Comparing Top Draft Prospects to Stars of the 2012 NFL Playoffs

Currently, two events have the attention of NFL fans: the playoffs and the 2012 NFL draft.

Here, we combine the two of them by comparing some of the top prospects in the draft to the best players that starred in the playoffs.

Is every one of these draft prospects a stud? No. Is every one of these current NFL players a star? No. Is everyone of these comparisons perfect? Afraid not, but they're all pretty good and can be justified.

But they are the comparisons that worked, and they're the ones you're going to get. 

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

NFL Comparison: Hakeem Nicks

Both Nicks and Justin Blackmon are 6'1" and between 210 and 220 pounds. Neither is a deep threat, but both possess consistent hands and are elite at working the underneath.

Nicks isn't overly fast, but as we have seen in the playoffs, he is difficult to tackle and can turn any reception into a touchdown. Blackmon is similar and could be a nearly identical player in the NFL.

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

NFL Comparison: Ahmad Brooks

First and foremost, Brooks and Upshaw have similar size, weighing in around 260 pounds. Secondly, both of the linebackers are capable of player inside or outside in a 3-4 defensive scheme.

However, neither is a great pass-rusher and would be best utilized as a run-stopper regardless of which linebacker position he plays.

Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

NFL Comparison: Sedrick Ellis

Thompson is usually projected as a 3-tech, but he is stout enough to play the 1-tech position as well. Though the Clemson defensive tackle penetrates the backfield with relative ease, Thompson isn't explosive enough to truly be elite.

Ellis was a highly-rated prospect, but he has never developed into an elite player and is just solid. The New Orleans defender has moved around some along the team's interior defensive line and is versatile enough to play a variety of roles.

Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

NFL Comparison: Sebastian Vollmer

Prior to the 2011 season, Adams had always been an underachiever for Ohio State. The 6'8" 320-pound left tackle is a phenomenal athlete, but he always appeared lazy and struggled with technique.

However, Adams has been dominant since returning from a five-game suspension and is finally playing up to his ability. Like Vollmer, Adams has great size, length and athletic ability. Adams is a bit better athletically than Vollmer, but both are capable of playing on the blind side.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

NFL Comparison: Antrel Rolle

Though Rolle entered the NFL as a cornerback, he has since moved back to safety, where he has excelled. Kirkpatrick is a cornerback for Alabama, but he may also move back to safety in the NFL.

Though the 6'3" 190-pound Kirkpatrick is great in zone coverage, he lacks the smooth hips to run down the field in man coverage. Kirkpatrick may make it as a cornerback, but no one should be shocked if he ends up as a dominant safety.

Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

NFL Comparison: Michael Boley

Boley is an athletic, coverage linebacker with the prototypical WILL skill-set. Though the former Falcon has never developed into an elite linebacker, the undersized Boley is solid and a good fit for the Giants defensive scheme. 

Brown has nearly the exact same size as Boley, and also excels in coverage. The North Carolina linebacker isn't great against the run, but he has phenomenal speed and is almost a safety at the linebacker position.

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

NFL Comparison: Shaun Rogers

A massive, 6'5" 350-pound defensive tackle, Poe is nearly identical to Rogers. For years, Rogers has been one of the most talented defensive linemen in the NFL. The former Lion is incredibly strong with unbelievable athleticism for a man of his size.

Like Rogers, Poe is incredibly talented. The Memphis lineman has moved along the Tigers' defensive line, playing nose tackle and 5-tech. Poe may not be the most refined player ever, but men with his size and athletic ability don't come along too often.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

NFL Comparison: Tramon Williams

A former Gator, Jenkins has been one of college football's best cornerbacks over the past few years. The 5'11" 190-pounder has had off-the-field issues but remains an incredible talent.

Jenkins and Williams share nearly identical size and athletic ability. Both of the cornerbacks are best in zone coverage and are prone to making plays in coverage.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

NFL Comparison: Aaron Rodgers

Andrew Luck has great athletic ability, incredible intellect, excellent accuracy and good arm strength. It is actually difficult to find a weakness in the 6'4" 235-pounder's game.

Rodgers is undoubtedly the best quarterback in today's NFL and is the pro version of Luck. The 28-year-old Super Bowl champion has a rocket arm, phenomenal accuracy, great athleticism and unbelievable decision-making. Doesn't he sound an awful lot like Luck?

Rodgers has a stronger arm than Luck does, but that could change in a few years. As a prospect, Rodgers's arm strength was nothing special, but he developed a rocket in the NFL. Luck's arm has already improved, and it seems likely that it will continue to do so.

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

NFL Comparison: Matt Light

For years, Matt Light has been a solid, if unspectacular left tackle in New England. Light is 6'4", 305 pounds and relatively quick on his feet.

Riley Reiff is nearly identical. The Iowa left tackle is taller, but he has similar upside and will probably be just an above-average player in the NFL. This may still get him drafted in the top 10, though, and he is a high-quality prospect.

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

NFL Comparison: Maurkice Pouncey

When he himself was a draft prospect, Pouncey was praised for his ability to play both guard and center. In the NFL, Pouncey has been good but has struggled with leg injuries.

Now, Peter Konz isn't as good of a prospect as Pouncey was; however, he might be just as good of a player in the NFL. The 6'5", 310-pound Konz can play any interior line position and has had ankle injuries of his own.

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

NFL Comparison: Domata Peko

Peko has been a solid, if unspectacular player for the Bengals. At 6'3" 322 pounds, Peko is somewhat bigger and stouter than Worthy, but both are primarily penetraters.

Though Worthy isn't a star defensive tackle, he is a decent player and can serve as a piece of the puzzle for a good defense. However, Worthy is somewhat schematically limited and is best suited as a 3-tech.

Chris Polk, RB, Washington

NFL Comparison: Ahmad Bradshaw

Polk is a power runner with the size and vision to pound the rock for four quarters. At 5'11" 222 pounds, Polk is strong and can plow over defensive backs with ease.

Though Polk is big and powerful, he is not particularly fast and is somewhat limited to running inside. In the NFL, Polk probably won't be a star, but he will be solid. 

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

NFL Comparison: Justin Tuck

The 6'5", 268-pound Tuck has more length than Melvin Ingram does, but they are similar in other ways. Tuck has been great against the run while providing a decent pass rush and moving around.

Ingram may be even more versatile than Tuck is. The South Carolina defensive end can play defensive tackle, defensive end or rush linebacker, but Tuck can play just end and tackle. It's unlikely that Ingram will ever be a great threat off the edge, yet he will make impact plays.

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

NFL Comparison: DeMeco Ryans

Prior to the 2008 NFL draft, Ryans was heralded as a fairly athletic, instinctive player. Now, Luke Kuechly is being described in the exact same way but with loftier praise. 

Kuechly was a tackling machine at Boston College, but unlike some high-tackle linebackers, he makes plays too. The Bronko Nagurski Award winner can play in coverage and defend the run while leading a defense.