Switching positions in the NFL isn’t easy, but some players manage to pull it off—and even thrive. Whether it was out of necessity, longevity, or just a coach’s crazy idea that actually worked, these players reinvented themselves in a whole new role.
Some went from offense to defense, some flipped their entire skillset, and a few even became legends after making the switch. Here are 10 NFL players who successfully changed positions and proved that second acts in football can be just as good as the first.
10. Julian Edelman – QB to WR
Edelman was a quarterback at Kent State, but the Patriots saw something different in him. After switching to wide receiver, he became a Super Bowl MVP and Tom Brady’s go-to target in clutch moments.
9. Antwaan Randle El – QB to WR
A college quarterback at Indiana, Randle El made the transition to wide receiver in the NFL and became a Swiss Army knife for the Steelers. He even threw a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl, proving that once a QB, always a QB.
8. Jason Peters – TE to LT
Peters started his football career as a tight end but quickly outgrew the position. After moving to offensive tackle, he became one of the best left tackles of his generation and a future Hall of Famer.
7. Richard Sherman – WR to CB
Sherman played wide receiver at Stanford before switching to cornerback, a move that turned out pretty well. As a member of the Legion of Boom, he became one of the most dominant shutdown corners of the decade.
6. Terrell Pryor – QB to WR
After struggling as an NFL quarterback, Pryor reinvented himself as a wide receiver and had a 1,000-yard season with the Browns. His career didn’t last long, but for a brief moment, he made the switch look seamless.
5. Devin Hester – CB to WR/KR
Hester was drafted as a cornerback but quickly found his true calling as a return specialist and occasional wide receiver. He became the greatest return man in NFL history, making defenders look silly every time he touched the ball.
4. Ryan Tannehill – WR to QB
Before becoming an NFL quarterback, Tannehill played wide receiver at Texas A&M. The Dolphins saw QB potential in him, and after a career resurgence with the Titans, he proved them right.
3. J.J. Watt – TE to DE
Watt was a tight end at Central Michigan before transferring to Wisconsin and switching to defensive end. That turned out to be a pretty good decision, considering he became a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
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2. Tony Gonzalez – College Basketball to TE
Okay, so Gonzalez didn’t technically change positions in the NFL, but he did go from being a college basketball player to one of the greatest tight ends ever. His background in hoops helped him dominate defenders, proving that rebounding and route running aren’t all that different.
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1. Travis Kelce – QB to TE
Before becoming Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target and one of the greatest tight ends ever, Kelce was actually a quarterback at Cincinnati. After switching to tight end, he developed into a matchup nightmare and a future Hall of Famer—plus, he somehow managed to become even more famous off the field.
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