Perfectly Imperfect Player Comparisons
I recall once reading an album review but was then surprised to see the author of the review chastised in the comments for using comparisons of the songs on the album to other songs or bands. Lazy writing! Or so the person down in the comments said.
Personally, I had found the review helpful. If I read that a song sounds like U2 with Lana Del Rey on vocals, then I can get a pretty good idea of what is sounds like (and that I'll probably hate it). Just because a more talented writer could use more creative adjectives to describe the style and movements of the song, I don't learn more from such a description, especially if I'm not on the same plane of eloquence as this hypothetical non-lazy wordsmith.
When I write about the NFL draft, I'm faced with the same dilemma. Sure, I could describe in detail what a player is capable of and throw in over-used phrases like waist-bender, deceptive speed and fire hydrant (okay, maybe that one is underused). However, if I can say something like "Grady Jarrett's style of play reminds me of Sheldon Richardson", you get an immediate picture of what to expect.
So, direct player comparisons are good! Except when they are bad...
Player comparisons can be bad for two main reasons. Either, they are just lazy or they are based on misconceptions.
With that in mind, let's look at some comparisons you may have heard that are probably flawed.
Pat Elflein is Nick Mangold (except he isn't)
Why they're similar:
Elflein has been regarded as the top center prospect in this year's draft and, like Mangold, was a multiple year starter and team captain at Ohio State. There's also only one inch and three pounds separating them in terms of their combine size. He's the ideal replacement!
Why they're different:
Mangold is a much better athlete, having run a 5.05 40-yard dash and 4.4 short shuttle at the combine. Elflein ran 5.32 and 4.71 and that lack of agility is reflected in his on-field performance. Mangold didn't give up a sack in his final year at OSU, while Elflein really struggles in pass protection:
A better comparison:
Let's stay in the realm of former Ohio State starting centers and go with Corey Linsley instead. He's closer to Elflein athletically and was a mid-round pick. Linsley became a solid starter, which is a much more realistic ceiling for Elflein than the multiple-time pro bowler Mangold was. In fact, that would be a fine outcome for Elflein, once we've reset our expectations.
Pat Mahomes is Johnny Manziel (except he isn't)
Why they're similar:
Like Manziel, Mahomes is capable of escaping pressure and making plays with his legs. He's also regarded as technically raw and has a reputation for occasional erraticness. This narrative has grown because there's a few gifs floating around of Mahomes doing Manziel-esque things.
Why they're different:
Being capable of the same types of plays doesn't mean that Mahomes has a tendency to freelance as often as Manziel, nor is he as reckless. As for the rest of it, that's summed up perfectly by this wonderful quote from Skip Holtz:
"I think it is the closest thing I have seen to Johnny Manziel, the only difference is this one is 6-3, (215) pounds, athletic, can run, throws the ball, strong and smart,"
So while there are similarities, Mahomes differs because he's actually big enough for the NFL and has far superior arm talent. And the rest.
A better comparison:
Rather than Manziel, there seem to be more similarities with Brett Favre. He's about the same size and has similar arm strength and a gun-slinger mentality.
Moreover, Mahomes is entering the league with poor footwork and it's been documented that Favre had awful footwork when first drafted (former Packers OC Tom Rossley described it as "horse-[excrement]") but was able to hone that skill until he had among the best footwork in the league a decade later. Would a modern NFL team have the patience to develop Mahomes in a similar fashion, though?
Jumping from complete bust all the way up to hall of famer is a bit of a leap though, so let's lock this one in as "poor man's Brett Favre".
Jabrill Peppers is Eric Weddle (except he isn't)
Why they're similar:
They were both athletes employed in a variety of ways in college, including returning kicks and on special offensive packages. Also, they have similar 40-speed and leadership qualities. Like Weddle, Peppers is expected to be repurposed as a safety.
Why they're different:
Peppers is slightly bigger and has much better strength and explosiveness numbers. In college, Weddle started more games at cornerback than safety, whereas Peppers was basically a safety/LB hybrid. Most importantly, Weddle had much better playmaking ability, intercepting 18 passes in his college career to Peppers' one.
A better comparison:
I anticipate Peppers will play in the box more than Weddle, who has played both strong and free safety at the NFL. He could fit into this current trend for LB/safety hybrids. I could see his role being similar to that of former Alabama safety Mark Barron, who is the same size and posted similar numbers at his pro day.
Almost every CB prospect is Dee Milliner (except they aren't)
Why they're similar:
Three of the top cornerback prospects have similarities to Dee Milliner. Marshon Lattimore has ongoing durability concerns, Sidney Jones is going to be coming off an Achilles tear and Marlon Humphrey is another Nick Saban-coached player from Alabama.
Why they're different:
Just because each of these prospects has something in common with Milliner, it doesn't mean they are him. Milliner, let's not forget, was actually a great prospect, which is why he was a top 10 pick in the first place. I understand any Jets fans being reluctant to select a player with similar traits for the fear of getting burned again, but just because a plan fails, that doesn't mean it was a bad plan. You don't always have to go back to the drawing board.
Let us know if there are any draft prospect comparisons you don't agree with that are commonly stated or ones that you think have merit.
Bonus link: Here, from Daniel Jeremiah, are 33 player comparisons that I mostly agree with.