Could LeBron James Really Play in the NFL?

Iverson is a good call. How much extra weight did he need to put on to play at higher levels? 30 or 40 pounds?

 

James could absolutely (eventually) play some kind of TE.

There is zero chance he could play OLB or DE as Barnwell suggests in that piece. He would be so badly embarrassed, he would not last three games.

 

I think he could play tight end in a system where the TE doesn't have blocking as a key duty.

Would he be any good? Can he take a hit? Those are the questions that are impossible to answer unless he puts on the pads. LeBron is in incredible shape and has the size that might translate to the NFL, but it's one thing to be big and it's another to be able to sustain a hit from someone like JJ Watt, Patrick Willis, Von Miller etc...

 

I think he would fit into a system like The Pats play with Gronkowski, but as Mizzou
wrote, can he take a hit.

 

Loved watching him. My second favorite player of his time behind Gary Payton.

 

As others have noted, I have no earthly idea why anyone would want to leave the NBA - the land of guaranteed contracts and highest average salary of the four major sports - for the NFL, with contracts that aren't worth the paper they're printed on and the lowest average salary of the four major sports

 

Ego, maybe? Football is king.

 

I don't think he has any interest at all. It's just an entertaining hypothetical.

 

Doug Flutie played hoops for BC a few years.

 

Sam Clancy played basketball at Pitt then went to the NFL, I don't think he played football at Pitt.

 

Can't recall where, but I remember hearing a quote once attributed to Urban Meyer, after scouting young Lebron back in his Ohio early days at Bowling Green, that he was the best receiving prospect he'd ever seen at that age.

I think the answer to the question is that IF Lebron had chosen to focus on football instead of basketball, YES, he certainly was capable of becoming an outstanding tight end or receiver in the NFL. He has all the tools other successful basketball to TE converts like Antonio Gates, Marcus Pollard and Jimmy Graham have, except that he's even faster, bigger and more athletic than all those guys--if they successfully made the conversion, there's no reason Lebron couldn't do it even better.

But could he do it NOW, starting at this age? I doubt it, nor would he have any incentive to ever consider giving it a try.

 

Chip Hilton played both football and basketball for State.