Dallas Cowboys all-time Sacks Leaders starts with DeMarcus Ware, the modern pass-rushing monster who finished his Cowboys career with 117.0 sacks. Ware sits just ahead of Harvey Martin, Randy White and Ed “Too Tall” Jones, which tells you how deep Dallas pass-rushing history really is.
This is not a normal official-only sack leaderboard. The NFL did not make sacks an official statistic until 1982, so older Cowboys legends like Harvey Martin, Randy White, George Andrie, Jethro Pugh and Bob Lilly are listed using Cowboys-recorded and historically compiled sack totals. That is why the title says “sacks recorded.”
The top 10 is loaded with Doomsday Defense legends, Hall of Fame talent and modern edge rushers. Ware owns the top spot. Martin had one of the greatest unofficial sack seasons ever. White and Lilly were Hall of Fame defensive tackles who created pressure from inside. Too Tall Jones, George Andrie, Jethro Pugh, Jim Jeffcoat, Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Lawrence all added their own pass-rushing chapters.
Several of these players also appear in our broader best Dallas Cowboys players of all-time ranking, which shows how important defensive linemen and pass rushers have been to the franchise. This list is stat-based first, but the write-ups explain why each player mattered beyond the sack total.
How We Ranked the Most Sacks Recorded in Dallas Cowboys History
This ranking is based on regular-season sacks recorded with the Dallas Cowboys only. Playoff sacks do not count here. If a player recorded sacks with another NFL team, those are not included in this Cowboys-only ranking.
The important note is that sacks before 1982 were not official NFL stats. For pre-1982 Cowboys, this list follows Cowboys-recorded and historically compiled totals. That makes this a “recorded sacks” list rather than a strict official NFL sack list.
The main factors are sack total, pass-rushing peak, longevity, defensive role, era context and overall Cowboys impact. DeMarcus Ware leads because his 117.0 sacks are the top Cowboys number. Harvey Martin is second with 114.0, while Randy White is third with 111.0.
Why This Cowboys Sacks Ranking Is Different
This is not just a modern sack list. If it only counted official NFL sacks from 1982 forward, many Doomsday-era stars would be missing or pushed down. That would not tell the full Cowboys story.
Harvey Martin, Randy White, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, George Andrie, Jethro Pugh and Bob Lilly all played part or all of their careers before sacks became official. Dallas has gone back and credited those players through team-recorded totals, which gives a more complete picture of franchise pass-rushing history.
That context matters. Ware is still No. 1, but the names right behind him show why the Cowboys defensive tradition is so strong. This list connects the Doomsday Defense, the 1990s dynasty era and the modern Cowboys pass rush into one leaderboard.
Table of Contents
10. DeMarcus Lawrence
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 2014–2024 with Dallas, 61.5 sacks, 4 Pro Bowls, long-time defensive end and run-game anchor.
DeMarcus Lawrence takes the No. 10 spot with 61.5 sacks recorded for the Cowboys. His sack total is only part of his story, because Lawrence was also one of the best edge-setting defensive ends Dallas had in the modern era.
Lawrence’s best pass-rushing years came in 2017 and 2018, when he became one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive ends. He could win with power, hands, effort and technique, and he was also excellent against the run.
He is no longer with Dallas after leaving in 2025 and signing with Seattle, but his Cowboys résumé is strong. Four Pro Bowls, 61.5 sacks and more than a decade of defensive leadership make him a clear top-10 Cowboys sack figure.
9. Greg Ellis
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 1998–2008 with Dallas, 77.0 sacks, 2007 Pro Bowl, 2007 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Greg Ellis ranks ninth in Cowboys sacks recorded with 77.0. He was a steady, productive pass rusher through the late 1990s and 2000s, giving Dallas reliability during some uneven defensive years.
Ellis was not always treated like a franchise icon, but his production was strong. He transitioned from defensive end to outside linebacker during the 3-4 era and still found ways to affect quarterbacks.
His 2007 season was the best example of his value. After returning from injury, Ellis posted double-digit sacks, made the Pro Bowl and won Comeback Player of the Year. His Cowboys career deserves more respect than it usually gets.
8. Jim Jeffcoat
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 1983–1994 with Dallas, 94.5 sacks, 2 Super Bowl wins, five official double-digit sack seasons.
Jim Jeffcoat ranks eighth with 94.5 sacks, but for a long time he was viewed as one of the franchise’s official sack standards because his career came after sacks became an official stat.
Jeffcoat played through multiple Cowboys eras. He produced during the difficult late-1980s years, then became a valuable pass-rushing piece on the early 1990s championship teams.
He was never the loudest personality or biggest national star, but the production was real. Nearly 95 sacks with one franchise is a major achievement, and Jeffcoat remains one of the most underrated defenders in Dallas history.
7. Bob Lilly
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 1961–1974 with Dallas, 95.5 recorded sacks, 11 Pro Bowls, 7 First-Team All-Pro selections, Super Bowl VI champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Bob Lilly ranks seventh on this sacks recorded list, but his overall Cowboys legacy is much higher than that. “Mr. Cowboy” was the first great player in franchise history and one of the greatest defensive tackles football has ever seen.
Lilly played before sacks became an official stat, so his total is based on recorded and compiled Cowboys numbers. Even with that context, 95.5 sacks from an interior defensive lineman is incredible.
His impact was bigger than pass rush alone. Lilly controlled games, destroyed blocking schemes and became the foundation of the original Doomsday Defense. He remains one of the safest choices for the greatest Cowboy ever.
6. Jethro Pugh
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 1965–1978 with Dallas, 96.5 recorded sacks, 2 Super Bowl wins, long-time Doomsday defensive lineman.
Jethro Pugh ranks sixth with 96.5 recorded sacks. He is one of the most overlooked players on this entire list because he played next to so many famous Cowboys defensive linemen.
Pugh had to share attention with Bob Lilly, George Andrie, Harvey Martin, Randy White and Ed “Too Tall” Jones at different points. That makes his production even more impressive. He was not just along for the ride — he was a major part of the pass rush.
Because he played before sacks were official, his total does not get the same national recognition as modern numbers. But inside Cowboys history, Pugh’s 96.5 recorded sacks make him one of the franchise’s most productive defensive linemen.
5. George Andrie
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 1962–1972 with Dallas, 98.5 recorded sacks, 5 Pro Bowls, Super Bowl VI champion.
George Andrie ranks fifth in Cowboys sacks recorded with 98.5. He was one of the original defensive stars of the franchise and a key part of the defense that helped Dallas become a real contender.
Andrie played defensive end with quickness, toughness and strong pass-rushing instincts. He was one of the early Cowboys defenders who helped set the standard before the franchise became known for championship defense.
His sack total comes from the pre-official era, but the production is still important. Andrie helped build the defensive line tradition that later included Martin, White, Too Tall, Jeffcoat, Ware and Lawrence.
4. Ed “Too Tall” Jones
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 1974–1978 and 1980–1989 with Dallas, 106.0 recorded sacks, 3 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections, Super Bowl XII champion.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones ranks fourth with 106.0 recorded sacks. His nickname fit perfectly because at 6-foot-9, he was one of the most unique defensive ends the NFL had ever seen.
Too Tall could disrupt passing lanes, collapse edges and make quarterbacks uncomfortable even when he did not finish with the sack. His length changed throwing windows and made him a problem for offensive tackles.
He also missed the 1979 season while pursuing boxing, which makes his total even more impressive. With that year included, he might have climbed even higher. Still, 106.0 recorded sacks makes him one of the greatest pass rushers in Cowboys history.
3. Randy White
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 1975–1988 with Dallas, 111.0 recorded sacks, 9 Pro Bowls, 7 First-Team All-Pro selections, Super Bowl XII co-MVP, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Randy White ranks third in Cowboys sacks recorded with 111.0. For an interior defensive lineman, that number is huge. White was not just a great defensive tackle — he was one of the most relentless defenders in NFL history.
White brought power, quickness and constant effort. He could win inside with leverage and strength, but he also had enough athleticism to chase plays down and finish quarterbacks.
His Super Bowl XII co-MVP with Harvey Martin captures the peak of his impact. White was the kind of defender who could wreck a game from the inside, and his 111.0 recorded sacks show how much pressure he created over time.
2. Harvey Martin
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 1973–1983 with Dallas, 114.0 recorded sacks, 1977 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl XII co-MVP, 4 Pro Bowls.
Harvey Martin ranks second in Cowboys sacks recorded with 114.0. Before DeMarcus Ware passed him, Martin was the name most connected to the franchise sack record.
His 1977 season is legendary. Martin recorded 23 sacks in 14 games by Cowboys tracking, a total that would still be historic if sacks had been official then. That same year, he won Defensive Player of the Year and later shared Super Bowl XII MVP honors with Randy White.
Martin was explosive, emotional and relentless off the edge. He was one of the defining players of the Doomsday Defense and one of the greatest pass rushers in Cowboys history.
1. DeMarcus Ware
Cowboys Stats & Accolades: 2005–2013 with Dallas, franchise-record 117.0 sacks, 7 Pro Bowls with Dallas, 4 First-Team All-Pro selections, 2-time NFL sacks leader, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
DeMarcus Ware is the Dallas Cowboys sacks recorded leader with 117.0. He was the best Cowboys pass rusher of the modern era and one of the most dominant edge defenders the NFL has seen.
Ware arrived in 2005 and quickly became the centerpiece of the Dallas defense. His burst off the edge, bend, power and closing speed made him a nightmare for offensive tackles.
His best seasons were elite. Ware led the league in sacks twice, including a 20-sack season in 2008. He had the kind of pass-rushing peak that could change games even when the rest of the defense was inconsistent.
Ware later won a Super Bowl with Denver, but his Cowboys legacy is already complete. For Dallas, he is the top name on the sack leaderboard and one of the greatest defensive players the franchise has ever had.
Full Ranking Table: Dallas Cowboys all-time Sacks Leaders
Note: This table follows Cowboys-recorded regular-season sack totals and extends the leaderboard to the top 30. Sacks before 1982 were not official NFL stats, so older totals are historically compiled/recorded numbers rather than official NFL-era sack totals.
This table follows Cowboys-recorded regular-season sack totals. Sacks before 1982 were not official NFL stats, so older totals are historically compiled/recorded numbers rather than official NFL-era sack totals.
| Rank | Player | Cowboys Years | Games | Position | Sacks Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DeMarcus Ware | 2005–2013 | 141 | ROLB | 117.0 |
| 2 | Harvey Martin | 1973–1983 | 158 | RDE | 114.0 |
| 3 | Randy White | 1975–1988 | 209 | RDT | 111.0 |
| 4 | Ed “Too Tall” Jones | 1974–1989 | 224 | LDE | 106.0 |
| 5 | George Andrie | 1962–1972 | 141 | RDE | 98.5 |
| 6 | Jethro Pugh | 1965–1978 | 183 | LDT | 96.5 |
| 7 | Bob Lilly | 1961–1974 | 196 | RDT | 95.5 |
| 8 | Jim Jeffcoat | 1983–1994 | 188 | RDE | 94.5 |
| 9 | Greg Ellis | 1998–2008 | 162 | LDE | 77.0 |
| 10 | DeMarcus Lawrence | 2014–2024 | 141 | DE | 61.5 |
| 11 | Larry Cole | 1968–1980 | 176 | LDE | 59.0 |
| 12 | Tony Tolbert | 1989–1997 | 144 | LDE | 59.0 |
| 13 | Micah Parsons | 2021–2024 | 63 | OLB | 52.5 |
| 14 | Charles Haley | 1992–1996 | 63 | RDE | 34.0 |
| 15 | Anthony Spencer | 2007–2014 | 104 | LOLB | 33.0 |
| 16 | Pat Toomay | 1970–1974 | 70 | DE | 31.5 |
| 17 | Chad Hennings | 1992–2000 | 119 | RDT | 27.5 |
| 18 | Jason Hatcher | 2006–2013 | 119 | DE | 27.0 |
| 19 | Jay Ratliff | 2005–2012 | 104 | NT | 27.0 |
| 20 | John Dutton | 1979–1987 | 117 | LDT | 26.5 |
| 21 | Chuck Howley | 1961–1973 | 165 | LLB | 26.0 |
| 22 | Tyrone Crawford | 2012–2020 | 112 | DE | 25.0 |
| 23 | Dorance Armstrong Jr. | 2018–2023 | 93 | DE | 23.5 |
| 24 | Bill Gregory | 1971–1977 | 96 | DE | 22.5 |
| 25 | Leon Lett | 1991–2000 | 109 | DT | 22.5 |
| 26 | La’Roi Glover | 2002–2005 | 64 | RDT | 21.5 |
| 27 | Mike Hegman | 1976–1987 | 170 | LLB | 21.0 |
| 28 | Lee Roy Jordan | 1963–1976 | 187 | MLB | 19.5 |
| 29 | Anthony Dickerson | 1980–1984 | 73 | RLB | 19.0 |
| 30 | Jimmie Jones | 1990–1993 | 63 | LDT | 19.0 |
FAQ: Most Sacks Recorded in Dallas Cowboys History
Who has the most sacks recorded in Dallas Cowboys history?
DeMarcus Ware has the most sacks recorded in Dallas Cowboys history with 117.0 sacks during his Cowboys career.
Who is second in Cowboys sacks recorded?
Harvey Martin is second in Dallas Cowboys sacks recorded with 114.0 sacks.
Who is third in Cowboys sacks recorded?
Randy White is third in Dallas Cowboys sacks recorded with 111.0 sacks.
Why does the title say sacks recorded instead of official sacks?
The title says sacks recorded because the NFL did not make sacks an official statistic until 1982. Older Cowboys totals are based on Cowboys-recorded and historically compiled sack numbers.
Which Cowboys player had 114 recorded sacks?
Harvey Martin had 114.0 recorded sacks with the Dallas Cowboys, ranking second behind DeMarcus Ware.
Which Cowboys defensive linemen are in the top five?
Harvey Martin, Randy White, Ed “Too Tall” Jones and George Andrie are defensive linemen in the top five, while DeMarcus Ware leads the full list as an edge rusher/outside linebacker.
Is DeMarcus Lawrence still on the Dallas Cowboys?
No. DeMarcus Lawrence is no longer on the Dallas Cowboys. His Cowboys career ran from 2014 through 2024, and he later signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
Conclusion: DeMarcus Ware Leads the Cowboys Sack Record Book
The Most Sacks Recorded in Dallas Cowboys History list starts with DeMarcus Ware because his 117.0 sacks are the franchise’s top recorded total. Ware was the best Cowboys pass rusher of the modern era and one of the most dominant edge defenders in NFL history.
Harvey Martin sits just behind him, and his 1977 season remains one of the most incredible unofficial sack seasons ever. Randy White, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, George Andrie, Jethro Pugh and Bob Lilly show how much pass-rushing firepower came from the Doomsday-era defensive line. Jim Jeffcoat, Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Lawrence connect that older tradition to the official-sack and modern Cowboys eras.
The key thing to remember is that this is a Cowboys-only recorded sacks list. It includes historically compiled pre-1982 sacks, which means it gives a fuller view of Dallas pass-rushing history than an official-only NFL sack list would.
For now, Ware owns the record. But the depth behind him is what makes this leaderboard special. Few franchises can put Hall of Fame defensive tackles, legendary edge rushers, Super Bowl MVPs and modern Pro Bowl pass rushers on one sack list like Dallas can.
More Cowboys and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture beyond sacks, check out our best Dallas Cowboys players of all-time ranking. For more Dallas-specific rankings and stat lists, read our best Dallas Cowboys defensive players of all-time, best Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks of all-time, Dallas Cowboys all-time rushing yards leaders and Dallas Cowboys all-time receiving yards leaders.
For the bigger pass-rushing and defensive debates, read our best pass rushers of all-time, best defensive players of all-time, best cornerbacks of all-time and best safeties of all-time. You can also visit our all-time player rankings for every NFL franchise or our NFL rankings page for more stat lists, position rankings and historical tier lists.
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For the full franchise picture beyond sacks, check out our ranking. For more Dallas quarterback history, read our list. You can also follow for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
