Everybody's Favorite Thread: Prospect Comparisons

I've been trying to figure comparisons on some players for the past week or so, and I thought I'd share what I have so far and ask you all for some of yours. One thing I ask is to talk a little bit about why they're compared, not just two names.

Here are some receivers:

Dez Bryant reminds me a lot of Terrell Owens. Big bodied but with surprising athleticism. Not speed demons but still enough to break plays wide open, and pretty good at piling up the YAC. Both are tremendous when it comes to body control and using their size/strength to make plays. Bryant's much less of a flake though, and I think that comes through on the field, though he can pull disappearing acts from time to time like TO.

Arrelious Benn and Anquan Boldin. I was skeptical at first on this one, but I think I was overestimating Benn's athleticism a bit. Body type they are identical, physically imposing but compact. They're fast but more quick, and better at making the consistent plays than the big ones. I think that's a big reason why Benn fell off, he needed more consistent QB play to have the best overall effect.

Jordan Shipley is one that I'm tending away from the general opinion of Wes Welker. I agree, they share many qualities, but I'm thinking somewhere in the mix also is Marvin Harrison. All three are tremendous finding their way into spots in the defense, but I think Welker's a lot more on scheme than Shipley. I think Shipley's route running could allow him to excel in a number of roles besides just the slot, and that includes as a downfield threat. That's where the Harrison aspect comes in, precise routes and the ability to make plays running by corners and safeties.

Damian Williams is a carbon copy of Reggie Wayne. And exact and total replica.

Golden Tate is a lot like Percy Harvin in the way that uses his top end speed not for just fly routes, but everything else. Tate is further removed from his athlete days than Harvin though, and should be able to make a similar impact if he finds a good system like Harvin did.

Demaryius Thomas to me, and this might be either my most brilliant or most debated, is similar to Brandon Marshall. Now, he's not AS phenomenal in the open field at Marshall, but no wide receiver in the game is. That said, Thomas is very dangerous in the open field, with terrific strength and surprisingly good instincts as a runner. As a receiver, Thomas has top notch speed, especially for someone has big as he is, but is still learning how to use his size to make tough catches like BM does so well.


That's all I have for now, but let's hear some more.

 

I'm on board with a lot of the comps above. Mr E, I had the exact same comparisons for Gronk and Hernandez.

I like Warren and Odrick too, he just seems like a Patriot type of 34 end than a Rex Ryan type. The Pats seem to go for the guys that have that extra bit of athleticism, sometimes at the expense of size/strength. The Jets have taken that Ravens tactic of going for bigger linemen across the board in order to block things up on the line with just three guys.

 

Hey MrE, what do you think about this one:

Ryan Mathews and (young) Deuce McAllister. Similar size coming out (though Deuce was taller), both possessing the running styles of men a bit bigger than they are. Both are strong straight ahead runners with the speed to turn any second level run into 6 points. Neither is lightning fast, but both are fast enough. Both are strong in the open field, delivering hits but also using the stiff arm and breaking DB tackles pretty easily. Mathews does have a certain burst that DMC didn't have later on in his career, but that could even change for RM when he gets to the NFL.

I'm not 100% in love with it, but just a thought I had.