20 NFL Players We Want to See in MMA

What is more American these days than NFL football and Mixed Martial Arts?

To the Average Joe, not much. 

With another professional football season around the corner and MMA still thriving, now's a perfect time to merge both insanely popular sports.

Which NFL players would we all love to see step into the octagon for prime time battle? At least they wouldn't get fined for a hit to the head, right? 

Brian Urlacher: Chicago Bears

Yes, Brian Urlacher is 33, but he still is one of the most frightening linebackers in the NFL that lays the lumber on every hit. 

Does he pass the body test?

Definitely. 

Urlacher is 6'4'', nearly 260 pounds and is deceptively quick. 

Tell me No. 54 couldn't fit right into the UFC right now.

Maurice Jones-Drew: Jacksonville Jaguars

No, this list isn't solely made up of intimidating linebackers. 

Maurice Jones-Drew's feistiness and bowling ball body gets him on the list. 

Oh yea, this hit on then Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman does too.

In the right weight class, I'd love to see Jones-Drew in the ring to put his aggressiveness on display.

Another player that passes the eye test. His legs are like little tree trunks.  

Brandon Marshall: Miami Dolphins

Today, we label most star receivers as prima donnas, but the aggressive way in which Brandon Marshall plays his position makes me want to see him in an MMA fight for sure. 

He never shies away from contact and has the bulk to withstand crushing hits over the middle. 

Totally fearless, Marshall could definitely hold his own in an octagon showdown. 

Marshawn Lynch: Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch coined the term "Beast Mode" for his bulldozing running style while in Buffalo and lived up to his nickname with that ridiculous touchdown run for the Seahawks in last season's playoff win against the New Orleans Saints. 

He seems like a light-hearted guy off the field, but when it's time to compete, there aren't many guys who seemingly love contact more than Lynch. 

The body may not be there quite yet, but I'd love to see Lynch throw his body around the ring in an MMA fight. 

I think he'd hold his own. 

Vernon Gholston: Chicago Bears

Vernon Gholston makes the list for a few reasons. 

First and foremost, the guy is quite the physical specimen. 

I know more goes into being a successful mixed martial artist than just being in extremely good shape, but Gholston's physique surely wouldn't hurt him in the ring. 

He is 6'3'', weighs 260 pounds and doesn't have an ounce of fat on him. 

OK, so he has got an MMA-type body. 

Secondly, Gholston hasn't exactly lived up to the hype of being a Top 10 draft pick. 

Maybe it's time for a career change?

Patrick Willis: San Francisco 49ers

If there's an heir apparent to Ray Lewis in today's NFL, it's the 49ers' Patrick Willis. 

He came to the pro ranks with a great deal of hype surrounding and has exceeded expectations as a thumping linebacker in his first four seasons. 

Willis is a physical freak (check out this K-Swiss commercial if you haven't already seen it), and after training, could be a legitimate MMA contender.

It is hard to guess how NFL players would translate to MMA, but I'd definitely pay to watch Willis give it his best shot.  

Steven Jackson: St. Louis Rams

He may not instantly come to mind when discussing the top running backs in the NFL, but there aren't more than five to 10 guys who bring a better combination of size, speed, strength and cutting ability than Steven Jackson. 

The perennial Pro Bowler goes 6'2'' and is nearly 240 pounds, which is mainly solid muscle. 

He has the quickness to make guys miss in the open field but embraces contact and usually runs through any defenders who stand in his way.

Definitely would be an intimidating presence in the ring.  

Adrian Wilson: Arizona Cardinals

He may be on the level just below other Pro Bowl safeties like Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed, but Adrian Wilson has a made a living by being one of the hardest hitters in football for the last decade. 

The Cardinals' long-time run-stuffing safety, Wilson is big enough to play outside linebacker at nearly 230 pounds and is always looking for contact. 

I wouldn't mind seeing him step into the ring to take out some of his pent up aggression on another mixed martial artist.

Check out those pipes.

James Harrison: Pittsburgh Steelers

He has got to be the No. 1 guy on everybody's list. 

After the handful of violent hits he laid on receivers and quarterbacks last season, why wouldn't Harrison be the top candidate for a crossover to MMA?

He has the size and certainly possesses the killer instinct to be a formidable opponent in the ring. 

Labeled by some as NFL's dirtiest player, Harrison could make the switch to MMA today. 

Jonathan Vilma: New Orleans Saints

Johnathan Vilma is another linebacker who consistently delivers bone-crushing hits every Sunday in the fall. 

He is more compact at 6'1'', 230 but really packs a punch on all of his hits. 

Vilma is only 29, so he's in the prime of his career and has the lateral quickness to be a good fighter. 

Picture him against Adrian Wilson.

Donald Driver: Green Bay Packers

The ageless wonder, Donald Driver is one of the few wideouts I'd love to see step in the ring in a MMA fight. 

Has there been a grittier, tougher, more hard-nose receiver in the NFL the last 10 years?

I don't think so. 

Driver has stayed in fantastic shape over the years, which has allowed to him to play at such a high level for so long. 

His resilience and never-say-die attitude alone get him on this list. 

John Abraham: Atlanta Falcons

John Abraham has quite possibly been the most under appreciated pass rusher of the last decade in the NFL. 

Sure, he's made four Pro Bowls, but guys like Dwight Freeney, Terrell Suggs and Jared Allen get more publicity from the edge rushing position. 

He has the body to fight in the MMA (6'4'', 265), and I'm sure his tenacity and high motor on the field could seamlessly translate to the ring. 

A true heavyweight that would certainly bring a major intimidation factor. 

Jake Long: Miami Dolphins

Yes, an offensive lineman gets the nod here. 

Jake Long is 6'7'', 315 and isn't one of those flabby, slow offensive lineman. 

He has become one of the best, if not the best, left tackle in the game and is a true mauler on the edge. 

Yes, Long is more reminiscent of Andre the Giant from the WWF than he is to the majority of today's MMA stars, but it'd be interesting to see him show off his athleticism and brute strength in the ring.

Plus, he's got the tattoos to fit right in.  

Dwight Freeney: Indianapolis Colts

Dwight Freeney has been a mainstay along the Indianapolis Colts defensive and has been extremely consistent rushing the passer during his career. 

At 6'1'', 270 you'd think he would be too slow to be a competitive mixed martial artist, but he's got the quickest feet of any defensive end in the NFL. 

I would like to see him match up against someone in the same weight-class as him and use his outstanding footwork to his advantage. 

Freeney is stronger at the point of attack than he looks, too.  

Cortland Finnegan: Tennessee Titans

Listen, anybody who is willing to go fist-for-fist with Andre Johnson instantly makes the list. 

Last season's on-field brawl between Finnegan and Johnson wasn't what the NFL wanted to see, but it surely charged up the MMA fans who were tuning in for a a little pro football on Sunday. 

He is the chippiest cornerback in the league and doesn't back down from any receiver. 

I wouldn't call him a physical specimen, but don't let his lack of size fool you. 

Finnegan is a nasty player who will go to great lengths to gain even the smallest advantage. 

Clay Matthews: Green Bay Packers

Clay Matthews is one of the NFL's most promising young defenders. 

He already has the long hair that has been synonymous with wrestlers for years (maybe not exactly mixed martial artists, but you get the picture) and is as explosive as they come. 

Matthews would have no trouble competing athletically and if you watch how violently he attacks the quarterback, you'll realize why I'd love to see him in the ring. 

Andre Johnson: Houston Texans

Andre Johnson is the NFL's best all-around receiver and arguably the most physical. 

He is a 6'3'', 223 lb. freak that has all the athleticism in the world to go along with his enormous stature. 

It is not easy for a wideout to make this list, but Johnson has all the attributes to be an MMA fighter and could do some serious damage inside the cage. 

Jared Allen: Minnesota Vikings

OK, I'd probably like to see Jared Allen make an appearance in the WWF more than anything else, but he could unquestionably compete as an MMA fighter. 

He has that Hacksaw Jim Duggan thing going for him and although he's a little goofy, he's country strong and has a quick first step that could translate to the ring. 

One of the more unconventional picks, but it wouldn't it almost be funny seeing him in the ring? 

Ray Lewis: Baltimore Ravens

You think I was going to forget Ray Lewis?

No way. 

This man has gotten better and more dominating with age and is the most fearsome linebacker in the NFL today. 

Everything about him screams "MMA," and his passion for contact alone gets him on this list. 

Lewis is 6'1'', 250 and is in tremendous shape for 36. 

Adrian Peterson: Minnesota Vikings

Whenever I think of Adrian Peterson, I think of one word. 

Train. 

The Vikings runner has a rare combo of linebacker size and track star speed and loves contact from defenders. 

Peterson and the MMA? 

A match made in heaven. 

Don't believe me?

Watch this video. He certainly has the body to step in the ring.