The 2009 NFL Draft: The Top 5 Offensive Tackles

The2008 NFL Draft was very deep with offensive tackle talent and as we saw this past season, some of those rookie tackles really stepped in and played very well in 2008 giving hope to many NFL teams that they can find good starting offensive tackles, guys that can come in and start virtually right away. The 2009 NFL Draft may not be as deep at the offensive tackle position but at the top, it does have some very good performers who could help some teams out a lot to start.

The following is a look at the top five offensive tackles going into the 2009 NFL Draft. These rankings were compiled shortly after the offensive tackle group went through their drills in the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine.

1. Jason Smith-Baylor-Following a pretty solid performance at the combine (33 reps on the bench press with a 5.22 40 yard dash) and with some issues happening to a few of his counterparts at the position (see Andre Smith), for now, Smith has been thrust into the top spot at the offensive tackle position. Smith is a former tight end which shows that he is athletic. He does well getting up into position and moving his feet from side to side staying with the defender. While he doesn’t have a lot of experience at the position (just two years) he does have room to grow and prosper and could be one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL in the very near future. Experience at the position may be his downfall however and he will have to prove to scouts that he has the ability to play the tackle position and play it well despite his lack of experience. Smith needs to get stronger and add some weight as well.

If Smith can prove that he can handle experience NFL defensive lineman well enough he should be able to crack the top five of the 2009 NFL Draft and could even quite possibly go first. He just has to prove that he is far along in his development at the left tackle position and that he has the skills needed to keep up with the top defensive ends in the NFL. He will be a very interesting prospect to watch for the next month and a half.

2. Eugene Monroe-Virginia-Monroe should have increased his positioning in the 2009 NFL Draft fairly well after having a solid showing (5.16 40 yard dash, 23 reps at 225 and came in at 6’5” and weighed 309) and right now sits as the number two rated offensive tackle in the 2009 NFL Draft. What Monroe offers at the position is the skill set needed to become a successful NFL offensive tackle. He is built very well for the position and is a fine enough athlete. He is able to mirror the defender using his feet effectively and even keep up with quicker defenders. Monroe works well blocking for the run and can dominate there. What Monroe lacks is the ability to make it though without getting hurt. There have been some concerns over his knees and he will have to prove that he is over those in order to get selected high enough in the 2009 NFL Draft. If he can prove he will make it the sky is the limit for Monroe.

Right now, coming out of the 2009 NFL Combine, Monroe is typically thought of to be the second or third rated offensive tackle. Thanks to some issues with other offensive tackles Monroe has a chance to be selected very high in 2009 NFL Draft, possibly even in the top five to seven. He just has to prove that he won’t succumb to injury and his stock will skyrocket.

3. Michael Oher-Mississippi-Oher enters the third spot although this is a little tentative while the issue with Andre Smith and his problems gets sorted out. Oher had a decent combine showing (5.32 40 yard dash, 21 reps at 225 weighing in at 309 pounds stating 6’4” ½ ) Smith would be my third offensive tackle had he not pulled what he pulled at the combine. Oher has been through a lot in his life and will come full circle when he hears his name called in the 2009 NFL Draft. When you first look at Oher, you will see that he is very well built for the position standing at 6’6” weighing 322 pounds. He has long arms which help keep defenders as far away from him as possible and he can move them around at times with ease. He has good footwork and has experience playing both tackle and guard. The quality of competition that he has played against also makes him a very valuable player. The concern about Oher is his ability to lean a complicated offense quickly. His ability to grasp an offense will be tested. Some may also question his upbringing but he has been through a lot and he is sure to want to make it in the NFL and won’t be one to mess things up.

While some may question Oher’s smarts and his upbringing, this is a guy who although given many second chances, won’t want to mess things up. His story is a true rags to riches type story and he should be a great success in the NFL. Look for him to go somewhere in the top ten of the 2009 NFL Draft.

4. Andre Smith-Alabama-Smith hangs on to the number four spot despite his antics at the combine recently but while he had something to prove at the outset, he has even more to prove after his behavior now. Smith is a great prospect with a ton of talent but in a league that is getting tougher on trouble makers, Smith is going to have to prove that his problems at the combine were a one time deal. Smith did weigh in at the combine and ended up tipping the scales at 332 and stood 6’4” tall. What Smith brings to the table is size and athletic ability. For such a big guy he gets around very well and plays much lighter than he actually is. He gets his feet and body in position quick enough to help block effectively against the pass and keeps the defender at bay. On the downside, besides his mysterious attitude and actions at the combine, Smith has had some issues keeping his weight in check and will have to keep that under control in order to be effective in the NFL. He is also shorter than ideal for the position but has made up for that problem at the combine.

Smith has a lot to prove after the incident at the combine but also with his weight. He will most certainly attract a lot of attention and get a lot of workouts and if he can overcome the issues that he has he could be one the top tackles taken in the 2009 NFL Draft. Look for him to go somewhere in the top 15.

5. Eben Britton-OT-Arizona-Brimming with consistency and potential, Britton comes into the 2009 NFL Draft as one of the higher rated offensive tackles and could potentially move up in the rankings with some solid pro day and individual workouts. Britton had a decent showing at the combine (5.16 40 yard dash with 24 reps at 225 pounds and came in weighing 309 pounds standing 6’6”) What Britton will bring to the NFL is a model of consistency with no history of serious injury. He is also ideal for the position in terms of his height (he stands 6’6”) and is strong and very aggressive. He has good mechanics and can really manhandle the defender. Britton needs to work on his pass blocking skills because if he has a fault, it’s blocking for the pass. This is a result of poor footwork and he should be able to learn how to move better in the NFL. He also needs to add a little more power at the point of attack.

Britton will be someone who gains a lot of steam heading into the 2009 NFL Draft thanks to his skill and attitude and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he goes somewhere between 20 and 32 in the 2009 NFL Draft with good workouts. The reality, though, is that he will probably go somewhere in the early second round.

By Bryan Dietzler

Beware of the Combine Warrior

Over the last 15 years some of the greatest blunders in the NFL Draft have been due to teams getting suckered by the (NFL Scouting) combine warrior (CW). The CW has exceptional speed for his position and wows scouts in the high jump and broad jump. BUT BEWARE! The CW may look like Tarzan but he plays like Jane.

One of the problems with the combine is that it does not measure football talent and instincts. It measures only athletic ability. Athletic ability is only a small part of what makes a great football player.

The best tool against CW infatuation is watching game tape. Either a guy can play or not. As a coach I could care less how fast a Wide Receiver was because if he couldn't catch a cold standing at the north pole in a bathing suit, the speed didn't matter.

So what value is the combine? When used wisely, it helps to rank players with a position. If you have 3 WR prospects rated about even going into the combine, then speed can be the deciding factor to rank them.

The interviews are essential to the decision process. The interviews include the player proving his knowledge of the game on the chalkboard. The interviews also help to determine which players have the football IQ to make it in the league.

The combine is also valuable in evaluating things that don't show up clearly in game tape. Does a CB have fluid hips? Several of the drills will prove hip fluidity. Can a college DE change direction quickly enough to play outside linebacker in the NFL? The five cone speed drill provides timing numbers that separate those that can play the position.

Plus, as NFL Draft Dog’s Robert Bryant pointed out. NFL Teams tend to focus too much on the Players That Were Invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and ignore the ones that weren’t. Every year some excellent players Fail to Get an Scouting Combine Invitation. Also, just because you weren’t invited to the combine doesn’t mean you won’t get drafted; a few prospects (10-20) who aren't invited to the combine get drafted each year and many more will make NFL clubs as free agents. Also, approximately one-third of the players who were invited to the combine don't even drafted.

Hopefully when you watch the combine you will have a little better understanding of what the pro scouts are looking for—except those of the Browns and the Bengals. They hope to find a Tarzan.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

By Bill Smith

The 2009 NFL Draft Top 5 Series: The Tight ends

While the past few drafts have brought out some very solid tight ends i.e. Greg Olsen and Jason Witten to name a few, the 2009 NFL Draft doesn’t have that strong of a tight end class. There are really two or three players that are outstanding at the position and should go in the first two rounds. After that, there is a drop off in talent. Next year’s crop may be better and if you want a good tight end in 2009, you had better take one early. The following is a look at the five top tight ends in the 2009 NFL Draft.

1. Brandon Pettigrew-Oklahoma State-Pettigrew comes in as the number one rated tight end in the 2009 NFL Draft and for good reason, he has been very productive in the passing game and isn’t too bad of a blocker either. The first thing that you will notice about Pettigrew is his size. He is nearly the perfect size for a tight end and has a rare combination of size and speed but doesn’t have the overall great speed that some tight ends have. He is a good route runner and has great hands. Pettigrew will catch almost anything that is thrown his way. He isn’t as big of a playmaker as some would like to see and he has had some issues off the field as well. This will really get the attention of NFL scouts and they will look very hard into that during the time leading up to the draft.

Pettigrew has a ton of talent and the sky is the limit with him but character questions may knock him down a little bit in the draft. He looks to be a mid to late first round type pick and could go to the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that could use a good tight end.

2. Jared Cook-TE-South Carolina-For a tight end, Cook seems to have it all, size, speed and most everything that you would want in a player at his position. The biggest upside to Cook is that he is big (6’5”) and thus tall enough to snag balls out of the air and keep pace with some of the taller defensive backs and linebackers. Cook is also a great athlete who has the speed necessary to outrun some of the slower linebackers and defensive backs in the NFL. What he lacks is consistency as it appears as if he can disappear sometimes during a game. He will not have that option in the NFL.

Cook is really kind of a surprise to some and will need to perform well in the combine in order for him to get the attention of scouts and earn a high draft selection. Right now, he could go as high as the bottom of the first round but is more likely to go in the bottom to middle of the second round depending on how big of a need there is going to be for tight ends.

3. Shawn Nelson-TE-Southern Mississippi-Nelson is another tight end in the mold that most teams want to see tight ends in and that is big with a lot of power and some speed. Nelson is big (6’5” 238 lbs) and is athletic for the position. He has great hands and rarely drops a pass. While he is big right now, he does have a little room grow which will be good. The downside to Nelson is that he needs to get some weight on his frame soon so he can withstand the rigors of being a tight end in the NFL. He also needs to get stronger so that he can handle the blocking duties he will most surely see.

Nelson is an interesting prospect with a lot of potential and nowhere to go but up. If he can fill out his frame a little bit and block well enough (or prove that he can rather) he could get a good second or early third round grade in the 2009 NFL Draft.

4. Chase Coffman-Missouri-Once thought to be the number one tight end in the country, thanks to injuries and eventual ineffective play by the Missouri Tigers but he still has a great shot at being drafted towards the top of the draft (before the start of the 4th round) thanks to the skill and potential that he possesses. Coffman’s biggest attribute is his size. He is 6’6”, 245lbs which makes him a huge target for any NFL quarterback. He is able to make tough catches and out jump defenders for the ball when it is in the air. He also could be a fine blocker if he can develop that skill in the NFL. The downside to Coffman, aside from his current blocking issues is that he has injury issues that may cause teams to shy away from taking him right away. He also needs to add some weight to his frame and his speed isn’t that great either.

If Coffman had come out last year, he may have been the first or second tight end taken. Now, thanks to a less than stellar senior season, he will most likely be a late second to early (to mid) third round pick. Coffman can develop into a fine tight end he just needs a little work and also needs to stay healthy.

5. Travis Beckum-Wisconsin-Beckum pulled some what of a disappearing act thanks to injury but should be able to grade out highly with good workouts and a good showing in front of NFL scouts this offseason. The upside to Beckum is that he is exactly what the doctor would order for a good tight end, athletic. He has the size (standing at 6’4”) to reach over top of smaller defenders and grab the ball or out of the air above them. His pass catching skills are very good and he could be one of the best pass catching tight ends in the draft. What he lacks is solid blocking skills and he isn’t built to block nor does he have the demeanor that a blocker needs to get in there and get nasty.

Beckum is going to be a player that is heavily tested and looked at over the next few weeks leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft because he is so athletic and because he isn’t going to be a good blocker at the position for some time to come. Perhaps he could be slotted as a wide receiver but his best bet would be to stick with being a tight end, get some weight added on and show teams that he can be an effective pass catcher as well as an effective blocker.

By Bryan Dietzler

NFL Scouting Combine List Surprises

The 2009 NFL Scouting Combine List has been released and just like the years before, there are some eye popping additions and omissions. I like to look long and hard at this list as it shows us who the NFL Scouts are taking an interest in.

Quarterback: It’s a little surprising to see Hartwick QB Jason Boltus invited, but not guys like Willie Tuitama (Arizona) or Mike Teel (Rutgers). The Division-III QB could hear his name called on Draft Day, a first since 1991 for a Division-III QB. Tuitama had his best season as a senior, throwing for 3,088 yards and 23 TD. He (Tuitama) had a run of bad luck (coaching/scheme changes) in his career that stunted his development. A disappointing start to 2008 hurt Teel, but he came on late and he’s a good QB with potential to develop into something in the NFL.

Running back: How did they skip Wyoming’s Devin Moore or Arizona State’s Keegan Herring? Herring was hampered by a hamstring injury all year but had been one the top player is the nation before that. Moore proved in 2008 that he was capable of a larger workload and could go a lot higher. Moore and Herring come to mind before Texas’ Chris Ogbonnaya or UCLA’s Kahlil Bell with the lack of elite speed at RB this year.

Fullback: I’m a little disappointed with Alabama’s Travis McCall and BYU’s Fui Vakapuna not getting an invite. McCall could have gone as a TE or FB and Vakapuna should at least be intriguing after rushing for 8 TD and averaging 4.8 yards per carry (YPC) in 2006. He has taken to the FB role in 2008 and could earn a spot as a FA.

Wide receiver: Can’t argue too much with the invites but Jamarko Simmons (Western Michigan), Greg Carr (Florida State), Jeremy Gilchrist (Hampton) and Dobson Collins (Gardner-Webb) should have been invited. Simmons is 6’ 2” 241 lbs. and ranked fourth in the nation this season in receptions and eighth in receiving yards. While Simmons gives you size and strength, Carr gives you height. The FSU senior is 6’ 6” but is a lanky 215 lbs. He’s (Carr) terrorizing on fades in the end zone and jump ball situations (28 TD). Gilchrist must prove his speed but has been productive at a lower level with 109 catches the last two seasons. Also has potential as a punt returner (6 TD). Dobson Collins is an intriguing Division 1AA prospect, he has blazing speed and got my attention on October 11th against Georgia Tech when he caught 7 passes for 97 yards.

Tight end: Boston College’s Ryan Purvis could have been invited. He didn’t look as great once Matt Ryan left (54 catches in 2007; 20 in 2008), but he has the size and strength (6’ 2” 255 lbs) needed to be an effective blocker. I would have also liked to see Ball State’s Darius Hill and Delaware’s Robbie Agnone. Hill is super talented with nice size at 6’ 6” 246 pounds, last year he caught 40 passes for 670 yards and 7 touchdowns. We all know about Raven’s QB Joe Flacco, but the Cardinals’ TE Ben Patrick caught a touchdown pass in Superbowl XLlll and he is also from Delaware. Agone played with both of those guys and the ultra athletic, former QB is a talented tight end at 6’ 6” 260 pounds.

Offensive Tackle: Houston’s Sebastian Vollmer looked really good at the Shrine Game and was a coaches Conference USA First Team pick. This is a disappointing oversight. Florida’s Phil Trautwein is a name player who is a surprise non-selection but that may say a lot about what people think of him.

Offensive Guard: T.J. Lang from Eastern Michigan has climbed draft boards this year so it’s surprising that he wasn’t invited. Cedric Dockery (Texas) and Roland Martin (MSU) are from top schools that surprising we’re not selected while Paul Fanaika from Arizona State got the call instead.

Center: Nothing to argue about here, the 2009 NFL Draft is going to be a great year for Centers. There are about four guys that can come in and start as rookies, Alex Mack, Eric Wood, Jonathan Luigs and Antoine Caldwell. The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock is an idiot if he thinks Mack is the third best center in this draft. Mack is one of the best centers to enter the NFL Draft in a number of years and could be in the Pro Bowl in a few short years. I like Max Unger, but as a guard or tackle, not center, Unger is very mobile and quick, but he doesn’t anchor good enough to hold up against the massive nose tackles in the NFL.

Kicker: South Carolina’s Ryan Succop should be here. He might have the biggest leg in the draft (55 long). He lacks long accuracy though (3 of 7 form 50+).

Defensive End: The biggest surprise to me is the omission of Minnesota’s Willie VanDeSteeg, what’s not to like, he has nice size (6’ 4” 258 lbs), he played in the Big 10 and he was very productive. Steeg finished ranked 11th in the nation in tackles for loss (TFL) with 19 and ranked 14th for sacks with 10.5. One of the stars of the Texas vs. Nation All Star game was also locked out of the NFL Scouting Combine; Pierre Walters from Eastern Illinois is a talent with excellent size (6’ 5” 265 lbs), Walters finished last season with 48 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and five sacks.

I would have also liked to have seen Northern Iowa’s Everette Pedescleaux at the combine. He is 6’ 5” 300 pounds and will perk the interest of teams running a 34 scheme. Pedescleaux imight be a better prospect than Jarius Wynn (Georgia), Maurice Evans (Penn State, Jr) and Ian Campbell (Kansas State).

Defensive Tackle: I would have liked to see Indiana’s Greg Brown and Northwestern’s John Gill invited. Brown has nice size at 6’ 3” 300 pounds and he started all 12 games at defensive tackle last year. He finished the year with 37 tackles, 22 solo, and 4.5 tackles for loss. A pleasant surprise was East Carolina’s Khalif Mitchell, he (Mitchell) is another prospect with decent size (6’ 6” 308 lbs). He (Mitchell) only played in seven games last year due to a bad ankle, but the former transfer from North Carolina is monster and dominated at the Texas vs. Nation All Star Game.

Inside Linebacker: Frantz Joseph (Florida Atlantic), Michael Tauiliili (Duke) and even Daniel Holtzclaw (Eastern Michigan) are glaring omissions. Joseph was Defensive MVP of the Texas vs. Nation game, Tauiliili was Defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Game and Holtzclaw has been a four year starter and had 100+ tackles the last three seasons plus a very good 91 tackles and 5 INT in 11 starts as a true freshman. Tauiliili has major character concerns as well as average height (5’ 10” 230 lbs) that may keep his stock down.

Outside Linebacker: With Boston College's Brian Toal with health issues, his replacement, Robert Francois, could have gotten an invite. Coming into 2008 with only 9 career starts, Francois posted 82 tackles, 9 TFL and two sacks while having a great week at the East-West Shrine Game. Toal may be the bigger name, but Francois will get drafted; Toal is unlikely.

Cornerback: Ellis Lankster (West Virginia), William Middleton (Furman), Londen Fryer (Western Michigan) and Sean Smalls (Massachusetts) could have easily been included. Lankster will be coveted by teams with zone systems because of a lack of speed (4.5/40). Fryer is the son of NFL great WR Irving Fryer, but didn’t inherit Irving’s hands recording 27 Pass Break ups (PBU) but only 7 INT in 3 years as a starter. A small school sleeper, William Middleton recorded 194 tackles, 7 TFL, 7 INT and 19 PBU in his career. Middleton has potential as a zone corner and held his own at the Texas vs. Nation Game. Smalls had started 36 consecutive games at cornerback before cracking a bone in his hip in early October (2008). Smalls is an extremely talented cornerback with nice size (6’ 0” 205 lbs) and should have been healed up enough to work out at the combine. Northern Arizona’s K J. Gerard is a long shot but he has great potential and was a first team Football Championship Series (FCS) All American (FCS formerly known as Division 1AA). Gerard intercepted five passes and broke up 14 for the nation's top-rated rushing defense.

Free Safety: Not many top prospects at FS this year, but Javorris Jackson from Savannah is 6’ 4” 210 pounds and could have opened some eyes with a good combine. He has questionable speed (4.65/40) but he’s made plays in his two years at Savannah (9 INT, 14 PBU). Jackson is a tweener linebacker/safety type.

Strong safety: Reshard Langford was productive for Vanderbilt and could make a great special teamer. I'm a little surprised he wasn`t invited but there`s no bad omissions here. Langford could be a sleeper LB with some bulk (6’1” 220lbs). He has 48 career starts and 247 tackles. Another prospect that I wanted to see more of was Montana’s Colt Anderson, he really caught my eye at the Texas vs. Nation All Star Game and he was a first team FCS All American. Anderson led Montana with 129 total tackles and helped Montana reach the 2008 Division I Football Championship game.

Top 5 Prospects at Each Position for the 2009 NFL Draft: The Wide Receivers

This year’s wide receiver crop is pretty heavy at the top and so there will be some very good first round talent at the top of this years 2009 NFL Draft. Names like Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin and Darius Heyward-Bey will be mentioned for many years to come in the sport. The following is a look at the top five players at that position as it stands right now going into the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine.

1. Michael Crabtree- Texas Tech-Right now, there is no other wide receiver better than Crabtree, a sophomore standout out of Texas Tech although that could change. Crabtree is a receiver in the mold of Terrell Owens in terms of his physical stature and the way he plays (minus the attitude). Of course, his size (6’3”, 214lbs) is one thing that stands out about him first and foremost. He is a big physical receiver that will win battles for ball almost every time. He is able to control his body well enough and isn’t afraid to go over the middle to catch a pass. He has good hands and is very reliable. The biggest issue with Crabtree is that he doesn’t have super speed and won’t beat too many quicker cornerbacks. He also played in a system that stressed production and he could drop off a bit (in production) in another system.

Until proven otherwise, Crabtree is the top receiver in the 2009 NFL Draft and will probably get off the board somewhere in the top 10 of the 2009 NFL Draft. The Seattle Seahawks are in the market for a new wide receiver so they will probably be in the market to take Crabtree with their first pick in the draft. If he does slip past them, he won’t slip past them too far.

2. Jeremy Maclin-Missouri-Maclin is another sophomore prospect who is ranked high and has a lot of good potential. Maclin is a dual threat meaning that not only can he play the wide receiver position but he can also come in and return punts and kicks making him very valuable. This “dual ability” gives Maclin a ton of upside. He also has great acceleration, great open field moves and is a hard worker that will never stop learning or trying. His ego won’t get the best of him. He is also someone who won’t be afraid to go over the middle to catch a pass. What might be wrong with Maclin is that he isn’t that experienced but he can counteract that with his ability to learn quickly.

Maclin is a natural talent that will need a little bit of development to reach his fullest potential but this guy has a lot to give and someone is going to get a great player when they draft him. If he proves himself a quick learner, he could leapfrog Crabtree and end up as the number one wide receiver. Depending on team need it’s hard to see Maclin slip out of the top ten but he is most likely to go somewhere between number five and number 15 in the 2009 NFL Draft.

3. Percy Harvin-Florida-Harvin’s entry into the 2009 NFL Draft class was a welcome addition and helped bolster what could promise to one of the best wide receiver classes in recent history. While Harvin didn’t come from a program that aired it out like a Texas Tech, he still has a ton of skill and has shown himself time and again to be a top wide receiver. Harvin has great speed and is a great athlete who can move well and make defenders miss in the open field. He could also be a valuable kickoff and punt return specialist thanks to the speed that he has. The downside to Harvin is that he still needs to learn the position a little bit more and get his route running perfected. He also lacks ideal size and there might be a question or two about his durability.

Harvin could really be a really good wide receiver in the NFL if he lands with the right team and the team has the right scheme for him. He has a ton of potential and could do a lot more than we have seen him do so far in his collegiate career so look for Harvin to end up being a big playmaker in the NFL and one day being selected to the Pro Bowl. Harvin is definitely a first round talent and will probably go somewhere between 15 and 25 in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

4. Darius Heyward-Bey-Maryland-Bey looks to be moving up a lot of teams draft boards and with a good combine performance, Bey could quite catch for any NFL team that wants to take him. The upside to Bey is that he is he is very athletic and one of the more speedy receivers in the draft. Once he breaks into the open field he is difficult to catch from behind. He is a big time playmaker and a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. The downside to Bey is that he is still young and still learning the finer points of playing the wide receiver position and should be able to develop well under the tutelage of a good wide receivers coach. He needs practice but he has a lot of talent and a lot of positive potential.

With good workouts, it’s not impossible to say that Bey may leapfrog into the number two or even the number one spot and become the top wide receiver in this year’s 2009 NFL Draft. He has the skill he just needs to develop it. Look for Bey to go somewhere between 15 and 32 in the 2009 NFL Draft.

5. Kenny Britt-Rutgers-Britt comes in as the fifth rated wide receiver in the 2009 NFL Draft but with the kind of talent he has, he might wind up just a little bit higher (rated) when he it is all said and done. Looking at Britt, you will see that he is very big for the position allowing him to overpower defenders and reach up high enough to snag the ball out of the air. His size also allows him to be a reliable red zone target and the guy that’s going to come up with the jump ball. Britt isn’t afraid to catch passes over the middle either and has the ability to be physical in the passing game. What Britt doesn’t have is overall great speed and won’t burn anybody. He also has some of the same “thinking” that NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson have and that could raise a red flag with some NFL scouts.

Britt has a ton of talent but lacks the overall speed that many would like to see in someone who has first round talent. If he can do decent in his workouts and interviews, he could slip into the middle to later half of the first round in the 2009 NFL Draft. Right now, he looks like an early second round pick.

By Bryan Dietzler

2009 NFL Draft Top 5 Prospects: The Running Backs

While the quarterbacks eligible for the 2009 NFL draft aren’t as spectacular as seasons past, the running back group appears to be fairly solid at the top and middle with little additional depth beyond the fifth round. The big names this season include such stars and potential stars as Knowshon Moreno, Shonn Greene and Donald Brown. These players, along with a few others, make up the best players at the running back position in the 2009 NFL Draft.

The following is a look at the top five running backs, at this time, in the 2009 NFL Draft.

1. Knowshon Moreno-Georgia-Moreno is an early entrant into the draft this season but promises to be the best back in the 2009 NFL Draft when it is all said and done. Looking at Moreno’s upside, you will see that he has big game talent and performs well almost 100% of the time. He is always a threat to break the big one and combines speed with power and quickness as well as an ability to cut back and get to the open hole. Moreno has quick acceleration and sees the field very well. What he lacks is ideal size for his position although his size isn’t bad. There are also some questions surrounding his durability that he will need to answer that question before the draft.

Right now, Moreno is the top running back in the draft until someone else steps up to prove differently but right now, it’s hard to see anyone else taking the top spot. Look for Moreno to be the first running back selected somewhere between ten and 20 in the 2009 NFL Draft.

2. Chris Wells-Ohio State-Wells is being looked at by a lot of teams to provide some good power running that will keep the ball moving ala the New York Giant’s Brandon Jacobs. Wells does have his critics however and will have to prove that he is ready for the NFL as he hasn’t been able to remain healthy that much during his career at Ohio State. The upside to Wells is that he is a powerful runner who gives tacklers fits (when trying to bring him to the ground). He runs through arm tackles easily and keeps his legs moving all the time. Wells can move quickly through the line of scrimmage and can usually pick up extra yardage after the first hit. What Wells lacks is durability. He was injured at times during the last season and will have to prove that he will remain healthy enough to play a full season in the NFL. Wells also didn’t catch too many passes and catching passes out of the backfield is big in the NFL. He will have to prove that he can do that as well.

Wells is an interesting prospect who has a lot to prove before being drafted high (in the 1st round). If he can prove that he can stay healthy and catch the ball coming out of the backfield, he should be able to increase his stock and earn a 1st round grade. Look for Wells to go somewhere from number 15 to number 25 in the 2009 NFL Draft.

3. LeSean McCoy-Pittsburgh-Deciding to come out early may not hurt McCoy as bad as some experts think and he is poised to be one of the better running backs in the NFL over the next few seasons. He had a very good season and that will act as a springboard for getting him into the pros. What McCoy brings to the NFL is the ability to be a big play back with good skill and great mechanics. He has good feet and is able to make defenders miss. He also has the speed to maintain the run and has the breakaway speed needed to get through the secondary and get into the end zone. Some will criticize McCoy’s size but he more than makes up for it and that shouldn’t be an issue. Also, he isn’t a power back and isn’t going to break too many tackles. There are also some questions about his durability.

McCoy has a ton of talent and it’s hard to imagine him not being taken in the first round. With good workouts, he could easily push into the middle of the first round and may even leapfrog Wells in the order that running backs are the top backs in the draft right now. Look for McCoy to go somewhere in the top 20 to 30 of the draft as it stands right now or, with good workouts, go somewhere between 15 and 25.

4. Donald Brown-Connecticut- Brown comes out at a good time after having a great season at UConn. He has caught the attention of many NFL Scouts and has a promising future in the NFL. When you first see Brown run, you will see that he is a shifty back who has the moves to get through the line and the speed to accelerate in the open field. He can make defenders miss and can cut back very well. He is quick off the snap and before you know it, he’s through the line and gone. What he lacks is ideal size but he is not overly small for the position. He also needs to think a little faster on his feet and make better decisions. But he is a star in waiting.

Brown will be dependent on good workouts with scouts and at the combine in order to advance his stock in the 2009 NFL Draft but he has talent and could be taken somewhere in the bottom of the first to the top of the second round. And don’t expect him to go away once drafted as he could turn out to have a good career and be a Pro Bowl running back in the NFL.

5. Shonn Greene-University of Iowa-Greene burst onto the scene last season and was one of the biggest reasons why the Hawkeyes did as well as they did in 2008. Greene is a hard charging game changer who could be one of the best backs in the 2009 NFL Draft. He runs with a lot of power, always keeping his legs moving allowing him to break tackles and get loose from arm tackles. Once he gets his legs going he is hard to bring down and will punish would be tacklers. He is also durable and can carry the ball over the long haul. Green is a bruiser in the mold of Brandon Jacobs. What he lacks is experience playing the position. He was only a one year starter with Iowa which means that teams don’t have a lot to go on and will have to do a lot of looking before the draft. He is also not a well developed receiver out of the backfield which could hurt his stock some.

Right now, it’s safe to assume that Greene is a good high second round pick. If teams see that he is going to be very productive and can catch the ball coming out of the backfield, it’s not bad to say that he could slip into the bottom of the first round.

By Bryan Dietzler

2009 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.1

The Super Bowl is over and teams have almost completed hiring head coaches so the NFL Draft starts to come into a bigger focus. We already know some of the players who won’t be back with their 2008 team and know what each team needs in terms of players for next season.

Some things have changed since my last mock draft. The full listing of junior and eligible sophomore prospects has become available now and it’s a lot easier to determine who is coming out this year and who might go where in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Let’s take a look at my latest mock draft for the week after the Super Bowl:

1. Detroit Lions-Matthew Stafford-QB-Georgia-With Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford out of the picture, Stafford becomes the number one quarterback in the draft and the Lion’s best choice to start rebuilding.

2. St. Louis Rams-Andre Smith-OT-Alabama-Smith would be the guy who could come in and start to replace aging and often injured Orlando Pace. He definitely has a ton of talent.

3. Kansas City Chiefs-Mark Sanchez-QB-USC-This might come as a surprise to some people but Sanchez has a lot of talent and a lot of opportunity. The Chief’s could really use someone like Sanchez as well.

4. Seattle Seahawks-Michael Crabtree-WR-Texas Tech-Seattle could go for a quarterback here but the need help at the wide receiver position more than they do a quarterback.

5. Cleveland Browns-Aaron Curry-ILB-Wake Forest-The Brows will need someone who can work well as a 3-4 outside linebacker and Curry would work nicely in Mangini’s defense.

6. Cincinnati Bengals-Michael Oher-OT-Ole Miss-Pass protection is key and keeping quarterback Carson Palmer healthy should be a top priority and adding Oher would help.

7. Oakland Raiders-Eugene Monroe-OT-Virginia-The Oakland offensive line is a mess so adding some help at the tackle position would be a step in the right direction.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars-Jason Smith-OT-Baylor-We saw just how bad the Jaguars offensive line was last season so getting help there is a must.

9. Green Bay Packers-Malcolm Jenkins-CB-Ohio State-The Packers had injury issues in the secondary last season and need to get some fresh blood in there. Jenkins is their type of guy.

10. San Francisco 49ers-Everette Brown-DE/OLB-Florida State-The 49ers need to generate a pass rush from their defensive line and Brown, who has excelled at rushing the passer, could be the one that helps them do that.

11. Buffalo Bills-Brian Orakpo-DE-Texas-Buffalo may look to get a wide receiver here but pass pressure is paramount and Orakpo can deliver.

12. Denver Broncos-Rey Maualuga-ILB-USC-The Broncos could use the help and Maualuga can deliver.

13. Washington Redskins-B.J. Raji-DT-Boston College-Getting some pressure on the opposing quarterback has been an issue in Washington. It’s finally time to take care of that by taking Raji here.

14. New Orleans Saints-James Laurinaitis-ILB-Ohio State-The Saints need either a good linebacker or a cornerback to help shore up some of their issues on defense. If Laurinaitis is available, they should take him without a second thought.

15. Houston Texans-Vontae Davis-CB-Illinois-The Texans could use a shut down corner to help out with their pass defense. Davis has potential and could fit in quite nicely.

16. San Diego Chargers-Chris Wells-RB-Ohio State-With LaDanlian Tomlinson’s future up in the air, it’s time the Chargers started looking ahead and with Wells their running game just might get better.

17. New York Jets-Knowshon Moreno-RB-Georgia-Thomas Jones isn’t getting any younger and a good one two back punch would really be beneficial here. However, the new head coach, defensive minded Rex Ryan, may look to add a defender here.

18. Chicago Bears-Jeremy Maclin-WR-Missouri-The Bears may go a couple different routes here but getting someone with Maclin’s ability and potential would really help their offense.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Eben Britton-OT-Arizona-With age a factor on the offensive line, getting Britton would be a huge help at the tackle position.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)-Duke Robinson-OG-Oklahoma-The Lions need to protect their quarterback and get someone who can be a road grader in the running game. Robinson is their man.

21. Philadelphia Eagles-Brandon Pettigrew-TE-Oklahoma State-The Eagles need someone a little more reliable than Greg Lewis and Pettigrew is one of the best talents at the tight end position in the draft.

22. Minnesota Vikings-Josh Freeman-QB-Kansas State-Sure they have Tavaris Jackson but they might see a much bigger upside to Freeman and take him to build their future upon.

23. New England Patriots-D.J. Moore-CB-Vanderbilt-The departure of Asante Samuel didn’t do anything good for the Patriots so look for them to be in the market for a good cornerback in this draft.

24. Atlanta Falcons-Peria Jerry-DT-Ole Miss-The Falcons can run the ball well enough but they have a hard time stopping the run. Jerry would be an excellent fit for them.

25. Miami Dolphins-Michael Johnson-DE-Georgia Tech-The loss of Jason Taylor did hurt their pass rush so adding a pass rusher should be paramount.

26. Baltimore Ravens-Percy Harvin-WR-Florida-The Ravens desperately need help at the wide receiver position and Harvin should be around for them to pick.

27. Indianapolis Colts-Brian Cushing-OLB-USC-The Colts will look to beef up a bit on defense so look for them to try Cushing at outside linebacker and give their defense a boost.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)-Ciron Black-OT-LSU-The Eagles could use some help on the offensive line and Black is creeping up many draft boards.

29. New York Giants-Fili Moala-DT-USC-The Giants needed some help on the defensive line even before Osi Umenyiora went out for the season and Moala would be an interesting addition.

30. Tennessee Titans-Darius Heyward-Bey-WR-Maryland-If the Titans had a serious threat in the passing game that would give their offense yet another dimension that may push them over the top. Bey is the kind of player that can be a great game changer.

31. Arizona Cardinals-Shonn Greene-RB-Iowa-If Edgerrin James leaves the Cardinals need to get a good running back and could use a bruiser like Greene.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers-Alex Mack-C-California-The Steelers need to make some adjustments on their offensive line and Mack would be a step in the right direction.

2009 NFL Top 25 Free Agents Overall

3 February 2009

1. DT Albert Haynesworth. Age-28 ~ One of the top 2 defensive tackles in the NFL, Albert can play in any system but is ideal for the 4-3 which most teams still use as their base defense. The guy can do it all and is the premier free agent regardless of position this off season.
Possible Suitors - Titans, Broncos, Bucs, Lions

2. CB Nnamdi Asomugha. Age-28 ~ This guy doesn't get nearly the recognition he deserves playing for the dismal Raiders organization. Playing one of the most important positions in the league this guy will garner serious money and will be well worth it, he's one of the select "shutdown" corners we have in the league right now.
Possible Suitors - Chiefs, 49ers, Lions

3. DE/OLB - Julius Peppers. Age-29 ~ Yes, I put OLB next to Julius Peppers name and that's because he has said he wants to play in that defense as a rush linebacker. Can you imagine this guy playing OLB in the 3-4? I know offensive coordinators will dread the day that something like this happens. A 6'7 290lb freak who runs a sub 4.5 coming off the edge will give quarterbacks who face him the eebee jeebees.
Possible Suitors - Bucs, Cardinals, Broncos, Chiefs, Texans

4. DE/OLB Terrell Suggs. Age-26 ~ Suggs has been nothing but consistent since entering the league as a top 10 pick in 2003. Playing in the 3-4 his whole career, he also has the capabilities to play in the 4-3, and in todays NFL versatility is paramount.
Possible Suitors - Ravens, Dolphins, Cardinals, Chiefs, Bills

5. RB Brandon Jacobs. Age-27 ~ "Rhino" as i like to call him , Jacobs could very easily be ranked a spot or two higher, but the fact that the Giants won't let this guy go anywhere give him the #5 slot. At 6'4" 260lbs this is the guy linebackers in the NFL least want to tackle, probably because he is every bit as big as almost all of them. This guy brings an edge to your offense that nobody else in the league can bring.
Possible Suitors - Giants

6. QB Kurt Warner. Age-38 ~ A guy who is up in age, but obviously still one of the very best at his position. Warner could give a team a good year or two of excellent production but the Cardinals would be insane to let him walk, so assume he is going to retire in Arizona.
Possible Suitors - Cardinals, Bears, Vikings, 49ers

7. LB Ray Lewis. Age-34 ~ The "Godfather of the NFL" Ray Lewis will instantly make your entire defensive unit respectable. The things he will bring not only on the field, but off the field as well will command tons of money. I still can't imagine the Ravens letting this guy go. If the Cowboys or Redskins throw an ungodly amount of cash his way, Lewis is one of the few players in my mind that won't jump at that. Ray will want to go to a team that he knows will be among the elite, sorry Dallas.
Possible Suitors - Ravens, Broncos, Dolphins, Chargers, Cowboys

8. WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Age-31 ~ T.J. has been in Chad Johnson's shadow his whole career and wants to have a legit go around as a number one guy. The Giants are the first team that comes to mind with this guy if Plex is ineligible next season. Housh is a possession receiver who can bring toughness and consistency to your receiving core, but has had some questionable attitude problems in his career.
Possible Suitors - Bengals, Giants, 49ers, Titans

9. OT Jordan Gross. Age-29 ~ Jordan can play either left or right tackle and be a top 5-7 guy at each position. This guy will be the most sought after offensive lineman this year due to his ability to protect both a right and left hander's blindside.

10. G Jahri Evans. Age-26 ~ Evans is only 26 and never has missed a game in his career(48 games). Evans has been excellent with the Saints, getting better every year and plays with great technique. Teams will be all over this guy, none more then his current team the Saints.
Possible Suitors - Saints, Jaguars, Bengals, 49ers, Cowboys

11. C Jason Brown. Age-26 ~ Brown is a rising star at the center position and was the achor behind the Ravens dynamic rushing attack this season. Brown most likely isn't going anywhere but will have plenty of teams courting him for his services.
Possible Suitors - Ravens, Dolphins, Bills

12. TE Owen Daniels. Age-26 ~ Daniels is one of the most underrated tight ends playing the game today. He had 800+ yards receiving this past season and will only get better with age. This guy is in the mold of a Heath Miller or a Chris Cooley and is one of the top 6 tight ends playing today.
Possible Suitors - Texans, Falcons, Bengals, Lions

13. LB Karlos Dansby. Age-27 ~ Dansby can play middle or outside and is extremely athletic. A guy with his range and playmaking ability will be tough for Arizona to keep without a fight.
Possible Suitors - Cardinals, Lions, Rams, Falcons

14. LB LeRoy Hill. Age-26 ~ Hill is a speedy linebacker with underrated toughness. This guy can really lay the wood and if he gets into a cover-2 scheme will thrive.
Possible Suitors - Seahawks, Rams, Giants, Eagles

15. WR Lance Moore. Age-26 ~ Moore really burst onto the scene this past season under Sean Payton. This is a receiver who could be used in many different ways and will be a headache for a defensive coordinator due to his speed and keen route running. Only 5'9" Moore reminds me of Wes Welker and can make a big impact somewhere.
Possible Suitors - Saints, Bucs, Lions, Titans, 49ers

16. WR Antonio Bryant. Age-28 ~ Bryant has been such an up and down player his entire career and still needs to prove he can be a trusted teammate. Blessed with all the talent in the world, he has great hands and great athleticism with only average top end speed. Tampa will do everything it can to bring him back because he finally seems to found somewhere he is comfortable.
Possible Suitors - Bucs, Titans, Bears, Lions

17. LB Jonathan Vilma. Age-27 ~ Vilma stayed healthy for the Saints this season and was solid. He can still make plays using his great athleticism and big hitting ability. The Saints haven't had this from a linebacker in ages, so don't expect them to let him go anywhere.
Possible Suitors - Saints, Dolphins, Lions, Texans, Rams, Cowboys

18. CB Kelvin Hayden. Age-26 ~ A team looking for a young corner that has great ball skills will come calling for this guy. Playing in the cover-2 his whole career hurts his status, but this guy makes too many plays to be ignored. He is a poor man's Asante Samuel in that regard, and he hasn't reached his potential yet.
Possible Suitors - Colts, Bucs, Dolphins, Lions, Browns

19. RB Darren Sproles. Age-26 ~ Sproles brings versatility not only in the run game but the return game as well. An offensive coordinator who likes to get creative and have specific packages for certain guys will absolutely love this little spark plug type of player.
Possible Suitors - Chargers, Broncos, Patriots, Chiefs

20. C Jeff Saturday. Age-34 ~ Saturday is one of the best centers in the NFL, and appears to be breaking down a little bit physically. His age concerns me but a contender looking for a temporary fix at the center position look no further then this guy.

21. S Jermaine Phillips. Age-30 ~ Jermaine has had two season ending injuries in back to back seasons but still remains intriguing for a team needing a hard hitting playmaker in the secondary. With the safety position getting so much attention this season, Phillips is in luck.
Possible Suitors - Bucs, Bears, Broncos, Falcons

22. CB Dominique Foxworth. Age-26 ~ Dominique was a nickel in Denver for a couple seasons before getting a chance to become the #1 guy in Atlanta. He excelled this past season when he finally got to start and displayed great coverage ability. Teams can't get enough corners so a team will likely overpay for a fairly unproven player such as Foxworth.
Possible Suitors - Falcons, Ravens, Raiders, Patriots, Lions

23. OT Vernon Carey. Age-28 ~ Carey can play both tackle positions and will be highly sought after by a lot of teams due to the simple fact of the importance of the position. Carey is an athletic guy for his size and has started 48 consecutive games.
Possible Suitors - Dolphins, Lions, 49ers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Cowboys

24. DE Chris Canty. Age-26 ~ Canty is a huge 3-4 DE and with the league's affinity for this defense, his position is extremely valuable and also very overlooked. Canty will be one of the most solid pickups for a team this off-season if he bolts Dallas(I would).
Possible Suitors - Cowboys, Broncos, Packers, 49ers

25. LB Bryant McFadden. Age-27 ~ McFadden did a solid job covering Anquan Boldin in the Super Bowl and was even more solid throughout the season for the Steelers despite suffering a broken arm. Bryant likely isn't going anywhere but is a very physical corner who does everything well and only lacks great speed. I'm excited to see how much better this guy gets in the next couple seasons.
Possible Suitors - Steelers, Dolphins, Patriots, Browns, Lions


Bonus Players:
CB Phillip Buchanon. Age-28 ~ Good cover corner who has developed admirable skills against the run, the Bucs turned him into a willing hitter.
LB Bart Scott. Age-29 ~ Scott has had the benefit of playing next to Ray Lewis in his career, so his ability is in question but still is a very intriguing player.

By Brandon Thorn