15 NFL Stars That Would Be Better Than Current Network Analysts

The NFL is a living entity that is currently the most popular sport in America. No other sport receives a special broadcast for the announcement of something as simple as the schedule for the next season. Likewise, there isn’t an offseason activity in any sport that is more popular than the NFL draft.

The variety of networks, of course, cash in on this popularity by covering the league and all of its happenings 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days out of the year.

Unfortunately that means that NFL fans must suffer through some horrible analysts employed by the various networks—all of which will remain anonymous for the purposes of this article.

That’s not to say all analysts are mediocre. The best analysts are a combination of a deep knowledge of the game combined with an entertaining personality. These guys are typically former players, which helps contribute to their knowledge of the game.

There are a variety of stars in the NFL that would make amazing network analysts compared to the current crop. Their talents, combined with unique personalities make them an obvious choice when they finally decide to hang up the cleats.

Here are 15 NFL stars that would be better than current network analysts.

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Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is without a doubt a future Hall of Famer and one of the best ever to play his position. He’s been the leader of the Baltimore Ravens’ defense for years now, so there is no questioning his intricate knowledge of the game.

Outside of a deep understand of all things football, Lewis is a ridiculously entertaining player. His pre-game dances and chants are now the stuff of NFL legend. His passion, intensity and respect for the game are things that are missing from the current crop of networks. It’s not hard to imagine fans watching Lewis pick apart defenses on television in the near future.

Chad Ochocinco

Did anyone truly think Chad wouldn’t make this list?

Child, please.

The fact that the majority of networks don’t even have to say Chad’s last name is a special kind of fame. His exciting personality would be much better than some of the dull personalities that populate the networks. Even the more entertaining personalities don’t compare to Chad.

Let’s also not forget Chad has had an amazing NFL career. There’s no questioning he was truly dominant during his prime, and he has something to contribute in the way of his knowledge of NFL defenses.

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is beginning to put himself in the same stratosphere as Peyton Manning in terms of knowledge of the game and entertainment factor. Rodgers has as many rings as Manning and if he continues on the course he’s on could have a Manning-type career.

Rodgers has begun to spread his wings as an entertainer as well. His commercials are entertaining in the same way Manning’s were for the past decade. Rodgers has a long way to go, but he’ll surely be an analyst down the road.

Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson has a long career ahead of him, but it’s safe to say he has a career ahead of him as an analyst as well. Johnson is easily the best wide receiver in the NFL today, and it doesn’t look like that is going to change anytime soon.

Johnson has appeared on a variety of network shows as an analyst or simply talking about the Detroit Lions. He’s handled himself in a professional manner and has managed to hold his own against the infamous Skip Bayless.

Drew Brees

Drew Brees is yet another quarterback that would make a good analyst. Brees has orchestrated some of the best passing offenses the NFL has ever seen, so he brings something special to the table in the knowledge department.

Brees can also be an entertaining person when asked. He won’t blow crowds away like Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers can but sometimes simply being likeable is enough.

Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews hasn’t been in the league for an extended period of time but he’s already one of the most beloved personalities in the NFL. He’s an electric personality that has appeared in a variety of commercials and has even appeared on a WWE broadcast.

Matthews also has the knowledge to go with the personality. He has a long road ahead of him as a player, which will allow him to gain a more intricate knowledge of defenses. He'll be able to utilize this experience as an analyst when the networks come calling.

Cam Newton

Cam Newton’s only been in the NFL one season and is already one of the most electric and well-known personalities in the league. His record-breaking rookie campaign that ended with Rookie of the Year honors is a telling sign that he’ll be around for a long time.

Newton quickly dissected the NFL and has the personality to boot. He regularly celebrates touchdowns and it’s only a matter of time before more commercials and television shows come calling. Newton could very well end up the face of the league before long.

Ed Reed

Ed Reed is one of the best safeties to have ever played the game. His career looks to be winding down as he gets older and continues to have neck issues. After football, he should consider looking for a job as an analyst because he would be welcomed immediately.

Reed’s experience on the field will be invaluable on television. He has the personality to match, as he’s a very likeable and professional person. Reed would mix well with most networks' NFL crews so don’t be surprised to see him on the tube soon.

Greg Jennings

Greg Jennings is one of the better receivers in the game right now, and brings a passion and intensity that is hard to find on every down. Before it’s all said and done he could put together a Hall-of-Fame career.

Jennings’ career is far from over and his on the field experience will give him a good shot at being an analyst. He is an extremely popular player throughout the league and has a personality that would shine on most networks.

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning may be the best quarterback to ever play the game. He was not only the star quarterback in Indianapolis, but seemingly the offensive coordinator as well. There isn’t an analyst out there that knows the game better than Manning—it’s not up for debate.

Manning can also be a very entertaining person when asked to. His skits on Saturday Night Live are hilarious and unpredictable. He’ll likely take a more serious role if asked to join a network, but he’s got the entertainment side down as well.  

Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson is a funny guy off the field, but it’s safe to say his opponents don’t find themselves laughing when he runs on them. Peterson is a bruising runner that grinds down opposing defenses with ease and is always smiling when the camera happens to find him.

Peterson recently suffered a serious injury, but will undoubtedly bounce back quickly. He has a lot left in the tank as a player and will likely join a network soon after he retires.

Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald is another receiver that could be well on his way to the hall in Canton. He is currently a top-10 receiver in the league, and has been for some time. Fitzgerald has a lot of downs left in him, but when he calls it quits he’ll have an opportunity to be one of the better network analysts.

There’s no questioning Fitzgerald’s knowledge of the game or his electric personality. He shows visible emotion on just about every play and has performed admirably as an analyst in the past when networks have brought him in as a guest.

Maurice Jones-Drew

Maurice Jones-Drew is another very likable running back who dominates the competition on the field. Jones-Drew has been tearing up any team he plays against with alarming regularity, despite consistently being the only offensive threat the Jacksonville Jaguars have.

Jones-Drew has the ability to take his dominance on the field to a network booth if he chooses to do so. Jones-Drew has been entertaining in several commercials and usually has a humble, but interesting, post-game interview.

Jared Allen

When Jared Allen isn't terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, he's entertaining himself and fans with ridiculous celebrations and commercials. There is no questioning that Allen is one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the league.

It's also hard to argue that Allen isn't one of the most entertaining and likeable players in the league. He is ridiculously funny any chance he gets on the screen—whether it's on the bench, in an interview or the star of a commercial. Allen will drastically raise ratings for one lucky network once he calls it quits.

Arian Foster

Arian Foster’s stardom happened quickly, to say the least. Foster now finds himself as one of the better running backs in the league, and one of the better-paid backs in the league as well. NFL fans are quickly discovering he is one of the more entertaining players going.

Foster has appeared in a few commercials and has been great. He’s also appeared on a few network shows as a guest analyst and shined among dull counterparts. It’s hard to tell when Foster’s career will come to an end, but it’s a sure thing he has a job at multiple networks waiting for him.