Most Dangerous Offensive Players in Sports Right Now
You want offense? Because ladies and gentlemen, we have plenty of offense here for you on this list.
Analyzing all of the major professional sports entities, we've picked out 25 of the most dangerous offensive weapons around. These guys make things happen whenever they're on the field, hardwood or ice.
The criterion for making an appearance on this list is simple: You have to be a dominant offensive force who contributes on a regular basis.
Now, let's step back and put this slideshow into gear. Here are 25 of the most dangerous offensive players in sports right now.
Antonio Brown
1 of 25
Antonio Brown isn't your average wide receiver. Listed at 5'10", the ex-Central Michigan pass-catcher has become one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL.
Brown may not have size like Calvin Johnson or Demaryius Thomas, but he's able to use his quickness to produce huge blocks of space.
In 2013, he put all of his gifts to good use and enjoyed a breakout campaign. On 165 targets, he caught 110 passes for 1,499 yards and eight touchdowns. This year, Brown is back at it.
Already with 123 targets under his belt, he's accumulated 88 receptions for 1,161 yards and nine TDs. Brown has become the No. 1 target for his quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Brown is one of the top receivers in football. He's an offensive weapon who has found his place within the Pittsburgh Steelers offense.
Stephen Curry
2 of 25
You can't help but become infatuated with what Stephen Curry displays on the court. He's quickly become a feverish scorer who has learned to play the point guard position. That alone has helped those around him on the Golden State Warriors to get better.
Curry has always been a deadeye shooter. Ever since he was drafted out of Davidson College in 2009, his point totals have continued to climb. Dating back to the 2009-10 campaign where he averaged 17.5 points and 5.9 assists per game, Curry has now taken those totals to the next level.
This season, he's scoring 23.7 points and dishing out 7.6 assists per game. Those totals make him an early MVP candidate on a team that looks like it has taken the right steps to become a championship contender.
Curry's greatest gift is the ability to create his own shot. That's arguably the most important trait an NBA player needs if he wants to become an ascendant scorer.
He won't ever be the athlete that LeBron James is, but that doesn't mean Curry isn't one of the most dangerous offensive players in the sport. When you can shoot the ball like he can and create opportunities for teammates to thrive, that puts you in a very exclusive class.
Aaron Rodgers
3 of 25
Aaron Rodgers is really good. And by extension of that, his top two wide receivers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, have gotten tons of opportunities to showcase their great skill sets as well.
As the heir apparent to Brett Favre, Rodgers has become the talk of the town in Green Bay. He won a Super Bowl championship in 2010 and the league's MVP award in 2011.
For all of the accolades he's achieved, his numbers have been significant and, more importantly, consistent. Not counting 2013—where he only played nine games—Rodgers hasn't thrown for less than 28 touchdowns in a season. On top of that, his completion percentage has never dipped below 63.6 percent.
This year he's proving that he just gets better with age. After taking down the New England Patriots in Week 13, Rodgers has thrown 30 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
He dictates everything that goes on offensively. He's the maestro to head coach Mike McCarthy's madness. When No. 12 gets it cooking, no one in the NFL is on his level.
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Tyler Seguin
4 of 25
Tyler Seguin is a 22-year-old center for the Dallas Stars. Even at that young of an age, he's managed to become one of the NHL's top offensive threats.
The ex-Boston Bruin is a pure goal scorer. He's the type of guy who can get out on the ice and instantly become a threat every time he touches the puck.
Last season—his first with the Stars—Seguin scored 37 goals and complemented that with 47 assists. Just a few months into the 2014-15 spell, he's already picked up 18 goals and 13 assists. There isn't much you can do at this point to stop him from slinging it into the back of the net.
As he matures and his game grows exponentially, he's going to continue his climb toward the top of the NHL. That's a pretty scary proposition unless your team of choice happens to play in Dallas.
Carmelo Anthony
5 of 25
The New York Knicks are bad. And as a guy who grew up just a stone's throw away from the Big Apple, that's troubling. Thankfully, besides having the privilege of listening to Walt "Clyde" Frazier on home broadcasts, Knicks fans still have Carmelo Anthony.
The man who emerged from the LeBron James and Dwyane Wade draft class is the best pure scorer of the bunch. Over his career Anthony is averaging 25.2 points per game. But he isn't just a scorer; he's also efficient.
Using ESPN's Hollinger NBA player statistics (Insider subscription required), Melo is the second-most efficient small forward in basketball, trailing James by 2.46 points.
Even with a new triangle offense in place, he's still averaging 23.5 points per game. What makes Anthony so dangerous is how he can hurt you from anywhere on the floor. He's one of the premier shooters in the game who is also able to leverage his 6'8", 240-pound frame to win in the post.
The Knicks may be trying to find a new identity, but the one constant has been Anthony scoring the basketball. He's still one of the game's most menacing offensive players.
Sidney Crosby
6 of 25
Sidney Crosby is still one of hockey's best players. At 27 years old, he has battled his way back from a tough two-season stretch from 2011 to 2013 and has found his old form again.
Playing 80 games last season—2013-14—the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins scored 36 goals and tacked on 68 assists. This season, he's well on his way once again to reaching those totals with nine goals and 24 assists.
Using advanced statistics to look at his impact on the ice, Hockey Prospectus' GVT ratings (ESPN Insider subscription required) rank Crosby as the No. 1 player in the league.
He's a creator at heart. That sixth sense to find the open man or score when he has to is what makes Crosby such an important player. He may not score 50 goals in a single season again, but that doesn't mean he isn't a dangerous offensive player anymore.
Nick Chubb
7 of 25
He might be a freshman, but Georgia running back Nick Chubb is a lethal offensive weapon.
During the in-state showdown with Georgia Tech, he ran the ball 25 times for 129 yards and a touchdown. Breaking the 100-yard mark yet again, he has now posted seven consecutive games with more than 100 yards on the ground.
Tim Tucker of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote how big of an accomplishment that was. In the piece, he mentioned that's the longest streak since Herschel Walker was a Bulldog in 1982.
Excuse the Rick James usage, but Chubb is a "superfreak." As a freshman, he's become an instant dose of offense. His speed and ability to bowl over defenders are not only fun to watch but also extremely effective.
Needless to say, Chubb is going to make some NFL team really happy one day.
Lionel Messi
8 of 25
Lionel Messi is fascinating when he's moving around the pitch. He can score with the best players in the world, but more importantly, he can create and give his teammates space to achieve their own success.
To date this season, the Barcelona star has 10 goals and seven assists. That may pale in comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo's mark of 20 goals, but Messi right now is also the all-time leading scorer in La Liga history.
At 27 years old, he's played a lot of soccer. Whether that's with Barcelona or his home country of Argentina, Messi has been elite for years now.
He still has a ways to go, and that's fine. It's not every day you get to witness a player of his caliber.
Steven Stamkos
9 of 25
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos is one guy who's worth watching night in and night out. The 24-year-old has done a lot in the course of his brief NHL career.
His biggest accomplishment was when he scored 60 goals during the 2011-12 season before breaking his leg in 2013. Now that he's recovered, Stamkos is back to doing Stamkos things on the frozen water.
In 25 games this season, he's already netted 15 goals and 14 assists. He's a point machine who has a gift for that type of stuff.
It's great seeing Stamkos back on the ice. The NHL is a better place with him in it.
Le'Veon Bell
10 of 25
The Steelers may have hit a snag at 7-5 this season, but they've definitely done a few things right when it comes to drafting talent.
We spoke earlier about Antonio Brown and all he's done for the Steelers. Running back Le'Veon Bell is quickly becoming the perfect complement to Brown.
Just over 13 weeks into his second NFL season, Bell has taken his rightful place as one of the game's top halfbacks. He's second in rushing behind DeMarco Murray with 1,046 yards. But his diverse play doesn't end there.
Bell is also tied for 15th in receptions among all NFL players with 65. That's good enough to push his name right next to Randall Cobb, Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and Andre Johnson. Had you watched him play last season, you wouldn't have guessed he would become this good this quickly.
Credit his dedication to lose weight during the offseason and a newfound sense of vision for all the great things we've seen him do.
Whatever he's doing, get used to it. Because the way things are going, it looks like he's going to be a fantasy football hero for a long time.
Marcus Mariota
11 of 25
Oregon's Marcus Mariota is the front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy this season and for good reason. In his third year running the Ducks' frenzied offense, Mariota has thrown for 2,677 yards and 32 touchdowns with only six turnovers.
He can harm defenses with his arm as well as his legs, as he's also run for 752 yards and five touchdowns.
Mariota has established himself over his career in the Pac-12 as one of the better QBs this conference has ever seen. He's done so much for Oregon and hasn't skipped a beat, even when Chip Kelly fled to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.
He's going to be a highly sought-after player in the upcoming NFL draft. His combo skill set fits perfectly with the recent trend of young quarterbacks in today's professional game.
James Harden
12 of 25
James Harden scores points. That's what he gets paid to do.
When the Houston Rockets signed the bearded one to a five-year extension worth $80 million, they were going after a world-class scorer. Harden hasn't disappointed.
He's frequently put up points. So far through the 2014-15 season, he's averaging 25.2 points per game. That number has him behind Kobe Bryant for the league lead.
Harden may get knocked for his lack of defense, but there's no doubting what he can do with the rock in his hands. He's a slashing guard who can step back and shoot or take you to the baseline.
Bleacher Report's Kelly Scaletta talked about some of things Harden has done since putting on a Rockets jersey: "In his two years with Houston, he has averaged 25.7 points on a .609 true shooting percentage, adding 6.0 assists while doing so. Per Basketball-Reference.com, only three other players have had a season where they met those standards: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and LeBron James."
There's no stopping Harden once he gets things rolling. Each time he plays, we find out why the ex-Oklahoma City Thunder guard left the shadows of his former teammates, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Calvin Johnson
13 of 25
The Detroit Lions must love having Calvin Johnson back on the field. The man, the myth, the Megatron destroyed the Chicago Bears this past Thanksgiving.
On 16 targets, he came down with 11 balls for 146 yards and scored two touchdowns. Basically, that was just Johnson being Johnson.
Megatron is a fitting moniker for Johnson considering he's blazing fast, towers over defenders with his 6'5" frame and weighs about 236 pounds. He's a freight train, Mack truck and robot all rolled up into one perfect offensive machine.
The craziest part about watching Johnson play is he's the type of dude whom you can picture yourself playing quarterback for. You could be the shortest person in the world or have an arm that's weaker than a water pistol, yet odds are if you threw it to him enough times, he'd find a way to score.
There aren't many players you can say that about in football right now.
Anthony Davis
14 of 25
In case you've missed the beginning of the 2014-15 NBA season, New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis is kind of a beast.
The gigantic third-year forward has broken out, becoming an MVP candidate and the heir to LeBron James' throne. In other words, he's the best player not named James in the game right now.
Averaging 24.9 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game is remarkable for anyone. What's even crazier about Davis is he's only 21 years old.
Offensively speaking, he's become close to unstoppable. His .556 field-goal percentage means he's not just scoring a lot of points but doing it in the most efficient way possible.
ESPN's Hollinger NBA player statistics also speak a tale worth lending an ear to. Davis' 33.33 player efficiency rating is the best of any player in the NBA. That's better than Stephen Curry, King James, Chris Paul and James Harden.
We're seeing the birth of the NBA's next Hall of Fame-worthy big man. If he can keep this pace up and, more importantly, keep his health in check, the sky is the limit for Davis.
Matt Forte
15 of 25
Matt Forte has veered into "underrated" territory once again this year. The 28-year-old halfback may not garner the same level of praise that some of his peers do, but that doesn't mean he isn't a dangerous offensive weapon.
Besides being a quality runner, Forte has established himself as one of the game's best pass-catching backs. Since he was drafted in 2008 out of Tulane, he's never caught less than 44 balls in a season and already he has managed to snag a career-high 78 passes this year.
The recent struggles endured by the Chicago Bears have taken the wind out of putting Forte in the conversation as one of the league's best backs. But on film and in person, he's still excellent.
Without Forte, the Bears offense would stall. Chicago may have a trio of big pass-catchers to throw the ball to, but no one can move the chains quite like the veteran back.
Mike Trout
16 of 25
Mike Trout, the 23-year-old MVP of Major League Baseball, has become a constant source of offensive production for the Los Angeles Angels.
Since his debut season in 2011, he has 98 home runs, 308 RBI, 102 stolen bases and ha is career batting average of .305. Trout is the face of the Angels franchise as well as the face of MLB.
He's a young star who's done some pretty special stuff in a few short years. That's why he got a hot six-year deal worth $144.5 million in 2014.
Trout is an exceptional player whom this franchise is going to build around for the foreseeable future. Assuming he stays productive and healthy, when his extension is complete, he's going to double-dip and make another glacier-sized chunk of coin.
Rob Gronkowski
17 of 25
There's no true definition of a dangerous offensive weapon, but if there was, Rob Gronkowski would fit it perfectly.
Gronk, as he's known to mortals, is the ultimate tight end. He's a 6'6", 265-pounder who can stretch the field.
Besides having great speed for a guy that size, he's also a handful to take down. Just ask Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. He tweeted the displeasure of trying to tackle the big man.
There isn't really a defensive player who can slow him down, and that's what makes him the perfect candidate for the list. In 12 games this season, he's caught 65 passes on 101 targets for 910 yards and nine touchdowns—proving once again, when he's healthy, he's a force to be reckoned with.
Cristiano Ronaldo
18 of 25
Comparing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is a difficult task. Both men have become iconic figures for their respective clubs and have done so in breathtaking fashion.
Recently though, it's been all about Ronaldo. He's punched in 20 goals this season in a Real Madrid ensemble.
When you think about Cristiano as a player, you think about his speed and ability to score at a high rate. That being said, he's also crafty enough to set up his teammates for success. His eight assists at the moment are also good enough for the top spot in La Liga.
There isn't much Ronaldo can't do on the field. He's too physically gifted and smart to be stopped, and the fans of Real Madrid love that about him.
LeBron James
19 of 25
The Cleveland Cavaliers haven't turned into the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls just yet, but they still have the best basketball player on the planet leading their squad.
James hasn't taken his foot off the gas when it comes to contributing on the offensive end. With Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving spreading the floor, he's still averaging 24.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game.
The beauty of James' game isn't how many points he scores. It's the fact that a guy who's 6'8" and weighs 250 pounds can pass the ball like Magic Johnson and drive to the hoop like a linebacker. He's a phenomenal athlete—perhaps the best in NBA history—who can do so much for a team's offense when the ball is placed in his hands.
Not many players can do that on a nightly basis.
Andrew Luck
20 of 25
Peyton Manning's replacement has been everything this fanbase wanted and then some.
Since he was taken No. 1 overall in 2012, the Indianapolis Colts have made the playoffs each season. He's also put up some serious passing statistics along the way.
The numbers look like this: 12,207 yards passing, 80 touchdowns and, this season, a QB rating of 103. He's turned into a touchdown maker who has made everyone around him—minus Reggie Wayne—a cut above what they've been in previous seasons.
It's fun to watch Luck involve his young weapons. Wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief are coming on strong, while tight end—and former teammate of Luck at Stanford—Coby Fleener also is contributing.
The older he gets, the better he becomes. And that makes him an elite offensive weapon.
Giancarlo Stanton
21 of 25
This offseason, Major League Baseball's highest total-value contract of all time was signed. The man who gets to enjoy these riches is none other than Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.
How much is this new record-setting deal worth? The total comes in at $325 million over a 13-year period. Despite the contract being "backloaded," as Rotoworld mentioned, it's still a crazy sum of money for the 25-year-old slugger.
What warrants such a high number, besides ownership in Miami? Production.
Stanton has spent his entire career with the Marlins. In each of his five seasons he's improved dramatically. This year was his crowning moment when he finished second in the National League MVP race behind Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Whether you agree with the contract is immaterial. The ink on the deal is as dry as a bone. But when you hit 37 home runs, knock in 105 runs and hit .288 in only 145 games, you're going to warrant some moola.
Kevin Pangos
22 of 25
Gonzaga senior guard Kevin Pangos is a smooth operator on the offensive end.
Leading the Bulldogs this season, he has taken his game to the next level. Putting him in the National Player of the Year conversation, Rob Dauster of College Basketball Talk wrote, "His effective field-goal percentage is 75.7, which is extremely high for a guard, and he has an assist rate of 33.0 and a turnover rate of 8.7."
"If those numbers don’t do it for you, how about this: He’s played 173 minutes this season, handing out 38 assists while turning the ball over just four times and missing, including free throws, just 17 shot attempts," Dauster went on to say.
Pangos is leading the charge for the Bulldogs, and his relentless will and offensive prowess are special. If he keeps this pace up—and Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor slows his roll—he could be a shoo-in for the coveted award.
Peyton Manning
23 of 25
The ageless wonder Peyton Manning is putting together another fantastic season in a Denver Broncos uniform.
With 36 touchdowns, 3,737 passing yards and just nine interceptions, he's in charge of one of the most prolific and methodical offenses in football. Manning may not have the arm strength or zip he once had, but he's so smart and so careful that he can dissect a defense and take advantage of its weak points.
This is the beginning of the end for The Sheriff. He's 38 years of age, which is ancient in NFL years. But when it's all said and done, he will leave the game having thrown the most touchdowns in league history and possibly the most yards.
If that doesn't make you one of the most dangerous offensive weapons, I don't know what does.
Miguel Cabrera
24 of 25
At first glance, it's tough to comprehend the 10-year, $292 million deal the Detroit Tigers gave Miguel Cabrera last March, knowing he was turning 31 years old. Aging hitters, no matter how good they've been, are always a risk.
But the numbers he put up prior to that deal are uncommon. In 2012, Cabrera was the first man since 1967 to win baseball's Triple Crown. He's one of the best hitters in the history of the game, and judging by that scale he should have gotten the Moon along with all of that money.
In a "declining" year, he still put up solid numbers. He hit 25 balls over the fence, produced 109 RBI and had a slugging percentage of .524.
He may not be worth close to $300 million now, but he's still a valuable offensive weapon who can play a role in carrying his team back to the postseason.
Diego Costa
25 of 25
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho needed a striker in order for his club to thrive. When he brought over Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid, that's exactly what happened.
Costa's 11 goals are good enough for second in the Barclays Premier League. His bulldog style of play has given this club a bruising personality that has helped Chelsea go unbeaten through 13 games this year.
He's essentially instant offense in a can who can come in and put pressure on an opposing defense without remorse. "He is the hub of energy and razor-sharp cutting edge that the Blues desperately lacked as they fell short of the title last season," Graham Ruthven of Bleacher Report wrote.
Costa has been nothing but excel for the Blues. He's a textbook offensive threat in every possible way.
All La Liga, Barclays Premier League, MLB, NBA, NHL, college football, college basketball and NFL information and stats provided by ESPN.com, unless noted otherwise.
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