In the NFL, two-way players are a rare breed. With modern football’s specialization, where offensive and defensive players typically stick to their sides of the ball, the concept of a player excelling on both sides is almost unheard of today. Historically, two-way players were more common during the one-platoon era, but today, their presence is exceptional and often raises concerns about potential injuries from overuse.
This article will spotlight the top 10 NFL players to watch over the next five years, with two-way skills who have the potential to shine in the coming years. Let’s explore players at various stages of their careers, from promising newcomers to seasoned veterans.
Take A Look At The Two-Way Standouts Currently Making Headlines
10. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Travis Hunter turned heads in the college football recruiting world when he committed to Jackson State University to play for Deion Sanders as the top prospect in his class. Hunter played as a two-way player, cornerback, and wide receiver, and he continued his two-way role performance after following Sanders to Colorado. Moreover, The 26-year-old, in his inaugural season with the Buffaloes, amassed 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns while also contributing 30 tackles, three interceptions, and five passes defensed.
As Colorado joins the Big 12, Hunter has earned a spot on the preseason All-Conference team as a defensive back. He’ll become a high NFL draft pick and excel in multiple roles, akin to Troy Brown’s impact on the Patriots in 2004. Hunter’s athleticism and ball skills will make him a standout cornerback, and his versatility will enhance his legendary status.
9. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
This 23-year-old emerges as a key young player to watch five years into the future. Though he has yet to play a single college game, the Ohio State freshman is already generating buzz as a potential star. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 200 pounds, Smith led Chaminade-Madonna Prep to an unbeaten 14-0 season and secured a third consecutive state title. His stats—88 catches for 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2023—are impressive. Smith is the first wide receiver ever ranked No. 1 in the Top247 rankings since 2010.
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Smith also made a notable impact during spring practice at Ohio State, becoming the first newcomer to have the black stripe removed from his helmet. It will be exciting to see if he makes an immediate impact at Ohio State, a school renowned for producing top wide receivers.
8. Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
Many prominent sites have recognized Sauce Gardner as the top cornerback in the NFL, having allowed the fewest yards per target (4.6) over the last two seasons. The Cincinnati product led the league with 20 passes defensed in his rookie year, recording 75 tackles and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. This 29-year-old is among the few cornerbacks to make the Pro Bowl in both of his first two seasons and the first to be named First Team All-Pro in both seasons since Dick Harris in 1961.
7. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in all three NFL seasons, including a standout rookie year with 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. In the most recent season, despite Joe Burrow’s injury, Chase caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. Chase, aged 29, is one of the premier receivers in the NFL, poised to secure a significant contract soon. His partnership with Burrow, who he also played with at LSU, promises to be a dynamic combination for years.
6. Joe Alt, OT, Los Angeles Chargers
In the recent draft, the 26-year-old Joe Alt was selected as No. 5 overall. The Notre Dame product stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 321 pounds. He earned the highest overall PFF grade (90.7) among FBS offensive linemen last season and allowed only one sack on 740 pass-blocking snaps over two years. Alt also recorded the fastest speed for an offensive lineman in the first five yards of the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine over the last two combines, clocking in at 14.14 miles per hour.
Despite not yet playing an NFL game, Alt appears destined to become an elite offensive tackle for over a decade, following in the footsteps of his father, a first-round pick and Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer.
5. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
Stroud had a remarkable rookie season, completing 63.9% of his passes for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He led the league with 273.9 passing yards per game and a 1.0% interception rate. This 27-year-old’s record-breaking TD-INT ratio against winning teams and his achievement as the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game underscore his potential. Having transformed from worst to first in the AFC South, the Texans look to be strong contenders if Stroud continues his stellar performance.
Also read: 5 Biggest Winners Of The 2024 NFL Offseason…And The 5 Biggest Losers
4. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Entering 2024, Joe Burrow’s health remains a concern, given his history of season-ending injuries. However, these worries will fade if he delivers an MVP-worthy performance in 2024. The 32-year-old former No. 1 overall pick is renowned for his football intelligence and could continue to excel if he stays healthy. His potential to age gracefully as a top quarterback makes him a critical two-way player to watch.
3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
30-year-old Jefferson remains the best wide receiver in the NFL now. Despite missing seven games due to injury in 2023, he averaged a career-high 107.4 receiving yards per game and finished among the top 20 in receiving yards. Jefferson has amassed the most receiving yards in a player’s first four NFL seasons (5,899) and holds the record for the highest receiving yards per game in NFL history (98.3).
2. Micah Parsons, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys
Parsons, already an elite pass rusher, continues to improve. In his third NFL season, Parsons recorded a career-high 14 sacks, 64 combined tackles, 33 QB hits, and 18 tackles for loss. He led the NFL in pressures with 103 and had the highest pass-rush win rate among edge defenders (35%). At 30, with his athleticism and versatility, Parsons is set to be a dominant force for years to come despite having played only 50 NFL games.
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes remains the top two-way player in 2024 and could still be the leading player in 2029 at age 34. If Mahomes can lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory in 2023, he can achieve similar feats in any year. Already a Hall of Famer and potentially on track to surpass Tom Brady as the greatest quarterback of all time, Mahome’s ability to influence the outcome of games makes him a standout player for the foreseeable future.
