NFL Draft Prospect Comparisons: Wide Receiver

Finding comparisons in each position is both an entertaining way to get some final thoughts on these prospects as well as get a good indication of what they could actually be once they get to the NFL.

While these receiver comparisons are not likely shared by everyone and it may not be an exact match, these are who the top 10 receivers on our board remind me of.

Edmund Gates, Abilene Christian – Lee Evans
An athletic, big play receiver, Gates needs a lot of development before he can get to the Lee Evans, borderline number one receiver. Only playing football full time for the last few years, he has the potential to develop into a very nice option as a number two receiver, and in a system that allows him to get vertical with a big bodied receiver opposite him could be the ideal situation for his development.

Torrey Smith, Maryland – Devery Henderson
A definite big play threat, I’m not sure Smith can offer much more than getting vertical. Like Henderson, Smith doesn’t have the separation ability or routes to consistently get open, which is why I’m not sure Smith will ever be more than a slot receiver or a big play option on the outside. Still has room to develop and doesn’t have a ton of experience as a receiver,  Smith likely needs a few years of development and an accurate down the field passer.

Greg Little, North Carolina – Mike Williams
Like an unpolished Mike Williams (of the Tampa Bay Bucs), Little has some character and work ethic red flags that teams have on him. Talent-wise, Little has as much athletic ability as any receiver in this draft, but was forced to sit out last year. Like Williams, Little could be taken in the 2nd or 3rd round area by a team that thinks they can mold him into a starter the way the Bucs struck gold in Williams.

Randall Cobb, Kentucky – Antwan Randle El
Almost too obvious of a comparison, Cobb can have a long NFL career as a guy that can add depth and versatility to a team’s offensive unit. He’s lined up as a quarterback, running back, and receiver on the offense as well as a returner as well. I’m not sure he’ll ever be anything more than a number two offensive option and slot receiver, but that has value in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Titus Young, Boise State – Mohammad Massaquoi
I’m not sold on Young making an instant impact in the NFL as a big play threat, and the Jeremy Maclin comparisons go a bit far in exuding his quickness and speed as a receiver. However, Young does have the ability to be a slot or outside number two receiver in the NFL if he can continue to work on his separation ability and run more precise routes, and he could be a better version of the Browns big play receiver Mohammad Massaquoi.

Vincent Brown, San Diego State – Derrick Mason
Not sure Brown will ever be more than a 50-70 catch guy in the NFL, but he could end up being a very reliable number two receiver option, and even a fringe factor receiver like Derrick Mason if he can continue to develop in the nuances of the game. Never a big play threat or a receiver that struck fear into defenses, Mason has been quietly productive and featured in the NFL for some time now, and though not many are “excited” about Brown, he could end up being one of this drafts most reliable receivers.

Jerrel Jernigan, Troy – Johnny Knox
This draft’s most exciting, electric, and explosive in my opinion, Jernigan has some doubters because there are concerns if he can be an outside receiver in the NFL because of his size just like Knox had coming into the NFL. However, Knox and even Steve Smith have shown that these extremely quick and explosive receivers can be outside receivers and reliable targets, and Jernigan is more polished as a route runner and has a higher overall football IQ than many give him credit for, and in my opinion, has first round value.

Leonard Hankerson, Miami (FL) – Donald Driver
A reliable target for the past 10 plus years for the Packers, Donald Driver has never been a big play, down the field option for the Packers thanks to his speed as a receiver. But he has been able to make big plays down the field as well as be a very reliable short and medium range route running receiver as well. Hankerson doesn’t have the sexy speed that teams look for in high draft picks, but he’s a very reliable route runner and pass catcher right now, and could develop his game to minimize the negatives that his game speed limits him for, similar to how Driver has been so successful in the NFL.

Julio Jones, Alabama – Terrell Owens
A physical, well built, powerful receiver, Jones is rare in terms of receivers coming out. Not only is Jones an athletic specimen and has maybe the most NFL ready receiver body in this draft, he’s developed as a blocker, short area route runner, and ball grabbing skills. He needs some work as a route runner and in taking the best angles to making a play on the ball down the field, but he has the potential to be a receiver that defensive backs fear both as a number one receiver as well as a run blocker.

AJ Green, Georgia – Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald has been able to dominate opposing secondaries because he’s been able to jump up, along the sideline, and around defenders to make plays on the ball, and has the ability to make plays on poor throws. His routes are defined, he has reliable hands, is willing to go across the middle, and has the balance and footwork to stay on track and be both a short area and big play threat. Green is similar in all of those ways as a prospect, and though he’s not going to be Fitzgerald initially in year one, he has the athletic ability and polish as a receiver to get to that level very quickly.