5 NFL Players Who Played Both Offense and Defense

NFL Players are undoubtedly some of the most talented and dedicated athletes in the world. They possess an abundance of skills and heightened strength that is beyond admirable. NFL Players dedicate their entire lives to playing the sport, which is why we often see players play in vastly unnatural positions. 

As the NFL continues to introduce bigger rosters, playing on both sides of the ball is becoming less frequent. However, there are some NFL stars that do play on both sides of the ball. Thus, I have outlined the top five offensive and defensive players in this article. After reading, you should check out FanDuel for the best NFL odds.

Adoree Jackson

Adoree plays for the New York Giants and is a more recent example of an NFL player that can play both offense and defense. Jackson has spent more of his career as a cornerback, having developed as a running back with the Tennessee Titans. However, since then, he has split far less time playing offense, preferring to focus on his return game and playing cornerback.

Jackson has become renowned for being one of the most beloved players in the league. Despite the fact that he has spent far less time playing in an offensive position, most NFL players are aware of his distinctively unique ability to play in both offensive and defensive positions. Thus, Jackson has become a role model for young players who want to enhance their skill set and their overall game. 

Mike Vrabel

Mike Vrabel has spent time playing in both positions during his NFL career. He was a linebacker for the New England Patriots and collected 57.0 career sacks overall. He also played as a red zone threat for Tom Brady while at New England as well as playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Between 2002-2010, Vrabel managed to establish an impressive stat line when playing in an offensive position, totalling 10 receptions, 14 yards, and 10 touchdowns. These stats alone prove the level of skill possessed by Vrabel, and this showcases his level of dedication to the game. 

Julian Edelman

Julian Edelman is Vrabel’s former teammate at the New England Patriots. Edelman also spent a vast amount of time playing on both sides of the ball. He has had a significant impact when playing in both positions. He is renowned for being one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets during their time at the Patriots, racking up nearly 7000 yards and 36 touchdowns during his career.

When playing defense, Edelmen was also outstanding, recovering from a fumble in order to touchdown against the New York Jets. This is one of the most defining moments in Edelmen’s career as it showcased how he was able to play effortlessly on both sides of the ball, making him a standout player within the league. 

Randy Moss

Randy Moss is arguably the best receiver in the history of the NFL. He has been known to be menacing when playing both offensive and defensive positions. He has also spent an abundance of time playing as a defender, usually as part of the New England Patriots. Moss amassed a total of 15,292 receiving yards and 156 touchdowns throughout his career.

Despite being renowned for playing offense, he managed to catch an incredible interception during the Patriot’s loss to the Denver Broncos in 2009. Thus, he has proven himself to be a player that excels in both positions.

J.J Watt

J.J Watt has righteously and rightfully established himself as a Football Hall of Fame. Watt was utterly unplayable at his peak. He has won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year on three occasions, as well as making numerous Pro Bowls. He recorded 102.0 sacks during the 2021 season.

While playing with the Houston Texans, Watt began to emerge as a goalie threat during 2014. He managed to catch three touchdown passes against the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns. Thus, he has established himself as an infamous player who can play on both sides of the ball.

Conclusion

To conclude, this article has outlined five of the top NFL Players who are able to play in both offensive and defensive positions. These athletes are uniquely special as it is not easy to play in a position that is not your regular starting position. However, if you have the potential to do so, you also have the potential to establish yourself alongside these legends.

Due to the sheer influx of talent into the NFL, it is not as common to see players playing on both sides of the ball anymore. However, that does not mean that it is not beneficial to train players in other positions. While these players maintained their focus on their main position, they also expanded their skillset to be able to make touchdowns and interceptions during crucial moments of the game.

The ability for these NFL Players to play on both sides of the ball just proves that athletes have no limitations so long as they are dedicated to their craft and have the strength to carry out their position. I hope that you have found this article to be insightful and informative. Thank you for reading

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2 Replies to “5 NFL Players Who Played Both Offense and Defense”

  1. I immediately scrolled down to the bottom of this article. To see if you mentioned The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. So I guess it’s just my opinion that the movie is the first thing that anyone would think of, when they see this kind of headline.

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