NFL Draft: Player Comparisons for the 2022 Wide Receiver Class
A lot goes into scouting NFL prospects.
Of course, exactly how much we can balance the value of film evaluation and statistics will forever remain an unsolvable debate.
However, we can much more easily leverage the quantifiable side of prospect evaluation to see which incoming NFL players are most similar to historical prospects.
That's why I built out player similarity scores to add to my draft model.
Now that we have 40-yard dash times for (most of) the 2022 NFL receiver class that was invited to the NFL Combine, we can get a good feel for how each prospect comps to past prospects.
To clarify, these are based 0% on playstyle or how much a player reminds me of NFL players and 100% on measurable variables such as height, weight, draft equity (or expected draft equity for the incoming rookie class), breakout ages, height-adjusted speed, and various production metrics from their collegiate careers.
Let's get to it.
Players are listed in order of their consensus big board rank via NFLMockDraftDatabase, which also acts as an estimation of their eventual draft slot in the comparison process. Players with a top-200 big board rank are included.
Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Big Board Rank: 12
Rank | Treylon Burks Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Dez Bryant | 92.1% |
2 | Laviska Shenault Jr | 91.3% |
3 | Demaryius Thomas | 89.8% |
4 | Jordy Nelson | 88.3% |
5 | Andre Johnson | 88.2% |
6 | Larry Fitzgerald | 88.1% |
7 | Julio Jones | 87.3% |
8 | Alshon Jeffery | 87.3% |
9 | JJ Arcega-Whiteside | 86.6% |
10 | Rashod Bateman | 86.5% |
Treylon Burks measured in at 6'2" and 225 pounds despite playing a majority of his snaps from the slot at Arkansas. He logged a 4.55-second 40-yard dash for a height-adjusted speed score of 106.4. His comps are mostly elite, as expected. He's got stellar size, production, and speed. At best, he can transition more to the outside; at worst, he's an oversized slot receiver and a matchup problem.
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Big Board Rank: 14
Rank | Garrett Wilson Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Will Fuller | 95.0% |
2 | Percy Harvin | 92.0% |
3 | Donnie Avery | 90.3% |
4 | Chris Olave | 90.0% |
5 | Diontae Johnson | 89.0% |
6 | Odell Beckham Jr. | 88.9% |
7 | Jerry Jeudy | 88.6% |
8 | Harry Douglas | 88.0% |
9 | Jahan Dotson | 87.9% |
10 | Calvin Ridley | 87.2% |
Garrett Wilson at 6'0" and 183 pounds has an 11th-percentile weight score in my database but brings the promise of elite draft equity and efficiency, thus drawing comparisons to some of the game's recent best smaller, explosive receivers. Film analysis shows an ability to force missed tackles.
Drake London, USC
Big Board Rank: 17
Rank | Drake London Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Mike Williams | 93.6% |
2 | Larry Fitzgerald | 92.6% |
3 | Calvin Johnson | 91.8% |
4 | Kenny Britt | 91.6% |
5 | Jordan Matthews | 91.2% |
6 | Julio Jones | 90.8% |
7 | Allen Robinson | 90.4% |
8 | AJ Green | 90.0% |
9 | Stephen Hill | 89.8% |
10 | Jordy Nelson | 89.5% |
Drake London measured up at 6'4", 219 pounds to give him elite size marks. He broke out in his age-18 season at USC, and he has some stellar comps at the top end. He didn't run the 40, and speed concerns are in his profile. He's a basketball player for some added context.
Jameson Williams, Alabama
Big Board Rank: 19
Rank | Jameson Williams Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Justin Jefferson | 94.1% |
2 | Calvin Ridley | 89.1% |
3 | Jerry Jeudy | 87.6% |
4 | Will Fuller | 86.6% |
5 | CeeDee Lamb | 86.3% |
6 | Devin Smith | 84.8% |
7 | Nelson Agholor | 83.7% |
8 | DJ Chark | 83.0% |
9 | Arrelious Benn | 83.0% |
10 | Courtney Roby | 82.8% |
Jameson Williams is apparently ahead of schedule with his recovery from a torn ACL. The potential here is high enough for teams to take him in the first round. We don't see a lot of players with low weights (189 pounds) and overall receiving market share maxes (21%) go that high, but any one of the top five here is a great comp to be drawing.
Chris Olave, Ohio State
Big Board Rank: 23
Rank | Chris Olave Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Marqise Lee | 94.3% |
2 | Garrett Wilson | 90.1% |
3 | Will Fuller | 89.8% |
4 | Corey Coleman | 89.8% |
5 | AJ Jenkins | 89.8% |
6 | Kendall Wright | 89.6% |
7 | Percy Harvin | 89.3% |
8 | Mario Manningham | 89.1% |
9 | John Ross | 89.0% |
10 | Tylan Wallace | 88.8% |
Chris Olave has a virtually identical quant profile to Marqise Lee (obviously) but profiles for better draft capital (23rd versus 39th). Olave's small at 6'0" and 187 pounds but checks the production boxes. His 4.39 speed equates to a 99.3 adjusted speed score; prospects who hit big in their first five seasons are at a 105.5, on average. Landing spot could be key for Olave. He has a playstyle comp of fellow Ohio State Buckeyes alum Terry McLaurin.
Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Big Board Rank: 31
Rank | Jahan Dotson Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Donnie Avery | 93.0% |
2 | Ryan Broyles | 91.3% |
3 | Diontae Johnson | 90.9% |
4 | Percy Harvin | 90.2% |
5 | John Ross | 89.6% |
6 | Sterling Shepard | 89.0% |
7 | Marquise Brown | 88.8% |
8 | John Brown | 88.6% |
9 | Emmanuel Sanders | 88.4% |
10 | Garrett Wilson | 88.0% |
Jahan Dotson is another smaller prospect at 5'11" and 178 pounds. Paired with a modest breakout age and a subpar adjusted forty time (4.43 for an adjusted speed score of 89.9) that ranks in the 17th percentile in my database. Dotson checks the production boxes, however. The Diontae Johnson and Emmanuel Sanders comps feel right.
David Bell, Purdue
Big Board Rank: 47
Rank | David Bell Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Davante Adams | 95.9% |
2 | DeAndre Hopkins | 92.4% |
3 | Sammy Watkins | 91.5% |
4 | Chris Godwin | 91.5% |
5 | Anquan Boldin | 90.5% |
6 | Michael Crabtree | 90.4% |
7 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 89.9% |
8 | Torrey Smith | 89.4% |
9 | Robert Woods | 88.7% |
10 | DeVier Posey | 88.1% |
There are some huge hits at the top of the list for David Bell. He's honestly like a carbon copy of Davante Adams in terms of profile but broke out earlier and rated out as a little less athletic. Bell's adjusted speed score puts him in the 21st percentile; Adams' was 44th-percentile.
George Pickens, Georgia
Big Board Rank: 49
Rank | George Pickens Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Justin Hunter | 93.4% |
2 | Terrace Marshall Jr. | 91.3% |
3 | Josh Reynolds | 90.4% |
4 | Justyn Ross | 88.1% |
5 | Denzel Mims | 87.3% |
6 | Aaron Dobson | 87.2% |
7 | DJ Chark | 86.1% |
8 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | 83.9% |
9 | Justin Jefferson | 83.3% |
10 | Alec Pierce | 83.1% |
Ah, Justin Hunter. George Pickens has height at 6'3" but not necessarily weight (195) and broke out early without elite production metrics at an SEC school. That's very Hunter-esque. Consider pickens a long, outside receiver -- like a lot of the comps here.
Wan'Dale Robinson, Kentucky
Big Board Rank: 63
Rank | Wan'Dale Robinson Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Tutu Atwell | 95.4% |
2 | Tyler Lockett | 92.3% |
3 | Andy Isabella | 92.1% |
4 | Elijah Moore | 91.6% |
5 | Rondale Moore | 89.6% |
6 | Jamison Crowder | 88.9% |
7 | Jaelon Darden | 88.5% |
8 | John Brown | 88.3% |
9 | TY Hilton | 87.5% |
10 | D'Wayne Eskridge | 86.7% |
Wan'Dale Robinson ended up measuring in at 5'8" and 178 pounds, ranking him in the 1st and 5th percentile in my database, respectively. He's pretty locked in to some specific comps as a result. To be fair, Robinson had plenty of production and efficiency (90th-plus percentile ranks), but his 4.44-second 40-yard dash time results in a subpar adjusted speed score of 85.3 (10th percentile).
John Metchie III, Alabama
Big Board Rank: 64
Rank | John Metchie III Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Markus Wheaton | 93.2% |
2 | Randall Cobb | 93.0% |
3 | Kyle Philips | 91.8% |
4 | Dante Pettis | 91.7% |
5 | Ryan Broyles | 90.4% |
6 | Diontae Johnson | 90.1% |
7 | Steve Smith | 89.8% |
8 | Curtis Samuel | 89.3% |
9 | Emmanuel Sanders | 88.8% |
10 | Mecole Hardman | 88.1% |
John Metchie III, like a lot of these prospects so far, is on the smaller end (5'11", 187 pounds -- both sub-20th-percentile rates) but was a pretty high-volume option at Alabama all things considered. His comps are hit-or-miss; he could fit well with a slot-needy team, however. He's also got an ACL tear to recover from.
Christian Watson, North Dakota State
Big Board Rank: 67
Rank | Christian Watson Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Rueben Randle | 92.6% |
2 | Denzel Mims | 88.7% |
3 | DJ Chark | 88.3% |
4 | Tamorrion Terry | 88.0% |
5 | Michael Thomas | 87.5% |
6 | Cooper Kupp | 87.3% |
7 | J'Mon Moore | 87.0% |
8 | Sidney Rice | 87.0% |
9 | AJ Green | 86.6% |
10 | Eric Decker | 86.3% |
Christian Watson is big (6'4", 208) and put forth a stellar 4.36-second 40-yard dash for a height-adjusted speed score of 119.9 (96th percentile). He comps a bit strangely to most given the unique profile. He's already on the late side of 22 years old, as well.
Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama
Big Board Rank: 68
Rank | Jalen Tolbert Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Nate Burleson | 90.5% |
2 | Michael Gallup | 90.5% |
3 | AJ Jenkins | 90.5% |
4 | Dyami Brown | 89.7% |
5 | Calvin Ridley | 89.3% |
6 | Will Fuller | 87.8% |
7 | Khalil Shakir | 87.7% |
8 | Vincent Brown | 87.7% |
9 | Marqise Lee | 87.7% |
10 | Jared Abbrederis | 87.6% |
Jalen Tolbert clocked in at 6'1" and 194 pounds, both shy of the 50th percentile marks at the position (especially the weight, checking in in the 32nd percentile). His 4.49 speed is also a bit disappointing once adjusted for his size. However, he's another player who undeniably produced within the context of his team at South Alabama. He's already 23.
Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
Big Board Rank: 79
Rank | Skyy Moore Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Tyler Lockett | 91.5% |
2 | Andy Isabella | 91.1% |
3 | Khalil Shakir | 90.8% |
4 | Corey Coleman | 90.6% |
5 | D'Wayne Eskridge | 89.6% |
6 | Marqise Lee | 89.5% |
7 | Taywan Taylor | 89.5% |
8 | Kendall Wright | 89.0% |
9 | Stedman Bailey | 88.9% |
10 | Vincent Brown | 88.4% |
I'm a big fan of Skyy Moore, who produced really well once adjusting for opponents faced in 2021. The production metrics are what separate Moore from other third-round grades, historically. He tested at the position average in terms of adjusted speed, which is fine, though he is only 5'10" and 195 pounds.
Khalil Shakir, Boise State
Big Board Rank: 81
Rank | Khalil Shakir Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Vincent Brown | 93.8% |
2 | Stefon Diggs | 91.9% |
3 | Nate Burleson | 91.6% |
4 | Marqise Lee | 91.1% |
5 | Earl Bennett | 91.0% |
6 | Jarvis Landry | 90.9% |
7 | Skyy Moore | 90.8% |
8 | Mario Manningham | 90.4% |
9 | Tylan Wallace | 90.4% |
10 | Greg Jennings | 89.5% |
Khalil Shakir finished behind only Skyy Moore in adjusted receiving EPA in 2021, so I'm partial to him, as well. He does grade out on the small side at 6'0" and 196 pounds but has an 82nd-percentile yards per team attempt rating with a 57th-percentile adjusted speed score.
Justyn Ross, Clemson
Big Board Rank: 82
Rank | Justyn Ross Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Bryan Edwards | 89.3% |
2 | Alec Pierce | 89.0% |
3 | Denzel Mims | 89.0% |
4 | Terrace Marshall Jr. | 88.2% |
5 | Justin Hunter | 88.1% |
6 | George Pickens | 88.1% |
7 | Austin Pettis | 87.3% |
8 | Aaron Dobson | 86.6% |
9 | Nico Collins | 86.5% |
10 | J'Mon Moore | 86.2% |
Back to a big school prospect, Justyn Ross is also a big player at 6'4", 205 pounds. Ross broke out before turning 19, a fantastic sign for someone going to such a big program. He didn't run the 40 at the NFL Combine and underwent spinal surgery that cost him the 2020 season.
Alec Pierce, Cincinnati
Big Board Rank: 104
Rank | Alec Pierce Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Austin Pettis | 90.6% |
2 | Seth Williams | 90.4% |
3 | Nico Collins | 90.1% |
4 | Bryan Edwards | 90.0% |
5 | Aaron Dobson | 89.4% |
6 | Justyn Ross | 89.0% |
7 | Cody Latimer | 88.6% |
8 | Josh Malone | 88.5% |
9 | J'Mon Moore | 88.1% |
10 | Denzel Mims | 88.0% |
Alec Pierce has the athleticism we want (his 4.41-second 40-yard dash at 6'3" and 211 pounds puts him in the 90th percentile in my database). The production metrics are questionable.
Kyle Philips, UCLA
Big Board Rank: 114
Rank | Kyle Philips Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Markus Wheaton | 94.1% |
2 | Bo Melton | 92.6% |
3 | Lavelle Hawkins | 91.8% |
4 | John Metchie III | 91.8% |
5 | Emmanuel Sanders | 90.9% |
6 | Dazz Newsome | 90.8% |
7 | Randall Cobb | 90.5% |
8 | Rashad Greene | 89.7% |
9 | James Proche | 89.5% |
10 | Shi Smith | 89.3% |
A better-than-average breakout age and a big receiving share are what we can cling to with Kyle Philips. His 4.58-second 40-yard dash at with already small frame is a tough look, though. He's got an eighth-percentile height-adjusted speed score in my database.
Calvin Austin III, Memphis
Big Board Rank: 118
Rank | Calvin Austin III Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Jarius Wright | 94.5% |
2 | Ryan Switzer | 93.6% |
3 | Keke Coutee | 91.7% |
4 | Jalen Saunders | 90.5% |
5 | Isaiah McKenzie | 88.5% |
6 | Steve Smith | 88.4% |
7 | Jacoby Ford | 88.0% |
8 | Jakeem Grant | 87.9% |
9 | Aldrick Robinson | 87.3% |
10 | De'Anthony Thomas | 87.3% |
Calvin Austin III is in the 1st percentile in height (5'8") and weight (170 pounds). He has a 52nd-percentile output in yards per team attempt and an average reception share. The 4.32-second 40-yard dash loses some luster in such a small package, historically.
Romeo Doubs, Nevada
Big Board Rank: 124
Rank | Romeo Doubs Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Dez Fitzpatrick | 96.5% |
2 | Tre'Quan Smith | 91.9% |
3 | Jerricho Cotchery | 91.7% |
4 | Demarcus Robinson | 91.4% |
5 | Marvin Jones | 90.6% |
6 | KeeSean Johnson | 89.3% |
7 | Domenik Hixon | 88.8% |
8 | Cooper Kupp | 87.9% |
9 | Quintez Cephus | 87.8% |
10 | Tajae Sharpe | 87.8% |
Romeo Doubs is tall enough at 6'2" to draw comps to some downfield players in recent history. He didn't run the 40, but he did record 12 downfield catches, according to PFF, ranking 25th in the nation. He also hauled in 9 contested catches (53rd).
Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech
Big Board Rank: 142
Rank | Erik Ezukanma Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Jordan Payton | 95.4% |
2 | Donovan Peoples-Jones | 92.0% |
3 | Josh Palmer | 91.6% |
4 | Amara Darboh | 91.2% |
5 | Ricardo Louis | 90.9% |
6 | Brian Hartline | 90.6% |
7 | Chad Hansen | 90.3% |
8 | Austin Pettis | 90.2% |
9 | Tandon Doss | 90.0% |
10 | Josh Imatorbhebhe | 89.6% |
Erik Ezukanma has size (6'2", 209) but lags behind in all production and quality metrics (breakout age and draft equity expectations).
Bo Melton, Rutgers
Big Board Rank: 162
Rank | Bo Melton Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Antonio Brown | 94.5% |
2 | Kyle Philips | 92.6% |
3 | Lavelle Hawkins | 91.6% |
4 | Markus Wheaton | 89.8% |
5 | Kyle Williams | 89.2% |
6 | Jerrel Jernigan | 89.0% |
7 | Dazz Newsome | 88.4% |
8 | James Proche | 88.0% |
9 | Jeremy Kerley | 87.7% |
10 | Randall Cobb | 87.3% |
Bo Melton broke out in his age-19 season and put forth above-average receiving market share numbers overall. His speed (4.34 seconds at 5'11 and 189 pounds) works out to a 103.6 height-adjusted speed score, giving him a plus check in that category.
Ty Fryfogle, Indiana
Big Board Rank: 178
Rank | Ty Fryfogle Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Olabisi Johnson | 90.9% |
2 | Quintez Cephus | 90.7% |
3 | Chad Hansen | 90.5% |
4 | Kevin Dorsey | 90.4% |
5 | Velus Jones Jr. | 90.3% |
6 | Jordan Payton | 90.0% |
7 | Frank Darby | 89.2% |
8 | Quinton Patton | 89.1% |
9 | Mike Thomas | 88.6% |
10 | Andre Caldwell | 88.4% |
The only positive check in Ty Fryfogle's profile is weight (204), and he's close in height (6'1", 47th percentile). The production metrics lag overall. The silver lining: he has 40th-percentile-plus marks in yards per team attempt and heigh-adjusted speed (4.53-second 40-yard dash).
Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee
Big Board Rank: 185
Rank | Velus Jones Jr. Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Cornell Powell | 91.7% |
2 | Ty Fryfogle | 90.3% |
3 | Olabisi Johnson | 89.5% |
4 | Quinton Patton | 88.8% |
5 | Dwayne Harris | 88.7% |
6 | Kealoha Pilares | 88.3% |
7 | Frank Darby | 87.8% |
8 | Kawaan Baker | 87.8% |
9 | ArDarius Stewart | 87.5% |
10 | KJ Hill | 87.5% |
Velus Jones Jr. is probably going to have a wide range of draft grades, depending on if or how age is accounted for and how much he's expected to move from special teams to offense. Jones Jr. will be 25 in May, making his 116.6 height-adjusted speed score a little less impressive.
Reggie Roberson Jr., SMU
Big Board Rank: 190
Rank | Reggie Roberson Jr. Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | LaVon Brazill | 93.7% |
2 | Shelton Gibson | 93.6% |
3 | Jalen Nailor | 92.1% |
4 | Dazz Newsome | 92.0% |
5 | Robert Herron | 91.7% |
6 | James Proche | 90.1% |
7 | TJ Jones | 89.4% |
8 | Terry Godwin | 89.1% |
9 | Tavarres King | 88.9% |
10 | Shi Smith | 88.9% |
Reggie Roberson Jr.'s most impressive rating is his max yards per team attempt (48th percentile). He tore his ACL in 2020 and had broken out before then, so we can forgive elevated age (24 and a half) a bit in that regard.
Danny Gray, SMU
Big Board Rank: 192
Rank | Danny Gray Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Tre Nixon | 94.9% |
2 | KJ Hill | 91.0% |
3 | Shelton Gibson | 90.7% |
4 | Tavarres King | 90.3% |
5 | Terry Godwin | 89.7% |
6 | Darius Slayton | 89.7% |
7 | Braylon Sanders | 89.0% |
8 | Keshawn Martin | 88.6% |
9 | Tyreek Hill | 88.3% |
10 | Slade Bolden | 88.3% |
Danny Gray put forth a nice 69th-percentile adjusted speed score at 6'0", 186 pounds with his 4.33-second 40-yard dash. The small size and lack of production earns him some modest-at-best comps, though Tyreek Hill makes the list.
Slade Bolden, Alabama
Big Board Rank: 193
Rank | Slade Bolden Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Braylon Sanders | 94.4% |
2 | Kaelin Clay | 93.9% |
3 | Ray-Ray McCloud | 93.2% |
4 | Freddie Swain | 91.2% |
5 | Demetric Felton | 90.8% |
6 | KJ Hill | 90.5% |
7 | Hunter Renfrow | 89.5% |
8 | Keshawn Martin | 89.4% |
9 | Danny Gray | 89.3% |
10 | Reggie Roberson Jr. | 88.1% |
Overall, Slade Bolden ranks in the sixth percentile in my prospect model. His 4.66-second 40-yard dash gives him a 2nd-percentile adjusted speed score.
Dai'Jean Dixon, Nicholls
Big Board Rank: 195
Rank | Dai'Jean Dixon Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
---|---|---|
1 | Gabriel Davis | 88.8% |
2 | J'Mon Moore | 88.0% |
3 | Darnell Mooney | 88.0% |
4 | Seth Williams | 87.9% |
5 | Damonte Coxie | 87.7% |
6 | Devin Street | 87.2% |
7 | Marvin McNutt | 86.8% |
8 | Austin Watkins | 86.6% |
9 | Sage Surratt | 86.5% |
10 | Demarcus Robinson | 86.2% |
Dai'Jean Dixon is an FCS prospect from Nicholls with a lot of fun in his profile. He's 6'3", 205. He broke out at age 19. He dominated at a small school (75th-percentile receiving market share). The bad? He did it all at a small school, the draft equity expectations are low, and his 4.62-second 40-yard dash -- adjusted for his size -- isn't very impressive.