2016 NFL Draft: Pitt receiver Tyler Boyd drawing lofty comparisons

Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd is expected to be taken in an early round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The school's leading receiver in the record books is already drawing comparisons to pro players.

Per the Trib Review, current North Carolina coach Larry Fedora compared Boyd to a player he coached at Oklahoma State - Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant:

"I know people may go crazy," Fedora said when asked about former Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd, "but I'm going to compare him to Dez Bryant."

"You said Dez Bryant, right?" a reporter asked last week during an ACC coaches conference call.

"Yes, that's correct," Fedora said without backing down.

...

"He's very smooth in everything he does, as far as his strength in his hands and in making competitive catches," Fedora said. "I'm talking about catches when you've got a defender on you, not when you're wide open."

Boyd has also drawn a comparison to San Diego Chargers wideout Keenan Allen by NFL.com Gil Brandt. Brandt has been particularly high on Boyd, saying he has the best hands of any receiver in Draft and could also be the top route runner.

WalterFootball.com also compares him to Allen, saying neither is overly fast but both are great route runners. CBS Sports took a more muted stance in comparing Boyd to Philadelphia Eagles 2015 rookie Nelson Agholor.

Both Bryant and Allen have made a big impact on the league. Bryant is a two-time Pro Bowler, who has previously led the league in receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yardage.  His 16 touchdown catches in 2014 were a franchise best. Allen topped 1,000 yards last year and has averaged more than 70 catches in his first three years in the league.

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