In this series, we are going to do a deep dive into the top 2021 NFL Draft Class’s wide receivers, and see who they compare to historically. We are going to build them out from the standpoint of their physical acumen, their athletic abilities, and then bring it full circle by looking into their college production. Combining these three components we will settle on a final comparison that I believe most accurately outlines each player’s potential range of outcomes in the NFL. We will count down the top-15 pass-catchers with their comparable players as our countdown to the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29th.
In this edition of the article, we will also introduce the ‘Rotoviz Celebrity Shot’ section. This will be done by using the Rotoviz Prospect Box Score Scout. I will share the most similar player based on their profile and presumptive draft capital.
12. Pat Freiermuth
Physical: Nicknamed “Baby Gronk”, Pat Freiermuth did not participate in athletic testing during the Penn State Pro Day, however, he did measure in. Freiermuth came in at 6’5” and 251 lbs. which equates to a BMI of 29.76. Freiermuth has the prototypical tight end frame, nearly identical to Todd Heap, Jeremy Shockey, Jared Cook, Travis Kelce, Tyler Eifert, Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, and T.J. Hockenson.
Athletic: Freiermuth did not participate in his athletic testing at his Penn State Pro Day. Here is how his physical comparisons tested for an idea of what Freiermuth’s testing numbers might have looked like. Freiermuth did not put the athleticism that we saw in a Jared Cook or Mike Gesicki on his tape.
Production: Freiermuth made an immediate impact as a freshman earning the first-season breakout. His production is largely touchdown driven, however, this is typical for collegiate tight ends. Freiermuth will likely be selected in the late first-round or early second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Rotoviz Celebrity Shot: If Freiermuth is drafted in the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft his closest comparison is Zach Ertz with a similarity score of 84 (out of 100). If Freiermuth falls to the third-round in the 2021 NFL Draft his closest comparison is Lance Kendricks with a similarity score of 83 (out of 100).
Final Comparison: Freiermuth is a tight end who can stay on the field in all game situations, but like all tight ends might not make an immediate impact as a rookie. Freiermuth most closely compares to a thicker Zach Ertz.
11. Amon-Ra St. Brown
Physical: Amon-Ra St. Brown measured in at 5’11” and 197 lbs. which equates to a 27.47 BMI. There have been many successful NFL wide receivers with a similar frame such as Odell Beckham Jr., Golden Tate, Greg Jennings, Curtis Samuel, and several others.
Athletic: At his USC Pro Day, St. Brown impressed. His game tape showed that he is a player who has above-average traits across the board, but no elite traits. He proved that wrong with very strong short-area quickness. He ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash. He also ran a 6.81-second three-cone and a 4.25 short shuttle. He jumped an impressive 39” vertical and 127” in the broad jump. He finished his day off by putting up 20 reps of 225 lbs. on the bench. His closest athletic comparisons are Nate Burleson and Kendall Wright.
Production: St. Brown concluded his three-year USC career with 178 catches for 2,270 yards and 16 TDs. His freshman year was the most impressive from an age-adjusted perspective. He caught 60 passes for 750 yards and two TDs. His lack of touchdown production is the main reason why he failed to hit the 30% adjusted dominator rating to be eligible for a break-out age. The clear red flag on St. Brown’s production profile is his maximum average yards per reception is 13.5. This indicates a lack of long game speed, similar to a player in the Jarvis Landry mold.
Rotoviz Celebrity Shot: If St. Brown is drafted in the second round in the 2021 NFL Draft his closest comparison is Robert Woods with a similarity score of 98 (out of 100). If St. Brown falls to the third-round in the 2021 NFL Draft his closest comparison is Lynn Bowden Jr. with a similarity score of 100 (out of 100).
Final Comparison: Amon-Ra St. Brown profiles as an intermediate possession wide receiver that would compliment a deep threat like Tyreek Hill. St. Brown profiles very similarly to a slightly less athletic Curtis Samuel with the athleticism of a Kendell Wright.
10. Dyami Brown
Physical: Dyami Brown measured in at 6’0” and 189 lbs. which equates to a BMI of 25.19. This is a very common size for wide receivers and does not force Brown to be typecast into a specific role at the NFL level. Players like Tim Carter, Calvin Ridley, Will Fuller, and Anthony Gonzalez all found success in the NFL at the same size.
Athletic: Brown tested well at his North Carolina Pro Day, though not quite as well as some expected. Brown ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, at 189 lbs. that equates to a
97-speed score. He also ran the three-cone drill in under seven seconds, and the short shuttle under 4.4-seconds. He jumped above average hitting 35” in the vertical and 128” in the broad jump. Brown finished his day off by putting up 18 reps of 225 lbs. on the bench. Dyami Brown profiles as a very solid WR2 option on a team, who can stretch the fields, similar to a Deion Branch, Emmanuel Sanders, or Laveranues Coles.
Production: Brown has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in both seasons he spent at North Carolina with Mac Brown as the head coach. Over his career, he hauled in 123 catches for 2,306 yards and 21 TDs. Brown’s best season is splitting hairs between his sophomore and junior seasons, he scored in the 92nd and 93rd percentile of the adjusted performance index. However, he missed the 30% dominator threshold to be eligible for a break-out age in both seasons. He still profiles well with two top 90th percentile seasons similar to Alshon Jeffery, Denzel Mims, Elijah Moore, Hakeem Nicks, Jordy Nelson, Keenan Allen, and N’Keal Harry.
Rotoviz Celebrity Shot: If Brown is drafted in the second round in the 2021 NFL Draft his closest comparison is Randall Cobb with a similarity score of 100 (out of 100). If Brown falls to the third-round in the 2021 NFL Draft his closest comparison is still Randall Cobb with a similarity score of 100 (out of 100).
Final Comparison: Dyami Brown profiles as a deep threat wide receiver that would be the perfect complement to a savvy route runner like Davante Adams or Keenan Allen. The former Indianapolis Colt, Anthony Gonzalez most closely resembles Brown’s body type, but athletically he is nearly identical to Laveranues Coles.
Be sure to check in as we unveil the top-nine pass-catcher and who they compare similarly to as we count down to the NFL Draft next Thursday.
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