96. Cornelius Bennett

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A complete beast at the University of Alabama, Cornelius Bennett was drafted second overall in 1987 by the Indianapolis Colts and, as part of a mega-trade, would become a Buffalo Bill.   With the Bills, he would help them win four straight AFC Championships and was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection.   One of those seasons saw Bennett named a First Team All-Pro, and UPI named him Defensive Player of the Year twice.   Securing well over 1,100 Tackles over his career, the Bills may never have won a Super Bowl during Bennett's time there, but without the defensive stalwart, they never would have had four cracks at it.   Considering his versatility as a Linebacker, he should have received at least a look from the powers that be.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Sunday, 01 January 2006
  • Position: Linebacker
  • Games Played: 206
  • Notable Statistics: 204 Games Started
    7 Interceptions
    112 Interception Return Yards
    1 Interception Return Touchdown
    9 Passes Defended***
    31 Forced Fumbles*
    28 Fumble Recoveries
    78 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    71.5 Quarterback Sacks
    1,190 Combined Tackles
    436 Solo Tackles**
    142 Assisted Tackles**
    16 Tackles for Loss***
    122 Approximate Value

    21 Playoff Games
    20 Playoff Games Started
    2 Forced Fumbles*
    1.5 Quarterback Sacks
    58 Combined Tackles
    53 Solo Tackles**
    5 Assisted Tackles**

    *Forced Fumbles were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1977 to 1998 
    **Solo Tackles and Assisted Tackles were statistics of the 1994 Season.
    ***Passes Defended and Tackles for Loss were statistics as of the 1999 Season.
  • Played For: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts
  • College: Alabama
  • Drafted: 1st Round, 2nd Overall in 1987
  • Major Accolades and Awards: Super Bowl Rings (None)
    NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
    UPI Defensive Player of the Year (2) (1988 & 1991)
    First Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1988)
    Pro Bowl Selection (5) (1988, 1990, 1991, 1992 & 1993)
    All-Rookie (1987)

     
  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Defensive Player of the Year Finishes:
    4th in 1988 & 6th in 1991

    Top Ten Finishes: Fumble Recoveries (1) (1994)
    Top Ten Finishes: Forced Fumbles (4) (1987, 1988, 1991 & 1999)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 37.  Combined Tackles: 1,190
    38.  Forced Fumbles: 28
    47.  Fumble Recoveries: 27
    91.  Games Started: 204
  • Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: Semi-Finalist: 2021

Should Cornelius Bennett be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 88.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 2.3%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
Last modified on Saturday, 19 September 2026 18:51
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