Playing Every Role: Ranking the Top Positionless Players in the NFL
As the NFL moves forward with big contracts, rookie starters, and big names having big years, the idea of positionless football remains. There have been rumblings of Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter playing both offense and defense, but that is not certain yet. There are guys, though, who do play multiple positions, and although it is not on both sides of the ball, it could still be labeled “positionless.” Here are the top positionless players in all of football.
Josh Metellus, Vikings
Josh Metellus is not only a captain and special-teams superstar, but he is also a defensive chess piece that the Vikings use at every position on the field. There are a plethora of guys in the NFL who are labeled as hybrid-defenders, meaning that they have the ability and athleticism to play everywhere, but Metellus might be the best out of all of them. He was the 10th-best run-stopping safety in 2024, according to PFF, which speaks to his remarkable instincts and ability to diagnose plays before the ball is even snapped. He is the heart and soul of a blitz-heavy Brian Flores defense, a defense that is incredibly hard to gameplan for due to the versatility of their starters, headlined by Metellus.
Deebo Samuel, Commanders
Deebo Samuel’s emergence as a do-it-all offensive weapon stemmed from his great ability to make defenders miss after the catch. His 225-pound frame allows him to bounce off of tacklers, a big part of why he has started to line up in the backfield somewhat frequently over the past few seasons. He is a decent pass-protector, too, so that allows him to play as a runner on third down, along with obvious passing situations. His move to Washington should be seamless, as he’s entering a WR room with proven guys like Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, both of whom will most definitely benefit from the ex-Gamecock’s versatility.
Scott Matlock, Chargers
A defensive tackle-turned fullback, Scott Matlock is a phenomenal lead blocker for whoever is running behind him. A punch in the face and a helmet to the chest steer linebackers and safeties away from oncoming backs, and this will benefit new Chargers RBs Najee Harris and first-round rookie Omarion Hampton. Matlock is also used on goal-line plays, as his sheer size gets him into the endzone alone. If he can improve and see more defensive reps, he could be recognized as one of the most unique players in the NFL.
Brian Branch, Lions
Brian Branch plays all over the football field and possesses the most impressive sideline-to-sideline speed out of anyone in the NFL. His pursuit when tackling is elite, but it does not take away from how good he is in coverage, too. He is a hard-nosed, big-hitting strong safety who will run over anyone in his path despite his sub-200-pound frame. He is just one part of a tremendous Lions safety group, but his versatility and well-rounded game just take this Detroit defense to another level.
