Strengths of the 2010 NFL Draft

Every year about this time I try to pick a position that I think will be very strong for the NFL Draft. Not knowing which juniors will declare makes it a very difficult task, but I will throw in a few of the top juniors anyway.

The strength of the 2010 NFL Draft will be…drum roll please… Defensive Tackles.

Heading up the class is massive Alabama’s senior nose tackle Terrance Cody. The 6’ 5” Cody weighed approximately 365 pounds last season, but has trimmed down to a svelte 354 pounds this season (2009). Cody reportedly weighed over 400 pounds when he initially arrived on campus as a freshman. He has responded well to Coach Nick Sabans' tough coaching. Last season (2008) he dominated games and helped the Crimson Tide finish second best against the run. They only gave up 74.1 (average) yards against the run. Cody won’t ever lead the team in tackles or sacks, but he clogs the middle of the field, draws a double team and allows the linebackers to flow to the ball. He finished 2008 with 24 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss (TFL). If Cody has another excellent season in 2009 and continues to lose weight and improve his stamina, he could end up as a top ten pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Cody was selected as a Pre-Season first Team All American by NFL Draft Dog, Athlon Sports and Lindy’s .

SR Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh (6’ 4” 300 lbs) is more of a pure defensive tackle as opposed to a nose tackle. Suh kind of came out of nowhere last year and by the end of the season emerged as one of the top defensive players in the nation. Suh is very strong and quick and causes havoc in the backfield for opposing offenses. Last year Suh was an All Big 12 selection and finished as his teams' leader in tackles with 76 and an additional 19 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. 300-pound defensive tackles rarely lead their team in tackles, which is an indication of Suh’s power and ability. At this point Suh looks like a 1srt round draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Suh was selected as a Pre-Season First Team All American by NFL Draft Dog, and a second teamer by Lindy’s and Athlon Sports.

JR Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma (6’ 4” 295 lbs.) is another potential first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, if he comes out early. McCoy will team up with fellow junior Adrian Taylor (6’ 4” 296 lbs.) and senior DeMarcus Granger to give Oklahoma the best defensive tackle depth in the nation. McCoy was dominant at times last year. He (McCoy) finished last season (2008) with an impressive 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. McCoy was selected as a Pre-Season first Team All American by NFL Draft Dog, Athlon Sports and Lindy’s. McCoy is a high character guy, last year he was elected president of Oklahoma’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chapter. In 2007 he was selected as the Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, recording 19 tackles and 2 sacks.

SR Arthur Jones, Syracuse (6’ 5” 297 lbs.) Jones is a prospect that isn’t being talked about much right now, but after the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine, he will likely emerge as a top defensive tackle prospect on most NFL Teams' Draft Boards. Entering the 2009 season, NFL Draft Dog and Lindy’s ranked him as the 4th best defensive tackle in the nation, Phil Steele ranked him 5th, and Mel Kiper ranked him as the 3rd best senior in the nation. Jones is a beast, last year he recorded 13 tackles for loss (TFLs) giving him 31.5 for his career.

JR Brian Price, UCLA (6’ 2” 296 lbs.) Price was a first team All PAC 10 selection in 2008 and he has been selected to Phil Steele’s 2009 Preseason 4th team All American team. Price is a very under rated NFL Draft Prospect. The PAC 10 and UCLA aren’t really known for defense, but this year UCLA has some excellent defensive prospects, Alterraun Verner (5’ 11” 185 lbs) is a top cornerback, and Reggie Carter (6’ 1” 240 lbs) and Korey Bosworth (6’ 1: 236 lbs) are top linebackers. Verner led the nation last season with 18 pass breakups. Bosworth led the team last year with 7.5 sacks and Carter led the team with 83 tackles. But back to Price, he is only a junior, so we might not see him until the 2011 NFL Draft, but he is a supreme talent and someone we can keep an eye on. He finished 2008 with 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 9.5 TFLs.

SR Jared Odrick, Penn State (6’ 5” 308 lbs.) I really liked him last year and actually thought he might enter the 2009 NFL Draft where he likely would have been a 3rd or 4th round selection. Odrick decided to return to Penn State for his senior season and is now going to have to compete with quite a few other talented defensive tackles. Don’t count Odrick out though; he is a big, strong, quick defensive lineman that with another year of development under legendary coach Joe Paterno might emerge as a very early NFL Draft selection. Last year he was a First Team All Big 10 selection finishing with 41 tackles and 9.5 TFLs.

JR Lawrence Marsh, Florida (6’ 4” 305 lbs.) Marsh will man the middle of the defensive line for the National Champion Gators once again this year. He (Marsh) is a big, talented tackle that can penetrate into the teeth of an offensive line and create chaos. He will demand constant double-teams this year. Last year Marsh started all 13 games and recorded 5.5 tackles for loss (TFLs).

JR Marvin Austin, North Carolina (6’ 3” 300 lbs.) Austin was a very highly regarded prospect coming out of high school. He was USA TODAY's Defensive Player of the Year from Ballou High and he also considered Florida State, Tennessee and Maryland before choosing North Carolina. Austin has all the physical talent in the world, but hasn’t really been dominate thus far. If he has a break out year in 2009, he could be one of the tackles that declare early for the 2010 NFL Draft. Austin finished 2008 with 38 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and 1 sack.

DeMarcus Granger, Oklahoma (6’ 2” 302 Lbs.) had trouble staying healthy last year and is fighting for starting spot with talented junior Adrian Taylor, but if Granger enters the 2009 season healthy and in shape there is every reason to believe he will emerge as an early round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. Granger has immense physical talent, however he has been inconsistent thus far.

By Robert Bryant

A Look Back at the 2009 NFL Draft

I wrote an article about this time last year, before they even played a down in the 2008 college football season. I wrote it based off of their play the year before and how they looked in the spring.

During last years' pre-season I predicted that Centers would be the strength of the 2009 NFL Draft. The Centers did end up being very solid, with two being selected in the first round. California's Alex Mack was taken 21st overall by the Cleveland Browns and Louisville's Eric Wood was selected 28th by the Buffalo Bills.

Oregon's Max Unger was taken in the second round (49th) by the Seahawks, even though Unger will play guard or tackle for the Hawks in the NFL.

Alabama's Antoine Caldwell was selected in the 3rd round (77th) by the Houston Texans. Arkansas' Jonathan Luigs was selected in the 4th round (106) by the Bengals. And we also saw a pair of centers drafted back to to back in the 7th round in TCU's Blake Schlueter (225) to the Broncos and Penn State's A.Q. Shipley (226) to the Steelers.

So were centers the strongest position in the 2009 NFL Draft? Maybe not, with so many talented junior running backs playing well and declaring early, I would have to give the crown to them. But two centers being drafted in the first round is unheard of and Antoine Caldwell being selected in the 3rd round was a steal.

Of course we really won't know for a few years. The two, 7th round centers might end up as better players than the two first rounders, however I would bank on that. Alex Mack and Eric Wood look like future pro bowlers to me.

So what position will be the top draftdog for the 2010 NFL Draft. At this point it looks like defensive tackles to me. Stay tuned for my next article and I will go in detail on my prediction of the strengths of the 2010 NFL Draft.

If you like college football be sure to check out our 2009 pre-season college football All American Team.

By Robert Bryant

The 2009 NFL Draft Review: 1st Round Review

Even though the 2009 NFL Draft is over and just a memory, this writer would like to take one last look at the draft’s first round and see if the pick that was made in that round, by that team was the right one and who, if anyone, might have been a better pick.

1. Detroit Lions-Matthew Stafford-QB-Georgia-The Lions desperately needed help at the quarterback position and made just about the only choice that they could make there at number one overall. Better Fit: None

2. St. Louis Rams-Jason Smith-OT-Baylor-Once again, another good fit for a team that needed help on the offensive line. They could have traded out of this spot and earned more picks but there weren’t too many suitors for that spot. Better Fit: None

3. Kansas City Chiefs-Tyson Jackson-DE-LSU-This might have been kind of a surprise to some but not to the Chiefs who had actually coveted Jackson right before the draft. The hope is that Jackson will be able to help get more out of last year’s number one selection Glen Dorsey (Jackson’s former teammate) and that the two will help make the defensive line one of the best in the NFL. Better Fit: None

4. Seattle Seahawks-Aaron Curry-OLB-Wake Forrest-The Seahawks could have done a few different things here including getting Mark Sanchez or Michael Crabtree but after trading away Julian Peterson to the Lions before the draft, the Seahawks needed some help at linebacker. This was a good choice by Seattle. Better Fit: None

5. New York Jets (from Cleveland)-Mark Sanchez-QB-USC-The Jets traded up a bit and landed their quarterback of the future in Sanchez and they didn’t even have to give up too much to get him which works out great for the Jets. An excellent selection. Better Fit: None

6. Cincinnati Bengals-Andre Smith-OT-Alabama-This might be somewhat of a questionable pick especially after the things that Smith did at the scouting combine but the Bengals will get some of the pass protection that they have needed for so long. A great fit for now. Better Fit: None

7. Oakland Raiders-Darius Heyward Bey-WR-Maryland-This is a pick that has perplexed many and has left people wondering just what owner Al Davis was thinking. Davis did make a “Davis” pick though but there were better options left thereon the table. He should have taken Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree instead. Better Fit: Michael Crabtree

8. Jacksonville Jaguars-Eugene Monroe-OT-Virginia-With Michael Crabtree sitting there the Jaguars had a tough decision to make. They were weak on the offensive line in 2008 and really didn’t have anyone good at the wide receiver until Torry Holt came along. Crabtree might have been a better fit here but he should have gone to the Raiders. So the best fit here is Monroe. Better Fit: None

9. Green Bay Packers-B.J. Raji-DT-Boston College-This was the best possible pick for a team that is undergoing a transition on defense (from the 4-3 to the 3-4). Raji should pay dividends for them for several years. Better Fit: None.

10. San Francisco 49ers-Michael Crabtree-WR-Texas Tech-The 49ers must have been elated when they saw that Crabtree was available. Now they have a premier wide receiver but no quarterback. Had Crabtree gone to the Raiders the 49ers should have taken Brian Orakpo here. Better Fit: Brian Orakpo

11. Buffalo Bills-Aaron Maybin-DE-Penn State-Maybin went too high in the first round and the Bills should have looked at replacing the newly departed Jason Peters. Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher would have been a better fit here: Better Fit: Michael Oher

12. Denver Broncos-Knowshon Moreno-RB-Georgia-The Broncos made quite a questionable selection when they chose Moreno with their first pick in the first round. A guy like USC linebacker Brian Cushing would have been a better fit because of the transition that they are making on defense this season. Better Fit: Brian Cushing

13. Washington Redskins-Brian Orakpo-DE-Texas-In this scenario, Orakpo wouldn’t be here so the next best choice for the Redskins would have been quarterback Josh Freeman if they were sticking to their guns about getting a quarterback. Best Fit: Josh Freeman

14. New Orleans Saints-Malcolm Jenkins-CB-Ohio State-The Saints did what they should have done and helped out their secondary by taking Jenkins. If Moreno had been around here they might have considered taking him but Jenkins was smart. Better Fit: None

15. Houston Texans-Aaron Maybin-DE-Penn State-With Brian Cushing gone, the Texans may have selected Maybin as their outside linebacker/defensive end. They could use someone on the opposite side of star defensive end Mario Williams. It might still be a little high for Maybin to be picked but he is the best choice for the Texans here. Better Fit: Aaron Maybin

16. San Diego Chargers-Larry English-DE-Northern Illinois-In this scenario, Knowshon Moreno is still on the board and knowing that they need to get someone to eventually replace LaDanlian Tomlinson, the Chargers should select him here. He would have been a good fit in San Diego. Better Fit: Knowshon Moreno

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Josh Freeman-QB-Kansas State-In this draft piece, Freeman is already gone leaving a definitive void at the quarterback position for the Buccaneers. They still have Byron Leftwich though and could use someone to come along at the position and be their franchise quarterback in a few years. At this point, with Freeman gone, they could have selected wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and thus gotten a high impact wide receiver which they still need. Better Fit: Jeremy Maclin

18. Denver Broncos-Robert Ayers-DE-Tennessee-This was a wise move by the Broncos as they retool their defense in moving to the 3-4. While some question Ayers ability, he should fit in well with the Broncos and be a pretty solid player for several years to come. Better Fit: None

19. Philadelphia Eagles-Jeremy Maclin-WR-Missouri-The Eagles got very lucky to get Maclin at number 19 and now have a wide receiver that can stretch the defense and give quarterback Donavan McNabb a real solid target to throw to now. This was one of the best picks in the first round by any team. Better Fit: None

20. Detroit Lions-Brandon Pettigrew-TE-Oklahoma State-This is somewhat of a confusing pick since the Lions could have used some additional protection for their new quarterback Matthew Stafford. It’s possible that Stafford and Pettigrew could develop chemistry but getting offensive line help was much more critical and doable with Michael Oher still on the board but he’s gone in this scenario. Better Fit: None

21. Cleveland Browns-Alex Mack-C-California-While this pick may have been a little confusing when first made, it makes a lot of sense now. With problems along their offensive line, minus the position that Joe Thomas mans, the Browns needed the help and Mack was a solid pick here. Better Fit: None

22. Minnesota Vikings-Percy Harvin-WR-Florida-The Vikings have taken a bit of a gable by taking Harvin but if it pays off it will be one of the best moves in team history. They still could have used a center to replace the departed Matt Birk and with Mack gone, they might have wanted to take a look at Eric Wood who would have still been on the board in both scenarios. He would have helped them out a lot at a very important position. Better Fit: Eric Wood

23. Baltimore Ravens-Michael Oher-OT-Mississippi-Oher was a good choice for the Ravens but in this scenario he would already be gone. The Ravens need help at the wide receiver position and available in this scenario is Darius Heyward Bey would still be available and would be well worth the pick. Better Fit: Darius Heyward Bey

24. Atlanta Falcons-Peria Jerry-DT-Tennessee-The Falcons needed the help on the defensive line and they got it with Jerry. Although Jerry might have been taken a little high at this point, he is a good fit for the Falcons. On another note, had they not picked up Tony Gonzalez right before the draft, they might have taken a longer look at Pettigrew who was available still in this scenario. Better Fit: None

25. Miami Dolphins-Vontae Davis-CB-Illinois-The choice of Davis here was as good as the Dolphins could get at this point in the draft as they needed a good cornerback and they got the best available at that position. Better Fit: None

26. Green Bay Packers (from Baltimore through New England)-Clay Matthews-OLB-USC-The Packers are rebuilding their defense and converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and they needed playmakers so they got one with Matthews. Matthews should be able to help them out at one of the two outside linebacker positions and was a good fit for the Packers here. Better Fit: None

27. Indianapolis Colts-Donald Brown-RB-Connecticut-The Colts could have gone a couple different ways with this pick, either adding some help on the defensive line or getting some help at the running back position. The Colts chose to do the latter and grabbed Brown, a player who should help their offense out a lot right from the start. At this point in the draft, there was no better pick. Better Fit: None

28. Buffalo Bills-Eric Wood-C-Louisville-In this scenario, Wood isn’t available and the Bills filled their need for a pass rusher earlier in the draft with Aaron Maybin and there are no offensive tackles that would be worthy of this high of a pick so taking so needing a cornerback, the Bills could have grabbed Wake Forest’s Alphonso Smith with this pick. Better Fit: Alphonso Smith

29. New York Giants-Hakeem Nicks-WR-North Carolina State-Now that Plaxico Burress is out of New York, the Giants have what they hope will have a guy who can stretch the field and give quarterback Eli Manning the target that he needs to make the passing game a success. This was a good fit and one that should give them the potent passing attack they had when Burris was there. Better Fit: None

30. Tennessee Titans-Kenny Britt-WR-Rutgers-The Titans are another team that was in desperate need of a good pass catching wide receiver and they got a guy that could do them some good in the very near future with Britt. This was the right pick at the right time for the Titans. Better Fit: None

31. Arizona Cardinals-Chris Wells-RB-Ohio State-They must have known that they were going to get rid of Edgerrin James when they made this pick and this was a good one for a team that needed to get their running game going. Wells is a bit of an injury risk but if he can stay healthy, he will help to make the Cardinals offense much more well rounded and much more potent. Better Fit: None

32. Pittsburgh Steelers-Evander Hood-DT-Missouri-This pick was a little bit confusing especially since the Steelers needed some help on the offensive line. However, there were no other offensive lineman worthy of this pick at the time so they went with defense and took Hood. Hood should be able to contribute right away and make an impact on their defense. Better Pick: None

By Bryan Dietzler