Podcast Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd Presents FantasyPros

Episode: Player Comparisons for 2026’s Top Offensive NFL Draft Prospects (Ep. 1970)

February 25, 2026
Hosts: Joey P. Zappia (Joey P.), Scott Bogman, Pat Fitz Morris

Episode Theme/Purpose

This episode dives deep into the top offensive prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft, offering detailed player comparisons (“comps”) to established (or once-promising) NFL players. The analysis is tailored for fantasy football enthusiasts—especially those active in dynasty and superflex leagues—looking for context and actionable insight on this year’s incoming rookie class ahead of the NFL Combine.

Quarterbacks: Comps & Analysis

Fernando Mendoza

• Consensus No. 1 QB Prospect
• Pat: Matt Ryan

  “Similarly tall pocket passers with good arms, notable touch and accuracy and excellent processing ability.” (02:37, Pat)

  • Mendoza may not be a prolific rusher, but he adds minor rushing value—similar to early career Ryan.
• Joey: Can Mendoza achieve the “4,000-4,500” yard seasons of peak Matt Ryan?
• Pat: That’s the “top end comp." Raiders fans would be “delighted” to get Matt Ryan-level play. (03:52, Pat)
• Scott: Better Daniel Jones

  “Both are big film room guys…big dudes that can move but don’t necessarily want to run.” (04:10, Scott)

  • Mendoza is seen as a better passer than Jones, but with comparable mobility and football IQ.

Ty Simpson

• Alabama – Noted for high efficiency (28 TD, 5 INT, 3,500+ yards) but limited as a one-year starter.
• Scott: Brock Purdy

  “I do see…with his footwork in particular…the way that he gets out of pressure…he can avoid tackles and keep his eyes downfield.” (05:58, Scott)

• Pat: Alex Smith

  “Quick release, really snappy and very clean mechanics…some of that escapability.” (06:36, Pat)

• Both note the importance of context and supporting cast for Ty Simpson’s development.

Running Backs: Comps & Analysis

Jeremiah Love

• Elite prospect, versatile skillset
• Pat: Jameer Gibbs (in style, not size)

  “Just the lightning in a bottle, man, how dangerous he is and how quickly he can get up to full speed.” (08:56, Pat)

• Scott: “Taller Jameer Gibbs,” similar in what they are asked to do (pass game and rushing) despite Gibbs being more upright and able to run through tacklers.
• Strategy: Both panelists agree Love is the clear 1.01 in dynasty, even in superflex, barring dire need at QB.

  “Jeremiah Love is the most sure thing I feel like that we have in this draft.” (11:40, Scott)

Jonah Coleman

• Washington Huskies; 156 carries, 758 yards, 15 TDs
• Scott: Shorter David Montgomery

  “The body control…the stiff arm and the body control that these guys both have.” (12:42, Scott)

• Pat: Tyler Allgeier

  “Bowling ball body type…pretty quick feet…not really going to break away and run by people.” (16:25, Pat)

Emmett Johnson

• Nebraska; 1,451 rushing, 12 rushing TDs, 46 receptions
• Pat: Chase Brown

  “Both guys were major workhorses in their final college seasons…” (17:23, Pat)

• Scott: Rashad White (stylistic comp)

  “He can kind of be a chameleon and mold into wherever you put him.” (18:34, Scott)

Jadarian Price

• Notre Dame; 674 rushing yards, 11 TDs
• Scott: Miles Sanders (pre-injury, prospect version)

  “An explosive player that can help on special teams…a really good guy to bring in as a closer at the end of the game…” (19:32, Scott)

• Pat: Sony Michel (prospect version)

  “Both Jadarian Price and Sony Michel…one-cut runners with good contact balance…questions about their pass-catching potential.” (20:40, Pat)

Wide Receivers: Comps & Analysis

Carnell Tate

• Ohio State, tall, lean, vertical playmaker
• Pat: Amani Toomer

  “Both guys have these tall, lean builds…smooth vertical receivers…reliable hands.” (22:50, Pat)

• Scott: Allen Robinson (peak years, catch radius, hands)
• Joey: Tate could exceed these comps, especially with the right landing spot and QB.

Makai Lemon

• USC; Biletnikoff Award winner, 79/1,156/11
• Scott: Amon-Ra St. Brown

  “They just move the same…great with the ball in his hands…he’s lightning quick.” (26:23, Scott)

• Pat: Robert Woods

  “Really good route technician…probably has the best set of hands of any wide receiver in this class.” (27:41, Pat)

Jordan Tyson

• Arizona
• Pat: Stefon Diggs (not body type, but route-running/separation)

  “Create separation with lightning quick cuts…ability to change direction without really gearing down…” (29:00, Pat)

• Scott: Calvin Ridley

  “Good route improvisers…can move inside and outside.” (30:19, Scott)

  • Injury history a shared concern

Denzel Boston

• Washington Huskies; 62/881/11
• Joey: Puka Nacua (usage and adjustments)
• Scott: Range between Cortland Sutton (high end) and Keon Coleman (low end)
• Pat: Michael Pittman Jr.

  “Big bodied 6’4” receivers with exceptional ball skills…rebounders…pretty agile for their size.” (33:40, Pat)

Casey Concepcion

• Texas A&M; 61/919/9
• Pat: Marqise Lee

  “Shifty route runner who was just dynamite after the catch…drops have been kind of an issue.” (35:03, Pat)

• Scott: Jaden Reed (gadget role) but best-case, Emmanuel Sanders

  “A lightning quick dude going to play out of the slot but can win in his routes.” (36:33, Scott)

Tight Ends: Comps & Analysis

Kenyon Sadiq

• Oregon; elite athlete, 51/560 last year
• Scott: Better-blocking Evan Engram
• Pat: Mike Gesicki (athletic comp)

  “Sadiq is a freak athlete…athleticism at tight end doesn’t always translate to receiving production.” (40:29, Pat)

• Additional suggestions: Jonnu Smith, Darren Waller (physical profile); buyer beware—landing spot will matter.

Eli Stowers

• Vanderbilt; 62/769/4
• Pat: Dalton Kincaid

  “Too light to be an inline blocker…probably not going to be a full time player in the NFL.” (43:37, Pat)

• Scott: Isaiah Likely; Logan Thomas (in terms of role and body)

Late Round/Underrated Gems: Panel’s Favorites

• Scott: Skyler Bell, UConn WR

  “Shorter dude, but just a dog mentality…reminds me a little bit of Josh Downs…he’s got a little bit of Antonio Brown in his movement style…” (45:43, Scott)

• Pat: Malachi Fields, Notre Dame WR

  “Might have had the best week of any receiver at the Senior Bowl…he’s going to put on a show at the combine.” (47:08, Pat)

• Pat: Adam Randall, Clemson (WR->RB conversion, Antonio Gibson-esque profile)
• Scott: Antonio Williams, Clemson WR

Memorable Quotes

• Pat Fitz Morris: “I see a lot of Matt Ryan in Fernando Mendoza though, as a passer particularly.” (02:35)
• Scott Bogman: “Jeremiah Love is the most sure thing I feel like that we have in this draft.” (11:40)
• Joey P. Zappia: “I always find that the truly special players are always the hardest ones to comp.” (10:00)
• Scott Bogman: “Any runway I get to talk about Skyler Bell, I’m talking about Skyler Bell…" (45:43)

Key Timestamps

• 02:35: Mendoza → Matt Ryan comp (Pat)
• 04:10: Mendoza → Better Daniel Jones comp (Scott)
• 05:58: Ty Simpson → Brock Purdy comp (Scott)
• 06:36: Ty Simpson → Alex Smith comp (Pat)
• 08:35: Jeremiah Love → Jameer Gibbs comp (Pat, Scott)
• 11:40: “Jeremiah Love is the most sure thing…” (Scott)
• 16:25: Jonah Coleman → Tyler Allgeier comp (Pat)
• 17:23: Emmett Johnson → Chase Brown comp (Pat)
• 19:32: Jadarian Price → Miles Sanders comp (Scott)
• 20:40: Jadarian Price → Sony Michel comp (Pat)
• 22:50: Carnell Tate → Amani Toomer comp (Pat)
• 26:23: Makai Lemon → Amon-Ra St. Brown comp (Scott)
• 27:41: Makai Lemon → Robert Woods comp (Pat)
• 29:00: Jordan Tyson → Stefon Diggs comp (Pat)
• 30:19: Jordan Tyson → Calvin Ridley comp (Scott)
• 33:40: Denzel Boston → Michael Pittman Jr. comp (Pat)
• 35:03: Casey Concepcion → Marqise Lee comp (Pat)
• 36:33: Casey Concepcion → Jaden Reed / Emmanuel Sanders comps (Scott)
• 40:29: Kenyon Sadiq → Mike Gesicki comp (Pat)
• 43:37: Eli Stowers → Dalton Kincaid comp (Pat)
• 45:43: “Skyler Bell…reminds me a little bit of Josh Downs…” (Scott)
• 47:08: Malachi Fields Senior Bowl buzz (Pat)

Tone and Panel Dynamic

• The trio maintains a witty, passionate, and conversational tone.
• Quotable, relaxed, but insightful with a balance between “realistic” and “high-end” upside comparisons.
• Not afraid to challenge or refine one another’s takes, making for an engaging back-and-forth.

Takeaways

• The 2026 class boasts a mix of high-upside, hard-to-compare players (esp. at RB & WR) and safer, stylistic comps.
• Landing spot and team context will be crucial for most prospects, especially QBs and TEs.
• For fantasy managers, Jeremiah Love is universally regarded as the top offensive player, even over the top QBs in most formats.
• The panel provides actionable comparatives but is transparent where comps get “out over their skis” or are more about style than anticipated production.

For all dynasty, redraft, and NFL Draft fans, this episode is a one-stop guide to putting this year’s prospects in proper NFL context—with a focus on what kind of fantasy impact they might soon have.

“Drop your comments below in the YouTube channel. Let us know who your favorite comps are…The story of the game goes on.” (48:28, Joey)