Just like fingerprints, no two players are the same. We as human beings are individuals and we all have different strengths and weaknesses. That individuality is fine and amazing for the average person, but when it comes to professional sports, we’re forever comparing players.
Today, we will try to find professional comparisons of wide receivers ranked in the top 100 of the “the monster”, Dane Brugler 2023 Draft Guide The Dallas Cowboys currently have three draft picks (26th, 58th, 90th) in the Top 100, and one of those picks could be one of the WRs listed below. It wouldn’t be all that surprising if someone slid into his lap in 129th, too.
(18) Jackson Smith Njegba, Ohio State – Julian Edelman
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Smith-Njegba isn’t a top size/speed athlete and wouldn’t be a perfect fit for every role, but he’s a skilled track runner with smooth pace in the short area and a knack for tracking to be a sure target. He stands out as a precocious NFL player who is at his best in the slot.
From a size/speed/sports standpoint, Jackson Smith-Ngegba and Julian Edelman compare favorably with each other. Smith-Njigba may not have Edelman’s feisty attitude or physicality in his game, but their skill popping out of the hole is similar.
(25) Jordan Addison, USC – Jerry Jedi
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Addison’s lack of ideal size and playing power are legitimate concerns, but he’s a loose athlete with crafty ways and vertical speed to work all three. Bringing out the best in the slot, he has the NFL’s starting talent from day one.
Addison is a younger version of the 15th overall pick in 2020 by Denver BroncosJerry Goody. Like Jeudy, the former USC WR is a three-tier threat with a Pro Bowl Possible. His lack of size is a bit of a concern, but his upside is as good as any WR in the draft this year.
(31) Galen Hyatt, Tennessee – Will Fuller
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Hyatt is not a well-rounded wide receiver who won’t become one overnight, but he is exceptional in two key areas (easy pace and confident ball skills), and his explosive playability at any moment changes the way defenses are prepared. In the right role, he can be a productive home-run hitter for the NFL offense.
Just like Will Fuller did after he was drafted before Houston Tx At 21st overall in 2016, Jalen Hyatt should be able to immediately establish himself as a legitimate deep threat in the NFL. The overall game of life still needs some work, but it offers the upside because the full WR is undeniable.
(32) Zee Flowers – Decian Jackson
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Flowers is small and doesn’t have the perfect skill set for the outdoorsman, but he’s a surprisingly clever competitor with pace and road cadence to create space. He stands out as a precocious NFL player who is at his best in the slot.
The only notable difference between these two WRs is that Desean Jackson has slightly better straight line speed than Zay Flowers. Other than that, both players are eerily similar to each other and have the same kind of game-changing electrical potential.
(34) Quentin Johnson, TCU – AJ Green
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Johnston needs to polish with his road running and finishing skills, but he offers legitimate big-play potential with his athleticism of high speed and catching radius. He has the traits of an NFL starter with an upside as it continues to evolve.
Quentin Johnston is a non-duplicate of AJ Green. Both players have a rare combination of size, speed, ball skills, and catch radius as a perimeter receiver. If Johnston can continue to develop parts of his game, he will have the same kind of ascent as a seven-time Pro Bowler.
(41) Josh Downs, North Carolina – Lake Austin
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Downs’ lack of size will face more resistance against NFL coverage, but he’s hard-pressed to cover in the hole one-on-one thanks to his gear changes and quick running. It stands out as a three-level slots weapon for the NFL offense and adds kick return value.
Josh Downs approaches Tavon Austin from a sporting standpoint. However, Downs can already be said to be a better prospect for WR coming out of North Carolina then Austin coming out of West Virginia. As such, you may have a better NFL career.
(48) Tyler Scott, Cincinnati – Tyler Lockett
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Scott is a work in progress in a few adaptable areas, but his high speed and short-range surprise allow him to continually create his own class. He adds instant value as a gunner on special teams and has Tyler Lockett upside as an NFL rookie receiver.
Tyler Scott isn’t around yet, but if he can continue to improve some areas of his game, he could be a legitimate three-level threat in the passing game like Tyler Lockett throughout his career. If he can put it all together, he’ll have a Pro Bowl advantage.
(57) Cedric Tillman, Tennessee – Jordy Nelson
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Tillman may be restricted to a linear trajectory tree, but he’s a great target with acceleration, power play and ball skills to exploit perimeter matches. He has the traits of an NFL starter as an X and should develop into a steady 2/3.
From a size/speed/sports perspective. Cedric Tillman is almost identical to the previous Cedric Tillman Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl WR Gordy Nelson. If Tillman continues to advance his craft, his career could follow the same path as Nelson’s as well.
(76) Marvin Mims Jr., Oklahoma – Brandine cooks
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Mims must prove himself against the press man’s coverage and expand his stock en route with improved torso balance/footwork, but his bread and butter will always be his stretching speed on the field and finishing skills. He would add an explosive element to the NFL offense as a rookie rotational receiver and punt returner.
The size/speed and athleticism match almost perfectly for both Marvin Mims and Brandin Cooks. Right now, the former Oklahoma WR is more of a vertical threat than a three-tier like chef, but in time he has the same kind of talent to become more versatile.
(80) Jayden Reid, Michigan State – Jahan Dotson
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Reed will have a more difficult time juggling his slight bulk against his NFL defensive backs, but his speed, rhythm, and fielding skills are the ingredients of a potential NFL playmaker. With a few technical tweaks to his game, he has the potential to start the NFL (slot and out) and add value as a running back.
Jayden Reed and Jahan Dotson appear to be nearly identical both physically and athletically. An even match is a positive on the field, too. Even so, Reed is unlikely to hear his name in the first round like Dotson did last year when he was the 15th pick.
(82) Rashi Rice, SMU- Chris Goodwin
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Rice must prove he has NFL-level consistency (across the board) to make up for his average speed, but he’s a ball winner with natural instincts after catching. He could be a quality contributor early in his NFL career.
Rashi Rice has a lot more work to do before he can become a Pro Bowl-level WR like Chris Godwin, but he has the toolset to do just that. Physically and athletically, he has all the desirable attributes to have a long and productive NFL career.
(86) Jonathan Mingo, Be a miss – Des Bryant
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Mingo has only a trickery average and detachment speed, but with his size, spacing and competitive ball skills, he has the body control and pitching pedigree that NFL teams are interested in. Has the possibility of starting in the right position.
Dez Bryant in his prime is arguably unparalleled in regards to ball skills, fitness and yardage after the concern of being caught. Jonathan Mingo possesses the same physical and athletic attributes. In the right situation it could have the same kind of potential.
(95) Tree Palmer, Nebraska – Calvin Ridley
Bear Dane Bruegler:
Palmer needs more trajectory polish and consistency through contact to be useful on a downward basis, but he’s an inside/outside field stretcher with speed that defenses must respect. He’s envisioned as an NFL starting running back and WR 4/5 who can move up the depth chart over time.
Trey Palmer has the upside of becoming Calvin Ridley’s weapon in the next-level passing game. If he can put the work in a couple more to develop some areas of his game, he has the potential to be as good, if not better, than Ridley.
(98) In Berry, Wake Forest – George Pickens
Berry doesn’t have elite speed, and I’m worried about his ability to play through contact at the next level, but he’s a polished road runner with above-average pace and the ball skills to give a quarterback consistently a target. Serves as an outside starting potential in the NFL.
AT Perry is George Pickens 2.0. Pickens is coming off a stellar rookie season (52 catches, 801 yards, 4 TDs) after being drafted by Steelers 52nd place in the second round last year. Berry’s talent and physical attributes suggest he could have the same early success.