The Royal Debate: The King In The NFL?

A State Farm commercial displayed LeBron James' dreams as a boy. Donning a Cleveland Browns uniform, James leads the Browns to a championship.

Of course, in Cleveland, no one is upset with the path James chose to take in basketball.

James stands as a savior to Cleveland Cavalier fans. Drafted out of high school, he quickly became, arguably, one of the most prevalent one-man-wrecking-crews ever to play in the NBA. He currently stands as the one hope that the Cavs bring home the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time in franchise history.

This was always the King's destiny.

Already in the national spotlight as a teenager playing for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, James' game was ready for the pro level. According to some pro scouts, his talent was already worth the NBA Draft's No. 1 selection that year when he was just a junior in high school. When his games were aired on ESPN, the country couldn't help but gush at his unparalleled ability as he effortlessly dominated his competition.

What was often ignored in the glamorous hype surrounding James were his activities during the Fall.

James thrived playing wide receiver for the school's varsity team as a freshman. Accumulating 103 receptions, 2,065 yards, and 23 touchdowns over his sophomore and junior seasons, James was invited to play in the U.S. All-American Bowl. He was the No. 2 ranked high school receiver in his state of Ohio.

Now, this silly State Farm commercial sparks a serious question: could James compete in the NFL?

First thing we all know just by watching him play basketball: the man is a bonafied freak of nature.

His size alone is staggering as he stands 6'8", 250 pounds. 24-year-old James would surely outsize most of his opponents in the backfield, assuming he plays receiver.

James' speed is not lacking either. Reports have James' 40-time clocking in at an impressive 4.4.

Let's not forget about James' incredible leaping ability. (Imagine the guy at the combine!)

Athletically-speaking, James would be incomparable to any receiver in the game today.

There could be one problem in James' chances in the NFL. And that is the game itself.

Football is a mental game.

In the NFL, players know the game. Does James really know the game? Perhaps, he was just so ridiculously athletic in high school, that he practically went out under the lights on Friday night and played pass and catch over his opponents with ease. On Sunday afternoons, in the NFL, James would not be able to do that. 

James would need to be able to build a tandem with his quarterback, and James would need to be able to read defenses.

If he could not do any of those as a receiver, James would either: A. be designated to the practice squad or B. be annihilated by those defensive backs like Ed Reed or Brian Dawkins or Troy Palamolu or any pro for that matter, who are designated to hit, and hit hard.

In other words, You better be mentally stable to be a receiver in the NFL.

In a 1st and 10 edition on ESPN, the question was asked: Where would LeBron James be drafted if he entered the NFL Draft?

Guest-star, Maurice Jones-Drew: 1st overrall.

Scoop Jackson: 1st overrall.

Skip Bayless: no where.

James ended any speculation of him pursuing his first love of football his senior year of high school after his future in basketball was practically made up for him already.

Thus sparked the Royal Debate: the King in the NFL?

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