Wrong.
I still have draft fever, and it's fueled by the amazing potential of this upcoming 2020 WR class. The more you watch the talent, the more you get a deja vu feeling. 5 years ago, there was what is widely regarded as one of the best WR draft classes ever. The 2014 Draft produced 12 pro bowls and some of the biggest stars in the game today. This fun piece will try to match each of the studs in next year's draft to one of the 2014 class prospects stylistically. Some make a lot more sense then others, but it's all in fun and a cool way to introduce the upcoming crop. I'll start with the best of the group.
Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy // Odell Beckham Jr.
This comp has already been made by Matt Miller on the Stick to Football podcast, but it's because it's easy to see. Jeudy's combination of deep threat speed, stop on a dime quickness, and great route running technique make him nearly impossible to lock up man to man. He's elusive and slippery in the open field, using his instincts to make it as tough as possible for the D to get a clean grasp on him. He also has shown good concentration on tough deep pass contested man to man reps , sifting through the mess to come up with a catch. I haven't seen enough of his hands to compare that aspect of his game to Odell, but overall, they are both the dynamic playmakers you use high draft capital to go get. Jeudy will probably be a top 10-15 pick next year, just like Odell was.
Colorado WR Laviska Shenault Jr. // Sammy Watkins
I promise this comparison isn't just because they both had dreads in college. Laviska is a very dynamic offensive weapon. Colorado puts him everywhere from outside WR to an H back type, he even had some wildcat snaps. He isn't utilized this way because he's a "gadget" player, it's because he's a super impressive athlete. He has average height, but he has a thicker frame without sacrificing speed and agility. The strength with which he runs makes it hard to bring him down, a similar trait to Watkins. That strength combined with his ability to make a play on the ball on deep throws make him an exciting NFL prospect and one of college's best WRs in 2019. I doubt Shenault goes top 5 in the draft like Sammy did, but he should be a coveted talent.
Texas WR Collin Johnson // Mike Evans
I may have stretched to make this matchup just for the sake of the piece, but their physical profiles check out. Johnson is a very tall, well built outside WR that doesn't lack short area quickness and burst for his size. He showed good speed off the line as well, and flashes of strong hands and contested catch ability. While Johnson may not have the freak athleticism that Evans showed as a prospect, he does show the same knack to go up and get a tough catch on the sideline or in just any tough situation. Johnson is a player that can have his stock rise with continued improvement in his athleticism and route running. He could end up one of the top players taken, just like Mike.
TCU WR Jalen Reagor // Brandin Cooks
Jalen and Brandin aren't actually similar players stylistically, but they share two traits: their short stature and their blazing speed. In the short amount that I have seen of the TCU wideout, his gamebreaking speed pops out. He is shifty in open field, he runs like a return man when he has space. While Cooks is more of a deep threat burner and a more technical receiver, Reagor is a flashy playmaker that can leave you in the dust but also jump with you and take the ball. The comparison is solely for the sake of the piece.
Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb // Jarvis Landry
These two compare well because of their quick feet and short area quickness, while also lacking great straight away speed. CeeDee was overshadowed by Hollywood Brown last year, but some think he may be an even better overall WR. He's quick off the ball and hard to get a good press on, very slippery. He understands how to shift gears at the right times in his routes, and he has shown good plays of backshoulder timing and toe taps on the sideline. Replicating Jarvis' hands is obviously impossible, but Lamb has made some tough catches. CeeDee will explode onto the scene as the WR1 in that dynamic Oklahoma offense, and he'll surely be in the mix for that top shelf of receiving prospects in next year's class.
Clemson WR Tee Higgins // Allen Robinson
Tee has a lengthier and thinner frame than Robinson, but they both run crisp routes, have quick feet in breaks, and don't get pushed around. Higgins also has some burner speed, and can manufacture some yards after the catch with it. He shows good strength getting through press man and not letting it take him off his route. His jumpball ability is stronger than Robinson's because of his height and length, but neither of them are slackers in that department. Higgins has a good a chance as any of these prospects to become the top dog, and with him having possibly the best QB too, he may have the best opportunity to shine.
Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones // Davante Adams
This is me stretching for a comparison, but Donovan Peoples-Jones has that good balance of size and athleticism at 6'2" that makes the match. The Michigan WR runs routes clean while also being able to be physical and grab a contested target. He has sneaky size because he doesn't look as big or strong as he plays. He's shown reliable hands, and an ability to shake off physical man coverage and continue on routes. Adams shows these same traits, and Donovan could have similar a career path and stardom if he's paired up with a great QB like Davante was.
Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III // Paul Richardson
This last comparison was a late addition, but after watching some of Ruggs, I had to fit him in here somehow. He looks springy, and can go up and get a jumpball in fashion. He has highlight reel one handed grabs and tough TD catches, while only standing at 6"0" and 185 pounds. He looks like an exciting playmaker, and along with Jeudy, Alabama may have two of the top WRs in next year's class on their team. The comparison to Richardson was almost too easy with the impossible grabs they both have on tape.
The hype is real with the 2020 WR class. There will be plenty to choose from and be excited about. With the Tyreek situation up in the air and Sammy's contract coming up, it wouldn't be crazy to think one of these guys could be a Chief in a year.
No comments:
Post a Comment