2012 NFL Draft player comparisons: Michael Floyd and Alameda Ta'amu

by Dan Kadar on Oct 19, 2011 9:16 AM EDT in 2012 NFL Draft

Part of the fun of being a fan of the NFL Draft is comparing players in the upcoming class to those already in the NFL. We're going to start doing that looking at one player on offense and one on defense every week. Just keep in mind that comparisons are often made on best-case scenarios.

Player: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Comparison: Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Player comparisons are often tied to size, but this one is not. Floyd is a listed 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds while White is 6-foot and 211 pounds. Where you can see a comparison is what the two players do after the catch. Floyd is often at his best when he's coming over the middle on short crossing routes and asked to gain yards after the catch. The same is the case for White, especially earlier in his career. Like White, Floyd also excels at playing vertically and making a play on the ball in the air. When White came out, he had to work on tightening his routes, which Floyd also has to do.

Player: Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington
Comparison: Terrance Knighton, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars

When a defensive tackle is this big, the expectation is that the player is an immovable object in the middle. Coming out of Temple, the knock on Knighton was that he didn't play quite as strong as his size may suggest. The same thing can be said of Ta'amu. Also like Knighton, Ta'amu is a better athlete than you'd expect and gets off his blocks fairly easily. There is also some versatility in how they can be used. Coming out, Knighton played both one- and zero-technique, much like Ta'amu does at Washington.

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Seeing a player compared to a Jag

always makes me happy. Thats a sign that something is good around here.

by Dwalk1217 on Oct 19, 2011 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

I like Dwayne Bowe better as a Floyd comparison. Bowe and Floyd are beasts at WR, a physical mismatch for many corners

Roddy White is like Reggie Wayne….they are not transcendent athletes, not 4.3 guys, not 6-3, 6-4.

by durst on Oct 19, 2011 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Comparisons

Floyd: Anquan Boldin. Ta’amu: Vince Wilfork

by ValdezY on Oct 19, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

I'm going to strongly disagree with the second match here

Wilfork is one of the best or maybe the best in the league at anchoring. He gets low and cannot be pushed off his spot. Or he pushes the OL back. There are maybe 5 guys in the league that have similar ability.

Ta’amu plays upright. He is quick for his size, like Taylor last year. But when a blocker goes directly after him, he often gets pushed back initially. Aaron Aloysius has some tape on Ta’amu on the top of his youtube page. Can’t remember where else I saw good tape of him, but there is better tape of him in more run defense roles.

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Oct 20, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Good Points

However some of those issues are technical flaws that may improve with coaching the proper techniques.

by ValdezY on Oct 20, 2011 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Definitely

The coaches in college are not going to waste their time tutoring their best player. They are trying to improve the guys that stink. Get to the NFL, the coaches will be focusing on the rookie. And as a potential high pick, he’ll probably hire a good position coach to help him in the postseason.

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Oct 20, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't see the Roddy White comparison

White is a very physical receiver (in part due to his wrestling background). He is a great blocker for someone his size and can contribute well to the offense, even when the pass isn’t being thrown to him. Floyd seems to be a big, slot receiver. I would compare him a bit to Michael Jenkins, who could be a great receiver across the middle or possession receiver outside, but who can’t quite develop the explosive potential desired from a number one or maybe even number two WR. I think Floyd will be better than Jenkins, but with a ceiling of no greater than the previously mentioned Dwayne Bowe.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Oct 19, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Totally

what a terrible ceiling, led the league in touchdown catches and is already lighting it up this year. pretty sure dwayne bowe is more than a fringe number 2 reciever.

"Hey chuck weiss, dont let the door hit ya on the way out!"

by Vancouver Chiefs fan on Oct 19, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

and with a very mediocre QB and offense.

by Mr. E on Oct 19, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

wrestling background

You must be confusing him with Rowdy Roddy Piper. They Live!

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Oct 20, 2011 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Floyd looks really good

When I watch, it’s like the dude has replaced his hips with a gyroscope. If Floyd didn’t have those attitude problems—would definitely put him in the top 12. But his stock looks to rest somewhere between 32 and 25. Could be a Carlos Dunlap like grab come draft day.

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.
-Mark Twain

by kinzav29 on Oct 19, 2011 6:22 PM EDT reply actions