Can You Identify All of These NFL Stars From the 2010s?

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By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: David Madison/DigitalVision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

The 2010s were certainly an exciting time for fans of the NFL, especially for those who enjoy star-studded talent — there were rosters filled with elite players at each position throughout the entire decade. Whether it was the New England Patriots, who captured three more titles, or the Seattle Seahawks, who were virtually a lock for the playoffs each year, the 2010s were not short on stars. 

Some of these stars were just beginning their careers when the 2010s began, while others ensured their place in the Hall of Fame as they tried to win that elusive championship they had been craving. There was one quarterback in New Orleans who broke just about every passing record imaginable and a pass rusher in Houston who racked up sacks at an insane pace. All of these players combined together to make the 2010s one of the most historic eras in the game's history.

Are you prepared to identify all of the stars who defined the 2010s with their play on the field? From record setters to models of consistency, this quiz covers them all. If you think you have the knowledge to name them, prove it to everyone and show off your star-level intellect by acing this quiz.

This running back carried the Minnesota Vikings for the first half of the 2010s. Who is he?

In 2012, Adrian Peterson nearly broke the single-season rushing record held by Eric Dickerson. Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards, which was nine yards short of beating the record. Had his team not needed a field goal to reach the playoffs, Peterson would probably hold the record.

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No quarterback was more synonymous with the NFL in the 2010s than which star, shown here?

Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to three Super Bowl victories in the 2010s, which matched his total from the previous decade. Those six Super Bowls give Brady more championships than any other player in NFL history.

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Three Defensive Player of the Year awards will certainly make you one of the best players of the decade. What's the name of this defender who accomplished that?

In 2012 and 2015, J.J. Watt led the league in sacks, with 20.5 and 17.5 sacks respectively. He finished the 2019 season with 96 sacks in his career up to that point, which gives Watt the Houston Texans' franchise record for sacks in a career.

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Can you identify this defensive lineman who could singlehandedly change a game?

Drafted in 2014, Aaron Donald made the Pro Bowl in his first season in the NFL and hasn't missed a selection since. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year back to back in 2017 and 2018 while leading the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl in 2018.

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Do you recognize this deep-threat receiver who can blow the roof off a defense on any given play?

Julio Jones currently holds the NFL record for career receiving yards per game, with 96.2 yards per game. During his time in the NFL, he has led the league twice in this category, in 2015 and 2018.

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A tight end who was virtually unstoppable in his prime, who is this?

Rob Gronkowski is the only NFL tight end to ever lead the league in receiving touchdowns for a season, which he accomplished in 2011. That year, Gronkowski made his first Pro Bowl and was selected as a member of the First-team All-Pro.

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Are you familiar with this offensive lineman who never had much team success, despite making 10 Pro Bowls?

Throughout his NFL career, Joe Thomas was known for his durability — he played 10,363 straight snaps without missing a play. However, that ended in 2017 when Thomas suffered an injury to his tricep. Due to a separate issue, Thomas decided to call it quits following the 2017 season.

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How well do you know this edge rusher who constantly put pressure on quarterbacks throughout the decade?

Von Miller won Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, where he spent the entire decade playing football in the NFL. After putting on a spectacular performance in the Super Bowl, Miller was named the MVP of the game.

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The Seattle Seahawks were able to put together some dominant defenses, thanks to players like which one depicted here?

Knowing Bobby Wagner's importance to their defense, the Seattle Seahawks made him the highest paid middle linebacker in the league coming into the 2019 season. The deal, which runs for three years, is worth $54 million and includes $40.2 million guaranteed.

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A corner who no quarterback wanted to face, is this a star you're familiar with?

Drafted in 2011, Patrick Peterson made eight straight Pro Bowls between 2011 and 2018. In that stint, Peterson did not miss a single regular season game, making him one of the most reliable cornerbacks throughout the decade.

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Did you have the chance to watch this safety who always brought the boom when he came in for a tackle?

Earl Thomas was the last member of the "Legion of Boom" left on the Seattle Seahawks from their championship season in 2013. He finally departed the Seahawks himself in 2019 when he signed a four-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, officially ending an era in Seattle.

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Select the name of this kicker who made field goals look easy throughout the 2010s?

Justin Tucker's accuracy as a field goal kicker rivals anyone in NFL history. For his career, Tucker has made 90.8 percent of his field goals, and he made a career high 97.4 percent of his field goals in 2016.

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What's the name of this quarterback who has two NFL MVPs over the past decade?

Now regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, Aaron Rodgers once had the difficult job of replacing Brett Favre, a legend for the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers was able to reach expectations in 2010 when he delivered a championship to Green Bay.

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This running back was so violent when he ran that he earned the nickname "Beast Mode." Who is he?

After finishing the 2000s with the Buffalo Bills, Marshawn Lynch launched into the next decade playing for the Seattle Seahawks, where his career really took off. In Seattle, Lynch was a four-time Pro Bowler and twice led the NFL in rushing touchdowns.

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Few wide receivers were as consistent throughout the 2010s as which elite player shown here?

Off the field issues derailed Antonio Brown's career as the 2010s came to a close, but for most of the decade, he was as dominant as they come at the position. He twice led the NFL in receiving yards, twice in receptions and once in receiving touchdowns.

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Can you identify this center who helped the Pittsburgh Steelers build one of the best offensive lines in the league?

After his stellar college career at the University of Florida, the Pittsburgh Steelers made Maurkice Pouncey the 18th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. His first season showed just how great he would be throughout the decade, as he made the Pro Bowl and was named to the Second-team All-Pro.

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A centerpiece for the Cincinnati Bengals' defense throughout the decade, who is this?

Though he didn't win the award, Geno Atkins was in the running for Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. That season, he had a career best 12.5 sacks and 53 combined tackles while playing in all 16 regular season games.

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Do you know this linebacker who was a first round pick in 2012?

Luke Kuechly decided to call it quits following the 2019 NFL season, but his legacy throughout the decade won't be forgotten. Kuechly made seven Pro Bowls in the 2010s and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, only his second season in the league.

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A cornerback who can back up all of his trash talk, how well do you know this NFL star?

Richard Sherman was the centerpiece of the San Francisco 49ers' secondary throughout the 2019 NFL season. After a stellar season where he recorded three interceptions and 61 combined tackles, Sherman made his fifth Pro Bowl but, more importantly, helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl.,

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Are you familiar with the quarterback who was a star from the moment he entered the league in 2012?

Russell Wilson was the first quarterback to deliver a Super Bowl to the city of Seattle when he helped the Seahawks defeat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson was spectacular in the game, throwing for 206 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers.

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Injuries were the only thing that could keep which dominant safety depicted here from making an impact throughout the 2010s?

Eric Berry was elected to the Pro Bowl every season that he was healthy throughout the 2010s. Despite only playing three games between 2017 and 2019, Berry was still one of the greatest safeties of the decade.

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Despite his age, this running back was the gift that kept on giving. Who is he?

Frank Gore was a major piece in the offense for the San Francisco 49ers when they made it to the Super Bowl during the 2012 season. In the playoffs that year, Gore rushed for 319 yards while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

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Select the name of this lockdown corner who could shut down an entire side of the field?

Darrelle Revis spent the best seasons of his career with the New York Jets, but he was able to recapture some of his former glory when he helped the New England Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX. It was the only championship of his NFL career.

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Recognized as the consummate professional, is this a player you're familiar with?

Larry Fitzgerald was six years into his career when the 2010s rolled around, but he didn't slow down throughout the decade. Fitzgerald caught over 100 passes three times in the decade and had over 1,000 receiving yards five times.

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What's the name of this tight end who really came on strong in the second half of the decade?

Travis Kelce became one of the favorite targets of Patrick Mahomes when Mahomes became the full-time starter at quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. In his first season playing with Mahomes, Kelce caught 103 passes for 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns.

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An impact player any time he's on the field, who is this?

Khalil Mack is a terror for opposing offenses, especially when it comes to turnovers. Always looking for the opportunity to knock the ball away from a runner, Mack has forced 20 fumbles in his career and recovered seven.

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Did you see this quarterback play in any big games in the 2010s?

Even though Ben Roethlisberger didn't lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a championship in the 2010s, as compared to the 2000s, he was still one of the best quarterbacks throughout the decade. He twice led the league in passing yards, in 2014 and 2018, and made five of his six Pro Bowls in the 2010s.

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Can you identify this receiver who doesn't always get the attention he deserves for his stellar play?

Entering the NFL in 2013, DeAndre Hopkins has only missed two regular season games in his career, making him one of the most reliable wide receivers in the league. In that same span, he recorded over 1,000 receiving yards every year except two.

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How well do you know this cornerback who became a star in Denver, despite going undrafted in 2011?

Chris Harris recorded his first interception during his rookie season in only his second career start. The interception, which was picked off Carson Palmer, helped the Denver Broncos secure a 38-24 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

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Do you recognize this player who might be the best return specialist of the decade?

Cordarrelle Patterson is tied for the NFL record for the longest play in NFL history, which he set in 2013 with the Green Bay Packers. On the play, Patterson returned a kick for 109 yards, which is the longest yardage possible in the NFL.

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You'll be hard pressed to find a more elusive runner over the past decade than which player shown here?

Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009, LeSean McCoy played for the team through the 2014 season. During that time, McCoy became the Eagles' all-time leading rusher, with 6,792 yards.

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Are you familiar with this NFL star who holds several passing records?

While playing for the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees led the NFL in passing yards five different times throughout the 2010s. Brees had his personal best season in 2011 when he threw for 5,476 yards.

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This player terrorized quarterbacks for nearly two decades in the NFL. Who is he?

Even in his final season in 2018, Julius Peppers played in all 16 regular season games, starting eight of them. He racked up five sacks that year to finish his career with 159.5 total sacks.

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The ultimate safety net for any quarterback, is this tight end a player you're familiar with?

A career-long Dallas Cowboy, Jason Witten initially retired following the 2017 season. Realizing the Cowboys had a roster that was ready to win, Witten returned in 2019, but the team wasn't able to achieve the goals they had set.

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Select the name of this linebacker who really developed into a star when he went from New England to Arizona?

Chandler Jones was destined to play some type of sport, considering he comes from a family of athletes. One of his older brothers is Jon Jones, the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, and the other is Arthur Jones, who also played in the NFL.

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Few cornerbacks could make their presence felt as much as which one, depicted in this image?

Aqib Talib played in two Super Bowls during the 2010s, one with the Denver Broncos and one with the Los Angeles Rams. He won the championship with the Broncos in 2015 but lost when the Rams made a run in 2018.

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What's the name of this quarterback who is one of the best players of the decade, despite retiring in 2015?

After starring for the Indianapolis Colts throughout the 2000s, Peyton Manning suffered a neck injury that forced him to miss the entire 2011 season. Rather than resigning Manning, the Colts decided to part ways with their star quarterback, who went to the Denver Broncos where he retired a champion.

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Can you identify this receiver who stuck it out through thick and thin in Cincinnati during the 2010s?

With speed and size, A.J. Green has the ability to get down the field on pass plays, stretching the defense vertically to give his offense room to work underneath. Because of his gifts, Green has averaged 14.8 yards per catch throughout his career.

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A star safety with six Pro Bowls in the decade, who is this?

Eric Weddle started every game that he was healthy for during the 2010s and only missed three games in total, which all came in 2015. With all of those snaps played, Weddle had plenty of time to rack up stats, including 25 interceptions during the decade.

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How well do you know this player who was the first overall pick in 2011?

It was obvious Cam Newton was going to have a good decade, the way he started out as a rookie in 2011. During the first game of his rookie season, Newton set the rookie record for most passing yards on opening day by throwing for 422 yards against the Arizona Cardinals.

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