You can make a case for a rich collection of players here, such as
Ezekiel Elliott,
David Johnson,
Julio Jones and a defensive terror like
Khalil Mack of the Silver and Black. I can't get past
Odell Beckham, though, when it comes to pure explosion. At full health, he's the most dominating playmaker at his position and a one-man show able to win his matchup against any cover man in the league. He's shown his freaky abilities on tape time after time and that won't change come September.
I'm picking a player who current NFL players put high up on
NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2017" list.
Julio Jones can do it all. He's big (6-foot-3, 220 pounds), fast and can make virtually ANY play when the ball is thrown his way. He epitomizes the word explosive. The guy's a freak.
My choice is
DeSean Jackson in his role as one of the best deep-ball receivers we've ever seen. There are a number of great receivers, such as
Julio Jones,
Odell Beckham,
T.Y. Hilton, who have great speed and quickness. But when Jackson wants to put his foot in the ground and take off deep, there is nobody better. The last three years he's averaged 20.9, 17.6 and 17.9 yards per catch with a team that has not emphasized getting him the ball down field.
I'm throwing a curveball here.
Bobby Wagner probably covers more ground than any inside linebacker in the league. He's a pass rusher. He can cover. And when he gets there, he delivers some of the hardest hits. Because of his speed, ability to get off blocks or make blocks and the plays he makes, he's the most explosive player to me.
Antonio Brown is so quick out of his breaks, and that's what makes the best receivers in my opinion. I would take him over anybody, including
Julio Jones. Brown's ability to separate is bar none, and that's the definition of explosiveness for me as a former NFL quarterback.
