8. Jerod Mayo
Linebacker (2008-2015)
Teams played for:
- New England Patriots (2010-2015)
Accolades:
- First-team All-Pro (2010)
- Two Pro Bowls (2010, 2012)
- Super Bowl Championship (2014)
Before this decade even began, Jerod Mayo was a star in the league. He left Tennessee football early after having a breakout season with his switch to middle linebacker in 2007, and he was easily the best defensive rookie in the pros in 2008. By the time 2010 came, he was an established leader for Bill Belichick’s team.
Mayo started things off red-hot. He led the NFL in total tackles and solo tackles in 2010 with 174 and 113 respectively, and that turned out to be the best year he ever had in the pros, earning first-team All Pro and making a Pro Bowl. But he wasn’t done.
The next year, Mayo didn’t make a Pro Bowl, but he played a huge role in helping Tom Brady and co. get back to the Super Bowl. If not for a poor throw by Brady to Wes Welker and a great throw from Eli Manning to Mario Manningham, he would have won a title here.
In 2012, Mayo returned to form and became a Pro Bowl linebacker. He did win a Super Bowl championship ring two years later, but to be fair, he spent the majority of 2013 and 2014 injured, including being out for the season after six games during that Super Bowl run. After injuries slowed him down, he retired at the end of 2015, but he still had a great run.