastineau

Ranking the 13 greatest Jets players ever, from Joe Namath to Mark Gastineau originally appeared on The Sporting News

The New York Jets have been around as an AFL-turned-NFL franchise since 1960. Although they are still riding their one championship, their groundbreaking "guaranteed" upset win over the Colts in Super Bowl 3, they remain a hungry and proud big-market franchise.

The Sporting News ranks the 13 best players in Jets history, including their brash first superstar passer to their crossover celebrity at pass rusher.

Players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player's strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

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13. Al Toon (1985-1992)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL receptions leader

Why he made SN's list: Taken No. 10 overall out of Wisconsin in the 1985 draft, Al Toon was a smooth route-running wide receiver as the frequent go-to guy for quarterback Ken O'Brien. He was arguably the AFC's best all-around target from 1986-1988.

Place in Jets history: Toon ranks third among Jets all-time in receptions (517) and fourth in receiving yards (6,605). He edged wideout teammate Wesley Walker to make this list.

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12. Freeman McNeil (1981-1992)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL rushing leaders

Why he made SN's list: Freeman McNeil, drafted No. 3 overall in 1981, was a key versatile cog in the Jets' early '80s offense with his running and receiving out of the backfield. Going from his native Los Angeles to New York, McNeil starred as a dangerous open-field weapon playing off Johnny Hector.

Place in Jets history: McNeil is second only to Curtis Martin with his 8,074 rushing yards and fourth with his 38 rushing yards. He is third behind only Martin and Don Maynard with his 11,035 scrimmage yards.

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11. D'Brickashaw Ferguson (2006-2015)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls

Why he made SN's list: D'Brickeshaw Ferguson was an ironman smart and athletic left tackle, staying durable to start every game in his career and missing only one regular-season snap. He more than lived up to being the No. 4 overall pick out of Virginia in 2006. At 6-6, 310, he was nimble for his size, using all of his frame in pass protection and run blocking. 

Place in Jets history: Ferguson has a fair case for the Hall of Fame as one of the sturdiest and most beloved offensive tackles of his time in the league. playing at a consistent high level for a decade.

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10. Kevin Mawae (1998-2005)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN's list: Kevin Mawae was a Hall of Fame center who spent the middle of his career in his prime with the Jets, sandwiched by his strong offensive line-leading stints with the Seahawks and Titans. The former LSU star was a blocking rock with his 6-foot-4, 289-pound frame.

Place in Jets history: Mawae became one of the franchise's best free-agent additions with the way he supported some elite offenses for Bill Parcells, powering Curtis Martin to big seasons and also snapping to help a variety of QBs.

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9. Nick Mangold (2006-2016)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 

Why he made SN's list: Nick Mangold was the dominant center who was drafted at the same time as left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson to give the Jets a top, complete blocking unit. The first-rounder from Ohio State was known for his fun wild-man intensity in anchoring the middle of their offensive line for more than a decade.

Place in Jets history: Mangold edges Kevin Mawae for the best center in team history with his longevity and accolades and is worthy of someday getting the call to the Hall of Fame.

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8. Larry Grantham (1960-1972)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 5-time AFL All-Star, 5-time first-team all-AFL, AFL champion, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Larry Grantham was the Jets' first defensive superstar as the ultimate leader and playmaker as a future Hall of Famer. He put them on the map as an AFL franchise during that league's short 10-year existence, starring from wire to wire by making plays sideline to sideline.

Place in Jets history: Grantham remains revered for what he did to carry the Jets through some early struggles and sticking around to help lead the franchise to its one and only championship.

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7. Winston Hill (1963-1976)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 4-time AFL All-Star, 1-time first-team All-AFL, AFL champion, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Winston Hill was a star offensive tackle to help Joe Namath, Don Maynard, Nate Snell and the rest of the offense execute at a high level in the Jets' initial rise to prominence as an AFL franchise. The Hall of Famer was known most for the overwhelming power run blocking he brought in his 6-4, 270-pound frame.

Place in Jets history: Hill was the foundation for the Jets' early success and still stands out as the best overall offensive lineman the team has ever had.

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6. Joe Namath (1965-1976)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 4-time AFL All-Star, Pro Bowl, 1-time all-AFL, AFL Rookie of the Year, 1-time AFL MVP,  1-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year, 2 time AFL passing yards leader, 1-time NFL passing yards leader, 1-time NFL passing TDs leader, AFL champion, AFL championship MVP, Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP 

Why he made SN's list: Joe Namath's overall numbers and accolades limit him from being higher in Jets lore, but "Broadway Joe" remains the most popular Hall of Fame Jet for coming through with his bold prediction, guaranteeing an underdog victory over the Colts in Super Bowl 3, paving the way for the AFL to gain enough respect to merge with the NFL a few years later. He also was a man-about-town sex symbol to further grow his legend, extending his celebrity to non-football television appearances.

Place in Jets history: Namath's charm and personality went a long way in the NFL's biggest market at a time when the Jets needed such a household face of the franchise. He also has the stats, still leading all Jets in career passing yards (27,057) and passing TDs (170).

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5. Darrelle Revis (2007-2012, 2015-2016)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN's list: Although Darrelle Revis won his Super Bowl with the rival Patriots and also spent time with the Buccaneers and Chiefs, he was a beloved Jets Hall of Fame cornerback twice in his career. The "Revis Island" nickname referred to him stranding wide receivers with his elite shutdown coverage skills. The No. 14 pick overall in 2007 was great from the get-to, terrific in any capacity, scheme or assignment, playing bigger than his 5-foot-11, 204-pound frame.

Place in Jets history: Revis ranks third on the team with his 25 interceptions and is tied with Aaron Glenn (later a Jets head coach) with three INT return TDs. He goes down as their best secondary defender ever.

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4. Curtis Martin (1998-2005)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL rushing yards later

Why he made SN's list: Curtis Martin was drafted in the third round out of Pittsburgh by the AFC East rival Patriots and after starring for coach/GM Bill Parcells there, he found a way to follow him to New York. That was fruitful as Martin became an even stronger Hall of Fame-bound workhorse, ascending to No. 4 all-time in rushing attempts (3,518) and No. 6 in total rushing yards (14,101). In his 8 seasons, he missed only six games and was 31 when he won the league rushing title (1,697) in his penultimate year playing. He was steady and powerful in giving the Jets offense consistent heart and soul.

Place in Jets history: Martin is the Jets' all-time rushing leader with those attempts, yards and also has the franchise record for scrimmage yards (17,430). He also ranks fourth with his 63 total TDs, behind Don Mayard, Wesley Walker and Emerson Boozer.

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3. Joe Klecko (1977-1987)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL sacks leader, 1-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Why he made SN's list: Joe Klecko was a Hall of Fame defensive lineman known for being one of the best, most versatile pass rushers of his era. A sixth-round draft steal from Temple, Klecko thrived at end, traditional tackle and nose throughout his career. He was the founding member of the "New York Sack Exchange", and playing off Mark Gastineau, Abdul Salaam and Marty Lyons. He was the NFL's best defender overall in 1981 when he exploded for 20.5 sacks still before they were official stats. 

Place in Jets history: Klecko ended up with 78 sacks for his career, getting off to a fast start to rejuvenate and turn around the defense. He helped put the Jets back on the map as a winner and playoff team after a long drought, making him beloved and remembered often.

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2. Don Maynard (1960-1972)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 4-time AFL All-Star, 2-time first-team all-AFL, 1-time AFL receiving TDs co-leader, 1-time AFL champion, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: The old-school Hall of Fame wide receiver was a spectacular playmaker for a long time, ahead of his area with his hands, route-running and big-play ability. Don Maynard developed into a trusty target for several QBs, spiking most to help big-armed QB Joe Namath win Super Bowl 3, pushing the Jets and the rest of the AFL to be worthy of merging with the NFL. He was quick, fast and explosive but also graceful in brining down the ball with his 6-foot, 180-pound frame.

Place in Jets history: Maynard tops all Jets with his 627 receptions, 11,732 receiving yards and 88 total TDs. He averaged 18.7 yards per catch as a consistent field-stretcher in a downfield passing era. He was the first offensive star of the team, plucked as a CFL castoff because he had left a big impression during his college days at Texas Western (now UTEP).

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1. Mark Gastineau (1979-1988)

Accolades: 10 seasons. 5 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL sack leader, 1-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Why he made SN's list: Mark Gastineau is the rare non-Hall of Famer to be ranked as the top player in his franchise history. The devastating defense is deserving to be Canton as one of the 1980s' premier pass-rushing superstars who helped make the edge a glamour position, proved by his crossover celebrity appeals. Unofficially, he had 107.5 career regular-season sacks, but his 41 combined in 1983-1984 is a quarterback havoc-wreaking stretch for the ages. Durability and longevity weren't on Gastineau's side, but when healthy, he was a supernova of a producer.

Place in Jets history: Gastineau may be a controversial choice, but no Jet had greater on-field impact in relation to time he played for them. He turned the "New York Sack Exchange" into something special with Joe Klecko and become a beloved icon for his sack celebrations and fan-favorite high energy.

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