Is Chris Brazzell just another DJ Chark?

[blueandblackattack]

I was checking out Chris Brazzell II measureables, and I thought they looked suspiciously familiar. Turns out it was true, almost identical measureables to former Panthers DJ Chark circa 2023. I even checked Terrace Marshall Jr results, and honestly isn't that far behind them.

 

I know this isn't unique for just our team, but we seem to specifically have an obsession with trying to make this tall lanky speedsters work for us. I admittedly wasn't that high on Brazzell, and when I watched the tape I didn't really see that 4.3 speed, and a strong wind seems to tackle him.

 

I really liked most of the draft, including getting Hecht in the 5th when I graded him as a #1 Center in this draft. I'm rooting for the guy to work out, especially since our HC and OC made their bones as Wide Receiver coaches. But Brazzell is the only one I'm kinda meh on. I was hoping we'd trade up to get Big Citrus, or if we went WR I liked Ted Hurst much better. We'll see though. 3rd rounders seem to be coin-flips for us (see DJ Johnson/Matt Corral). But I'm rooting for the guy and for this experiment to finally pay off.

 

I haven't seen anyone else post something about this, so just thought it was interesting and passing it along.

 

#keeppounding

 

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AI Overview

 

Chris Brazzell II and D.J. Chark both possess nearly identical elite deep-threat profiles, highlighted by their tall, lanky builds and blazing sub-4.40 speed. Chark was slightly faster, while Brazzell offers a marginally heavier frame and longer wingspan. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The side-by-side physical and athletic testing results from their respective NFL Scouting Combines outline their comparable profiles: [1]

Metric [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]	D.J. Chark (2018)	Chris Brazzell II (2026)
Height	6'3"	6'4"
Weight	199 lbs	198 lbs
Wingspan	78.5"	80.1"
40-Yard Dash	4.34 seconds	4.37 seconds
10-Yard Split	~1.50s (est.)	1.52 seconds
Vertical Jump	40.0"	40.0" (pre-draft)
Hand Size	9.25"	9.0"

Analytical Comparison

• Size & Build: Both receivers offer an excellent catch radius with lanky, outside-threat frames. Brazzell holds a slight edge in height and an even more significant advantage in wingspan, giving him a massive target radius.
• Speed Profile: Chark famously recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time at his combine, while Brazzell was a standout at his event. Both times are elite for their size, translating directly to the "field-stretching" and vertical playmaking abilities that define their games.
• Draft Status: Chark was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round (61st overall) of the 2018 Draft. Brazzell was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.

[strato]

I’d have to go back and look at video of Chark but first impression is I don’t think they are a match.  
We know WRs are really a crap shoot especially rookies. And the QB we have throwing to him IMO will result in sub optimum production so that is a consideration.  For me, I know others don’t see it like that.  
But the balance I see from Brazell is most impressive. And gives me some reason to hope.  

Edited May 14 by strato

[Jon Snow]

He's more comparable to Robbie Anderson. Which I hope he exceeds. 

[csx]

Are you  defining players solely on their height and weight?

If we are defining players success or lack of on that then is he just another Randy Moss?

Id be pretty satisfied with Charks production from a 3rd rd receiver.

[PleaseCutStewart]

Outside of both having very good straight line speed, I don't see much in common. Chark was mostly a play action Chuck it deep type of receiver. Brazzell, while raw with route running, is fully capable of running most routes. He is way better at using his body to shield defenders from the ball than chark and does a better job attacking the ball and creating a wide catch radius.

Agree Brazzell will need to prove he can beat the press and I imagine he will see a lot of it when he is on the field. I still think he has quite a bit of development to go through (particularly with his route running, press beat techniques, and reading zone coverage), so I don't expect to see him on the field much this year (barring injuries)

[blueandblackattack]

6 hours ago, csx said:

Are you  defining players solely on their height and weight?

If we are defining players success or lack of on that then is he just another Randy Moss?

Id be pretty satisfied with Charks production from a 3rd rd receiver.

Fair, but when you put on the tape of Randy Moss compared to Brazzell or Chark, there is no comparison. Im saying not just the measureables, but the way they play is similar on the field, and DJ Chark wasn't in the league last year.

If you take away his only 1k season, Charks average stats per season would be 23 receptions - 348 yards - 2.6 touchdowns. For me, Day 2 picks are considered to have starter potential, and from what I've watched, he plays like Chark.

Again, not trying to hate on the kid, and I hope I'm wrong. Just pointing out some patterns I saw.

[blueandblackattack]

5 hours ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

Outside of both having very good straight line speed, I don't see much in common. Chark was mostly a play action Chuck it deep type of receiver. Brazzell, while raw with route running, is fully capable of running most routes. He is way better at using his body to shield defenders from the ball than chark and does a better job attacking the ball and creating a wide catch radius.

Agree Brazzell will need to prove he can beat the press and I imagine he will see a lot of it when he is on the field. I still think he has quite a bit of development to go through (particularly with his route running, press beat techniques, and reading zone coverage), so I don't expect to see him on the field much this year (barring injuries)

I can agree with that, he's got tons of potential so we'll see. His dad was a former NFL and CFL receiver so the standard is a little higher compared to other WRs in the draft - I'd expect him to be heads above others and with more than that last season when he went for 1k. The production doesn't stand out much except his last season.

Nut to reiterate, Im still rooting for the guy. I just seem him more as a Day 3 project.

[CPF4LIFE]

Bryce will make him another DJ Clark if he hasnt improved.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Brazzell = DJ Chark > Xavier Legette imo

[Joe Bear]

4 minutes ago, CPF4LIFE said:

Bryce will make him another DJ Clark if he hasnt improved.

T-Mac didn't bust too bad.

[Joe Bear]

See what the guy can do in preseason and the first couple months of his rookie year before comparing him to a scrub from the past.

[CPF4LIFE]

21 minutes ago, Joe Bear said:

T-Mac didn't bust too bad.

Not the same type a receiver...This guy gets downfeld. Bryce has yet to have any type of real productivity with a receiver thats a long route techincian. 

[ForJimmy]

15 minutes ago, CPF4LIFE said:

Not the same type a receiver...This guy gets downfeld. Bryce has yet to have any type of real productivity with a receiver thats a long route techincian. 

The problem is Mingo, Chark, AT (weird case as he was about done) and the WRs that left played worse on their new teams. Could still be a Bryce issue but those guys are also part of the issue. 

[strato]

42 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

The problem is Mingo, Chark, AT (weird case as he was about done) and the WRs that left played worse on their new teams. Could still be a Bryce issue but those guys are also part of the issue. 

Bryce and AT were made for each other.