2024 NFL draft comps: Our favorite prospect-to-pro matches

The 2024 NFL draft is simply across the nook, which implies you are about to begin listening to (if you have not already) many prospects be in comparison with a few of the finest previous and current NFL stars.

NFL draft evaluators’ matches are sometimes primarily based on fashion of play, bodily measurements, manufacturing, versatility and function, 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 challenge to the subsequent degree. They are not at all times precise and do not essentially recommend that the prospect will share the identical degree of success because the NFL participant (for higher or worse). However comps are helpful to get an thought of a participant’s fashion of play.

Who does quarterback Caleb Williams remind us of? Who’re good matches for prime huge 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 12 months’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 abilities/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 means and an All-Professional upside. — Matt Bowen, NFL analyst

Makes use of his legs to purchase time outdoors of the pocket? Test. 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 wonderful effectivity with elite playmaking? Test. Wilson accomplished 65% of his passes at 12.0 yards per completion — effectively over the league common of 11.4 — in Seattle. Williams accomplished 67% of his passes at 13.7 yards per completion in faculty. Granted, Williams will not have to attend till the third spherical to listen to his title known as; he has all of the instruments you’ll need from a No. 1 decide. — Invoice Connelly, faculty soccer reporter

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Legette (South Carolina) and Brown are eerily comparable in terms of 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 means of tackles and the pace to drag away from defenders for lengthy positive aspects. They each show large ball abilities to go up and make contested catches, as effectively. — 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 an identical timed pace numbers, as effectively. Lattimore ran a 4.36-second 40-yard sprint, and Mitchell ran a 4.33. However dive in a bit of deeper, and Mitchell’s willingness to get proper within the huge receiver’s wheelhouse on the line of scrimmage — he was by far essentially the most aggressive, bodily cornerback on the Senior Bowl this 12 months — 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 dimension 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 a bit of taller at 6-2, however he has a few of the similar questions, particularly coming from an Oregon offense that noticed him throw fast and quick. However after I watch Nix throw with precision, I see lots 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 remodeled right into a first-round decide. Like Hendrickson, he comes off the ball with improbable 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, energetic palms and instincts to slide blocks, find the ball and make performs within the backfield. They do not have nice dimension — Newton measures 6-2, 304 kilos, and Jarrett is 6-0, 305 kilos — however they play with good pad degree and might stack greater blockers. Their bodily palms and motors make them efficient pass-rushers. — Steve Muench, NFL draft analyst

McCarthy and Cousins play with a excessive degree of conviction and routinely make tough 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

In terms of 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 just 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 pace to steer 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 may result in an earlier choice, however each have massive frames and the flexibility to rack up touchdowns in and across the pink zone. Like Higgins, who averaged almost 20 yards per catch in his closing season at Clemson, Thomas can constantly assault defenses down the sphere. — Adam Rittenberg, faculty soccer reporter

What to know for the 2024 NFL draft

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 faculty (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 closing season at Texas and through this 12 months’s Senior Bowl practices. Whereas he may not have the vary of Wilfork, he did have a 10-yard break up of 1.8 seconds on the mix, displaying his quickness. — Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst

Beebe is a plug-and-play instant starter, who has the dimensions (6-3, 322 kilos) and energy to have a protracted and illustrious NFL profession. Beebe is a bit greater than Mankins was in 2005 (6-4, 307 kilos), however the Kansas State lineman initiatives to have the identical instant affect and prolonged profession. — Pete Thamel, faculty soccer reporter

Should you’re in search of a security on this 12 months’s class with elite vary and protection abilities, 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 ability set can thrive within the NFL. — Area Yates, NFL draft analyst

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