NBA Lockout: Players Who Should Consider a Career in the NFL

With the NBA lockout still going on and no foreseeable end in sight, players need to start looking for other work.

Some have gone overseas to play basketball, Delonte West went to Home Depot, but many are still out of work.

What better way for some of these NBA players to make millions than play football?

Sure, success in basketball doesn't necessarily translate to the gridiron and certain elite NBA players would certainly not be cut out for the NFL.

But there are many basketball players that could make an impact in the NFL and should seriously consider it.

LeBron James

Position: TE/WR

The first person that comes to mind when you think of an NBA player that could play in the NFL is LeBron James. He has hinted at it in tweets and was even in a commercial where he joined the Cleveland Browns.

The bottom line is, the man is a freak of nature.

At 6'9" and 280 pounds, he has 4.4 speed and could be a coverage nightmare for any NFL player. Even "Revis Island" falls a solid 10 inches short of LeBron.

He also has the size and strength to block most defensive ends as a tight end. He could even play fullback or running back if he wanted.

That being said, I do not think he would have the right attitude and toughness to play defense, which is a shame because he is built perfectly for linebacker.

If I were an NFL coach or general manager, I would still be knocking on LeBron's door.

Derrick Rose

Position: RB/DB

Derrick Rose's ridiculous speed, blinding quickness and vision would make him a perfect NFL running back.

He certainly wouldn't be a power running back and couldn't create holes on his own, but he could see holes develop and dart through the smallest of them before they closed.

He would also be great in the open field with blockers in front. Teams could use him beautifully for screen plays.

He also has the quickness and size to stay with any elite NFL receiver. He may not be the NFL MVP like he was in the NBA, but he could certainly make an impact.

Dwight Howard

Position: TE/DE

If you thought LeBron James would be a coverage nightmare for smaller defensive backs, picture a 5'10" corner trying to cover Dwight Howard. At 6'11", he can probably out-jump any NFL player.

And with his size and incredible strength, he could be an excellent blocker as well.

On the defensive side, he could take on blockers, pressure quarterbacks and bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. He'd be an ideal defensive end.

Superman could certainly be super in the NFL. 

Rajon Rondo

Position: Slot WR/QB

Rajon Rondo initially wanted to go to the NFL because football was his favorite sport.

His mother urged him to play basketball, which ended up becoming his new favorite sport.

In high school, he played quarterback and may be able to play a Wildcat system in the NFL. But I see him as the perfect slot wide receiver—fast, quick, big hands and above all, tough.

If he can play through a dislocated elbow, he can handle any NFL hit.

He would be cut out of the Wes Welker mold and could certainly be a reliable target for any quarterback.

Glen Davis

Position: G/FB/DT/LB

Glen Davis is one of the few NBA players that is actually built for football.

With his surprising speed and quickness, he could pound the ball between tackles and take out linebackers with blocks as a fullback.

His size also makes him ideal for the offensive and defensive line. He could play middle linebacker on running downs.

And we know he can take a hit from all the charges he's taken in basketball.

But if he were to go back to football, he'd have to ditch the nickname, "Big Baby."

Shaquille O'Neal

Position: Lineman

I know he's retired and his injury-prone body probably wouldn't last very long in the NFL.

But just picture him out there on the defensive line.

At nose tackle, he would be a nightmare for any center. With his size and strength, he could bull rush most offensive linemen.

With his height, he could knock down any pass thrown over the middle. And the double teams he would require would free up space for the other linemen.

If nothing else, he would be a hard man to move and would take up a lot of space.

Nate Robinson

Position: PR/KR

Nate Robinson is the only player on this list to actually have played college football. He played basketball and football for Washington.

His quickness makes him perfect for returning punts and kicks in the NFL. If any team is looking for a new return man, I would look no further than Nate Robinson.

Allen Iverson

Position: QB/S/KR

I know A.I. is no longer in the NBA and old, but there is no way you can deny the tremendous football talent he had. He could have been, as they said in the video, equivalent to Michael Vick if he had chosen football.

Perhaps he should have chosen football over basketball, but then again I'm not sure his work ethic would have been acceptable in the NFL.

Imagine what a coach like Bill Belichick would have done if Iverson gave his practice speech while playing for them. 

Still, his talent would definitely translate to success in the NFL.

Steve Nash

Position: K/P

At any other position, I think Steve Nash would be a terrible football player.

With his size, he would get lit up and with his lack of quickness, he couldn't cover anyone.

But he is supposedly quite the soccer player and with that leg, he could certainly kick field goals or punt.

And there is always a spot on the team for a kicker or punter.

Ron Artest

Position: LB

Ron Artest, I mean Metta World Peace, is certifiably insane.

That actually translates well to the gridiron, specifically the defensive side of the ball.

He would make a perfect linebacker because of his size, strength and mindset. He's not afraid of anyone and would take on any blocker to pursue the ball carrier with reckless abandon.

I see him having a style of play similar to Ray Lewis, but he would certainly not come close to being as good as Ray.