Comps are inevitable when trying to describe a prospect’s NFL trajectory. Scouting reports offer strengths and weaknesses but it’s the player comparisons that offer real life examples. Some comps are spot-on while others are laughably absurd.
Marshawn Kneeland, the Cowboys second-round pick from the 2024 NFL draft, has drawn his share of comps since getting drafted. Wearing the star it’s understandable most of those comps point to 10-year veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. They play the same position, have comparable traits and project into similar roles.
But recent comps made by Micah Parsons ventured outside the box. Instead of likening the rookie to Lawrence, Parsons compared him to a different All-Pro edge player.
“I think he’s going to be a great player,” Parsons said of Kneeland. “I’m giving him comps, I think he’s a young Cam Jordan. I think he has the talent and ability. He’s just so hungry every day, willing to learn and he has that dog in him. He has unteachable characteristics.”
Cam Jordan, a player with a career 444 tackles, six double-digit sack seasons, eight Pro Bowl bids, one All-Pro and 117.5 career sacks, is no modest comp to make. For over a decade he has been one of the best, most consistent and most well-rounded, edge players in the NFL. If that’s a realistic trajectory for Kneeland, the Cowboys would be over the moon. But is it a fair comp?
Looking back at scouting reports, the comparisons might just hold up.
In 2011 NFL Mocks said Jordan “has excellent short area quickness and athleticism,” even doubling down by calling his quickness “outstanding” and “among the best of defensive linemen his size.” Dane Brugler from the Athletic made similar statements about Kneeland, saying he’s “explosive in his movements” and “displays twitch throughout his frame.”
At 6-foot-4, 287-pounds with 35-inch arms, Jordan broke the mold at the DE position. Comparatively Kneeland measures in at 6-foot-3, 267-pounds with 34.5-inch arms. Kneeland is smaller but he’s proportionally similar and since he plays primarily out of an even man front (Jordan came from an odd man front), the comp holds up well.
NFL Mocks said Jordan has “ideal on-field intensity” and points out that he “works hard.” Brugler repeatedly cited Kneeland’s effort and personal drive in his scouting report as well, saying his “effort doesn’t quit.” As anyone who’s seen Kneeland work this summer in Oxnard can attest, his effort is every bit as advertised.
Walter Football said Jordan was “not an elite pass rusher” but “he will stop the run and disrupt the passing game,” finally decreeing him as a “very well-rounded player.” Pro Football Focus graded Kneeland as the epitome of a well-rounded player, earning an 84.7 pass rush grade and an 83.4 run stopping grade.
Both prospects are power rushers who have undeveloped pass rushing skills that make it seem as if their best football was/is ahead of them in the NFL. Both use their long arms and relentless motors to be strong at the point of attack and dominant against the run.
Based on player profiles entering the draft, both players are very similar and perfectly reasonable comps to one another. Keep in mind, Lawrence as a prospect wasn’t the well-rounded technically sound edge guru he is today. He was a bendy right edge player who adapted and became the base end he is now. Parsons’ comp of Kneeland to Jordan isn’t just acceptable, it’s probably better than the traditional comp of Lawrence.
While Jordan’s Hall-of-Fame worthy career certainly marks a ceiling for Kneeland, it’s a fair comparison to make when broken down to their respective scouting reports. Expecting a dominant rookie season from Kneeland may be far-fetched but it’s perfectly reasonable to expect a stellar career following the path of Jordan. For Parsons, it was a fair comp to make.
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