When you’re putting together any type of big board for any draft class, a lot of things go into it. You look at advanced metrics, you watch a ton of tape, you talk with the players as much as possible to get a sense of how they’re wired, and then, you make a final conclusion as to whether this or that prospect is the right fit for your organization.
When you’re doing all that stuff, comparisons to current or former NFL players may come to mind. NFL comparisons are far from a perfect process, but they serve valuable purposes. When looking at measurables, metrics, and tape to come to those comparisons, it’s not only a good way for readers and views to get a better sense of what the prospect could be in the transition from college to the NFL; it also brings another type of archetype to the evaluative process.
Plus, if you’re a total football dork like I am, they’re pretty fun to compile!
So, based on my Top 50 prospects for the 2024 NFL draft (which you can read here and here), here are my NFL comparisons for those 50 players.
All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus unless otherwise indicated.
Graphics as always by the incomparable Coley Cleary.
RGIII, selected with the second overall pick in the 2012 draft out of Baylor, had a dominant running style, and he could get the ball to all areas of the field, though he didn’t have what you would call a cannon for an arm. Daniels, our top player in this class, has a lot of the same attributes. He’s more of a designed runner than a scrambler, and he throws the best deep ball of any draftable quarterback in 2024.
Patrick Mahomes comparisons are common with Williams because of his mobility, his control of the ball, and the multiple angles with which he throws. I’m not quite that enraptured, but there are elements of Williams’ style that reminds me of Aaron Rodgers — Williams has the potential to make truly special downfield throws inside and outside the pocket, and that’s something Rodgers definitely developed over time.
Nabers is the most complete receiver in this class. He’s got legitimate third-level speed, he’s a dawg in traffic, and you can have him run just about every route. Those traits bring Justin Jefferson, the Minnesota Vikings’ star, especially Nabers’ ability make his speed cuts upfield without slowing his gait. That’s tough for cornerbacks to deal with.
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