Top 10 versatile NFL players

theScore's NFL Top 10 is a two-week series in which editors take a look at football's best, worst, and most interesting players, highlighting everything from the overpaid to the most versatile and marketable.

Top 10 NFL Series
Journeymen	Under 6-feet tall
Versatile	Never scored TD (Jun. 21)
Overpaid (Jun. 22)	Ringless vets (Jun. 25)
Born outside U.S. (Jun. 26)	Small school (Jun. 27)
Undrafted (Jun. 28)	Marketable (Jun. 29)

The NFL will generally have a home for any player who can do at least one thing extremely well. However, a select few are able to do whatever is asked of them - in any system, and in any matchup. Here's a look at the 10 most versatile players in the NFL ahead of the 2018 season:

10. Lane Johnson, OT, Eagles

After missing 10 games due to suspension in 2016, Johnson earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his first full season protecting the mobile Carson Wentz. The 6-foot-6, 317-pound lineman ranked as one of the top offensive tackles in both run and pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus. His athleticism and ability to move around while typically matching up against the opposition's best edge rusher gave Wentz and the running backs time to escape while rushing to the outside.

9. Matt Stafford, QB, Lions

When it comes to quarterbacks, versatility can have a different meaning as none of the NFL's passers line up and contribute at other positions. Russell Wilson and Cam Newton may come to mind due to their running ability, but if versatility is defined as the ability to adapt, there's no quarterback who fits the bill more than Stafford. While cycling through different targets, protectors, and coaches without ever having a dependable rushing attack to lean on, Stafford's ability to constantly change his throwing angle while operating within the pocket or on the run has kept the Lions in the hunt each year. And if he really needed to, he could probably line up as a receiver, too.

8. Adoree' Jackson, CB, Titans

An excellent returner of both punts and kickoffs, Jackson also gained 55 yards on five rushing attempts when used on offense in 2017. Meanwhile, the rookie corner was quick to the ball all over the field on defense, forcing three fumbles with 17 passes defensed, and leading all Titans defensive backs with 1,258 snaps played, according to Football Outsiders.

7. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

"Complete" may be the better word to describe Gronkowski, but given the lack of tight ends who can block as well as they can catch, he deserves credit for being versatile. When the 29-year-old hauls in a one-handed catch between a safety and a linebacker it's easy to forget that he's also perhaps the most feared skill-position blocker in the NFL. Gronkowski loves getting physical as a receiver and a blocker while possessing an absurd combination of size and strength that makes him a nightmare to defend.

6. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints

Unlike most change-of-pace or receiving backs, Kamara kept defenses guessing when it came to his usage on the field last season. The Offensive Rookie of the Year led the league with 6.1 yards per attempt on 120 carries and caught 81 of 100 targets. Kamara's range of skills and his lack of a weakness helped keep the Saints' offense perfectly balanced.

5. Fletcher Cox, DT, Eagles

A man that big is not supposed to move like Cox does. The 310-pound Pro Bowler flies around the backfield like a much lighter defensive end while bull-rushing offensive linemen into quarterback's laps. He's the leader of the Eagles' defensive line, which posted top marks in rushing defense and quarterback pressures in 2017 as Cox amassed 5.5 sacks and 50 pressures.

4. David Johnson, RB, Cardinals

Johnson's 2017 season came to an end after just 11 carries and six receptions in Week 1. However, his pre-injury workload seemed to be following suit of his league-leading 2,118 yards from scrimmage and 20 combined receiving and rushing touchdowns from his sophomore 2016 campaign. Johnson could be asked to take on an even bigger role for the Cardinals in 2018, as he'll likely be asked to help lessen the load for either Sam Bradford or Josh Rosen as the team's best option on the ground and through the air.

3. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

At 6-foot-1, Donald often has a natural leverage advantage over anyone who tries to put hands on him, but that's not the first thing that jumps out about his game. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year can do everything and has a rare combination of speed, power, and technique. He could play as an edge rusher if that position didn't move him 3 yards further from the quarterback's face, but why bother when he can get pressure straight up the middle, anyway?

2. Tyrann Mathieu, S, Texans

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien took many by surprise when he said he wanted the team's marquee free-agent addition to focus on playing safety. Mathieu had been used all over the defensive side of the ball with the Cardinals, often playing a hybrid safety-corner-linebacker role. His speed and awareness allowed him to rack up 307 tackles, 11 interceptions, 41 passes defensed, four sacks, and four forced fumbles over five years in the desert.

1. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers

Last season, Bell became the second running back to rank among the top 10 players in the league in catches (85) since 2011. And after he averaged 5.93 catches per game over the last two seasons, it feels odd to even call Bell a running back at this point. He plays in every situation for the Steelers, with only Ben Roethlisberger and three linemen racking up more offensive snaps last year than Bell, who skipped the season finale. Aside from his prowess as a pass-catcher and a blocker, Bell can adapt any running play to best suit his patient style, waiting for holes to open behind blockers or bursting toward daylight.

Top 10 NFL Series
Journeymen	Under 6-feet tall
Versatile	Never scored TD (Jun. 21)
Overpaid (Jun. 22)	Ringless vets (Jun. 25)
Born outside U.S. (Jun. 26)	Small school (Jun. 27)
Undrafted (Jun. 28)	Marketable (Jun. 29)

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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