Mock Draft 1.2

The 2009 NFL Scouting Combine is upon us and we will soon see a lot of movement not only in many mock drafts but in many team draft boards. Not a lot has changed since the Senior Bowl but with free agency coming teams will start fill needs there and then adjust to fill their other needs in the draft.

The following is a look at this writer’s latest mock draft for middle of February.

1. Detroit Lions-Matthew Stafford-QB-Georgia-This pick never seems to change but could with the combine coming up.

2. St. Louis Rams-Andre Smith-OT-Alabama-Smith is a cornerstone player who will set the tone for the offensive line in St. Louis for many years to come.

3. Kansas City Chiefs-Brian Orapko-DE-Texas-Defense is what the Chiefs need and taking someone who can rush the passer, like Orapko, would be huge for them and the defense.

4. Seattle Seahawks-Michael Crabtree-WR-Texas Tech-Seattle’s issues at the wide receiver position are well known and Crabtree would help them get past some of these problems and help them build an improved offense.

5. Cleveland Browns-Aaron Curry-OLB-Wake Forest-They could go inside or outside at this position so it could be Curry or Maualuga here at number five.

6. Cincinnati Bengals-Eugene Monroe-LT-Virginia-The Bengals need help on both the offensive and defensive line but will get more bang for their buck with Monroe.

7. Oakland Raiders-Jason Smith-OT-Baylor-The Raiders could go a few different ways here, wide receiver or defensive end but taking a tackle is a much bigger solution to an even bigger problem.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars-Michael Oher-OT-Mississippi-After last year’s offensive line debacle, the Jaguars could use someone to solidify their offensive line. Oher could be there for them.

9. Green Bay Packers-B.J. Raji-DT-Boston College-The Packers might think wide receiver here but upgrading an ailing defensive line takes priority here.

10. San Francisco 49ers-Everette Brown-DE-Florida State-The 49ers need a pass rush and Brown, who should be here at number 10 when they pick, can help give them that and much more.

11. Buffalo Bills-Jeremy Maclin-WR-Missouri-Buffalo could get a cornerback here or quite possibly a linebacker but Maclin would be a great match with Lee Evans on the other side.

12. Denver Broncos-Brian Cushing-OLB-USC-With some need at linebacker, look for either Cushing or Maualuga to go here.

13. Washington Redskins-Malcolm Jenkins-CB-Ohio State-Someone to play on the other side of DeAngelo Hall is a must.

14. New Orleans Saints-Vontae Davis-CB-Illinois-Vontae Davis could dub as a cornerback or a safety and the Saints need help with both.

15. Houston Texans-Chris Wells-RB-Ohio State-Adding a power runner to the offense would help make this team build a powerful offensive attack. Steve Slayton and Chris Wells would give them a potent one two punch.

16. San Diego Chargers-Rey Maualuga-ILB-USC-With Shawne Merriman coming back to help anchor one of the outside spots, it would be great if the Chargers could get someone to help them on the inside.

17. New York Jets-Mark Sanchez-QB-USC-The Jets are showing a lot of interest in Sanchez, a guy who could probably come in and start for the right away.

18. Chicago Bears-Eben Britton-OT-Arizona-The Bears could go for a wide receiver or a defensive end here but they need the most help on the offensive line.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Tyson Jackson-DE-LSU-Tampa needs to generate a pass rush and add some youth to their defensive line. Jackson could fit the bill quite nicely.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)-James Laurinaitis-OLB-Ohio State-Laurinaitis will drop a bit but the Lions could really use his talent.

21. Philadelphia Eagles-Brandon Pettigrew-TE-Oklahoma State-L.J. Smith just isn’t cutting it and the Eagles could use another pass catcher. Pettigrew would be a good fit here.

22. Minnesota Vikings-Alex Mack-C-California-Losing Matt Birk will hurt and Mack would be worth taking at this point in the draft.

23. New England Patriots-Clint Sintim-Virginia-The Patriots will want to bolster their defense and Sintim is the kind of guy that Bill Belichick will love.

24. Atlanta Falcons-Peria Jerry-DT-Mississippi-The Falcons could use some punch up front on the defensive line and Jerry could be just what the doctor ordered.

25. Miami Dolphins-Clay Matthews-OLB-USC-Matthews has all the makings of a good linebacker and is Bill Parcells kind of guy. He would be a good fit in Miami.

26. Baltimore Ravens-Aaron Maybin-DE-Penn State-Yes, the Ravens could use a wide receiver here but youth on defense is important so adding a defensive end/linebacker like Maybin may just be what they need.

27. Indianapolis Colts-Knowshon Moreno-RB-Georgia-This might be a smart move by the Colts in grabbing their future running back now instead of waiting.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)-D.J. Moore-CB-Vanderbilt-They could use someone to compliment Asante Samuel on the other side.

29. New York Giants-Darius Heyward Bey-WR-Maryland-While there may be some questions about Bey’s ability to run routes, he has the speed that the Giants will like in the passing game.

30. Tennessee Titans-Kenny Britt-WR-Rutgers-The Titans could use a quick receiver to help them stretch the field and improve their passing game. Britt should be available when they pick here.

31. Arizona Cardinals-LeSean McCoy-RB-Pittsburgh-The Cardinals may want to get rid of a problem with Edgerrin James and will definitely need a runner to replace him.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers-Max Unger-C-Oregon-The Steelers need help on the offensive line and Unger could play tackle or center. This would really help the Steelers out.

By Bryan Dietzler

Top 32 Prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft

1. Aaron Curry Sr. LB Wake Forest
2. Jason Smith Sr. OT Baylor
3. Michael Crabtree So. WR Texas Tech
4. Brian Orakpo Sr. DE Texas
5. B.J. Raji Sr. DT Boston College
6. Matthew Stafford Jr. QB Georgia
7. Percy Harvin Jr. WR Florida
8. Eugene Monroe Sr. OT Virginia
9. Jeremy Maclin So. WR Missouri
10. Brian Cushing Sr. LB USC
11. Brandon Pettigrew Sr. TE Oklahoma St.
12. Clay Matthews Sr. LB USC
13. Knowshown Moreno So. RB Georgia
14. Everette Brown Jr. DE Florida St
15. Mark Sanchez Jr. QB USC
16. Malcolm Jenkins Sr. CB Ohio State
17. Darius Heyward-Bey, Jr. WR, Maryland
18. Chris "Beanie" Wells Sr. RB Ohio St.
19. Aaron Maybin So. DE Penn St
20. Peria Jerry Sr. DT Mississippi
21. Tyson Jackson Sr. DE LSU
22. Donald Brown Jr. RB Connecticut
23. Hakeem Nicks Jr. WR North Carolina
24. Andre Smith Jr. OT Alabama
25. Alex Mack Sr. C California
26. Connor Barwin Sr. OLB Cincinnati
26. Tyson Jackson Sr. DE, LSU
27. Kenny Britt Jr. WR Rutgers
28. Robert Ayers Sr. DE Tennessee
29. Jamon Meredith Sr. OT South Carolina
30. Darius Butler Sr. CB Connecticut
31. Brian Robiskie Sr. WR Ohio State
32. Jared Cook Jr. TE South Carolina

The 2009 NFL Draft Top 5 Series: Defensive Tackles

Like a few other positions in the 2009 NFL Draft, the defensive tackle position is one that might be kind of heavy at the top then it trails off a little bit after that. This draft will feature some of the better defensive tackles to come out in a while though and so those teams that manage to land one of these guys will have a solid career and be an All-Pro someday. There are some that have a lot of upside and some of these guys will be found in the middle to later rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft. Some of these athletes will be guys that you hear about every Sunday in the NFL.

The following is a look at the top five defensive tackles in the 2009 NFL Draft.

1. B.J. Raji-Boston College-Hands down, Raji is the best defensive tackle in the 2009 NFL Draft and with some good offseason workouts he is continuing to prove to scouts that he may be worth of a top ten selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. Raji brings a lot to the table in terms of talent at the defensive tackle position. His body shape is ideal and he is quick and moves up and down the line well. He is explosive off the snap and can move up the field quickly. At the combine, Raji came in weighing 337 pounds and stood at 6’1 ½”. He ran a 5.13 40 yard dash and did 33 reps on the bench giving scouts a good impression. Raji will be able to not only fill the running lanes but also be able to rush the passer because of this ability to get up the field in a hurry. The downside to Raji is that some may question his intelligence after having struggled in school but did manage to improve himself overall. Technically he is pretty sound and should be able to fit in well with any team that drafts him.

Raji is clearly the best defensive tackle in the 2009 NFL Draft and will be selected pretty early, quite possibly in the top ten of the draft. He will also be a Pro Bowl player in the future with the skill that he has.

2. Evander Hood-Missouri-Coming out of the shadows, so to speak, is Missouri’s Evander Hood a player who has the potential to have a very good career in the NFL. The biggest strength that Hood possesses is his athletic ability. For his size, he is a very good athlete (at the combine he ran a 4.89 40 yard dash coming in at 300 pounds) and can get up the field quickly. He has remained solid and hasn’t missed too many games during his time at Missouri leaving many to think that he will be a steady and reliable player in the NFL. The downside to Hood is that he hasn’t really lived up to his full potential in college and this worries some. In the NFL, he will really have to step it up.

Hood is a great prospect and one that teams will be looking at heavily leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft and he should be the running to be the second overall defensive tackle taken in the 2009 NFL Draft and could be taken in the first round but won’t last past the first part of the second round if he isn’t taken in the first round.

3. Peria Jerry-Ole Miss-Some may argue that Jerry is the second best rated defensive lineman in the 2009 NFL Draft but he comes in a close third to Hood thanks to his problems with staying healthy during his time with Ole Miss and this has raised some questions with NFL scouts. What Jerry has to offer is the ability to not only play the run well but rush the passer also making him very valuable. He is build well for the position and has good size (at the combine he came in standing 6’ 1 ¾” and weighed 299 pounds) and should be able to play tough in the NFL. The downside, as mentioned, is his injury history and this might cause a few teams to pass on him initially in the draft. Also, while he has good size for the position, Jerry could stand to gain a few pounds. If he can do that he could be that much better in the NFL at the defensive tackle position.

Jerry is a promising prospect who has a lot to prove to NFL scouts in order to be selected at a much higher position than perhaps he should be drafted at. If he can prove that he can remain healthy, look for Jerry to go somewhere in the bottom of the first to early second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

4. Fili Moala-USC-Moala comes in as one of the most intriguing prospects at the defensive tackle position in the 2009 NFL Draft and could be one of the most promising of the tackle prospects. Coming from a program that had a strong defense last year, Moala brings great versatility along with the size that is nearly ideal for the position (at the combine, Moala came in standing 6’4” and weighed 304 pounds. He ran a 5.10 40 and had 25 reps on the bench press) although he could add some additional weight to help keep him from getting pushed around by heavier offensive linemen. Moala is also very quick off the snap and can get up the field in a hurry. The downside to Moala is that while he played in a top defense, he didn’t play as well as he quite possibly could have and wasn’t the dominating player that you would have expected him to be in such a good defense. He needs to play with a little more intensity as well.

If Moala can put all the pieces together and play more aggressively, he could have a fine career in the NFL. His size is impressive and will impress a lot of NFL scouts especially those who are looking for a bigger defensive tackle with speed. Look for Moala to go somewhere in the second to third round, most likely in the bottom of the second round and have a good NFL career.

5. Sen Derrick Marks-Auburn-Some experts think that deciding to come out a year early may not have been the best idea for Marks but he is showing his value and should be one of the more sought after defensive tackles in the 2009 NFL Draft. Marks is sized pretty well (at the combine he came in standing 6’1 ¾” and weighed 306 pounds. He also ran a 5.08 40). Marks is quick off the snap and is able to free himself of blockers quickly and effectively and has the quickness to pursue the play from sideline to sideline. He is a good run defender as well. The downside to Marks is that he is coming off what many consider to be a poor junior season leaving some to wonder why he even decided to come out a year early. He also needs to work on his mechanics and gain a little bit of weight.

Having a poor junior season didn’t help Mark’s cause that much and he won’t be a first or perhaps even a second round talent in the 2009 NFL Draft so expect Marks to go somewhere in the early part of the third round or, at the highest, the very bottom of the second round. I think that he is one of the real question marks going into the 2009 NFL Draft but could quite possibly have a fine career in the NFL.

By Bryan Dietzler

Some NFL Draft Prospects Improve their Draft Stock with Good Pro Day Workouts

Big money is on the line and careers are at stake in the workouts leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft. Some players are able to get faster and stronger with additional training and others appear to only be treading water.

Penn State Outside Linebacker Aaron Maybin is in the category of the faster and stronger as he greatly improved his times at Penn State's Pro Day. At the NFL Scouting combine he ran a mediocre 4.88 forty and at his Pro Day he ran a couple 4.64 and 4.71 second forty yard dashes. He also measured in at 6' 4" 250 pounds and executed a nice 40 inch vertical jump (VJ). He (Maybin) is only a sophomore and he will have to learn a new position converting from defensive end in college to an outside linebacker in the NFL, but Maybin is as explosive as they come and could give an NFL team a DeMarcus Ware type pass rush.

Penn State's WR Derrick Williams has seen his draft stock plummet from an early second rounder to a 4th or 5th rounder after a horrible 4.62 forty at the combine. However he might have jumped a round after a very good workout at his Pro Day. Williams ran two forties at 4.47 and 4.50 and had a very nice 6.96 second 3-cone time. On film he looks fast though and he has been a playmaker for Penn State for three years.

Virginia Tech's CB Victor (Macho) Harris (5' 11" 197 lbs) has also seen his draft stock plummet. Remember entering the 2008 college football season many had Macho as a possible first round selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. During the season he struggled covering speedy receivers and at the NFL Scouting Combine he ran a pathetic 4.63 second forty. Even though he has great instincts and is a solid tackler, I doubt many NFL teams would call his number before the 6th round with that questionable speed. Will the real Macho Harris please stand up? At his Pro Day the quick corner of yesteryear emerged, Harris ran a very nice 4.46/4.50 forty and had a lightening quick 4 second short-shuttle time. Is it home field advantage or did he just have a bad combine?

Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno wasn't able to improve his 40 time from the combine. He ran a 4.60 forty and confirmed the fact that he isn't a home run hitter. That's fine though, Moreno runs hard and strong, can break tackles and cut on a dime, he reminds me of former Cowboy Emmit Smith. Reportedly the Chargers are going to bring hm in for a private workout.

Vanderbilt's DJ Moore (5' 9" 184 lbs) is another enigma. On film he looks very fast, but under the stop watch he isn't impressive. Due to average foot speed he has probably slipped from a late first rounder to a late second rounder. He ran a 4.53 at the combine and a 4.57 during his Pro Day workout. Also, his 7.00 second time in the 3-cone drill wasn't overly quick or explosive.

Pro Day Workout Warriors for the 2009 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is fast approaching (April 25th) and the Pro Day workouts are about half over. As expected, the workout numbers were very good for most, and the following prospects have greatly improved their draft stock with excellent workouts. (In no particular order):

CB Reggie Jones, (6' 0" 193 lbs) Portland State: Ran an excellent 4.43 (forty yard dash).

LB Mark Rivera, (6' 2" 245 lbs) Kansas: 4.63 forty.

S Patrick Chung, (5' 11" 209 lbs) Oregon: Looked great in the positional drills.

WR Jaison Williams, (6' 5" 231lbs) Oregon: 4.48 and 6.94 second 3-cone time.

DB Kevin Barnes, (6' 1" 184lbs) Maryland: 4.45 forty and a 41" vertical jump (VJ).

WR Austin Collie, (6' 1" 196 lbs) BYU: 4.53 forty.

CB Jamar Love, (6' 0" 191 lbs) Arkansas: 4.35 forty, 6.88 second 3-cone.

DE Michael Johnson, (6' 6" 266 lbs) Georgia Tech: 4.61 forty.

OT Andrew Gardner, (6' 6" 314 lbs) Georgia Tech: 4.96-4.99 forty.

S Colt Anderson, (5' 10 194 lbs) Montana: 4.53 forty, 6.88 second 3-cone.

CB Brice McCain, (5' 9" 181 lbs) Utah: 4.33-4.34 forty.

S Sean Smith, (6' 3" 209 lbs) Utah: 4.47 forty, 32" vertical jump (VJ), 9' 5" broad jump (BJ).

WR Ed Gant, (6' 1" 197 lbs) North Alabama: 4.41 forty, 6.77 second 3-cone.

WR Jarrett Byers, (6' 0" 191 lbs) Northeastern: 4.42-4.47 forty.

WR Julio Pruitt, (6' 2" 208 lbs) Quachito Baptist College: 4.40-4.42 forty.

WR Dudley Guice, (6' 3" 209 lbs) Northwestern State: 4.40-4.43 forty, 6.61 second 3-cone, 6.61 second 3-cone, 39" VJ and 10' 5" BJ.

C Blake Schlueter, (6' 2" 290 lbs) TCU: 4.70 forty.

S Williams Moore, (6' 0" 221 lbs) Missouri: 4.49-4.51 forty.

CB Sherrod Martin, (6' 0" 187 lbs) Troy: 4.46-4.49 forty.

RB Rashad Jennings, (6' 2" 213 lbs) Liberty: 4.52 forty, 6.79 second 3-cone.

QB Stephen McGee (6' 3" 222 lbs) Texas A&M: Ran a 4.66 forty and looked spectacular in his throwing drills.

DB D.J. Clark (6' 1" 200 lbs) Idaho State: Ran a 4.52 forty and 6.91 second 3-cone. Clark recorded 15 career interceptions and was a second team All Big Sky selection.

TE Darius Hill, (6' 7" 246 lbs) Ball State: 4.74 forty.

RB Chris (Beanie) Wells, (6' 2" 235 lbs) Ohio State: 4.40 forty.

LB Marcus Freeman, (6' 1" 241 lbs) Ohio State: 4.48-4.50 forty.

LB James Laurinaits, (6' 2" 243 lbs) Ohio State: Ran a mediocre 4.80 at the combine, but looked much quicker at his pro day running a 4.72 forty.

The last major Pro Day will be Southern California's (USC) on 2 April 2009.

The 2009 NFL Draft Top Five Series: Defensive Ends

While the 2009 NFL Draft looks as if it’s going to be a little light in some areas, at the top of the draft, it is stacked with good quality defensive ends at the top and then it starts to go downhill a little bit after the first three rounds. Teams will want to get one of the defensive ends mentioned here early as all of them have the capability to be an impact player in their first season of play.
The following is a listing of the top five players at the defensive end position in the 2009 NFL Draft.

1. Brian Orakpo-Texas-Some might question the decision to put Orakpo at the head of this group but looking at what he has to offer when compared to the others, Orakpo should be the most obvious choice in this instance. He is very athletic and has the speed to not only get up the field and rush the quarterback but also keep containment on the outside and chance down running backs. He could work in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive alignment making him one of the most versatile defensive ends in the draft. His production was solid in his senior season and so he will carry over that production and intensity into the NFL where he should excel. Granted, he didn’t have a spectacular combine (pulling up after the 40 with a sore hamstring. He came in at 6’3, weighed 263. He had a 4.7 40 and did pretty well in the vertical leap and the bench press. The downside to Orakpo is that he hasn’t been as consistent as some would like to see and he has had some injury problems that have caused him issues before as well. Orakpo’s size is somewhat in question but he doesn’t look like an outside linebacker in the pros. He is also weak against the run.

With Florida State’s Everett Brown nipping at his heels, Orakpo may not keep his spot as the number one defensive end in the 2009 NFL Draft much longer. He’s a great prospect with a lot of potential but some of the question marks surrounding him he is going to go to a team that really needs him and not necessarily one that “wants” him. It looks like he might be a better 3-4 defensive lineman and play outside linebacker but he really should stick to defensive end. He’s a top ten talent for sure and should easily go somewhere in the top ten.

2. Everette Brown-Florida State-This junior out of Tallahassee is turning a lot of heads and could eventually take over as the number one defense end prospect in the 2009 NFL Draft. What he has to offer is a unique ability to go after and rush the passer very effectively. He is a great athlete and has some of the better speed at the position (at the combine Brown came in at 6’1” and weighed 256 pounds. He ran a 4.73 40) and he is quick. He has shown a lot in a short amount of time and NFL scouts will be hoping that his production carries over into the NFL. Brown, like Orakpo, is shorter and lighter than the ideal defensive end and thus this may precipitate a move to outside linebacker in some systems especially those that play a 3-4 defense. In that, if he does see a conversion to linebacker, he will have to learn how to cover running backs and play the run better.

Brown should be able to shake the reputation that Florida State defensive linemen have in not performing well in the NFL and be a contributor wherever he lands virtually right out of the gate. He has some of the better talent at the position and is a great athlete which will help his draft stock immensely. Look for Brown to be selected somewhere in the top 20 of the 2009 NFL Draft and have a great career wherever he lands.

3. Tyson Jackson-LSU-After coming in with such promise before his senior season, Jackson actually has disappointed some people this past season and will have to make up for that and some other shortcomings before the 2009 NFL Draft. Looking at Jackson, he has the size needed to be an effective defensive end at the next level (at the combine Jackson stood 6’ 4 1/8” and weighed 296 pounds. He ran a 4.95 40 yard dash. He didn’t do the bench press). Jackson is good against the run and could work in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense. The knock on him is that he isn’t as quick as some would like to see nor does he rush the passer as well or consistently. He may also have trouble with stronger and more athletic offensive tackles in the NFL.

Jackson is an interesting prospect who has the attention of a lot of teams but most scouts worry about his production. He is a lock to be a first rounder but his career after that will depend on where he goes. He should go somewhere in the middle of the draft possibly to the New Orleans Saints or Chicago Bears, two teams that could really use his services. He won’t make it past number 20 in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

4. Michael Johnson-Georgia Tech-Johnson comes into the draft as the defensive end with the biggest potential both in being a success and being a bust. There were a lot of high expectations for Johnson heading into his senior season at Georgia Tech but he failed to live up to his potential and disappointment many people both in college and professional football. First and foremost, Johnson is an athlete. He is one of the best athletes in the 2009 NFL Draft. He is quick, has a great change of direction and has the speed (at the combine Johnson came in standing 6’ 6 7/8” weighing 266 pounds. He ran a 4.75 40 and got 38.5” vertical leap) to be a premier defensive end in the NFL. He would be best suited in a 4-3 but could play in a 3-4 if it came down to it. The biggest problem with Johnson is that he doesn’t have that much starting experience. He also didn’t have that good of a senior season in terms of production but was good and has a lot of potential to get better.

As mentioned, Johnson’s boom or bust potential is high on both ends. He is a fine athlete but the big question is can he be a good football player? Teams are going to look at him hard in this draft to determine if he can, indeed, prove to them that he has what it takes to succeed in the NFL, impress them enough that he could jump over Jackson and quite possibly Brown to be selected high in the 2009 NFL Draft. Right now, he looks like a mid to late first rounder but if he can prove he is a football player as well as an athlete, he could go in the top 15 of the draft.

5. Aaron Maybin-Penn State-Maybin was falling ever so slightly before the combine but thanks to a not so good outing there (he measured 6’ 3 ¾” and weighed 249 pounds. He ran a 4.88 40 and did 22 reps on the bench) so his stock has fallen a little bit. His size is also not too ideal for a defensive end so he might fit best in a 3-4 alignment where he could be used as an outside linebacker. He still has a lot to learn and could be a bit of a project player. He also needs to get stronger. But there is some upside to Maybin and he showed, last year, that he has a unique ability to get up the field quickly to rush the passer and create havoc in the backfield. He has a great work ethic and is willing to learn which will help him out greatly in the NFL.

Maybin, as stated, is going to be a bit of a project player but one that can come in and help a team that is lacking a great pass rusher. Look for Maybin, based on his potential, to go somewhere between number 15 and number 32 in the 2009 NFL Draft and have a good career provided he can land with the right team.

By Bryan Dietzler

NFL Draft Dog Now on Twitter

NFL Draft Dog has joined in the Twitter phenomena. Follow @nfldraftdog on this massively popular social networking site to stay constantly updated on NFL Football, College Football and of course the NFL Draft.

Twitter has loads of useful applications:

We are also using a Twitwall, which is fantastic when you don't want to write a full blog, but you want to put out some useful or updated information. This is the perfect tool to compliment the NFL Draft as there seems to be almost daily updates leading right up until the draft.

Twitter Search is a useful and must have utility. You can do a search of the entire Twitter universe and see what people are talking about. Find people that share your interests and follow them and many of those that you follow, will in turn follow you.

Not really essential, but cool, free and fun, Twitbacks lets you create custom wall paper for your Twitter site. So see what all the buzz is about and start Twittering right now, and don't forget to follow @nfldraftdog

The 2009 NFL Draft Top 5: The Centers

While many people forget about the center position NFL teams will not as many centers around the NFL are getting older and the will soon need to be replaced. This year’s crop of centers has a lot of potential and is pretty deep at the top. There are a few who should go in the first five rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft with some of them quite possibly having All-Pro careers in the future.
The following is a look at the top five centers in the 2009 NFL Draft heading into the Pro Day schedule.

1. Alex Mack-California-It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t agree that Mack isn’t going to be the best center in this draft. He left the combine weighing 311 pounds and measured out to be 6’3” (but didn’t run the 40 or do any other combine drills) and appears to be just the right height and weight for the position. Mack plays a very physical game and brings a lot of strength and savvy to the position. He works very hard at all times both on and off the field and is a very reliable player. The downside to Mack is that he may have to play guard and/or center when he comes in the NFL (and depending on what team decides they want to with him) and he may have a big of a learning curve as a result of this. He will also have to work on his moves in order to help keep enemy pass rushers at bay because of the speed and quickness these guys in the NFL possess.
Mack is the top rated center in the 2009 NFL Draft and there is really no one who can unseat him at that position right now. He needs to show that he can also play guard which he should be able to and that will raise his stock with NFL teams. Look for Mack to be a sure fire early second rounder who could possibly garner enough interest to crack the first round.

2. Max Unger-Oregon-Unger comes in as the second rated player at the center position and should be someone who is sought after by several teams going into the 2009 NFL Draft. The first thing that you will notice about Unger is his athleticism and ability to play both the center and tackle position. He has the size to play both positions (at the combine he came in at 6’4”5/8 and weighed 309 pounds. He ran the 40 in 5.30 seconds and had 22 reps on the bench) and the athletic ability to play them both as well. He can move well and is a hard worker both on and off the field. Unger uses his athletic ability and bevy of moves (and solid mechanics) and doesn’t quite have the power that would be ideal for the position. He is also a little bit smallish and needs to add some additional weight.

Unger is showing NFL scouts that he is a fine prospect with much more upside than anything else and could leap Mack as the best center in the draft. He is a second round talent for sure and should get selected somewhere in the middle of that round.

3. Eric Wood-Louisville-If you want someone with a lot of upside, then Wood is your man. Wood is the player with the most potential in this top five and could turn out to be the best out of the group depending on what team decides to take him in the 2009 NFL Draft. On top of anything, Wood is someone who plays with a lot aggressive tendencies and is somewhat of a mauler. He has a great attitude and loves playing the game. He seemingly makes all the blocks and has the size that you would like to see (at the combine he came in at 6’3 7/8” weighing 310 pounds and ran a 5.23 40 benching 225 pounds 30 times) in a center. However, he isn’t as athletic as some scouts might like and he doesn’t have a powerful initial punch that some would like to see. He can move but not very well.

Wood needs to get a little bit stronger and show that he can improve his game just a little bit more to improve his draft stock. He is going to get drafted for sure and could go as high as the lower part of the second to the early third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

4. Antoine Caldwell-Alabama-Caldwell is still another fine prospect that some people think may be the number two rated center in the draft but due to his size he does drop off a bit and sits at number four for right now. Measuring out at 6’3 ¼” and 309 pounds running a 5.23 40 while benching 225 24 times, Caldwell is close to being the near ideal size for his position. He has a ton of talent and is tough and plays that way 100% of the time. He can block on the move and can also play the guard position which could help out his draft stock a lot. The downside to Caldwell is that he isn’t the biggest guy for the position and needs to work on keeping defenders off the ball. Adding some strength would be a big plus for Caldwell as well.

Providing that he works out well in the coming weeks, Caldwell should be a player that many NFL teams keep on their radar in the 2009 NFL Draft. The need for center is much more apparent than some think so having a player like Caldwell on any team could be a huge benefit.

5. Jonathan Luigs-Arkansas-Coming in at number five is a player who has turned a few heads heading into the 2008 NFL Draft and could have a future as a solid player in the league. Luigs is a physical player who isn’t afraid to use his body well to block. His size (6’35/8”, 301) isn’t too bad and his speed (5.14/40 at the combine) isn’t too bad either. He is also a big time run blocker who excels well at driving the defender down the field on running plays. The downside to Luigs is that he isn’t the greatest athlete and does have some problems trying to outmuscle more powerful defenders. He is tough and does have a mean streak and he can play the position well he just needs to get stronger.

Luigs is going to turn some heads during the next few weeks as he garners a lot of attention for his skill. However, he lacks the idea l strength that someone would like to see in the ideal center and unless he picks up a lot of strength at some point and shows the scouts that he is much better than they have him right now. Look for Luigs to go somewhere between the late fourth to early sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

By Bryan Dietzler

Updated 2009 NFL Mock Draft

Greetings sports fans Harry Doyle coming to you live with the next in a series of Mock drafts. This most recent, updated 2009 NFL Mock Draft is a little late from when I intended to unveil 5.0 but with recent free agency activity I could not in good conscience release 5.0 without some modification. I love the fact that a lot of first round possible selections are players from big and smaller schools, it should show high school athletes that an offer from a big school may not be as exciting when you sit behind a player for 1 or 2 seasons. If you are looking for notable mock drafts try to find some done by Mike Mayock, he is much more accurate and someone I believe is better at evaluating college talent than EPSN geniuses (I can’t stand Kiper or McShay, oh and Kiper looks real dumb every time he says Jay Cutler is overrated, I still remember when he said “Anyone who thinks Jay Cutler is a 1st round quarterback doesn’t know football”). As usual this is based on logical and somewhat linear thinking, enjoy and if you have any feedback or questions please email me at CJ@nfldraftdoog.com. Sit back and enjoy.

@nfldraftdog

Winners and Losers at the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine (Defense)

Defensive Ends

Cincinnati ’s Connor Barwin had probably the best showing of any DE at the combine. He finished second in 40 time (4.66), and posted the best numbers in vertical jump (40.5), broad jump (10.8), 3-cone drill (6.87), and 20-yard shuttle (4.18). He checked in at 6’3”, 256lbs and posted 21 reps on the 225lbs bench press. I think he proved to scouts that he can play LB.

Lawrence Sidbury Jr. posted the top 40-time among DE at 4.64 but he was just average in other drills. He posted a 30 inch vertical and 10 foot broad jump. He also banged out 28 reps on the bench press, good for third among DE. He did not crack the top 10 in change-of-direction drills and appears best moving in straight lines. He opened some eyes but probably didn’t sway his draft status one way or the other very much.

David Veikune proved to be more than just a heart and hustle guy; he notched 35 reps on the bench press, tops among DE, and posted a very respectable 7.20 3-cone drill. He finished with a 4.87 forty.

As expected, Brian Orakpo came in and had a great combine. He was not expected to blow anyone away with his running, but he still had the 4th best forty time at 4.7, was an inch behind Barwin in the vertical jump at 39.5, and as expected, banged out 31 reps on the bench press. He still didn’t prove to me that he is an OLB prospect, but he cemented himself as the draft’s top DE.

Losers:

Everette Brown did not have a bad combine by any means, but he didn’t blow up like I was hoping to see. His 4.73 forty was good but not great, his 9’6” broad was just average and he didn’t crack the top 10 in 3-cone. His 26 reps on the bench press were again good but not great. He also checked in at 6 foot 1.3 inches shorter than expected but his mass was fine at 256 bs.

Just shy of 250 pounds, Aaron Maybin disappointed with his 4.88 time in the forty. He was explosive in the vertical and broad jumps (38” vert and 10’4” broad) but did not crack the top 10 in 3-cone and his bench press was kind of weak (22 reps). He’s too small to stay at DE and needed to show the speed necessary for a move to outside linebacker and he didn’t.

Defensive Tackle

Jarron Gilbert from San Jose State continues to impress, checking in at 6’ 5” 288 lbs. with 36” arms and 10” hands. His 4.87 forty was tops among DT and put him 10th among all DL. After watching his YouTube video, when he jumps clean out of a pool and lands on his feet, it’s not surprising that he tied Chris Baker for best vertical jump by a DT (35.5) and posted a 9’11” broad jump, again tops among DT. Teams running the 3-4 are watching him closely.

Terrence Taylor didn’t run very well but he did bang out 37 reps on the bench press, good for 2nd among all combine participants. Roy Miller had a good run of 5.09 at 310lbs but he too opened eyes on the bench press, notching 36 reps. NT’s B.J. Raji and Ron Brace never expected to run very well but both showed their great strength with 33 and 32 reps on the bench respectively.

I thought Vance Walker would run quite a bit better than his 5.35 time but he has 11” hands and 35” arms, helping him to bang out 29 reps on the bench press.

Losers:

Outside Linebacker:

Aaron Curry won the combine, hands down. His 4.56 forty was tops among all LB and has his name at the top of the vertical and broad jumps. I was surprised to see his name not among the top 10 in 3-cone though. He did a respectable 25 reps on the bench press and looked phenomenal in his drills.

Clay Matthews had a better combine than his more herald teammates in Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga. He measured up very well and his 4.67 forty and 6.90 3-cone really opened eyes. A 35” vertical and 10’1” broad show how good of an athlete he is and he held his own with 23 reps on the bench press.

Losers:

Mortty Ivy from West Virginia ran a DL-like 4.95/forty and really hurt himself there. He ran very poorly in Indy and may struggle to get drafted.

Inside Linebacker:

Looking well recovered from his devastating knee injury in 2007, Jasper Brinkley turned a lot of heads and made people go back and look at his game tape from 2 years ago. He checked in at an excellent 6’1” 252lbs and ran a 4.72 forty. He also benched 26 reps. By the time draft day rolls around, Brinkley could be just as highly thought of as he was after the 2007 season.

Stanley Arnoux and Gerald McRath aren’t the biggest guys on the block (both checked in at 230lbs) but they timed the fastest. Both clocked 4.61s in their forties. Teams looking for speed at LB will take a long look at these undersized jackrabbits.

Losers:

James Laurinaitis continued to slide down draft boards after his poor showing at the combine. I thought very highly of him all year long but he’s having a terrible offseason and his decision to skip the Senior Bowl is proving a costly decision. He and Rey Maualuga timed in the 4.8 range but play much faster. They measured in at over 240lbs and did 22 (Laurinaitis) and 23 (Maualuga) reps on the bench press. Maualuga pulled up lame after his run in the forty. Pro days are becoming increasingly important for these players.

Not only did Morris Wooten check in at under 6’ 0" tall (officially 5’11”), he ran a horrendous 5.00 in the forty and only did 15 reps on the bench. A bad, bad day for a prospect who may now find himself undrafted.

Cornerback

I don’t believe the forty times I’m seeing for this group. I’ve heard rumblings about the electronic timer being a fraction slow and it seems pretty obvious that’s the case when looking at the times posted by some of the CB.

Apparently Vontae Davis and small school prospect Lardarius Webb were the only cornerbacks who could break the 4.4 mark and Davis is listed at 4.49. Other than the forty time, Davis posted some sick numbers, like 25 reps on the bench press and a 6.75 3-cone. His numbers in the vertical and broad jumps were not available. He’s an athlete just like his brother Vernon.

Coye Francies knocked out 24 reps on the bench but his hands were measured at 8¾ and he measured in at only 185lbs. He’s strong for his size and has the frame to carry more bulk. He’s still in the top 5 among available CB.

Donald Washington from Ohio State nearly outperformed his more herald teammate Malcolm Jenkins, leading the entire combine with a 45” vertical jump. His others numbers were below average, including his 9 reps on the bench.

Losers:

Speaking of Malcolm Jenkins, he is in the running for player who hurt their stock the most at the combine. Already thought of as a potential safety, Jenkins a poor 4.55 forty and managed only 15 reps on the bench press. The only time he shone was in the 3-cone, where he led all CB with a 6.59 time.

Victor “Macho” Harris had a bad day as well, running 4.63 forty and not lifting. He was never expected to time fast, but this confirms scouts fears that may be too slow to play CB and could have to switch to safety.

Safety:

Patrick Chung may have solidified himself as the draft’s top safety after measuring in at 5’ 11” 212 lbs, and running a 4.54 forty. He also did 25 reps on the bench press. Louie Delmas is not far behind though. He checked in 5’11” 204lbs and ran a 4.53 forty. He only did 15 reps on the bench but had a 6.67 3-cone and a 10’6” broad. These two will go neck and neck to be the first safety drafted.

Chip Vaughn’s 4.51 forty at 6’ 1" 221 lbs and 21 reps turned some heads. David Bruton is another big safety (6’2” 219lbs) who ran very well (4.49) and lifted well (19 reps).

Losers:

Safety is fraught with guys who ran poorly. Never a speedster, Kevin Ellison really hurt himself with his 4.85 forty even he did bench the building (32 reps). He may be too short for LB (6’0”) but he’s obviously too big (227lbs) and too slow to handle playing safety.

Emmanuel Cook was thought to be a rising prospect who could potentially challenge Chung, Delmas and even William Moore to be the first safety chosen but he did not help himself with his 4.66 forty and 19 reps.

I don’t think the combine did anything to help the embattled Moore. After his terrible Senior Bowl, Moore needed to light up the combine and he was just one of the guys (4.53 forty).

Special Teams:

USC punter David Buehler deserves some mention. Buehler was the only specialist to lift at the combine and he knocked out an astounding 25 reps. At 6’ 1” 227 lbs, if Buehler doesn’t make it as a punter he might be able to at least make a team as a special teamer and emergency punter for someone.

Click here to see the Offensive Winners and Losers at the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine.

By Daryl Breault

The 2009 NFL Draft Top 5 Series: The Top Offensive Guards

While the 2009 NFL Draft is heavy at the top with offensive tackles, there are a few quality guards at the top as well. After that, the talent level drops off a bit. Last season was a pretty decent draft for guards and this year teams will be just as hungry for good offensive guards as they were last year.

The following is a look at the top five offensive guards coming out in the 2009 NFL draft as it stands right now, post-combine.

1. Duke Robinson-Oklahoma-Right now, it looks like Robinson could either be a tackle or a guard in the NFL but if he goes at guard he will be the highest rated guard in the draft. Despite some performance questions following the senior bowl, Robinson is still one of the best offensive line prospects and has first round potential. He has the ideal size for an NFL guard (combine numbers are that he came in weighing 329 pounds, standing 6’5” and had a 40 time of 5.27) and plays with a lot of intensity. He is strong and will stay on his man until the play is done. He also has good footwork and moves up and down the line quickly and efficiently. His size and athleticism may cause him to be moved to tackle in the NFL. If you look at Robinson there is hardly a weakness to him except perhaps when he plays against tough and fast athletic defenders. He did handle his own quite well though in college and has gotten a lot of looks from NFL scouts.

If Robinson gets thought of as a tackle he could be a very late first to early second round pick. If teams wish him to stay at the guard position, he could go somewhere between 20 and 32 in the first round. He is highly skilled and someone that a lot of teams are going to covet heading into the 2009 NFL Draft.

2. Andy Levitre-Oregon State-Coming in at number two is a proven player out of Oregon State who has raised a lot of eyebrows with NFL scouts and promises to have a good career in the NFL. Levitre is a guy who plays hard on each play and doesn’t stop until the whistle blows. He has quick feet and can move around as needed blocking the run and the pass very well. He does have some experience playing offensive tackle but his height and weight (at the combine he came in at 305 pounds standing 6’2 5/8” and ran a 5.24 40 yard dash) limit him to playing the offensive guard position. Levitre is not an outstanding athlete and isn’t going be the best pulling guard either. And he will have to remain at guard in the NFL but that should be easy for him to do.

Levitre might end up a little bit ahead of Robinson in all of this if he proves himself better at workouts in the next few months. He has a lot of skill and a ton of potential and could really make an impact on whatever team selects in 2009 NFL Draft. Look for him to get selected somewhere either in the bottom of the first to the top of the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

3. Kraig Urbik-Wisconsin-Urbik is a prospect that interests a lot of teams and he is someone that may move his draft stock up with some good workouts in the next few months. What he has is great size for the position (at the combine he came in at 6’5” weighing 328 pounds. He did the 40 in 5.33 and got 29 reps in the bench press) and has a good mean streak. He doesn’t stop until the whistle blows and displays pretty good footwork. The downside to Urbik is that he isn’t an outstanding athlete and isn’t very mobile. He plays much better when he doesn’t have to move that much so being a pulling guard is probably not going to be the thing for him to do too much of in the NFL.

Urbik's inability to move well may keep him down a bit but a team that likes to run the ball a lot will really like him for his attitude and drive. Teams that like to pull their guards a lot won’t be that attracted to Urbik but he has a lot of talent and could be a later second to early third round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

4. Herman Johnson-LSU-Still the record holder for being the largest baby born in the state of Louisiana, Johnson didn’t break any records at the combine (he came in measuring 6’7”, 364lbs and ran a 5.51 40 yard dash while benching 225 pounds 21 times) but he raised a lot of eyebrows as to his potential. Johnson is simply “huge” and with that size he is usually able to dominate others on the opposite side of the ball. He has a solid frame and size and can open up huge holes for running backs. His frame and size allow him to better control defenders and his size just eats up space. However, there is a downside to Johnson and that’s weight. He has had some problems keeping his weight under control and if he lets it get too high, he will work himself out of a job. He also needs to loosen up a bit more and doesn’t move that well.

With size like Johnson’s, he going to be hard to pass up but teams are going to want to be sure of two things. The first is that he will be able to control his weight and the second would be that he is able to control defenders and not appear (or be) sluggish. If scouts think that the can do those two things, it’s not out of the question to think that he could go somewhere in the bottom of the second to the early third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

5. Trevor Canfield-Cincinnati-Canfield makes it into the top five based on his potential and not necessarily what has been seen out of him in the past. Canfield is one of the most intense and aggressive players at the guard position in the draft which is a huge plus for a player at his position. He is tough from start to finish (of a play) and has a lot of strength and can move his man around sometimes very easily. He is quick on his feet and also has good balance. However, Canfield is not the best athlete and can have problems on the move. His 40 time at the combine wasn’t overly impressive (at the combine, Canfield was measured at 6’4” 1/2in, 307 pounds. He ran a 5.30 40 yard dash and benched 225 pounds 29 times) but he has a lot of potential and could easily be a starter right out of the gate for almost any NFL team.

Canfield’s potential is going to make a lot of teams take notice and he is going to become a useful and productive blocker at the next level. With this kind of talent, look for Canfield to go somewhere in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

By Bryan Dietzler

The Best NFL Draft Web Sites of 2008

It’s time for our annual evaluation of the Best NFL Draft Web sites in the world. This is the 3rd year in a row we have done this and not only is it fun, but during our extensive review process we discover some very good NFL Draft sources. To be included, first the web site must be 100% free and then it must be a good established site with quality, accurate, well written NFL Draft content. This year as social networking has gained in popularity, I included two new sites that have vast potential. If you want to be included next years' evaluation send me an email.

1. Draft Countdown: One of the most aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand NFL and NFL Draft related websites on the web. Along with comprehensive profiles and up to date news, this could very easily be the best NFL Draft site on the web and is rated #1 for the 3rd consecutive year. Draft Countdown was the first NFL Draft Web site this year to come up with results from the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine. Scott Wright continues to be one of the most well respected Draftniks in the world and he seems to follow the quality over quantity concept.

2. The Football Expert: This site has come a long way and now has the look and feel of a great website. The Football Expert site is one of the easiest sites to navigate and presents the information in a clear format that’s very easy to read. One of the more attractive features of this site is it’s college football news section along with its mock draft database which holds several mock drafts from not only the writer’s on the site, but other Draftniks. For years, the owner, Michael Abromowitz has been one of the leaders and innovators of the NFL Draft phenomenon. Michael has taken the time to actually do a four round mock draft this year. Honestly, we (NFL Draft Dog) have trouble even keeping a two round mock updated.

3. Walter Football: Is a very comprehensive site with a lot of information on a variety of NFL Draft and NFL information. It’s almost information overload and it’s organized kind of helter skelter. Walter utilizes the opposite of Draft Countdown’s quality over quantity approach, now I am not saying his information is not quality, but there is so much stuff it might get diluted a bit. Heck they even cover horse racing? Walter lists players by position and gives out a huge amount of information. Another interesting aspect of this site is that he looks ahead at the prospects in the next year’s draft (2010 NFL Mock Draft). Keeping current is a great, but looking ahead is even better. The owner, Walter Cherepinski is a really nice guy and should be thought of as a brilliant Draftnik.

4. NFL Draft Dog: Draft Dog does an excellent job of maintaining strong NFL Draft coverage along with features and insight into the current status of the NFL and its teams. Its NFL Team Columns are kept up to date and it has expanded from just a few last year to 24 (NFL teams being covered) this year. They also have some of the best, most thorough scouting reports where multiple analysts comment on each prospect. Its' Draft Board, Top 100, and Mock Draft continues to be some of the most popular features of any draft site on the internet. Our Mock Draft Database isn’t the biggest and that’s not our goal, we try to screen every mock for inclusion and only include the very best. We are one of the first NFL Draft Sites every year to publish a 2010 NFL Mock Draft.

5. Football’s Future: A great domain and one of the most thorough NFL Draft websites on the internet, Football’s Future brings together the NFL Draft along with free agency news and review to help give fans a complete picture of the NFL offseason. This site’s best feature is its huge library of college player profiles along with positional rankings. Its navigation features make it one of the easiest sites to get around in and find information. It has a massive NFL Forum that is very active.

6. Great Blue North Report: The Great Blue North Report has been around for a long time providing its visitors with a wealth of good and timely NFL Draft information. Not only does the site offer detailed and extensive information on the NFL Draft but they also offer virtually up to the minute draft news along with player listings, rankings and draft history. This site is very easy to get around and provides some of the most accurate information online. These guys from Canada love updated draft news and I find myself checking their front page almost daily.

7. Draft Daddy: With one of the easiest websites to navigate within the realm NFL Draft websites, Draft Daddy has shown itself to be one of the most accurate and reliable NFL Draft website on the internet. This site features listings of players (ranked with ESPN stats) along with listings of free agents. The site’s best feature is its ranking system and linking back to the ESPN statistics which provides concise and up to the minute stats on all players listed. I also love the Draft Daddy Blog, where they have daily updated draft news and they aren’t afraid to link to other websites that have good news and information.

8. NFL Draft Source: A fairly new site, but Dan Brugler does a great job with it. I became a fan during the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine, as his Blog was one of the most updated sources on the internet. He has a full range of features that you would expect and a very clean streamlined web layout. He has a feature that I like called The Inbox, where fans can email him questions and he posts the answers online.

9. The Sideline Scouting Blog: A new comer this year, but as I look around the site I am impressed. It looks like it is operated by a guy named Pete Dymeck. They have tons of well laid out, updated NFL and NFL Draft news. Their Big Board has the top 25 players and includes some original entries. They have a very updated page on Free Agency and they even cover college football with a pre-season top 25 for the 2009 Season already up.

10. The War Room Report: With scouting reports that are very well thought out, very accurate and very easy to read along with its mock drafts and NFL draft historical data. Perhaps the most impressive part of the website is its set of prospect interviews. The site is also very simple to navigate and is updated on a regular basis. It hasn't been updated as much this year as in the past and as of this writing they don't have any Post NFL Scouting Combine Coverage.

10. My Gridiron Space: The 10th spot this year goes to a new site that I feel has a bright future. I give it high marks for innovation and fan interaction. It does have NFL Draft Coverage, but it’s much more than that. It’s kind of like a My Space for football fanatics and once it gets established I could see it really exploding. Social Networking Sites are huge these days and this site offers a ton of features for those that need a social fix and also those that need a football fix. That sounds like winning combination to me. Of course it has a forum, but members can also start their own blog, write articles, start their own group, and it has a live chat feature. You can post custom pictures on your page, add friends to your page and even send your friends a beer.

Bonus Pick: Twitwall: This isn't exactly a NFL Draft Web Site either, but it has enormous potential in not only keeping your family, friends and fans updated on what you are up to, but it can also be used to conduct a little amature blogging and also to promote your web site. I use My Twitwall to announce when I have made updates to my web site. It is an expansion of the very popular Twitter application.

Should QB Matt Stafford go #1 in the 2009 NFL Draft?

Why Matt Stafford Will Not Go #1 in the 2009 NFL Draft:

Daryl Breault:

1. Economics- Stafford will likely top Jake Long’s 2007 figure of $30 million in guaranteed money by a good 5-10 million, possibly more because he’s a QB. Taking a LT or a defensive player could keep the rise to a minimum, which probably sounds very good to Lions owner William Clay Ford right about now. Ford has the reputation for being one of, if not the, stingiest owner in the league (Cincy’s Mike Brown is the other option depending on which side of the Michigan/Ohio border you live on). I’m thinking that right there should be a pretty good indicator of what the Lions, or their ownership anyways, are thinking.

2. 0-16- This is probably the worst team of all time and is definitely the worst defence of all time. They have two young players in WR Calvin Johnson and RB Kevin Smith with which to start building the offense but as this team has shown time and time and time and time again is that none of it will matter unless they start putting serious resources into their offensive line. On defence, they have LB Ernie Sims, who had a very bad year anyways, and what? DT Cory Redding? DE Dewayne White? LB Jordan Dizon? S Daniel Bullocks? There’s no way anyone can suggest that throwing Stafford out there to get teed off on is a good idea, and do you think Ford really wants to spend $40 million on someone so they can keep him on the bench for a year?

3. Jim Schwartz is a defensive guy- Schwartz has a background in defence; he’s going to be thinking defence first. That whole replacing Bobby Layne thing, every Lions coach for 50 years has said, thought, felt or been told that. There’s more going on with this franchise than just a terrible history at quarterback and defence should be a prime target. Throwing money at Stafford is a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound.

4. He’s not the best player in the draft- Stafford may be the best QB, but he’s not the best player in the draft. Injury aside, that distinction probably best falls to Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree, though others could hold that distinction as well like one of the offensive tackles but no seems quite sure which one, fellow Bulldog RB Knowshon Moreno, Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry, either Texas DE Brian Orakpo or FSU DE/OLB Everette Brown, BC DT B.J. Raji, Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins, a personal favorite in Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith, or someone I left off and I’m sure someone thinks I have. Regardless, there is better talent at the top of the draft than Stafford. A lot of people have talked themselves into Stafford as the top pick solely because of his standing as the draft’s top passer.

5. Junior QB’s are a huge risk- Underclassmen quarterbacks have a long history of failure in the NFL. One thing Stafford has going for him is that despite the fact that he’s a junior, he has 39 starts in college football’s toughest conference, the SEC. Regardless, his footwork and decision making needed another year of seasoning before he should be considered worthy of the top pick.

6. Daunte Culpepper re-worked his deal- This does not mean Culpepper is a lock to be the starter next year but he is obviously the team’s top choice for a bridge QB. Culpepper has a history with OC Scott Linehan, who got the best out of the QB in Minnesota, and that pair could be thinking they can get it done for a couple seasons while Schwartz puts his team together.

7. Even though I believe Stafford is the absolute wrong choice for the Lions at #1, Stafford must be appealing to ownership because he’s a band-aid, quick fix. He will get people interested in the Lions without them actually having to put the time and resources into creating a winning franchise, as is their history. Stafford is the easy way out for them and that’s makes it such a strong possibility he will go #1. It is the Lions after all.
I know I’m in the minority with this, but hopefully I’m the cautious voice in the wind of people going gaga over a mediocre QB. Don’t mistake the best QB for the best player. Detroit needs to rebuild the o-line, the d-line, the LB corps and their secondary and Stafford does nothing to fix any of that.

Why Matt Stafford Will Go #1 in the 2009 NFL Draft:

Robert Bryant:

1. When was the last time the Lions had a franchise quarterback to build their team around? The lions have to build their fan base back up by giving their fans some hope for the future. The same hope that Troy Aikman gave the Cowboys in the 80s, that Peyton Manning gave the Colts in the 90s and more recently Matt Ryan gave to the Falcons. Yes Stafford could be the next Ryan leaf, but that’s no reason to bury your head in the sand and get passive. When you draft at the top you have to swing for the fence and get a quarterback to build around. You don’t get to draft #1 overall very often so if there is a quarterback with Stafford’s ability at the top and you need a QB then you have to take him. The Lions might not have a shot at Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow next year. Heck who knows if those three will even be at the top of the Draft Board this time next year. There might not even be a franchise type quarterback available next year.

2. Economics, no I don’t think that’s an issue because whomever they draft at #1 he will demand a huge contract, so quite the contrary, if you are going to pay the big bucks anyway, you might as well pay it to a quarterback, who traditionally demands a high priced contract anyway.

3. The Lions just traded QB Jon Kitna to the Cowboys, that is a clear sign that they are cleaning up the dead weight at the quarterback position in order to get Stafford. Dante Culpepper might be the starter next year, but three years from now I could see Stafford and the Lions competing for a playoff spot. Can you see Culpepper in that same light in three years?

4. Yes Junior quarterbacks are a risk, but all rookie quarterbacks are anyway and the Lions have the luxury to be patient with Stafford. They aren’t expected to compete for a playoff spot this year anyway, so there won’t be any pressure to inject him into the lineup to soon. They will be able to build their team around a good young quarterback, he will be able to stand on the sideline for a year or two and learn the offense.

5. Now let’s talk talent, Stafford might not be the best player, but he is darn close to it. Probably the only players that would make sense at #1 besides Stafford are LB Aaron Curry and OT Jason Smith. Curry is good, but do you really want to invest that much money into a linebacker? Smith is also good, but he isn’t that good and he isn’t even in the same league as last years #1 pick Jake Long. Stafford has much more talent than most people think. He has all the physical tools that you want in a quarterback, he is a big kid 6’ 3” 237 lbs, he stands tall in the pocket and has great footwork. Stafford is accurate and has a very powerful arm with a quick release. Stafford was well coached at Georgia and is a smart kid. Even though he is only a junior, he has been the starting quarterback at Georgia since he was a freshman, so he has two more years experience than say, USC's QB Mark Sanchez. I predict he will have a fantastic performance at Georgia’s Pro Day on March 19th, 2009 and pretty much end this debate.