Please detail the differences.
I'll start with the measurables:
Cooper Kupp:
10 yard split - 1.57s
Short Shuttle - 4.08s
Three Cone Drill - 6.75s
40 time - 4.62s
Nelson Spruce:
10 yard split - 1.63s
Short Shuttle - 4.20s
Three Cone Drill - 7.09s
40 time - 4.69s
Basically, Kupp's top-end speed isn't great, but he has great acceleration, quickness, and change of direction ability. On the other hand, Spruce's top-end speed is also lacking, but his acceleration, quickness, and change of direction ability range from average to bad.
That all shows up on his game tape. Spruce lacks physical talent. He creates separation through savvy and physicality. It works for him. He will finish in traffic. He makes tough catches. But he tends to body the ball more and doesn't attack it that well in the air. Spruce plays every down like it could be his last. That's something to be commended. Spruce is a slot WR who will have to win working the middle. He won't separate outside and won't win in the air well enough for teams to accept that.
Kupp is a different type of player. He lacks top-end speed, but as I stated, he has acceleration, quickness, and change of direction ability. He has the athleticism to separate consistently. He combines that athleticism with skill and savvy that is simply beyond what Spruce offers. In addition to that, he attacks the ball better than Spruce does, catches the ball in traffic better than Spruce does, and he runs after the catch better than Spruce does. Spruce is essentially Kupp if you strip away the things that make him special.
