The final season of “Game of Thrones” is here and in less than two weeks away is the NFL draft. If you’re a fan of “Game of Thrones” and the draft, this should feel like Christmas morning.
With some of the best television content coming our way shortly got us thinking. One of the most popular things during draft season is prospect comparisons to NFL players, but what if we compare prospects to Game of Thrones characters? And now our watch begins:
Christian Wilkins, Clemson, DL — Jon Snow
Comparing one of the most likable television characters of all time to a draft prospect is tough, but Christian Wilkins might be the player worthy of a Jon Snow comparison.
In a show full of deceit and lies, Jon Snow is one of the most honorable characters on the show. Wilkins has some of the highest character in the class. The further you dig on Wilkins, the more you hear what an elite human being Wilkins is on and off the football field.
Wilkins is labeled a “culture changer,” meaning having a player of Wilkins intangible character in your locker room will eventually change your team’s attitude. Snow mended the relationship between the Wildlings and the Crow, now he’s responsible for uniting the living versus the dead.
Snow is also one of the shows best leaders and will be tasked with leading his troops into battle against the army of the undead. Wilkins was the captain of the Clemson Tigers defense that stopped an undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide, which is almost as impressive as slaying a White Walker.
Ed Oliver, Houston, DL — The Night King
Before the college football season started, Ed Oliver was hyped as one of the best prospects in the entire draft class and then suddenly he started to fall down the draft board. People started to question the hype of Oliver, similar to how people across the seven kingdoms questioned the existence of the Night King.
Oliver has put together an incredible pre-draft process that put all the naysayers on notice. Oliver posted scores in the 87th percentile or higher in the vertical jump, broad jump and bench press at the combine.
At Oliver’s pro day workout, he ran a 4.73 40-yard dash with a 7.15 short shuttle and a 4.22 short shuttle. Oliver’s workouts were the equivalent of the Night King raising a dragon and then burning down the wall on his way to King’s Landing.
As winter inches closer and the seven kingdoms are panicking about the arrival of the Night King, evaluators across the NFL’s 32 kingdoms are shuffling their boards to move Oliver back to the top where it belongs.
No one really knows just how powerful the Night King could be, while Oliver might be the only prospect that could match his upside.
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina, WR — Arya Stark
Deebo Samuel may look like an averaged sized slot receiver, but when he gets the football he’ll punch you in the mouth. Remind you of anyone from Game of Thrones? Arya Stark may look unassuming, but is quietly one of the most lethal killers in the entire Game of Thrones realm.
Samuel’s attitude is reminiscent of Stark. Samuel proves he is the alpha in the room while saying little. His presence is on and off the field is demanding and mysterious. Stark may not be the loudest or biggest, but her confidence and grit are second to none.
Samuel had the role of the many faced god in the South Carolina offense. He caught touchdown passes, ran for touchdowns and returned kicks for touchdowns. He can be lined up anywhere on the field and still be productive. It’s safe to say he wears many different faces on the football field.
Stark was trained by many different warriors and experts throughout her journey on Game of Thrones and is now an experienced technician when it comes to fighting. Samuel’s elite route running skills match Stark’s technical skills as a fighter. Regardless of all their comparisons, Samuel with the football in his hands is as dangerous as Stark with Needle.
Quinnen Williams, Alabama, DL — Drogon The Dragon
At the heart of Game of Thrones, what are the single most dominant characters in the seven kingdoms? Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons right?
Well, who is the most dominant player in this draft class? Quinnen Williams right? Comparing Williams to a single character just doesn’t do his dominance justice, but a dragon might do it.
Dragons control the battlefield and give their side a massive advantage even against the toughest warriors. Interior pass rush can disrupt some of the most dynamic offensive attacks, and if you can rush the passer up the middle you’re team probably has an advantage.
Williams can absolutely wreck games from inside the trenches while Drogon can wreck cities from the sky.
Dexter Lawrence, Clemson, DL — Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane
This one is simple, Dexter Lawrence is the Mountain of college football. Lawrence is 6’4, 342 lbs and downright nasty. Lawrence showed off his pure power by posting 36 bench press reps at the scouting combine, which was good enough to put him into the 96th percentile for defensive linemen. He then ran 5.05 40-yard dash at 342 lbs. Lawrence moved at a rate that men his size shouldn’t.
That blend of elite power and size makes him a monster to deal with for offensive linemen. Lawrence will step in and challenge any offensive lineman he lines up across similar to the Mountain in a trial at combat. If Lawrence, size, attitude, and power doesn’t scare you like the Mountain, then I don’t know what will.
Chase Winovich, Michigan, Edge — Tormund Giantsbane
Chase Winovich goes into each snap with a type of reckless abandon you don’t see in many college athletes. He attacks each pass rush with a wildling-type mentality for battle reminiscent of Tormund Giantsbane.
Tormund is a vicious warrior that’ll use any way he can to brutally manhandle anything that comes in his way. Winovich uses his hands, speed and sheer tenacity to get to the passer.
Winovich also has the grit of a Wilding like Tormund. There have been several moments in Game of Thrones where it looked like Tormund was heading towards death, but somehow, someway he made it out.
Throughout his career, Winovich was seen chasing down plays that looked to be headed for touchdowns.
The last thing we have to compare is their hairstyles. Even though Winovich’s hair is blonde, it’s the best in all of college football similar to Tormund red quaff to beard combination.
Tormund may not have the blonde flowing locks like Winovich, but he still has the best hair in Game of Thrones. Winovich may not have red hair, but he does play like his hair’s on fire.
Devin Bush, LB, Michigan — Sandor “The Hound” Clegane
The Hound is one of my favorite characters in the Game of Thrones series, and Devin Bush is one of my favorite players in the draft.
Bush and The Hound have a few things in common, but the thing that stands out is their attitude. They’re both mean with a nasty streak built in them.
Bush plays with a chip on his shoulder like the Hound fight with the burn on his face. Bush is a dog on the football field, and The Hound was given that nickname for a reason.
Bush is a thumper that’ll run from sideline to sideline hawking the ball carrier, while The Hound is one of the seven kingdom’s most feared fighters.
People gawk at Bush’s small size similar to the way they some scoff at The Hound’s burns, but no one in their right mind will say anything to their face. If they do question Bush’s stature, just ask Michigan State what can happen. Bush tore up the team’s logo at midfield then went on to have a sack and four tackles against the team that disrespected him pregame.
Jonathan Abram, Mississippi, DB — Ser Bronn of the Blackwater
Jonathan Abram is one of the most fierce hitters in the entire draft class, while also being one of the most vocal. Abram has been flagged a few times in his career for being a little too rough as a hitter at Mississippi State. Just like Abram, Bronn isn’t afraid to fight dirty.
When Abram blast’s his opponents he doesn’t only hit them, he’ll let them hear about it too. Abram’s fun attitude and willingness to do whatever it takes is reminiscent of Bronn, a former mercenary turned knight. Bronn is a loose, but a confident fighter that loves to celebrate after an earned victory.
Bronn loves to joke around, but he’s no joke as a headhunter like Abram.
Jonah Williams, Alabama, OT — Brienne of Tarth
Jonah Williams is a protector like one best protectors in the seven kingdoms, Brienne of Tarth.
Brienne gets questioned as a fighter because she is a woman, but when it comes to actual battle she’s one of the best there is.
Williams gets knocked for several reasons, but people just can’t decide where to play him on the line; but when Williams sticks his hand in the dirt, regardless of the position he’s one of the best in all of college football.
Williams is a technician on the line. He has flawless footwork and hand placement in pass protection. Brienne is one of the cleanest fighters in Game of Thrones as she was trained as a high born fighter with elite form as a swordswoman.
Brienne has fought against some of the fiercest warriors in Game of Thrones and won similar to the way Williams took on SEC pass rushers.
Jeffrey Simmons, Mississippi State, DL — Jaime Lannister
Jeffrey Simmons and Jaime Lannister have each made questionable decisions in their past, but each is on the road to redemption.
Although Lannister has had some cringe-worthy moments, he’s still one of the most likable characters in the show. Since having a small incident Simmons has made all the right decisions at Mississippi State.
Simmons and Lannister are each extremely skilled but injured. Lannister is dealing with the loss of his hand, while Simmons is recovering from a torn ACL. Even though neither is 100%, they would still be first-round draft picks because what they once were and could be. Lannister still has skills as a general, and limited swordsman, while Simmons projects to be an elite defensive talent when healthy.
Andy Isabella, Massachusetts, WR — Grey Worm
Grey Worm is an underrated character in The Game of Thrones series similar to Andy Isabella in the wide receiver class. Grey Worm’s trained as an elite killer that will get the job done when needed, but stays quiet otherwise.
Isabella is a relatively unknown prospect but is as dangerous as they come on the football field. Isabella just needs the smallest amount of space to break open a game with his blazing speed.
Isabella won’t flash with his physical play or large stature, but he does just get the job done. He’s got great footwork that allows him to create space that pairs with his lethal speed. Isabella can ruin a defense fast, similar to the way Grey Worm can carry out a mission for Khaleesi.
