Ever since Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones offered LeBron James a contract in 2011, fans and pundits alike have wondered which NBA players could make the jump to the gridiron. Recently, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has come up in that conversation, due to his freakish athleticism.

Former NFL defensive end Chris Long championed Edwards' football potential, as well as a few other hoopers on The Rich Eisen Show.

“Anthony Edwards number one, I think he could play wide receiver and go for a thousand yards next year,” Long said. “I just think he's kind of a rare field kind of athlete, he's like a special athlete. I'd say Russell Westbrook would be one. I'm trying to make a decision on Josh Hart, I'm trying to make a decision on OG Anunoby. I'm scouting people like the guy named Precious (Achiuwa) on the Knicks.”
Edwards is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound shooting guard that can outmuscle and outrun just about anybody in the league. That level of size, speed and strength is commonly found amongst number-one wideouts such as A.J. Brown, Davante Adams, and CeeDee Lamb.
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Edwards, a former youth league running back, has pondered a crossover to the NFL before, via Adam Uren of Sports Illustrated. Comedian Marco Summers asked him if there had been any such crossovers before on his Open Thoughts show.

“I think I might be the first one,” Edwards replied.

“Are you gonna do it?” Summers asked.

“I'm gonna try,” Edwards replied. “First I gotta handle my business in the NBA … as a time, Minnesota organization, we want to win a championship. After that, we'll figure that out.”

With Minnesota's current hot streak in the playoffs, the club may win its first ring earlier than expected. Out of all of the NBA's top athletes, would Edwards be the best NFL player?

Anthony Edwards is unlikely to leave the Timberwolves anytime soon, despite his football dreams

innesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dunks the ball in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game two of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena.
© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

This entire NBA-to-NFL discussion was recently spawned by Austin Rivers, who said that 30 hoopers could transfer to the NFL, but it couldn't happen the other way around. While former football players like JJ Watt and James Jones pushed back on that claim, Long seems to be on Rivers' side.

“I'm like looking at his (Achiuwa's) tape bro like I'm taking this serious Austin Rivers dude, you gave me something to do, I was bored and now I’m looking at combine numbers,” Long said.

Achiuwa, Anunoby, and Hart have all been showing their physicality and toughness on the New York Knicks' current playoff run. Hart has averaged 46.8 minutes and 12.8 rebounds a game in the postseason, which is impressive for a guard. Achiuwa is a 6-foot-8, 243-pound tank that can stand up to anybody down low. Meanwhile, Anunoby is the team's defensive anchor and can switch onto any position.

Westbrook, of course, has the temperament of a physical running back, blending size and speed to slash to the rim consistently. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, the Los Angeles Clipper has the frame to absorb NFL hits if he trained for it.

However, Edwards remains the only one on the list who's actually expressed interest in making the jump. Despite his NFL potential, “Ant-Man” is unlikely to leave the Wolves anytime soon. The Atlanta native is in the midst of a five-year, $204,450,000 deal with the club, which he signed in 2023. Edwards would have to wait until 2028 to truly consider making history.