James Farrior: Pick #8 in the 1997 NFL Draft

James Farrior is a former inside linebacker out of Virginia, selected by the New York Jets with the 8th overall pick (round 1) in the 1997 NFL Draft. He played 230 regular-season games from 1997 to 2011. From 1999 on, he played for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was named to 2 Pro Bowls.

Draft Details

Year

1997

Round

Round 1

Pick

8th overall

Team

New York Jets

Position

ILB

College

Virginia

James Farrior Career Stats

2× Pro Bowl selection, 1× first-team All-Pro.
Primary starter for 12 seasons.
Ranks 2nd in the 1997 draft class in solo tackles (1,012).

Career Totals

Games	Solo Tkl	Sacks	Def INT
230	1,012	35.5	11

Defense

Season	Team	G	Solo	Ast	TFL	Sacks	QB Hits	INT	PD	FF
1999	NYJ	15	26	9	5	2	1	0	2	1
2000	NYJ	15	36	10	4	1	1	1	5	1
2001	NYJ	16	66	36	4	1	1	2	9	3
2002	PIT	14	38	22	8	0	0	0	1	0
2003	PIT	16	72	45	0	0	0	1	4	0
2004	PIT	16	53	28	0	4	0	4	12	4
2005	PIT	14	50	45	0	2	0	0	4	2
2006	PIT	16	60	43	0	4	7	1	6	2
2007	PIT	16	48	30	0	6	13	1	7	2
2008	PIT	16	55	44	0	3.5	6	0	5	1
2009	PIT	16	55	34	0	3	6	1	5	1
2010	PIT	16	51	29	0	6	8	0	5	1
2011	PIT	14	41	24	0	2	5	0	3	0
Since 1999		200	651	399	21	34.5	48	11	68	18

G = games with at least one recorded statistic; the career games total in the summary above includes every game played.

Season-by-season detail is available from 1999 on; career totals above cover the full career.

Source: nflverse · Updated Sep 28, 2026

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