2026 NFL Draft Comps: Joel Klatt, Daniel Jeremiah Compare Prospects To NFL Players
When it comes to the NFL Draft, few exercises are more telling or more fun than player comparisons. FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt spoke with NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah on the most recent episode of "The Joel Klatt Show." The two discussed the upcoming NFL Draft, which will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and Klatt challenged Jeremiah to make the case for five prospects by identifying their closest NFL counterparts. Heres how Jeremiah and Klatt sized them up: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame NFL Comparison: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit LionsJeremiah: "They have a little different body types, but the ability to make people miss at full speed, the pass game value and just the different gear. Those guys can just tap into a different gear." Klatt: "I have [Fernando] Mendoza as my No. 1 player, but I think [Jeremiyah] Love is probably the best football player in the draft. He and Arvell Reese." Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State NFL Comparison: Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints Jeremiah: "I know [Chris] Olaves speed is a little better. I think [Carnell] Tate is a little stronger, but in terms of all those Ohio State guys that have rolled through, that was the one that I thought he was the most similar to."Klatt: "It's the fluidity down the field that he [Tate] has, and hes very smooth in that area. He was great at contested catches, and I think its a trait thats hard to find: a guy that doesnt panic down the field. He certainly didnt. He was terrific on the opposite side of Jeremiah Smith, who I think is probably the top pick in the draft a year from now. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana NFL Comparison: Deebo Samuel, WR, Free AgentJeremiah: "Omar Cooper hes just a mini Deebo. Hes not as heavy as Deebo, but theres the run-after-catch stuff that reminds me so much of Deebo when he was coming out. There are guys that just hate to be tackled. He wont go down and then hes able to elevate and play above the rim. We saw that, obviously, with the big one against Penn State. Hes just an athlete and just got a little dog to him. "Deebo wasnt the most polished route runner when he was coming out. I think hes a little more advanced, although I think theres still room for him to grow and develop there. Just get the ball in his hands, and thats where the fun starts."Klatt: "I think theres a misconception that everybody that was really good at Indiana was a transfer and thats not the case with Omar Cooper. He was an Indiana guy. He committed to Tom Allen and came in and stayed there when the JMU crew arrived with Curt Cignetti. He bought in and developed and became just an outstanding player with them in that passing game. "I think his feel for space is incredible. They ran a lot of RPOs no one threw more last season than Fernando Mendoza, and part of that was because of guys like Cooper and [Elijah] Sarratt on the outside. Cooper was outstanding. Im a huge fan of him." Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State NFL Compassion: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns Jeremiah: "Jerry Jeudy had a freeness to him and creativity at the line of scrimmage. He was just so limber and loose and fluid and smooth. That, to me, is what he [Tyson] reminds me of. I think people forget, Jeudy has had some high moments in the NFL. It hasnt been this consistently great ride, but when all those guys were in that class, he was viewed right up there near the top of that list coming out of college."Klatt: "Jodyn Tyson is phenomenal. I think my biggest concern is the injury history. When healthy, this guy is an elite player. But there is also a difference between the way he finishes catches between the hash marks versus Makai Lemon, who is just tough as nails. Totally fearless. It doesnt matter who is around, he is going to attack the football, and thats a little bit of a difference." Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon NFL Comparison: Vernon Davis, TE, retired Jeremiah: "Hes just so twitchy, explosive and dynamic. I dont think youre talking about someone who is going to be a real feel, option-route tight end. I think when you think about [Travis] Kelce and how he plays the game, thats not going to be him. It's gonna be more about the speed, running away from guys and the strength to break tackles.He needs to be more consistent at catching the ball. He had too many drops last year, but I loved his competitiveness. Vernon Davis, when he wanted to, could drive guys off the field as a blocker." Klatt: "Dan Lanning told me, Everyone is going to rave about the way he [Sadiq] catches the ball and thats great. Its phenomenal, and hes going to get drafted because of it. But watch a cut-up of the way he blocks.' He can flex and beat you, or line up and help in the run game."