Risen Star
Likes Collector
- Messages
- 89,420
- Reaction score
- 212,331
http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2016/in...s-current-players-antonio-brown-corey-coleman
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor Bears
Comparison: Antonio Brown of Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh taking Brown in the sixth round in 2010 is one of the great draft steals. We admittedly gave him a late-fifth-round grade that year. We liked the big-play ability we saw on tape, but he was a smaller receiver who ran a disappointing 40-yard dash at the combine and had average ball skills. He also needed to make strides as a route runner. At 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, Coleman has a similar build to Brown. Like Brown, he's a big-play threat with the burst to take the top off the coverage and threaten after the catch, plus his 40-time matches up with his playing speed, as he ran a 4.38 40 at his pro day. If Coleman develops as a route runner and becomes more of a consistent pass-catcher, this comparison won't seem as aggressive as it might now.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Comparison: David Johnson of Arizona Cardinals
Johnson, a third-round pick in 2015, exceeded expectations, finishing with 1,038 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns despite not starting until Week 13 and having only 155 carries. He needs to show that he can carry the load over the course of a season, but there's little reason to doubt him at this point. Elliot is more than capable of making the same kind of impact Johnson did down the stretch last year. At 6-foot, 224 pounds and 6-foot, 225 pounds, respectively, Johnson and Elliott are both bigger backs with the strength to pick up yards after contact and the speed to rip off chunks of yards. They are also effective third-down players who can produce after the catch and hold up in pass protection. There is one difference, however. It probably won't take Elliott as long to take over as his team's primary ball carrier. He faced a much higher level of competition at Ohio State than Johnson did at Northern Iowa, and he's a better pass-blocker coming out of college.
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss Rebels
Comparison: Joe Thomas of Cleveland Browns
Thomas is a nine-time Pro Bowler and elite pass-blocker with the length to ride speed rushers past the pocket, the balance to mirror and the strength to hold his ground. He also shows an above-average blend of quickness, athletic ability and power as a run-blocker. Tunsil is an outstanding pass- blocker who cut his teeth facing off with and shutting down some of the most talented edge rushers in the country. Tunsil's not quite as powerful as Thomas, but he's an effective run-blocker who plays with the same kind of tenacity. One area that could prevent Tunsil from realizing his immense potential is durability. While Thomas is an iron man who has started all 144 games of his career, Tunsil dislocated an ankle and broke a leg at the end of the 2014 season and missed time with a biceps injury.
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks
Comparison: Calais Campbell of Arizona Cardinals
Let's start with the obvious. There aren't many defensive linemen as tall as the 6-foot-8 Campbell and the 6-foot-7 Buckner. Both use their length, quickness and strength to win one-on-one matchups and split seams when they line up on the inside. They have the agility and size to set the edge and drive back offensive tackles when they line up on the outside. That kind of versatility allows the defensive coordinator to create favorable matchups. They also use their length to get their hands up in passing lanes -- Campbell has 36 career pass deflections and Bucker deflected nine passes over the past two seasons. Campbell is heavier and has slightly longer arms, but he weighed 290 pounds coming out of college. Buckner weighed in at 291 pounds at the NFL combine. He is more than capable of bulking up and following the same career arc as Campbell.
Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Comparison: Dont'a Hightower of New England Patriots
Hightower and Ragland don't just share an alma mater. They are cut from the same cloth. At 265 pounds, Hightower is a hard-nosed run-stopper with the strength to stack blockers and the strong hands to get off blocks once he locates the ball. Ragland weighs a little less, but on tape he shows similar power at the point of attack. Neither of these linebackers matches up well with quick-twitch backs in space, but they have the size and speed to match up with most tight ends. They also have the instincts and range to be effective in zone, and they both flash the ability to get after the quarterback.
Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia Mountaineers
Comparison: Earl Thomas of Seattle Seahawks
As is the case with Tunsil, durability is a concern for Joseph. He tore the ACL in his right knee in October, but he has the potential to be a difference-maker if he can stay healthy. The 14th overall pick in the 2010 draft, Thomas has average size, measuring a little over 5-foot-10 and weighing in at 208 pounds at the combine. Joseph doesn't have great size either -- he measured in at just under 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds. Yet they are both outstanding run- defenders with above-average stopping power, and their physicality jumps out on tape. Joseph also has the cover skills and range, in addition to the ball skills and instincts, to develop into a playmaker like Thomas.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis Tigers
Comparison: Brock Osweiler of Houston Texans
Osweiler, a second-round pick in 2010, measured just under 6-foot-7 and weighed in at 242 pounds at the combine, while Lynch measured just under 6-foot-7 and weighed in at 244 pounds. Both have above-average arm strength and pocket mobility, though I would give Lynch a slight edge in both. Osweiler didn't start a game until his fourth season in the NFL, but we felt that he needed time to learn a pro-style offense before playing a significant role. He showed promise in his eight starts last season, but his play was inconsistent at times. Lynch is similar in that he is still learning to read defenses and he misses the open man at times. Ideally the team that drafts him doesn't need him to carry the franchise early in his career.
Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech, Bulldogs
Comparison: Muhammad Wilkerson of New York Jets
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Wilkerson and the 6-foot-4, 323-pound Butler both have rare length (35-inch arms) and foot speed, making them tough one-on-one matchups for offensive tackles when they line up on the outside. They also have the quickness, strength and violent hands to create chaos when they line up on the inside. Both were better run-defenders than they were pass-rushers coming out of college. Wilkerson, however, has developed into a disruptive pass-rusher, recording 12 sacks last season. Butler has all the tools to make similar strides early in his career. It's hard to believe that neither of them played in a Power 5 conference, considering their talent.
Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Comparison: Lavonte David of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
David was one of my favorite prospects in the 2012 draft, and he hasn't disappointed. He has 577 tackles, 32 pass deflections, 9 interceptions, 13 sacks and 8 forced fumbles in four NFL seasons. Both of these players are undersized (David weighed 233 at the combine, while Lee weighed 232 pounds) weakside linebackers who have the quickness to beat blockers to the point, sideline-to-sideline range and above-average stopping power defending the run. It's their third-down abilities that set them apart, though, as they cover a lot of ground in zone coverage, have above-average man-to-man cover skills and close well when they rush the passer. While David has slightly better instincts, Lee isn't lacking in that area, and he even has better top-end speed than David.
D.J. Foster, RB/WR, Arizona State Sun Devils
Comparison: Danny Woodhead of San Diego Chargers
Foster moved from running back to wide receiver in 2015 and some project him to play slot receiver in the NFL. We see him as more of a third-down back with the potential to make a similar impact as Woodhead, who led all NFL running backs in catches (80) and receiving yards (755) last season. Both are above-average route runners with the burst to separate and produce after the catch. In addition, defenses have to respect the draw on third-and-medium when they are in the game. While they are not overly powerful, they are tough runners for their size, have good vision and hit the gas as soon as they locate a seam.
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor Bears
Comparison: Antonio Brown of Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh taking Brown in the sixth round in 2010 is one of the great draft steals. We admittedly gave him a late-fifth-round grade that year. We liked the big-play ability we saw on tape, but he was a smaller receiver who ran a disappointing 40-yard dash at the combine and had average ball skills. He also needed to make strides as a route runner. At 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, Coleman has a similar build to Brown. Like Brown, he's a big-play threat with the burst to take the top off the coverage and threaten after the catch, plus his 40-time matches up with his playing speed, as he ran a 4.38 40 at his pro day. If Coleman develops as a route runner and becomes more of a consistent pass-catcher, this comparison won't seem as aggressive as it might now.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Comparison: David Johnson of Arizona Cardinals
Johnson, a third-round pick in 2015, exceeded expectations, finishing with 1,038 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns despite not starting until Week 13 and having only 155 carries. He needs to show that he can carry the load over the course of a season, but there's little reason to doubt him at this point. Elliot is more than capable of making the same kind of impact Johnson did down the stretch last year. At 6-foot, 224 pounds and 6-foot, 225 pounds, respectively, Johnson and Elliott are both bigger backs with the strength to pick up yards after contact and the speed to rip off chunks of yards. They are also effective third-down players who can produce after the catch and hold up in pass protection. There is one difference, however. It probably won't take Elliott as long to take over as his team's primary ball carrier. He faced a much higher level of competition at Ohio State than Johnson did at Northern Iowa, and he's a better pass-blocker coming out of college.
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss Rebels
Comparison: Joe Thomas of Cleveland Browns
Thomas is a nine-time Pro Bowler and elite pass-blocker with the length to ride speed rushers past the pocket, the balance to mirror and the strength to hold his ground. He also shows an above-average blend of quickness, athletic ability and power as a run-blocker. Tunsil is an outstanding pass- blocker who cut his teeth facing off with and shutting down some of the most talented edge rushers in the country. Tunsil's not quite as powerful as Thomas, but he's an effective run-blocker who plays with the same kind of tenacity. One area that could prevent Tunsil from realizing his immense potential is durability. While Thomas is an iron man who has started all 144 games of his career, Tunsil dislocated an ankle and broke a leg at the end of the 2014 season and missed time with a biceps injury.
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks
Comparison: Calais Campbell of Arizona Cardinals
Let's start with the obvious. There aren't many defensive linemen as tall as the 6-foot-8 Campbell and the 6-foot-7 Buckner. Both use their length, quickness and strength to win one-on-one matchups and split seams when they line up on the inside. They have the agility and size to set the edge and drive back offensive tackles when they line up on the outside. That kind of versatility allows the defensive coordinator to create favorable matchups. They also use their length to get their hands up in passing lanes -- Campbell has 36 career pass deflections and Bucker deflected nine passes over the past two seasons. Campbell is heavier and has slightly longer arms, but he weighed 290 pounds coming out of college. Buckner weighed in at 291 pounds at the NFL combine. He is more than capable of bulking up and following the same career arc as Campbell.
Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Comparison: Dont'a Hightower of New England Patriots
Hightower and Ragland don't just share an alma mater. They are cut from the same cloth. At 265 pounds, Hightower is a hard-nosed run-stopper with the strength to stack blockers and the strong hands to get off blocks once he locates the ball. Ragland weighs a little less, but on tape he shows similar power at the point of attack. Neither of these linebackers matches up well with quick-twitch backs in space, but they have the size and speed to match up with most tight ends. They also have the instincts and range to be effective in zone, and they both flash the ability to get after the quarterback.
Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia Mountaineers
Comparison: Earl Thomas of Seattle Seahawks
As is the case with Tunsil, durability is a concern for Joseph. He tore the ACL in his right knee in October, but he has the potential to be a difference-maker if he can stay healthy. The 14th overall pick in the 2010 draft, Thomas has average size, measuring a little over 5-foot-10 and weighing in at 208 pounds at the combine. Joseph doesn't have great size either -- he measured in at just under 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds. Yet they are both outstanding run- defenders with above-average stopping power, and their physicality jumps out on tape. Joseph also has the cover skills and range, in addition to the ball skills and instincts, to develop into a playmaker like Thomas.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis Tigers
Comparison: Brock Osweiler of Houston Texans
Osweiler, a second-round pick in 2010, measured just under 6-foot-7 and weighed in at 242 pounds at the combine, while Lynch measured just under 6-foot-7 and weighed in at 244 pounds. Both have above-average arm strength and pocket mobility, though I would give Lynch a slight edge in both. Osweiler didn't start a game until his fourth season in the NFL, but we felt that he needed time to learn a pro-style offense before playing a significant role. He showed promise in his eight starts last season, but his play was inconsistent at times. Lynch is similar in that he is still learning to read defenses and he misses the open man at times. Ideally the team that drafts him doesn't need him to carry the franchise early in his career.
Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech, Bulldogs
Comparison: Muhammad Wilkerson of New York Jets
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Wilkerson and the 6-foot-4, 323-pound Butler both have rare length (35-inch arms) and foot speed, making them tough one-on-one matchups for offensive tackles when they line up on the outside. They also have the quickness, strength and violent hands to create chaos when they line up on the inside. Both were better run-defenders than they were pass-rushers coming out of college. Wilkerson, however, has developed into a disruptive pass-rusher, recording 12 sacks last season. Butler has all the tools to make similar strides early in his career. It's hard to believe that neither of them played in a Power 5 conference, considering their talent.
Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Comparison: Lavonte David of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
David was one of my favorite prospects in the 2012 draft, and he hasn't disappointed. He has 577 tackles, 32 pass deflections, 9 interceptions, 13 sacks and 8 forced fumbles in four NFL seasons. Both of these players are undersized (David weighed 233 at the combine, while Lee weighed 232 pounds) weakside linebackers who have the quickness to beat blockers to the point, sideline-to-sideline range and above-average stopping power defending the run. It's their third-down abilities that set them apart, though, as they cover a lot of ground in zone coverage, have above-average man-to-man cover skills and close well when they rush the passer. While David has slightly better instincts, Lee isn't lacking in that area, and he even has better top-end speed than David.
D.J. Foster, RB/WR, Arizona State Sun Devils
Comparison: Danny Woodhead of San Diego Chargers
Foster moved from running back to wide receiver in 2015 and some project him to play slot receiver in the NFL. We see him as more of a third-down back with the potential to make a similar impact as Woodhead, who led all NFL running backs in catches (80) and receiving yards (755) last season. Both are above-average route runners with the burst to separate and produce after the catch. In addition, defenses have to respect the draw on third-and-medium when they are in the game. While they are not overly powerful, they are tough runners for their size, have good vision and hit the gas as soon as they locate a seam.
