10 Athletes From Other Sports Who Could Play in the Super Bowl: Who's Playing QB?

Every year during Super Bowl week, the "what if" conversations start. We see the best of the best on the world stage, but it's hard not to wonder how the giants of the NBA, MLB, and NHL, would fare under the spotlight of the Super Bowl. Who would make the roster? What position would they play?

Here are 10 athletes from other sports who could play in the Super Bowl. Let's have some fun with this one, shall we?

10 athletes we'd love to see in the Super Bowl

Here are the best 10 athletes from other professional sports we'd love to see suit up in the Super Bowl

10. Zion Williamson (NBA) - Defensive tackle

Zion is 285 pounds of explosive power (when he's healthy). His second-jump ability is legendary, which would translate into a devastating "bull rush" as an interior defensive lineman. He has the "leverage" and strength to collapse an NFL pocket by himself. Just imagine him and Myles Garrett on the same line, they'd cause some damage.

9. Jazz Chisholm (MLB) - Cornerback

NFL cornerbacks need elite flexibility, endurance, and recovery speed. Not only that, but they are usually lanky, with their long arms used to rack up pass defenses. Chisholm possesses all of these skills - just watch him go from first to third to see his explosiveness, and that's all you'll need to convince yourself he'd be a solid defensive back.

8. Shohei Ohtani (MLB) - Quarterback

The Unicorn of baseball has the arm strength to throw 100 mph and the speed to steal 50 bases. That's the literal definition of a dual-threat NFL quarterback. Ohtani's poise and ability to process information at a high speed would translate perfectly to an NFL pocket. He wouldn't quite be a Lamar Jackson, but I'd compare him closer to Josh Allen at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.

7. Anthony Edwards (NBA) - Safety

"Ant-Man" is arguably the most athletic player in the NBA today. He has famously stated he could have played in the NFL, and his combination of lateral quickness and "downhill" explosiveness would make him a terrifying ball-hawk safety. He wouldn't hit as hard as Kam Chancellor, but he'd have the skills to lead the NFL in picks.

6. Tom Wilson (NHL) - Defensive end

At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, the Washington Capitals winger is built like a prototypical NFL linebacker. Wilson is famous for his "heavy" hitting and a high-motor playing style that would translate seamlessly to a 4-3 defense. He has the size to set the edge against the run and the mean streak required to intimidate quarterbacks in the pocket. I'd slap him right in the middle of my defense.

5. Mike Trout (MLB) - Linebacker

Trout is built like a brick house. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, he has the explosive lower-body strength of a modern NFL linebacker. His history as a high school football standout in New Jersey proves he has the "hit power" to compete in the trenches. I'd love to watch Trout go one-on-one with an NFL linebacker in the A gap.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA) - Wide receiver

Who's stopping him? The Greek Freak has a wingspan of nearly 7-foot-3. As a wide receiver, his catch radius would be the largest in NFL history. He wouldn't even need to beat cornerbacks with speed; he could simply "Moss" them. He'd be a red-zone specialist, and you'd have to at least double him every single time his offense got inside the 10-yard line.

3. Connor McDavid (NHL) - Running back

The NHL’s fastest skater has the elite vision and footwork required to be a star NFL tailback. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, McDavid’s ability to accelerate from zero to 100 in a heartbeat and cut on a dime is a trait shared by the likes of Christian McCaffrey. He’d be a weapon in the screen game, and if he sniffs an open lane, watch out - he's gone.

2. Aaron Judge (MLB) - Defensive end

Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 282 pounds, the Yankees’ captain has the exact frame of an elite NFL edge rusher. His get-off speed and raw power would make him a nightmare for offensive tackles. In another life, Judge is likely a perennial Pro-Bowl defensive end with double-digit sacks per season. Pair him with DeMarcus Lawrence on the Seahawks line and Drake Maye would be waking up in cold sweats.

1. LeBron James (NBA) - Tight end

At 6-foot-9 and roughly 250 pounds, LeBron is the ultimate "what if" in NFL history. With his vertical leap and massive wingspan, he would be the league's premier red-zone threat. Imagine Sam Darnold throwing a fade to LeBron in the corner of the end zone in the Super Bowl - it would be virtually undefendable. As a pure athlete, James could have arguably suited up in the NFL in his prime and have been a Pro Bowler.