Yardbarker
x
2023 NFL Draft prospects and their league comps
Sean Gardner/Getty Images

2023 NFL Draft prospects and their league comps

With each draft class, scouts and draft prognosticators often make comparisons between top prospects and established NFL players. As these top 25 prospects get ready for the draft, here's a look at some of their closest NFL comps.

 
1 of 25

Alabama QB Bryce Young | Comp: Randall Cunningham

Alabama QB Bryce Young | Comp: Randall Cunningham
Marvin Gentry / USA Today Sports Images

It's difficult to find a clear comp for Young, who has shown out-of-this-world playmaking ability and passing accuracy during his college career at Alabama. However, he's done so with a lack of size. While former Eagles and Vikings star Randall Cunningham was much taller at 6-foot-4, the plus athleticism and arm strength are comparable.

 
2 of 25

Ohio State QB CJ Stroud | Comp: Joe Burrow

Ohio State QB CJ Stroud | Comp: Joe Burrow
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Stroud has been an extremely accurate passer in the Buckeyes' offense, completing over 69 percent of his passes over two seasons. While he's shown an ability to move in the pocket and gain yards with his feet when needed, it's not a major part of Stroud's game. Bengals star Joe Burrow has a similar game and strengths.

 
3 of 25

Kentucky QB Will Levis | Comp: Jeff George

Kentucky QB Will Levis | Comp: Jeff George
William Purnell / USA Today Sports Images

Levis has unbelievable physical tools with elite arm strength and plus scrambling ability, but it takes some projection with tape that shows sub-par talent around him at Kentucky. Former No. 1 overall draft choice Jeff George is well known for his incredible arm strength, but the 12-year NFL quarterback was an inconsistent starter at the highest level.

 
4 of 25

Florida QB Anthony Richardson | Comp: Michael Vick

Florida QB Anthony Richardson | Comp: Michael Vick
Matt Pendleton / USA Today Sports Images

Richardson is a romantic pick whose elite athleticism will likely push him early into the first round. He's made more impressive plays with his feet than his arm but has star potential in the right system. Vick was obviously a much more productive college quarterback at Virginia Tech, yet the incredible ability with his feet and strong arm bore some resemblance. 

 
5 of 25

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker | Comp: Ryan Tannehill

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker | Comp: Ryan Tannehill
Randy Sartin / USA Today Sports Images

Coming off a torn ACL, the productive Hooker could move down draft boards. When healthy, he showed all the physical traits needed to be a starter in the NFL with great accuracy, a strong arm, and plus mobility with his big frame. The lanky Ryan Tannehill took some time to get settled in as an NFL starting quarterback, moving from wideout in college, but eventually became an accurate starter for the Titans.

 
6 of 25

Texas RB Bijan Robinson | Comp: Jonathan Taylor

Texas RB Bijan Robinson | Comp: Jonathan Taylor
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Robinson is considered by many to be the best and most well-rounded running back in the draft, showing three-down ability as a downhill runner. In fact, he shows more polish coming out of college than former Wisconsin star Jonathan Taylor, who has proved in the NFL he could be a viable receiver and hold onto the ball in addition to being a 2,000-yard rusher.

 
7 of 25

Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs | Comp: Reggie Bush

Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs | Comp: Reggie Bush
Jamar Coach / USA Today Sports Images

Gibbs' electric speed absolutely jumps off the screen, and he's also a gifted receiver. While Reggie Bush's NFL career was slightly disappointing after going second overall in the 2006 draft, there is some resemblance between the pair's great sprint speed, running style, and receiving abilities.

 
8 of 25

Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn | Comp: Darren Sproles

Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn | Comp: Darren Sproles
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

The comp for Vaughn has been clear for all Kansas State fans throughout his college career. At 5-foot-6, the undersized back is an obvious comp to Sproles. A similarly undersized running back who was counted out by many, the former fourth-round pick had a great 14-year NFL career as one of the most productive receiving backs in league history.

 
9 of 25

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Comp: DeAndre Hopkins

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Comp: DeAndre Hopkins
Joshua A. Bickel / USA Today Sports Images

The speedy and agile Smith-Njigba had an unbelievable 2021 season with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine scores. He's flashed elite upside as a route runner with great hands, though there could be some injury concern after playing only three games last season. His ability to create his own space along the sidelined resembles Hopkins.

 
10 of 25

TCU WR Quentin Johnston | Comp: Tee Higgins

TCU WR Quentin Johnston | Comp: Tee Higgins
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

A tall speedster, Johnston had a breakout season in 2022 with 60 catches for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns. He's been an elite deep threat with his length and speed for his entire college career, in much the same way Higgins was at Clemson.

 
11 of 25

USC WR Jordan Addison | Comp: Keenan Allen

USC WR Jordan Addison | Comp: Keenan Allen
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Addison was a highly productive player at both Pitt and USC and did so as an elite route runner. He lacks plus size but has the route-running ability and hands to be a man-to-man beater like Allen.

 
12 of 25

Boston College WR Zay Flowers | Comp: Jarvis Landry

Boston College WR Zay Flowers | Comp: Jarvis Landry
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

Flowers is a strong slot receiver in the making at 5-foot-10, with the quickness to pile up catches. Jarvis Landry has declined in recent years, but early in his career with Miami and Cleveland, he was seemingly impossible to cover in the slot.

 
13 of 25

Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt | Comp: DeSean Jackson

Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt | Comp: DeSean Jackson
Saul Young / USA Today Sports Images

Hyatt showed in his 2022 breakout season that he could take the top off of any defense. The speedster averaged 18.9 yards per catch and scored on 15 of his 67 receptions. Jackson remains the prototypical NFL deep threat, a big play waiting to happen in his prime.

 
14 of 25

North Carolina WR Josh Downs | Comp: Stefon Diggs

North Carolina WR Josh Downs | Comp: Stefon Diggs
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

The undersized Downs is a tremendous route runner and was able to accumulate over 1,000 yards for the second straight season despite losing quarterback Sam Howell. While smaller than the crafty Diggs, Downs could similarly give man coverage corners big problems.

 
15 of 25

Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer | Comp: George Kittle

Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer | Comp: George Kittle
Cheryl Evans / USA Today Sports Images

Mayer is an all-around tight end with the rare ability to step in immediately as an NFL starter. He should be an asset as a receiver and blocker, similar to what the 49ers have developed with Kittle.

 
16 of 25

Georgia TE Darnell Washington | Comp: Marcedes Lewis

Georgia TE Darnell Washington | Comp: Marcedes Lewis
Jordan Prather / USA Today Sports Images

Washington has the makings of a capable receiver, but his most impressive ability at this point comes as a blocker. The 6-foot-7 mammoth tight end should be pushed up in the draft with his blocking and size, projecting similarly to the accomplished Lewis.

 
17 of 25

Utah TE Dalton Kincaid | Comp: Mark Andrews

Utah TE Dalton Kincaid | Comp: Mark Andrews
Rob Gray / USA Today Sports Images

Kincaid's receiving ability is ahead of his blocking at this point, and he certainly showed well over the last two seasons for the Utes. He scored eight times in back-to-back seasons and was seemingly always open with a game similar to Ravens star Andrews.

 
18 of 25

Florida OG O'Cyrus Torrence | Comp: Trey Smith

Florida OG O'Cyrus Torrence | Comp: Trey Smith
Vasha Hunt / USA Today Sports Images

Listed at 6-foot-5 and nearing 350 pounds, Torrence is a mauler on the interior. There are questions about his ability as a pass blocker, but a running team would love to have his services as the Chiefs have over the last two years with Smith.

 
19 of 25

Georgia DT Jalen Carter | Comp: Warren Sapp

Georgia DT Jalen Carter | Comp: Warren Sapp
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

We don't often see interior rushers in the conversation for the first overall pick, but few have the pass rush ability of Carter. He was in the backfield regularly for the Bulldogs in his college career, with incredible athleticism for his size. Sapp is one of the best interior pass rushers ever to play the game and a former Defensive Player of the Year with the Bucs.

 
20 of 25

Alabama DE Will Anderson | Comp: Khalil Mack

Alabama DE Will Anderson | Comp: Khalil Mack
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

With elite physical tools and production, some believed Anderson was ready to be the first overall pick in last year's draft. He will get his shot in 2023 as a seemingly can't-miss edge rusher similar to the type of prospect Mack was in 2014.

 
21 of 25

Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson | Comp: Jevon Kearse

Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson | Comp: Jevon Kearse
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Wilson has the size that scouts dream of as a 4-3 edge rusher. When comping elite talent and size, Kearse remains a prototype as an instant impact player and former Defensive Rookie of the Year with Tennessee in 1999.

 
22 of 25

Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness | Comp: Cameron Jordan

Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness | Comp: Cameron Jordan
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports Images

There are more athletically talented edge rushers, but Van Ness has the strength to be a stout pass rusher and run defender. The durable and consistent Jordan has been just that for the Saints over the last 12 seasons, recording 115.5 sacks and rarely missing time.

 
23 of 25

Arkansas LB Drew Sanders | Comp: Micah Parsons

Arkansas LB Drew Sanders | Comp: Micah Parsons
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Becoming anything close to Micah Parsons is a tall order, but Sanders earns that comparison because of his multi-dimensional play. He had 103 tackles and 9.5 sacks last season for the Razorbacks, showing the ability to play middle linebacker and also rush the passer.

 
24 of 25

Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon | Comp: Darius Slay

Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon | Comp: Darius Slay
Ron Johnson / USA Today Sports Images

A very capable man-to-man cover corner, Witherspoon improved his draft stock last season with his ball skills. He had three picks and 14 passes defensed in 12 games, showing similar strengths to Slay.

 
25 of 25

Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. | Comp: Richard Sherman

Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. | Comp: Richard Sherman
Barbara J. Perenic / USA Today Sports Images

Defenses tried to avoid the tall and smart Porter Jr. during his college career. He has enough height to line up against any wideout at 6-foot-2 and the football pedigree as the son of a former Pro Bowl linebacker. Size and smarts were certainly two of the most cited traits during Sherman's outstanding career.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.