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Most intimidating players in the NFL

Most intimidating players in the NFL.

 
1 of 25

Allen Bailey, DE, Chiefs

Allen Bailey, DE, Chiefs
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Listed at 6-3, 278 pounds, Bailey's physique and strength are as intimidating as any player in the NFL. He's had 9.5 sacks over the last two seasons for K.C.

 
2 of 25

Michael Bennett, DE, Seahawks

Michael Bennett, DE, Seahawks
Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today Sports Images

Bennett is just hitting his stride for the Seahawks, with a career-high 10 sacks last season and a Pro Bowl appearance. His aggressive play makes him one of the defensive linemen that quarterbacks fear most.

 
3 of 25

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Stew Milne / USA Today Sports Images

Just ask Patriots offensive players what happens when they make a mistake in Brady's presence. Brady strives for perfection from himself and his teammates, and he's often willing to confront teammates and coaches if he doesn't get it.

 
4 of 25

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Bengals

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Bengals
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Widely considered one of the dirtiest players in the NFL, Burfict is set to sit out the first three games of the season after concussing Antonio Brown during Cincinnati's playoff matchup last season. It's not his first run-in with NFL discipline, and it's a safe bet that it won't be his last.

 
5 of 25

Kam Chancellor, S, Seahawks

Kam Chancellor, S, Seahawks
Troy Wayrynen / USA Today Sports Images

Chancellor is one of the biggest defensive backs in football, standing at 6-3, 232 pounds, and also one of the heaviest hitters. Wide receivers are hesitant to cross the middle of the field with Chancellor ready to make a big hit.

 
6 of 25

Brian Cushing, LB, Texans

Brian Cushing, LB, Texans
Raymond Carlin III / USA Today Sports Images

Cushing is one of the most intimidating linebackers in the league for his hyper streak. His past PED suspension in 2010 hasn't made him any less intimidating.

 
7 of 25

Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

Aaron Donald, DT, Rams
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

One of the most fierce defensive linemen in football, Donald has made quite an impact in two seasons. He has 20 sacks over that time and has been nearly impossible for opposing teams to stop.

 
8 of 25

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

Standing at 6-6, 265 pounds, Gronk is every defensive back's worst nightmare. If it wasn't tough enough to keep the ball out of hands, Gronkowski is quite a task to tackle. As a result, defensive backs have commonly gone for Gronkowski's legs, causing multiple injuries to the tight end.

 
9 of 25

James Harrison, LB, Steelers

James Harrison, LB, Steelers
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Harrison still intimidates as he gets closer to age 40 and has 10.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He's been on the receiving end of several fines from the NFL office for his play, which is considered dirty by some evaluators.

 
10 of 25

Richie Incognito, OG, Bills

Richie Incognito, OG, Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

Incognito was considered one of the dirtiest players in football early in his career with the Rams, often drawing unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. He became a household name when he was involved in the Dolphins bullying scandal in 2013 but successfully made a return with Buffalo last season.

 
11 of 25

James Laurinaitis, LB, Saints

James Laurinaitis, LB, Saints
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Laurinaitis is the son of former pro wrestler Animal from the Road Warriors, and some of the wrestling showmanship has rubbed off. He had more than 650 tackles in seven seasons with the Rams and hopes to rebound this season with the Saints.

 
12 of 25

Kyle Long, OT, Bears

Kyle Long, OT, Bears
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The son of former Raiders defensive end and Fox analyst Howie Long, Kyle has established himself as one of the more vicious offensive linemen in his three seasons with Chicago.

 
13 of 25

Clay Matthews, LB, Packers

Clay Matthews, LB, Packers
Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today Sports Images

Matthews doesn't look too intimidating as a product pitchman, but he certainly does on the field. The long-haired third-generation NFLer flies around the field and has 67.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Packers.

 
14 of 25

Stephen Paea, DE, Redskins

Stephen Paea, DE, Redskins
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Arguably the strongest man in the NFL, Paea had the second most bench press reps in the history of the NFL combine (49). He grew up as a rugby player in Tonga and has 13.5 sacks in five seasons.

 
15 of 25

Julius Peppers, DE, Packers

Julius Peppers, DE, Packers
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

The second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Peppers is still going strong in the NFL. He had 10.5 sacks for the Packers last season and usually stands out as one of the biggest men on the field at 6-6, 283 pounds.

 
16 of 25

Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings

Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

A four-time All-Pro and one of the best NFL running backs ever, Peterson can still beat opposing defenses with his speed and power. He's led the NFL in rushing yards three times and isn't afraid to run over opposing tacklers.

 
17 of 25

Sheldon Richardson, DL, Jets

Sheldon Richardson, DL, Jets
Ed Mulholland / USA Today Sports Images

The stout Richardson has been a dominant defensive player in his three seasons with 16.5 sacks and 104 tackles. He's had off-field issues more recently and faces a one-game suspension to start 2016.

 
18 of 25

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Rivers is a fiery competitor and quite a talker to opposing players, referees and his teammates. He's been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in football during his career.

 
19 of 25

Terrell Suggs, LB, Ravens

Terrell Suggs, LB, Ravens
Evan Habeeb / USA Today Sports Images

Suggs learned from former teammate Ray Lewis, one of the best and most intimidating linebackers of all time. The pass rusher isn't afraid to talk or hit opposing quarterbacks.

 
20 of 25

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Dolphins

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Dolphins
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

Suh has long been considered one of football's dirtiest players, with several fines and even a suspension to show for his work. Standing at 6-4, 307 pounds, he's a scary prospect for quarterbacks with 42 sacks in six seasons.

 
21 of 25

J.J. Watt, DE, Texans

J.J. Watt, DE, Texans
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Widely considered the best defensive lineman in the game, Watt has an incredible 74.5 sacks in five NFL seasons. He impacts nearly every play when he's on the field because of his speed, height and wingspan, and isn't afraid to get bloodied with his aggressive play.

 
22 of 25

Eric Weddle, S, Ravens

Eric Weddle, S, Ravens
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

The bearded Weddle has been one of the league's best free safeties during his career and also one of the hardest hitters among defensive backs. He left the Chargers after nine seasons to help anchor the Ravens defense.

 
23 of 25

Vince Wilfork, DT, Texans

Vince Wilfork, DT, Texans
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Wilfork doesn't seem to have much of a nasty streak, but he's one mass of a man at 6-2, 325 pounds. He's been plugging up offensive lines as a nose tackle since he came into the league in 2004 and has even been used as a goal-line fullback.

 
24 of 25

Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Jets

Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Jets
William Hauser / USA Today Sports Images

In tandem with Sheldon Richardson, Wilkerson is part of one of the best defensive lines in football and is coming off a career year with 12 sacks last season. The Jets defensive lineman weighs more than 300 pounds and can chew up opposing linemen and quarterbacks.

 
25 of 25

Mario Williams, DE, Dolphins

Mario Williams, DE, Dolphins
Kevin Hoffman / USA Today Sports Images

The first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Williams' burst around the edge is incredible considering his size at 6-6, 290 pounds. He's been one of the scariest pass rushers in football during his career with 96 sacks in 10 seasons and brings his game to Miami this year.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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