NFL Draft 2011: 10 Prospects Who Compare To Super Bowl XLV Participants

Everyone knows about the present batch of great players such as Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Mathews and Polamalu, but what about down the road. I will examine ten NFL prospects and tell you why they could turn into your favorite NFL Super Bowl heroes. The future is never that far away and I'm going to tell you who compares to each other and how they are similar. Leave me your comments and let me know what you think.

1. Ryan Mallet-Ben Roethlisberger

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

At 6’6 238 lbs Ryan Mallet has a body type that is eerily similar to the 6’5 241 lb Roethlisberger. Both prospects have massive arm strength as well, although Ben shows better scrambling ability than Ryan does. It also should be noted that Roethlisberger played in a wide open spread offense system at Miami [OH] that is similar to what Ryan Mallet worked out of while playing at Arkansas. Obviously, Ryan Mallet has a long way to go before he establishes “Big Ben” like credentials, but if you are looking for a draft prospect that resembles Roethlisberger then Mallet is your guy.

2. Charles Clay-James Starks

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ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 20: Fullback Charles Clay #9 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane rushes upfield against the University of Central Florida Knights at Bright House Stadium on October 20, 2007 in Orlando, Florida. UCF won 44 - 23. (Photo by Al Messerschmid

Charles Clay is a 6’3 240 lb running back out of Tulsa who rushed scored 38 touchdowns during his four years at the school and projects to go in the late rounds of the NFL Draft. Clay put together a solid four year career with the Golden Hurricane and didn’t receive a lot of fanfare or buzz and in this way he reminds me of James Starks. Starks was selected in the 6^th round after rushing for 3,140 yards at Buffalo. Sure Starks didn’t get the same hype that Jahvid Best did much Clay isn’t getting the same hype as Mark Ingram is receiving. The two men are similar that they both put in solid collegiate careers and started off at humble beginnings before blowing up in the NFL.

3. Torrey Smith- Mike Wallace

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mike Wallace #17 celebrates after Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scored a second quarter touchdown against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsbu

Torrey Smith is a wide receiver out of Maryland who is shooting up draft boards because of his breakaway speed and big play capability. Yes, Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace seems like the logical comparison on this one. Torrey averaged 15.7 yards per catch a senior with the Terps and while Maryland wasn’t a National Title contender they did play well in Ralph Friedgen’s senior year thanks to Smith’s big play ability. Mike Wallace also garnered draft buzz because of his blistering speed and ability to stretch the field.  Wallace was in a similar situation to Smith in that Mike played on good teams at Ole Miss but never on great teams. If Torrey falls into the right situation then it’s not a stretch to think that he could be the next Mike Wallace.

4. Greg McElroy- Aaron Rodgers

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Quarterback Greg McElroy #12 of the South Team is tackled by Ryan Kerrigan #91 and Joe Lefeged #26 of the North Team during the second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl January 29, 2011 at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala

McElroy and Rodgers are both 6’2 225 lbs and that is only the beginning of the similarities. McElroy is also similar to Aaron in that he is a high character individual and is focused on team success rather than individual statistics. Now Aaron Rodgers had higher draft buzz and Greg won’t likely go as high in the draft as the Packers QB did, but Greg McElroy still has a chance to have a great NFL career. Greg tossed the ball to many different receivers during his time at Alabama and won a lot of football games while playing under center for the Crimson Tide similar to what Rodgers is doing in Green Bay. At first this comparison may seem odd, but when you look more deeply there is definitely more than meets the eye.

5. Daquan Bowers- B.J. Raji

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: B.J. Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after scoring on a 18-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Ch

Raji was a first round pick coming out of Boston College a few years back and received a lot of draft buzz much the same way that Bowers is doing coming out of Clemson. Both players are special in that they are adept at busting through the offensive line and getting into the back field. Raji showed his big play ability when he picked off a Caleb Hanie pass and returned it for a touchdown to seal the Packer victory. Bowers has the same potential and made many big plays during his senior year while playing for Dabo Swinney at Clemson. Daquan most likely won’t go to a Super Bowl contender as a rookie, but he definitely has the potential to play on the big stage someday like B.J. is about to.

6. Patrick Peterson-Charles Woodson

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs through the defense of the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at Tiger Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the

Patrick Peterson is similar to Charles Woodson in that he is always involved in action on the field. Peterson had 135 tackles and seven interceptions during his senior season at LSU and was constantly in the mix making plays. Packers cornerback Charles Woodson plays the same way in that he does it all whether that be making tackles, forcing fumbles or picking off passes. Both players measure out at 6’1 and have ideal height for a cornerback in the NFL. Patrick Peterson will immediately contribute wherever he goes much the same way that Charles Woodson did catching five interceptions as a rookie with Oakland in 1998.

7. Deunta Williams- Troy Polamalu

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after they stopped the New York Jets on the goal line on the fourth down in the fourth quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsb

Deunta was always in the mix for the Tar Heels and the safety excelled in both coming up and stopping the run and also playing the pass. Williams had 188 tackles over the course of his North Carolina career and picked off 12 passes as well. This reminds me of Troy because Polamalu is always making plays and is constantly involved in action all over the field. Now obviously Deunta William’s skills aren’t as honed as Troy Polamula’s are but the safety from North Carolina has the same mentality. If Williams ends up on a solid team via the draft then he has the ability to come in immediately and make plays.

8. A.J. Green- Donald Driver

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Donald is his 12^th season in the NFL out of Alcorn State and he still serves as reliable pass catcher for Aaron Rodgers. A.J. reminds me a lot of Donald because he is a sure handed receiver that can make catches when the quarterback is in trouble as evidence by his 57 catches during his nine games at Georgia as a senior. Now A.J. Green can obviously stretch the field quite a little bit to and will be running as many deep post routes as he will run short buttonhooks in the NFL. Green is four inches taller than Driver is going to be taken much higher in the NFL draft than Donald, but ultimately I could see them having the same type of careers as reliable pass catchers who are mainstays on good teams.

9. Greg Jones-LaMarr Woodley

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a sack against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24-19. (Photo

LaMarr earned his draft buzz when he recorded 12 sacks as a senior at Michigan and showed just how he disruptive he can be as a linebacker. While Greg Jones only had one sack as a senior at Michigan State, Jones also forced three fumbles and picked off two passes. Jones and Woodley are similar in that both players are “ballhawks” on defense and are always a threat to make a big play. Jones astounding 464 tackles during his four years at Michigan State is a testament to his productivity. I could see Jones taking on a similar role as Woodley in an NFL defense where he could stop up and play the run and also be skilled at forcing turnovers.

10. Mikel Leshoure-Rashard Mendenhall

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs past Bryce McNaul #51 of the Northwestern Wildcats on his way to a 339 yard rushing performance during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois.

Mendenhall is a former Illinois Fighting Illini just like Leshoure, but that is not why I’m making the comparison. Rashard and Mikel are both skilled runners obviously and each weighs around 225 lbs. Leshoure garnered attention by mixing in rushing success with a knack for catching the football. While Mendenhall isn’t the pass catcher that Mikel is both players can break open runs between the tackles. Mikel will likely be more of a late first round pick as a back and could work his way into a rushing rotation as a rookie. Ultimately I could see Leshoure filling the same role as Mendenhall by being a sturdy back that can take it up the middle or cut it outside.