OT: Current NFL players that can be GOAT at their position

[MrNathanDrake]

QB - Cam Newton - Could be the GOAT QB if he stays healthy and they get him more weapons. His talent in unreal. His potential ceiling is an even better version of Aaron Rogers. Its scary to think that last year he was just a rookie and will still improve his accuracy and football IQ. The only downfall is QB's who run are more prone to injury and tend to wear down as the season goes on.



QB - Tom Brady - That 4th ring eludes him, but 1 more SuperBowl victory and he'll be cemented as 1a or 1b with Joe Montana. He might break the all time record for playoff wins by QB this year. He's already solidified himself as "one of the best ever" but if he wins another SB he might go down as THE best ever. Still has about 3 to 4 years left in him... but he needs that 4th ring badly.



DE - Jason Pierre Paul - Has potential to be the best DE ever. Size, speed, personality, work ethic, etc. Unstoppable force that has everything needed to be the GOAT DE.



OLB/DE - DeMarcus Ware - The Gold Standard for 34 OLB's right now. He might already be the best 34 OLB ever. I think he's the only player to ever have 2 seasons with 20+ sacks. Ware has a shot to break Bruce Smiths All-time Sack record if he has enough longevity.



CB - Darelle Revis - Deion changed the way CB was played and had a lot of personality, but Revis might be the better all around Corner..... and I'm saying that as a Pats fan.


TE - Rob Gronkowski - His last season was statistically the best season by a Tight End ever. Huge target in the red zone and pulls in a lot of TD's. Breaks tackles and is also a great blocker (unlike Jimmy Graham). With his smash mouth style of play and injury history(back and ankle), the only concern is staying healthy. Broke Tight End records for touchdowns and yards last season. Was also the first Tight End to lead the league in Touchdowns.



WR - Megatron - It will be very very hard for anyone to be the GOAT WR over Jerry Rice. Megatron will need longevity, rings, and stats. But he has as good a chance as any WR.


FS - Ed Reed - already considered GOAT at his position.

MLB - Rey Lewis - already considered GOAT at his position.




Close, but will never be GOAT:


RB - Adrian Peterson - womp womp womp.... sorry AP. He had the potential when he first came in the league.... but he's already tapered off... and coming off a gruesome knee injury I don't he'll ever be able to reach GOAT status now. He's in a bad situation too, surrounded by a ****ty supporting cast that lets teams put 8 in the box.



QB - Peyton Manning - He doesn't have enough rings or playoff success. And I don't see him winning rings in Denver. When its all said and done, he might not even be remembered as the best Manning. Peyton is a Top 5 QB of all time but his window of opportunity to be THE #1 QB of all time has come and gone. Missing last season doesn't help, and there will be an adjustment period which will take him a while to get back to himself this season too. Great regular season QB, but you can't be the GOAT with just 1 ring.


WR - Randy Moss - Would've had a chance at surpassing Jerry Rice if he kept his head on straight. Lost years in Oakland and semi-retirement hurt his stats. Attitude and effort issues also hurt his stats and reputation. Will always be that guy who was "great but could've been even better". As of now he's probably the #2 WR of all time, but even if he has a great season in San Fran there's no way he'll ever be the GOAT WR.


Discuss and add your own.......

 

[Ring 6]

QB - Cam Newton - Could be the GOAT QB if he stays healthy and they get him more weapons. His talent in unreal. His potential ceiling is an even better version of Aaron Rogers. Its scary to think that last year he was just a rookie and will still improve his accuracy and football IQ. The only downfall is QB's who run are more prone to injury and tend to wear down as the season goes on.



QB - Tom Brady - That 4th ring eludes him, but 1 more SuperBowl victory and he'll be cemented as 1a or 1b with Joe Montana. He might break the all time record for playoff wins by QB this year. He's already solidified himself as "one of the best ever" but if he wins another SB he might go down as THE best ever. Still has about 3 to 4 years left in him... but he needs that 4th ring badly.



DE - Jason Pierre Paul - Has potential to be the best DE ever. Size, speed, personality, work ethic, etc. Unstoppable force that has everything needed to be the GOAT DE.



OLB/DE - DeMarcus Ware - The Gold Standard for 34 OLB's right now. He might already be the best 34 OLB ever. I think he's the only player to ever have 2 seasons with 20+ sacks. Ware has a shot to break Bruce Smiths All-time Sack record if he has enough longevity.



CB - Darelle Revis - Deion changed the way CB was played and had a lot of personality, but Revis might be the better all around Corner..... and I'm saying that as a Pats fan.


TE - Rob Gronkowski - His last season was statistically the best season by a Tight End ever. Huge target in the red zone and pulls in a lot of TD's. Breaks tackles and is also a great blocker (unlike Jimmy Graham). With his smash mouth style of play and injury history(back and ankle), the only concern is staying healthy. Broke Tight End records for touchdowns and yards last season. Was also the first Tight End to lead the league in Touchdowns.



WR - Megatron - It will be very very hard for anyone to be the GOAT WR over Jerry Rice. Megatron will need longevity, rings, and stats. But he has as good a chance as any WR.


FS - Ed Reed - already considered GOAT at his position.

MLB - Rey Lewis - already considered GOAT at his position.




Close, but will never be GOAT:


RB - Adrian Peterson - womp womp womp.... sorry AP. He had the potential when he first came in the league.... but he's already tapered off... and coming off a gruesome knee injury I don't he'll ever be able to reach GOAT status now. He's in a bad situation too, surrounded by a ****ty supporting cast that lets teams put 8 in the box.



QB - Peyton Manning - He doesn't have enough rings or playoff success. And I don't see him winning rings in Denver. When its all said and done, he might not even be remembered as the best Manning. Peyton is a Top 5 QB of all time but his window of opportunity to be THE #1 QB of all time has come and gone. Missing last season doesn't help, and there will be an adjustment period which will take him a while to get back to himself this season too. Great regular season QB, but you can't be the GOAT with just 1 ring.


WR - Randy Moss - Would've had a chance at surpassing Jerry Rice if he kept his head on straight. Lost years in Oakland and semi-retirement hurt his stats. Attitude and effort issues also hurt his stats and reputation. Will always be that guy who was "great but could've been even better". As of now he's probably the #2 WR of all time, but even if he has a great season in San Fran there's no way he'll ever be the GOAT WR.


Discuss and add your own.......

Wow, can I get some of what you are drinking?
Cam Newton GOAT? Really?

Pierre Paul, Ware? Did you watch football before 2009?

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are the GOAT at their position? I think you mean GOTD (Greatest of the Decade)

Gronk and Calvin Johnson don't even belong in the discussion for at least 7 years.

Revis is a very good corner but has to do it for A LOT longer to speak in GOAT terms.

As far as almost Peterson isn't close to the greats that have played in this league, Manning isn't the best of his era, and Moss is light years from Rice.

 

[ausbacker]

Wow, can I get some of what you are drinking?
Cam Newton GOAT? Really?

Pierre Paul, Ware? Did you watch football before 2009?

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are the GOAT at their position? I think you mean GOTD (Greatest of the Decade)

Gronk and Calvin Johnson don't even belong in the discussion for at least 7 years.

Revis is a very good corner but has to do it for A LOT longer to speak in GOAT terms.

As far as almost Peterson isn't close to the greats that have played in this league, Manning isn't the best of his era, and Moss is light years from Rice.

A lot of the time we view football from opposing opinions Andy but I support your comments here.

 

[Joker]

this thread is full of promise as far as objectivity goes...:blahblah:

 

[jbb9s]

I think Adam could be the GOAT kicker, based on accuracy and clutchness. Specifically the latter. The snowbowl kick to force OT was the best ever. Other guys have more stats but not 4 rings or 2 winning SB kicks, etc.

Other than Brady and Ray Lewis I think the rest of your suggestions are far reaching. Moss is the closest but a clear 2.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Wow, can I get some of what you are drinking?
Cam Newton GOAT? Really?

Pierre Paul, Ware? Did you watch football before 2009?

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are the GOAT at their position? I think you mean GOTD (Greatest of the Decade)

Gronk and Calvin Johnson don't even belong in the discussion for at least 7 years.

Revis is a very good corner but has to do it for A LOT longer to speak in GOAT terms.

As far as almost Peterson isn't close to the greats that have played in this league, Manning isn't the best of his era, and Moss is light years from Rice.

You obviously don't understand what "potential" means. When I talk about Newton and JPP I'm saying they have the potential to be the GOAT at their position.

Ware is already half way there. He just needs to stay healthy and even if he tapers off a bit, he's still in good position to be the GOAT 34 OLB. Could come close to Bruce Smiths all time sack record.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I think Adam could be the GOAT kicker, based on accuracy and clutchness. Specifically the latter. The snowbowl kick to force OT was the best ever. Other guys have more stats but not 4 rings or 2 winning SB kicks, etc.

Other than Brady and Ray Lewis I think the rest of your suggestions are far reaching. Moss is the closest but a clear 2.

You are right about Adam Viniateri. I forgot about Special Teams.

Devin Hester is probably the GOAT Kick Returner too.

 

[Deus Irae]

QB - Cam Newton - Could be the GOAT QB if he stays healthy and they get him more weapons. His talent in unreal. His potential ceiling is an even better version of Aaron Rogers. Its scary to think that last year he was just a rookie and will still improve his accuracy and football IQ. The only downfall is QB's who run are more prone to injury and tend to wear down as the season goes on.



QB - Tom Brady - That 4th ring eludes him, but 1 more SuperBowl victory and he'll be cemented as 1a or 1b with Joe Montana. He might break the all time record for playoff wins by QB this year. He's already solidified himself as "one of the best ever" but if he wins another SB he might go down as THE best ever. Still has about 3 to 4 years left in him... but he needs that 4th ring badly.



DE - Jason Pierre Paul - Has potential to be the best DE ever. Size, speed, personality, work ethic, etc. Unstoppable force that has everything needed to be the GOAT DE.



OLB/DE - DeMarcus Ware - The Gold Standard for 34 OLB's right now. He might already be the best 34 OLB ever. I think he's the only player to ever have 2 seasons with 20+ sacks. Ware has a shot to break Bruce Smiths All-time Sack record if he has enough longevity.



CB - Darelle Revis - Deion changed the way CB was played and had a lot of personality, but Revis might be the better all around Corner..... and I'm saying that as a Pats fan.


TE - Rob Gronkowski - His last season was statistically the best season by a Tight End ever. Huge target in the red zone and pulls in a lot of TD's. Breaks tackles and is also a great blocker (unlike Jimmy Graham). With his smash mouth style of play and injury history(back and ankle), the only concern is staying healthy. Broke Tight End records for touchdowns and yards last season. Was also the first Tight End to lead the league in Touchdowns.



WR - Megatron - It will be very very hard for anyone to be the GOAT WR over Jerry Rice. Megatron will need longevity, rings, and stats. But he has as good a chance as any WR.


FS - Ed Reed - already considered GOAT at his position.

MLB - Rey Lewis - already considered GOAT at his position.




Close, but will never be GOAT:


RB - Adrian Peterson - womp womp womp.... sorry AP. He had the potential when he first came in the league.... but he's already tapered off... and coming off a gruesome knee injury I don't he'll ever be able to reach GOAT status now. He's in a bad situation too, surrounded by a ****ty supporting cast that lets teams put 8 in the box.



QB - Peyton Manning - He doesn't have enough rings or playoff success. And I don't see him winning rings in Denver. When its all said and done, he might not even be remembered as the best Manning. Peyton is a Top 5 QB of all time but his window of opportunity to be THE #1 QB of all time has come and gone. Missing last season doesn't help, and there will be an adjustment period which will take him a while to get back to himself this season too. Great regular season QB, but you can't be the GOAT with just 1 ring.


WR - Randy Moss - Would've had a chance at surpassing Jerry Rice if he kept his head on straight. Lost years in Oakland and semi-retirement hurt his stats. Attitude and effort issues also hurt his stats and reputation. Will always be that guy who was "great but could've been even better". As of now he's probably the #2 WR of all time, but even if he has a great season in San Fran there's no way he'll ever be the GOAT WR.


Discuss and add your own.......

A lot of great unintentional comedy in that O.P.

 

[Ring 6]

You obviously don't understand what "potential" means. When I talk about Newton and JPP I'm saying they have the potential to be the GOAT at their position.

Ware is already half way there. He just needs to stay healthy and even if he tapers off a bit, he's still in good position to be the GOAT 34 OLB. Could come close to Bruce Smiths all time sack record.

I understand potential, do you understand what GOAT means?

So Ware is better than LT to you?

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I understand potential, do you understand what GOAT means?

GOAT = Greatest of All Time

So Ware is better than LT to you?

Not yet... but he might be. Ware could have another 5 years of production and may end up with more sacks than LT. He has a very realistic shot to best LT's career and be in the discussion as GOAT 34 OLB. It depends on how soon Ware's age starts kicking in (will be 30 in a few days).

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Tony Gonzalez is the GOAT TE

Gronk looks awesome but is going to need to do what he is doing now for a decade to get into Gonzalez and even Ditka's territory.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Tony Gonzalez is the GOAT TE

Gronk looks awesome but is going to need to do what he is doing now for a decade to get into Gonzalez and even Ditka's territory.

Gronkowski's 2011 season already crushed ANY season Gonzalez has ever had. Gronks 2011 rivals some of the best Wide Receivers years (17 TD's, 1300+ yards). Gonzalez has NEVER won a playoff game, and Gronk is a much better blocker too.

Gronk is only 23 years old btw. Gonzalez has had a long productive career, but Gronkowski is on another level. If he stays healthy he will easily surpass Gonzalez.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Gronkowski's 2011 season already crushed ANY season Gonzalez has ever had. Gronks 2011 rivals some of the best Wide Receivers years (17 TD's, 1300+ yards). Gonzalez has NEVER won a playoff game, and Gronk is a much better blocker too.

Gronk is only 23 years old btw. Gonzalez has had a long productive career, but Gronkowski is on another level. If he stays healthy he will easily surpass Gonzalez.

You seem to dwell on what is NOW

You have to remember Gonzalez did this consistently and VERY well for over a decade plus.

Gonzalez also caught balls from journeyman JAGs like Thigpen and Croyle for example....how will Gronk do if the next QB for the Pats doesn't work out as well?

Gronk certainly is a star in this league NOW....but it must continue for many more years to reach the upper echelon of a complete career of greatness.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

You seem to dwell on what is NOW

You have to remember Gonzalez did this consistently and VERY well for over a decade plus.

Gonzalez also caught balls from journeyman JAGs like Thigpen and Croyle for example....how will Gronk do if the next QB for the Pats doesn't work out as well?

Gronk certainly is a star in this league NOW....but it must continue for many more years to reach the upper echelon of a complete career of greatness.

this thread is not about who has had a better career up until NOW, it is about who could potentially be GOAT at their position. Gonzalez stats are already being smashed by Gronkowski. Gronk is a way better blocker, better red zone threat, better at gaining YAC, and has already had more post season success than Gonzalez.


If you lack the intuition and foresight to see that Gronkowski easily has the potential to be the GOAT Tight End... thats your fault.

 

[Ivan]

I stopped reading at Cam Newton.




Hey, did you guys know that the Eagles are going to be a dynasty?

 

[PatsBoy12]

Your list seems very limited to the present, as in the last decade or so. Sure you name dropped a few legends, but that's just not enough in talking about GOAT's. However, I like the idea of this thread and look forward to seeing what some of the other posters list. I'm too lazy to compile one myself.