20 Current NFL Players Who Should Fight in the UFC If the NFL Lockout Continues

Quite naturally, with all this business about the NFL lockout frustrating football fans, it is time to wildly speculate about which NFL players should sign some UFC contracts.

If 49-year-old Herschel Walker can compete in professional MMA, so can current NFL players.

Matt Mitrione and Brendan Schaub are living proof that top football players can successfully transition into elite MMA.

As everyone knows, NFL players are top of the food chain natural athletes. With some proper training, practically any NFL player could find some success in the cage.

Think about how some NFL skills would translate into mixed martial arts.

Can you imagine the arm-velocity of an NFL quarterback?

The will power, resolve and tenacity of a league leading rusher?

The instincts and reaction time of a Pro Bowl safety?

The power of a linebacker?

It's practically mutant league cage-fighting. Hugh Jackman is already about to release a movie about robot boxing, so let's do this thing.

These are the top 20 NFL players who should sign with the UFC.

Warning: Some of these men are realistic suggestions if they have the commitment.  However, this article is done in fun.  Please do not go pulling a Johnnie Morton. 

20. Max Starks

Offensive linemen often get the least amount of recognition on a football team, but offensive tackle Max Starks has two Super Bowl rings to show for his abilities.

According to ESPN, Starks's brother used to own and run a martial arts training facility and to this day Starks trains with MMA experts to work on his conditioning and athleticism.

Starks probably could not make it to the UFC as he is likely too big to cut down to the 265-lb limit for heavyweights. Outside of the UFC, he could probably find relatively high-profile fights in the super-heavyweight division.

Matchup: Hong Man Choi

19. David Akers

According to one source, Akers "trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Shaolin Kempo under the guidance of Allan Manganello at the Shaolin Kempo Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Louisville and at Maxercise in Philadelphia."

So he already has some competence on the ground, add that to the known kicking power of the greatest place-kicker of the last decade, and you have a guy with multiple threats.

Hey may not be quite the natural athlete that some of these other guys are, and he may not be the youngest, but with years of training already under his belt, he certainly has a head start.

Matchup: Chris Lytle 

18. Adrian Peterson

The guy is a freak athlete. 

Big and powerful and as explosive as they come.

Unfortunately he is injury prone and injuries happen all the time in MMA. You could expect to see Peterson constantly being scratched from fights due to injury.

His fumbling issues also make me think he would have trouble with consistancy.

Either way, he would definitely add fireworks to the already dynamite light-heavyweight division.

Matchup: Forrest Griffin

17. Ray Edwards

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards has already made his professional boxing debut and former streetfighter and MMA star Kimbo Slice is now even calling Edwards out for a boxing match.

He has yet to earn elite status in the NFL, but with an already decent background in boxing, Edwards is a clear choice to make the move to MMA.

Matchup: Stefan Struve

16. Arthur Jones

The 300-lb defensive end for Baltimore has yet to make a big impact in the NFL, but his little brother is the freaking light heavyweight champion in the UFC.

No one else on this list would be able to get free personal lessons from Mr. Jon "Bones" Jones.

Matchup: Antonio Silva

15. Ben Roethlisberger

My vote for likeliest knockout-puncher from the NFL.

"Big Ben" can take a licking and keep on ticking.

At 6'5'' and 241 lbs, who would not want to see Ben get in the cage and slug it out with some kickboxers?

Matchup: Cheick Kongo

14. Jerod Mayo

Jerod Mayo was the league leader in tackles last season with 175. Fifteen more than second place.

That mean he utilizes animal instincts with machine like performance. He is a 242-lb force of nature. 

If this guy shoots in for a double-leg take-down on you, you should probably let him have it because he will drive your puny body right through the chain-link fence.

Matchup: Mike Russow 

13. Troy Polamalu

The Clay Guida of the middleweight or light heavyweight divisions. Actually, with hair that glorious, Clay Guida might become the "Troy Polamalu" of the lightweight division.

Tied for second in the league last season in interceptions and a six time Pro Bowl selection, Polamalu is easily one of the greatest safeties of his generation.

He has heart, instincts and of course, natural athletic ability.

Matchup: Brian Stann  

12. Santana Moss

Out of all of the top receivers last season, Santan Moss had the most "yards after reception".

That means that he can handle adversity and fight through it. It also means he is fast as hell.

Matchup: Jorge Santiago

11. Ed Reed

The best secondary player in the league, Ed Reed has nearly unparalleled reaction time.

A little wikipedia research reveals Reed was a javelin thrower in college and a baseball pitcher in high school.

Teach this man how to bob and weave and throw a punch, and you have a nightmare matchup for anybody.

Matchup: Wanderlei Silva

10. Arian Foster

Last season was Foster's first full season with the NFL, and he lead the league in rushing touchdowns and yardage, averaging just over 100 yards per game.

Nobody accomplishes those kinds of things without having superhuman commitment and drive.

Matchup: Alexander Gustafsson

9. Jamaal Charles

Jamal Charles was the second leading rusher in the league last year, and it was certainly not due to his number of touches.

Charles only scored five touchdowns (often a sign the coach doesn't love you) and his 6.4 yards per carry was the highest among any starting running backs.

Clearly he is one of the NFL's most explosive athletes, having been an NCAA All-American sprinter.

If there is no NFL for Charles, he better take his athleticism somewhere.

Matchup: Ed Herman

8. Brandon Lloyd

Brandon Lloyd was the most clutch receiver in the NFL last season.

He lead the league in receiving yardage, caught 10 touchdowns and was only one first down away from claiming the top spot for number of first-down catches.

All of that and he only had 77 receptions on the season.

Matchup: Rich Franklin 

7. DeMarcus Ware

Five-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware was a football, basketball, baseball and track athlete growing up.

ESPN called him, "The most dynamic defender in the league right now."

What stands out to me most, however, is that he lead the league in sacks last season. Nothing is more indicative of "killer instinct" than the vaunted quarterback sack.

Matchup: Shane Carwin

6. Jason Witten

Jason Witten is a phenomenal tight end.

He was the leading receiving out of all tight ends last season, making him a very versatile athlete.

Consistency is not a problem as he has made the Pro Bowl for an incredible seven consecutive years.

And as you can tell from the photo, he is certainly not lacking in bravery. That is the kind of athlete you want training at your gym.

Matchup: Frank Mir

5. Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis may not be getting any younger, but he is still a sho-in for this list.

The 12-time Pro Bowler is known for his aggressive nature and has a reputation for being intimidating.

Plus, apparently he was a high school state champion in wrestling.

MMA, lookout.

Matchup: Matt Mitrione

4. Clay Matthews

Defensive end Clay Matthews had a Pro Bowl worthy season last year as he totaled the fourth most sacks in the league.

Matthews trains in MMA with Jay Glazer to improve motor functionality and overall athleticism.

Matchup: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira 

3. Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis would have made this list even if he was not already training in MMA.

With over a hundred solo tackles and six sacks last season, some people think Patrick Willis is the best linebacker in the league.

He arguably has the best killer instinct in the league, and with his training at Xtreme Couture, he could legitimately give some professional fighters some trouble.

Matchup: Junior Dos Santos 

2. Michael Vick

Michael Vick may very well be the absolutely best natural athlete that the NFL has to offer.

If you do not know who Michael Vick is then you do not watch football.

On top of his world-class speed and power, Vick has nearly unprecedented agility and creativity on the field.

Did you know Vick can throw a ball out of a stadium from the field? I saw it in a Powerade commercial.

Matchup: Jon Jones

1. Jared Allen

The 270-lb three-time Pro Bowl defensive end is already training in MMA.

It is not totally wild speculation to say that we might see Allen compete in professional MMA some day. If the lockout continues, expect to see Allen more and more around the MMA community.

Matchup: Brock Lesnar