Getty Image / Mike Ehrmann
Heading into the NFL Draft it is inevitable that every prospect is going to be compared to somebody that has already made their mark on the league.
Teams are constantly looking for similarities to try and figure out whether players have traits that will translate to the next level.
Sometimes, those comparisons can get a bit out of hand.
This becomes especially true after a player has already been drafted.
Today, we got one that felt pretty forced.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels compared the release of Aidan O’Connell, who the Raiders drafted with the last pick in the 4th round, to Tom Brady’s.
From our NFL Draft broadcast: The #Raiders traded up to take #Purdue QB Aidan O'Connell, whose release has been compared to Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/wWZH60lsVF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2023
In reality, this should be a pretty harmless comparison. He just compared their releases, which could potentially be an accurate comparison.
However, this just feels like the kind of comparison you want to avoid for a guy that you drafted in round 4. It has a pretty high percentage of backfiring when you invoke the name of the GOAT when discussing any prospect.
That becomes especially true when you’re discussing a prospect who isn’ guaranteed to ever be your starter.
As O’Connell develops he’ll at least have the chance to learn from somebody who began their career backing up Brady. He’ll begin his career as the backup to Jimmy Garoppolo for at least the next 2 seasons.
At that point he could have a chance to win the starting job, but until he actually proves he is even a starting level QB in the NFL, maybe we should lay off of the Tom Brady comparisons.
We haven’t even really heard comparisons this lofty for Bryce Young or CJ Stroud. They should probably be kept away from pick 135.