Sportsgrid compare NFL stars to rappers

[King Lance]

QB Johnny Manziel / Drake

We have to kick off the article with the duo that spawned this concept in my head. First, Johnny Manziel puts on a spectacle for his pro day, complete with Drake’s music blasting from the speakers. To show some love back, Aubrey Graham shouts out Manziel at the beginning of his recently released song “Draft Day”. Both share a thirst for the spotlight, are very marketable and all-around polarizing figures in their respective arenas. While they have mainstream appeal, critics are split on their long-term prospects. You either love Johnny Football or you hate him and the same can be said for Drizzy Drake. Manziel is a high-upside Fantasy QB because of his ability to improvise and make plays with his feet. However, he does not possess “ideal” size for a franchise signal caller and many feel he is a risky draft choice. As a rapper, Drake can hold his own lyrically. However many people do not like his content or the way he sings on every other song. Are Drake and Manziel both too soft to win over their critics?

QB Teddy Bridgewater / Macklemore

At this time last year, Teddy Bridgewater was the front-runner to be the first QB off the board. Fast-forward 365 days and everyone seems unimpressed with the Louisville QB. He does not get even close to the media love that Manziel gets. Actually, his stock has been in a decline since the season ended and it was capped off with a lackluster pro day performance. Still, many scouts feel he is the best QB in the Draft Class and can be the face of a franchise if he continues to hone his skills. Macklemore had initial success with his catchy (albeit cheesy) single “Thrift Shop”. He has experienced commercial success with the follow-up singles “Can’t Hold Us” and “Same Love” and even controversially won the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album over Kendrick Lamar, but most critics believe he is not a real rapper. The fact is, Macklemore has lyrics that reach past the high school fanbase that he has developed. Similarly, Bridgewater has a high football IQ, good accuracy and decision-making skills. He does not have the strongest arm and struggles with deep ball accuracy because of it, but he should be able to enjoy sustained success on Sundays.

RB Carlos Hyde / Rick Ross

A decade ago, Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde would have been a first round lock. The devaluation of the position and pass-heavy offenses has combined to hurt the value of RB prospects. Hyde’s bruising style often gets him compared to Eddie Lacy and Zac Stacy, but what about Rick Ross? The Miami rapper has carved out a nice career by discussing money, cars, women and drug trafficking. No one is mistaking his lyrical content for Nas or Common, but he has gained plenty of mainstream appeal. While no one will liken Hyde’s game to LeSean McCoy or Jamaal Charles, he does have some wiggle and playmaking skills on the ground and through the air. He will most likely be drafted on Friday night and his no-nonsense rushing style gives him instant impact appeal.

RB Tre Mason / Lil Wayne

You would think that Tre Mason’s natural comparison would be De La Soul’s Maseo. After all, Vincent Mason literally fathered Tre. Instead of taking the obvious route, let’s step outside the box a bit with an artist who did just that a few years ago when he was released from prison. Lil Wayne is one of the most well-known rappers of our time, with his sometimes witty and sometimes corny punchlines. Regardless of how you feel about his lyrics, you cannot deny the liveliness that he brings to every track he appears on. The Auburn RB will provide a similar boost to whichever team drafts him this weekend. He will start out as part of a committee, probably without as much fanfare as some of his peers. If you stay patient with him, though, he does have the upside to be a Top 12 RB in the right situation. That peak may only last a few years, not unlike Birdman Junior’s reign from 2004-2007.

WR Sammy Watkins / Kendrick Lamar

Sammy Watkins is widely regarded as the best wide receiver in the draft and perhaps also the top Fantasy prospect overall. Kendrick Lamar has the potential to go down as a legend and his major label debut, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” was one of the best albums in the past decade. His flow and storytelling ability immediately set him apart from his peers, not unlike Watkins smoothness on the field. Watkins is a playmaker, one that can develop into a top Fantasy wideout. Much like K-Dot, his game has few weaknesses. Watkins is a bit shorter than most of the game’s elite pass catchers, but that is not going to stop him from putting up Top 15 numbers year in and year out. He got the hype, now he has to go out and prove he can back it up like Kendrick did.

WR Mike Evans / ScHoolboy Q

Mike Evans is a monster and has a Fantasy ceiling to match. He is much different type of receiver than Watkins, one who is more physical and also possesses a higher ceiling. ScHoolboy Q rolls in the same crew that Kendrick Lamar does, but is not the same type of artist by any means. K-Dot is a street poet and advanced lyricist, while Q is a gangster rapper in every sense of the term. The two young rappers are often compared to one another, but they each have their own style. Kendrick took off within the last couple years but Q is making a run of his own right now. Evans is a redzone beast and a dangerous threat downfield. He uses his body to outmuscle smaller defenders, similar to Q’s lyrics. ScHoolboy Q’s music is a throwback to the prime of West Coast gangster rap. Evans’ Fantasy upside is higher than any prospect in the draft.

WR Brandin Cooks / Danny Brown

Brandin Cooks is a playmaking receiver that will be bringing plenty of juice to his future NFL team. If used in the right situation, he could develop into a viable Fantasy starter. He often gets compared to a bigger version of Tavon Austin, but a better comp might be Danny Brown. Both the rapper and the receiver are full of energy and aggressiveness. Even if you are not a fan of Brown’s music, his performing style does get the crowd amped up, just like Cooks can do with his big play ability. Brown is an offbeat rapper that seems to be most comfortable talking about women and drugs. Brown’s vigorous style and distinct voice are his calling cards, but there are questions about whether he will ever appeal to a mass audience. Cooks is not without his own deficiencies as a player. He will certainly be exciting to watch with the ball in his hands, but ultimately inconsistent as a Fantasy asset.

TE Eric Ebron / Action Bronson

Eric Ebron is head and shoulders above all of the other TEs in this draft class. Not a traditional TE, he is an athletic specimen with elite potential. Action Bronson has quickly ascended to the top of today’s rap game with his unique wordplay and microphone charisma. He, like Ebron, is a large man. Unlike Ebron, he is not the fittest of athletes, but he can surprise you every now and then. While Bam Bam Bronson has yet to receive huge mainstream success, he has been dominating the mixtape game with critical acclaim. Ebron has the potential to come into the NFL and take over in Bronson-esque fashion. It may take him a year or two to hit his full stride, but he will be one of the most entertaining playmakers at the position for years to come.

http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/rap-game- ... ick-lamar/

[classthe_king]

Carlos Hyde is way better than Rick Ross smh

[CanadaPure]

Slaughterhouse are a bunch of Canadian Football League receivers. They think they're the shit, but really they're incredibly subpar when you look at the big leagues.

[12characters]

I don't see any NFL stars

Considering the publicity he's been getting lately, Manziel might be able to qualify though?

[PAINKILLƎR]

I think I heard that this year the players drafted get to go up when picked with a song of there choosing and Manziel gonna have Draft Day play. How predictable. I hope my Rams don't pick him up.

[classthe_king]

Why would Manziel not have Draft Day, he was a song literally made about him for this occasion.