Draft season is in full swing, and fans are eager to know how the top college football prospects stack up against current NFL players. To provide some clarity, we’re diving deep into player comparisons, drawing parallels between the highest-ranked athletes on the PFF big board and established NFL stars. This analysis helps paint a picture of their potential trajectory and impact at the professional level. Understanding these comparisons is crucial for evaluating talent and anticipating future NFL stars. Let’s explore detailed NFL player comparisons for the top 20 prospects.
Top NFL Prospect Comparisons: Who Will Be the Next Generation of Stars?
This list breaks down the top 20 players and offers detailed NFL player comparisons, considering their playing style, physical attributes, and projected roles at the next level. These comparisons aim to provide a clearer understanding of each prospect’s potential and ceiling in the NFL.
1. Travis Hunter – NFL Comparison: Champ Bailey
Travis Hunter is a truly unique talent, excelling on both offense and defense. Finding a direct NFL player comparison is challenging because of his rare two-way ability. However, Champ Bailey comes closest. Like Hunter, Bailey was a standout cornerback at Georgia and also contributed significantly as a wide receiver, amassing over 700 receiving yards in his final college year. Bailey transitioned to become an All-Pro cornerback in the NFL, a path that Hunter, with his exceptional athleticism and ball skills, could certainly follow. This NFL comparison highlights Hunter’s potential for elite cornerback play with added versatility.
2. Abdul Carter – NFL Comparison: Micah Parsons
The Abdul Carter and Micah Parsons NFL player comparison is hard to ignore, and goes beyond their shared Penn State connection and jersey number. Carter and Parsons possess strikingly similar builds and freakish athleticism. Both are explosive linebackers with incredible speed and pass-rushing ability. Parsons has quickly become one of the NFL’s most dynamic defensive players, and Carter exhibits the raw tools and similar playing style to reach a comparable level of impact. This comparison emphasizes Carter’s potential to be a game-changing linebacker in the NFL.
3. Tetairoa McMillan – NFL Comparison: A.J. Green
Tetairoa McMillan, a towering 6-foot-5, 210-pound receiver from Arizona, draws high praise and impressive NFL player comparisons. While some compare him to Mike Evans, McMillan’s agility and yards-after-catch ability set him apart. A more fitting NFL comparison is A.J. Green. Like Green, McMillan is a smooth, long strider with excellent hands and the ability to win contested catches. Both possess the size and athleticism to be dominant deep threats and reliable targets in the red zone. This comparison underscores McMillan’s potential to be a top-tier NFL receiver.
4. Mason Graham – NFL Comparison: La’Roi Glover
For Mason Graham, we delve into NFL history for a compelling player comparison: La’Roi Glover. Graham, like Glover, is a slightly undersized defensive tackle without exceptional length, a trait that caused Glover to be a fifth-round pick in 1996. Despite this, Glover forged an All-Pro career fueled by explosive first-step quickness and remarkable strength. Graham mirrors these traits, demonstrating both run-stopping prowess and pass-rushing ability. This NFL comparison highlights Graham’s potential to overcome perceived size limitations with his exceptional explosiveness and technique.
5. Ashton Jeanty – NFL Comparison: Alvin Kamara
Ashton Jeanty’s impressive college production, including over 2,600 rushing yards and consistently elite rushing grades, warrants notable NFL player comparisons. Alvin Kamara stands out as the most apt comparison. Jeanty, much like Kamara, excels at absorbing contact while maintaining balance and racking up significant yards after contact. Furthermore, Jeanty is a capable receiver out of the backfield, mirroring Kamara’s dual-threat capabilities. This NFL comparison emphasizes Jeanty’s potential to be a versatile and dynamic playmaker in the NFL.
6. Will Johnson – NFL Comparison: Patrick Surtain II
Will Johnson’s 2024 season was hampered by injuries, but his physical profile – 6-foot-2, 205 pounds – immediately brings to mind Patrick Surtain II. Surtain didn’t instantly dominate upon entering the NFL but has ascended to become arguably the league’s best cornerback. Johnson possesses similar size, athleticism, and coverage skills. This NFL player comparison suggests that with development and improved health, Johnson has the potential to reach an elite cornerback status akin to Surtain.
7. Malaki Starks – NFL Comparison: Kevin Byard
Malaki Starks’ versatility and ball-hawking skills are key aspects of his game, making Kevin Byard a strong NFL player comparison. Starks displays excellent range and instincts, allowing him to play both safety positions and slot cornerback effectively. Byard has built a career on similar traits, consistently racking up interceptions – five seasons with at least four – thanks to his versatility and football IQ. This comparison highlights Starks’ potential to be a playmaker and versatile defensive back in the NFL.
8. Will Campbell – NFL Comparison: Ryan Ramczyk
Will Campbell’s mental approach and technique are highly regarded, but questions exist regarding his foot speed and arm length for the NFL tackle position. Ryan Ramczyk faced similar length concerns coming out of Wisconsin, with arm length in the 33rd percentile for tackles. However, Ramczyk has thrived in the NFL due to his intelligence and technique. This NFL player comparison suggests that Campbell, despite potential athletic limitations, can succeed at tackle through superior technique and football IQ, similar to Ramczyk.
9. James Pearce Jr. – NFL Comparison: Randy Gregory
Watching James Pearce Jr. evokes memories of Randy Gregory at Nebraska. Gregory was considered a top-10 talent before the 2015 NFL Draft due to his elite athleticism and college production. Pearce and Gregory share similar builds – good height, lean frames – and explosive first steps as speed rushers. While Gregory’s NFL career didn’t fully match his potential, Pearce possesses the raw talent and pass-rushing ability to be a high-impact player, making this NFL player comparison relevant in terms of style and potential.
10. Luther Burden III – NFL Comparison: Deebo Samuel
Luther Burden III is among the most electric yards-after-catch receivers in college football, and this skill set draws a clear NFL player comparison to Deebo Samuel. Like Samuel, the goal with Burden should be to get the ball in his hands and let him create. Burden has accumulated over 1,100 yards after catch in the past two seasons, showcasing his elusiveness and explosiveness in space, mirroring Samuel’s dynamic playmaking ability. This comparison highlights Burden’s potential to be a game-changing offensive weapon in the NFL.
11. Mike Green – NFL Comparison: Robert Quinn
Mike Green’s pass-rushing style brings to mind Robert Quinn. While Quinn is slightly bigger, both players win with exceptional first-step quickness and convert speed to power effectively. Both also exhibit impressive bend in their speed rushes, with Green appearing even more flexible due to his slightly smaller frame. Quinn has achieved five seasons with double-digit sacks in the NFL, a high bar, but this NFL player comparison suggests Green possesses the tools to become a consistent and impactful pass rusher in the league.
Mike Green’s career stats highlight his potential as an impactful NFL pass rusher.
12. Josh Simmons – NFL Comparison: Christian Darrisaw
Josh Simmons impressed early in 2024 with his movement skills and pass protection ability, drawing an apt NFL player comparison to Christian Darrisaw, initially noted by Brandon Thorn of Trench Warfare. While Darrisaw possesses more natural power, both Simmons and Darrisaw exhibit a powerful, low stance that allows for explosive pass protection and run blocking. This comparison emphasizes Simmons’ potential to be a high-level offensive tackle with similar explosiveness and technique to Darrisaw.
13. Tyler Warren – NFL Comparison: Dallas Clark
The Tyler Warren and Dallas Clark NFL player comparison goes beyond jersey numbers (both wore #44). Both tight ends bring exceptional reliability to the position. Warren and Clark possess secure hands, are good athletes, and can contribute effectively as inline blockers. This comparison underscores Warren’s potential to be a well-rounded and dependable tight end in the NFL, mirroring Clark’s consistent production and reliability.
14. Emeka Egbuka – NFL Comparison: Amon-Ra St. Brown
The Amon-Ra St. Brown NFL player comparison has become somewhat common, often applied to smaller, productive receivers. However, in the case of Emeka Egbuka, it’s particularly fitting. While Egbuka is bigger than St. Brown, their playing styles are remarkably similar. Both excel at route running, possess reliable hands, and can be effective from both the slot and outside receiver positions. This comparison highlights Egbuka’s potential to be a high-floor, productive receiver in the NFL, mirroring St. Brown’s success through route savvy and consistency.
15. Kelvin Banks Jr. – NFL Comparison: Alijah Vera-Tucker
Kelvin Banks Jr. is an exceptional athlete for an offensive lineman. While projected as a tackle in the NFL due to his apparent arm length, his versatility brings to mind Alijah Vera-Tucker. Vera-Tucker has excelled at guard for the Jets and has also demonstrated the ability to play tackle when needed. This NFL player comparison suggests Banks Jr. could offer similar position flexibility and become a valuable asset as a versatile offensive lineman in the NFL.
16. Benjamin Morrison – NFL Comparison: Paulson Adebo
Benjamin Morrison’s draft stock hinges on medical evaluations due to a hip injury in 2024. When healthy, Morrison displays impressive foot quickness and ball skills, drawing an NFL player comparison to Paulson Adebo. Both cornerbacks share similar builds and playing styles, relying on their athleticism and instincts in coverage. This comparison suggests that if Morrison’s health checks out, he has the potential to be a similar caliber of cornerback to Adebo in the NFL.
17. Cameron Ward – NFL Comparison: Ben Roethlisberger
Cameron Ward’s unorthodox, gunslinger style of play immediately brings to mind Ben Roethlisberger as an NFL player comparison. Both quarterbacks possess escapability but aren’t necessarily defined as mobile quarterbacks. Ward and Roethlisberger are known for their fearless approach in pushing the ball downfield and making plays outside of structure. This high-ceiling comparison suggests Ward could develop into a similar type of playmaker as “Big Ben” in the NFL.
18. Mykel Williams – NFL Comparison: Jermaine Johnson
Mykel Williams might not yet be a prolific pass rusher, but his run defense and versatility are standout traits, leading to an NFL player comparison with Jermaine Johnson. Williams is incredibly strong in run defense and can align anywhere from a 4i defensive end to a stand-up outside linebacker. Johnson, coming out of Florida State, was projected similarly and has developed into a valuable, versatile defender. This comparison suggests Williams has a high floor as a versatile defensive lineman with potential to improve as a pass rusher, similar to Johnson’s career trajectory.
19. Walter Nolen – NFL Comparison: Milton Williams
Walter Nolen’s breakout 2024 season showcased his exceptional explosiveness and strength, resulting in an NFL player comparison to Milton Williams, who recently starred in the Super Bowl. Nolen, a former five-star recruit, has developed into a disruptive interior defensive lineman. Milton Williams tested as an elite athlete coming out of Louisiana Tech, and Nolen possesses similar athletic traits for his size. This comparison highlights Nolen’s potential to be a difference-making interior lineman in the NFL, similar to Williams’ impact.
20. Shemar Stewart – NFL Comparison: Deatrich Wise Jr.
Shemar Stewart’s NFL projections vary widely, but his athletic gifts and versatility are undeniable. However, his limited college production leads to a more grounded NFL player comparison: Deatrich Wise Jr. Stewart and Wise share similar builds and athleticism. Wise is a versatile and underrated defensive lineman for the Patriots. This comparison suggests Stewart projects as a versatile, athletically gifted defensive lineman who, like Wise, can become a valuable contributor even if his sack numbers don’t reach elite levels.
