One of Football’s great Nose Tackles, Fred Smerlas began his pro career with the Buffalo Bills after he was chosen in the Second Round of the 1979 Draft.

The Boston College product was an instant defensive star for the Bills, and his blue-collar look and style fit perfectly with the rust belt fans of Western New York.  Smerlas was a punishing interior defender and went to four straight Pro Bowls (1980-83), which coincidentally saw the Bills go from playoff to contenders to cellar dwellers.   As the Bills rebuilt through the rest of the 1980s, the constant was Smerlas, who was still there when the team rebuilt themselves to eventual Super Bowl contenders, though he was not there when they finally reached one as Smerlas played his last game in Buffalo in 1989.  He finished his career as a veteran depth player with a year in San Francisco and two in New England.

Smerlas was named to the Bills Wall of Fame, and his tenacity and leadership were forever remembered by those who saw him play.

Luke Kuechly was the best Linebacker in the NCAA in 2011, where the Boston College player would win the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, and Lott Trophy. He was drafted Ninth Overall in that year's draft by the Carolina Panthers, and he would immediately establish himself as one of the best interior linemen in the pro ranks.

Kuechly started originally but was playing at the exterior until Jon Beason was injured, and Kuechly would take over at his natural Middle Linebacker position.  He would win the Defensive Rookie of the Year, and astounding as that was, this was arguably the weakest of his career.

From 2013 to 2019, he would be named to the Pro Bowl, with five of those seasons, seeing Kuechly be named First Team All-Pro.  In the two that he didn't win that honor, he was a Second Team All-Pro.  Kuechly would win the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2013.  Except for this rookie season, he had an Approximate Value of at least 10, and he was a two-time leader in Tackles.

On the field, Kuechly was a master of all trades.  He excelled as a pass rusher, a run stopper, and a versatile defender who could drop back with ease.  His exemplary tackling skills and natural instincts made him the undisputed leader of the Panther's defence from the moment he joined. Under his leadership, the Panthers thrived, culminating in their appearance in Super Bowl 50.

If Kuechly had a calling card, it was his high football IQ.  The definition of a defensive captain, few could read an offence as he could.  Adaptable to any defensive scheme, Kuechly was a linebacking masterpiece.

He retired with 18 Interceptions and 1,092 Tackles, the latter being the most by any Linebacker since 2012.  Kuechly has become another player in recent years to retire at the height of their game.

Tom Nalen would play his entire career in the National Football League with the Denver Broncos, where he started all 187 Games at Center.  Early in his career, Nalen would win two Super Bowls with John Elway as his Quarterback, and during those ring acquisitions, he was in the midst of a four-year streak of Pro Bowls with two First Team All-Pros.  Nalen would get his fifth Pro Bowl and third First Team All-Pro in 2003, and he would play at Mile-High until his retirement in 2009.  Considering how many non-Terrell Davis Running Backs, he helped exceed expectations, Nalen's value can be easily quantified.