Draft season is upon us, and the buzz around the next generation of NFL talent is reaching fever pitch. For fans and analysts alike, a crucial part of evaluating these prospects involves Comparing Nfl Players – both current and legendary – to these up-and-coming athletes. By drawing parallels to established professionals, we can gain a clearer picture of a prospect’s potential, strengths, weaknesses, and ultimately, their projected impact at the highest level of football. This article delves into insightful comparisons of NFL players, analyzing the top 20 prospects from PFF’s big board and offering detailed breakdowns of why these comparisons resonate.
Top NFL Draft Prospect Comparisons
The following NFL player comparisons offer a glimpse into the potential future of these promising draft prospects, drawing on stylistic similarities, athletic traits, and projected roles within the league.
1. Travis Hunter – Champ Bailey
Comparing Travis Hunter to Champ Bailey might seem ambitious, but the rationale is compelling. Hunter’s exceptional two-way abilities – excelling as both a cornerback and a wide receiver – immediately bring Bailey to mind. Bailey, a standout at Georgia, showcased his versatility by playing cornerback while also contributing significantly as a receiver, amassing over 700 receiving yards in his final college year. He then solidified his legacy as an All-Pro cornerback in the NFL. Hunter possesses a similar rare skill set and athleticism, suggesting he too could follow a path to NFL stardom as a dominant cornerback, potentially even with offensive contributions. This comparison of NFL players hinges on their unique versatility and projected cornerback dominance.
2. Abdul Carter – Micah Parsons
The NFL player comparison between Abdul Carter and Micah Parsons might appear obvious, considering their shared alma mater, Penn State, and jersey number. However, the similarities extend far beyond mere coincidence. Carter and Parsons share a strikingly similar physical build and possess freakish athleticism. Both are explosive linebackers with incredible speed and agility for their size. Parsons has quickly become one of the most disruptive defensive players in the NFL, utilizing his athleticism to excel as a pass rusher and linebacker. Carter exhibits similar traits, suggesting he could follow in Parsons’ footsteps as a versatile and impactful defensive force. This comparing NFL players analysis underscores their athletic parallels and potential for defensive dominance.
3. Tetairoa McMillan – A.J. Green
When comparing NFL players to project Tetairoa McMillan’s future, names like Mike Evans often surface due to his towering 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame. However, while McMillan possesses impressive size, his after-catch ability sets him apart. While Evans is a dominant receiver, McMillan demonstrates superior elusiveness and yards-after-catch potential, at least on a per-catch basis, based on college performance. This leads to a more fitting NFL player comparison with A.J. Green. Green, like McMillan, is a tall, athletic receiver known for his smooth route running and reliable hands, but also possessed excellent agility and ability to gain yards after the catch. Both McMillan and Green project as high-level receiving threats capable of making plays downfield and after the catch.
4. Mason Graham – La’Roi Glover
For Mason Graham, an insightful NFL player comparison requires delving into NFL history to La’Roi Glover. Graham, while incredibly talented, lacks the prototypical length often associated with dominant NFL defensive tackles. Glover, a fifth-round pick in 1996 out of San Diego State, faced similar size concerns. Despite this, Glover forged an All-Pro career, relying on exceptional first-step explosiveness and strength. Graham mirrors these traits, showcasing remarkable quickness off the snap and surprising power for his size. Both players compensate for any perceived lack of length with elite explosiveness and strength, enabling them to be disruptive run defenders and effective pass rushers from the interior. This comparing NFL players exercise highlights how similar physical profiles and playing styles can translate to NFL success even without ideal measurements.
5. Ashton Jeanty – Alvin Kamara
Ashton Jeanty’s impressive college production, including consecutive seasons with rushing grades above 94.0 and over 2,600 rushing yards in 2024, warrants NFL player comparisons to notable running backs. Alvin Kamara emerges as a particularly apt comparison due to their shared running styles. Jeanty, much like Kamara, displays an uncanny ability to absorb contact while maintaining balance and churning out yards after contact. Furthermore, both are dynamic receiving threats out of the backfield. Kamara’s receiving prowess has been a hallmark of his NFL career, and Jeanty displays similar potential in the passing game. This comparison of NFL players emphasizes their dual-threat capabilities as runners and receivers and their knack for maximizing yards after contact.
6. Will Johnson – Patrick Surtain II
Will Johnson’s 2024 season was hampered by injuries, but his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame and cornerback skillset evoke NFL player comparisons to Patrick Surtain II. Surtain, while not immediately a shutdown corner upon entering the league, has ascended to become one of the NFL’s elite defensive backs, even earning Defensive Player of the Year consideration. Johnson possesses similar physical tools and a refined technique. Both are tall, physical corners with excellent ball skills and the potential to develop into shutdown defenders. This comparing NFL players analysis focuses on their physical similarities and projected trajectory towards becoming top-tier NFL cornerbacks.
7. Malaki Starks – Kevin Byard
Malaki Starks’ versatility and ball-hawking skills make Kevin Byard a compelling NFL player comparison. Starks excels at both safety and slot cornerback, showcasing impressive range and instincts. Byard has built a successful NFL career on similar traits, consistently demonstrating versatility and a nose for the football, evidenced by multiple seasons with four or more interceptions. Both Starks and Byard thrive on their ability to play multiple defensive back roles and create turnovers. This comparison of NFL players highlights their shared versatility and ball-hawking abilities as key components of their defensive impact.
8. Will Campbell – Ryan Ramczyk
When comparing NFL players to Will Campbell, Ryan Ramczyk stands out, not necessarily for athleticism, but for their mental approach and technique. While Campbell’s foot speed and arm length have raised some questions regarding his NFL tackle projection, Ramczyk faced similar concerns regarding his arm length (33 ¾ inches, 33rd percentile for tackles) coming out of Wisconsin. Despite this, Ramczyk has become a highly successful NFL tackle, relying on his intelligence, technique, and exceptional understanding of the position. Campbell exhibits similar high football IQ and technical proficiency, suggesting he can overcome any perceived athletic limitations through his smart and refined approach to the game. This NFL player comparison emphasizes the importance of football intelligence and technique in overcoming physical limitations at the tackle position.
9. James Pearce Jr. – Randy Gregory
James Pearce Jr.’s pass-rushing prowess and athletic profile trigger NFL player comparisons to Randy Gregory during his time at Nebraska. Gregory was considered a top-10 talent before the 2015 NFL Draft due to his elite athleticism and pass-rushing production. Pearce Jr. shares a similar build – good height, leaner frame – and an explosive first step as a speed rusher. While Gregory’s NFL career didn’t fully reach its projected heights due to off-field issues, the raw talent and athletic similarities between him and Pearce Jr. are undeniable. This comparing NFL players exercise focuses on their shared athletic traits and pass-rushing potential, while also acknowledging the complexities of projecting NFL success.
10. Luther Burden III – Deebo Samuel
Luther Burden III’s exceptional yards-after-catch ability immediately brings Deebo Samuel to mind when comparing NFL players. Burden is among the most elusive and explosive receivers in the draft class, even when stacked against previous draft classes. Samuel’s game is predicated on his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands, functioning almost as a running back at times. Burden exhibits a similar skillset, showcasing remarkable elusiveness and explosiveness after the catch. Both Burden and Samuel are dynamic playmakers whose primary objective is to get the ball in their hands and create magic. This NFL player comparison underscores their shared ability to generate significant yards after the catch and function as versatile offensive weapons.
11. Mike Green – Robert Quinn
While Robert Quinn is physically larger than Mike Green in terms of height, weight, and length, their pass-rushing styles present a compelling NFL player comparison. Both possess an explosive first step that they efficiently convert into power and display impressive bend in their speed rushes. Green, being slightly smaller, might even appear more flexible. Quinn has recorded multiple seasons with double-digit sacks, demonstrating the effectiveness of this style. Green projects to win in a similar fashion in the NFL, utilizing his explosiveness and bend to pressure quarterbacks. This comparing NFL players analysis highlights their similar pass-rushing techniques and potential for high sack production.
Mike Green’s career stats highlight his potential impact in the NFL, drawing comparisons to Robert Quinn’s pass-rushing prowess.
12. Josh Simmons – Christian Darrisaw
Josh Simmons’ potential and playing style evoke an NFL player comparison to Christian Darrisaw. Simmons showcased impressive movement skills and foot speed in pass protection, even dating back to 2023. Darrisaw is known for his powerful and explosive style, particularly in pass protection. While Darrisaw might possess more raw power, both he and Simmons share a similar powerful, low stance at the snap, allowing them to be incredibly explosive in both pass protection and run blocking. This shared stance and explosive style forms the basis of this comparing NFL players assessment.
13. Tyler Warren – Dallas Clark
The NFL player comparison between Tyler Warren and Dallas Clark goes beyond jersey numbers (both wore No. 44). Both tight ends bring exceptional reliability to the position. Clark was known for his sure hands, athleticism, and surprising inline blocking ability. Warren mirrors these traits, demonstrating excellent hands, solid athleticism, and the capacity to contribute as a blocker. Both Clark and Warren project as well-rounded tight ends who can contribute in all facets of the position. This comparing NFL players analysis emphasizes their shared reliability and well-rounded skillset at the tight end position.
14. Emeka Egbuka – Amon-Ra St. Brown
The NFL player comparison to Amon-Ra St. Brown, while potentially overused recently, is fitting for Emeka Egbuka. St. Brown’s success is built on precise route running, reliable hands, and savvy play, rather than overwhelming athleticism. Egbuka, while bigger, shares these traits. Both excel at winning with route technique and secure hands, whether aligned on the outside or in the slot. This comparing NFL players exercise highlights their shared reliance on route running and reliable hands to overcome any perceived athletic limitations and produce consistently.
15. Kelvin Banks Jr. – Alijah Vera-Tucker
Kelvin Banks Jr.’s athleticism and versatility lead to an NFL player comparison with Alijah Vera-Tucker. Banks Jr. is a fluid athlete for an offensive lineman, and while he projects as a tackle at the NFL level, his athleticism suggests he could also excel as a versatile guard/tackle hybrid. Vera-Tucker has thrived at guard for the Jets and has also demonstrated the ability to fill in at tackle when needed. Both Banks Jr. and Vera-Tucker possess the athleticism and versatility to play multiple offensive line positions at a high level. This comparison of NFL players focuses on their shared versatility and athletic ability to play both guard and tackle.
16. Benjamin Morrison – Paulson Adebo
Benjamin Morrison’s NFL player comparison to Paulson Adebo hinges on their similar physical builds and skillsets. Morrison’s draft stock will depend on medical evaluations after a hip injury in 2024. When healthy, Morrison showcases good foot quickness and ball skills, mirroring Adebo’s strengths. Both are similarly built cornerbacks who rely on their footwork and ball skills to make plays. This comparing NFL players analysis highlights their shared physical attributes and reliance on technique and ball skills at the cornerback position.
17. Cameron Ward – Ben Roethlisberger
Cameron Ward’s unorthodox playing style and gunslinger mentality bring Ben Roethlisberger to mind when comparing NFL players. Both quarterbacks possess a degree of escapability, though neither is considered truly mobile. They share a fearless approach to pushing the ball downfield and making plays outside of structure. Roethlisberger built a Hall of Fame career on his improvisational skills and deep-ball accuracy. Ward exhibits similar traits, suggesting a high-ceiling potential, albeit with a gunslinger style. This NFL player comparison highlights their shared improvisational abilities and fearless approach to the quarterback position.
18. Mykel Williams – Jermaine Johnson
Mykel Williams’ game, particularly his run defense and versatility, draws an NFL player comparison to Jermaine Johnson. While Williams might not project as a prolific pass rusher immediately, his strength in run defense and ability to play various defensive line positions (4i defensive end to stand-up outside linebacker) mirror Johnson’s profile coming out of Florida State. Johnson has become a consistently solid and versatile defender in the NFL. Williams possesses similar versatility and run-stopping prowess, with the potential to further develop as a pass rusher. This comparing NFL players assessment emphasizes their shared versatility, run defense strengths, and potential for pass-rushing development.
19. Walter Nolen – Milton Williams
Walter Nolen’s emergence as a disruptive interior defensive lineman leads to an NFL player comparison with Milton Williams. Nolen’s unique explosiveness and strength were on full display in his recent season, resulting in elite run defense grades and improved pass-rush productivity. Milton Williams impressed in the Super Bowl and throughout the 2024 season, showcasing his disruptive interior pass-rushing ability. Both Nolen and Williams are incredibly athletic for their size, suggesting high potential as interior disruptors in the NFL. This NFL player comparison highlights their shared explosiveness and potential to become difference-making interior defensive linemen.
20. Shemar Stewart – Deatrich Wise Jr.
Shemar Stewart’s NFL projections are varied, but when comparing NFL players, Deatrich Wise Jr. provides a grounded comparison. Stewart is a gifted athlete with size (6-foot-5, 290 pounds) and explosiveness, offering versatility along the defensive line. However, his college production lacked consistent sack numbers. Wise Jr. is a similarly built, versatile defensive lineman who is highly valued by the Patriots for his diverse skillset and consistent contributions, even if his sack numbers aren’t elite. This comparing NFL players analysis emphasizes Stewart’s potential as a versatile and valuable defensive lineman, similar to Wise Jr., even if his sack production doesn’t immediately reach elite levels.
Conclusion
Comparing NFL players to draft prospects is an inexact science, but it offers valuable insights into potential trajectories and playing styles. These comparisons highlight the diverse range of talent entering the NFL and provide a framework for understanding how these prospects might translate their college skills to the professional level. As the draft approaches, these NFL player comparisons serve as a crucial tool for evaluating and projecting the impact of the next wave of NFL stars.
