Which non-QB position has the hardest job in the NFL?

[Smithers]

11 hours ago, The Huddler said:

Idc about $$

 

 

theres might be a bunch of safetys a dime a dozen.   Who does it good?  A good safety is rare

 

stop using numbers and $$$.       

 

Think about out how hard an open field tackle is

Why did you ask for everyone opinions...and then continue to argue and say you don’t care about their opinion?  

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Forum moderator. 

[Smithers]

I’m gonna think outside the box and go with a running back in a read option scheme.  Hell he doesn’t have a clue what he’s going to be asked to do until the QB decides that for him

[MHS831]

Left Tackle or CB.

 

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, ECUPantherFan said:

Tight End.  You have to learn all the blocking assignments as well as the route tree.  You have to be more athletic than LB’s to get open, but strong enough to block DE’s and down-block on DT’s.  

That is hard...

This is a good thought, but if you think about it, most TEs are one dimensional

[jfra78]

11 hours ago, GoPanthers123 said:

WR, it is a pass happy league and without a deep threat well we saw what happened in the second half of the season when Cam couldn’t throw bombs. In other words a great WR who can catch balls in coverage and then make plays can make even mediocre QBs look good.

CB has harder time than WR cause WR dictates and CB reacts

[thefuzz]

Really hard to quantify.

Hardest physically, mentally, both?

I think it would depend on scheme too.  Mentally it's thought of as QB, C, MLB, S...in traditional offenses and defenses.

Corner is probably one of very hardest positions to truly be "great" at, especially in todays NFL.  QB is still very hard, even for the greats.  LT ain't shabby either, need brains, body, athleticism, strength, etc....

[nosuchthingasapanther]

hands down, cornerback...and the truth is, it's more difficult than qb.

anyone who has any type of experience with the game outside of just watching it will tell you this in a heartbeat.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

****double post. my bad.****

[SCO96]

1 hour ago, thefuzz said:

Really hard to quantify.

Hardest physically, mentally, both?

I think it would depend on scheme too.  Mentally it's thought of as QB, C, MLB, S...in traditional offenses and defenses.

Corner is probably one of very hardest positions to truly be "great" at, especially in todays NFL.  QB is still very hard, even for the greats.  LT ain't shabby either, need brains, body, athleticism, strength, etc....

Great comment, especially the line about the scheme.

If you are a RB who is required to tote the rock 25 times per game, you'll take more punishment than a back who splits carries. I believe Emmitt Smith once said getting tackled in a NFL game was the equivalent of a car crash. Tom Brady said the same thing on a late night talk show right after the loss to Philadelphia in the SB. Imagine getting hit like that almost every time you touch the ball.

The role has diminished now, but lead blocking FB's  took a beating back in the day.

A CB in a man to man scheme has a much more difficult job than a CB who primarily plays zone...although both are difficult in today's NFL because you're constantly reacting to the receiver in front of you while backpedaling.

A Safety who primarily plays center field isn't as physically challenged as the S who plays in the box and fills the enforcer role on the defense.

Some TE's primarily block, while other hardly ever do so.

One poster already mentioned the lineman on both sides. They get pummeled on every single play. We all will agree that the LT is the hardest position to play in pass protection because you have to be strong, agile, and good with your hands to handle the freak edge rushers in the game. I think a 3-4 NT is more difficult than the 4-3 tackle because your responsible for covering 2 gaps and taking a double team on every play.

The more I think about, there really isn't an "easy position" in football.  I do feel the WR's  take less physical punishment throughout the season. They take shots going over the middle, but not like they use too. The best receiver isn't going to touch the ball more than 6-7 per game. Marvin Harrison holds the reception record for a season (143). Over the course of a season that averages out to 8.9 receptions/touches per game. Some RB's get 9 carries/touches in a quarter. TO caught 20 passes in a game once, but the great backs usually touch the ball 20 times every game.

[doogy902]

Hard is a bit subjective but TE's take a long time to develop, typically. Many don't produce until their second team. Learning the passing game and blocking assignments can't be easy. Not to mention routes/blocking come against the bigger defenders on defense

[Devil Doc]

Center.. It was hard playing Center.. you have to know timing, plays, signals... it was tough

[JARROD]

Ahh the new versatile/hybrid positions like when someone is floating in and out of outside linebacker nickel or linebacker safety. 

Wide receiver is really tough too— many are versatile hybrid positions— 9 route tree, making the reads that hopefully match what the quarterback sees so you are linked to where the ball will be thrown— having to block when necessary, press coverage, making pick plays not look like pick plays, making a business decision over a competitive decision to make a tough catch or not to live another day etc.

Guys who float between multiple positions and multiple responsibilities have it the toughest— hardest to scout too— who is smart enough and yet still has enough playmaking ability

 

[Ricky Spanish]

Probably TE if we are basing it on skill-set requirements and the amount of people who can play it. That's why there's so few downright great players at that position at any given time. You are expected to understand how, who, and when to block 300lb guys, and then next play expected to know the route tree, shake a defender and catch a pass like a WR.

There are so few guys who are both big and athletic enough to play the position that they either get switched to the line or out wide by the time they're in college. You need to be a rare freak of nature to be a TE, and a smart one to boot.