The Ultimate NFL Starting Lineup with Superstars from Other Sports

There's no question that most professional athletes have the capability to excel at a sport aside from the one they currently specialize in.

With the NBA lockout now over, hoopsters will soon be back to their current occupation. But we can always dream up a roster of what non-NFLers would be best suited to play on the gridiron.

Some of the players selected were previously football stars on a lower level, and all possess the necessary physical attributes.

QB: Joe Mauer

The only catcher in Major League Baseball history to claim three batting titles, Minnesota Twins backstop Joe Mauer played high school basketball and football in addition to his baseball duties at Saint Paul's Cretin-Derham Hall.

His career as a quarterback was hard to overlook.

During his senior season, Mauer thew for 3,022 yards and a whopping 41 touchdowns, and he led his team to two consecutive state championship game appearances.

In 2000, he was named the National High School Quarterback of the Year by The National Quarterback Club.

Those credentials give us good reason to make him the starting signal-caller on this squad.

RB: Carl Crawford

Crawford's initial season as a member of the Boston Red Sox didn't go the way he'd like, so he could always make the transition back to football.

Heck, he originally signed a letter of intent to be an option quarterback for the University of Nebraska. 

At Jefferson Davis High School in Houston, TX, Crawford's speed did wonders in three different sports, including football.

The four-time American League stolen base champion would be hard to catch in the open field.

FB: DeJuan Blair

What running back wouldn't want this Mack Truck of a basketball player being his lead blocker?

DeJuan Blair's 6'7", 270-pound frame has been effective in the paint for the San Antonio Spurs and would be useful for any NFL club.

And if you did decide to feed him the ball, he'd likely plunge the ball forward.

WR: Jeff Samardzija

Samardzija has the distinction of playing for two of the most well-known entities in American sports.

During his college days, he became a breakout star for Notre Dame as a wideout in 2005.

That season, Samardzija set single-season school records with 1,215 yards and 15 touchdown catches.

By the time he graduated after the 2006 campaign, he was the Fighting Irish's all-time leader in receiving yardage (2,593).

Samardzija's intention was to play both in the NFL and MLB, but he chose the latter.

He has since been a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, but the door is always open for him to go back to catching passes rather than throwing pitches.

WR: Matt Kemp

The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder probably wouldn't want to quit his day job.

After all, he just finished a close second for the National League Most Valuable Player Award after posting a career year in 2011.

Nevertheless, Matt Kemp has the ideal combination for a wide receiver.

The 6'3", 225-pound Kemp has the size to block and break tackles after the catch.

He also has the speed to get open and pull away from defenders. The 40 stolen bases he posted last year is proof of that.

TE: LeBron James

If you were to do a poll of NFL players and ask them the one athlete not currently playing pro football that could strap on the helmet and pads and be effective, it would be LeBron James.

The current Miami Heat forward took his talents to the gridiron (as well as the hardwood) while attending St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School in Akron, Ohio.

Today, his tall stature and great strength would make for a superb tight end.

There's no doubt LeBron would likely be a great football player.

But his quest for a title would be fruitless if he jumped on board with the nearby NFL club, the Miami Dolphins.

OT: Prince Fielder

This offensive line begins with a sought-after free-agent first baseman.

When figuring out which new club to sign with, why not this one?

Prince Fielder never played high school football, but he has the size to do it.

The most important thing to teach him is not his footwork or blocking techniques. It's actually his diet. In 2008, Fielder became a vegetarian.

Unfortunately for him, the menu will likely need to change to meat and fish if he wants to bulk up for the purposes of this team.

OG: Glen Davis

"Big Baby" attended college at LSU, so he has to know something about football.

Regardless of his pigskin knowledge, Davis is 6'9" and 289 pounds.

Size alone makes him a guy that should be able to block and protect the quarterback.

The Celtics center has steadily improved his rebounding in his four seasons with Boston.

He'll also be called upon to box out any oncoming defensive linemen or linebackers.

Center: CC Sabathia

Before fanning major league batters, Sabathia was an all-conference tight end at Vallejo High School in California.

In fact, he received scholarship offers to play football at UCLA and the University of Hawaii.

He initially signed a letter of intent to play for the Rainbow Warriors.

The New York Yankees are fortunate that he decided to stick with pitching.

It's likely that Sabathia has gained a few pounds since his high school days and would be better suited for a different position that also requires blocking.

OG: Jonathan Broxton

The 6'4", 295-pound closer is one of the heaviest players in Major League Baseball and possesses plenty of power with his fastball and slider combination.

That same power could be applied when the 27-year-old takes on defensive linemen.

Broxton has earned 84 saves in his big-league career, one that debuted in July 2005.

He could save a quarterback from lying flat on his back if he were to play as a guard.

OT: Kendrick Perkins

Perkins is 15 pounds lighter than Broxton, but his mix of strength and agility will give him the capability of preventing a defensive end from beating him on the edge.

The former Boston Celtic and current member of the Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the NBA's best at low-post defense.

But offense will be his specialty as far as football is concerned.

DE: Ryan Howard

Whenever his Achilles tendon heals up, he's always welcome to opt out of the Philadelphia Phillies' starting lineup and play defensive end.

With two National League home run titles and 286 total round-trippers to his credit, Ryan Howard has great size and strength.

The only concern, obviously, would be the proneness to injury.

DL: Brock Lesnar

The goal of a defensive lineman is to bowl over the opposition in order to make a play.

Who better to serve that duty than someone that is involved in a profession with very similar ideals?

Brock Lesnar is one of the most well-known names in mixed martial arts.

His wrestling skills can prove effective when engaged with members of the offensive line.

DL: Cain Velasquez

If one MMA star is good, two is better.

Cain Velasquez previously held the UFC Heavyweight Championship belt for 385 days before relenting the crown to Junior dos Santos earlier this month.

As is the case with the aforementioned Lesnar, Velasquez will feel right at home when he's lined up as one of this team's defensive linemen.

DE: Dwight Howard

It's only fitting that a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year would be on defense when he suits up for football.

Howard's strength is showcased best when blocking shots (2.2 per game) or when blocking his opponents and getting in position to grab a rebound (12.9 per game).

The 6'11" Howard's incredible wingspan will make it awfully hard for a quarterback to throw a pass around his outstretched arms.

LB: Zdeno Chara

It's doubtful that this native of the Czech Republic has played a game of American football.

However, he'd probably enjoy playing the position of linebacker.

Chara (6'9", 260 pounds) is regarded as one of the NHL's biggest hitters.

The good news for him is that he won't have to alter his mindset much when he steps from the ice to the turf.

LB: Alex Ovechkin

His knowledge regarding the game of football may be low as well, but it would sure be fun to see what Ovechkin could do.

Aside from Sidney Crosby, the Washington Capitals captain is the biggest star that professional hockey has to offer.

It's quite likely that his colorful personality (along with his fierce hits) would shine through in the NFL too.

LB: Blake Griffin

The breakout star of the NBA's 2010-11 campaign, Blake Griffin would probably be a solid wide receiver or tight end.

But we'll slot him in as a linebacker.

Griffin is quick enough to track down ball-carriers or cover pass-catchers and is powerful enough to blitz.

It wouldn't be that much of a surprise to see the Los Angeles Clippers' slam dunk champ leap over defenders in order to make a play.

Safety: Troy Tulowitzki

Cal Ripken Jr. was the first to not let a large frame impede him from playing shortstop at a Hall of Fame level.

This was continued by the likes of Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra and Alex Rodriguez.

Troy Tulowitzki is ready to join this distinguished group.

He has the range and instincts to make him a great shortstop for years to come.

It could also help as a member of this football team's secondary.

Safety: Hanley Ramirez

Ramirez's entry makes it all shortstops at the safety position.

As is the case with some others on this team, it's doubtful that Florida's prized young player has played football.

That's mainly true due to the fact that he hails from a country (Dominican Republic) that has more history in world football.

But give him some lessons and his physical attributes can take over.

CB: Chris Paul

While growing up in Lewisville, NC, Paul led his Pop Warner football team to the national championship while playing both quarterback and linebacker.

Basketball has proven to be a wise athletic choice, as he is not only one of the NBA's best floor generals but is also one of the top defensive guards.

The latter would make him effective in sticking with wide receivers in the passing game.

CB: Dwyane Wade

If you have LeBron James on a team, it's now highly likely that he probably joined in order to link up with D-Wade.

Despite having limited to no football experience, the Miami Heat guard has the size, speed and instincts that would make him an ideal man to play in the secondary.

Punter: Tim Howard

One skill needed in order to be a successful goalkeeper is the ability to not just stop shots from going past but also the ability to boot the ball as much away from you as possible.

Howard did both nicely when he started each game of the United States' 2010 World Cup run to the Round of 16.

Another capacity in which his services could be most helpful would be as an NFL punter.

It'll be interesting to see if he can kick a football as well as he can kick a soccer ball.

Kicker: David Beckham

He's likely the biggest star from the world of soccer.

After claiming the MLS Cup with the Los Angeles Galaxy, David Beckham may be headed toward retirement from the sport.

A perfect career transition could be in place.

When a field goal needs to be made from an angle, there may be no one better at bending it through the uprights than Beckham.