NFL Draft Prospects and Their Pro Player Comparisons

The goal for these comparisons is to match the play style and abilities of 2023 NFL draft prospects to an NFL player known for those play styles and abilities, the goal is NOT to predict a career or definitively compare between players . I’ve formed the comparisons after watching regular season games, reviewing scouting reports and dialing up a YouTube highlight video or two.

QB

  • Bryce Young — Joe Burrow
    • 6’0 height
    • Escapeability in the pocket, but not a runner
    • Pinpoint accuracy
    • Dominated in the SEC, Heisman winners
  • Will Levis — Matthew Stafford
    • Ideal arm talent
    • Big body, harder to tackle
    • Good experience running plays under center, play action
  • C.J. Stroud — Geno Smith
    • Makes quick decisions in the pocket
    • Doesn’t rely on mobility
    • Ball placement gives receivers a chance
  • Anthony Richardson — Justin Fields
    • Off the charts athleticism
    • Strong natural arm
    • Playmaker
  • Hendon Hooker — Derek Carr
    • Able to identify open WR’s
    • Comfortable in the pocket
    • Average NFL arm strength
  • Tanner McKee — Jared Goff
    • Excels in timing/rhythm plays
    • Longer release in throwing motion
    • Tall, durable physique

WR

  • Quentin Johnston — Kyle Pitts
    • Athletic build that translates on field
    • Strong after the catch
  • Rashee Rice — A.J. Brown
    • Strong frame to win contested battles
    • Elusive and determined after the catch
  • Jordan Addison — Chris Olave
    • Excellent route runners
    • Elusive and electric with the ball
    • Similar physique (height/catch radius)
  • Jaxson Smith-Njigba — Jarvis Landry
    • Playmaker from the slot
    • Natural feel for open zones of the field
  • Josh Downs — Tyler Lockett
    • Versatile athlete
    • Same physique (height)
    • Great in contested catch situations
  • Jalin Hyatt — Jaylen Waddle
    • Fast, long strides that leads to separation

RB

  • Bijan Robinson — Austin Ekeler/Miles Sanders
    • Powerful lower half with contact balance
    • Receiving threat
    • Understands running lanes
  • Jahmyr Gibbs — Chrisitan McCaffrey
    • Electric kick / punt returner
    • Quick feet and acceleration to make defenders miss
    • Excellent receiving & route running
  • Devon Achane — Alvin Kamara
    • Off the charts balance / flexibility
    • Same forward leaning running style

2022 NFL Mock Draft: 3rd Edition (of 5)

Now that the NFL season has finished, each team has solidified their spot in the draft order and us fans can begin even more speculation. You can see my other mock drafts here, so as the draft process moves along you are able to see in real-time the changes of certain players and teams.

Keep in mind, these picks are what I think the teams should do, not what they will do.

Enjoy:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
    • At least in this draft we genuinely don’t know who might get drafted first overall. Neal is a freak athlete that former #1 overall pick, QB Trevor Lawrence, will be thankful for going forward.
  2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
    • He will be the local favorite, and Hutchinson should have immediate impact on an up and coming Lions roster. He matches the mold of what Detroit is trying to build.
  3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
    • This might not be the direction that Houston takes, however it’s the direction the NFL is taking; edge rushers are extremely valuable. Thibodeaux has shown glimpses of being able to develop into a cornerstone on defense.
  4. New York Jets: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
    • Saleh just can’t pass up a generational prospect in the secondary. Hamilton could have a Minkah Fitzpatrick-like ability to take away parts of the field and limit big plays.
  5. New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State
    • Pro-football Network’s Ian Cummings believes NYG need to spend at least one of their picks protecting Daniel Jones, so they grab a safe and versatile option on the offensive line in Ekwonu.
  6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
    • Sam Darnold has proven enough times that he is not worth starting for 17 games a season. Pickett is the safest QB and highly rated as the top QB in this class, as by draft analyst Ian Cummings.
  7. New York Giants (via CHI): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
    • The highest drafted center in quite some time, Linderbaum and Ekwonu will anchor the offensive line for a generation. It’ll be easier to build a dynamic offense with these two players.
  8. Atlanta Falcons: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
    • There’s a lot of directions to go here, and some Falcons fans believe the ‘best player available’ is the best option. Burks might not fit that mold, but he’ll fit nicely into that offense to add some more stability.
  9. Denver Broncos: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
    • Even if Willis sits for a year, DEN can’t afford to not address the position in the off season. Willis has the best physical traits and talent of the QB’s in this years draft.
  10. New York Jets (via SEA): Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
    • They upgraded their secondary already this draft, so why not help out the first line of defense? Walker was a part of a historic college defense, so his college production might not tell the story. His athleticism and anticipation are off the charts for his size and position.
  11. Washington Football Team: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
    • One of if not the most impressive player during the bowl season, Dean looks ready to be a defensive leader. Adding his instincts and traits to a defense with good pieces already (just not at LB) will make a positive difference.
  12. Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
    • With a good showing against Alabama in his playoff game, Sauce Gardner could see his draft stock rise as high as MIN, who could use a game-ready corner.
  13. Cleveland Browns: Garret Wilson, WR, Ohio State
    • No doubt CLE needs a playmaker on the outside to replace what OBJ was supposed to be. Although they should primarily be a running team, getting a WR who can consistently get open and make contested catches might add another level to the offense.
  14. Baltimore Ravens: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
    • This is about as far as Stingley would drop in this draft. BAL loves to have a good secondary, so adding the talent and potential of Stingley will make that easier without their def. coordinator.
  15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
    • The most exciting team in the draft this year starts their first round trio of picks with a much needed boost in the front seven. Karlaftis can wreak havoc on offensive tackles with his power and relentlessness.
  16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
    • Yet again, PHI boosts their front seven on defense, because it just makes too much sense. Lloyd is the perfect player to boost a front seven – he’s good at tackling and plays downhill on the ball more often than not.
  17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
    • LAC cannot afford to pass up an upgrade to their horrific run defense. Davis will be an excellent wall for the defense and probably rotated in throughout the game situationally.
  18. New Orleans Saints: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
    • With the current WR core of NO, there is no way they can pass up the skillset of Williams at this spot. If Winston comes back (which he should) he gets an explosive WR to air it out with.
  19. Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson
  20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
    • With an offensive line as bad as PIT, taking the most versatile linemen in the draft is a no-brainer. If last year’s K. Green can earn a starting spot, this K. Green will be able to win a starting job at any position other than center.
  21. New England Patriots: Drake London, WR, USC
    • This just seems like a good fit for NE; Mac will have London to through to when under duress and/or in the redzone. A lot can change in an offense when one guy can get to so many catchable positions.
  22. Las Vegas Raiders: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
    • A deep WR class will start to make it’s run at some point in this draft. Olave was paired up with fellow first-rounder G. Wilson for his whole career, but breaking away from him could make Olave a bigger star, similar to Justin Jefferson’s storyline.
  23. Arizona Cardinals: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
    • The ARI offense looks like it has the pieces to succeed, and McDuffie has many intangibles that can help win football games immediately.
  24. Dallas Cowboys: Bernhard Raimann, OL, Central Michigan
    • Traditionally DAL has a top tier offensive line, however they are trending away from that given their current age and skillsets at the position. They need to make a pick here to stabilize the offensive line for years.
  25. Buffalo Bills: Devonta Wyatt, DL, Georgia
    • If the top five WR’s are taken, don’t be surprised to see BUF boost their defensive line depth, which was put to the test (and failed) in their final game against KC. Wyatt would be the fourth member of last years Georgia team to be drafted in the first round.
  26. Tennessee Titans: Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
  27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
    • Ojabo falls in this mock more than most, due to his newness to the sport and overall raw potential. TB needs to generate more pressure without blitzing and Ojabo can make that happen.
  28. Green Bay Packers: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
    • Well, a disappointing finish will certainly call for some changes in GB. For starters, they need someone to trust catching the ball other than Davante Adams, despite who may be throwing it to him.
  29. Miami Dolphins (via SF): Trevor Penning, OL, Northern Iowa
    • Penning being left here would be a blessing for the Dolphins, who get this pick from the 49ers. It would boost the offensive line talent immensely and immediately, which MIA has shown they desperately need.
  30. Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
    • Mahomes and the new offensive line will be fine without taking an offensive player here. So, drafting a tremendous athlete that will hunt down the ball and cover in the slot can improve something else that struggled last year.
  31. Cincinnati Bengals: Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
  32. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
    • I couldn’t not include three QB’s in the first round, because I’ll probably place a bet near the draft at o2.5 taken. So, Corral gets to enjoy the bench for a year or so and then will inherit one of the leagues best young offensive line groups.

Just missed the first round:

Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington

Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State

Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State University

Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State

Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia

Logan Hall, DT, Houston

2022 NFL Mock Draft: Round One, 2nd Edition (of 5)

A couple of things should make for this mock draft to be more accurate and fulfilling than last December. First, the college bowl games have been played (or cancelled in some cases), giving scouts another chance to evaluate players’ attributes.

Additionally, the draft order is further along to being set. There is still one week left in the NFL season, however there’s a few less possibilities now that teams have just one game remaining.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
  2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
  3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU
  4. New York Jets: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
  5. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OL, Alabama
  6. Carolina Panthers: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
  7. New York Jets (via SEA): Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
  8. New York Giants (via CHI): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
  9. Washington Football Team: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
  10. Atlanta Falcons: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
  11. Denver Broncos: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
  12. Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
  13. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio state
  14. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
  15. New Orleans Saints: George Karlafits, DE, Purdue
  16. Baltimore Ravens: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
  17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan University
  18. Las Vegas Raiders: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
  19. Philadelphia Eagles: David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan
  20. Los Angeles Chargers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
  21. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
  22. Miami Dolphins (via SF): Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
  23. New England Patriots: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
  24. Arizona Cardinals: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
  25. Buffalo Bills: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
  26. Cincinnati Bengals: Sean Rhyan, IOL, UCLA
  27. Dallas Cowboys: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
  28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
  29. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
  30. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Drake London, WR, USC
  31. Tennessee Titans: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
  32. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

Just missed the first round:

  • DeMarvin Leal, DE/DT, Texas A&M
  • Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State
  • A. Booth Jr, CB, Clemson
  • Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
  • Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
  • Darian Kinnard, OL, Kentucky

NFL Teams’ College Favorites: Cleveland Browns

Have you ever wondered where your favorite NFL team likes to look for next-level talent? When coaches, general managers, and scouts create a plan, it often includes ‘shopping’ at places they trust. In this series, the most popular colleges for each NFL team will be discovered.

With data pulled from Pro Football Reference, these five colleges have the most players selected in the draft by the Cleveland Browns since 1976:

University of Miami (FL), 15

  • Sheldrick Redwine
  • Chad Thomas
  • David Njoku
  • Duke Johnson
  • Travis Benjamin
  • Leon Williams
  • Kellen Winslow
  • Joaquin Gonzalez
  • James Jackson
  • Andre King
  • A.C. Tellison
  • Gregg Rakoczy
  • Willie Smith
  • Rocky Belk
  • Scott Nicolas

University of Southern California, 15

  • Cody Kessler
  • Randall Telfer
  • Hayes Pullard
  • Jordan Cameron
  • Kaluka Maiava
  • Daylon McCutcheon
  • Scott Galbraith
  • Chip Banks
  • Charles White
  • Paul McDonald
  • Rich Dimler
  • Clay Matthews
  • Kenny Randle
  • John McKay
  • Pete Adams

University of Arizona, 13

  • Scooby Wright III
  • Trevin Wade
  • Syndric Steptoe
  • Dennis Northcutt
  • Manuia Savea
  • Mike Robinson
  • Cleveland Crosby
  • Charles Nash
  • Brian Murray
  • Ransom Terrell
  • Bob Crum
  • Larry McKee
  • Ricky Stevenson

Texas A&M University, 12

  • Damion Ratley
  • Myles Garrett
  • Johnny Manziel
  • Michael Jameson
  • Steve Bullitt
  • Randy Dausin
  • Don Jones
  • Keith Baldwin
  • Mike Whitwell
  • Cody Risien
  • Robert Jackson
  • Leonard Forey

Ohio State University, 11

  • Tommy Togial
  • Denzel Ward
  • Brian Robiskie
  • Darnell Sanders
  • Craig Powell
  • Mark Krerowicz
  • Tom Skladany
  • Jim Cope
  • Dan Scott
  • Dick Wakefield
  • Larry Zelina

Despite having many picks taken from Miami (FL) and USC, you have to read through about 30 names on the list until you find the first name that was ever household.

NFL Teams’ College Favorites: Cincinnati Bengals

Have you ever wondered where your favorite NFL team likes to look for next-level talent? When coaches, general managers, and scouts create a plan, it often includes ‘shopping’ at places they trust. In this series, the most popular colleges for each NFL team will be discovered.

With data pulled from Pro Football Reference, these four colleges have the most players selected in the draft by the Cincinnati Bengals since 1976:

Ohio State University, 15

  • Michael Jordan
  • Billy Price
  • Sam Hubbard
  • Reid Fragel
  • Dan Herron
  • Dan Wilkinson
  • Jeff Cothran
  • Steve Tovar
  • Sonny Gordon
  • Gary Williams
  • Ray Griffin
  • Pete Johnson
  • Archie Griffin
  • Ken Kuhn
  • Tom Klaban

University of Michigan, 14

  • Chris Evans
  • Ryan Glasgow
  • Morgan Trent
  • Leon Hall
  • Chris Perry
  • Glen Steele
  • Rod Payne
  • William Carr
  • Tony McGee
  • Mike Hammerstein
  • Eric Kattus
  • Ben Needham
  • Ron Simpkins
  • Mark Donahue

University of Georgia, 13

  • Trey Hill
  • Shawn Williams
  • Orson Charles
  • A.J. Green
  • Clint Boling
  • Geno Atkins
  • David Pollack
  • Odell Thurman
  • Robert Geathers
  • David McCluskey
  • Rex Robinson
  • Mike Wilson
  • Joel Parrish

Arizona State University, 10

  • Renell Wren
  • Christian Westerman
  • Marcus Hardison
  • Levi Jones
  • Victory Leyva
  • Lynn James
  • Skip McClendon
  • Jim Warne
  • David Fulcher
  • Don Kern

Auburn University, 10

  • Deshaun Davis
  • Carl Lawson
  • C.J. Uzomah
  • Pat Sims
  • Kenny Irons
  • Rudi Johnson
  • Takeo Spikes
  • Willie Anderson
  • Lamar Rodgers
  • Craig Ogletree

Throughout this series, it’s pretty common to see teams like Ohio State be a common pipeline for NFL talent. However, the interesting fact lies with the secondary schools like Auburn and Arizona State. For whatever reason, the Bengals have tried and trusted these programs to provide next-level talent.

NFL Teams’ College Favorites: Baltimore Ravens

Have you ever wondered where your favorite NFL team likes to look for next-level talent? When coaches, general managers, and scouts create a plan, it often includes ‘shopping’ at places they trust. In this series, the most popular colleges for each NFL team will be discovered.

With data pulled from Pro Football Reference, these four colleges have the most players selected in the draft by the Baltimore Ravens since 1996:

University of Oklahoma, 11

  • Marquise Brown
  • Ben Powers
  • Orlando Brown Jr.
  • Mark Andrews
  • Allen Patrick
  • Chris Chester
  • Mark Clayton
  • Dan Cody
  • Trent Smith
  • Martin Chase
  • Sammy Williams

University of Alabama, 11

  • Anthony Averett
  • Bradley Bozeman
  • Marlon Humphrey
  • Tim Williams
  • C.J. Mosley
  • Courtney Upshaw
  • Terrence Cody
  • Le’Ron McClain
  • Jarret Johnson
  • Terry Jones
  • Ralph Staten

University of Notre Dame, 8

  • Devin Hayes
  • Miles Boykin
  • Ronnie Stanley
  • Kapron Lewis-Moore
  • Tom Zbikowski
  • Gerome Sapp
  • Anthony Weaver
  • Javin Hunter

University of Miami (FL), 6

  • Tommy Streeter
  • Tavares Gooden
  • Ed Reed
  • Richard Mercier
  • Duane Starks
  • Ray Lewis

This list of players and colleges shouldn’t really surprise anyone if we remember that the Ravens franchise was founded in 1996, so naturally they have selected players from top tier schools that have dominated most of those years.

It could be argued that all-time, with emphasis on the last 30 years, these programs are the best college football programs ever. So in summary, the Baltimore Ravens look at the best to find their best.

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