2009 NFL Draft - Early Top 30 (1 Viewer)

[dirtyhalos]

2009 NFL Draft - Early Top 30

NO RBs!!!!

ONE QB!!!!

 

[bigmarc27]

That's because there's no underclassmen listed...

Staffford, Tebow, Moreno, Spiller, McCoy, others could all be listed.

I'm a Clemson homer, and I don't see anyway that Cullen Harper is a top 20 prospect. He's very good, but I don't see him in round 1 under any circumstance (round 2 or 3 though, certainly).

 

[MAC_32]

Disclaimer: these opinions will change between now and March next year

-I don't think Laurinitis is a 1st round talent, let alone #1 overall

-Maualuga is the best LB in the class

-Unger is a beast, I think he may be top 5

-Sean Lee shredded his knee this spring, before the injury he was top 10 but I don't think he can be anymore

-Travis Beckum better bulk up and block more to warrant such a lofty ranking, I think he's end of the 1st round material at this time

-Pat White at 17? Really?

-No underclassmen are included, but Beanie Wells and Knowshon Moreno will likely be 1st rounders if they declare. Maybe Spiller too.

-The hype machine will go nuts over Tim Tebow and there will be a strong dividing line between those who believe he'll be the second coming of Christ and thos who believe he is the next colossal NFL Bust. Definitely has #1 overall potential, I don't think he's worth that risk though

Thanks for putting this together!

 

[Wu-banger]

What is the critiria for this list ....?? Projected where they will be drafted ??

Hope not .... If so this list is horrible even if it is devoid of underclassmen intenionally.

#17 Pat White as a WR ...?? Jax must be eyeing him big time ..!!!

and even though I am indifferent towards Laurinitis prospects as a Pro , when was the last time a ILB was taken #1 overall.

With that said ... it's May.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Some people don't include underclassmen until they declare - among other reasons, they don't want to skew the kids decision whether to stay in school. More than a few players careers have been ruined because they listened to and read the hype and came out early only to wait a long time to hear their name called, if it at all.

 

[Wu-banger]

Some people don't include underclassmen until they declare - among other reasons, they don't want to skew the kids decision whether to stay in school. More than a few players careers have been ruined because they listened to and read the hype and came out early only to wait a long time to hear their name called, if it at all.

I think that is a given ..... as well as it is a given that these lists do a 180 turn during the season.With all that understood , this list is lacking as a gauge of who to watch in 09 CFB... IMO.

 

[Getinthemix]

Some people don't include underclassmen until they declare - among other reasons, they don't want to skew the kids decision whether to stay in school. More than a few players careers have been ruined because they listened to and read the hype and came out early only to wait a long time to hear their name called, if it at all.

I would hope that a listing at Draft guys is not a heavily weighed decision maker for a kid declaring. I know that Kiper does not include underclassmen, but he carries significantly more weight in the draft community.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Some people don't include underclassmen until they declare - among other reasons, they don't want to skew the kids decision whether to stay in school. More than a few players careers have been ruined because they listened to and read the hype and came out early only to wait a long time to hear their name called, if it at all.

I would hope that a listing at Draft guys is not a heavily weighed decision maker for a kid declaring. I know that Kiper does not include underclassmen, but he carries significantly more weight in the draft community.

I dont want to speak for JB, but I think it's mainly a principle more than anything else - the hype factor is just one reason to not include underclassmen.

 

[Bojang0301]

Disclaimer: these opinions will change between now and March next year

-I don't think Laurinitis is a 1st round talent, let alone #1 overall

-Maualuga is the best LB in the class-Unger is a beast, I think he may be top 5

-Sean Lee shredded his knee this spring, before the injury he was top 10 but I don't think he can be anymore

-Travis Beckum better bulk up and block more to warrant such a lofty ranking, I think he's end of the 1st round material at this time

-Pat White at 17? Really?

-No underclassmen are included, but Beanie Wells and Knowshon Moreno will likely be 1st rounders if they declare. Maybe Spiller too.

-The hype machine will go nuts over Tim Tebow and there will be a strong dividing line between those who believe he'll be the second coming of Christ and thos who believe he is the next colossal NFL Bust. Definitely has #1 overall potential, I don't think he's worth that risk though

Thanks for putting this together!

tOSU homer here... Maualuga is the better LB by far and should be no.1 overall. I would not say that Laurinitis is not a first round pick though. He is more mobile and less stiff than AJ Hawk was so you do the math.

 

[MAC_32]

Disclaimer: these opinions will change between now and March next year

-I don't think Laurinitis is a 1st round talent, let alone #1 overall

-Maualuga is the best LB in the class-Unger is a beast, I think he may be top 5

-Sean Lee shredded his knee this spring, before the injury he was top 10 but I don't think he can be anymore

-Travis Beckum better bulk up and block more to warrant such a lofty ranking, I think he's end of the 1st round material at this time

-Pat White at 17? Really?

-No underclassmen are included, but Beanie Wells and Knowshon Moreno will likely be 1st rounders if they declare. Maybe Spiller too.

-The hype machine will go nuts over Tim Tebow and there will be a strong dividing line between those who believe he'll be the second coming of Christ and thos who believe he is the next colossal NFL Bust. Definitely has #1 overall potential, I don't think he's worth that risk though

Thanks for putting this together!

tOSU homer here... Maualuga is the better LB by far and should be no.1 overall. I would not say that Laurinitis is not a first round pick though. He is more mobile and less stiff than AJ Hawk was so you do the math.

Liabilities in pass coverage don't get 1st round grades from me. If he improves that aspect of his game (significantly) I'll re-evaluate.

 

[livetogo4sub4]

Could someone compile a short list maybe 10-15 underclassmen who have first round potential? Also, I thought Moreno wouldn't be eligible until the 2010 draft?

 

[EBF]

Could someone compile a short list maybe 10-15 underclassmen who have first round potential? Also, I thought Moreno wouldn't be eligible until the 2010 draft?

If you're talking about FF leagues, then there's already been a lot of talk on this subject. I would say the following guys are good candidates for the first round next year:QB Matthew Stafford, GeorgiaQB Curtis Painter, PurdueRB Chris Wells, Ohio StateRB Knowshon Moreno, GeorgiaWR Michael Crabtree, Texas TechWR Aaron Kelly, ClemsonWR Derrius Heyward-Bey, MarylandWR Percy Harvin, FloridaWR Demetrius Byrd, LSU TE Travis Beckum, WisconsinThere are a number of other players with first round potential, but these are the frontrunners as of today. If you ask me, Michael Crabtree is head and shoulders above the rest of these guys. As for Moreno, he'll be a redshirt sophomore. That's three years removed from high school, meaning he'll be eligible.

 

[mcintyre1]

If Marlon Lucky shows some improvement running the ball this year, he should make this list. He's already a great pass-catching RB, he just needs to prove that he can run.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

JB passed this on:

if you add 15-20 juniors to the list, that pushes a player from 20 to 35-40 range.

i am sure they would agree with that then. basically every player past 25 moves down a round and every player outside of top 2-3 seniors probably drops a a few spots as well with juniors.

james davis is overrated too - remember the advisory board grades are the closest to nfl opinion that we have of the players at this point and he was given a 3rd round grade by nfl

 

[Raagsreth]

Moreno will declare to make room for the King

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

JB also sent along his updated top 40 (coming soon), and said in 2-4 weeks, he'll be adding to the rankings.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I thought this was interesting.

SI.com's Andrew Perloff did this 2008 mock a year ago:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writ...eref=si_writers

1. Oakland: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas - McFadden ran for 182 yards against LSU, which is basically an NFL team. Character questions, but these are the Raiders.

2. Texans: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - After Matt Schaub gets sacked as often as David Carr, Houston realizes it's still got a problem.

3. Vikings: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville - Strong running game, and no passing game translates to 4-12 for the Vikes in 2007.

4. Lions: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami - I was tempted to put the top WR on the board here, but Matt Millen may not be around to run the draft.

5. Buccaneers: Sam Baker, LT, USC - Will this be the first pick of the post-Gruden era?

6. Dolphins: Chad Henne, QB, Michigan - The 'Fins make up for controversial '07 pick of an Ohio State WR by taking a Michigan QB. You have to love the symmetry.

7. Cardinals: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida - Pass-rushers are always valuable.

8. Titans: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami - Phillips gets the edge over Antoine Cason.

9. Cowboys (via Browns): Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU - Everyone loves pass-rushers.

10. Falcons: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas - Tempted to go QB here, but only if the Falcons are bad enough to get Brohm.

11. Bills: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College - Love those BC linemen.

12. Packers: DeSean Jackson, WR, California - Finally a playmaker for Favre. Just a year too late.

13. Giants: Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia - The new Tiki.

14. Rams: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU - Dorsey is LSU's defensive star, but falls a bit because of lack of NFL size (6-foot-2, 299).

15. Chiefs: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC - If the Trojans dominate this year, all their prospects will look good.

16. Jaguars: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan - They want to take over the Lions' title of team that takes the most WRs in the first round.

17. Eagles: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC - Hard to tell if the Eagles will be at 7 or 27. All depends on Donovan McNabb.

18. Panthers: Early Doucet, WR, LSU - Doucet benefits from how well the LSU WRs taken this year play.

19. Steelers: Paul Oliver, CB, Georgia - I wasn't sure whether to put the Steelers at No. 28 or No. 8. All depends on Mike Tomlin.

20. Jets: Frank Okam, DT, Texas - Not necessarily an Eric Mangini kind of guy, but might fill need at nose tackle.

21. Ravens: Shawn Crable, LB - Can play multiple positions Adalius Thomas-style.

22. Redskins: Vince Hall, LB, Va. Tech - The 'Skins actually have picks this year!

23. Seahawks: John David Booty, QB, USC - Matt Hasselbeck isn't getting any younger ... or any more hair.

24. Patriots (via 49ers): James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State - Passed on LBs early on in this draft.

25. Cowboys: Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State - Will learn from a Terrell Owens just like Dwayne Jarrett will learn from Keyshawn Johnson in Carolina. (Meaning this is T.O.'s last year in Big D.)

26. Chargers: Dan Conner, LB, Penn State - Conner is probably a better pro prospect than the Bills' second-round pick Paul Posluszny.

27. Bears: Chris Long, DE, Virginia - Howie's kid.

28. Broncos: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers - Critics say he's too small, but is any running back really too small?

29. Bengals: Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State - The NFL now requires at least one Florida State defensive player to go in the first round every year.

30. 49ers (via Colts): Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona - I'm not thrilled with Cason's performance at the 2008 combine.

31. Saints: Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii - Undersized system quarterback. Reminds me a little of a former Purdue quarterback.

32. Patriots: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas -- I'm assuming Asante Samuel plays for New England in '07 and then departs.

and here is his mock for 2009:

http://fannation.com/blogs/post/185277

Welcome to SI.com's second annual year-ahead mock draft. To simplify, we're assuming Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will return to Florida, because projecting him into the NFL is too difficult.

I'm also breaking news of a major draft-day trade in April of 2009 -- the Falcons have the No. 1 overall spot but trade down.

1. Chiefs (via trade with Falcons) -- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia * -- A quarterback has gone No. 1 overall six out of the past eight years, and Stafford looks like the most likely candidate to develop into that kind of elite QB. His numbers were mediocre last year, but he had no line or receivers. The Falcons will have the worst record, but be able to field trade offers because they don't need a QB.

2. Raiders -- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech * -- Plays in a big numbers system, but his size and speed still make him an elite receiver. And he will fit into the "Al Davis kind of player" category.

3. Lions -- Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State * -- Wells said he wants to stay four years at Ohio State, but an elite running back trying to save wear and tear on his body would be foolish not to go pro as soon as possible.

4. Falcons (via trade with Chiefs) -- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama * -- Smith doesn't get the publicity of Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher, but we'll take a shot on a player many considered the top prospect in his high school class.

5. Rams -- James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State -- Could have been a top-15 pick this year. Goes higher than usual for an inside linebacker because of athleticism.

6. Dolphins -- Fili Moala, DT, USC -- Moala is one of the few dominant defensive tackles in this draft and will someday require double-teams in the NFL.

7. 49ers -- Michael Oher, Mississippi -- You'll see him in other mocks in the top three. Word from Oxford is that the coaching staff isn't thrilled with Oher's performance last year and work ethic. But he's still a huge natural talent.

8. Bengals -- C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson* -- Spiller, a standout at track as well, averaged 7.3 yards per carry last season and is a bona fide home run threat. His backfield partner, James Davis, could also be a top-45 pick.

9. Ravens -- Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma -- At 6-foot-8 and at least 350 pounds, Loadholt could draw some comparisons to Jonathan Ogden. He's not that good, but certainly grades as a first-rounder.

10. Bills -- Rey Maualuga, LB, USC -- I hate putting the Bills this low, but I don't have much confidence in their quarterbacks. Look for them to take one in the second round of the '09 draft (perhaps Hunter Cantwell or Graham Harrell).

11. Cardinals --Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU -- Jackson had a disappointing '07 campaign, but he still has impressive physical skills and he may go even higher if he bounces back this season.

12. Eagles (via Panthers) -- Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin -- One of two first-rounders for Eagles after a '08 draft-day trade with the Panthers. Beckham had 75 catches for 982 yards last season and should be a nice safety blanket Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.

13. Jets -- Derrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland * -- Heyward-Bey is tall and fast, he'll have great combine numbers. The question: Is he physical enough to be a star in the NFL?

14. Packers -- Taylor Mays, S, USC * -- You have to love athletic USC safeties. Mays could follow in Troy Polamalu's and Ronnie Lott's footsteps and be a star in the NFL.

15. Broncos -- George Selvie, DE, South Florida * -- Selvie struggled toward the end of last season, but if he gets a little stronger he should get a lot of attention from the NFL.

16. Titans -- Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska -- This may be my one true darkhorse in the first round. Not on anyone's radar right now, but he was a huge recruit out of high school who runs a very fast 40 for a big man. If he can stay healthy, expect a breakout year.

17. Texans -- Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss -- Jerry gets overshadowed by defensive end Greg Hardy at Mississippi, but should have a strong enough season to vault up into the first round.

18. Bears -- Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU -- I really want to give the Bears a quarterback, but I think most of the QBs in this draft are second-rounders. Look for them to grab the best available receiver. Byrd hasn't produced yet, but has blazing 40 speed.

19. Browns -- Greg Middleton, DE, Indiana * -- Middleton had 16 sacks last season and will be a nice complement to Kamerion Wimbley.

20. Buccaneers -- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State -- Others have projected him as a top-five pick, but there's buzz he won't be able to produce that kind of 40 time.

21. Redskins -- Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas -- Scouts like Orakpo's size and speed and the Skins would love to be able to pressure the QB more.

22. Vikings -- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida * -- He's not very big (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), but the Vikes will find a place for him.

23. Seahawks -- Alex Boone, LT, Ohio State -- He should be part of an outstanding offense at Ohio State that will make him look good.

24. Eagles -- Michael Jones, WR, ASU -- The Eagles are undoubtedly still trying to trade for a premiere receiver this offseason, but if they can't, watch out for Michael Jones. Jones had just 46 catches as a junior, but 10 of them were for touchdowns and those numbers will go up this year.

25. Saints -- Brian Cushing, LB, USC -- This is an optimistic place for the Saints, but I'll give them the edge over the Bucs in the watered-down NFC South.

26. Giants -- Myron Rolle, S, Florida State * -- Not related to Samari or Antrel, but we won't hold that against him. He could go even higher if he improves this season.

27. Steelers -- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech -- A 6-7 DE/LB hybrid with great speed who should have a good season at Georgia Tech.

28. Jaguars -- Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn * -- After strengthening the ends in this year's draft, the Jags bolster the interior of the defensive line.

29. Chargers -- Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma -- With the recent emphasis on guards around the league, the massive Robinson will be a hot prospect.

30. Colts -- Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan State -- Colts will be eager to get back to a better running back tandem (sorry Kenton Keith).

31. Cowboys -- Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State -- Receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are getting old.

32. Patriots -- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State -- His character issues may very well push him out of the first round (he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer this offseason), but the Patriots think they can fix talented players.

*Indicates underclassmen

 

[IndyHavoc]

Man, people just love thinking the Colts need more RB's Always with the RB's in the early rounds. I don't get mock'ers and this propensity. The Colts have their RB, and won't take another early until it's time to replace JA.

 

[aposulli]

Could someone compile a short list maybe 10-15 underclassmen who have first round potential? Also, I thought Moreno wouldn't be eligible until the 2010 draft?

If you're talking about FF leagues, then there's already been a lot of talk on this subject. I would say the following guys are good candidates for the first round next year:

QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia

QB Curtis Painter, Purdue

RB Chris Wells, Ohio State

RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

WR Aaron Kelly, Clemson

WR Derrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

WR Percy Harvin, Florida

WR Demetrius Byrd, LSU

TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin

There are a number of other players with first round potential, but these are the frontrunners as of today.

If you ask me, Michael Crabtree is head and shoulders above the rest of these guys.

As for Moreno, he'll be a redshirt sophomore. That's three years removed from high school, meaning he'll be eligible.

Kelly is a Senior

 

[aposulli]

2009 NFL Draft - Early Top 30

NO RBs!!!!

ONE QB!!!!

Chase who?

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

2009 NFL Draft - Early Top 30

NO RBs!!!!

ONE QB!!!!

Shawn Lee tore his ACL and will not play next year. He should therefore not be in the top ten.