FPF to NFL Receivers Comparison: Part 1

Last week I looked at all the Division A and Division B Quarterbacks and made comparisons to NFL QBs. This time out I will do the same with Receivers. Don’t worry Snappers, just like Tight Ends and Running Backs, you are a vital part of the offense, so you guys will be included too.

Because there are so many players that play Receiver in FPF, today I will pick 20 for this article. Next week I will take another 20 for Part 2, and for Part 3 which will be unveiled in two weeks, I will pick 10, while also giving you my Rusher comparisons.

Just like I did last week with the Quarterbacks, I will only go as far back as the last decade when I choose Wide Receivers, except for one player. Here is that exception…

Theo Ojeaha – Jerry Rice

I must admit I have a little bit of bias here, as Jerry Rice is my favourite NFL player of all time. I view him as the greatest football player that has ever played our amazing game. I have been playing in and working for FPF for well over a decade. I remember a younger Theo Ojeaha. He had the speed to burn past anyone, hands made of pillows, great hands, paired with strong route running and the ability to change directions on a dime.

I am old enough to remember Jerry Rice on the 49ers both in his prime, and at the end of his tenure in San Fran. He was simply the best. When the 9ers thought he was done and decided to roll with Terrell Owens instead of him, Rice joined the Oakland Raiders.

In the Black and Silver, Rice reminded the league why he was still the greatest of all-time, as he dominated, continued to set records, and helped led the team to not only the Super Bowl, but as I remind Moe Khan all the time, their last playoff win in 2003 (Yeah, that long). He clearly lost a step by the time played for the Seattle Seahawks, but I will never forget the Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys, where #80 put up eight catches for 145 yards and one touchdown at the age of 42. Simply incredible.

I bring that Rice game up, because after not playing Receiver on a regular basis since the Covid season in 2020 with STL (he subbed on several teams throughout 2021 and 2022 but never played more than two games for anyone) Ojeaha returned in the Winter Season and helped guide the Allstars to a Finals appearance. In one game so far with the squad this season, he has eight grabs for 121 yards and four touchdowns.

When you look at Rice in his playing days, and you do the same with Ojeaha, not much has changed. Yes, the latter may have lost a little in the speed department, but his mind, route running, toughness, and ability to beat defenders with smarts, body positioning, and great hands, just like Rice before him, still make him a threat every time he touches the ball.     

Rory Semerjian – Steve Smith

Semerjian looks and acts angry when he plays. The trash-talking, mean demeanor, and a take no prisoners attitude, just make the comparison that much more exact, as Steve Smith Jr exhibited the same attributes during his NFL career. When he wasn’t mean-mugging and yelling at Defensive Backs, the Utah product used his combination of speed, strength, and toughness to produce touchdowns, first downs, and numerous highlight plays. If all that wasn’t enough, he brought a fierceness and level of competition that was matched by few others, while wearing his heart of his sleeve whether it be Week 1 of the regular season or playing for a championship. Sounds a lot like Semerjian.

AJ Gomes – DeVonta Smith

The fact that Gomes is an Eagles fan is just a coincidence. Both Receivers make up for their lack of size and strength, with blazing speed, length, elite route running, and great hands. While Smith works best as a number two Receiver, Gomes, has shown over multiple seasons, that he is one of, if not the best pass-catcher in FPF. I know Gomes is a DeAndre Hopkins fan, but injuries, and a slight drop off in play have started to show up in his game. The same can’t be said for Gomes.

Pat Jérome – AJ Brown

Size, speed, almost never drops a ball, and running smooth routes, makes this comparison a great match. Both Receivers have wheels, but they don’t just run go routes. They rely on their size and strength to create separation, can run any route on the passing tree, and keep the ball away from defenders. In the redzone is where they are most dangerous, as their length and catch radius present a mismatch for most defenders. Any offense they join jumps from good to great.

James Drysdale – Stefon Diggs

Both Receivers are not the biggest guys at their positions, but they are dominant players who can run past defenders, and almost never drop a pass. Often all they need is one hand to make a catch, as they make the circus one-handed grab look routine. Both players are silky smooth route runners, who defenses know are getting the ball in crunch time, but they simply have no way to stop them.

Matt Kirouac – Travis Kelce

Reliable, smart, faster than they look, the ability to haul in fastballs from flame-throwing Quarterbacks, the ability to keep things loose in the huddle, and championship pedigree, both players check all those boxes and many more.

Jeanslee Alexis – Tyreek Hill

Speed for days, good hands, and the ability to blow by Defensive Backs and make tough contested catches. Both players are always a threat to take a 5-yard slant to the house. The only question can Hill who is 0 for 1 with an interception in his career, can catch up to Alexis, who has nearly 100 touchdown passes?

Mike Pierrecin – Christian McCaffrey

Both players can take short passes to the flat and turn them into 40-yard touchdowns, or simply run past defenders on deep routes on the way to the endzone. Tough as nails, blazing speed, and leadership are some of the attributes both players bring to the Braves and San Francisco 49ers respectively. Their presence on the field also opens things up for their teammates, as they are the security blanket and go to Receiver in the endzone for their Quarterbacks. Work ethic and leadership is also something both players bring to the table.

Georges Gariépy – George Kittle

No, I did not make this comp because of the name, that would be lazy. I honestly did it because of their size and style of play. They both can jump over defenders and make contested catches. They are terrors in the redzone, and have the speed to blow by Defensive Backs, while also possessing the strength to outmuscle them for balls and positioning.

James Ohayon – Keenan Allen

Both are not the biggest Receivers, but that is their only fault, as each can run routes with precision, and have the speed to create separation at any level of the field. A dropped pass for either is a rarity. While they are usually surrounded by top end talent, the old saying that the cream rises to the top applies here.

Quaysie Gordon-Maule – Deebo Samuel

Lethal as a Receiver? Check. Capable of taking a short pass or a handoff and running it 40 yards to the house? Check. The number one Receiver on any team that he plays on Gordon-Maule, like Samuel, can take over a game no matter where he lines up on the field.

 Dom Benevento – Chris Goodwin

They are far from the toughest Receiver, but both run good routes, can turn on the jets, and have really good hands that are relied upon to make tough contested catches and bail out their Quarterback.

Sean Semerjian – Mike Evans

Blessed with size, toughness, great hands, the ability to win jump balls over most Defensive Backs, and just like the NFL player, Semerjian isn’t afraid to mix it up during and after the whistle. The only difference between the two is that while Evans was a star out of the gate for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it took some time for Semerjian to find his footing in FPF. Once he did, he put the league on notice.

Joel Malkin – DeAndre Hopkins

Both are number one Receivers who can dominate at a moment’s notice, but don’t always get the recognition they deserve. In Hopkins’ case, it is due to suspension and injury, while for Malkin, it is because he doesn’t play in the Winter Season, so he becomes a victim to out of sight out of mind bias. When both are on the field, they have the size, solid speed, and the ability to haul in any ball that comes near them with ease, with a big body to shield the ball away from defenders.

Will Power – Jaylon Waddle

Yeah, the fact that Power is a Dolphins fan influenced the comp a little bit here, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Both players have tremendous speed, run precise routes, make those around them better, and seemingly have glue for hands to the point where if they drop a pass, it automatically feels like the Quarterback made the mistake. Go route, post, slant, shallow in, deep out, it doesn’t matter, the ball will find Power, and he will do the rest.

 Emile Taillefer – Julian Edelman

I remember calling a few of his games at McGill a few years ago, and I always thought he was a tough slot Receiver, who beat opponents with his quickness, tenacity, and had great hands. While he lacked a solid Quarterback at the university level, he does not in FPF with Frédéric Dupuis, as the Party Crashers duo is elite to say the least.

Just like with Edelman, defenses know he is his QB’s favourite target, and is likely to be the first and in some cases second and third option when the offense is looking for a big play. Despite that, Taillefer manages to come up big for his time and time again. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Kenny Baye – Odell Beckham Jr.

Long, fast, big catch radius, some swagger, and the ability to create opportunities for his teammates, Kenny Baye does all that and then some for his team.

Nicolas Curotte – Mark Andrews

Great hands, a connection with his Quarterback, and simply a playmaker. That’s what Curotte is. Just like the Baltimore Ravens Tight End, teams know the ball is going to Curotte especially when his QB needs to make a big play. Knowing it is one thing, stopping it is another, as he uses his strength, speed, and footwork to get himself open. Through three games, the one-time All-Star leads the Beer Belly Brigade with 22 receptions. The next closest player has six.

  Jonathan Garfinkle – Tyler Lockett

D.K Metcalf might get more of the attention, but Tyler Metcalf is the best Receiver on the Seattle Seahawks. Just like Lockett, Garfinkle continually makes plays, and seemingly steps up his game the bigger the matchup is.

Jean-Daniel Chevalier – Taysom Hill

There honestly isn’t a comparison than this. Both are phenomenal athletes, who can throw, catch, and do damage as a Receiver. The route running advantage goes to Chevalier, while the strength obvious is in favour of Hill. When used properly, both players add a lot to both the New Orleans Saints, and Braves offense.

In next week’s article, I will unveil my comparisons for more Receivers, including Vincent Cléroux, Andrew Grant, Jarryd Taylor, Nicholas Groppini, James Tyrell, Adam Rosen, and a slew of others.

Picks

Allstars vs Royaume Luminaire – Allstars

Star city vs Party Crashers – Star city

#NR vs Braves – #NR (Upset Special and my pick for Game of the Week Div. A)

The Jamesons vs KGP – The Jamesons

Allstars vs Bless Up – Allstars

B-Raves vs Mangoose – B-Raves

Silent Ticklers vs EZW – Silent Ticklers

Ambush vs Blessed – Blessed (My pick for Game of the Week in Div. B)

Beer Belly Brigade vs Mangoose – Mangoose

Beers and Brownies vs Poseidon’s Kiss – Poseidon’s Kiss

Last Week: (7-0)

Last week the football world lost the great Jim Brown. Too many fans my dad included, Jim Brown, was the greatest football players to ever play. Unlike guys Like Rice, Montana, Brady, Marino, and many others, Brown, retired at the age of 30. In his nine-year NFL career, he was named to the Pro Bowl every year. He was the NFL Rookie of the year in 1957, won the rushing title eight times, was a three-time NFL MVP, was named o the NFL’s 50^th, 75^th, and 100^th anniversary team, and guided the Cleveland Browns their last championship in 1964.

More important than all his on the field accomplishments, was that he was a civil rights activist, and a giant in the fight for equality and justice for Black athletes and Americans. The ability to go out on the field, and have fun, celebrate, and in the case of the professionals to get paid like they do is because a lot of the work done by Jim Brown.

I won’t sit here and ignore his treatment of women, as he was arrested several times for domestic violence, but as we get older, we realize that a lot of our heroes aren’t as good as we think they are. At the same time, that negativity shouldn’t take away from the great work he did throughout his life in helping the fight against racism and inequality. Thank-you Jim Brown #32.  

Losing giants like Bill Russell, Jim Brown, and this week with Tina Turner, who is the embodiment of resiliency, and toughness, makes the world a little less bright.

That is it for this week. Good luck to everyone in their games tomorrow and this week.  

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt that I left something out, please feel free to reach me at [email protected]