crescentcitysports.com
As the offseason drama begins to unfold, prospects have officially made their mark. Let’s take a look at some of the top prospects and what their careers could look like. Now, of course, we see NFL players, professional players in general, turn out to be “busts” all the time. That said, let’s take a positive outlook and see where they align, using players we are a little more familiar with.
1) Marvin Harrison Jr (WR)
Ohio State University
Son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Marvin Harrison Jr has shown us that good genes and an exceptional work ethic are a force to be reckoned with. The wide receiver possesses exceptional hands and can make big, impactful plays on the field. Harrison Jr is Above average at tracking the deep ball when it's in the air and can make the adjustments necessary to bring the catch in.
Harrison Jr still struggles a little bit with press coverage, but that is easily correctable. Harrison Jr is quick but doesn’t have that top-end speed that most receivers have. All these tools combined can set Harrison Jr up for a successful NFL career.
College Stats: 155 Receptions, 2613 Receiving yards, 32 Total TDs
NFL Comp: Deandre Hopkins, CeeDee Lamb
2) Caleb Williams (QB)
USC
2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams is electrifying; there's no other way around it. The arm talent is stunning, and it looks like Williams isn’t even trying. Yet, the ball is 40/50 yards downfield in a hurry. The accuracy Williams has shown while throwing the ball, from different arm slots and on the run, is what really makes him special.
Combine all those things with Williams's insane ability to maneuver the pocket when things begin to break down and even take off if he needs to. Williams has the profile of a generational prospect that a rebuilding team would love to have. Williams isn’t afraid to wait in the pocket until the last moment, and when he starts to move, he makes magic happen.
College Stats: 735/1099, 10,082 passing yards, 93TDs 14 INTs
NFL Comp: Kyler Murray
3) Malik Nabers (WR)
LSU
Malik Nabers has continued flying up draft boards after a ridiculous sophomore season. Nabers is an explosive route-runner with the ability to stop on a dime and make cuts. The elite athleticism Nabers showed off in college is just one of the reasons he has seen such a boost. Just like his peer Marvin Harrison Jr, Nabers has an insane ball-tracking ability and showed he could be a reliable deep threat consistently.
Due to his shiftiness and agility, Nabers's run after the catch ability is on a whole other level. Although Nabers does have the elite ability to make plays, he struggles sometimes to separate from corners and has relied a lot on that athleticism to overwhelm the competition. At the next level that will be a bit tougher but Nabers is certainly a receiver that could make an immediate impact in the NFL.
College Stats: 189 Rec, 3003 yards, 21 TDs
NFL Comp: Ja'Marr Chase
4) Rome Odunze (WR)
Washington
Rome Odunze made his mark in his junior year, where he went for 70-1088-7 as a Husky. The year after, Odunze improved on those great numbers and won a spot on the AP first team. The thing that makes Odunze so special is that he has terrific speed. A state track and field champion, Odunze shows his smooth vertical route running ability time and time again while also imposing his physical presence.
Odunze is constantly catching the ball away from his body, using his hands to snatch it out of the air. Odunze is more than just exceptional athleticism; he also has ridiculous route-running skills and can exploit zone coverages routinely. Odunze is another player who will make an immediate impact on an NFL team wherever he lands.
College Stats: 214 Receptions, 3272 yards, 24 TDs
NFL Comp: Larry Fitzgerald, Davante Adams
5) Brock Bowers (TE)
Georgia
Standing at 6-foot-four, the tight-end prospect burst onto the scene showcasing his playmaking ability, especially in crucial games. Brock Bowers has a big-game mentality and always seems to be the guy making a big play in intense situations. Bowers's receiving ability has allowed him to produce and collect many accolades throughout his collegiate career. Bowers’s athleticism and size are a special advantage for him, and because of his ability to run after the catch, he immediately can be a big piece of an NFL offense.
One of his standout qualities has always been that relentless motor, and Bowers inspires teammates with his big plays and testing mentality. Although we see prospects that are great receivers at the tight end position more and more these days, what helps Bowers's draft stock even more is that he has the ability to block and block well and has no issues in doing so. Bowers doesn’t possess that elite speed and explosiveness that will allow him to separate from NFL safeties right away, but against zone coverages, he should be able to dominate.
College Stats: 175 Receptions, 2538 Yards, 31 total TDs
NFL Comp: George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Trey McBride
