With each draft class, scouts and draft prognosticators often make comparisons between top prospects and established NFL players. As these top 20 prospects get ready for the draft, here's a look at some of their closest NFL comps.
1 of 20
Liberty QB Malik Willis | Comp: Lamar Jackson
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Willis is a pure athlete who compares to Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson in both good and bad ways. He has elite mobility and the arm to make all the throws, but accuracy remains a huge question mark, completing only 61% of his passes last season. Willis will be a work in progress but has the potential to be a superstar.
2 of 20
Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett | Comp: Daniel Jones
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As productive as Pickett was last season at Pitt, his small hand size and the subsequent fumbles remain a big concern. He has the accuracy and mobility teams want in a starter, but the turnovers will be an obstacle a la Daniel Jones.
3 of 20
North Carolina QB Sam Howell | Comp: Baker Mayfield
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Howell resembles Baker Mayfield physically, and even his mannerisms can remind spectators of Mayfield. There's also some feast or famine projection after Howell regressed last season after losing some of his supporting cast.
4 of 20
Nevada QB Carson Strong | Comp: Sam Bradford
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Strong would be in the first-round conversation just judging him on talent and production, but he has significant injury concerns that come into play. He lacks some mobility due to past knee issues, which is a significant concern for NFL teams.
5 of 20
Iowa State RB Breece Hall | Comp: Matt Forte
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Hall is a productive, well-rounded back who looks like a strong possibility as the top running back drafted after his great combine. He has enough size to be a three-down back and could be a great receiver out of the backfield like Matt Forte.
6 of 20
Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson | Comp: Davante Adams
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Wilson is only six feet tall, but he's a speedster with great route running ability who has consistently ascended in each year of his college career. After running a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, he has a strong case as the top wide receiver drafted and a potential superstar.
7 of 20
Ohio State WR Chris Olave | Comp: Keenan Allen
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Olave is a precise route runner with terrific hands who always seemed to be open in his college career. His lack of size might put him in the slot, but he can run every route effectively, as his sub-4.4 speed would indicate.
8 of 20
Arkansas WR Treylon Burks | Comp: A.J. Brown
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Burks was the heart of the Arkansas offense, as the team manufactured ways for the 6-foot-2 star to get the ball. He also has plenty of size and ability to break tackles, making him an impressive Red Zone target. The A.J. Brown could be the ceiling, but it doesn't look far off given his athletic upside.
9 of 20
Alabama WR Jameson Williams | Comp: DeSean Jackson
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Williams is recovering from a torn ACL, which could be the only reason he's not the first wideout taken in the draft. He has other-worldly speed, averaging 19.9 yards per catch for the Crimson Tide last season. Like DeSean Jackson, Williams will be able to take the top off opposing defenses.
10 of 20
Kentucky WR Wan'Dale Robinson | Comp: Jakeem Grant
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Robinson's lack of size at 5-foot-8 is a major concern, but Nebraska and Kentucky did everything they could to get the ball in his hands during his college career. The lack of size makes Robinson tough to project, but he's an interesting gadget player, at the very least.
11 of 20
Colorado State TE Trey McBride | Comp: Greg Olsen
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McBride looks like the top tight end in the draft after a terrific 2021 season, with 90 catches. He has the ability to get open consistently, though his inability to be a big impact in the Red Zone is something to watch.
12 of 20
Alabama OT Evan Neal | Comp: Tyron Smith
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Neal is a physical freak at 6-foot-7, 337 pounds with minimal fat on his frame. He has a chance to be the first overall draft choice and an immediate star at left tackle.
13 of 20
Central Michigan OT Bernhard Raimann | Comp: Eric Fisher
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Raimann is still learning offensive line after moving over from tight end, but his great athleticism should win out for a team looking to add a tackle. There could be some growing pains initially, but Raimann could shape into a Pro Bowl starter down the line with similar physical characteristics to fellow Central Michigan alum Eric Fisher.
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Minneosta OT Daniel Faalele | Comp: Orlando Brown Jr.
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Faalele is almost always the biggest fan on the field, measuring 6-foot-8, 384 pounds. He's a fit at right tackle with the potential to maul opposing defenders, drawing a striking resemblance to fellow big man Orlando Brown Jr.
15 of 20
Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson | Comp: T.J. Watt
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Hutchinson proved himself a true difference-maker with a breakout 2021 season, recording 14 sacks. He has an obvious frame of a 4-3 defensive end at 6-foot-7 and the athleticism to be an All-Pro sack artist.
16 of 20
Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux | Comp: Frank Clark
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Thibodeaux's draft stock hasn't changed much as one of the blue bloods of the 2022 class, recording 19 sacks in three seasons. He's an all-around defensive end who has few weaknesses and should be able to step in as an every-down rusher immediately.
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Georgia DT Jordan Davis | Comp: Vince Wilfork
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Davis literally stands out, measuring in at 6-foot-6, 341 pounds with the ability to draw double teams consistently. He could be a game-changer for a team that wants to shore up their run defense.
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Utah LB Devin Lloyd | Comp: Micah Parsons
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Lloyd is a multi-faceted linebacker who seems to be everything well, as last year's stat line indicates with 111 tackles, seven sacks, and four interceptions. His great athleticism and ability makes him a fit for almost any role.
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LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr. | Comp: Jalen Ramsey
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Stingley Jr. was a lockdown corner at LSU, and he's an optimal man-to-man prospect at 6-foot-1. He's likely to be a top 10 pick in the draft who could transform a pass defense.
20 of 20
Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton | Comp: Jamal Adams
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Hamilton could be one of the best safety prospects in years, showing off superstar playmaking ability at Notre Dame. His huge 6-foot-4 frame also makes him a unique prospect for the position.
Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications. He’s a University of Missouri alum and long-suffering turned spoiled Kansas City Chiefs fan. Seth doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter/X @sethroto.