The NFL's 50 Most Exciting Players

The 2010 NFL season officially ended Feb. 6 of 2011 when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Football fans have waited patiently for the league to return. The NFL lockout seemed to last forever, and now that we’ve finally reached the preseason, its nice to actually see…football.

Yeah, the Arena Football League is nice and everything, and we enjoy hearing about college players and how many of them can be arrested at once, but there is nothing like the excitement of the NFL.

Feeling the electricity on Sunday morning inside of Arrowhead stadium or looking up at the largest HD television screen in America at Cowboys Stadium makes you feel genuinely American.

Football is back.

Along with the return of America’s pastime come the players who make the game so stimulating. There’s quarterback Chad Henne, running back Brandon Jacobs, wide receiver Harry Douglas and the list just goes on and on.

Want to see the rest? You’re in luck, because I have a whole heap of exciting players to tell you about.

Here are 50 of the NFL’s most exciting players.

Michael Vick, QB

He’s still elite, and he’s still exciting.

Last season, Vick played his best game as a pro when he had six touchdowns against the Redskins and finished with a quarterback rating of 150.

Vick still seems as fast as when he was in Atlanta, and though he relies on his arm more than his legs, please believe that he’s more than capable of taking off and leaving your favorite player in the dust, son.

Adrian Peterson, RB

Peterson is by far one of the best running backs in the league today.

Remember in 2009 when the Vikes played the Browns, and Peterson ran for 180, throwing the Browns' defensive players to the side like ragdolls?

If you don't, take a look here.

AP’s still capable of plays like that and is simply one of the most intriguing players to watch in the league today.

Chris Johnson, RB

Johnson is still in the throws of a holdout with the Titans as he’s positioning himself for a bigger contract.

Johnson is one of the league’s best players, and any time he touches the ball, there is a chance he may take it to the house. He’s fast, nimble and deceptively powerful.

I doubt he’ll hold out for the entire season, but if he does, the NFL won’t be the same without one of its most electrifying players.

Philip Rivers, QB

Judging by yards, Rivers is the league’s best quarterback.

Of course that’s debatable, but you can’t deny my man’s skill as a passer. He threw for almost 5,000 yards in 2010 with 30 touchdowns.

But it’s not just his play that makes Rivers exciting to watch; it's his mouth that keeps fans eyes glued to their screens as well. You can find him jawing with a cornerback, linebacker or maybe a coach.

That passion often comes across as brashness, but Rivers' enthusiasm can sometimes be invigorating. 

Arian Foster, RB

Honestly, there is nothing fancy or exciting about Foster’s game. He comes to the stadium, puts in work and leaves knowing he left everything out on the field.

I guess that’s what makes him one of the league’s most exciting players, because you know what you’re going to get from him, and it's probably a large game with 100 or so rushing yards.

Foster seems to play injured a lot, which only adds to his lore. If he has another season where he leads the league in rushing, then household name he shall become.

Ed Reed, S

Reed played in about three games last season and picked off at least 30 passes in each game.

I’m being facetious because Reed had a tumultuous 2010 after missing the first six games of the year with injury, then finding out about the disappearance of his brother in January. Reed still played through the pain and managed to snag eight interceptions.

Reed is a future Hall of Famer and still remains one of the league’s best draws.

Troy Polamalu, S

Polamalu is known for being tough and has emerged as one of the NFL's best players. You can find Troy on the field by looking for the gentleman with the curly locks falling from his helmet.

He hits hard, plays even harder and he’s always good for a funny commercial or two.

Polamalu goes 100 mph on every down, and while the Steelers have a number of big-name defensive players on the squad, Troy is the one people come to see.

Aaron Rodgers, QB

The intrigue on Rodgers increased for me when I read a column by ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons, where he said that when Brett Favre and the Vikings faced the Saints in the 2009 NFC Championship game, Rodgers and his friends were at a table yelling and rooting against Favre.

Rodgers slings it like no other and has emerged as one of the league’s best quarterbacks.

He’s a Super Bowl champion now, and while he has nothing left to really prove, the former California Golden Bear is probably out to demonstrate that he’s the best quarterback in Packers history—not Brett Favre.

James Harrison, LB

Harrison famously said in the offseason that if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, "was on fire and had to piss to put him out, I wouldn’t do it. I hate him and will never respect him."

Harrison made these fireball comments to the Men’s Journal and caused a firestorm of controversy.

Reason No. 489 why Harrison is exciting is due to his mouth. He’s loud, explosive, hard-hitting and wouldn’t piss on a man if he had a fire blazing all over him.

He lays the wood and is unapologetic about it. James Harrison: one of the most exciting players in the NFL today.

Devin Hester, Hybrid

Hester made a name for himself returning kicks and punts for touchdowns for the Bears. He has 26 career touchdowns, with 14 of those touchdowns coming off kick and punt returns.

He’s one of the fastest players in the league, and whenever Hester gets the ball in his hands, the opposing team takes a deep breath. He is dangerous enough to score a touchdown whenever he holds the pigskin.

Ndamukong Suh, DL

Suh’s pockets will continue to get lighter if he can’t control his aggressive nature on the field. He was fined $20,000 for his hit on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.

He’s probably going to lose a little more dough for his punch of Patriots offensive lineman Logan Mankins during the Lions' contest against the Pats.

Suh’s an animal on the field, and unfortunately for him, he came along at the wrong time. If Suh entered the league about 10 years ago, his type of play would be OK, but because he’s playing during the time of increased safety, he’s more than likely to develop the label of dirty player.

Even with that, just watching Suh bring havoc on opposing offensive linemen brings excitement to any game in which he plays.

DeSean Jackson, WR

Admittedly I’m not a DeSean Jackson fan.

Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s electrifying and one of the best players in the league.

But personally I think he’s impetuous in his thought that he’s in the same league as Larry Fitzgerald, and his arrogance is more than off-putting.

But regardless of that, watching Jackson is a thing of beauty. He’s a small guy, but he’s tough and plays with no fear.

Remember this hit? 'Nuff said, son. 

Calvin Johnson, WR

Megatron is his name, and acrobatics is his game.

It seems Johnson makes an acrobatic catch per game, and at one point, I felt bad he was stuck in Detroit.

But with a young, talented quarterback and a slew of great talent surrounding him, the Lions seemed destined to finally get up off the mat.

Johnson made one of the best catches of 2010 with this special grab against the Bears. Of course he’s made more spectacular catches, but this one was shrouded in controversy.

He’s simply one of the best receivers in the game, and if he continues to demonstrate his penchant for making acrobatic grabs, then he may find himself in the Hall of Fame one day.

Jacoby Ford, WR

Ford’s name gets lost in the crowd because he plays for the Raiders up in Oaktown. He’s one of the best little guys in the league though, and he’s emerged as a serious offensive threat for the Raiders.

This name will become household this season if Ford has another year like he did in 2010. The little receivers are taking over it seems, and we can add Ford’s name to the list of the NFL’s top offensive threats.

Andre Johnson, WR

Johnson has been on the top of his game for a while now, and I feel if he played with a top-tier quarterback, he could easily surpass 1,800 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Johnson goes about his business quietly, making cornerbacks look silly every Sunday and routinely finding himself at the top of the league in receiving yards.

Dez Bryant, WR

Bryant had eight touchdowns last season, with two of them coming on punt returns. He was injured for part of the season, as he only played in 12 games.

This season, Bryant is looking to make his mark on the Cowboys and the NFL by breaking out and becoming one of the league’s most dangerous players.

Felix Jones, RB

Staying with the Cowboys, Jones is poised to have a monster 2011 season. He’s having a great preseason, and if his play transfers to the regular season, Jones will become a top back this year.

Felix is fast and nimble, but he’s also powerful, as he’s capable of pushing the pile on 4th-and-1.

Jones will be the featured back in Dallas this year, and that should give him ample opportunity to show and prove.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB

I once heard someone describe Drew as a rolling ball of butcher knives.

No wonder defensive players are always shy about going up against the short man full of strength.

Jones-Drew is only 5'7", but he’s all muscle. I’ve seen him in person a few times, and when he walks, it looks like he’s holding weights by his side due to all the muscle.

I guess you have to be that strong when you’re that little. But MJD has rushed for 1,300 yards in two consecutive seasons, and he’s poised for another great year.

Another reason JD is exciting: Remember this block against Sean Merriman?

Clay Matthews III, LB

Seeing Matthews' stringy blond hair flow from his helmet when he’s chasing a quarterback or running back is enough to get your blood going.

He’s one of the best young players in the game today, and he accentuated that point last season by totaling 13.5 sacks.

Matthews and the Packers won the Super Bowl last season, and that helped to thrust him further into the spotlight. He is only missing a Defensive Player of the Year award, but judging by his play, it's only a matter of time before Matthews receives it.

Ray Lewis, LB

Ray Lewis may be aging in years, but his game has yet to follow him. He’s timeless, and while there may be some grey in his beard, he’s still out battling like he’s a rookie.

Lewis had 139 total tackles in 2010, and the last time he failed to reach 100 tackles in a season was in 2005 when he only played in six games.

Lewis turned his image from a bad boy on and off the field to a team leader who has a career as a preacher once his career his done.

Besides, any man who can dance this well deserves a spot on the list of exciting players.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB

The Steelers' man of steel can be fun to watch. He looks like a linebacker playing quarterback, and he’s pretty tough to bring down.

Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings and the label as the league’s toughest quarterback by this columnist. Ben has survived a motorcycle crash, a few concussions and he’s absorbed more than his fair share of nasty hits.

Big Ben is a tough son, but more than that—he’s exciting to watch, especially if the game is close and it’s the fourth quarter. Roethlisberger has 19 comeback wins and 25 game-winning drives under his belt.

That’s enough for me to warrant watching a Pittsburgh Steelers game.

Patrick Willis, LB

Willis has emerged as one of the league’s best defensive players. He had 128 total tackles last season and probably scared more offensive players than that.

He’s big, opposing and scary-looking. Gore hits hard and players even harder.

The Niners are a ways away from becoming a contender, but with Willis patrolling the middle of the field, their defense is in good hands.

Jamaal Charles, RB

Charles averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2010 with 1,467 rushing yards.

But can you believe he only had five rushing touchdowns?

Well, anyway, Charles is still fun to watch, and he’s worth a high draft pick on your fantasy team.

Charles is an up-and-coming running back, and if he continues to split carries with running back Thomas Jones, he should have fresh legs to carry the Chiefs back to the playoffs.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR

Fitz just signed an eight-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals worth $120 million with almost $50 million in guarantees.

He is another receiver who routinely makes acrobatic catches. Fitzgerald had a heck of a grab and run in the Super Bowl a few years ago that lives in Super Bowl tradition. There was nothing acrobatic about it, but it showed just how good he can be.

Not sure how this deal will work out for Fitz in the end, but for the time being, he’s worth every single penny.

Mike Wallace, WR

Wallace has emerged as a top offensive threat for the Steelers, as he averaged 21 yards per catch in 2010. He had 60 grabs with 1,257 yards receiving.

I would say that's pretty good for a player in his third year.

Wallace is lightning-fast, and that speed is serving him well as a Steeler. Look for Mike to burn 'em up again in 2011 and build upon his breakout season of 2010.

Percy Harvin, WR

Injuries and migraines may slow down the little receiver from Florida, but so far he’s had a large impact on the Vikings and the NFL.

Harvin had more than 850 receiving yards last season, and with Donovan McNabb serving as field general this year, I expect for his numbers to bump up to more than 1,000 yards.

Harvin is quick, fast and exciting, and between he, Ford and Jackson, the NFL is becoming a league full of exciting little receivers.

Roddy White, WR

I remember when I would visit my wife (then-girlfriend), who stayed at the Blount Hall dormitories at UAB back in 2002 and 2003. White was still honing his skills as a receiver at the school better known for its hospital than its football.

I would often see White around campus and sometimes at Blount Hall. I remember a tall skinny guy who had a great set of hands. He was one of the best players the Blazers had at the time,—he and quarterback Darrell Hackney—and they set the Blazers' football team on fire.

White has since translated his talents to the Falcons, and the Atlanta fans get a treat every Sunday they get to watch the six-foot receiver play catch with quarterback Matt Ryan.

I still don’t think the Falcons are a Super Bowl team, but with White catching balls, they aren’t far away.

Tom Brady, QB

Any quarterback who can throw 50 touchdowns in a season deserves the title as exciting.

Brady had another great year in 2010 with 36 touchdowns and 3,900 passing yards. He only threw four interceptions, and watching a quarterback toss the ball all over the field without making a mistake is electrifying.

Oh, not to mention he has three Super Bowl rings, which makes him exciting to watch as well.

Tony Romo, QB

Another Cowboy makes the list of NFL’s most exciting players.

Romo is an athletic quarterback who’s great at alluding pressure and turning broken plays into fixed ones.

A broken collarbone ended his season prematurely last year, but he should be back to making plays in 2011.

Any quarterback who can make a play like this deserves to make the list.

Josh Cribbs, KR/PR

Cribbs' impact for the Browns will have to come on punt returns and in the Wildcat, due to the league changing where the ball is kicked from this season.

Cribbs is too talented not to make an impact in some kind of way, and the Browns are best served if they find how to best use him.

But if you’re still having issues with Cribbs appearing on the list, just check this kick return against the Steelers from 2007.

Michael Turner, RB

"The Burner" is Michael Turner's nickname, and leaving players in flames in his game.

Ahhhh, you like that one? No?

At any rate, Turner’s game was turned all the way up when he got to Atlanta, and he has yet to look back. He averaged an Atlanta career-low last season with only 4.1 yards per carry, but he still managed 12 touchdowns and more than 1,300 yards rushing.

The Falcons can be a fun bunch to watch, and with Turner leading the way, they are well-positioned to make a serious run at a Super Bowl.

I think 2011 will show that Turner’s on the down slope, but he should still garner more than 1,000 yards rushing this season.

Peyton Hillis, RB

Any player who makes the cover of Madden deserves a spot on the list of exciting players.

Hillis made a name for himself last season when he rushed for a career-high 1,177 yards. There is nothing spectacular about his game, he’s just tough, gritty and gets the job done.

It will be interesting to see if Hillis can get the job done again in 2011 as more teams will key on him this season.

Hines Ward, WR

Ward is labeled as one of the dirtiest players in the league due to his blind-side blocks. He always seems to catch players off-guard.

But his smile is contagious, and that makes him likable in the eyes of many NFL fans. He’s also grimy and loves contact.

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, spectacular about Ward's game, but those hits, his smile and the way he plays make his game exciting.

Drew Brees, QB

"We are New Orleaaannnssssss!!!" is what you can hear Drew screaming in a team huddle to fire up his teammates.

Brees threw a lot of interceptions last season (22), but he threw 33 touchdowns and more than 4,600 passing yards.

Plus, he just won a Super Bowl a hot minute ago, and he’s pretty popular. Brees threw for more than 5,000 yards in 2008, and for the past three seasons, he’s had more than 30 touchdowns.

His game is fun to watch, and the offense in New Orleans can get pretty high-octane when head coach Sean Payton wants it to be.

Peyton Manning, QB

Manning’s game is static. You know what you’re going to get from him every game, and it probably includes a couple of touchdowns and more than 200 yards passing.

What’s most exciting about Manning is his pre-snap routine that includes a line of audibles, arm-flailing, and hand gestures. A lot of it is just smoke and mirrors, but it's fun to watch.

Manning’s most exciting season came in 2004 when he threw 49 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions.

Jared Allen, DE

Allen had 11 sacks last season, and for his career, he has 83. He’s a good quoter, and his rope dance after a sack was a thing of beauty.

Allen’s mullet is gone, but his personality didn’t leave with it. He’ll continue to menace opposing quarterbacks for years to come in Minnesota, and we may see Allen’s name enshrined in Canton one day.

Terrell Suggs, LB

Suggs belongs in Baltimore because his big personality fits in well. He famously wore a shirt in 2009 that read, "You bet your sweet @$$ I hate the Steelers."

He’s arrogant, physical and narcissistic—and I love watching him on Sundays.

Suggs had 11 sacks last season with 68 total tackles. He’s an intricate part of the Ravens' defense, and along with Mr. Ray Lewis, Suggs brings a great deal of character to Baltimore.

Vince Young, QB

I know he’s a backup in Philly, but Young’s record of 30 wins and 17 losses as a pro warrants consideration for him to start again in the NFL.

He’s not the most accurate guy and won’t blow you away with his arm, but Young knows how to win, and watching him navigate NFL defenses is fun—at times.

Though he’s on the bench, Young is still one of the league’s most exciting players.

Julius Peppers, DE

Peppers amassed only two sacks in 2007, and some thought his best days as a pass-rusher were behind him.

He returned the next season to total 14 sacks to prove the doubters wrong.

Peppers is in Chicago now, and while his sack total suffered last season (only eight quarterback takedowns), he’s still one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL.

Charles Woodson, DB

This photo is one of the best I've seen of Charlie Wood. It's the Super Bowl, and his body is outstretched trying to make a play on the ball.

Wood is one of my favorite NFL players, and he's becoming steeped in Packers lore with his play and love for the city of Green Bay.

He seems to belong as a Packer, and if Wood keeps playing at a high level, we may see him with his own bust in Canton.

Brian Urlacher, LB

Imagine yourself as an NFL quarterback walking up to the line preparing yourself to get under center to call the play.

You position your hands firmly under the center's butt, looking to your left and yelling your cadence.

Now you look to your right to finish up, and as soon as you're about to call hike and pull from under center, you look across the line to see Brian Urlacher staring at you with violence in his eyes.

What do you do?

Does fear overcome you to the point that you allow the play-clock to expire, or do you call hike praying to the good Lord above that the linebacker doesn't blitz to marry your face with the cold grass of Soldier field?

That's what makes Urlacher one of the 50 most exciting players in the NFL.

DeMarcus Ware, LB

Ware is the NFL's reigning sack master, as he totaled 15.5 sacks last season. Tragic thoughts must enter the minds of quarterbacks when looking across to see Ware looking at them.

Ware is entering his seventh NFL season, and there are no signs he's slowing down. He's a huge draw in Dallas, and watching him drag NFL field generals down is a thing of beauty.

Brandon Marshall, WR

No diss to Chad Henne, but any guy who can ball the way Marshall did last season deserves a spot on this list. Marshall ended up with just three touchdowns, but he had 1,014 receiving yards.

The Dolphins and fantasy owners worldwide are looking for Marshall to have a Pro Bowl-type of season, but the tall and strong receiver may struggle if the Dolphins can't figure out what's going on with their quarterback situation.

Marques Colston, WR

The 6'4" receiver out of Hofstra is one of Drew Brees' go-to targets in the N.O. Colston's a big, physical receiver who makes big catches.

There's nothing spectacular about his game, but he gets the job done, and he's good for an exciting catch every now and again.

Steven Jackson, RB

I remember when Jackson had his breakout year in 2006 where he rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 16 total touchdowns. He turned into a premier back in the league and hasn't looked back.

But the Rams aren't a great team, and Jackson kind of gets lost in the fray. He averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season, and he's probably headed toward the downside of his career.

Still, watching the dreads flow from the back of his helmet as he's beating back a linebacker or cornerback is always fun to watch.

Ray Rice, RB

Rice is another little back with a lot of heart and muscle. He's only in his fourth season and is playing for a Super Bowl contender in the Ravens.

Rice is 5'8" and 212 lbs of pure strength. If MJD is a rolling ball of butcher knives, then Rice is a bulldozer with machetes in the front.

Josh Freeman, QB

Freeman took the leap from Year 1 to Year 2 and, in 2010, proved why the Bucs trust him as their starting quarterback. Freeman threw 18 interceptions in 2009 and only six the next season.

He is fun to watch because he's young, and watching his development is why we love the NFL. A young player is leading his team, and we get to watch him get better while doing so.

Santonio Holmes, WR

Holmes seems to hug the sideline if you throw the ball in that direction. He has the toe-tap dance down to a science, and watching him do it makes you wonder if he actually practices making catches that way.

I'm sure he does, but he makes it look so easy.

The Jets' offense can look putrid at times, but knowing Holmes is only a catch away from making a spectacular sideline grab is enough for me to watch them.

Jay Cutler, QB

If watching the reaction to Jay Cutler's injured knee in last year's NFC Championship game didn't bring excitement to your day, then nothing will.

Cutler was flattened all season due to the inconsistency of his offensive line, and those hits finally caught up with him when the Bears played in the most important game of the season at that point.

I'm not a Cutler fan, but I think he has a cannon for an arm. He just always seems look as if he forgot to shower.

At any rate, Cutler's excitement comes from those NFC Championship game moments and when he decides to focus on playing, well, quarterback.

Donovan McNabb, QB

I'll admit that there is bias in here as I'm a fan of McNabb.

But with a new start as a Viking, I think he may have a very productive season. McNabb will keep the team light and on their toes—and maybe take the Vikes back the playoffs.