No sooner did word get out that Dorial Green-Beckham measured 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds than the comparisons began.
Calvin Johnson, the game's premier jumbo receiver, measures 6-5 and 236.
In a draft loaded with receivers led by Amari Cooper, Kevin White and DeVante Parker, where Green-Beckham fits among them is a matter for debate because of the disciplinary issues that led to the former Missouri star's ouster. But for the NFL club searching for the most physical presence possible at the position -- think Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin -- Green-Beckham has a presence all his own as a draft prospect.
Even before Green-Beckham weighed in, the comparisons had begun.
"He's one of the best receivers I've ever seen," an AFC college scout told NFL Media's Albert Breer prior to the combine. "He's special. He's gigantic; he has tremendous body control, balance; he runs like a deer and can leap out of the gym and high-point the ball. He's special. It's impressive. If not for all that stuff, he'd be the best receiver to come out since Calvin Johnson."
High praise, to be sure. But size alone matters more to some NFL scouts than others.
Green-Beckham spent the season on the Oklahoma sideline, having transferred after his dismissal at Missouri. An NCAA transfer rule required he sit out a year before playing for the Sooners, which he ultimately never did. And from what NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock had to say about Green-Beckham, he could have really used the football experience he missed in 2014.
"I watched every target to him in 2013, and he has no idea what he's doing, but he changes games," Mayock said.
That doesn't sound anything like Johnson, who is reputed to have advanced technique and strong route-running skills. Johnson recorded his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season for the Lions last year despite appearing in a career-low 13 games. As for the draft, Johnson went No. 2 overall in 2007. For Green-Beckham, the price isn't expected to be nearly so high.
He caused a buzz on the combine scale Thursday, to be sure.
But the buzz that will matter to NFL clubs comes on Sundays.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
