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2009 NFL Draft - The CFN Top 250 (2nd Round)
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Virginia LB Clint Sintim
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CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Feb 26, 2009
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CFN's Top 250 Draft Prospects for 2009. Here are the players with second round talent.
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2009 NFL Draft
CFN Top 250 Prospects
Second Round Worthy - 33 to 64
How good are the prospects?
1-32
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By
Pete Fiutak
What happens when you combine the real, live, on-field
production of the college careers of all the top NFL prospects with raw
workout numbers and practices? The CFN Top 250 players for the 2009 NFL
Draft. Please note, this isn't a prediction or a projection of
where the prospects will go. Instead, it's a ranking based on
apparent talent, safety and risk, and the potential to be a bona fide
NFL starter. These are the best 250 prospects regardless of position.
33. Clint Sintim, OLB Virginia
6-3, 256
Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: Known for being fast and athletic on
the field, the 4.78 seemed slow. He showed off his athleticism in the
short drills and moved well, but he didn't lift and didn't appear to be
special compared to the other top prospects.
Positives: Great all-around
playmaker … Fast. Athletic … Great fire. Wants to be good and will work
to fit in on either side.
Negatives: Could stand to be a wee bit better against the pass … Can
get blocked. Will have to fight off blockers … He didn’t do much in pass
coverage at Virginia.
34.
Clay Matthews, OLB USC 6-3,
240
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. He was
naturally athletic and smooth in all the drills, moving seamlessly and
without any mistakes. the 4.67 40 and 23 reps were good enough, but in
everything else, he looked the part of a potentially excellent starter.
Positives: Extremely athletic
… Try-hard player who made himself into a special defender … Smart.
Doesn’t make mistakes.
Negatives: Had to work to get this size. He’s not going to get much
bigger … He has work to do to be a solid NFL linebacker … Not
experienced as a starter.
35. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland 6-2, 210
Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: Was he really as fast as expected? Oh yeah,
and then some. When you run a 4.3 and measure at 6.2 and 210 pounds,
you'll make a lot of money. He broad jumped an impressive 10'6" and was
extremely quick through the drills.
Positives: Elite speed. With
his size to go along with his speed, he has the tools … Possibly the
best home run hitter in the draft … Tall. Good at using his height.
Negatives: Doesn’t make enough
plays … Mediocre hands … Need work on route running. Need polish on
becoming an all-around receiver.
36.
James Laurinaitis, ILB Ohio State
6-2, 244
Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny:
A shocking, unmitigated disaster. If the 4.8 40 wasn't bad enough,
he was stunningly stiff in all the drills, showed no explosion, and
appeared to labor in almost all of his moves. The 23 reps were good, but
they hardly made up for being exposed athletically. This might have been
a bad enough workout to push him out of the first round after he was
originally considered a possible top ten pick.
Positives: An all-timer of a
producer … A leader. Doesn’t make mistakes and is always around the ball
… Fantastic toughness who doesn’t miss a tackle.
Negatives: Has to get a bit
bigger to play inside … Became quiet. The stats were there, but it
didn’t always seem like he was doing anything … Can get erased by big
blockers.
37. Shonn Greene, RB Iowa
5-11, 227
Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: No one expected a great 40 time, and
few seemed concerned with the 4.72. He's a power back, and the 10'1"
broad jump showed the power in his legs. Extremely small hands.
Positives: Dream size ..
Powerful, between the tackles runner … Workhorse. Produced against
everyone … Tough runner with good enough quickness to get by.
Negatives: Not an elusive
runner. Will get hit … One-year wonder … Not fast.
38. Alex Mack, C California
6-4, 311
Position Rank: 1
Post-Combine Skinny: He didn't work out and will need to
show off in a few weeks. None of the other centers were so impressive to
be head-and-shoulders above Mack.
Positives: Ultra-competitive …
Phenomenal leader … Dominant all-around blocker.
Negatives: At some times is
too fiery … Mistakes made mostly when trying to do too much.
39. D.J. Moore, CB Vanderbilt
5-9, 192
Position Rank: 3
Post-Combine Skinny: While he's a great athlete on the
field, he didn't show off enough of his skills in Indy. His 4.54 wasn't
anything special, and while he jumped 39.5" in the vertical, he didn't
do anything else to stand out. Basically, he was small and timed slow.
It wasn't a good workout for a player looking to go in the first round.
Positives: A phenomenal
all-around athlete … Fast. Great make-up speed … Plays bigger than his
size.
Negatives: Not big.
Will get tested by taller receivers … Not thick. Will have to show he
can be physical … Gets lost in the wash at times against the run.
40. Paul Kruger, DE Utah
6-3, 263
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: He was fine, but hardly special. It
would've been nice if he showed off a bit more athleticism and
quickness, and the 40 (4.86) and bench (24) were decent. No, he didn't
do anything to hurt himself, but it would've been nice to have seen a
bit more.
Positives:
Excellent producer at a high level … Always working. Great at getting
into the backfield on want-to, and not just athleticism … Good against
the run. Holds up well.
Negatives: Not explosive off the line. Takes a step or two to get
going (but is fast when he gets moving) … A bit lanky. Could stand to
get a bit bigger … Needs a little work on technique.
41. Tyson Jackson, DE LSU
6-4, 296
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: It would've been nice if he was able to
show off his strength, but he didn't lift. He ran well, coming in at
under 5.0, and he measured to be every bit as big as expected. However,
the average jump of 28.5" showed a lack of explosion and pop in his
legs.
Positives: Tremendous
size and strength. Can play inside or out, and probably would fit best
in a 3-4 … Good against the run … Ramped up the intensity level last
year, and it showed.
Negatives:
Not a pass rusher and won’t put up flashy numbers … Was considered
an underachiever at times in his career … Not explosive.
42. Patrick Chung, SS Oregon 5-11, 208
Position Rank: 1
Post-Combine Skinny: Great workout. GREAT workout. The 4.47 was a
major boost to put him among the top defensive backs overall and might
have been enough to solidify a spot in the second round. The 25 reps on
the bench didn't hurt, either.
Positives: Can do everything well at either safety position. Could
play corner in a pinch … The type defensive back to build a secondary
around … Tremendous tackler. Doesn’t miss.
Negatives: Might struggle a
wee bit in deep coverage. He lacks elite speed … Not huge for a strong
safety … Physical play worked in college, but it might not be enough,
because of his size, in the NFL.
43. Jarron Gilbert,
DT/DE San Jose State 6-6, 288
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: One of the stars of the show, Gilbert
proved he could be a big end or an athletic tackle by running a stunning
4.87 and benching the 225 pounds 28 times. He was quick, explosive, and
looked like the type of player who could wreak havoc in a variety of
ways.
Positives: An end
who could be a quick tackle, or a tackle who could be a strong end …
Always in the backfield. Always … Got a lot bigger without losing any
athleticism.
Negatives: Has
to prove he can handle himself on a regular basis against better
competition … Has to find a role. Versatility isn’t necessarily a plus
here unless he finds a role and does one thing well at an NFL level.
44. Vontae Davis, CB
Illinois 5-11, 203
Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: This was where he was supposed to
shine, and he did. The game tape isn't going to help him so he needed to
blow up the Combine, and he came in under 4.5 in the 40 and was
tremendously quick in the short drills. And then there were the guns.
The guy looked like a serious physical specimen.
Positives: Elite athlete.
Possibly the best in the draft … Tremendous speed … Looks the part. Has
all the tools and all the skills.
Negatives: Does he really want
to play? Mediocre junior year … Character questions. Not a hard worker …
Doesn’t play up to his athleticism 100% of the time.
45.
Louis Delmas, FS Western Michigan 5-11, 202
Position Rank:
2
Post-Combine Skinny: It was an impressive workout that
showed he belongs among the top safety prospects. The 4.49 was better
than most corner, and he was ultra-quick through the short drills. Now
he's known for being athletic as well as a big hitter.
Positives: Experienced veteran
leader who produced against everyone … Huge hitter. HUGE hitter … Fast
enough to play corner, a big enough popper to play strong safety.
Negatives: Goes for the kill
shot too often. It gets him in trouble … Not necessarily a form tackler
… A bit lanky. Could use a few more pounds of muscle.
46. Darry Beckwith, ILB LSU 6-0,
242
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: Compared
to most of the other top inside prospects, Beckwith came across as more
athletic and showed off surprising speed. The 4.77 wasn't great, but he
moved just well enough in the short drills to get by. He didn't help
himself, but he didn't hurt his stock.
Positives: Smart, tough
playmaker …. Good technique. Polished … Plays bigger and stronger than
his size.
Negatives: Not
huge. Good sized, but not a bulky, big defender … Not quite fast enough
to be an all-around disruptor at an NFL level … Tricky knee and he could
get beaten up. Has to prove he can hold up.
47.
Sean Smith, FS/CB Utah 6-4, 214
Position Rank: 3 (as a
safety)
Post-Combine Skinny: Easily one of the biggest stars
of the Combine, he might now be viewed as a very big, very athletic
corner. However, he could also be used as a devastating free safety
after checking in a 6-4 and 214 pounds and tearing off a silky smooth
4.47.
Positives: Excellent
size. If he ends up at corner, He’ll have dream size … Surprisingly
quick for being so long. Cuts like a much smaller defender … Good
instincts even though he doesn’t have that much experience.
Negatives: He’ll have to find
a position right away. He’ll likely be looked at as a corner, but his
future will be at free safety. Will he be able to master one spot? … Has
an NFL-sized opinion of his skills … Not great against the run. Won’t
provide much pop.
48.
Connor Barwin, DE/LB Cincinnati
6-4, 256
Position Rank: 7 (as a defensive end)
Post-Combine Skinny: More questions came up about his
possible position. Whatever he's going to be, he was impressive in his
quickness and athleticism. He'll either be an explosive and speedy
defensive end, running a good 4.66 in the 40 and blowing through the
short drills better than any other defensive lineman, or he'll be a
strong linebacker.
Positives:
Athletic, former basketball player and tight end who moved to
defensive end … Tremendous pass rusher. Surprisingly polished … Always
working. Always moving.
Negatives: He needs a position. Not an NFL defensive end, and not
quite athletic enough to be a star at linebacker unless he’s in the
right spot … Needs more work. Only played defense for one year.
49.
Eben Britton, OT Arizona
6-6, 309
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: The
24 reps weren't all that impressive, but he ran well with a 5.16. He
moved well through the drills.
Positives: Very durable … Very smart. Doesn’t make mistakes … Has
the prototype height and size.
Negatives: Not a tough mauler … While fast, he’s not necessarily
smooth … Needs to get stronger.
50. Jared Cook, TE South
Carolina 6-5, 246
Position Rank: 2
Post-Combine Skinny: One of the biggest stars of the
Combine. Great in the drills and very consistent, he stunned everyone
with a 4.5 and a 10'3" broad jump.
Positives: Great receiver …
Big-time strong … Plays like a much smaller player in the passing game.
Negatives: Not a polished
route runner … So-so blocker. Doesn’t seem to like to do it … Might need
a fire lit under him.
51.
William Beatty, Connecticut 6-6, 300
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: The sleeper of the top tackles, he had a
fantastic Combine. He was one of the most athletic linemen of the lot
looking great in the short drills, and the 5.12 40 wasn't all that bad.
The 27 reps weren't special, but they were good enough.
Positives: Surprisingly fast
for his size … A pure left tackle. Can be drafted for cheap compared to
the top guys … Great athlete.
Negatives: Still raw. More of an athlete than a polished all-around
blocker … A good run blocker, but needs to be more of a pounder.
52.
Jamon Meredith, OT South Carolina
6-5, 305
Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny:
He had a nice Combine. While his base looks thin compared to the
other prospects, he was quick through the drills and fast with a 5.04 in
the 40. The 31 reps and a nice 8'9" broad jump showed what an overall
athlete he is.
Positives:
Solid athlete … Decent in pass protection with big-time upside ... Good
speed and weight room strength.
Negatives: Smallish base.
Tight end leg … He won’t power over anyone … Still raw. Needs
seasoning.
53.
Rashad Johnson, FS Alabama 5-11.
203
Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: He
appeared to be a bit thicker than he was in college and he ran a solid
4.54. He was athletic enough to start to convert those who don't believe
in his basic skills. However, he's a free safety and not a pure strong
safety.
Positives:
Tremendous worker and a great leader … A playmaker. Made things happen
as the star of a strong defense … Good closing ability when the ball is
in the air.
Negatives: Not
an elite athlete. A better football player than he’ll be in any workout
… Not all that big. Not a huge hitter … He’ll have to get bigger and
stronger or there might be a ceiling on what he can do.
54. Max Unger, C Oregon 6-5,
309
Position Rank: 2
Post-Combine Skinny: It wasn't a great workout for the
center on the top of several lists. Expected to be tried out at guard,
he only came up with 22 reps on the bench. However, he was quick and
athletic through the drills.
Positives: Good quarterback up front … Very, very strong … Could be
moved to guard.
Negatives:
Not a great athlete … Won’t do much on the move … Not necessarily a
mauler.
55. Travis Beckum,
TE Wisconsin 6-3, 243
Position Rank: 3
Post-Combine Skinny: Still recovering from injury, he didn't
run, but he showed his competitiveness by throwing up a tight end-best
28 reps. The concern is about his lack of size, but his strength will
help go along with his tremendous receiving skills
Positives: Superior receiver …
Fast. Very fast for a tight end … Great route runner.
Negatives: Major durability
concerns …. Undersized. Willing blocker, but he can’t do it … Got pushed
around too much.
56.
Donald Brown, RB Connecticut 5-10, 210
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: He only ran a 4.51, but that didn't
seem to matter after he jumped 10'5" in the broad jump and was quick and
fluid in the drills.
Positives:
Ultra-productive workhorse … Carried the UConn offense … Great
through traffic.
Negatives:
Not a receiver … Not flashy and won’t tear off too many big runs …. Not
necessarily a pile mover.
57. Nate Davis, QB Ball State 6-1, 226
Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: Looked smooth and showed off his arm,
but everyone was looking for more athleticism and speed that wasn't
there.
Positives: Great arm
and excellent production … Can move in pocket and out … Bad weather
thrower.
Negatives: Not
huge … A system player? He was put in great situations … Not a fiery
leader.
58. Pat White,
QB/WR West Virginia 6-0, 197
Position Rank: 5 (as a quarterback)
Post-Combine Skinny: Told everyone he'd be willing to work
at receiver, but he threw extremely well and tore off a solid 4.55.
Positives: Elite,
offense-defining running skills … Smart, with good enough arm to get by
… Clutch … A winner.
Negatives:
Small and likely not durable as an every down quarterback … Average
arm.
59.
Otis Wiley, FS Michigan State 6-2,
213
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: He didn't
work out, but he measured a rock-solid 6-1 and 213 pounds. If he can
show off decent athleticism and come in around 4.55, he'll make himself
a lot of money.
Positives:
Extremely fast for his size … A playmaker. Always made things happen as
a free safety … Great tackler who always gets around the ball.
Negatives: Only a free safety.
A disaster his junior year at strong safety … Will have to show he can
provide steady run support … Doesn’t always play up to his size.
60.
David Bruton, FS Notre Dame 6-2,
219
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a
special workout from a high-rising prospect. He was big, fast, and
smooth with a 41.5" vertical, an 11-foot broad jump, and a lightning
quick 60-yard drill. Originally considered a late second day prospect,
he looked like a second rounder.
Positives: A standout on the
Irish D with a great combination of size and speed … Excellent tackler.
Looked like he was playing at another level at times … Great character.
Will bust his tail to get better.
Negatives: Not a tone-setting
hitter. A good hitter, but not an elite one … Needs to be a more
consistent tackler … Will have to show he can stay with an NFL receiver.
61. Victor “Macho” Harris, CB
Virginia Tech 5-11, 198
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: While his 40 time was a safety-like
4.57, he made up for it by dominating the short drills. He roared
through the shuttle and was among the best players in the cone drill. He
delivered enough to be a second rounder.
Positives: Used to being the
No. 1 guy against everyone’s No. 1 receiver. Handled it well … Excellent
tackler … Playmaker. Steps up to the challenge.
Negatives: Not an elite
athlete, relative to the position … A bit flaky. Ultra-confident … Not
lightning fast on the field and needs play catchup too often.
62.
Gerald McRath, ILB Southern Miss
6-3, 225
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny:
His future home will likely be on the outside, but the quickness and
range showed in the drills might keep him on the inside for some teams.
The 19 reps in the weight room weren't a positive to overcome his safety
size, but the 4.61 40 and the 10-3 blast on the long jump made him a
must-have athlete.
Positives:
Ultra-productive … A baller. Wants to be better. Has a passion for
the game … Good enough speed to play outside if needed.
Negatives: Small. Too small …
Needs to get much stronger … Not a huge hitter. Might get pushed around
too much.
63. Darius Butler, CB
Connecticut 5-10, 183
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: Many thought he'd come to the Combine
and up his stock big time with a blazing 40 and tremendous athleticism.
It didn't happen. His 4.45 was fine, but there were rumblings that he
was going to tear off a 4.3. The 43" vertical leap was amazing and the
11'2" broad jump was special, but he wasn't as smooth as expected when
he ran.
Positives: Did a
little of everything well … Fast. Can’t be beaten deep without a heck of
a move … Great hands. Saw some time at receiver.
Negatives: Not physical. Will
try to hit, but can’t do it … Needs to be on a speed receiver; not a
big, strong one … Only a corner who’ll struggle to get the jam.
64. Ron Brace, DT Boston
College 6-3, 330
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: While his teammate, B.J. Raji, remained
the top tackle prospect, Brace showed that he can be just as much of a
brick wall against the run. He checked in at a huge 330 pounds, and he
ran a glacier slow 5.52, but he came up with 32 bench presses.
Positives: Extremely quick for
his size … Can play just about anywhere on the line at any time. Could
be a huge end in a 3-4 … Really tough. Can’t be blocked by one player on
a regular basis.
Negatives:
Not a pass rusher despite his athleticism … Weight has to be held in
check. He can’t get any bigger … Concerns about a back problem.
How good
are the prospects?
1-32
| 2nd Round
| 3rd Round
| 4th Round
| 5th Round
| 6th Round
| 7th Round
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