2012 NFL Draft player comparisons: Andrew Luck and Melvin Ingram

by Dan Kadar on Sep 29, 2011 9:00 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.

Player: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Comparison: Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts

This is the easy one, so it's being taken care of first. In almost every manner and fashion Luck is a franchise quarterback in the same vein as Manning. They're similar in size, their ability to drive and deliver the ball and their attitude on the field. Most importantly, Luck seems to approach the game from an intellectual standpoint much like Manning. Like Manning, Luck seems to make everyone around him better, whether its perfectly placing the ball or adjusting the line. This is an obvious comparison, but an appropriate one.

Player: Melvin Ingram, DT, South Carolina
Comparison: Karl Klug, DT, Tennessee Titans

The tendency is to look at Ingram's size (6-foot-2 and 276 pounds) and generally consider him a man without a position in the NFL. He's a former end who has moved inside to tackle this season but continues to make plays. Going into last season's draft, Klug had the same tags as Ingram. He's been a valuable part of a Titans defense that is first this season in yards allowed and second in scoring. Don't just write Ingram off as a 3-4 end only because of his size. He, like Klug, has the temperament and playing style to stay inside.

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Luck is way too mobile to be a Peyton Manning type dude.

how about Jim Kelly or Aaron Rodgers?

Ingram is scheme versatile. I think he could be a LDE in a 4-3 no problem given his size and strength. He could also be the next Adailus Thomas for a creative DE, who played DL, LB and in the secondary for the Ravens at times.

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by Rorschach44 on Sep 29, 2011 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Luck reminds me of Steve Young

Ingram would be great in a 3-4 scheme playing for a team that likes to use multiple fronts. Creative DC,s like Capers and Ryan would maximize Ingram’s versatility. They would find weak points to exploit and put him in position to cause havoc.

by ValdezY on Sep 29, 2011 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

yeah, just because Luck is the best QB prospect since Manning, does not mean that he is the comparison

not quite as athletic as Young, like the Rodgers comparison better

by durst on Sep 29, 2011 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

Manning/Young

I agree with the comparison to Manning’s cerebral style. Probably more so than Steve Young, but the mobility is more like Young. Some blend of the two seems an appropriate comparison. Not to say Luck = Manning + Young (that would be Chuck Norris) but his skill set places him between the two.

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by invisibulman on Sep 29, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Oh not Klug, no no no so many bad memories of him eating up our running lanes

Mmm Mike Patterson, there, there’s an undersized guy without any bad memories. So Mike Patterson from now on, K?

On a serious note, wasn’t Bradford also being compared to Manning? That’s 2 Peyton Manning’s in 3 drafts. Just food for thought

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by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Sep 29, 2011 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think I made the Bradford/Manning comparisons.

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by Dan Kadar on Sep 29, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Luck is the most complete QB in a long time

Being one of the few here old enough to have seen Peyton in college, I have to say Luck is much more of a complete package. Manning was a good college QB but there was a reason people were discussing Leaf as a possible #1.

You might have to go back to the early 1980’s when so many franchise QBs were coming out ready to play. Like Marino from Pitt. But that was before my time.

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by ct17 on Sep 29, 2011 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

Trying to think of comparisons is fun.

Andrew Luck: Mix of Donovan McNabb’s mobility & frame with Tom Brady’s arm and intelligence.
Ryan Tannehill: Aaron Rodgers coming out of Cal
Robert Griffin III: Randall Cunningham
Geno Smith: Jay Cutler
Landry Jones: Chad Henne
Nick Foles: Jason Campbell

Trent Richardson: Jonathan Stewart
Lamar Miller: Clinton Portis
Cyrus Gray: Ray Rice
LaMichael James: Darren Sproles
Chris Polk: James Starks

Justin Blackmon: Andre Johnson
Michael Floyd:
Alshon Jeffery: Mike Williams
Jeff Fuller: Michael Clayton (LSU version)
Ryan Broyles: Steve Smith (Eagles version)
Mohamed Sanu: Hakeem Nicks
Dwight Jones: Sidney Rice
Marquis Maze: Mike Thomas

And I’m done…

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by d-jackfan10 on Sep 30, 2011 5:05 AM EDT reply actions