It’s draft month in the NFL, which means you’ll hear a lot of special touches for the NFL The highest expectations are in the class of 2023. These matches are usually based on how prospects play the game, their physical measurements, production, versatility and role, similar traits or a combination of those lines of thought.
Probability and player comparisons are useful because they give fans a feel for the player’s playing style. They’re not always accurate—and in most cases they don’t suggest that a prospect will share the same level of success as an NFLer, for better or for worse. But they can be helpful in better understanding prospects and how they progress to the next level. So we asked 15 NFL analysts for their favorite companies of this year’s class.
It’s rare that we can compare a prospect to a future Hall of Famer, but I think this edge-rush pairing is apt. Anderson (Alabama) is 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds with an amazing first step, a strong hand and a great drive. And when Miller was coming out of Texas A&M, he measured in at 6-foot-3, 246 pounds and amazed space scouts with his speed. Anderson – my front runner – has the same attributes of being a major league artist. – Matt Miller, NFL Draft Analyst
Arm strength, build, gunslinger mentality – I see a lot of Stafford in the Levis, the second-place quarterback in that category. Stafford threw 33 draft picks in three seasons at Georgia, mostly because he attempted passes in tight windows. He and Levi’s (Kentucky) can both make rare throws, but this also leads them to make mistakes. — Mel Kipper Jr., NFL Draft Analyst
It’s the top-level physical tools and playmaking attributes of the QB position that stand out for me. Just as we saw when Allen was coming out of Wyoming, Richardson (FL) has a strong frame and impressive arm strength, with the ability to produce on choreographed lunges and lunges. — Matt Bowen, NFL analyst
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Robinson’s starting running ability, dribbling skill and versatility in both the running and passing game will give him a chance to quickly become one of the best position players in the NFL. Seeing the Texans running back and balancing the connection are special—and very reminiscent of Tomlinson. — Jordan Reed, NFL Draft Analyst
It’s hard to find companies this close. I see the same explosiveness, snap and closing speed on tape, and they both have this tough mentality and grit to their rushing passers. In addition, they are basically the same structure. Smith (Georgia) is 6-foot-2, 238 pounds with 32 5/8-inch arms… Reddick was measured at 6-foot-1, 237 pounds with 32 3/4-inch arms in the 2017 set. Leading up to the draft Reddick, there were questions about how his size would translate to the NFL and where he would play, but he’s becoming pass-dominant at the next level. You’ll hear similar questions about Smith, but I see a possibility that — like Reddick — he’ll be able to make an impact in the NFL. — Todd McShea, NFL Draft Analyst
I see Young as a combination of Burrow and, in a cross-sports twist, Stephen Curry. The game around him seems slow in the speed and suddenness with which he moves within it. Young (Alabama) never freaks out about football in the big moments, and is a true quarterback. — Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst
At 281 pounds, Kancey is a bit lighter than Jarrett was in the 2015 group (301), but the attributes are the same for these defensive tackles. They both have great speed in the short area, really good hands and a quick first step. And watching the tape, both Kansi (Pete) and Jarrett are excellent at tracking the ball down the line of scrimmage. Marcus Spears, NFL Analyst
Like Alexander, Witherspoon is a fierce, aggressive, in-your-face guy who wants to mix it up with receivers. Louisville’s Alexander came out a bit bigger (196 pounds vs. Witherspoon’s 181) and faster in 2018, but Witherspoon reminds me of him because they’re two sticky angles to cover guys with really good on-the-ball skills. Witherspoon (Illinois) also shares Alexander’s thirst for blowing up wide receivers and helping avoid runs. — Toron Davenport, Titans reporter
These are two great physical anglers who can play press coverage and excel at the line of scrimmage. There’s a high ceiling for Gonzalez (Oregon), who thrives on the running game and can play on the ball. — Pete Tamil, college football reporter
Mauch and Jensen are both players you want as teammates but also hate playing against. They echo the whistle and look to bury defenders at every moment. Both played offensive tackle in the small schools, although Mauch (North Dakota State) played in a much larger program than Jensen (Colorado St. Pueblo). Mauch has a better chance of staying in the NFL and should be drafted earlier than Jensen (sixth round), but he can also move inside and develop into one of the best inside offensive linemen in the league. — Steve Munch, NFL Draft Analyst
I covered the Titans for the first six of Rolle’s 11 NFL seasons and used to wonder even his listed weight of 175 pounds. But he was a versatile, instinctive, and physical player despite outrunning nearly every receiver he covered in a career that included 31 interceptions over 149 career games. Forbes is that guy in this draft, at 6-foot-1 and 166 pounds. He finished his career at Mississippi State with 14 interceptions, had two seasons with five catches and returned six for touchdowns. — Jeff Legold, Broncos reporter
Prescott was a professional NFL Top 12 player despite not having a true dominant trait. And I think Hooker (Tennessee) will have a similar career. He’s got really good size at 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, arm strength, and accuracy. While other quarterbacks in this class will get more hype, Hooker could finally be a starter for 10 years in the NFL. — Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst
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Like Mack, Schmitz profiles as a pure center in the NFL. He has the combination of physical and cerebral traits to anchor a contract offensive line that looks like a Mac’s toolbox. Mack’s many years under head coach Kyle Shanahan have been successful in a zoned scheme offense, and I think Schmitz (Minnesota) could find great success in a similar scheme. — Field Yates, NFL analyst
They have similar builds — Addison is 5-foot-11, 173 pounds, while Lockett measures in at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds in 2015 — and both rely on speed, footwork, crisp runs, and excellent ball skills to produce at a high level. And like Lockett, Addison (USC) is a reliable target who can also stretch his defenses and gain valuable yards after a catch. — Adam Rittenberg, college football reporter
Kincaid (Utah) reminds me of Andrews with the way he can climb up and wave his body to create a contested catch. Neither would be classified as a jacket on the racetrack, but both are very fast in the open field. Kincaid are ways of going smoothly and making things happen, like Andrews. — Jeremy Fowler, NFL reporter