Rice tight end James Casey has decided to enter the 2009 Draft. Casey may be the most versatile player in this year’s draft. At Rice, he has played tight end, receiver, ran the ball, thrown the ball, returned kicks, and has held for field goals and extra points. Teams in the NFL are going to fall in love with his versatility and his ability to play a number of different positions. I recently watched some film on Casey, and I personally feel that he’s a combination of Dallas Clark and Chris Cooley, and is a perfect fit as an H-Back at the next level. I currently have Casey ranked as my No. 2 tight end and he could go as high as the second round. My rankings have been updated to show the change.

- Two more players (Auburn cornerback Jerraud Powers and Hampton defensive tackle Chris Baker) have declared for the 2009 NFL Draft. I have not gotten a chance to thoroughly scout either of these players, so I’ve decided to wait to rank them until I get the opportunity to take a more in-depth look at each player.

- NFL scouts reportedly told Southern Miss linebacker Gerald McRath that he won’t be drafted in the first three rounds. “McRath, who is a fifth-year junior and has already graduated from USM, said he’s ready to take the next step. “I’m just going to work, putting to use that usual Southern Miss mentality,” McRath said. “I just have to work every day and leave it all on the line.”

- I’m working on my new mock draft and it should be up soon. It may even have two rounds!

- With the bowl season coming to a close, I’ve also now started to hit my 2009 Draft Preview with full speed. We recently have sold a few pre-orders for the book, which I wanted to thank those of you for that. For one person to write a 130+ page book in less than a year, it takes a tremendous amount of work, and it really means a lot when each person buys a copy of the book. So again, thank you, and if you are interested in purchasing a copy of my 2009 Draft Preview, you can do so here.

- This year Draft Headquarters has added a tremendous amount of traffic. The current traffic that we are bringing in right now is actually double of what we were at last year. With the two-year anniversary of Draft Headquarters coming up on February 1st, it’s amazing to see how far this site has gone since then. To help pay for the added traffic that has been brought to the site, we’ve set up new ad space for sale on several different pages of the site as well as the newsletter. If you’re interested in purchasing ad space or donating to the site, you can email me here: shawn@draftheadquarters.com

- Players to watch for in tonights’ game:

Ball State vs. Tulsa

QB Nate Davis - Davis is junior, however he’s already stated that he plans to return to school for his senior season. Davis is a game-managing quarterback who also has the ability to beat you with his arm. He takes care of the ball, has very good accuracy, and is one of the most efficient passers in college football. He could be a first round pick in 2010.

TE Darius Hill - A tall, lanky tight end with nice athleticism, Hill is a nice possession receiver. He has the body-type of a receiver, rather than a tight end. He should be taken in the middle rounds due to a large crop of tight ends this season.

WR Brennan Marion - A true deep threat at the receiver position, Marion has game-breaking ability, which is shown in his 28 yards per catch average over the last two seasons. Marion should be taken in the middle rounds.

QB David Johnson - A future project for the team that drafts him, Johnson has a good arm, however he still needs to work on becoming a more polished quarterback prospect. He’s a late-round prospect.

The two teams that will be coaching in the 2009 Senior Bowl have been announced. The Cincinnati Bengals, who hold the sixth pick in the draft, will be coaching the North Team, while the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hold the ninth pick, will be coaching the South Team.

Like last year, Draft Headquarters will be broadcasting live from Mobile, Alabama for the week of practices. Continue to check back for more updates as the game draws closer.

It’s being reported that Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree will announce his decision this week to declare for the NFL Draft. It’s also being reported that North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has opted to make himself eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft. Crabtree is expected to be the first receiver taken and could go as high as the first three-or-four picks. Nicks, in my opinion, is worthy of a late-first round selection.

- South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood has decided to return to school for his senior season rather than leave school for the NFL, which he had announced he was going to do at the end of his game last week.

- My rankings have been updated to show the three changes.

- LSU junior offensive tackle Ciron Black is leaning towards leaving school early for the NFL Draft. This move would add to the outstanding depth at the offensive tackle position in this year’s draft. If Black were to declare, we could see as many as another 5-6 tackles go in this year’s first round.

- Players to watch for in tonight’s game:

Texas vs. Ohio State

DE Brian Orakpo - An elite pass rusher for the Longhorns, Orakpo came on this season and is expected to be taken as high as the Top 10 in this year’s draft. He has outstanding size/speed measureables, and is what draftniks like to call a “physical specimen”. Keep an eye on this guy.

WR Quan Cosby - Cosby came into the season as an undrafted free agent-type of prospect. However, because of his dominating play at the receiver position for the Longhorns, he now could be taken in the middle of the draft.

LB James Laurinaitis - Laurinaitis is one of the top inside linebacker prospects in the country. He has great experience and productivity at the collegiate level, and is expected to be taken in the Top 25 picks. His stock has dropped a bit this season, however he’s still a legitimate prospect for the next level.

CB Malcolm Jenkins - The top cornerback prospect in the 2009 draft, Jenkins is expected to be taken in the Top 10, and could even go as high as the Top 5. He’s a complete player at cornerback who does a great job in coverage and is one of the most underrated players in defending against the run.

RB Chris “Beanie” Wells - Assuming he declares, Wells will be the top running back in this year’s draft. He has ideal size/speed measureables with the power and strength needed to be an inside runner. Wells could go as high as the Top 5-6 picks in the draft.

LB Marcus Freeman - An athletic linebacker with good speed and agility, Freeman has the experience and versatility needed to be a successful player at the next level. He’s been productive for the Buckeye’s, and despite playing in the shadow of James Laurinaitis, he’s still a legitimate prospect in his own right. Freeman is a third-round pick on my board.

WR Brian Robiskie - Robiskie is an underrated player in my opinion. He has reliable hands with the size, speed, and quickness needed to play at the next level. Robiskie should be among the top five senior receivers off the board, and should go in the third or fourth round.

OT Alex Boone - Boone has outstanding size with good strength and power. I feel that he has the tools needed to play at the next level. The right side may be a better fit for him, as he will, at times, struggle with the elite pass rushers in the NFL. Boone is one of the top five or six senior offensive tackles and should go in the third or fourth round.

Southern Mississippi linebacker Gerald McRath has declared for the 2009 NFL Draft. McRath, in my opinion, is now one of the top rated inside linebacker prospects in this year’s draft. McRath has very good speed at the linebacker position, and because of this, will have the versatility needed to play more than one linebacker spot at the next level. I personally have McRath ranked behind Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis, now as my No. 3 rated inside linebacker. My rankings have been updated to show the change.

It is being reported that both Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith and UConn running back Donald Brown have both made themselves eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Smith’s declaration was made public according to a statement released by a Montgomery law firm Saturday. The release states, “Through much prayer and after counseling with his parents and his coach, University of Alabama offensive lineman and All-American Andre Smith today said he has decided to forego his last year of collegiate football eligibility.”

Brown declared for the draft after his team’s win over Buffalo this afternoon: “I’m not coming back,” Brown said after rushing for a career-best 261 yards in UConn’s 38-20 International Bowl victory Saturday. “I’m going to make myself available to the NFL. I know I told you guys earlier that I was coming back, but that was to eliminate the distractions from my team. We had enough internal distractions going on that we didn’t need that as a burden, as well. I apologize for quote-unquote lying, but I did it to protect my team. They mean the world to me, so I’m willing to put my neck on the line for them.”

Smith is now the top offensive tackle in this year’s draft, while Brown is now the second-rated running back on my board. My rankings have been updated to show the changes.

Rutgers junior receiver Kenny Britt has declared for the 2009 NFL Draft. Britt announced today at a press conference that he has decided to forego his senior season and head to the next level. On my board, Britt is now the top rated receiver in the draft. However, with many underclassmen still expected to declare, he should slide down a bit. A fringe first-second round pick, Britt ranks behind Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, and Hakeem Nicks on my board.

My receiver rankings have been updated to show the change.

Arizona offensive tackle Eben Britton has declared for the NFL Draft. Britton is currently the first underclassmen on the offensive line to have declared for the draft. I personally have him ranked behind Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher as of now; as I watch more film on him, my opinion could change. I feel that he’s a safer pick than Oher, but Oher’s ceiling could be a lot higher than Britton’s.

“It’s right in front of me, and I wanted to take it,” Britton said. “The past couple weeks I’ve been talking it over and discussing it with my parents. It’s the feeling in my heart. I’m ready for the next challenge.” Britton, 21, has signed with super-agent Tom Condon. He will relocate to Tempe next week and enroll at Athletes’ Performance, a popular pre-draft training institute. He will stay there until the NFL draft combine, which takes place Feb. 18-24 in Indianapolis.

My rankings have been updated to show the change.

- These players have all announced that they will be returning to school for their senior seasons: Virginia Tech safety Kam Chancellor, USC wide receiver Damian Williams, USC running back Stafon Johnson, and Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.

- Rutgers wide receiver Kenny Britt will announce his intentions today at a press conference.

- Tennessee running back Arian Foster, defensive end Robert Ayers and offensive guard Anthony Parker have all accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl.

- Players to watch for in today’s game:

Buffalo vs. Connecticut

RB James Starks - While he’s only a junior, Starks is still a very talented player. He offers great size and strength and is capable of breaking a number of tackles. He’d be a great fit in a power running scheme at the next level (ex. New York Giants, Carolina).

QB Drew Willy - Willy is a player whose stock has very quietly risen this season. He’s a game manager who led Buffalo to the MAC Championship this year. While he may not get drafted, he’s smart enough and has the knowledge of the game needed to land somewhere as a camp arm.

CB Darius Butler - Butler’s stock really went up this season as scouts began to see how talented he is. With shutdown ability at cornerback as well as nice return skills, Butler could potentially go as high as the second round.

OT Will Beatty - Another potential second round pick for UConn, Beatty has great size and athleticism, and does a nice job as a pass blocker. His stock is on the rise and he may get drafted higher than many people expect.

DE Cody Brown - Brown is a college defensive end who could potentially make the switch to outside linebacker at the next level. He makes a number of plays and is expected to be taken in the mid-rounds this April.

RB Donald Brown - The NCAA’s rushing leader this season, Brown has the tools needed to be a good player at the next level. He has the size and strength needed to be an every-down back who can carry the ball between the tackles. He’s only a junior, however he’d rank alongside Iowa’s Shonn Greene if he were to declare.

- The Patriots are reportedly planning on placing the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Cassell. With Tom Brady’s health status unknown at this point, this is clearly the right move. Cassell could end up making around $12 million dollars, which would be the average of the five top quarterback salaries in the league. Placing the tag on Cassell also gives the Patriots the ability to trade him under their own power. What this assures them of is that they will receive something of value back when he leaves.

- While it’s been expected and talked about, South Carolina safety Emanuel Cook is going to turn pro. I’ve updated my safety rankings to show the change. Keep an eye back here at Draft Headquarters for more news on which underclassmen declare.

- Florida offensive tackle Jason Watkins and wide receiver Louis Murphy will be playing in the Senior Bowl.

- Here are the player’s to watch for in today’s games:

Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss

WR Michael Crabtree - By far the best and most explosive wide receiver in the country, Crabtree is expected to declare for the draft after this game. He should be taken among the top four picks. Crabtree has drawn comparisons to Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson.

QB Graham Harrell - One of the most prolific quarterbacks that we have ever seen, Harrell displays a strong arm with nice accuracy. He’s smart, instinctive, and has shown that he is capable of making all of the throws that an NFL quarterback needs to make. He could be taken in the third or fourth round.

OG Louis Vasquez - Similar to former Red Raiders guard Manuel Ramirez, Vasquez is a big-bodied, strong, powerful player. He’s a very good pass blocker while also showing that he’s capable of being a nice blocker in the run game as well.

S Darcel McBath - A productive player for the Red Raiders, McBath had six interceptions this season as well as 70 tackles. He has a nice combination of size and speed and should be taken in the mid-rounds.

OT Michael Oher - While many people currently feel that Oher could go in the Top 5, I’m personally not sold. He’s athletic with very good size, and I feel he should go in the middle of the first round.

DT Peria Jerry - A run stuffing defensive tackle, Jerry has seen his stock rise dramatically this season. He’s currently one of the top defensive tackle prospects on the board and should be taken in the second round.

DE Greg Hardy - If Hardy decides to declare for the draft, he could go as high as the Top 10. He’s still a raw player who needs to be polished up, but he has the type of talent that you don’t see that often.

East Carolina vs. Kentucky

CB Trevard Lindley - Lindley is a player who is considering entering the 2009 draft. He has a ton of upside, has great measurables, and has shown that he is capable of being a shutdown cornerback. If he enters the draft, he could go in the second round behind D.J. Moore and Vontae Davis.

Alabama vs. Utah

OT Andre Smith - While Smith has been suspended for this game, there’s still plenty of talk about him being a potential Top 3 pick in the 2009 draft. With enormous size and great quickness and athleticism, Smith has the tools needed to be a franchise left tackle at the next level.

C Antoine Caldwell - I personally feel that Caldwell is one of the more underrated offensive linemen in this year’s draft. A four-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Caldwell has loads of experience against college football’s best players in the SEC. I feel that the fourth round is an accurate projection for him.

NT Terrence Cody - While he’s expected to go back to school, Cody has been fun to watch this year. One of the biggest players in college football, Cody is a future nose tackle in the 3-4 alignment at the next level. It’s a good move for him to stay for his senior year, as he’ll gain endurance, get into better shape, and become a more polished player.

S Rashad Johnson - A playmaking leader in Alabama’s secondary, Johnson has the tools needed to start at the next level. He’s one of the smartest players in college football and should have the size/speed measurables needed to be taken in the second round.

QB John Parker Wilson - I like Wilson a bit more than other scouts do. He’s a game-managing quarterback who makes smart decisions with the ball and can be successful with the right supporting cast. He’s a mid-round prospect who a team will take as a project to try and develop.

CB Sean Smith - Smith is reportedly considering entering the draft this year. He has great size and speed and has the versatility needed to play either cornerback or safety at the next level. If he declares for the draft, he should be taken towards the end of the first round.

K Louie Sakoda - The top kicker in this year’s draft, Sakoda is Utah’s kicker and punter. He made 91% of his field goals with a long of 53 this year. His longest punt was 81 yards, so you know that he has a strong leg. Sakoda could go as high as the third round.

Four more players have declared for the NFL Draft: Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman, LSU defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois, South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood, and South Carolina cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.

Freeman, a combination of JaMarcus Russell and Daunte Culpepper, decided to leave KSU due to the new coaching situation. “Kansas State is starting over and this is what I’ve always wanted to do. The time is right.” He’s currently the top rated quarterback on my board, however there are more underclassmen that could declare at the quarterback position.

Back in October I predicted that Ricky Jean-Francois was going to leave for the draft, so the readers of Draft Headquarters shouldn’t be shocked about this one. The 6-3, 281 lb defensive lineman has versatility and could potentially play tackle or end at the next level; I’m ranking him as a defensive end.

Munnerlyn and Norwood declared today after their team’s loss to Iowa. Munnerlyn is a shorter cornerback at 5-9, however he plays like the Vikings Antoine Winfield, in that he’s an aggressive player who plays well both in the running game and in coverage. “I can be a good cover corner in the NFL,” Munnerlyn said. “I just talked it over with my mom and I’m ready. The league said I should be drafted in the first three rounds.” Norwood is a defensive end/outside linebacker who really rushes the passer well. His best fit at the next level will come as an outside linebacker in the 3-4.

My rankings have been updated to show the changes.