Creating a Team USA Olympics football roster using NFL athletes

11. Safeties

If he were healthy, Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu would probably be a starter on this team. That being said, his ACL tear from last season holds him back from making this make trip to the Rio Olympics. There were still plenty of strong choices to decide between.

Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks

With incredible range and play-making ability, Earl Thomas is the best player at the safety position in the entire NFL. He is an incredible pass defender who is consistently making plays on the ball, has great ball-skills and can make plays in the box against the run.

Simply having him back playing center field for this defense makes them nearly impossible to throw on. Not only will guys like Watt, Donald, Miller and Mack be rushing in on the quarterback, Peterson and Sherman will be locking guys down on the inside, allowing Thomas to roam around and make plays.

Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs

I strongly considered Harrison Smith here, but Kansas City Chiefs’ star Eric Berry gets the slight edge. Berry is an incredibly talented player who has such a wide-ranging array of skills at the safety position.

Similar to Thomas, Berry can sit back in a deep zone, ranging around and making plays on the ball. He is also a tough and physical safety who will come up and make plays against the run, and his man-to-man coverage skills are like a cornerback.

Berry is undoubtedly one of the most talented players at his position in the NFL, and would be a fantastic addition to the mix on Team USA.

Next: 12. Specialists