Dog Breeds Who Are Perfect for Your Fantasy Football Team

If you’re looking for a canine Cam Newton, Russell Wilson or Tom Brady, you’ve got to go with the Lab. He typically has leadership and athleticism to lead a team to victory — and the star power to be a media hit (he tops the AKC's list for most popular dog breed in the U.S., after all).

What if your fan strategy is based more on a team’s mascot or colors than on their statistics? Then the Bull Terrier is your dog. No, not for his athletic prowess — for his looks! This guy looks like a literal football. Plus, you’d be surprised by how many underdogs score major fantasy points, which is an asset in even a second-string quarterback.

For your first running back, go with the 44-mile-per-hour couch potato: the Greyhound. This breed can be fast and capable of outrunning all the other dogs on the field. But remember, this guy may rather be home on the couch watching football with you, so you’ll need to sub him out every once in a while. We recommend a Whippet for some depth in your bench. He’s basically a smaller, more compact version of a Greyhound and can be capable of being a total speed demon.

You need an athletic Einstein on your team, and a Border Collie may fit the bill. He could probably play any of the offensive positions, including QB, but we've got him at RB since he typically has enough endurance, speed and agility to dodge defenders with ease. With skills like these, he’s likely to breeze into the end zone.

You can never have enough running backs on your bench, so it’s a good idea to pick the Saluki, too. The sighthound usually loves a game that involves high-speed running, as he was bred to hunt hare and gazelle. Just keep in mind that he may not always listen when your quarterback or coach calls plays.

You need a positive, up-beat player to rally your team, and the typically friendly and optimistic Flat-Coat is just the right dog to pep up your squad. Of course, his retrieving skills are usually top-notch, too. Granted, he may wish this sport were played in water.

Your Flat-Coat is going to tire out eventually, so it's a good idea to have a Jack Russell on your bench. He tends to have energy to spare and often excels at many dog sports. But keep an eye on him: If he gets bored, he may dig up the whole football field.

We would be remiss if we didn’t include the Golden Retriever in our lineup. If there’s a ball he can fetch, the Golden will usually go after it until your arm gives out. But don’t be surprised if he makes friends with the other team and runs to the wrong end zone. Not because he’s trying to sabotage the game — he just tends to love everyone he meets.

Add a German Shepherd to your bench. His general confidence and intelligence combined with his typical athletic ability and versatility can make him a standout player on the field.

Every team needs a Gronk (aka Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots’ tight end), and the Boxer can have the toughness, energy and sporting skills for this important position. And, like Gronk, Boxers usually aren’t afraid to show their silly sides. This dog’s off-field antics could prove quite amusing (again, just like Gronk).

Of course, we couldn’t leave out a bench pick. We recommend the Doberman. He tends to be tough, energetic and extremely loyal — excellent traits for a tight end.

There’s really only one breed who will do for this position: the Mastiff. The breed can weigh up to 230 pounds, and his size is enough to intimidate any team’s offense. If you have space on your bench, go for a Tibetan Mastiff or Neapolitan Mastiff as a backup.

Kicking isn’t exactly a skill dogs are known for, but we think an Irish Wolfhound would be a fine pick for this position. Standing nearly three feet tall, the breed has long legs that, in theory, could kick a football really far. You’re going to rack up those field goal points! Similarly, the Great Dane is another tall dog who could be a good kicker. Make sure you have one on your bench.