NFL Blitz's Gauntlet Mode and Elite League allow gamers to build a fantasy team of their favorite NFL players. While this teambuilding aspect of NFL Blitz offers many paths to success, here are several star players who deserve a look from every general manager:

Defensive Line - Detroit Lions

Other defensive lines possess better speed (Indianapolis Colts) or higher recovery (Vikings), but the Lions' pass rush offers just the right mix of speed (2), skill (4) and power (4).

Linebacker - Patrick Willis

Willis can blitz and cover better than any other player at his position thanks to his 4 speed rating. He's no wimp in the tackling department, either, with 4 power and 4 skill.

Defensive Back - Darrelle Revis

With 5 skill and 4 recovery, only the fastest receivers will be able to escape Revis Island. A 2 power rating also gives Revis more punch than the average cornerback.

Defensive Back - Ed Reed

5 recovery and 4 skill make Reed a ballhawking blanket. 2 power and 4 speed give him the athleticism to push around weaker receivers and run with all but the elite speedsters.

Safety - DeMarcus Ware 

Ware's 4 power rating makes him a bully in bump and run coverage. A 5 skill rating also gives him great tackling and ballhawking skills. However, at only 3 speed, Ware's not much of a blitzer, so sub in Ed Reed and find a replacement at cornerback if you prefer to rush the passer from the safety position instead of playing pass coverage.

No, the Cowboys are NOT a dream team -- they may be the ideal big game opponent though.

Offensive Line - New York Jets

New York is the only offensive line to feature 4 power, 4 skill and 4 recovery, making the Jets' pass protectors a must-start.

Quarterback - Michael Vick

As the only 4 speed quarterback in Blitz, Vick's running ability gives him a huge advantage over other signal-callers. Vick won't break many tackles with 1 power and 3 recovery, but at least his 4 skill rating makes him fairly secure with the ball for a quarterback.

Running Back - Adrian Peterson

There are faster options at running back (Chris Johnson), but no other ball carrier offers "All Day's" combination of speed (4) and power (3). Just try to keep Peterson's runs near the sidelines, as his 4 skill rating leaves him open to fumbles.

Wide Receiver - Calvin Johnson Jr.

Size, speed and power -- "Megatron" has it all. Whether he's outrunning defenders or bowling through them with a stiff arm, Calvin Johnson should be your go-to receiver.

Wide Receiver - Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson is the toughest card to acquire in Blitz's Elite Mode, and for good reason -- he has the same freakish combination of speed, skill and strength as Megatron, making it difficult to pass up the potential of a Johnson and Johnson receiving corps.

Kicker - Sebastian Janikowski

There are several placekickers to choose from with 4 skill, but Sebass is the only one of the group with 2 power. That extra bar of power makes Janikowski a solid tackler on kickoffs instead of a pushover like most kickers.

Punter - Brian Moorman

The best Blitz players will be converting 4th downs instead of punting, but in a pinch, Moorman's the man for the job with 4 skill and 2 power.