Devin Hester and the 7 Most Exciting Players in the NFL Right Now

Throughout the history of the NFL, we have seen a number of exciting players including Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, Walter Payton and more.  

In recent years, it seems as though there are more players that keep making the game more exciting. 

So as we roll into week five of the 2011 NFL season, I decided to preview the most exciting players so far. 

This list includes players who have made amazing plays on offense, defense, special teams, with their legs and more.  

These are the players who have left you speechless in this early NFL season. Here are the seven most exciting players right now.

Cam Newton

Isn’t there an element of excitement every time Cam Newton has the ball in his hands? 

Arms, strength, running ability and charisma are all things we love from players, and Cam is giving us all of that in his first NFL season. 

Cam Newton brings the excitement that he brought at the college level to the NFL.

Although he hasn’t won a game, he has been passing for a crazy amount of yards. Nobody would have thought that he could have grasp the NFL passing game as fast as he’s had. 

In his first two NFL games, Cam threw two consecutive 400-yard games for a rookie record. 

What sets Cam apart is that he is able to shrug defenders off like flies and take off running for touchdowns.

Cam will have his ups and downs throughout this season, but every time he has the ball in his hands, I am stuck staring in excitement.

Troy Polamalu

You can’t describe the things that safety Troy Polamalu brings to a game, and this season is no different. 

This season Troy has been all over the field leading the team in tackles and assisted tackles. 

Offensive coordinators have to scheme against Troy Polamalu each game because he is a game changer.

Against the Colts, Polamalu rushed and jumped in the face of quarterback Curtis Painter causing a fumble and recovering it for a touchdown. These are the type of plays that he brings, and it can happen on any play. 

Polamalu plays as though he is in the wild preying for his next kill.

Wes Welker

He’s not very big or tall, but when he gets the ball, Welker knows what to do with it.

Have you ever seen another player not named Jerry Rice with such precise route running ability? I don’t think I have.

It is really remarkable what Welker is doing in the first four games of the season. He has 40 receptions, 616 yards and five touchdowns. Most players would be happy to have those stats for the season.  

The thing with Welker is that he gets most of his yards after the catch. He has a total of 227 yards after the catch. The next guy is Mike Wallace at 149 yards.  

The guy knows what to do after he catches the ball as evident from the 99 yards touchdown reception in the week opener against Miami. 

He is the type of guy you root for on the field because he’s small, and he is also the type of player that gets you jumping off the couch screaming for excitement.  

This season will be Wes Welker’s best season.

Calvin Johnson

Megatron is an absolute beast. He is too tall and strong for anyone to guard him. 

In the miraculous comeback against the Cowboys, quarterback Matthew Stafford had no one to throw the ball to, but instead of throwing it out of bounds, he decides to throw it to a covered Calvin Johnson. Did I mention that he was covered by three Cowboys defenders?

Of course, Megatron came down for the touchdown and made the defenders look like ants. 

If I were opposing teams about to play the Lions, I would sign Lebron James and Dwight Howard for that game to guard Johnson. He probably would still catch the ball over them.

Calvin Johnson has caught two touchdowns in each of his first four games for a total of eight touchdowns. That is more then Randy Moss’ 2007 record-breaking season.

Expect a lot of touchdowns from the exciting Megatron.

Aaron Rodgers

The man who holds the championship belt. Aaron Rodgers is an unbelievable quarterback.  

He has the ability to breakdown defenses, and the arm to throw in any tight window. Although he might not be able to run and dash like the electrifying Michael Vick, Rodgers can run and has done it really well this season.

Against the Denver Broncos, Rodgers became the only player in history to throw for 400 yards, pass four touchdowns and rush for two touchdowns.   

This season, Aaron Rodgers has been the most exciting quarterback because of what he is able to do with his arm and legs. 

He continues to improve every game, and with great weapons surrounding him, look for Rodgers to do some more spectacular things.

Darren McFadden

In Darren McFadden’s fourth NFL season, he has finally figured out how to be a running back in the NFL.  

He is picking the right moments to explode and use his ridiculous 4.33 speed. He leads the league in breaking away for more then 20 yards a carry. He is able to stay on the field on third downs because of his receiving ability. 

For years, many have drawn comparisons to the great Adrian Peterson, and this year McFadden has lived up to it. He is leading the league in rushing and has his fair share of explosive plays. 

Against the Jets, McFadden took a hand off outside and sprinted for a 70-yard touchdown making the Jets defenders look very slow. 

Darren McFadden finally understands the NFL game and will continue to bring excitement to league and Raider Nation.

Devin Hester

He could quite possibly be the most exciting player in NFL History with his speed and uncanny ability to take a punt or kickoff return to the house.  

Although he hasn’t quite grasp the wide receiver position and I don’t believe he ever will, Hester always finds a way to explode for a lot of yards when the ball is in his hands.  

This year on punt and kickoff returns, Hester is averaging 25 yards per return, which is really ridiculous giving the Bear’s offense great field position on almost every play.  

Against the Packers in Week 3, the Hester received so much attention on a punt return that Johnny Knox, who actually received the punt had a clear lane to the end zone. Although this play was called back, it was an exciting play where Hester was involved, but didn’t even touch the ball. That is how much teams are scared of him. 

When you can win games because of a player like Devin Hester on special teams, then you know how important and special he is. 

When it is all said and done, Hester will go down as the best special teams player ever and probably the most exciting player to play the game.

As the season progresses, I am sure other players will make this list including Michael Vick, Chris Johnson, DeSean Jackson and Adrian Peterson. 

Going into Week 5, the players on this list have proven to be exciting, and I am sure they will continue it throughout the season.