There was a time in the NFL when defenders played with reckless abandon, and nobody batted an eye. But in today’s game, with stricter rules and player safety front and center, some of those legendary hitters wouldn’t just rack up tackles—they’d rack up fines, too.
These players hit hard, talked louder, and played like the rulebook didn’t exist. Here are 20 NFL defenders who would be sending a chunk of every paycheck straight to the league office today.
20. Rodney Harrison
Rodney Harrison made a career out of toeing the line between aggressive and illegal. He’d probably lead the league in unnecessary roughness fines today.
19. James Harrison
James Harrison treated every hit like it was personal. Modern helmet-to-helmet rules would have him on a first-name basis with the commissioner’s office.
18. Jack Tatum
They didn’t call him “The Assassin” for nothing. Tatum’s bone-rattling hits wouldn’t survive a single quarter in today’s NFL.
17. Ndamukong Suh
Suh’s reputation for dirty play wasn’t just media hype. From stomps to late hits, he’d be paying out weekly.
16. LaRon Landry
Landry hit like a truck with no brakes. Targeting calls would’ve turned him into a repeat offender fast.
15. Bill Romanowski
Romanowski was chaos in shoulder pads. Between cheap shots and extracurriculars, fines would’ve stacked up quickly.
14. Vontaze Burfict
Burfict already racked up a long rap sheet under today’s rules. Give him a full season now, and he might owe more than he earns.
13. Albert Haynesworth
Haynesworth had all the talent, but his temper was legendary. That infamous stomp alone would’ve cost him a fortune today.
12. Brandon Meriweather
Meriweather went for the head almost by default. That kind of technique would be flagged before the play even ended.
11. Joey Porter
Porter brought the heat—and the drama. Between late hits and sideline scuffles, his fines would be as loud as his personality.
10. Greg Lloyd
Lloyd was intensity personified. In today’s game, his hits would raise flags and eyebrows every time.
9. Steve Atwater
Atwater’s hits were highlight-reel material back then—and fine-worthy material now. Offenses feared him, and today’s refs would too.
8. Sean Taylor
Taylor was pure violence in the secondary. His style was electric, but not built for the current flag-happy era.
7. Charles Martin
Martin once bodyslammed a quarterback after the play. That alone would earn him multiple suspensions today.
6. John Lynch
Lynch made receivers regret ever looking across the middle. But his brand of physicality wouldn’t fly now without a yellow flag attached.
5. Dick Butkus
Butkus played like every snap was a street fight. With today’s rules, he’d probably be ejected before halftime.
4. Conrad Dobler
Dobler didn’t just cross the line—he stomped on it. He was notorious for dirty play, and fines would’ve followed him everywhere.
3. James “Deacon” Jones
Deacon Jones invented the head slap. That move alone would trigger automatic fines in the modern NFL.
Read more: 21 NFL Defenders Who’d Get Fined Into Oblivion Today
2. Jack Lambert
Lambert thrived on intimidation and punishment. His hits would light up social media—and the fine ledger—every week.
Read more: Ranking the 15 Most Ruthless NFL Defenders of All Time
1. Lawrence Taylor
LT changed the game, but he did it with a ferocity that modern refs would constantly flag. There’s no doubt he’d still dominate—but his wallet would take a serious hit.
