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2009 NFL Draft - The CFN Top 250 (3rd Round)
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Rutgers S Courtney Greene
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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 third round talent.
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2009 NFL Draft
CFN Top 250 Prospects
Third Round Worthy - 65 to 100
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.
65. Mike Mickens, CB Cincinnati
6-0, 184
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: He didn't run and didn't
work out, but that might have been a plus considering the
disastrous workouts by the other corners across the board.
Now, if he can come up with a good post-Combine run, his
stock will shoot up.
Positives:
Ultra-productive. Always got the job done … Good toughness
against the run. Isn’t afraid of contact … Great instincts.
Knows what he’s doing.
Negatives: A
little too confident at times. Might have a hard time early
on at the next level … Can get hung up when blocked … Not a
form tackler.
66. Eric Wood, C Louisville 6-4, 310
Position Rank: 3
Post-Combine Skinny: Flip a coin on where he
belongs among the top three center prospects. He was big,
surprisingly quick and athletic, and he came up with 30
reps.
Positives:
Big-time worker with mean streak … Bright. Doesn’t miss
line calls … Experienced veteran.
Negatives: Average
in pass protection … Can get shoved around a bit.
67. Robert Ayers,
DE Tennessee 6-3,
272
Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: Ayers had a chance to make
a major splash, but he went the other way with a pathetic
(for his size) 17 presses on the bench. He showed good speed
in the 40 (4.8) and he he was athletic, but the lack of raw
strength was galling.
Positives:
Playmaker in the backfield … Good combination of size and
quickness … Can play in any defensive style.
Negatives: A good
pass rusher, but not an elite one … Not necessarily a
creative pass rusher … Has to keep the intensity rolling all
the time.
68.
Andrew Levitre, OG Oregon State 6-3, 305
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.
69.
Dannell Ellerbe, ILB Georgia
6-1, 236
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: He looked terrific. He was
extremely quick, smooth, and appeared to be 100% back from
the knee injury that limited him throughout the year. While
he didn't run the 40 and didn't lift, but blew through the
short drills.
Positives: Extremely versatile … When 100%, he’s an
elite athlete who can do it all … Quick, big hitter.
Negatives: Not
quite prototype size for the inside … Hurt his knee last
year and struggled … Fire? He has to show that last year was
a fluke and that he can go full-tilt.
70.
Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers
6-3, 218
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine
Skinny: With his size, the 4.47 40 and 23 reps had to
have moved him up on several draft boards. The deep speed is
there.
Positives:
Excellent size and decent speed … Isn’t afraid to use
his size. Can be physical … Nice hands. Will go after the
ball and will win battles.
Negatives:
Character. Was suspended … A diva … Not a burner. Good
speed, not great speed.
71. Marcus Freeman,
OLB Ohio State 6-1,
235
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: The 4.74 40 was a bit of a
surprise for a fast, high-motor player like Freeman, but
like almost all Ohio State players, he was impressive in
everything else. He tossed up a tackle-like 30 reps in the
weight room, jumped 37", and was smooth as glass in the
short drills. It was a good overall workout.
Positives: Fast.
Really fast … Good athlete who fits the mold. A fluid
defender … A warrior who’ll play through dings.
Negatives: Ankle
issues … Can be erased by more physical blockers … Not huge
and he isn’t going to get bigger.
72.
Hakeem Nicks, WR North Carolina 6-1, 212
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: While he didn't do anything
special, he was solid with an expected 4.54. No one thought
he'd be a deep threat, but he certainly wasn't slow.
Positives:
Ultra-productive … Great hands. Can make the highlight play
as well as the routine … Decent size and knows how to use
it. He won’t get pushed around.
Negatives: Lacks
the top-end speed … Not explosive. Has functional wheels,
but he could be erased by the faster NFL corners … He isn’t
going to be flashy in the open field.
73.
Courtney Greene, SS Rutgers
6-1, 212
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: He had a really nice weekend. The
4.54 was strong, and he appeared to be a natural as he
motored through the short drills. It was the workout that
proved he belonged in an NFL backfield, and with his size,
it was a workout that showed he could be special with a
little bit of work.
Positives:
Exceptional athleticism … An intimidating force. Makes big
hits … Good speed and quickness when the ball is in the air.
Negatives: Tends
to go for the big hit over the routine play … Short. Tough,
but short … A strong safety at the next level. His skills
likely won’t translate to free.
74. Sen’Derrick Marks,
DT Auburn 6-2, 306
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: While he bulked up a bit to
be more of a true tackle than a big end, he struggled to
look smooth. He didn't lift, but he ran a nice 5.03 in the
40. He didn't do enough to up his stock.
Positives: Quick
enough to be an end, tough enough to play tackle …
Ultra-productive. Was the focus of everyone’s blocking
scheme … Can really, really move.
Negatives: Might
not have a true position. Needs to figure out exactly what
he is … Short. Doesn’t have much room to get any bigger or
stronger … Not a No. 1 DT. Will need someone bigger and
stronger next to him.
75. Chase Coffman,
TE Missouri 6-6, 244
Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: Still getting over an ankle
injury, he didn't run and didn't lift. The stats didn't lie;
he's really 6-6 and athletic looking.
Positives:
Superior receiver … Fought through injuries and still
produced … Elite hands and route running ability.
Negatives: Not a
bulky blocker. Built like a big wide receiver … Not fast
enough … He isn’t going to beat anyone up in the running
game.
76.
Gerald Cadogan, OT Penn State 6-5, 309
Position Rank: 9
Post-Combine Skinny: Worked out among the guards. He
ran extremely well with a 5.12, and he lifted a good 26
times.
Positives:
Quick feet. Good athleticism for his size … Durable and
versatile … Very smart.
Negatives: More of
a finesse blocker than a pure bruiser … Could stand to get
stronger … Not physical enough.
77. Terrance Taylor,
DT Michigan 6-0, 306
Position Rank:
8
Post-Combine Skinny: He checked in at a smaller
than expected 306 pounds on a 6-0 frame, but the squatty
Wolverine was the star of the weight room show benching the
225 pounds 37 times. He did his off-season work to get ready
for this, and it showed.
Positives: Put him
in the middle of the line and let him eat up space … A pure
nose tackle who could be an anchor … Tough and respected
leader.
Negatives:
Didn’t improve. Didn’t grow into anything special as a
senior … Short and squatty. Not huge, even at 320 pounds …
Has to keep weight in check. A bit doughy.
78.
William Moore, SS Missouri 6-0,
220
Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny:
This was going to be when Moore stopped the free-fall of
his stock. It didn't happen. The 4.53 was good enough, but
he didn't appear to be too smooth and he didn't stand out.
Positives: The
prototype. He has the size and athleticism to make NFL
scouts drool … Fast. Has no problem staying with any
receiver … Good at coming up with the pick. Great break on
the ball.
Negatives: A major,
major
disappointment in post-season workouts coming off a subpar
final year … Tried to hard to come up with a big play and
missed the easy ones … Would’ve been a top 15 pick after his
2007 season. The stock has dropped.
79. Andre Brown,
RB NC State 6-0, 224
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: He had a tremendous
Combine. Not only did he measure big, but he also ripped off
a 4.49 to go along with 24 reps and a 37" vertical. He
wasn't all that quick in the drills, but he was athletic for
his size.
Positives: Big back who plays up to his size … Fantastic
when healthy … Good receiver.
Negatives:
Durability concerns … Not a speed runner in any way …
Toughness questions.
80. Ian Johnson,
RB Boise State 5-10, 212
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: Arguably the shocker of the
Combine. No one helped himself more. Everyone likes him, but
no one expected a 4.46, 26 reps, and a 4.18 in the shuttle.
Positives:
Very productive … Excellent character and great teammate.
Didn’t whine about reduced role as a senior … Slippery
around the goal line.
Negatives: Too
lean … Durability concerns. Took some big shots … Not known
for being a quick runner and doesn’t always show a burst.
81. James Casey,
TE Rice 6-4, 246
Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: Casey came ready to
produce. He only ran a 4.78, but he was tremendously quick
through the drills and pulled a stunner with 28 reps on the
bench.
Positives:
Excellent receiver … Good speed. Can stretch the field …
Will take the big pop. Is never afraid to go over the
middle.
Negatives:
Old. 25 going into the draft. Spent three years playing
minor league baseball … Not big. Will try to block, but
won’t be too effective.
82.
Derrick Williams, WR Penn State 5-11, 194
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: An unmitigated disaster. Sick
before the Combine, Williams didn't work out well with a
horrendous, draft-killing 4.64. Known as a speedster, he'll
have to make up for it with a big second workout. Expect a
far better performance.
Positives: Can do
a little of everything well … Very quick. Can be a top punt
returner and can be used as a runner … Track speed ... Hard
worker. Willing blocker.
Negatives: Didn’t
always produce up to potential as a receiver … Needs polish
as a route runner … Not huge. Might get shoved around a bit
by the more physical corners.
83. Derek Pegues, FS Mississippi State 5-10,
199
Position
Rank: 9
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a
disappointing workout considering his potential. He ran a
4.62, but he came up with a nice 23 reps in the weight room.
He appeared to be trying to do too much. He should be better
in private workouts.
Positives:
Versatile veteran who dominated against the best of the best
in the SEC … A major-league playmaker. Deadly with the ball
in his hands on special teams or after a pick … Physical for
his size.
Negatives: Small. It wasn’t a problem in the SEC, but it
might be in the NFL … Won’t provide a major-league pop …
He’ll have to prove he can be consistent against the run
against the bigger players.
84. Jonathan Luigs,
C Arkansas 6-4, 301
Position Rank:
4
Post-Combine Skinny: He looked the part. He
moved efficiently in the drills, wasn't bad on the bench,
and ran a center-best 5.14.
Positives: Busted
his tail to become a major producer …. Good athleticism and
good on the move … Good finesse blocker.
Negatives: Not a
mauler … He isn’t going to push too many top tackles over.
85. David Veikune,
DE Hawaii 6-2, 257
Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: He was a bit shorter than
expected. That was the only knock for one of the high-risers
on defense. His 4.87 40 was good enough, and his quickness
and athleticism stood out in the short drills, but the real
eye-popper was the bench ... 35 lifts.
Positives: Fast.
Quick. Always around the ball … Could be a superior pass
rusher if he has someone else of note on the other side …
Productive
Negatives: An outside linebacker. He’ll likely have to
be an end in a 4-3, otherwise he’s a 3-4 linebacker … Not
big and doesn’t have room to get much bigger.
86. DeAngelo Smith,
CB Cincinnati 5-11,
194
Position Rank:
8
Post-Combine Skinny: While a 4.56 would be a
nightmare for most corners, it wasn't all that bad
considering that's around what he was supposed to do. He
proved to be quick enough to get by and he was generally
fine in the drills, but he showed what he is: a good
prospect who isn't going to be a star.
Positives: Will
bust his tail to get better … Steady tackler … Versatile.
Can play corner in any scheme and could even play safety.
Negatives: Will
struggle against the quicker receivers … Isn’t a speed
corner … Has to take too many chances to make big plays.
87. Vance Walker,
DT Georgia Tech 6-2,
304
Position Rank:
9
Post-Combine Skinny: He wasn't as athletic as
expected. While the 29 reps on the bench might not seem all
that impressive, it was a great lift for a player with 35"
arms. He was slow in the 40 and didn't move quite as well as
he does on the field.
Positives: Elite
quickness for a tackle … Always moving. Great in pursuit …
Very good at shedding blocks and making things happen.
Negatives: He’ll
have to find the right fit … Not bulky. Can’t be used as a
nose tackle for extended stretches … Doesn’t have room to
get much bigger.
88. Kraig Urbik,
OG Wisconsin 6-6, 335
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.
89.
Tyrone McKenzie, OLB South Florida
6-2, 243
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a fine workout, but
it wasn't special enough to make any real noise. He showed
off good speed and moved well, and the 27 reps will help the
cause. If he can get a wee bit bigger, he could be a killer
on the inside.
Positives: Tremendous tackler who can play inside or out
… Physical. Great at slipping blocks … Always working.
Doesn’t dog a play.
Negatives: Might
not have a perfect fit in the NFL … Not all that athletic,
especially in pass coverage … Might just be used against the
run.
90. Alex
Magee, DT Purdue
6-3, 298
Position Rank:
10
Post-Combine Skinny: Somewhat quietly, Magee
came up with a nice all-around workout. He moved well, cam
up with 30 reps, and ran a nice 5.07 in the 40. He didn't
boost his stock like some others did, but he solidified his
place in the third round.
Positives: Can
play end or tackle … Ideal for a 3-4 scheme … Will be way
too quick for many NFL interior offensive linemen.
Negatives: Needs
work on his technique … Doesn’t always play up to his size
and talent … Will get pushed around when focused on.
91. Myron Pryor,
DT Kentucky 6-0, 319
Position Rank:
11
Post-Combine Skinny: Call it a spotty workout.
Everyone seems to love Pryor for being such a force in SEC
play, and he was able to run a solid 5.05, but he didn't
lift and he wasn't quite as smooth as expected. He'll make
his money on the tape of his 2008 season.
Positives:
Excellent veteran who saw it all in SEC play … A playmaker.
A disruptive force … Really tough and really quick against
the run.
Negatives:
Short. Might be limited in where he can be put … Not
quite strong enough to be a true NFL anchor … Won’t do too
much to get into the backfield at the next level.
92. Tyronne Green,
OG Auburn 6-2, 309
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.
93. Herman Johnson,
OG LSU 6-7, 364
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.
94. Roy Miller,
DT Texas 6-1, 310
Position Rank:
12
Post-Combine Skinny: He did exactly what he
needed to do. For a prospect who's bread will be buttered on
his strength and his ability to hold up on the inside, the
36 reps in the weight room was key. He was smooth enough to
look like more than a brick wall and he ran relatively well.
Positives: Vastly
underrated producer because he wasn’t as flashy as others on
the Longhorn line … Tough. Wants to eat up the run … Willing
to do anything. A football player.
Negatives: A
try-hard type without the raw skills to be a star … Not
quick. Will have to be used as a run stopper … Will be
erased at times by big, athletic NFL blockers.
95. Cody Brown,
OLB/DE Connecticut
6-2, 244
Position Rank: 8 (as a linebacker)
Post-Combine Skinny: A true tweener who has to
find a position, he might have raised even more concerns
with a 4.84 40 run. He moved like a linebacker in the short
drills and lifted like an end in the weight room with 26
lifts. He's a prospect that no one's going to know what to
do with.
Positives:
Athletic. Great on the move … Good special teamer who’ll
do whatever is needed to get on the field … Quick enough to
be a decent pass rusher.
Negatives: Can be
erased when focused on by a big offensive lineman … Not huge
and isn’t going to get bigger. Doesn’t play big … Needs to
hit the weights.
96.
T.J. Lang, OT
Eastern Michigan 6-4, 310
Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine.
Positives:
Surprisingly athletic … Good strength to play inside or out
… Could end up playing guard or either tackle spot.
Negatives: While
versatile enough to play any spot, he isn’t a perfect fit
for any one spot … A former defensive lineman who’s still
working to bulk up.
97. Jairus
Byrd, CB Oregon 5-11, 207
Position Rank:
9
Post-Combine Skinny: He measured in big and
strong-looking, but he wasn't able to work out and run. If
he can run a 4.5 in private workouts, he'll make himself a
ton of dough.
Positives: Big-time producer … Solid tackler. Not a
prima donna in any way … Nice, fluid athlete with good size.
Negatives: Elite
speed is lacking … Even with his size, he’s not tough enough
to play safety … Can get sloppy in his technique.
98.
Brian Robiskie, WR
Ohio State 6-3, 210
Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: Everyone seems to be interested in
him. He has the family reputation and he worked out well for
his size with exceptions quickness in the drills and a solid
4.51.
Positives:
Excellent size with room to add more bulk … Good hands …
Tough enough to go over the middle. Isn’t afraid to take a
pop. … Quick enough to be an occasional punt returner.
Negatives: Doesn’t
have top-shelf speed … Not a No. 1 receiver at the NFL level
… More of a grinder than a special receiver talent.
99. Shawn Nelson, TE Southern Miss 6-5, 240
Position Rank:
6
Post-Combine Skinny: While he moved well, he
didn't move well enough. The 19 reps on the bench showed
just how far he needs to go to get bigger and stronger,
while the 4.56 showed that he's a true H back. He might get
the dreaded tweener tag.
Positives: A big,
talented receiver … A good fighter. Will battle for the ball
… Can get bigger and stronger.
Negatives: Needs
to hit the weights … Gets beaten too much as a run blocker …
Not a polished route runner.
100.
Demetrius Byrd, WR
LSU 6-0, 199
Position Rank: 9
Post-Combine
Skinny: The 4.42 confirmed what everyone already
suspected. The extremely long arms stood out.
Positives: Great
size/speed combination … Has all the tools. He’ll wow
everyone in workouts … Fast enough to blow past slower
corners, and strong enough to push around the weaker ones.
Negatives: Is he
going to consistent? … Question marks about ability to
digest an NFL playbook … Not a good route runner.
How good
are the prospects?
1-32
| 2nd Round
| 3rd Round
| 4th Round
| 5th Round
| 6th Round
| 7th Round
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