2009 NFL Draft/Post-Combine - Guards

Where do the top guard prospects rank as the Combine finishes up? Along with the positives and the negatives for each top prospect, here's the initial ranking for the 2009 NFL Draft guard class.

2009 NFL Draft

Post-Workout Rankings

The Top Guard Prospects

By Pete Fiutak 

- 2009 NFL Combine Numbers
Quarterbacks | Running Backs & Fullbacks | Receivers
Tight Ends | Centers & Guards | Off. Tackles
Def. Ends | Def. Tackles | Inside LBs | Outside LBs
new  Cornerbacks | Safeties

- new  2009 NFL Draft Post-Workout Rankings
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Fullbacks | Receivers | Tight Ends
Centers | Guards | Off. Tackles | Def. Ends | Def. Tackles
Inside LBs | Outside LBs | Cornerbacks | Safeties

Full Player Breakdowns & Analysis To Come In March

- 2008 CFN Draft Central
2008 NFL Draft Breakdown and Analysis
1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | 4th Round | 5th Round | 6th Rd | 7th Rd

1. George “Duke” Robinson, Oklahoma 6-5, 329
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 1
Post-Combine Skinny: Duke was every bit as big as expected, but he didn't lift. He ran an eye-popping 5.27 for a player of his size.
Positives: Great in pass protection … Quick. Can get on the move and make blocks down the field if needed … Mauling when he gets his hands on a defender.
Negatives: Limited to guard. He’s not a tackle … Has gotten by on overpowering college defenders. Has to prove he can handle linemen with his strength.

2. Andrew Levitre, Oregon State 6-3, 305
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 2
Post-Combine Skinny: One of the hot guard prospects coming into the Combine, he showed surprising athleticism and ran well with a 5.24. However, the 23 reps were fine, but nothing to get excited about
Positives: Smart … Very strong with good size … Not bad at getting downfield.
Negatives: Doesn’t have an elite NFL guard’s body … Hard worker who isn’t necessarily gifted … Not an athlete.

3. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin 6-6, 335
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 3
Post-Combine Skinny: He looked the part. If Wisconsin linemen are considered among the safest around to draft, he didn't do anything to slow down those beliefs. The 29 reps were enough, and he looked smooth in the 40.
Positives: Could play either tackle or guard … Excellent athlete for his size … Isn’t bad on the move.
Negatives: While physical, he’s not as dominant as he should be … Not consistent for his talent. 

4. Tyronne Green, Auburn 6-2, 309
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: While he moved well, he quietly slipped through the Combine without showing anything major, for good and bad.
Positives: Athletic … Tough. A former defensive tackle … Produced against top-shelf SEC tackles.
Negatives: Still needs to develop a bit in his technique … Not polished … Not a powerful run blocker.

5. Herman Johnson, LSU 6-7, 364
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: Johnson lost a ton of weight, and while he wasn't bad, he wasn't as fluid as expected. He only lifted the 225 21 times, but that's partly because of the longer arms.
Positives: Huge. HUGE. … Mauling when he locks on a defender … Long arms. Great in pass protection.
Negatives: Can be beaten by quicker linemen … Not a fit for finesse offenses … Not great on the move.

6. Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech 6-5, 333
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: He wasn't just strong, he was phenomenally strong. He led everyone on the day with a whopping 39 lifts on the bench. He used that power to blast through the weight room.
Positives: Extremely quick for his size … Great in pass protection … Great athlete who could play tackle.
Negatives: Not as much of a mauler as he should be … Might not be suited for a power offense despite his size and strength.

7. Greg Isdaner, West Virginia 6-3, 325
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: Considered the type of blocker best on the move. he ran a mediocre 5.44. The 24 lifts were fine, but he didn't impress enough to show he was something special.
Positives: Nice on the move … Experienced, productive veteran … Good in pass protection.
Negatives: Not elite-level strong … Shoulder concerns … Built like a tackle but is a guard.

8. Cedric Dockery, Texas 6-4, 320
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Workout
Positives: Looks like the prototype NFL guard …. Good in a phone booth … Very strong.
Negatives: Doesn’t play up to his potential … Mediocre pass protector … Not a great athlete.

9. Anthony Parker, Tennessee 6-2, 297
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 9
Post-Combine Skinny: He didn't run the 40, but he lifted and came up with a nice 24 lifts. Long wingspan.
Positives: Versatile. Could move to center … Great base with good balance … Excellent all-around blocker.
Negatives: Lacks elite quickness … Doesn’t dominate even when he gets a hold on a defender … Could stand to be more of a mauler.

10. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati 6-4, 307
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: The former Bearcat had a strong workout. He lifted 20 times and was just athletic enough to dominate at times.
Positives: Can play either guard spot … Great athlete … Great for a finesse offense.
Negatives: Not a mauler … Can be shoved around a bit … Has to keep weight in check.

11. Andy Kemp, Wisconsin 6-5, 313
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 11
Post-Combine Skinny: While not a difference maker, he didn't stand out in the workouts. He was good, but nothing special.
Positives: Big body who’s tough to get around … Tough. Played through a broken hand.
Negatives: Not strong enough for his size … Not a good athlete. A statue.

12. Ramon Foster, Tennessee 6-5, 328
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 12
Post-Combine Skinny: The 20 reps were a big problem for a player looking to shine on the inside. He's big with long arms, and he didn't move all that well.
Positives: Big body … Good worker. Good motor … Could be moved to tackle if needed.
Negatives: Not an elite pass blocker … Has issues against speed rushers and quick linemen.

13. Travis Bright, BYU 6-4, 316
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 13
Post-Combine Skinny: The 34 reps on the bench were among the best of the guards, and he showed some explosiveness in the drills.
Positives: Insanely strong. Record-setting strong … Plays with a mean streak … Very tough. Punishing.
Negatives: Old. He’s already 26 … Not a good athlete … Durability a problem.

14. Ray Feinga, BYU 6-5, 337
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 14
Post-Combine Skinny: While he wasn't all that quick or fluid, he proved he really is big, and he did a good job on the bench with 30 lifts.
Positives: Dominant run blocker … Improved in pass protection … Strong with a great, big body.
Negatives: Never lived up to the prep hype … Good, but not special.

15. Mitch Petrus, Arkansas 6-3, 310
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 15
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Athletic. He’s a beefed up tight end … Can play tackle … Hard worker.
Negatives: Might not be enough of a mauler to play guard … Not a strong blocker and needs to be in a zone blocking offense.

16. Steve Rehring, Ohio State 6-7, 345
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 16
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Solid run blocker … Tackle-sized. Able to pound away when needed.
Negatives: Too tall to be a regular guard … Wasn’t consistent for the Buckeyes. Didn’t have a great senior year.

17. Jim Tartt, Florida 6-3, 300
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 19
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Tough. He fought through injuries … Durable … Can dominate at times when 100%.
Negatives: Health … Not a mauler. Better in pass protection.

18. Matt Slauson, Nebraska 6-5, 316
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 18
Post-Combine Skinny: One of the more athletic guard prospects. While big, he moved extremely well and jumped well.
Positives: Versatile … Can work at tackle if needed … Good run blocker who’s better in power offenses.
Negatives: Hasn’t been enough of a power blocker … Needs to do more to shove around tackles.

19. Paul Fanaika, Arizona State 6-6, 327
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 17
Post-Combine Skinny: He slimmed down and was much lighter than expected, and it showed in the bench press with a horrendous 15 reps. He didn't run.
Positives: Huge body … Excellent upside with some development.
Negatives: Mediocre athlete. Not great in pass protection … Needs work. Can’t get on the move.

20. Ryan Durand, Syracuse 6-4, 300
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 20
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Tough blocker … Great worker who’ll bust his tail to get better.
Negatives: Marginal athlete … Doesn’t do any one thing all that well.