One of the most controversial aspects of the draft process is making NFL Draft Prospects Comparisons. Most people want them as they help conceptualize what a prospect is or could become. The main issue with comparisons is not setting up WHAT you are comparing. Is it a ceiling? Floor? NFL comparison? NCAA comparison? Prospect Comparison? This is an important question to answer when looking at a Comp including these WR Comps and TE Comps.
For me, I am not an NFL expert in terms of where players have gone and what they have become. Instead, I compare this year’s prospects to my scouting reports of the past. Watching players often does remind me of past prospects I have scouted. So, with my experience analyzing the NFL Draft for 17 or so years, I’ll share those connections I’ve made.
Now a key is that these comps are NOT NFL COMPARISONS. I am comparing the players as NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS only. So even if they are compared to a high pick NFL “bust” doesn’t mean they will be a bust, but is a compliment.
Here is a general order of what I loo for when making comparisons:
- Draft Capital (Placing players approximately where they will go in the draft or at least around where I evaluate them)
2. Size/Athleticism (This leads into #3, but getting a similar size and athletic comparison usually fits to show similar upsides and fits)
3. Scouting Reports (Almost all my comps will come from 2004 or later when I started scouting the draft. I go back to my old Scouting Reports/Notes and often these comps fit like a glove to match up near exactly)
4. Play Style (Sometimes a general feel for how a player plays just reminds me of someone else. If the pull is strong enough, I’ll use it as the comp)
5. Comps from trusted sources (If I get REALLY stuck, I’ll look up some comps or ask people I trust to fill it out)
Below are the NFL Draft Prospects Comps I’ve created for the 2023 NFL Draft class. Once again, these are PROSPECT COMPARISONS comparing these players to prospects from the past, not NFL futures.
QB/RB Comps | WR/TE Comps | OL/DL/EDGE Comps | LB/DB/ST Comps
OL Player Comps (2023)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
Malaesala
Aumavae-Laulu
Oregon
Tom Compton, South Dakota (2012)
Matthew
Bergeron
Syracuse
Orlando Franklin, Miami (2011)
Earl
Bostick Jr
Kansas
Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas (2013)
Anthony
Bradford
LSU
Cyril Richardson, Baylor (2014)
Jaelyn
Duncan
Maryland
Terron Armstead, AR-Pine Bluff (2013)
Mark
Evans
AR-Pine Bluff
Kelvin Beachum, SMU (2012)
Blake
Freeland
BYU
William Beatty, UConn (2009)
Connor
Galvin
Baylor
Antonio Garcia, Troy (2017)
Richard
Gouraige
Florida
Marshall Newhouse, TCU (2010)
Anton
Harrison
Oklahoma
Duane Brown, Virginia Tech (2008)
Ryan
Hayes
Michigan
Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh (2018)
Paris
Johnson Jr.
Ohio State
Matt Kalil, Southern Cal (2012)
Broderick
Jones
Georgia
Tyron Smith, Southern Cal (2011)
Dawand
Jones
Ohio State
Adam Terry, Syracuse (2005)
Jaxson
Kirkland
Washington
Chris Denman, Fresno State (2007)
Brent
Laing
MN-Duluth
Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley (2008)
Warren
McClendon
Georgia
Shane Olivea, Ohio State (2004)
Jordan
McFadden
Clemson
Jack Driscoll, Auburn (2020)
Wanya
Morris
Oklahoma
Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas (2013)
John
Ojukwu
Boise State
Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech (2009)
Peter
Skoronski
Northwestern
Branden Albert, Virginia (2008)
Tyler
Steen
Alabama
TJ Clemmings, Pittsburgh (2015)
Dalton
Wagner
Arkansas
Jonathan Scott, Texas (2006)
Carter
Warren
Pittsburgh
Willie Beavers, Western Michigan (2016)
Darnell
Wright
Tennessee
Andre Dillard, Washington State (2019)
Alan
Ali
TCU
Geoff Hangartner, Texas A&M (2005)
Jake
Andrews
Troy
Dustin Fry, Clemson (2007)
Steve
Avila
TCU
Justin Blalock, Texas (2007)
Henry
Bainivalu
Washington
David Dehl, Illinois (2003)
TJ
Bass
Oregon
Nico Siragusa, San Diego State (2017)
Nick
Broeker
Mississippi
Rob Sims, Ohio State (2006)
McClendon
Curtis
Chattanooga
Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech (2009)
Braeden
Daniels
Utah
Joel Bitonio, Nevada (2014)
Emil
Ekiyor Jr.
Alabama
Isaac Asiata, Utah (2017)
Alex
Forsyth
Oregon
Steven Justice, Wake Forest (2008)
Jon
Gaines
UCLA
Ali Marpet, Hobart (2015)
Jovaughn
Gwyn
South Carolina
Sam Jones, Arizona State (2018)
Tashawn
Manning
Kentucky
Isaac Asiata, Utah (2017)
Cody
Mauch
North Dakota State
Garrett Bolles, Utah (2017)
John
Michael Schmitz
Minnesota
Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State (2011)
Olu
Oluwatimi
Michigan
Keith Ismael, San Diego State (2020)
Jarrett
Patterson
Notre Dame
Ben Hamilton, Minnesota (2001)
Asim
Richards
North Carolina
Ed Wang, Virginia Tech (2010)
Nick
Saldiveri
Old Dominion
Royce Newman, Mississippi (2021)
Juice
Scruggs
Penn State
Max Garcia, Florida (2015)
Sidy
Sow
Eastern Michigan
Trey Smith, Tennessee (2021)
Ricky
Stromberg
Arkansas
Bill Nagy, Wisconsin (2011)
Joe
Tippmann
Wisconsin
David Baas, Michigan (2005)
O'Cyrus
Torrence
Florida
Mike Iupati, Idaho (2010)
Andrew
Vorhees
Southern Cal
Tony Bergstrom, Utah (2012)
Luke
Wypler
Ohio State
Dominic Raiola, Nebraska (2001)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
DL Player Comps (2023)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
Keeanu
Benton
Wisconsin
Randy Starks, Maryland (2004)
Bryan
Bresee
Clemson
Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame (2019)
Jalen
Carter
Georgia
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (2010)
Jerrod
Clark
Coastal Carolina
Cam Thomas, North Carolina (2010)
Keondre
Coburn
Texas
Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman (2009)
DJ
Dale
Alabama
Lionel Dotson, Arizona (2008)
Gervon
Dexter
Florida
Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple (2011)
Siaki
Ika
Baylor
Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech (2014)
Nesta
Jade Silvera
Arizona State
Chris Neild, West Virginia (2011)
Calijah
Kancey
Pittsburgh
Peria Jerry, Mississippi (2009)
Tyler
Lacy
Oklahoma State
Karl Klug, Iowa (2011)
PJ
Mustipher
Penn State
Frank Okam, Texas (2008)
Moro
Ojomo
Texas
Jared Crick, Nebraska (2012)
Zacch
Pickens
South Carolina
Jonathan Bullard, Florida (2016)
Jalen
Redmond
Oklahoma
Allen Bailey, Miami (2011)
Jaquelin
Roy
LSU
Nick Eason, Clemson (2003)
Mazi
Smith
Michigan
Torell Troup, UCF (2010)
Dante
Stills
West Virginia
Martin Ifedi, Memphis (2015)
Tuli
Tuipulotu
Southern Cal
Tank Carradine, Florida State (2013)
Byron
Young
Alabama
Jordan Elliott, Missouri (2020)
Cameron
Young
Mississippi State
Al Woods, LSU (2010)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
EDGE Player Comps (2023)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
Mike
Morris
Michigan
Taylor Hart, Oregon (2014)
Tavius
Robinson
Mississippi
Mark Anderson, Alabama (2006)
Adetomiwa
Adebawore
Northwestern
Will Smith, Ohio State (2004)
MJ
Anderson
Iowa State
Trevon Young, Louisville (2018)
Will
Anderson Jr.
Alabama
Von Miller, Texas A&M (2011)
Felix
Anudike-Uzomah
Kansas State
Andre Branch, Clemson (2012)
Habakkuk
Baldonado
Pittsburgh
Silique Calhoun, Michigan State (2016)
Robert
Beal Jr.
Georgia
Brian Robison, Texas (2007)
Andre
Carter II
Army
Clark Haggans, Colorado State (2000)
Brenton
Cox Jr.
Florida
Trevon Young, Louisville (2018)
YaYa
Diaby
Louisville
Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State (2018)
Ikenna
Enechukwu
Rice
Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech (2008)
Viliami
Fehoko
San Jose State
Antonio Smith, Oklahoma State (2004)
Isaiah
Foskey
Notre Dame
Marcus Davenport, UTSA (2018)
Ali
Gaye
LSU
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas (2017)
Derick
Hall
Auburn
Cliff Avril, Purdue (2008)
Zach
Harrison
Ohio State
Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech (2009)
KJ
Henry
Clemson
Jacob Ford, Central Arkansas (2007)
Dylan
Horton
TCU
Trey Hendrickson, FAU (2017)
Thomas
Incoom
Central Michigan
Scott Solomon, Rice (2012)
DJ
Johnson
Oregon
Shawn Crable, Michigan (2008)
Andre
Jones
Louisiana
Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh (2011)
Eku
Leota
Auburn
Bradlee Anae, Utah (2020)
Ochaun
Mathis
Nebraska
Vince Biegel, Wisconsin (2017)
Will
McDonald
Iowa State
Marcus Smith, Louisville (2014)
Isaiah
McGuire
Missouri
Joe Kruger, Utah (2013)
Myles
Murphy
Clemson
Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame (2007)
Caleb
Murphy
Ferris State
Ifeadi Odenigbo, Northwestern (2017)
BJ
Ojulari
LSU
Azeez Ojulari, Georgia (2021)
Lonnie
Phelps
Kansas
Ryan LaCasse, Syracuse (2006)
Jose
Ramirez
Eastern Michigan
Ricky Sapp, Clemson (2010)
Nolan
Smith
Georgia
Haason Reddick, Temple (2017)
Lukas
Van Ness
Iowa
Ziggy Ansah, BYU (2015)
Keion
White
Georgia Tech
Quinton Coples, North Carolina (2012)
Tyree
Wilson
Texas Tech
Tamba Hali, Penn State (2006)
Colby
Wooden
Auburn
Henry Melton, Texas (2009)
Byron
Young
Tennessee
Lorenzo Carter, Georgia (2018)
Tyrus
Wheat
Mississippi State
Jeremy Mincey, Florida (2006)
Isaiah
Land
Florida A&M
Kevin Burnett, Tennessee (2005)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
OL Player Comps (2023)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
Malaesala
Aumavae-Laulu
Oregon
Tom Compton, South Dakota (2012)
Matthew
Bergeron
Syracuse
Orlando Franklin, Miami (2011)
Earl
Bostick Jr
Kansas
Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas (2013)
Anthony
Bradford
LSU
Cyril Richardson, Baylor (2014)
Jaelyn
Duncan
Maryland
Terron Armstead, AR-Pine Bluff (2013)
Mark
Evans
AR-Pine Bluff
Kelvin Beachum, SMU (2012)
Blake
Freeland
BYU
William Beatty, UConn (2009)
Connor
Galvin
Baylor
Antonio Garcia, Troy (2017)
Richard
Gouraige
Florida
Marshall Newhouse, TCU (2010)
Anton
Harrison
Oklahoma
Duane Brown, Virginia Tech (2008)
Ryan
Hayes
Michigan
Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh (2018)
Paris
Johnson Jr.
Ohio State
Matt Kalil, Southern Cal (2012)
Broderick
Jones
Georgia
Tyron Smith, Southern Cal (2011)
Dawand
Jones
Ohio State
Adam Terry, Syracuse (2005)
Jaxson
Kirkland
Washington
Chris Denman, Fresno State (2007)
Brent
Laing
MN-Duluth
Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley (2008)
Warren
McClendon
Georgia
Shane Olivea, Ohio State (2004)
Jordan
McFadden
Clemson
Jack Driscoll, Auburn (2020)
Wanya
Morris
Oklahoma
Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas (2013)
John
Ojukwu
Boise State
Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech (2009)
Peter
Skoronski
Northwestern
Branden Albert, Virginia (2008)
Tyler
Steen
Alabama
TJ Clemmings, Pittsburgh (2015)
Dalton
Wagner
Arkansas
Jonathan Scott, Texas (2006)
Carter
Warren
Pittsburgh
Willie Beavers, Western Michigan (2016)
Darnell
Wright
Tennessee
Andre Dillard, Washington State (2019)
Alan
Ali
TCU
Geoff Hangartner, Texas A&M (2005)
Jake
Andrews
Troy
Dustin Fry, Clemson (2007)
Steve
Avila
TCU
Justin Blalock, Texas (2007)
Henry
Bainivalu
Washington
David Dehl, Illinois (2003)
TJ
Bass
Oregon
Nico Siragusa, San Diego State (2017)
Nick
Broeker
Mississippi
Rob Sims, Ohio State (2006)
McClendon
Curtis
Chattanooga
Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech (2009)
Braeden
Daniels
Utah
Joel Bitonio, Nevada (2014)
Emil
Ekiyor Jr.
Alabama
Isaac Asiata, Utah (2017)
Alex
Forsyth
Oregon
Steven Justice, Wake Forest (2008)
Jon
Gaines
UCLA
Ali Marpet, Hobart (2015)
Jovaughn
Gwyn
South Carolina
Sam Jones, Arizona State (2018)
Tashawn
Manning
Kentucky
Isaac Asiata, Utah (2017)
Cody
Mauch
North Dakota State
Garrett Bolles, Utah (2017)
John
Michael Schmitz
Minnesota
Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State (2011)
Olu
Oluwatimi
Michigan
Keith Ismael, San Diego State (2020)
Jarrett
Patterson
Notre Dame
Ben Hamilton, Minnesota (2001)
Asim
Richards
North Carolina
Ed Wang, Virginia Tech (2010)
Nick
Saldiveri
Old Dominion
Royce Newman, Mississippi (2021)
Juice
Scruggs
Penn State
Max Garcia, Florida (2015)
Sidy
Sow
Eastern Michigan
Trey Smith, Tennessee (2021)
Ricky
Stromberg
Arkansas
Bill Nagy, Wisconsin (2011)
Joe
Tippmann
Wisconsin
David Baas, Michigan (2005)
O'Cyrus
Torrence
Florida
Mike Iupati, Idaho (2010)
Andrew
Vorhees
Southern Cal
Tony Bergstrom, Utah (2012)
Luke
Wypler
Ohio State
Dominic Raiola, Nebraska (2001)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
DL Player Comps (2023)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
Keeanu
Benton
Wisconsin
Randy Starks, Maryland (2004)
Bryan
Bresee
Clemson
Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame (2019)
Jalen
Carter
Georgia
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (2010)
Jerrod
Clark
Coastal Carolina
Cam Thomas, North Carolina (2010)
Keondre
Coburn
Texas
Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman (2009)
DJ
Dale
Alabama
Lionel Dotson, Arizona (2008)
Gervon
Dexter
Florida
Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple (2011)
Siaki
Ika
Baylor
Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech (2014)
Nesta
Jade Silvera
Arizona State
Chris Neild, West Virginia (2011)
Calijah
Kancey
Pittsburgh
Peria Jerry, Mississippi (2009)
Tyler
Lacy
Oklahoma State
Karl Klug, Iowa (2011)
PJ
Mustipher
Penn State
Frank Okam, Texas (2008)
Moro
Ojomo
Texas
Jared Crick, Nebraska (2012)
Zacch
Pickens
South Carolina
Jonathan Bullard, Florida (2016)
Jalen
Redmond
Oklahoma
Allen Bailey, Miami (2011)
Jaquelin
Roy
LSU
Nick Eason, Clemson (2003)
Mazi
Smith
Michigan
Torell Troup, UCF (2010)
Dante
Stills
West Virginia
Martin Ifedi, Memphis (2015)
Tuli
Tuipulotu
Southern Cal
Tank Carradine, Florida State (2013)
Byron
Young
Alabama
Jordan Elliott, Missouri (2020)
Cameron
Young
Mississippi State
Al Woods, LSU (2010)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
EDGE Player Comps (2023)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
Mike
Morris
Michigan
Taylor Hart, Oregon (2014)
Tavius
Robinson
Mississippi
Mark Anderson, Alabama (2006)
Adetomiwa
Adebawore
Northwestern
Will Smith, Ohio State (2004)
MJ
Anderson
Iowa State
Trevon Young, Louisville (2018)
Will
Anderson Jr.
Alabama
Von Miller, Texas A&M (2011)
Felix
Anudike-Uzomah
Kansas State
Andre Branch, Clemson (2012)
Habakkuk
Baldonado
Pittsburgh
Silique Calhoun, Michigan State (2016)
Robert
Beal Jr.
Georgia
Brian Robison, Texas (2007)
Andre
Carter II
Army
Clark Haggans, Colorado State (2000)
Brenton
Cox Jr.
Florida
Trevon Young, Louisville (2018)
YaYa
Diaby
Louisville
Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State (2018)
Ikenna
Enechukwu
Rice
Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech (2008)
Viliami
Fehoko
San Jose State
Antonio Smith, Oklahoma State (2004)
Isaiah
Foskey
Notre Dame
Marcus Davenport, UTSA (2018)
Ali
Gaye
LSU
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas (2017)
Derick
Hall
Auburn
Cliff Avril, Purdue (2008)
Zach
Harrison
Ohio State
Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech (2009)
KJ
Henry
Clemson
Jacob Ford, Central Arkansas (2007)
Dylan
Horton
TCU
Trey Hendrickson, FAU (2017)
Thomas
Incoom
Central Michigan
Scott Solomon, Rice (2012)
DJ
Johnson
Oregon
Shawn Crable, Michigan (2008)
Andre
Jones
Louisiana
Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh (2011)
Eku
Leota
Auburn
Bradlee Anae, Utah (2020)
Ochaun
Mathis
Nebraska
Vince Biegel, Wisconsin (2017)
Will
McDonald
Iowa State
Marcus Smith, Louisville (2014)
Isaiah
McGuire
Missouri
Joe Kruger, Utah (2013)
Myles
Murphy
Clemson
Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame (2007)
Caleb
Murphy
Ferris State
Ifeadi Odenigbo, Northwestern (2017)
BJ
Ojulari
LSU
Azeez Ojulari, Georgia (2021)
Lonnie
Phelps
Kansas
Ryan LaCasse, Syracuse (2006)
Jose
Ramirez
Eastern Michigan
Ricky Sapp, Clemson (2010)
Nolan
Smith
Georgia
Haason Reddick, Temple (2017)
Lukas
Van Ness
Iowa
Ziggy Ansah, BYU (2015)
Keion
White
Georgia Tech
Quinton Coples, North Carolina (2012)
Tyree
Wilson
Texas Tech
Tamba Hali, Penn State (2006)
Colby
Wooden
Auburn
Henry Melton, Texas (2009)
Byron
Young
Tennessee
Lorenzo Carter, Georgia (2018)
Tyrus
Wheat
Mississippi State
Jeremy Mincey, Florida (2006)
Isaiah
Land
Florida A&M
Kevin Burnett, Tennessee (2005)
First Name Last Name School Prospect Comparison
See more Comps here
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