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2009 NFL Draft - The CFN Top 250 (4th Round)
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Arizona WR Mike Thomas
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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 fourth round talent.
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2009 NFL Draft
CFN Top 250 Prospects
Fourth Round Worthy - 101 to 133
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.
101.
Ricky-Jean Francois, DT LSU
6-3, 295
Position Rank: 13
Post-Combine Skinny: While he didn't run, the 25 times he
lifted isn't good enough for a player known for his strength against the
run. His strength is more functional than weight room.
Positives: He has “it.” The
skills are there to be special … Extremely strong and did it without
maximizing his potential … Massive upside as a pass rusher or as an
anchor against the run.
Negatives: Superstar high school prospect who never lived up to the
hype … Major character and maturity issues … Has all the skills, but
doesn’t use them all and doesn’t have a great motor.
102.
Louis Vasquez, OG Texas Tech 6-5,
333
Position Rank: 6
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.
103.
Asher Allen, CB Georgia
5-9, 194
Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: With a slow group of corners trying to
lumber through, Allen's 4.47 stood out. The 22 reps in the weight room
helped show that he should be able to play bigger than his size.
Positives: Big-time upside …
Great in coverage. Will erase receivers when he’s on ... Excellent
athleticism. Fluid.
Negatives:
Not big and not all that physical … Still needs work. Was hardly
polished … Quick, but not necessarily fast.
104. Jason Phillips,
ILB TCU 6-1, 239
Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a surprising performance from a defender
pigeon-holed into the inside. He was far, far more athletic than
expected with a fantastic 4.32 time in the shuttle and an explosive
10-foot jump in the long jump. He didn't always look smooth, but he
helped himself in a big way by showing he could be used in a variety of
ways.
Positives: A fighter.
Fiesty leader … Good instincts. Knows where he’s supposed to be … Tough.
Will battle to get to the ball.
Negatives: Not a form tackler
… Decent quickness, but he might only be an inside linebacker … Will
need to be surrounded by athletes.
105.
Pannel Egboh, DE Stanford
6-6, 276
Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: Was even bigger than expected but moved
like a much smaller lineman. He shockingly moved through the short
drills without a problem and ran a good 4.9. The broad jump of 9-6 was
also excellent. He really helped himself.
Positives: Great when he gets
on the move … A fast closer. With a little tweaking, he could be an
unstoppable pass rusher … Long. Tall and big.
Negatives: Not flashy out of
the box. Little explosion … Still needs work. Not refined … Plays too
tall. Has to learn to do more to get down and get under pads.
106. Brandon Tate, WR
North Carolina 6-0, 183
Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: Still not 100% healthy after his knee injury,
he didn't run or work out. But he showed off big hands.
Positives: Unstoppable at
times when he was healthy … A great returner … Phenomenal athlete with
basketball skills.
Negatives:
Got knocked out in 2008 with a knee injury … It was a major knee
injury … Not quite as quick as he is fast. Will need to show
explosiveness after his injury.
107.
Cary Harris, CB USC
5-11, 187
Position Rank: 11
Post-Combine Skinny: He came in with a reputation for not
being a great athlete, and he wasn't, He didn't look all that smooth in
the drills, lumbered a bit, and ran a mediocre 4.58 in the 40.
Positives: Try-hard player
who’s always working … Smart. Doesn’t make mistakes … Very good tackler
who could be used in a variety of ways.
Negatives: Not a special
athlete … Not necessarily a ball-hawk … A better tackler than a
cover-corner.
108. Louis Murphy, WR
Florida 6-2, 203
Position
Rank: 11
Post-Combine Skinny: While he didn't generate
much of an overall buzz, his 4.43 proved he has the deep speed to
deserve a longer look.
Positives: Home run hitter … Can turn it on and blow past top-shelf
corners … Underappreciated. Publicity lost on a team of top players and
in the shadow of Percy Harvin.
Negatives: Overall route running ability … Has grown into a hard
worker, but it took a while … Needs a bit more polish.
109.
Donald Washington, CB Ohio State
6-0, 197
Position Rank: 12
Post-Combine Skinny: Known as the other Ohio State corner to
Malcolm Jenkins, and not considered too smart for coming out early, he
became the prospect who made everyone scramble for game tape. The 4.5 in
the 40 was a bit strange, he's faster than that, but he came up with one
of the best leaps in Combine history with a 45" vertical. The 11'3"
broad jump had the other prospects bug-eyed.
Positives: Extremely fast,
extremely athletic … A big-play performer. Had to be avoided, even
though Malcolm Jenkins was on the other side … Can step in on day one
and play on his athleticism alone.
Negatives: Character questions
… Not a great hitter. Doesn’t always play up to his size … Doesn’t do
enough against the run.
110. Ramses Barden, WR
Cal Poly 6-6, 229
Position
Rank: 12
Post-Combine Skinny: While he slow 4.61 and only
benched 17 times, but at 6-6 and 229 pounds, he was athletic enough.
However, he didn't completely make up for the mediocre Senior Bowl.
Positives: Big time production
… Caught 50 career touchdown passes … Produced against Wisconsin and San
Diego State … Big-time size.
Negatives: Speed a concern … Struggled at the Senior Bowl … No. 1
target potential, but he’ll need to work for it.
111. Michael Hamlin, S Clemson 6-2, 214
Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a decent workout for his size. Known for
being a big hitter and a physical player, he was relatively athletic in
the drills. The 4.6 in the 40 was expected, but disappointing. A 4.55
would've made a big difference.
Positives: Versatile. Can play
either safety spot … Excellent tackler. Extremely physical … Great
against the run. Doesn’t miss.
Negatives: Needs to get bigger. He has to hit the weights hard … Not
an elite athlete. Might be a free safety playing strong safety, or vice
versa depending on his workouts … Will need to prove he’s fast enough on
deep balls.
112.
Tony Fiammetta, FB Syracuse 6-0, 245
Position Rank: 1
Post-Combine Skinny: He solidified himself as the top
prospect with 30 reps on the bench and a 4.61 40. It was a tremendous
performance.
Positives:
Athletic for a fullback … Big-hitter … Extremely strong.
Negatives: Isn’t going to
handle the ball … An average receiver …Not a runner.
113. Alex Boone, OT
Ohio State 6-7, 328
Position Rank: 11
Post-Combine Skinny: Was a bit bigger than expected and he ran well.
He wasn't a natural around the cones but he made up for it with 33 reps
on the bench.
Positives:
Has the size, has the potential, has the look … A fighter with a nasty
streak … Long arms.
Negatives:
Major character issues … Never played up to his prep hype …
Struggles against speed rushers.
114. Xavier Fulton, OT Illinois 6-5, 290
Position Rank: 12
Post-Combine Skinny: Was expected to move well, and did. His 5.03 40
looked smooth, while he was a natural with his footwork and quickness in
the short drills.
Positives:
Can move well …. A former defensive end who’s tough. Fought to
become an offensive tackle … Good for a zone blocking team.
Negatives: Not nearly physical
enough … Character concerns. Has a reconstructed knee … Needs work. Lots
of work.
115. Juaquin
Iglesias, WR Oklahoma 6-1, 210
Position Rank: 13
Post-Combine Skinny: It wasn't a good run. Iglesias only ran a 4.56
and immediately got thrown into the possession receiver category. He
didn't stand out in any way.
Positives: Extremely quick and fantastic after the catch … A good
prospect as a kick returner … Ultra-competitive. Will try to be a
playmaker.
Negatives: Will
disappear at times, and will be lost for stretches when he’s not
involved … Lacks jaw-dropping speed … Could be an ideal No. 2 target,
but he isn’t going to be a No. 1.
116.
Rashad Jennings, RB Liberty 6-1, 231
Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: The 4.6 was great for his size. More
impressively, he was one of the quickest backs in the field even at 231
pounds. And then there was the bench ... 29 times?!
Positives: Big back who’s
great around the goal line … 42 career touchdown runs. A workhorse who
carried the attack … Solid receiver for his size.
Negatives: Fumbles … Limited
in his NFL potential … Produced at Liberty. Started off at Pitt. …
Weight is a big issue.
117. Darcel McBath, FS
Texas Tech 6-0, 198
Position Rank: 12
Post-Combine Skinny: He's the type of player that everyone wants. He
wants to be a top player, he'll work for it, and he ran well with a
4.57. He was quick enough in the drills and did them effortlessly.
Positives: A leader. He took
charge of the back seven … A great combination of speed and size … A
playmaker both against the run and against the pass.
Negatives: Not a popper.
Tackles, but doesn’t hit … Isn’t the best athlete … Not quite physical
enough to scare anyone at the next level.
118.
Dan Gronkowski, TE Maryland 6-5, 255
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: He had a nice Combine doing a little
bit of everything well. He was big, looked big, ran well, was fluid, and
cranked out 26 reps on the bench.
Positives: Smart … Extremely
strong and a big blocker … Busts his tail.
Negatives: Good blocker, but
not an elite one … Not speedy … Isn’t going to be a big-time target.
119. Chip Vaughn, FS
Wake Forest 6-1, 221
Position Rank: 11
Post-Combine Skinny: He was flying through the short drills like a
much smaller player. With his size and speed, he showed off all the raw
tools to potentially be a starter. He looked the part.
Positives: Clutch. A good
playmaker when things get tight … Strong with an NFL body. Big-time
hitter … Good athleticism and enough speed to get by.
Negatives: Not a fluid athlete
on the field … Is a free safety, but plays like a strong safety … Might
need a bit of work. Not instinctive.
120.
George Hypolite, DT Colorado
6-1, 290
Position Rank: 14
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Ultra-productive
considering he didn’t get much help … A leader. The Buff defense worked
around him. The unquestioned main man … Very quick, very tough.
Negatives: Not big. Barely 6-1
and won’t get too much bigger … Not quite strong enough to make up for
his size … Not an elite athlete.
121. Mike Thomas, WR
Arizona 5-8, 195
Position Rank: 14
Post-Combine Skinny:
He helped himself. He really helped himself. While he's
small, he ran a 4.4, jumped over 40", broad jumped a fantastic 10'6",
and was as fluid and as seamless as possible in the drills.
Positives: Tough for his size.
Played through injuries … A great battler and will work to be better …
Very quick. Will find the open holes.
Negatives: Size. He’s not big
enough to handle all the shots he takes … Not all that fast … Might need
the right fit. Will never be a No. 1 target.
122.
Nic Harris, OLB Oklahoma 6-2, 234
Position Rank: 9
Post-Combine Skinny: If there was any question whether or
not he could be an NFL safety, that was quickly and decisively answered
with a 4.78. He'll have to work a lot harder to get stronger, and he
wasn't quite as smooth as he was supposed to be for a former defensive
back, but he's an outside linebacker.
Positives: A perfect sized NFL
safety … Extremely tough and a good hitter … Can play almost anywhere in
the defensive back seven.
Negatives: He doesn’t have a position. He’s not fast enough to be a
star NFL defensive back and not big enough to be a regular linebacker …
He’ll need time to adjust to the pro game and to find one thing he can
do well … Got shoved around when he played linebacker in college.
123. Kevin Ellison, SS
USC 6-1, 227
Position Rank:
13
Post-Combine Skinny: It wasn't good. The 32 reps on the
bench might make him more of a linebacker, and the stunningly slow 4.82
in the 40 secures it. Now he has to find a spot to play.
Positives: An experienced
veteran who was a leader on a defense full of leaders … Strong and
extremely tough. Very physical … Takes great angles. Doesn’t waste many
steps.
Negatives: Bad knees
… A pure strong safety. Not athletic enough to play free safety after
the knee injuries … Not great at going after the ball when it’s in the
air.
124. Kenny McKinley, WR South Carolina
6-0, 189
Position Rank: 15
Post-Combine Skinny:
He made himself a lot of money. Not only was he a bit bigger than
expected, his 4.44 proved his potential deep speed. Was lightning quick
in the short drills.
Positives:
A battler for his size with great hands … A true go-to target who
handled himself well against SEC corners … Always seems to find ways to
make himself open.
Negatives:
Needs to get stronger. A lot stronger … Isn’t quick enough or fast
enough to make up for his lack of size … Won’t be able to block anyone.
125.
Zack Follett, LB California
6-2, 236
Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: The Combine wasn't going to be his
strong suit. However, he ran a solid 4.75 and was surprisingly athletic.
He's not going to be off the charts in any of the drills, he's a bit too
stiff, but he was more than fine. He's a game tape prospect.
Positives: A major-league
hitter … Has no problem getting into the backfield when needed … Great
motor. Goes 100% all the time.
Negatives: Not athletic enough. Won’t be able to beat people up at
the next level … Only a strongside defender. Won’t play on the weakside
… Might be too tough. Will hurt himself trying to fight for a tackle.
126.
Captain Munnerlyn, CB South Carolina
5-9, 182
Position Rank: 13
Post-Combine Skinny: The technique was solid and he looked
smooth overall, but for his size, he needed to rip off a great 40. 4.53
isn't going to cut it considering he was expected to be a 4.4 guy.
Positives: Extremely fast when
the ball is in the air … Good physical player for his size … Can move
and adjust on the fly as well as any of the corners.
Negatives: Not big. He’ll get
picked on by big NFL receivers … Struggled to stay healthy. Not afraid
to hit, and that was a problem at times … Gave up too many big plays.
127.
Cullen Harper, QB Clemson 6-3, 225
Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: Lifted 225 19 times. He ran well enough
and he was more than fine throwing it.
Positives: Good arm and
mobility … Got through a tough situation last year … Tough and
competitive.
Negatives: He
didn’t produce as expected with the spotlight on … Has work to do on
delivery … Tries to do too much at times.
128.
Matt Shaughnessy, DE Wisconsin
6-5, 266
Position Rank: 15
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a good weekend for the
oft-injured Badger. He showed the quickness of a smaller player and ran
a 4.88. The 24 bench presses were fine. Basically, he proved he can be a
regular contributor, but he's not going to be a star.
Positives: A great combination
of quickness and strength … Able to play just about anywhere on the
line. Plays bigger than his size … Good worker.
Negatives: Has to get stronger
and bigger, but might not be able to bulk up too much more without
losing his quickness … Injury issues. Tore his ACL and broke his leg …
Not fluid. Not a natural pass rusher.
129. Jarett Dillard, WR
Rice 5-10, 191
Position Rank: 16
Post-Combine Skinny:
There was no questioning his college production, and now there's no
questioning his athleticism. His 4.53 was decent, but the 42" vertical
raised some eyebrows. The 10'9" broad jump was special. However, he has
small hands.
Positives: An
all-timer of a producer … Excellent athlete who can jump out of the
stadium … A scoring machine. Great around the goal line.
Negatives: Lacks elite speed …
Needs to prove he can be an NFL route runner, and needs to work a bit …
Needs to get stronger.
130.
Domonique Johnson, CB Jackson State
6-1, 197
Position Rank: 14
Post-Combine Skinny: For his size, the 4.5 was good enough
to open up a few eyes. He didn't always look smooth as silk, but he
proved he belonged with the big boys.
Positives: He has all the
tools. Fast, big, and athletic … Dangerous with the ball in his hands. A
playmaker … Will work out extremely well.
Negatives: Where is his
position? He looks like a big corner, but he’ll likely be tried out as a
free safety, too … Competition level … Not a big enough hitter to be a
top NFL safety.
131.
Dorrell Scott, DT Clemson
6-4, 312
Position Rank: 15
Post-Combine Skinny: He did a good job. He lifted well (29
times), ran better (a 4.95), and looked every bit like the type of
prospect who could hang around a line for a decade. If his conditioning
is a question, he came through strong in Indy.
Positives: Looks the part. Has
the size, frame, and skills to be special … Can’t be blocked by just one
player on a regular basis … Polished. Ready to step in and produce.
Negatives: Does he really want
to be a star? … Doesn’t necessarily have the high motor and needs to be
more fit … While he was good in college, he never quite put it all
together.
132. Worrell Williams,
ILB California 5-11, 240
Position Rank: 9
Post-Combine Skinny: Is he for the inside
or the outside? He was athletic enough to play on the outside, but he
appears to be more of an inside presence even with a pedestrian 23 reps.
He had a good enough workout to help himself overall, but it wasn't a
special weekend.
Positives:
Can play anywhere in the linebacking corps … Makes huge plays. Huge
hitter … Fast enough. Always around the ball.
Negatives: Not all that tall.
Squatty … Needs to find one position he can master at an NFL level …
Goes for the big pop too often.
133.
Rhett Bomar, QB Sam Houston State 6-2, 225
Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: A bit erratic with his throws, but he
ran well, moved well, and lifted an benched 25 reps.
Positives: Great arm and
excellent physical skills … Fiery competitor. … Made the players around
him better at SHSU.
Negatives:
Didn’t face top-shelf competition … Reconstructed knee … Not huge.
How good
are the prospects?
1-32
| 2nd Round
| 3rd Round
| 4th Round
| 5th Round
| 6th Round
| 7th Round
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