Endless bench presses and 40″ verticals are great, but what matters is who shows up on game day. The following players are the best of both worlds: beasts on and off the field.
Offensive
1. Trent Williams
OT | Redskins HEIGHT: 6’5″ WEIGHT: 318 lbs NOTE: A gifted run blocker, Williams is blessed with good size and the ability to drive defensive linemen into the turf.
2. Jason Kelce
C | Eagles HEIGHT: 6’3″ WEIGHT: 282 lbs NOTE: Quick and mobile, Kelce can pick up the blitz and is a more-than-effective zone blocker.
3. Ezekiel Elliott
RB | Cowboys HEIGHT: 6′ WEIGHT: 225 lbs NOTE: A power back who uses his lead shoulder to destroy defenders, he rushed for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2016.
4. Brandon Marshall
WR | Giants HEIGHT: 6’4″ WEIGHT: 230 lbs NOTE: Marshall caught 109 passes for 1,502 yards in 2015; his muscular arms allow him to drop and shed would-be tacklers.
5. Dion Dawkins
OG | Bills HEIGHT: 6’4″ WEIGHT: 314 lbs NOTE: This converted DT is a powerful point-of-attack player who can stuff the inside and is versatile enough to play right tackle.
6. Marcus Gilbert
OT | Steelers HEIGHT: 6’6″ WEIGHT: 330 lbs NOTE: Gilbert is blessed with long arms and incredible strength (he can bench 225 for 30 reps) and is one of the best tackles in pass protection.
7. Odell Beckham Jr.
WR | Giants HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 198 lbs NOTE: OBJ’s quick hands, superb balance, and insane hops all led to 101 catches and 1,367 yards in his 2016 campaign.
8. Martellus Bennett
TE | Packers HEIGHT: 6’6″ WEIGHT: 270 lbs NOTE: Bennett caught 55 passes in 2016 (seven for TDs), and he uses his strength to gain extra yards.
9. Zack Martin
OG | Cowboys HEIGHT: 6’4″ WEIGHT: 309 lbs NOTE: Martin’s rare meld of strength, speed, power, and balance allows him to be useful anywhere on the offensive line.
Specialists
1. Steven Hauschka
K | Bills HEIGHT: 6’4″ WEIGHT: 210 lbs NOTE: Built with the frame of a wide receiver, Hauschka made 33 out of 37 field goals in 2016 with the Seahawks—and that was a down year for this stud from NC State.
2. Marquette King
P | Raiders HEIGHT: 6′ WEIGHT: 195 lbs NOTE: King has arguably the best physique of any punter in the NFL today. He’s also a rare talent who pins the opposition deep in their own territory with his well-placed spirals.
Hannah Foslien / Stringer / Getty
Hannah Foslien / Stringer / Getty
Defensive
1. Sean Lee
LB | Cowboys HEIGHT: 6’2″ WEIGHT: 229 lbs NOTE: His chiseled physique and natural athletic ability team up to allow Lee to push blockers aside with perfect élan.
2. Alan Branch
DT | Patriots HEIGHT: 6’6″ WEIGHT: 350 lbs NOTE: A two-time Super Bowl champion, Branch tosses blockers like rag dolls, resulting in his 267 career tackles and 15 pass deflections.
3. Sheldon Richardson
DE | Seahawks HEIGHT: 6’3″ WEIGHT: 293 lbs NOTE: Light feet, agility, size, and strength make this former Mizzou Tiger an able-bodied tackler in close quarters.
4. Xavier Rhodes
CB | Vikings HEIGHT: 6’1″ WEIGHT: 215 lbs NOTE: An elite athlete with football smarts. His five interceptions and a standout Pro Bowl performance solidified his high rank among NFL D-backs.
5. Byron Maxwell
CB | Dolphins HEIGHT: 6’1″ WEIGHT: 199 lbs NOTE: Blessed with a great physique, Maxwell is adept at shadowing receivers and playing tough, both in coverage and against the run.
6. Tyrann Mathieu
S | Cardinals HEIGHT: 5’9″ WEIGHT: 186 lbs NOTE: This Louisiana native is one of the best tacklers in the NFL and will do whatever it takes to make a stop.
7. Maliek Collins
DT | Cowboys HEIGHT: 6’2″ WEIGHT: 284 lbs NOTE: Collins stepped right into the Cowboys D-line as a rookie in 2016 and demonstrated strength, size, toughness, and intelligence.
8. Leonard Williams
DE | Jets HEIGHT: 6’5″ WEIGHT: 291 lbs NOTE: Williams is one of the best D-linemen in the NFL. He’s a triple threat of length, power, and athleticism.
9. David Harris
LB | Patriots HEIGHT: 6’2″ WEIGHT: 249 lbs NOTE: Harris’ storied career includes more than 1,000 tackles, 35 sacks, and 11 forced fumbles.
10. Brian Cushing
LB | Texans HEIGHT: 6’3″ WEIGHT: 255 lbs NOTE: The fiery Cushing became the Texans’ all-time leading tackler in 2016. Expect plenty more takedowns before his playing days are done.
