Top 25 NFL Players Who Must Be Double Teamed

Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White and Jerry Rice were three of the NFL's most unstoppable forces 20-plus years back.

Today, there are talented individuals on both offense and defense that require more two men in order to limit the havoc they can wreck on the gridiron.

These are players who because of their speed and/or strength can cause so much attention that it opens up opportunities for their teammates to make plays.

Jared Allen

His team may be below average, but Allen is far from it.

The Minnesota Vikings' star defensive end has already surpassed last year's sack total of 11 with 12.5 so far in this season's eight contests, which leads the NFL.

For his career, which began in 2004, Allen's 95.5 are the most of any player during that span.

Julius Peppers

Peppers has been a consistent pass-rusher with an average of 10 sacks over the past seven seasons and eight interceptions since his career began in 2002.

The former Carolina Panther and current Chicago Bear has represented his club in the Pro Bowl on six occasions, most recently in 2010 after an eight-sack, 54-tackle campaign.

Peppers' sack total after seven games in 2011 is only at four, but all signs point to that increasing significantly considering his consistent production.

DeMarcus Ware

Ever since coming out of Troy University seven years ago, Ware is at the top of the list when it comes to dominant pass-rushers in the NFL.

At least 10 sacks in a season is a mortal lock for Dallas Cowboys defensive end. He has reached double digits in that department in each of the previous six seasons, including 12.0 already in 2011. His high water mark came in 2008, when he tied Derrick Thomas for the sixth-most sacks in a season in league history with 20.

Ware is a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time member of the All-Pro First Team (with many more sure to come).

Calvin Johnson

You can put two defensive backs on Calvin Johnson, and it's likely that he'll still make the opposing defense look silly thanks to a great leaping ability and a 6'5" body.

The fifth-year receiver out of Georgia Tech has gotten better with each pro season, with 2011 being his most productive of all.

As the Detroit Lions are on the rise, Johnson has made the passing game formidable with 11 touchdowns at the halfway point. He is one score short of tying his career high and is also on pace to break personal records for both receptions and receiving yards.

Mike Wallace

While Calvin Johnson can best secondaries mainly with his size and strength, Mike Wallace is visual proof that speed kills.

After running a 4.33 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine, Wallace was on the fast track to success. He reached the 2010 Pro Bowl by leading the league with seven 100-yard receiving games.

Through Week 8 of this season, Wallace was the recipient of five TD catches and 800 yards through the air.

Good luck keeping up with him.

Dwight Freeney

With Peyton Manning in street clothes, Freeney and the Colts have suffered a miserable 2011.

However, the Indy DE is still on pace to get 25 tackles and 10 sacks.

The 10-year veteran isn't as much of a force as he was before, when he recorded 40 sacks in his first three seasons and 13.5 in 2009. But he can still pose problems for quarterbacks.

Freeney's presence has allowed the likes of Robert Mathis to often receive a single blocker, giving him more chances to get to the quarterback.

Haloti Ngata

Ngata was the No. 12 overall pick and has has yet to disappoint as one of the Baltimore Ravens' defensive lineman.

His size should force offensive lines to put two blockers on him. But since the Ravens defense has so many weapons, Ngata occasionally is left in an one-on-one situation. That gives him the chance to plug running lanes and also get to the quarterback.

In 2010, he posted a career-high 5.5 sacks and earned his second Pro Bowl selection. This year, he has already forced two fumbles.

Andre Johnson

Injuries have temporarily put Andre Johnson's production on hold. But when he is on the field, he is potent pass-catcher for quarterback Matt Schaub.

He set a career-best in receptions in 2006 (103) and had his best receiving yard-producing campaign back in 2008 (1,575). For his career, Johnson has reached pay dirt on 52 occasions.

Larry Fitzgerald

Calvin Johnson's superb timing of jumps to catch the pigskin can be matched only by the 6'3" Larry Fitzgerald.

Even without reliable quarterback play in the last year-and-a-half, Fitzgerald's numbers haven't diminished much. In the Super Bowl season of 2008, he had his best year. The statistics included 96 catches, 12 touchdowns and a league-best 1,431 yards.

Last season, the five-time Pro Bowler possessed 90 passes and accumulated 1,137 yards.

Mario Williams

Mario Williams or Reggie Bush? It's a no-brainer now.

The Texans chose wisely, and have reaped the benefits to the tune of 192 tackles and 53 sacks in just over six seasons.

Prior to a season-ending injury in Week 5 against Oakland, Williams had five sacks and a forced fumble in his first season at linebacker. He had spent the remainder of his pro career as a defensive end.

Regardless of where he plays, Williams will continue to be a force in the Houston Texans' defense when he returns to the field.

Greg Jennings

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had many targets to throw to in his multi-faceted air attack. The best of them all is Jennings. 

He rose to the status of elite wideout with a fourth-place ranking in receiving yards and a tie for second in TD catches. The biggest stage of them all didn't faze Jennings, either, as he recorded 64 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Packers' Super Bowl XLV triumph.

Currently, he leads the team in receptions 42 as well as touchdowns with five.

Ndamukong Suh

There isn't a more intimidating player in the league.

Ndamukong Suh has established this reputation in rapid fashion.

The 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year broke into the pro ranks with a flourish, recording 66 tackles and 10 sacks.

Offensive lines better put multiple people on him, because Suh's nature is to inflict pain on the opposing quarterback.

Jake Long

There is always a great risk in taking a player No. 1 overall with the potential for one to be a complete bust (i.e. JaMarcus Russell).

But Jake Long is unlikely to ever fall into that category. He's made the Pro Bowl three straight times and will certainly become a regular in Hawaii.

The top selection by the Miami Dolphins in 2008, Long hasn't missed a game since taking his talents to South Beach. And his stay on the field has been a productive one, as he has never allowed more than six sacks in a single season.

Brian Orakpo

Orakpo's impact on the Redskins defense was felt right away. The outside linebacker finished his rookie season of 2009 with 11 sacks and 37 tackles and was elected to the Pro Bowl as a reserve.

The 2010 campaign proved to be yet another trip to the NFL's all-star game, thanks to 8.5 more sacks.

The pairing of Orakpo and rookie Ryan Kerrigan has the potential to be the best young pass-rushing duos in football. 

LaMarr Woodley

Physical ailments are the only thing that can stop Woodley.

When fully healthy, he is the best pass-rushing linebacker in the business. That statement has been proven so far this year with his nine sacks.

In his only Pro Bowl season of 2009, 62 tackles and 13.5 were the highlights of his stat line.

Jimmy Graham

It's almost unfair to give Drew Brees another player he can throw to, especially if it's a 6'6" player like Graham.

This recent addition to the "must double-team" list is in his second professional season since his playing days at the University of Miami in both football and basketball.

He is currently in the midst of his breakout year as the Saints' tight end. Graham leads all players at his position with 49 catches and 713 yards to go along with his five touchdowns.

Cameron Wake

There's probably no more overlooked pass-rusher than Wake.

But he has to be used to being underappreciated.

For a player who has recorded 19 sacks since the start of last season, Wake was undrafted in 2005 coming out of the haven for linebackers known as Penn State. He spent two years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) before starring for the Miami Dolphins.

Charles Johnson

After the lockout was lifted in late July, Johnson was re-signed by the Carolina Panthers to a six-year $72 million ($32 million guaranteed) contract.

At first, that appeared like a steep price to pay for their defensive end.

Right now, it appears to be money well spent. Johnson has filled the void of Julius Peppers with 11.5 sacks and 62 tackles in 2010. He has followed that up with seven sacks in the Panthers' first eight games.

Jason Pierre-Paul

The 4.5 sacks that Pierre-Paul posted in his rookie year has been improved on significantly in 2011.

To date, the South Florida product is credited with 8.5 in the sack department along with 35 tackles and four passes defended.

At just 22 years of age, Pierre-Paul is only getting better...and harder to contain.

Osi Umenyiora

While Pierre-Paul is a recent sack master, teammate Osi Umenyiora is an established force.

It'll be tough to duplicate his 2005 season, one that saw him get 14.5 sacks and 70 tackles.

The 2010 season wasn't too bad either. Umenyiora had 11.5 sacks as well as a staggering 10 forced fumbles.

Jordan Gross

When your prized asset is an on-the-rise quarterback, you'd best have some protection for him.

The Carolina Panthers are doing just fine with that, due to the talents of their left tackle. Gross is a two-time Pro Bowl member and in 2008 was a First Team All-Pro selection.

This year, Gross has led an offensive line that has protected Cam Newton well enough that he has time to develop as a passer.

Jason Babin

Arguably, the most important addition by the Philadelphia Eagles in their whirlwind offseason spending spree was Babin.

The former Tennessee Titan is tied for third in the NFL with nine sacks and has also recorded 22 tackles.

This is a extension of what the 31-year-old did in 2010, which was get 12.5 sacks and 58 tackles. Both of those stats are miles ahead from he previously put forth in his pro career.

Vince Wilfork

It's hard not to miss the 325-pound nose tackle. It's also not hard to see the talents he brings to the New England Patriots. In playing both defensive tackle and defensive end last year, Wilfork totaled 57 tackles and reached his third Pro Bowl.

This season, he has made the first two interceptions of his career.

Chris Clemons

Since joining the NFL in 2004, Clemons has worn the uniforms of four different teams—and he is having the most success with his current club.

Even though he's only spent a little over a year as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, his immediate impact has been tremendous: 16 sacks and 70 tackles.

Clemons had been a consistent performer on defense prior to 2010, but last year helped his quality rating improve significantly.

Trent Cole

An injury kept Trent Cole out for a couple weeks this season, but he returned last Sunday night with a sack of Tony Romo in the Philadelphia Eagles' 34-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Birds' defensive end has proven to be consistent on their line, with at least 10 sacks in each of the past four seasons.

An improved secondary should give Cole additional freedom in having more shots at pursuing the quarterback.