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We rank 'em. You react. That's how the Daily List rolls.4/25/2008 01:48:00 PM Non-Football Players Who Should Be Drafted
By Lang Whitaker, SI.com
You'd have to think Joba Chamberlain can throw a football better than some NFL quarterbacks.Getty Images
At this point, if you've been following the NFL draft, you know pretty much everything about every player who could possibly be drafted. College players who were unknown one year ago are now well-known, from their workout routines to dating habits. But what if it wasn't just college players selected in the NFL Draft, but athletes from any sport? Here's the top five non-football players I'd like to see selected in the NFL draft.
1. Allen Iverson: Back in high school, The Answer was one of the best football players in the country, and all-state in Virginia. The QB/DB two-way player was just as slick and elusive back then, and knowing AI's resiliency and skill set, I'm willing to bet he could be just as maddening in the NFL today.
2. Joba Chamberlain: The Yanks reliever with the magic arm has been handled with kid gloves by the Yankees, but I'd like to see him cut loose in the NFL. Put him in a West Coast offense with lots of short, quick passes, and Joba could excel. You're telling me he wouldn't have a better arm than Chad Pennington? Also, if Jobe played football we'd get a lot of great "Joba the Hut!" headlines.
3. David Beckham: Becks had a chance to hang with Reggie Bush, and his American football skills (at least as a receiver) didn't seem particularly impressive. But with his ability to aim kicks and curve things in from angles, he would seem to be predisposed to being a terrific place kicker.
4. LeBron James: King James was a dominant wideout in high school who was recruited by all the Midwestern powerhouses to go deep and win every jump ball. His football career ended after he fractured a wrist, but I can think of a few teams (the Eagles?) where he could probably walk in an contribute immediately.
5. Sean Avery: At 5-9 and just under 200 pounds, he'd be small for an NFL player, but he obviously would be creative at getting under people's skin, and who'd want to be pinned next to him at the bottom of a pile?
Which pro athlete would you like to see drafted by the NFL? Let us know below...
Lang Whitaker is the executive editor of SLAM magazine and writes daily at SLAMonline.composted by SI.com | View comments |
Comments:
I'm gonna go with MJ in his prime at WR. He's 2 inches shorter than LB but has him beat in vertical leaping ability by 4 inches (48 to 44).how is kyle farnsworth not on this list?WHy not take Shaq as a tight end? I would love to see Ray Lewis trying to take him downI've always wondered how Karl Malnone would have done at Tight End in the NFL.Sam Perkins - with his height and that wingspan, he would be every cornerback's worst nightmare.
Shaq - TESerena Williams - OLB or speed rush DE in a 34 defense. OK, that was smartassed, how about Travis 'Pronk' Hafner as a TE?I would like to see shaq in his prime play tackle or guard. With some speed, his long arms and strength i think he could just push around some smaller Defensive endsShaq would have been a Hall of Fame left tackle.CC Sabathia as OG/OT or CI believe Kyle Farnsworth has shown that he has both the physical ability to lay a hit as well as the mental instability to be a great football playerMarion Jones - talk about a speed threat.Please do us a favor and stop talking about Joba AKA Jerka...He just needs to go away....LBJ has more strength and physical ablitity than MJ. That 2 xtra inches he has over LBJ is nothing compared to his makeup. MJ would be a great slot receiver.LBJ would be good in any sport that he wanted to play. Maybe something you didnt know.....Lebron has said that when he finishes his career with the cavs he would love to play for the Buckeyes. Currently this is impossible but think down the road. Also he joked about playing for Tressel......WOW that would be a treat!!!chauncey billups would be a great nfl qb. hes got a pretty good arm, and ideal size at 6'3". most of all he would perform great in the clutch moments, always staying cool, calm, and collected like montana and brady.grady sizemore was a 5 star highschool football recruit
but made the right choice and is with the tribe=]I'd like to see Johnny Wilkinson (English rugby player) play football as a kicker.
I think Vinnie Jones would have made a good John Lynch style DB.How about former college punter Darin Erstad or ex-qb Todd Helton. Also, Joy Dorsey looks like a perfect OLB.Supposedly john papelbon was an all country tight end in highschool. What about Gary mathews jr at db?how about nate robinson wasnt he a great college cornerKyle Farnsworth and ALbert Pujols would make a hell of a pair of inside linebackersPaul Harris SF for Syracuse Basketball...6'5'' 235 built like a truck...also with his athletic ability he could be a pro bowl TEJonah Lomu (New Zealand Rugby Player) would have absolutely dominated as a running back or tight end.torii hunter in his prime would've rivaled champ bailey as a premier DBTHE BIG SHOW, WWE WRESTLER, 7 FT 4 AND 450 WOULD BE A GREAT INSIDE DT. LANCE ARMSTRONG, NY GUY WHO HAS ONE NUT AND WINS 6 TOURS DE FRANCE CAN FIT SOMEWHERE ON MY NFL TEAM..
GOV. IN TEXAS (AUSTIN.)Apparently those who are saying Lebron James WOULD make a great receiver have not done their research.
Lebron James WAS a great receiver. At St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, he was an All-State wide receiver before choosing to focus on basketball after a football injury in his junior year.Matt Harpring..comes from a football playing family. Knows how to tie up players on the hardwood, could do the same thing on the gridiron.A-Rod QBBig baby Davis from the Celtics, they interviewed Pioli at a C's game one time and he said that Davis could start at right tackle tomorrow and would probably be good at it.why has no one mentioned David Ortiz? it doesnt matter where you put him, just stick big papi out there and let him wreck houseJust because someone is big doesn't mean they are going to be a good player. But I think most nba players would be good receivers or tightends because of their athleticism. Also just think of any center fielder in baseball with a strong arm, i'd like to see them throw a pigskin around.3 words for you....Willy Mo Pena. Can you say linebacker/defensive end?anybody remember Steve Nash heading a basketball to Amare Stoudemire in the dunk contest, or seen him juggling and then kicking a ball into the hoop from half court? I here he was a pretty mean Hockey player too!I would love to see Kimbo Slice. Imagine having Kimbo and Ray Lewis as your inside middle linebackers!Adam Dunn was actually a QB at UT before deciding to play baseballRandy Moss was apparently the best Basketball player in his state... and his point guard (the white Jason Williams) has made the NBA All-Star game (somehow).Greg Paulus was predicted to win the heisman if woulda played QB for Notre Dame instead of PG at Duke so it woulda been interesting to see how he would have done. Also are you serious where is Big Ben Wallace at TE! He's 6'9 240, Id take him anyday. He coulda played TE at Auburn but choose obviously basketballThis is a dumb list. There are plenty of actual potential 2-way players out there and you put Joba Chamberlain at #2 just because he can throw 100 mph? Is that supposed to be cute or funny? AI and Lebron are legit players on the list but where are guys like Grady Sizemore and Greg Paulus who were top football recruits in high school?Joe Mauer of the Twins was the top recruited quarterback in the nation (I'm pretty sure he was committed to Florida State), but he got drafted 2nd overall in the MLB draft. He's 6-5 and he's got a gun for an arm (as evidenced by his top-flight throwout percentage).i'd love to see Scott Rolen get out there at MLB, he has the right attitude, athletic ability and sizeFrank Thomas TE!!!Andre the Giant would play awsome OL!!Todd Helton--he was qb ahead of Manning at Ten.Recent Posts
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