While not dead-on comparison, these receivers can hope to be a version of their respective comparisons and can help guide the scouting process in projections.
By: Derrik Klassen
Laquon Treadwell – Dwayne Bowe
Dwayne Bowe’s career ended up being a bit of a mixed bag, but there were times when he dominated. Treadwell shares Bowe’s size, suddenness and ability to catch in traffic. Both of them can maximize an aggressive quarterback with how well they handle traffic, just as both of them can be workhorses underneath due to their prowess off the line and ability to separate in short areas. Like Bowe, Treadwell is as physical of a runner as a receiver can get and can outmuscle defenders for that extra yard or two to move the sticks.
Josh Doctson – Eric Decker
This may be more of a floor comp than anything. Though, to be Decker, at worst, is quite the compliment. Decker is a consistent friend to his quarterbacks, showing the ability to consistently be open and win when the ball is in the air. Docston is a better athlete than Decker is and is likely to be more dangerous after the catch, but their abilities purely as receivers are similar. The biggest factor for this comparison, though, is simple: they both score a lot of touchdowns.
Corey Coleman – Martavis Bryant lite
Coleman, like Bryant, is a human touchdown. If he touches the ball on any given play, there is a very real chance that he may score. Bryant has been this sort of weapon for the Steelers, proving his worth with explosive plays one after another. Coleman does not measure in at the same size as Martavis, but he has a very similar skill set, and provides the same talent to fight for the ball and make a handful of defenders miss on his way to the end zone.
Sterling Shepard – Brandin Cooks
There are some route runners who can make an entire defense look absolutely silly every so often. Just as Cooks was that guy at Oregon State, Shepard was that type of player at Oklahoma. There are plays where you question just how they got as open as they did. Cooks had a bit of a slow start in the league, but seems to have found his niche as a slot receiver and overall playmaker. Shepard may be capable of a bit more than that, but he can be at least what Cooks is in New Orleans.
Will Fuller – John Brown
The idea that all “one trick ponies” are not good is flawed. These players may largely be a threat in only one way, but the impact they have in doing so is very valuable. Being able to win over the top and give a quarterback a consistent deep threat is huge for an offense. It stresses defenses and forces them to play a bit more conservatively or risk 1-on-1 coverage with a top notch deep threat. Fuller may not have the best hands, but his ability to consistently win over the top makes him a valuable threat equivalent to what Brown has been for Arizona.
Leonte Carroo – quicker Anquan Boldin
Boldin has made a career of separating in the short game and winning down the field by dominating catch points. Carroo has largely the same dynamic to him, though he may be even more of a threat underneath by being able to more naturally separate and run after the catch. Both of them are mean, physical receivers that largely win with their bodies. With Carroo’s athleticism, he has the potential to be more dynamic than Boldin is.
(tOSU) Michael Thomas – Michael Crabtree
Quite simply, these players catch the ball. Thomas has a knack for finding the ball and snatching it from the air, just as Crabtree has done over the course of his career. These types are best served as complimentary receivers who can bail out their quarterback, if need be. If the team needs a first down or to make a play in the red zone, throwing it up to guys like Thomas and Crabtree is a safe bet.
Tyler Boyd – Jarvis Landry
Despite middling athleticism, Boyd has a role in this league as a possession receiver who can consistently move the chains. Like Landry, Boyd can serve well as an underneath player who finds soft spots in the zone and can do enough after the catch to keep the offense moving. These two are not dynamic players, but they provide a reliable outlet for their quarterbacks.
(SoMiss) Michael Thomas – Stevie Johnson
Big, explosive route runners tend to be intimidating players. Receivers who can win with their frame as well as with their ability to get open are deadly. Though, Thomas and Johnson share the lack of ability to be true playmakers. Rather, they are solid No.2 receivers for offenses that can be counted on to move the chains and make a defender miss or make a stunning catch from time to time.
Braxton Miller – Cordarrelle Patterson
Miller has a lot of the same appeal that Patterson did coming out: athletic, incredible with the ball in his hands and the ability to be a good kick/punt returner. Though, like Patterson, Miller lacks much nuance to his game as a receiver. He is largely going to be a receiver who needs to be manufactured production, but his ability to make plays from time to time will keep him relevant.
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