Davante Adams: LeBron James Could’ve Dominated NFL as Elite Wide Receiver

Sarah Johnson
July 10, 2025
Brief
Rams' Davante Adams claims LeBron James could’ve been an all-time great NFL wide receiver or tight end, citing his speed and size.
Los Angeles Rams' star wide receiver Davante Adams recently stirred the sports world with a bold claim: NBA legend LeBron James could have been one of the greatest NFL wide receivers or tight ends ever. Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, Adams didn’t hold back, praising James’ freakish athleticism. "He would have been one of the best receivers, tight ends of all time. No question," Adams declared, pointing to James’ blazing speed as a key factor. At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, James’ physical profile screams NFL potential, dwarfing even some of the game’s all-time greats.
James himself has fueled this tantalizing what-if scenario. On the New Heights podcast, he compared his potential football style to a blend of Randy Moss’s route-running finesse and Rob Gronkowski’s physical dominance, while noting his build mirrors Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. "I’m bigger than most receivers, but I’ve got that speed to cover ground like the fastest NBA guys," James said, name-dropping Tony Gonzalez, another basketball-to-football success story who dunked on goalposts and earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Adams, a six-time Pro Bowler with 957 catches, 11,844 yards, and 103 touchdowns in his 11-year career, knows a thing or two about elite receiving. His move to the Rams this offseason, pairing him with rising star Puka Nacua, creates a dynamic duo that could dominate defenses. But James in the NFL? That’s a dream matchup we’ll never see—though he admitted to briefly considering it during the 2011 NBA lockout when he was still young enough to make the leap.
While we’ll never know if James could’ve traded dunks for touchdowns, the idea of him bulldozing linebackers or outrunning cornerbacks is enough to keep fans debating for years.
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Editor's Comments
LeBron James catching touchdowns? He’d probably dunk the ball over the goalpost and call it a layup! Adams is right—LeBron’s speed and size would’ve made defenders look like they’re chasing a freight train in flip-flops. But let’s be real, the only thing LeBron’s tackling now is his post-game press conference.
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