The Saints had a very simple draft in 2009. With a limited number of picks, they went with the best player available at No. 14, and also the one player that would fill their biggest need as they selected Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. One of the safer corneback/safety prospects to come along in the past five years, Jenkins should make an immediate impact for a Saints team that could use his help.
With their two fourth round picks, the Saints selected Wake Forest safety Chip Vaughn and linebacker Stanley Arnoux. An in-the-box type of safety with great experience, Vaughn should need a year or two of development before he realistically has a chance of competing for a job as a starter. However, I do like his potential. Arnoux is an athletic linebacker, however he tore his achilles tendon on the first day of rookie minicamp and will the entire 2009 season.
With their fifth round and final pick of the draft, New Orleans traded up to select SMU punter Thomas Morstead. A very solid punting prospect, Morstead should have a chance to compete for the starting punting job in New Orleans.
The Saints draft was quick and precise. They added the players that they needed and will head in 2009 with an improved defense thanks to Jenkins and free agent signings Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper. While many were speculating before the draft that the Saints could take Ohio State running back Chris Wells, Jenkins was the right choice, especially considering the limited number of picks that the Saints had. Grade: B+
The Redskins address their largest need in the 2009 draft in the first round when they selected Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo. However, there’s talk that Washington could use the former end at linebacker and move him back down to end on passing downs. Considering Orakpo has limited experience as a linebacker and the Redskins need pass rushing help badly, you have to wonder why they want him to play linebacker.
With their third round selection, Washington picked Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes. An athletic corner who missed the second half of his senior year due to injury, Barnes projects as a nickel back who could compete for a starting job in a year or two. In the fifth round, the Redskins selected Nebraska linebacker Cody Glenn. I like Glenn, and he’s a talented player, but this was too high for him. He’s a former running back who only has one year of experience at linebacker. He’s not going to produce anything anytime soon other than being a special teams player, and you don’t typically draft those type of players until the end of the draft. I like Glenn, but he’s a project and he should have gone in the sixth or seventh round.
With their sixth and two seventh round picks, Washington went with TCU linebacker Robert Henson, Idaho tight end Eddie Williams, and Nevada wide receiver Marko Mitchell respectively. Similar to Glenn, Henson will bring the most value as a special teams player. This is the third linebacker they drafted if you include Orakpo. Williams is an H-Back type of tight end who has versastility and can be moved around. He could be a nice backup to Chris Cooley as he has a similar type of game as Cooley. Mitchell is a tall, lanky receiver who is capable of getting downfield and isn’t afraid to work the middle of the field. He’s more of a project, but he could see some playing time.
The Redskins draft was a curious one for me. Orakpo is the only sure-thing that they got and they reached on several players. I could see this draft realistically being a relatively bad one in a few years. Grade: C-
Only time will tell as to whether or not the Jay Cutler trade was the right move. One way or another, they traded their franchise quarterback and got a career-mediocre quarterback in return. Either way, the Broncos have a lot of work to do. With their two first round picks, Denver opted to go with Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno and Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers. The Moreno pick makes sense for a team that has lacked a consistent running back since Terrell Davis retired. Is it ironic that both Davis and Moreno went to Georgia? Robert Ayers was a fast riser in the pre-draft workouts, including an excellent workout at the Senior Bowl. He’ll move to outside linebacker and rush the passer in Denver’s new 3-4 defense.
The Broncos traded their first round pick in 2010 to move up and select Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith with a second round pick. While I absolutely love the selection of Smith, I’m not very high on the move to trade away next year’s first, especially considering there’s a good chance that the Broncos could have a high pick in 2010. Allowing for Smith to develop behind Champ Bailey could be a great move. Smith has the potential to be a great player in the NFL.
With their other two second round picks, the Broncos went with Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath and North Carolina tight end Richard Quinn. Both of these picks bring up question marks for me. I had McBath rated as a third-to-fourth round prospect and Quinn as a fourth-to-fifth rounder, which makes these picks even more surprising. McBath is an instinctive player who makes plays at the safety position. Quinn was one of the top blocking tight ends in this year’s draft, however he only caught 12 passes in his time with the Tar Heels. Finding a blocking tight end isn’t hard, which is why I don’t understand needing to draft one in the second round.
With their two fourth round picks, Denver selected Notre Dame safety David Bruton and Iowa guard Seth Olsen. An athletic safety with great measurables, Bruton should team well with McBath to give the Broncos a bright future at the safety position. Olsen is a solid prospect at guard who has good technique and should be able to compete for a job on the team’s offensive line.
With their fifth, sixth, and seventh round picks, the Broncos took South Carolina wide receiver Kenny McKinley, Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater, and TCU center Blake Schlueter respectively. A smaller, quicker receiver who has excellent athleticism, McKinley projects as a slot receiver in the NFL. Brandstater has some of the tools that teams look for in a starting quarterback, however he was never able to put everything together in college. He’s a bit of a project at the quarterback position. Schlueter is a good looking player whose stock was rising fast in the pre-draft workouts. He’s undersized, but he has the tools needed to play in the NFL.
As they begin the post-Jay Cutler era, the Broncos may find it hard to have success in 2009. I personally think that they had a solid draft, but not an outstanding one in 2009. They added three or four impact players, while they also brought in several role players. However, I really think that they reached on a decent amount of their picks. Grade: C
1.Oakland – Bryan Bulaga OT Iowa – After their disastrous 2009 draft, which included some of the biggest reaches in draft memory, the Raiders appear destined to draft first overall in next year’s draft. After all, they have selected in the Top 10 in each of the last six years. It’s very likely that that streak will continue. What’s ironic is that one of the top prospects in next year’s draft is an offensive tackle from Iowa. In 2004, the Raiders selected Robert Gallery, which ended up blowing up in their face. If they have the option of taking another Hawkeyes’ offensive tackle, will they take him?
2.Detroit – Trent Williams OT Oklahoma – Coming back from going 0-16 is going to take awhile. The Lions have built the foundation for a good future and have some nice pieces in place. However, their offensive line is still among the worst in football. For example, their starting left tackle Jeff Backus has given up an average of 10 sacks per season for the last three years. Adding a franchise offensive line in the mold of Trent Williams would go a long way towards solidifying this team’s offensive line.
3.Kansas City – Eric Berry S Tennessee – The Chiefs weren’t afraid to show in the 2009 draft that they are willing to upgrade their defensive line, as they spent their first two picks in this area. With their front seven relatively set, you should expect to see the Chiefs upgrade their secondary at some point in next year’s draft. Berry is one of the best safety prospects to come along in the past decade. He has everything that scouts look for and has the potential to be one of the top defensive backs in the league.
4.St. Louis – Jevan Snead QB Mississippi – Many people will be shocked that I don’t have Sam Bradford here ahead of Snead. However, in addition to my personal feeling that Snead could be the better quarterback, there is talk in the league that Snead may be the better prospect and may be better suited to an NFL offense than Bradford is. The Rams appear to be a boom or bust team in 2009. They have some pieces needed to win some games, while they also have suffered from injury in recent years. You could argue that Marc Bulger needs to have a good year or St. Louis could replace him next year. Having a Top 5 pick three years in a row would not be good.
5.Tampa Bay – Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State – Next season could be a rebuilding year for a Tampa Bay franchise that added many new players this season, including a rookie quarterback with their first round pick. They may be in store for a long year, especially with several of their veterans gone from last year’s team. The Bucs brought Antonio Bryant back, but still lack another big-play threat to team alongside him. Kellen Winslow should be a nice addition at the tight end position. Dez Bryant was one of the top big-play threats last season and should be one of the favorites to be the top receiver selected in next year’s draft.
6.San Francisco – Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma – This season may be the last one for the Alex Smith/Shaun hill experiment. If neither quarterback can show the coaching staff that they offer potential as the quarterback of the future, then you can expect to see the 49ers go with a signal caller in what could be a quarterback-heavy first round next year. Bradford has all of the tools needed to become a starting quarterback in the NFL and is almost a sure-thing to go in the Top-10 next year.
7.Seattle (from Denver) – Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma – Denver sent this pick to Seattle in a draft-day trade in 2009 that allowed for them to move up and select Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith. The Seahawks lost Rocky Bernard to New York last season, however they did add Colin Cole and Cory Redding to their defensive line. However, with two first round picks in 2010, Seattle can afford to go with the best player available, and that player would be Gerald McCoy, the best of the defensive tackle-heavy first round. Adding one of the top prospects in next year’s draft and adding him to a defense that would be solidified with a great tackle would really help to propel Seattle into competing once again in the NFC West. McCoy has the talent and potential to go as high as No. 1 overall next year.
8.Cleveland – Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma – *This marks the Sooners fourth player in the Top 8, including three in a row. Oklahoma figures to be in store for a big year in 2009. - When you trade away a franchise player (Kellen Winslow), chances are that you would want to replace him. The Browns failed to do that in the 2009 draft. With injury-prone Martin Rucker as the most promising tight end on the roster, it’s safe to say that Cleveland could be looking for another one next year. Jermaine Gresham is the top tight end to enter the draft since Winslow was drafted out of Miami (FL) by the Browns, and may be a better prospect than Winslow was. He has the potential to be one of the top tight ends in the league.
9.Jacksonville – Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska – When the Jaguars were the most successful, it was when they had a tough defense and one of the top defensive tackle combinations in the league in John Henderson and Marcus Stroud. With Stroud gone and Henderson getting older, it makes sense that they would address this position in 2010. Ndamukong Suh is a player who had an outstanding 2008 season and figures to be one of the top defensive prospects available in the 2010 draft. He may just be hitting the tip of his potential and he could actually end up being a better player in the pro’s than he was in college.
10.Miami – Terrence Cody DT Alabama – Another defensive tackle who figures to turn 2008’s success into a promising career at the next level, Terrence Cody offers teams at the next level a true nose tackle who has size, bulk, and the ability to plug holes and create penetration. The Dolphins, built around their 3-4 defense, could use a nose tackle like Cody who they know they can count on for the future. Cody’s massive frame and ability to make plays combines to make him one of the top defensive line prospects for 2010.
11.Cincinnati – Jonathan Dwyer RB Georgia Tech – One of the Bengals biggest question marks entering the 2009 season is their running back position. They are hoping that Cedric Benson can regain his form as one of the more promising young backs that the league thought it had when Benson was selected fifth overall in 2005. Whether or not he has success, I still think that in order for Cincinnati to take the next step as a team, they need to add a legitimate running back who can pound the ball behind their now large offensive line. Jonathan Dwyer, a large, bruising back would offer them a player similar to what Rudi Johnson brought back when the Bengals were running over teams and in the playoffs with one of the best offenses in the league.
12.New York Jets – Arrelious Benn WR Illinois – The Jets went all-in in 2009 and went after Mark Sanchez to be their quarterback of the future. A Joe Namath look-a-like, Sanchez figures to team with third-rounder Shonn Greene to add a youth-movement to the New York offense. However, after losing Laveranues Coles to the Bengals, the Jets receiving core looks dismal. Outside of Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller, the team’s receiving options aren’t promising. Adding a very talented receiver in the mold of Arrelious Benn would be huge. A former top recruit, Benn has the size and talent needed to develop into an elite offensive weapon in the NFL. He also has experience as a kick and punt returner.
13.Dallas – Taylor Mays S USC – The Cowboys appear to be in a bit of a funk. They are entering the first season of the post-T.O. era. However, without star/diva receiver Terrell Owens, Dallas still figures to be under the spotlight as the nation will be watching to see if they can win without him, along with that new stadium they just built. The offense still should be intact with an outstanding trio of running backs. The defense is solid up front, but could use some help in the secondary. The Cowboys have lacked an elite safety since Roy Williams fell off the earth and forgot how to cover. Taylor Mays may have the most intriguing combination of size, speed, talent, and potential to come through the draft in quite awhile. He surely would have been a high pick in 2009, and figures to be a Top-15 pick with a good year in ’09. He would be an outstanding fit with in Dallas.
14.Indianapolis - Marvin Austin DT North Carolina – Many will be surprised that I have the Colts picking so early in this draft. However, last year I also had the Green Bay Packers picking 13th overall before the season started and they ended up with the ninth pick at the end of the year. Indianapolis is undergoing many changes: a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator and a new offensive line coach. While there’s a chance that they overcome these changes, I would not be shocked if they struggled in the first year of the post-Tony Dungy era. This offseason the Colts added Fili Moala and Terrance Taylor to a defensive line that has lacked consistent play from the defensive tackle position. While those should be two welcome additions, I still feel that, in order to take their defense to the next level, the Colts could really stand to add an elite tackle rather than continuing to throw late-round and undrafted free agents into the mix. Marvin Austin is an extremely talented player who has yet to tap into his potential and has shown some signs that have reminded me of Warren Sapp.
15.New Orleans – Brandon Spikes LB Florida – The Saints are in the process of rebuilding their defense. They did an outstanding job of upgrading their secondary this offseason by bringing in Jabari Greer, Darren Sharper, and Malcolm Jenkins. That, a year after drafting Sedrick Ellis to be a playmaker up front. It’s time that they added a true playmaker at the linebacker position. Jonathan Vilma returns and they still have Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle outside, however I’d like to see them add more talent to this unit. Bringing in the type of playmaker that Spikes is and adding the intensity that he will bring could take this defense as a whole to the next level.
16.Green Bay – Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State – The Packers’ offensive line is a bit mixed up as we enter training camp 2009. At right tackle, Mark Tauscher is gone and Allen Barbre and T.J. Land are expected to compete for the job. At left tackle, 33-year old Chad Clifton will hold down the spot, however he’s obviously getting up there in age. Inside, Jason Spitz is competing with Scott Wells at center. They don’t have many sure-things on the line this season. When the Packers were at their best, it was when they had a solidified offensive line that could drive defenders off the ball. That is in question right now. Bringing in one of the top offensive tackles in the draft in Russell Okung would go a long way towards upgrading the line. Whether it’s as the future replacement for Clifton, or being plugged in at right tackle, Okung would surely bring a lot of value to Green Bay.
17.Seattle – Jahvid Best RB California – After adding an elite defensive tackle with their first pick, the Seahawks move to the offensive side of the ball and bring in arguably the most electric running back in the nation in Jahvid Best. A darkhorse for the Heisman Trophy in 2009, Best figures to take the country by storm as a junior this year. Seattle hasn’t had an elite running back since Shaun Alexander’s MVP season in 2005. They need to add a player who can at least split carries with Julius Jones. Best has all the talent in the world and the sky is the limit for his potential.
18.Houston – Trevard Lindley CB Kentucky – This offseason the Texans addressed their defense in a big way by adding defensive end Antonio Smith and linebacker Brian Cushing. Houston’s secondary has always been one of the team’s weak points and it’s time that they start to add talent to this unit. They brought in Glover Quin through the draft, however only Fred Bennett and Antwaun Molden are their most promising cornerbacks. Dunta Robinson’s future also appears to be up in the air. Trevard Lindley is a talented playmaker at the cornerback position and is the top senior corner in the nation as we enter the year. He would bring an aggressive, playmaking mentality to a secondary that could surely use one.
19.Buffalo – Ciron Black OT LSU – The Bills traded away their franchise tackle in Jason Peters this offseason and failed to adequately replace him in the draft. Instead, they opted to address the interior of the offensive line by taking Eric Wood and Andy Levitre. Adding a large tackle to be the future replacement at left tackle is one area that the Bills will need to look to address next offseason. Ciron Black is a big tackle who has been one of the key reasons why the LSU Tigers have had so much success on offense the past few years. He has the talent needed to go in the first round.
20.Washington – Carlos Dunlap DE Florida – While Washington did select Brian Orakpo with their first pick in 2009, they’ve decided to play him primarily at strong-side outside linebacker thus far. What confuses me is that the team has struggled so badly in rushing the passer in the past few years, and they took one of the top pass rushers in this past year’s draft, yet they’ve decided to stand him up and have him play linebacker, something that he’s rarely done. I’d be surprised if this plan worked as well as they think it will. Carlos Dunlap is one of the most promising pass rushing prospects in the nation and has the talent and ability needed to be a Top 10 pick.
21.San Francisco (from Carolina) – Sergio Kindle LB Texas - Carolina sent this pick to San Francisco in a draft-day trade in 2009 that allowed for them to move up and select Florida State defensive end Everette Brown. One area where the 49ers have struggled as of late has been in the pass rushing department. The once-promising Manny Lawson hasn’t lived up to his status as a former first-round pick while the team is going to expect more from Parys Haralson after his eight-sack season in 2008. Sergio Kindle is an up-and-coming prospect who could rise fast next year if he has the type of season that many people are anticipating. Kindle would play outside linebacker for the 49ers in a pass rushing role.
22.Baltimore – Damian Williams WR USC – Still in pursuit of adding a legitimate threat at the wide receiver position, the Ravens appear to be just one or two pieces away in rebuilding their offense around Joe Flacco. With Michael Oher, their offensive line is now solidified and their running game should continue to propel the offense. Adding a player with the type of big-play capabilities that Williams presents would go a long way towards taking this offense to the next level. Williams had a breakout sophomore year in 2008 and will be looking to build on last season’s success in 2009.
23.Denver (from Chicago) – Colt McCoy QB Texas – The Broncos received this pick in the deal that sent Jay Cutler to Chicago. Ask yourself this. Is Kyle Orton the type of quarterback that is going to lead your team to a Super Bowl victory? The answer is no. The Broncos need to add a legitimate quarterback of the future after making one of the biggest bonehead trades in recent memory by sending their franchise quarterback to the Bears. While I’m not as high on McCoy, he’s destined to be a first-round pick in 2010. McCoy does possess great leadership skills and his accuracy and completion percentage are both outstanding. Denver has plenty of holes and could be in for a long year, which I’ve already suggested in giving them the seventh pick in the draft, a pick which they traded.
24.San Diego – Anthony Davis OT Rutgers – As has been in the case in the past few years, the Chargers don’t have many needs or holes on their roster. However, they do lack an elite option at right tackle. After failing to add a new option at the position in 2009, you can expect to see them address the need in 2010, especially if Jeromey Clary struggles in ’09. Anthony Davis is a massive lineman who has great experience and has the versatility to play numerous positions on the line. His ceiling is relatively high and I could see him being a very good player in the NFL.
25.Minnesota – Morgan Burnett S Georgia Tech – The Vikings still lack a legitimate quarterback of the future. Say whatever you want about Brett Favre, but he’s only essentially a year or two year fix at the most. Tarvaris Jackson has run out of opportunities and I don’t think they know exactly what they have in Sage Rosenfels. However, assuming Minnesota does well again in 2009, they likely won’t be in position to land one of the elite quarterbacks. The Vikings current situation at safety has second-year Tyrell Johnson teaming up with Madieu Williams. Both players are suited to play strong safety and defend the run. Williams has averaged just two interceptions per year over the last four years and it’s hard to say what Johnson will bring in his first full year as a starter. Morgan Burnett is an interception machine, having led the nation in 2008 with seven interceptions. A ballhawk in the secondary who consistently makes plays, Burnett would be able to step in and provide the Vikings with a realistic center-fielder type who can also defend the run. Continuing to upgrade their secondary, especially after Antoine Winfield leaves next year, should be one of their top priorities.
26.Tennessee – Arthur Jones DT Syracuse – The Titans front seven has consistently been among the team’s strongest units in recent memory. However, with the loss of Albert Haynesworth, it’s expected that it won’t be as strong in 2009. While they brought in Sen’Derrick Marks and already have Jason Jones, I still think that it’d be in Tennessee’s best interest to continue to add depth to their defensive line. Arthur Jones had a breakout season in 2008 and figures to translate that success to 2009. The 2010 draft class figures to be rich in defensive tackles, so it makes plenty of sense for the Titans to take advantage of that and address their front seven.
27.Atlanta – Sean Weatherspoon LB Missouri – The Falcons had another successful draft in 2009 by addressing their needs on the defensive line (Peria Jerry) and in the secondary (William Moore). However, I still think that there is work that needs to be done in their linebacker core. Curtis Lofton is entrenched in the middle and Stephen Nicholas has shown promise outside, but they lack another player to team with them. Bringing in a talented and playmaking type in Sean Weatherspoon would only add to this talented and improving defense.
28.Arizona – Rob Gronkowski TE Arizona – Both Leonard Pope and Ben Patrick showed promise in 2008 as the Cardinals shocked the football world and made it to the Super Bowl. While they are decent options for quarterback Kurt Warner, I think that adding an elite prospect at the tight end position to take split the seam and take attention away from Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin should be something that they should look for. A likely fan favorite, Rob Gronkowski is one of the top tight end prospects in the nation and should be a first-round pick in 2010 if he enters the draft.
29.Pittsburgh – John Jerry OT Mississippi – One of the Steelers largest weaknesses in 2008 was their offensive line. In the draft, they added a couple of young and intriguing options in Kraig Urbik and A.Q. Shipley, however they didn’t add any elite options on the line. John Jerry, the brother of Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry, has excellent size and he also has the versatility needed to play both tackle and guard. Jerry would be a great addition to the Steelers’ run-oriented offense.
30.New York Giants – Syd’Quan Thompson CB California – Over the past two-to-three years, the Giants have shown that they have one of the best scouting staffs in the league. They have essentially perfected the ability to combine need with taking the best player available. It’s no surprise why this team has been among the most competitive teams in the league for the past two seasons. In the secondary, and at cornerback specifically, the Giants could stand to upgrade. They’ve shown that they know they need to add depth, as they addressed this position aggressively in 2009 by drafting DeAndre Wright and Stoney Woodson. However, outside of Aaron Ross, they don’t have many sure-things; Terrell Thomas has shown promise. Trust me when I tell you that Syd’Quan Thompson is one of the most underrated defensive backs in college football. He’s a playmaker who has an eye for the ball and his stock could rise in 2009 with a good season. Adding him to a talented, but young secondary would only help the Giants remain as one of the top teams in the NFC.
31.New England – Tim Tebow QB Florida – Where Tim Tebow goes in the 2010 NFL Draft is going to be one of the biggest questions in recent draft history. As accomplished as Tebow has been in college, his skill-set flat out does not project well to the next level. However, with the Wildcat offense popping up around the league, now is the perfect time for the Heisman Trophy winner to be heading into the league. With some of the best leadership skills that I’ve ever seen and a passion for the game that would rival anyone’s, there figure to be at least a few teams that fall in love with Tebow. The Patriots, as has been the case for the past few years, are in the position to draft the best player available and not reach for a need. Adding Tebow to an offense that already possesses the best quarterback in the league would bring yet another added dimension to an offense that teams around the league have had such a hard time stopping.
32.Philadelphia – Jerry Hughes DE TCU – Philadelphia made great strides in the 2009 offseason by bringing in Jason Peters, Stacy Andrews, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy. Their offense, in my opinion, could be among the most dominant in the league. With one of the largest offensive lines in the league and a stable of skill position players that could rival anyone’s in the league, as well as a quarterback who has a chip on his shoulder, the Eagles have all of the pieces needed to make a run at the Super Bowl in 2009. On defense, Philadelphia has always been a team that has been good at rushing the passer. Trent Cole has emerged as their top defensive end, while they have a host of others that have combined to give the team a formidable defensive front. Jerry Hughes is a very athletic defensive end who has an explosive burst off the edge and would be a great addition to the team’s aggressive style of play on defense.
Buffalo’s offseason essentially started when they signed free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens to a one-year deal that they hope would bring some much-needed energy to a team that is just a few pieces away from making a playoff appearance. However, one move that many thought was questionable was when they traded franchise left tackle to Philadelphia in return for a first and fourth-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-rounder in 2010. With the whole at tackle now, it makes sense that the Bills aggressively upgraded their offensive line in the first two rounds.
With their two first round picks, Buffalo selected Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin and Louisville center Eric Wood. Maybin, one of the top pure pass rushers in this year’s draft, figures to bring some pressure from the outside that the Bills have lacked for quite a few years. While he’s young and still raw, his talent and potential are both enormous. Wood was a very safe pick at the end of the first round. His stock was rising fast before the draft, and it made sense for them to take him there, as he likely wouldn’t have lasted until their pick in the second round. He’ll be a long-time fixture of the team’s offensive line.
After trading up in the second round, the Bills came away with two second-round picks, Oregon cornerback Jairus Byrd and Oregon State offensive guard Andy Levitre. A high-ceiling prospect with plenty of upside, Byrd has the potential to develop into a very good starter in the NFL. While he lacks elite speed, he does have excellent ball skills and he makes plenty of plays. Levitre, who some considered to be the top guard in this year’s draft, will likely move in right alongside Wood to give the Bills another young, promising offensive lineman.
In the fourth round, Buffalo selected Southern Miss tight end Shawn Nelson. It was very surprising to see Nelson slide this far, so to see the Bills come away with a second-round talent in the fourth-round could end up being one of the steals of the draft if Nelson can develop well. In the fifth round, the team selected Oklahoma safety Nic Harris. The former Sooner has been tried at both safety and linebacker in trying to find his best position at the next level. Wherever he ends up, he’ll provide depth and be a nice addition for special teams at the least. He has some starting potential if he can develop well.
With their sixth-round pick, the Bills took USC cornerback Cary Harris. An experienced cornerback who has played against some of the top talent that college football had to offer, Harris figures to be a project who could see some playing time in the future thanks to his consistent play. In the seventh-round, with their last pick, Buffalo went with West Virginia cornerback Ellis Lankster. The former Mountaineer had an excellent week at the Senior Bowl, which helped to raise his draft stock. He’s an aggressive corner who isn’t afraid to mix it up in the run game.
Overall, Buffalo had a very good draft in 2009. I was very impressed with the amount of value and talent that they came away with with each of their picks. They could realistically get an immediate impact from each of their first five picks. They also filled nearly all of their needs with this draft class, while also adding good depth with their picks. Grade: A
Entering the 2009 NFL Draft, the chances of Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree falling to the San Francisco 49ers with the tenth pick in the draft appeared to be slim to none. With an offense in need of a playmaker, the 49ers couldn’t have asked for much more from this year’s draft, having landed the top receiver in the draft at No. 10 overall. Michael Crabtree will bring the type of excitement to the 49ers that they have lacked since Jerry Rice left for Oakland.
With their third-round pick, the 49ers continued to add to their power-run game by selecting Alabama running back Glen Coffee, a strong running back who starred as a junior for the Crimson Tide last season. As a nice change-of-pace back, Coffee should see a good amount of playing time as a rookie. With Frank Gore’s injury history, he could also see some time as a starter. I like this pick a lot.
With their two fifth-round picks, San Francisco selected Pittsburgh linebacker Scott McKillop and Ball State quarterback Nate Davis. A very smart, knowledgeable linebacker, McKillop has the type of instincts that scouts love to see in a linebacker. He has the chance to develop into a starter alongside Patrick Willis. Nate Davis’ stock fell before the draft as information began to leak out that he had a learning disability. If he can develop well and learn the team’s offense, then I could see him working his way into a competition for the starting quarterback job. With a large question mark as to who the quarterback of the future will be, Davis could have a chance to step into that role in a year or two. However, it may take some more work than normal due to his learning disability.
In the sixth-round, the 49ers chose Fresno State tight end Bear Pascoe. A “poor-man’s” Jason Witten, Pascoe is a very good blocker in the run game and has the natural and reliable hands that makes him a good receiving option in the passing game. With Vernon Davis looking a like bust, Pascoe could have a chance to see a good amount of playing time. I really liked Pascoe leading up to the draft. With their two seventh-round picks, San Francisco went with LSU’s Curtis Taylor and Ricky Jean Francois. Taylor, a safety, could have a chance at seeing playing time with the 49ers secondary not being among the strongest units on its team. Jean-Francois, a tackle-end hybrid, has all of the talent in the world, but wasn’t able to put it all together in his time at LSU. If he can develop well and land with the right coach, then he could end up being a pretty good player. His ceiling is very high, however the odds are against him.
The 49ers draft looks great with Michael Crabtree leading the way at the top. He’ll be the best receiver in the Bay area since Terrell Owens left for Philadelphia. However, the 49ers are hoping that he won’t bring the attitude that Owens brought. San Francisco still has a rather large hole at quarterback, however, if they can get that figured out, then they might be able to finally make the next step towards being a successful team. While Crabtree is the only sure-thing among the players taken, there are several players who have a chance at becoming a starter and at the least, they’d find key roles on the team. Grade: A-
In 2009, the Packers draft focused mainly around the team’s transition to the 3-4 defense from the 4-3. Needing to add the right personnel to make the move work, Green Bay used four of their eight picks and their two first round picks on players who would help them make the switch to the the 3-4.
With the ninth pick in the draft, Green Bay selected Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji. A mammoth player with excellent athleticism for a player of his size, Raji projects as a nose tackle in Green Bay’s defensive scheme and he should see time as a starter right away. His impressive combination of size and strength should help solidify the middle of their defense. At the end of the first round, the Packers went against their trend of normally not trading up in the draft by moving up to select USC linebacker Clay Matthews. A hybrid linebacker who excels at rushing the passer, Matthews should compete for playing time right away and could be an excellent fit for the team’s new 3-4 defense.
After not having picks in the second or third round, Green Bay selected Eastern Michigan tackle T.J. Lang. I’m really a big fan of this pick. Lang’s stock was on fire in the days leading up to the draft and many experts thought that he could go higher than this. Lang has the tools needed to play both tackle and guard in the NFL and I’d expect to see him develop into a starter for the Packers within the next two years. This was a great value pick. With their two fifth round picks, Green Bay added LSU fullback Quinn Johnson and South Carolina offensive tackle Jamon Meredith. Johnson, a powerful, run-blocking fullback who excels at being a lead blocker, should be able to move right into the starting lineup and block for the running back Ryan Grant. Meredith had the talent to go higher in the draft, however his stock fell due to questions regarding his character. Meredith has versatility at both tackle and guard and could be a steal for the Pack if he can develop into a starter for them.
With their two sixth-round picks, Green Bay selected Georgia defensive end Jairus Wynn and Cincinnati cornerback Brandon Underwood. Wynn was a bit of a reach in my opinion, however he fits the team’s 3-4 defense well. Underwood has versatility at both cornerback and safety, and at the least he will provide key depth for the team’s secondary. However, his production as a senior suggests that he could develop into a senior. With their seventh-round pick the Packers chose Colorado linebacker Brad Jones. A smaller, quicker linebacker with very good speed, Jones projects as a project as a 3-4 outside linebacker while also possessing value on special teams.
Overall, the Packers added several players who could have key roles in the future. Raji and Matthews figure to have an instant impact as the team makes the move to the new defense. I believe that Lang will be a very good player in the NFL, so that was another good pick. Johnson and Meredith both have the potential to develop into starters, while the rest of their picks could be key role players. While making the transition to a new defense usually takes more than one draft to add the right pieces to make it work, Green Bay certainly added the right ones with the picks that they had this year. Grade = B+
One of Jacksonville’s greatest weaknesses coming into the 2009 NFL Draft was their offensive line, which had large holes at tackle. However, following this past year’s draft, the Jaguars’ weakness has now become one of their strengths. With their first round pick they took Virginia tackle Eugene Monroe, arguably the most polished offensive linemen in the draft. After adding their franchise left tackle in the first round, Jacksonville took Arizona tackle Eben Britton in the second round. Bringing in two of the top offensive line prospects that this year’s draft had to offer should help propel the Jaguars’ run game, which suggests that they are serious about becoming a run-dominated team, having given Maurice-Jones Drew a large contract extension as well this offseason. While there was talk that Britton could move inside to guard, he’ll at the least provide Jacksonville with a bookend tackle to team with Monroe.
With their two third-round picks, the Jags added Temple defensive tackle Terrence Knighton and William and Mary cornerback Derek Cox. I like the two players, however I think that they both went higher than they should have. Knighton, a very large tackle who takes up space, was more of a fifth-round prospect in my eyes, however he fills a need that Jacksonville had at defensive tackle. Cox is another small-school defensive back who is hoping to find success in the NFL. He’ll add depth to the team’s secondary, which needs it.
In the fourth and fifth round, Jacksonville added to their receiving core by selecting Mike Thomas of Arizona in the fourth and Jarrett Dillard of Rice in the fifth. Thomas is a very fast receiver with outstanding quickness and agility, and should provide them with a great slot receiver and/or returner on special teams. Dillard was one of the most productive receivers in college football history, having set several receiving records in his time at Rice. Dillard projects out as a good No. 3 or No. 4 receiver with his ceiling likely being a solid No. 2.
In the sixth round, Jacksonville went with Nebraska-Omaha tight end Zach Miller. Miller’s stock had been rising in the days leading up to the draft, so it wasn’t surprising to see him get drafted here. He’s a solid player who will have the chance to develop and compete for playing time behind Marcedes Lewis. With their two seventh-round picks, the Jaguars selected Liberty running back Rashad Jennings and Rutgers wide receiver Tiquan Underwood. Jennings, a large, strong running back was of great value this late in the draft. I think that he could be a great fit in the same role as what Fred Taylor had been for Jacksonville, as a complement to Jones-Drew. He could end up being a steal if he can get playing time. Underwood is a very quick receiver who also projects to the slot at the next level. He has talent, but he’s more of a work-in-progress than Thomas or Dillard are.
I was impressed with how the Jaguars built their draft class in 2009. They filled almost all of their needs and did it by adding talent and good value with almost all of their picks. At the very least, they added two very good tackles and another half-dozen role players who could develop into nice players. I like that they aggressively went after the receiving core and really tried to upgrade there. Jacksonville should be happy with their draft class from 2009. Grade = B
After looking at Oakland’s draft class in 2009, it makes you wonder whether or not their scouting staff has any say in the draft room. Historically, owner Al Davis has frequently gone with the fastest players in the draft, and this year was no exception. By selecting Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh pick in the draft, ahead of fellow receivers Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, who were both rated ahead of Heyward-Bey on almost every other team’s boards, the Raiders once again went with the fastest player in the draft, despite Heyward-Bey being a far more unpolished and less-productive player coming out of college. This draft class will revolve around how Heyward-Bey translates to the NFL. To make it clear, this may have been one of the worst picks in the draft.
However, Oakland’s second pick of Ohio safety Mike Mitchell, a player who many draft experts had never heard of before because of his grade as an undrafted free agent, should give the Heyward-Bey pick a run for its money. Because of a good Pro Day, Mitchell’s stock rose and Oakland felt that he should be drafted as the 47th-best player in the 2009 draft. Again, it makes you wonder what their scouting staff is doing. In the third round, the Raiders reached again with Wisconsin defensive end Matt Shaughnessy. While I like the former Badger’s potential in the NFL, I had him rated more as a fifth-round pick. He’s a developmental prospect on the defensive line who really went higher than he should have.
With their two picks in the fourth round, Oakland went with Florida wide receiver Louis Murphy and Oregon State defensive end Slade Norris. Two speed-players at their respective positions, the two athletes fit the mold of fast, athletic players who can run. Because Al Davis must draft players with speed, these two picks make sense for them. However, I was never very high on Murphy and Norris was a reach in the fourth round. Historically, Florida wide receivers have not had much success in the NFL, so Murphy will have to buck the trend in order to have success.
With their two final picks in the draft, both in the sixth round, the Raiders selected Missouri defensive end Stryker Sulak and Iowa tight end Brandon Myers. Sulak may be the best pick from this draft class, as he is of great value this late in the draft. An up-tempo, high-motor pass rusher, Sulak should be a nice fit in the Black Hole. Myers is purely a blocking tight end who should help the Raiders run game.
The Raiders draft class in 2009 may be among the worst that we have seen from any team in the past decade. Between their reaches and their over-valued love of players with speed, they have hurt themselves and their future does not look bright after bringing in a poor seven-man draft class. There’s a reason that the Raiders have had a pick in the Top-1o each of the last six years. Grade = D
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