The 2024 NFL draft is simply across the nook, which suggests you are about to start out listening to (if you have not already) many prospects be in comparison with a number of the finest previous and current NFL stars.
NFL draft evaluators’ matches are sometimes based mostly on fashion of play, bodily measurements, manufacturing, versatility and position, comparable traits or some mixture of these. And prospect-to-player comparisons are useful as a result of they may give you a way of how prospects mission to the subsequent stage. They don’t seem to be all the time actual and do not essentially counsel that the prospect will share the identical stage of success because the NFL participant (for higher or worse). However comps are helpful to get an concept of a participant’s fashion of play.
Who does quarterback Caleb Williams remind us of? Who’re good matches for prime large receivers reminiscent of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers? We requested 14 of our NFL analysts for his or her favourite prospect-to-pro comps for this yr’s draft class. And take a look at the “SportsCenter Particular: Matt Miller’s Prospect Comps” at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the ESPN app on Monday evening.
Harrison shows the savvy route-running traits, protection consciousness and high-end ball expertise/physique management that remind me of Hopkins’ fashion of play. With the flexibleness to isolate on the boundary or work out of the slot, the Ohio State receiver has three-level matchup capability and an All-Professional upside. — Matt Bowen, NFL analyst
Makes use of his legs to purchase time outdoors of the pocket? Examine. Wilson threw 20% of his passes outdoors the pocket from 2012 to 2021, and Williams (USC) got here in at 23% from 2021 to 2023. Combines glorious effectivity with elite playmaking? Examine. Wilson accomplished 65% of his passes at 12.0 yards per completion — properly over the league common of 11.4 — in Seattle. Williams accomplished 67% of his passes at 13.7 yards per completion in school. Granted, Williams will not have to attend till the third spherical to listen to his identify referred to as; he has all of the instruments you’d need from a No. 1 decide. — Invoice Connelly, school soccer reporter
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Legette (South Carolina) and Brown are eerily comparable in relation to their physique actions and elegance of play. Each gamers are well-built receivers — Legette is 6-foot-1, 221 kilos, whereas Brown measured 6-foot, 226 kilos in 2019 — who’ve the power to run by tackles and the velocity to tug away from defenders for lengthy beneficial properties. They each show large ball expertise to go up and make contested catches, as properly. — Turron Davenport, Titans reporter
Mitchell (Toledo) actually has the bodily profile of Lattimore; Lattimore was 6-foot, 193 kilos in 2017, and Mitchell is 6-0⅛, 193 kilos. They usually have virtually equivalent timed velocity numbers, as properly. Lattimore ran a 4.36-second 40-yard sprint, and Mitchell ran a 4.33. However dive in somewhat deeper, and Mitchell’s willingness to get proper within the large receiver’s wheelhouse on the line of scrimmage — he was by far essentially the most aggressive, bodily cornerback on the Senior Bowl this yr — mirrors a lot of what Lattimore did in his time at Ohio State. — Jeff Legwold, Broncos reporter
Brees dropped to the highest of Spherical 2 in 2001 due to his 6-foot measurement and questions on whether or not his arm power was tapped out. Now? He is a lock for the Corridor of Fame in 2026. Nix, my fifth-ranked quarterback on this class, is somewhat taller at 6-2, however he has a number of the similar questions, particularly coming from an Oregon offense that noticed him throw fast and brief. However after I watch Nix throw with precision, I see plenty of Brees’ accuracy in him. — Mel Kiper Jr., NFL draft analyst
Verse, a former walk-on at Albany, transferred to Florida State in 2022 and reworked right into a first-round decide. Like Hendrickson, he comes off the ball with incredible energy in his first step and has the upper-body power to rock again offensive tackles off the sting. Verse — and Hendrickson — even have the quickness and bend to be premier pass-rushers from a 4-3 defensive finish alignment. — Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst
Newton (Illinois) and Jarrett have the preliminary quickness, lively fingers and instincts to slide blocks, find the ball and make performs within the backfield. They do not have nice measurement — Newton measures 6-2, 304 kilos, and Jarrett is 6-0, 305 kilos — however they play with good pad stage and might stack greater blockers. Their bodily fingers and motors make them efficient pass-rushers. — Steve Muench, NFL draft analyst
McCarthy and Cousins play with a excessive stage of conviction and routinely make troublesome throws from the pocket look simpler than they need to. The previous Michigan quarterback has his eyes and arm tied to his toes on when and the place to throw the ball. — Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst
Relating to pass-rush repertoire, there is not a greater pure pass-rusher on this draft class than Latu. At 6-5, 259 kilos, the previous UCLA defensive finish is much like Crosby in stature (6-5, 255 kilos) and taking part in fashion. They each have an array of strikes and might bend and nook to get to the quarterback, whereas additionally taking part in with a motor that by no means stops. — Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst
At 6-3, Thomas used his size and velocity to guide the FBS in touchdowns with 17 at LSU. His mix 40-yard sprint time of 4.33 seconds was quicker than Higgins’ 4.59 and will result in an earlier choice, however each have large frames and the power to rack up touchdowns in and across the purple zone. Like Higgins, who averaged practically 20 yards per catch in his remaining season at Clemson, Thomas can persistently assault defenses down the sphere. — Adam Rittenberg, school soccer reporter
What to know for the 2024 NFL draft
• Mock drafts | DraftCast: High prospects• Rankings: Kiper | Miller | Reid | Yates• QB Sizzling Board | First-rounders | Comps• Place ranks | Full order | Learn extra
Nabers (LSU) and Lamb each have the expertise to dominate routes in any respect three ranges and alter tempo to get open, and each of them wanted some enchancment in working crisp routes popping out of school (Lamb was within the 2020 class). The 2 have comparable frames, however Lamb is barely taller than Naber’s 6-foot stature at 6-2. — Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst
Sweat is 366 kilos and was unblockable at instances throughout his remaining season at Texas and through this yr’s Senior Bowl practices. Whereas he may not have the vary of Wilfork, he did have a 10-yard cut up of 1.8 seconds on the mix, exhibiting his quickness. — Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst
Beebe is a plug-and-play quick starter, who has the dimensions (6-3, 322 kilos) and energy to have an extended and illustrious NFL profession. Beebe is a bit greater than Mankins was in 2005 (6-4, 307 kilos), however the Kansas State lineman tasks to have the identical quick impression and prolonged profession. — Pete Thamel, school soccer reporter
In the event you’re searching for a security on this yr’s class with elite vary and protection expertise, the reply is Bullock. The slender USC security patrols centerfield akin to Williams, as Bullock had 9 interceptions over the previous three seasons and returned two for a rating. Whereas neither participant is a major power towards the run, Williams has proven how one of these talent set can thrive within the NFL. — Subject Yates, NFL draft analyst
