The NRL is just five days away from launching in Las Vegas as Americans get a live glimpse at what makes rugby league one of the best sports here in Australia.
Allegiant Stadium is usually the home of the Raiders but on the first weekend of March it will be re-imagined as the home of what will be a new experience for many people in attendance.
As excitement builds ahead of the NRL’s historic season opener, foxsports.com.au thought it would be fun to also try something a little different.
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Even if a mere pipe dream, we wondered — based on this year’s NRL rosters — what NFL star would best fit on your team.
Now obviously this is never going to be a clean fit and largely only some positions like running back, tight end, linebacker and safety would have some of the most transferable skills.
But we decided to put our imaginations to the test and this is what foxsports.com.au came up with!
BRONCOS — Fred Warner: San Francisco 49ers, LB
Looking at Brisbane’s squad, regardless of position, this is largely a team that boasts plenty of firepower and explosiveness – particularly through the middle – but could do with a hard-edged, reliable presence in the middle of the field with strong defence. So we’re going to go with the experience and game-changing ability of 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, who has now been to two Super Bowls. Warner grew up as an edge rusher in high school and college, with the kind of speed and athleticism that would further help him adapt to defending in space required to play in the NRL. At linebacker though Warner has developed into one of the best at the position and become a key piece of San Francisco’s vaunted defence, finishing the 2023 season with 132 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.
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RAIDERS — Sam LaPorta: Detroit Lions, TE
A squad that is very much nearing a transition point at this stage. So, maybe we’ll give them a younger player who has plenty of growth ahead of him in Detroit’s Sam LaPorta, who proved in his rookie season that tight ends can thrive in the NFL with creative play-calling. LaPorta is the kind of dual threat player that thrived as a pass-catcher, leading the league at the position with 10 receiving touchdowns, while also improving as a blocker to help open up running lanes in the NFL. The productive LaPorta was a dependable option in the receiving game with 86 catches for 889 yards, earning Pro Bowl honours. LaPorta’s size and versatility would make him an appealing player for this exercise, although like many on this list adapting to the fast-paced nature of the NRL would be a challenge.
BULLDOGS — Dave Canales: Carolina Panthers, coach
OK, we’re going to cheat a little bit on this one. If there is one clear need for the Bulldogs at this point it is in the halves. But there is no NFL player who would even come close to developing the well-rounded skillset, in particular with long-range kicking, that you need to become an NRL halfback – even punters. So, we’re going to go with a coach this time instead and offer up Dave Canales. He just took over the vacant coaching job at the Carolina Panthers, having enjoyed success in back-to-back seasons with quarterbacks Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. Both signal callers had been largely unproductive in the early stages of their career, with Smith relegated to back-up roles while Mayfield was a top pick in the 2018 NFL draft but has never gone close to living up to the high expectations that come with it. Both players though enjoyed career resurgences in their years working under Canales. So, if anyone made sense with a team like the Bulldogs that still has one big question mark at the sport’s most critical position, it is Canales.
SHARKS — Jameson Williams: Detroit Lions, WR
This is a solid squad with the right pieces in the key positions but maybe in need of a true X-factor player who can break a game open. If you’re talking X-factor in the NFL there are a lot of ways you could go. For the purpose of this exercise, let’s focus on pace. In the NFL that can mean a few players but let’s go with Detroit Lions speedster Jameson Williams. There is incredible raw athleticism to work with here. Williams hit a top speed of 20.7 miles per hour on a touchdown earlier last season and even told reporters he would be able to eclipse that in open space. Williams isn’t much of a physical presence at 185 centimetres and 82 kilograms while he still has plenty of refining to do at the NFL level as a route runner. In a sport like the NRL though, give him the ball in space and Williams would be electric.
DOLPHINS — Chase Brown: Cincinnati Bengals, RB
Running backs are always going to be one of the cleaner fits here because it’s something you can at least imagine given their job involves charging into a whole bunch of people, right?
Of course, there is a whole lot more nuance to being a successful running back, starting with understanding how to create holes and set up defenders. Power backs are more of the types to run through tackles and fight for yardage. The Dolphins already have plenty of workhorse-type forwards so they could do with a more explosive option and given they’re still a young, developing team we’re going to give them a player that fits that timeline. Chase Brown flashed his explosive, big-play potential as he mixed in alongside the more experienced Joe Mixon near the end of the season for Cincinnati. Brown had a season-long carry of 31 yards while also taking a screen pass to the house for a 54-yard score against the Colts.
TITANS — Bill Belichick: N/A, coach
Well, unlike a lot of the guys already mentioned at least Bill Belichick is still looking for a job? So what about switching the cold of New England for the sunny Gold Coast?
Of course, Tom Brady un-retiring again and teaming up with Belichick for one final swing at the Super Bowl would be much more likely than that. But in the context of this exercise, if there is one player or person the Titans would love to borrow from the NFL it would have to be a defensive mastermind that would turn them from the league’s perennial entertainers into a serious contender. Plus, add Belichick into the mix with Des Hasler and you never know what you would get at weekly press conferences.
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SEA EAGLES — Jaylen Warren: Pittsburgh Steelers, RB
Like many other NRL teams, Manly could do with a bit more juice off the bench and won’t have to look hard to find that in the NFL. We’re going to go back to the well at the running back position and this time with one of the most elusive runners in the league — Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Warren. Warren broke 25 tackles last season, ranking him fourth among the position despite having just 149 rushing attempts. For context, the three players above him on that list have 208, 255 and 267 attempts. Warren consistently proved himself capable of absorbing contact and still fighting for every yard, using his contact-balance to stay on his feet and turn what should be small carries into big runs. He also has the power and change of direction to generate big plays like he did on a 74-yard score against Cleveland. What’s more, he isn’t afraid of putting his body on the line for teammates too despite being undersized at the position in blocking situations.
STORM — Jordan Mailata: Philadelphia Eagles, LT
The Storm have Nelson Asofa-Solomona coming off the bench and he is already hard enough to deal with, but what if Melbourne added another big body? What if they added an NFL player with plenty of rugby league experience under his belt? That’s right. While all of these suggestions are pipe dreams, at least this one would have a realistic chance of working given Jordan Mailata’s time playing with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their junior grades. The Rabbitohs had a special move at the time where they would just give the ball to Mailata off kick-offs and watch him drag defenders along with him down the field. While Mailata wouldn’t be the same size mismatch now he’s still a giant at 203 centimetres and 166 kilograms. Mailata also had to maintain a serious level of commitment towards learning a sport he didn’t know so he would be well-prepared to condition himself for a return to rugby league.
WARRIORS — Josh Allen: Buffalo Bills, QB
Shaun Johnson used to be a dynamic running option in the halves who kept opposition defences guessing with his fancy footwork and deceptive passing game. And while those are still features of Johnson’s game, he has developed as a game manager as his career has progressed, improving his long-range kicking to emerge as a more traditional halfback for the Warriors. With that in mind, can you imagine what the Warriors’ attack would look like with someone like Josh Allen at five-eighth? Obviously, as is going to be the case for a lot of players on this list, passing and general game fitness will be a question mark. But when it comes to a pure rushing threat they don’t get much better than the Bills quarterback, who bamboozled the Steelers defence with a stunning 52-yard score in the Wild Card round. Allen also has the kind of frame that would make defending in the front-line not too much of an issue, at least from a physicality perspective.
KNIGHTS — Christian McCaffrey: San Francisco 49ers, RB
No NFL-NRL crossover list is complete without the leading non-quarterback MVP contender, right? Looking at the Knights, this is a team that could be lacking in firepower at front. So, why not go for the most dynamic running back in the NFL who can run, block and even throw for touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey has the kind of gravity that makes everyone around him better because of the attention he demands from opposition defences with his presence alone.
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COWBOYS — Saquon Barkley: Free agent, RB
North Queensland could do with some reinforcements up front with the likes of Jesse McLean and Jason Taumalolo getting older. In particular, they could benefit from an explosive presence off the bench, which lends itself to the running back position. On this occasion, we’re going to go with one who is slated to be a free agent this spring — Saquon Barkley. The Pro Bowl running back ranked No. 7 in rushing yards per game (68.7) last season, totalling 1,242 yards from scrimmage along with 10 touchdowns and that was in a struggling Giants defeat with a decimated offensive line.
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EELS — Dee Alford: Atlanta Falcons, CB
A clear solution at hooker would be nice but that is hard to project from any NFL player given the passing situations are completely different. So, let’s look elsewhere. The forward pack remains Parramatta’s biggest strength while the halves are set as is fullback. Maybe a defensive-minded backline option given the Eels’ issues making stops out wide? Cornerbacks with special teams experience are probably the best bet from the NFL there. Tre’Davious White would fit the bill given his punt return highlights at LSU, although he is recovering from a torn Achilles. Instead, we’ll go with Falcons cornerback Dee Alford who served as the team’s primary kick returner last season recording 160 return yards on punts. Alford obviously is far from a complete product after just his second season in the NFL but his versatility could make him a solid all-round option.
PANTHERS — Derrick Henry: Free agent, RB
Even the three-peat champions could always do with an added weapon from the NFL and if we were to pick any holes in Penrith’s roster it would probably be the bench, especially after the barnstorming Spencer Leniu’s departure. Again, a running back would probably make the most sense here but as mentioned earlier players at the position are hardly like-for-like. You have your smaller, home-run hitters like De’Von Achane and then you have your bigger bruising types like Derrick Henry, who can handle a bigger workload. Although in Henry’s case, even at this stage of his career, he can still rip off big runs. And even if this is just a fun exercise, the fact Henry is entering the latter stages of his career matters little because the Panthers would be all about maximising their title window right now anyway.
RABBITOHS — George Kittle: San Francisco 49ers, TE
Another team that doesn’t have too many question marks on paper outside of maybe at halfback but there aren’t many players in the NFL that would have transferable skills in that capacity. What about at centre, where the Bunnies are in need with Campbell Graham now injured? Well, you’ll need someone with good hands who can also make tackles in space. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was the highest-graded player at the position in the regular season according to ProFootballFocus. Kittle is dynamic after the catch, meaning he would be able to break tackles in space, while he is also a strong run blocker which positions him well to use his frame in defensive situations where needed.
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DRAGONS — Tyreek Hill: Miami Dolphins, WR
The Dragons need a fullback and while a punt returner would probably be the most like-for-like option out of the NFL this is never going to be an exact science anyway. So, looking more broadly at what the Red V require it is just game-breaking talent and individual brilliance that can turn something into nothing and elevate the attack. Look no further than Miami Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill, who is capable of taking any pass in the NFL to the house if you put him in space.
ROOSTERS — Ben Johnson: Detroit Lions, offensive co-ordinator
Looking at the Roosters’ roster, this is a team that on paper has very few holes and that has been a consistent theme for a number of years now. So, if the Tricolours were to pinch anyone from the NFL they’d be best served not with another superstar player but a proven play-caller that can get the most out of this roster. With that in mind, there was a reason Ben Johnson was a man in high-demand this summer before eventually re-signing with the Lions. Johnson’s creativity as a play-caller helped transform Detroit into one of the league’s best offences and the Roosters could do with an injection of new ideas to capitalise on their stacked list of talent.
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TIGERS — Trent McDuffie: Kansas City Chiefs, CB
The Tigers are entering a new era under Benji Marshall and while the spin is in a state of flux, what they could do with is a dependable backline option. Looking at positions in the NFL that could best translate there, wide receivers may not actually be the best option given the defensive requirements in the NRL. With that in mind, a cornerback — and maybe one who doubled as a special teams player at some point in their career — makes the most sense. Taking that into account, we’re going to go with Kansas City cornerback Trent McDuffie, whose ball-tracking skills and ability to win at the catch point made him a disruptive presence in the Chiefs defence. McDuffie earned ProFootballFocus’ fourth-best grade among cornerbacks in 2023 and came up with multiple crucial plays in the Super Bowl. He also returned nine punts for 74 yards in three seasons at Washington before making it in the NFL, so he has some special teams experience.
