The 2027 NFL Draft is roughly six months away, but the work never stops for analysts, scouts, and evaluators all across the globe.

Even though the final 2027 NFL Draft order won’t be settled until after the regular season and playoffs, teams are constantly evaluating prospects in hopes of securing a brighter future.

While the 2027 NFL Draft feels like it’s far, far away, the 2028 NFL Draft class is even further out. Yet, even though they’re busy grading players for 2027, evaluators are already drooling over one of the 2028 class’s top prospects, University of Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney. He’s even drawn a pretty lofty comparison to a former four-time First-Team All-Pro.

NFL Scout Compares Malachi Toney to Antonio Brown

Analysts are already trying to predict which prospect could become the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. While that crop of prospects won’t include Toney this year due to draft eligibility, there’s no doubt that he’s one of the best players in college football.

While that crop of prospects won’t include Toney this year due to draft eligibility, there’s no doubt that he’s one of the best players in college football.

Toney entered Saturday’s college football slate leading the ACC with eight touchdown receptions while recording 758 yards on 50 receptions.

He had another huge game for the No. 1-ranked Hurricanes on Saturday, going off for 16 receptions, 194 yards, and three touchdowns. That brings his total to 66 receptions, 952 yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns in just seven games this season.

While watching, NFL insider Jordan Schultz couldn’t help but be enamored by Toney’s talent. So much so that he reached out to a longtime scout, who offered an interesting pro player comparison for the sophomore receiver.

According to the scout, they see a bit of Antonio Brown in Toney’s game. Brown was a four-time First-Team All-Pro receiver in the NFL who earned seven Pro Bowl nods and won a Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.

“How good is Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney? I asked a 20-year scout for his NFL comp. His answer: Antonio Brown 😤”

If Toney could be just as successful as Brown was in the NFL, it’s safe to say he’d live up to expectations. But first things first, Toney won’t be eligible for the NFL Draft until 2028, when he could declare early.

Toney’s electrifying speed, elusiveness, and ability to change direction already make him a dangerous weapon on the college football gridiron.

Scouts believe those same skills will translate to the NFL and make him a game-breaking playmaker at the next level, too.

By the looks of it, Toney won’t have any trouble adjusting to the speed of the NFL, but as we’ve seen time and time again with other seemingly ‘can’t-miss prospects,’ nothing is guaranteed with Toney either.