Which player on the Cleveland Cavaliers would make the best NFL player?

Which player on the Cleveland Cavaliers would make the best NFL player?

All right, we wrap up our WKYC show with a fun topic of all the Cavaliers, you can only pick one. I’m taking Donovan Mitchell. I mean, the guy’s an athlete. When I saw him put on the, the display that he did at home run derby a couple of years ago, I said this dude could do whatever he wants. And with his quickness and his athleticism and his burst, I’d like to see him as a wide receiver. I’d like to see him. Maybe as a safety, I think he’d be a great, a great football player if he decided he wanted to try that. Yeah, he, he’s built like a football player too. Like think about it, he’s 6’2, but his 6’2 is a little different from everybody else’s. Yeah, — it
— is different. It is different. He’s thick. The easiest answer was just traded away. Isaac Okoro. Oh yeah, looks like it looks like a tight end. Like that guy would be he play safety, yeah, yeah, I, I. I, I, I don’t know. I got a kind of a few different ones that I would consider Larry Nance, I guess would be one just with his size. Can you imagine him coming off the edge with the defensive end or a tackle with with those long arms, offense, — you have to beef up a little
— bit, yeah, — if you wanna play offensive line for
— sure, but he, he, coming off the edge, like, can you imagine him setting the edge like you’re not getting outside. You’re not getting outside who you. Mike, what do you got? I got a couple I wanna throw out to you. You guys tell me if you like these or not. My first thought was, well, Evan Mope would be a pretty dangerous red zone receiver on jump balls. You just put 611 Evan out there. I hope he doesn’t get hit, man. That’s why he would he would break in half. More realistic receiver option though is Jalen Tyson. If you don’t know, his younger brother Jordan is a preseason all-American at receiver. Arizona State. Jalen has told us in the past football was his first love, but he got too tall. So maybe he still would be a little too tall, but at 67, he could be a dangerous. I also thought Darius Garland as a slot receiver, maybe a defensive back, you know, we’ve had our qualms about some of his toughness. Would that translate to the NFL? I sure those questions are valid. I also think Max Drews would be a great safety. That dude plays with a. Willingness to put his body on the line, a fire emergency, and he’s way more aggressive and athletic than he gets credit for. He just looks like the white shooter on the corner, but he’s actually way more aggressive and way more downhill oriented than I think a lot of people, uh, realize, and I. I think he as a safety, maybe a box specialist safety kind of a la the role Titus Powell played in the league. I think Max Struth might be a sneaky answer here. — We
— lost ourselves. I can’t believe I didn’t pick this one. The most dominant player ever. If you like Greg Olson, if you like Jeremy Shocky. Than the vanilla wolf himself. Dean Wade, running up the seam is dominant. 6’9. Listen, Dean Wade would be unstoppable at tight end. The vanilla wolf spread outside. Kevin Sapany would run reverses with this man. He’s he’s he’s gonna sweep. Wildcat, he has, he’s gonna return the kicks too. What are you talking about like D Wade is, is dominant, man. — He might
— be the last guy I would pick. Dominant. He’s he’s a 72 on Madden. 72 overall. His speed is probably like a 74, but his wingspan, I mean, look, bro, I mean, listen, I, I, I gotta go with Dean Wade, bro. — I can’t believe it is an interesting
— topic. I, you know, the, the guy that always comes to mind, of course, former Cavalier, but. I would have loved to see LeBron James. I would have loved it more than anything. I, I, I, I’ll die on the hill. You could have been a Hall of Famer in the NFL too. You think he could have? Absolutely. I think, I mean, 6’8, — he’s a 6’8 think
— of his speed too. Like people, like his closing speed and Golden State for the block.

let’s break this down from a Cleveland sports fan’s lens and focus on Larry Nance Jr., Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley. If you’re asking which Cavalier could flip the script and make noise in the NFL, here’s how I see it:

Larry Nance Jr. would be the safest and most natural pick to succeed on the gridiron. At 6’7”, 245, with elite bounce, strength, and coordination, Nance has tight end written all over him. He’s already got the build of a flex TE—think David Njoku with better knees. Plus, his basketball IQ would translate well to reading zone coverages and sitting in soft spots. He’s also got that second-generation athlete edge and played multiple sports growing up. You put him in an NFL weight room for six months and he could be a serious red zone problem.

Evan Mobley is the unicorn pick. His length and fluidity at 7’0” would make him a terrifying mismatch as a rangy wide receiver or hybrid tight end. But here’s the thing—can he take a hit? That wiry frame might not hold up over the middle, but his catch radius and footwork would make for a hell of a fade route target. If you’re building him from scratch, he’s your Darren Waller-type experiment.

Donovan Mitchell? That’s your explosive slot receiver. He’s built compact and powerful like an NFL skill guy, and his quick-twitch burst off the dribble would eat up cushion on cornerbacks all day. I could easily see him as a Deebo Samuel-lite — motioning into the backfield, running jet sweeps, lining up out wide, and taking bubble screens to the house.

Darius Garland probably gets ruled out for size and durability concerns, but if he had to play, he’s a creative offensive mind you’d want holding a clipboard or possibly returning punts—just not absorbing hits from 250-pound linebackers.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Epicor
From small businesses with big dreams to growing enterprises with global vision, we’ll equip you with the right tools to move forward, think ahead, and lead the way. Discover your success at www.easierwithepicor.com.
Living For We
New episodes drop every other Tuesday, starting February 11th. Listen to Living For We wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video version on Ideastream’s YouTube channel. Learn more at ideastream.com/podcast/living-for-we.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k
Did you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with Fire TV Stick 4K devices — no console required. Head to Amazon.com/firetvlockedon to get started. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and compatible controller required.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.
Buckeye State Credit Union is a LOCAL brand that offers a wide range of products from checking accounts to home equity lines of credit & auto loans. Head to Buckeyecu.org for more information.
Menu RX: “Whether you’re chasing peak performance, building your dream body, or seeking optimal longevity, Menu-Rx will help you reach your goals. Go to Menu-RX dot com to get your consultation today.”
Buckeye State Credit Union
Experience the difference with Buckeye State Credit Union. We make banking effortless and convenient for you. Visit us online at buckeyecu.org and discover how Buckeye State Credit Union simplifies your financial journey. Buckeye State Credit Union – Your Money, Simplified.

Subscribe and ring the bell for the latest talk about the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Buckeyes: https://bit.ly/ucss_subscribe

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ultclesports

Watch live on YouTube 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays on YouTube and WKYC+ on your Roku and Fire TV apps!

The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show is your daily source of the best conversation about the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Buckeyes, as well as sports throughout Northeast Ohio. Produced by Mike Lucas, Anthony Antonelli, and Earl Mauldin. Hosted by Jay Crawford, Adam the Bull, G Bush, Jason Lloyd, and Tyvis Powell.