Prospect-to-player comparisons always come with a risk, but none of this will stop until the NFL Draft begins on April 24. Now, when we talk about Arizona’s Cam Skattebo, there are many vantage points to the conversation: Does he remind you of Peyton Hillis? Or maybe Mike Alstott, because they both believe in crashing into defenders? Or perhaps David Montgomery, owing to his running style? Or do you, like many others, dub him the next Christian McCaffrey for their same size or the fact that both topped 1,500 yards on the ground and 500 receiving yards in the same season? The list can go on, but you see, that’s precisely what makes his evaluation that much difficult.

Speed sells. And that’s a department that Skattebo doesn’t excel in. His lack of agility and acceleration is what has led to his undoing when it comes to putting him in the same class as the 49ers’ All-Pro. His 4.65-second 40-yard dash time at Pro Day will be hard to forget. To be fair, Skattebo is firmly on the NFL radar, with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks reportedly intrigued by his rugged style and production-first profile. However, a wrecking ball of production during his college tenure after he bulldozed his way to 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns on 293 carries in 2024 for ASU may fall short when it comes to directly translating them to the NFL. Ergo, it doesn’t guarantee a higher draft prospect.

Translation? Many mock drafts have ranked Omarion Hampton at #2, whereas Skattebo, despite having comparable numbers, comes much later. Currently being projected as a fourth or fifth-round selection—possibly Day 3 steal territory—Skattebo found himself front and center of an ESPN segment comparing him to none other than Alvin Kamara. The same player who just inked a $24.5 million extension with the New Orleans Saints and has been their do-it-all star since 2017. Kamara, with his vision, burst, elite receiving skills, and ability to make defenders disappear in a phone booth, is entirely in a different tier of backs. But what was ESPN’s idea behind this comparison?

Well, running backs who are huge usually believe in ground-and-pound, but because Skattebo is similar to Kamara in size (5-foot-10, 215 pounds), ESPN connected the dots, but needless to say, the comp didn’t land as intended. Past reports, too, have seen the two athletes in the same light. For instance, in January, ‘Last Word On Sports’ opined that if Skattebo got drafted by the Saints, he could develop under Kamara’s leadership and later become their long-term starter.

In fact, earlier this week, The Athletic’s draft guru Nick Baumgardner recently called him “unique,” hinting that Pittsburgh might be a sneaky good fit. “Skattebo, the Arizona State playoff hero, is unique,” Baumgardner told team insider Mike DeFabo. Translation: He doesn’t move like a blazer, but there’s something about the way he plays that demands a second look. And with Mo-Alie Cox potentially out in Indy and other teams scouring the board for mid-round gems, Skattebo’s name is one that keeps bubbling up. But with the Skattebo-Kamara comparison, fans’ reaction was swift, merciless, and loud.

Top Comment by Purdydarngood

Similar in their good all-around backs but different in how they go about it. I’d compare him on the high...more

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“Don’t ever disrespect Alvin Kamara like that again”: NFL fans are not happy!

One user, echoing the collective sentiment of Saints Nation, delivered the gut punch: “Don’t ever disrespect Kamara like that again.” And honestly? It’s hard to disagree. Kamara’s résumé speaks for itself—a dynamic dual-threat with Pro Bowl nods, his career has been worth watching for the last eight seasons.

Another comment simply read, “Skattebo is not AK lol… apparently speed doesn’t factor in.” It’s a pointed jab, but a valid one. Kamara has always been a weapon because of his fluidity in space and acceleration at the second level: Areas where Skattebo’s tape doesn’t exactly dazzle. While Cam Skattebo brings a bruiser mentality and north-south physicality, he lacks the slipperiness that defines Kamara’s style. And yes, the 4.65 speed is hard to ignore in that conversation.

Then came the sarcastic slaps: “Cam plays like Alvin Kamara? 😂 they just be posting shi” and “How is Skattebo ANYTHING like Kamara 😭 who does these comparisons.” There’s frustration in those words, not just from Saints fans but from football followers who crave thoughtful, accurate evaluations.

And perhaps the most creative comment of them all: “Skat boy compared to Kamara is insane lol more like Danny Woodhead.” That’s not even a diss—if anything. It might be the most accurate comp of the bunch. Woodhead, a former undrafted free agent, carved out a successful career as a change-of-pace back with great hands and excellent football IQ. Skattebo may have more bulk, but in terms of usage and ceiling, that’s a more believable comp than Kamara.