Scout.com: 2009 NFL Draft Analysis

2009 NFL Draft Analysis - Round Seven

Georgia Tech DT Vance Walker

By Staff

CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Apr 25, 2009

Who went where and how good are each of the draft picks?

ROUND 7
#	Pick	Team
1	210	Atlanta (from Dallas through Detroit) Vance Walker, DT Georgia Tech 6-2, 305 A red-hot prospect after his junior year, he struggled a bit once the draft spotlight was on throughout his senior year. He’s a great interior pass rushing prospect for his size and he plays quicker than his workouts might indicate, but he doesn’t play nearly as big or as strong as his bulk. He’s a big body who could fill a hole on the inside. If he gets with a pro trainer and transforms himself into a large tackle into a large, strong tackle, he could be a great value pick considering his interior quickness and work ethic. He’s always moving and always trying to make something happen. *CFN Value Rank:* Fifth Round CFN Position Rank:* 12*
2	211	St. Louis Chris Ogbonnaya, RB Texas 6-0, 220 An interesting mix of size, power, and quickness, he's a raw runner with the upside to be a decent powerback in the right system. For good and bad, he doesn't have a lot of tread on the tires. He didn't get a lot of work at Texas in part of a rotation, but he wasn't all that productive when he got his chance. He could be a nice runner in a rotation, but he'll likely never be a feature back. *CFN Value Rank:* Sixth Round CFN Position Rank:* 29*
3	212	Kansas City Javarris Williams, RB Tennessee State 5-10, 225 “Boobie” is a true power runner with both weight room and functional strength. While he’s not going to blaze by anyone, he has surprising speed once he gets into the open and can burst through the hole when he has the opening. He’ll have a role as a big runner, but he could end up sticking on a roster because of his blocking ability. Forget about getting to the outside and he’s not laterally quick, but he could become a goal line, short yardage runner. *CFN Value Rank:* Fifth Round CFN Position Rank: 20
4	213	Philadelphia (from Seattle) Paul Fanaika, OG Arizona State 6-6, 325 Extremely big, he has gotten by on being a decent phone booth blocker. While he’s a good player who got the job done at a high level, he doesn’t have the raw skills to do much in the NFL unless he gets a lot stronger in a big hurry. He was awful on the bench in the Combine and doesn’t have much in the way of athleticism to even think about moving out to tackle. Because of his size he’ll get a few chances to make a roster, but he doesn’t have the strength to stick. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: 17
5	214	Miami (from Cleveland) J.D. Folsom, LB Weber State 6-3, 230 Purely a special teams prospect, and a flier for the defense, he's a good athlete with nice range and good small school production. With the raw skills to potentially stand out in camp, he has upside. What he doesn't have is NFL skills and will have to shine in a niche role early on. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
6	215	Cincinnati Fui Vakapuna, RB 5-11, 245 BYU A big, productive back who isn't all that fast, he could be used as a pounder, a fullback, or a change-of-pace runner. Forget about any sort of a big run, but he's incredible strong and almost unstoppable around the goal line. He was a cult hero at BYU because of his tough, bruising style, and he could be the type of hard-charger who'll be hard to get rid of. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
7	216	Carolina (from Oakland) Captain Munnerlyn, CB South Carolina 5-9, 185 (Jr.) Thanks to a disastrous decision to come out early, he needs to try to catch on by making some big plays early on in a camp or he’ll be a early cut. He’s strong, has good leaping skills and decent speed, but he can’t play at an NFL level. Fast receivers will blow past him and big receivers will shove him aside. With all that said, he could find a niche as a nickel back and a fourth corner if he can show off his run stopping ability and he’s just good enough of a return prospect to warrant a look. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 24
8	217	Tampa Bay (from Jacksonville) E.J. Biggers, CB Western Michigan 6-0, 180 A productive part of a talented, but underachieving Bronco secondary, Biggers is a good football player with just enough upside to develop. He's not all that big but has good speed and is a good all-around college football player. However, he's not a great ball-hawker and can only be used in zone situations. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
9	218	Green Bay Brad Jones, LB 6-3, 230 Colorado An interesting tweener, he has good speed, excellent pass rushing skills, and a nice résumé after leading the Buffs with six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. He's a good tackler who isn't bad in the open field, but he's not going to make a team because of his run stopping ability. If he's not getting into the backfield and he's not doing much on special teams, he'll have a hard time making a squad. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
10	219	San Francisco Curtis Taylor, FS LSU 6-2, 208 The epitome of the Looks Like Tarzan, Plays Like Jane prospect. Out of central casting, he has the body, the size, and the look of a prototype safety, but he doesn’t hit and he’s not nearly as good an athlete as he sometimes appears to be. He ran a glacier slow 4.64 at the Combine and only came up with 13 reps on the bench, but he can jump out of the stadium and can cut on a dime. Staying healthy has been a problem and he makes too many mistakes, but he could be a superstar special teamer and he’ll be versatile enough to see time as a backup at both safety spots. *CFN Value Rank:* Sixth Round CFN Position Rank:* 14*
11	220	Buffalo Ellis Lankster, CB West Virginia 5-9, 180 Worth a flier, he'll never be steady if lined up in man coverage, but he has the range and the quick burst to be decent in a zone. With decent run support skills and enough toughness to get by, he could show some worth as a nickel or dime back and as a special teamer. Just good enough at Senior Bowl week to pique interest, he looks just good enough to be a cog in the secondary, but nothing special. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank:* 33*
12	221	Washington (from Minnesota) Eddie Williams, TE Idaho 6-1, 240 While he's not tall and is built like a fullback, he was a special receiver for a team that did absolutely nothing. Even though everyone was keying on him, he still came up with 54 grabs for 687 yards and six scores. Durability is a bit of a concern, but the bigger problem could be a lack of a position. He's not a good enough blocker to be used as a fullback, and he's not a speedster who'll break off many big plays. Even so, he should be a nice short to midrange target. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank:* 21*
13	222	Indianapolis (from New Orleans through Philadelphia) Pat McAfee, P West Virginia 6-0, 230 Consistent and with an accurate leg, McAfee came up with a strong senior season averaging 44.7 yards per kick while putting 25 inside the 20. He has been a weapon for the Mountaineers for four years and was equally strong as a placekicker. He doesn't have a cannon for a leg and can't be used on kickoffs. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: 6
14	223	Houston Troy Nolan, S Arizona State 6-1, 210 Too slow to be a starter at free safety and too weak to be a strong safety, he only came up with 12 reps on the bench at the Combine, he has to try to find a role somewhere. Despite his lack of raw skills, he makes plays and is purely a football player who gets the job done. He plays more athletic than he is. A good college player, he simply doesn’t have the skills to do much in the NFL if he doesn’t show he can make big plays early on in camp. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 20
15	224	San Diego Demetrius Byrd, WR LSU 6-1, 200 Purely as a football prospect, he's the epitome of the million-dollar talent with a ten-cent head. He has it all with size, speed, and tremendous upside, but the big question is his healthy after a near-fatal car accident. He's expected to recover and eventually be back to normal, but he's not expected to be back soon. When healthy, he can hit the home run, find the hole in the seam, and do big things when he gets the ball on the move. However, he’s not a refined route runner, will drop passes, and didn’t produce like a superstar receiver he should’ve become. He was plenty good, and he’ll be solid for someone on raw skills alone, but he could be great. Special. If it all kicks in and if he finds the desire to become the NFL’s best receiver, it’s all there for him. The world is his if he wants it ... and if he can recover. *CFN Value Rank:* Third Round CFN Position Rank: 9
16	225	Denver Blake Schlueter, C TCU 6-3, 285 The only question is whether or not he can handle the full-time rigors of the NFL at around 280 pounds. His quickness and agility are major plusses and he’s strong in the weight room. He won’t shove anyone around, but he won’t get beaten by anyone who tries to do anything other than power rush. While there’s a limit on what he’ll be able to do, he’s a good football player who’ll break a coach’s heart to cut. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 8
17	226	Pittsburgh (from Tampa Bay) A.Q Shipley, C Penn State 6-1, 295 A bulldog of a blocker, if he was 6-3 instead of barely 6-1 he’d be considered a top prospect worthy of first day consideration. His motor is always running, he finishes every block, and he doesn’t make a mental mistake. Occasionally, his size, or lack of it, is a plus as he gets good leverage on defenders, but in the NFL, he’s a center and that’s it. He has no chance to play guard and will be limited at center by his short arms. Even so, he’ll command instant respect and he’ll produce from the moment he steps on the field. *CFN Value Rank:* Fourth Round CFN Position Rank: 4
18	227	Dallas Mike Mickens, CB Cincinnati 6-0, 185 Ultra-productive with fantastic ball skills, he’s a playmaking corner who’ll have to get by on his instincts and big play ability. He had a knee problem this off-season and wasn’t able to work out at the Combine, and that’s not the worst thing for him considering his 40 time probably wouldn’t be better than around a 4.55. The lack of blazing speed is a problem since it forces him to gamble a bit too much. He’ll make big plays here and there, but he’ll also get torched against the speedsters. If he can add about 15 pounds of muscle he has a future as a ball-hawking nickel back or free safety, but he’ll have to start out as a No. 3 corner who’ll need to prove he’s durable enough to be on the field for three downs. *CFN Value Rank:* Third Round CFN Position Rank: 7
19	228	Detroit (from New York Jets) Lydon Murtha, OT Nebraska 6-7, 305 He was supposed to be a superstar coming out of high school and it never happened. He’s on the map because he’s very big, very long, and shockingly fast and athletic. After a great Combine, he’s worthy of getting a harder look, but he’s always going to have health issues and he’s never going to be powerful enough to be a good run blocker. However, if it all comes together, he could be a rare left tackle prospect found late in the draft. *CFN Value Rank:* Sixth Round CFN Position Rank: 19
20	229	Dallas (from Chicago through Tampa Bay) Manuel Johnson, WR Oklahoma 5-11, 190 He has the potential to surprise. Not a major factor in the high-powered Oklahoma offense, at least compared to the rest of the stars, he was certainly good enough to make big plays when they came his way. Quick more than fast, he has the ability to run short to midrange routes, but he isn't strong, can be shoved around, and will have problems holding up if he takes too many shots. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: NR
21	230	Philadelphia Moise Fokou, LB Maryland 6-1 233 While he won’t be a star defender, he should be a terrific special teamer and a good enough backup to sit on a roster for a long time. He plays faster than he is, but his lack of a top-end gear to go along with a lack of bulk will limit on what he can become. He’s not strong, benching 225 pounds a mere 12 times at the Combine, but he ran a 4.65 and was fluid in the agility drills. If he hits the weights hard and gets bigger and stronger, he could be a steal. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 17
22	231	Minnesota Jamarca Sanford, SS Ole Miss 5-10, 215 With a good blend of strength and speed, he has the raw athleticism to become a major factor in a secondary if he’s in the right situation. Not big enough to be a regular in run support, and not polished enough in pass coverage, he’s a tweener who might end up making a team as a nickel and dime back. While he had some problems off the field, he was a leader on it making things happen all over the place as an ultra-aggressive, try-hard playmaker. However, he’ll have to shine on special teams to stick. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 24
23	232	New England (from Miami through Jacksonville) Julian Edelman, QB Kent State 6-0, 198 A pure Wildcat/spread formation option, Edelman has the speed and quickness to potentially be tried out as a slot receiver, but he'll be a specialist under center. He's not Pat White, he doesn't have the passing arm or the accuracy, but he's tremendously quick, is great on the option, and could give defenses fits for a few plays a game in a special package. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
24	233	Tampa Bay (from Baltimore) Sammie Stroughter, WR Oregon State 5-9, 190 Tremendously productive when healthy, he’ll make his money as a returner and a fourth receiver. He missed a year with family problems and wasn't the same playmaker when he returned. While he has good fight, likes to make the big play, and has everything you'd want in the make-up of a football player, he's not big enough or fast enough to make a big impact. *CFN Value Rank:* Sixth Round CFN Position Rank: 28
25	234	New England Darryl Richard, DT Georgia Tech 6-3, 305 Extremely smart, extremely motivated, and extremely big, he has the character and the make-up of an anchor. And then there’s the Combine. He only came up with 17 lifts on the bench, wasn’t athletic enough to give any inkling that he could ever get into the backfield, and he’ll only make plays that are funneled to him The type of player every coach would love to have, he’ll be tough to cut because of his effort, and easy to cut because of his lack of raw skills. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 16
26	235	Detroit (from Denver through Atlanta) Zack Follett, LB California 6-2, 235 A football meathead, but in a good way (sort of), he’s an ultra-aggressive hitter who fights to make every play. Strictly a strongside linebacker, he plays bigger than his size by taking on any blockers and tossing them aside. He showed decent athleticism in off-season workouts and he jumped 37” up, tying Aaron Curry for the best among the linebackers at the Combine. The downside to his physical play was his injury issues. He’ll always be dinged up, but that’s how he plays. *CFN Value Rank:* Fifth Round CFN Position Rank: 14
27	236	Indianapolis Jaimie Thomas, OT Maryland 6-4, 323 While he's a tackle prospect, he'd be better suited to play inside. Not all that athletic, but fine in a phone booth, he can shove people around and he's not all that bad for the running game. While he has a big body and a big frame, he's not in the best of shape and he's not great on the move. He could be a decent backup who'll get a shot to show what he can do. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
28	237	Kansas City (from Miami through Carolina) Jake O'Connell, TE Miami Univ. 6-4, 255 A terrific athlete with good speed and stunning quickness. He has all the tools and all the basics, but he wasn't all that productive making 25 catches for 258 yards. The upside is there to at least give him a look as a possible developmental prospect, and he could grow as a special teamer with his size and wheels. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
29	238	New York Giants Stoney Woodson, S South Carolina 5-11, 200 With decent size and just enough speed to get by, he could be a decent nickel or dime package defensive back and wouldn't be a bad free safety prospect with a little bit of work. While he's not a great tackler, he's versatile enough to play almost anywhere in the secondary and is worth giving a look at in camp just to see if he can be a backup somewhere. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
30	239	Tennessee Ryan Durand, OG Syracuse 6-4, 300 A pure blocker who's strong in close spaces and a tough lunchpail sort of player. He'll always work and he'll always give maximum effort, but he's not much of an athlete and won't do much on the move. He won't protect a quarterback against anyone with the slightest hint of speed and could be used as a specialist on special teams and short yardage packages. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 21
31	240	Arizona LaRod Stephens-Howling RB Pitt 5-7, 180 A speed back and a change-of-pace back, he'll never be an every down runner and he can't be counted on for more than emergency service, but he could be a third down playmaker and he could find a role as a kick returner. He'll have to shine early on in camp and he'll have to prove he has dependable hands to become a factor. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
32	241	Pittsburgh David Johnson, TE Arkansas State 6-2, 275 It all depends on what you want to do with him. Extremely strong and thickly built, he made his biggest mark as a fullback in college. A decent blocker, but not a superior one, he needs to refine his technique to become a regular NFL producer. While he’s not going to be a complete receiver, he has enough speed to get deep from time to time and he could grow into an H-Back role. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 13
33	242	Tennessee Nick Schommer, FS North Dakota State 6-0, 197 A tough, gutty tackler who made 54 stops and led the team with three interceptions. He has a nice blend of speed, quickness, and athleticism, but he's purely a special teamer. Not a returner, he'll sacrifice himself to make any sort of play needed on hustle. He could show surprising range in camp and be a tough late cut. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
34	243	Washington Marko Mitchell, WR Nevada 6-4, 218 Productive during his the No. 1 target for the Wolf Pack, he has excellent speed to go along with his tremendous size. He has the basic, raw skills, but he has the attitude of a top target without the consistency. With lagging concentration, unpolished skills, even with all his experience, and not enough strength for his size, there are a lot of issues. However, he could be a major diamond in the rough who could explode if everything clicks and if he will work for it. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
35	244	San Francisco Ricky-Jean Francois, DT LSU 6-3, 295 (Jr.) Extremely talented and extremely disappointing, it looked like he was about to become a monster after dominating in the 2008 BCS Championship win over Ohio State, but it didn’t happen. Extremely quick with all the athleticism and all the skill to play inside or out, he’s one of the draft’s most versatile linemen with a sky’s-the-limit upside. But it’s not going to work. From major character issues to a lack of functional and weight room strength, there’s just enough missing from the equation to keep him from reaching his potential. He’s way too talented to simply ignore, but he appears to be yet another disappointing LSU defensive tackle, only more so. *CFN Value Rank:* Third Round CFN Position Rank: 10
36	245	Seattle Courtney Greene, SS Rutgers 6-1, 210 A hot prospect as a junior and an almost certain first day pick, he decided to come back for his senior year with mediocre results. He was hardly bad, but he was inconsistent and the buzz cooled down after a fantastic third year as the starter. A good athlete who moves well and is good in the weight room, he has the basic skills and could be molded into a good starter, but he misses too many tackles and he’s not great against the pass. He’ll be a fan favorite because of his hitting ability, he’ll have plenty of ooooooh shots, but he’ll miss some routine plays trying to blow someone up. *CFN Value Rank:* Fifth Round CFN Position Rank: 12
37	246	Chicago Lance Louis, OG San Diego State 6-2, 300 The one-time tight end missed the 2007 season with a torn ACL but rebounded to be an athletic, extremely fast guard for a struggling Aztec offense. The upside is there now that he's a year removed from the injury, and while he's not quite physical enough to be a regular starter inside, he came up with 30 reps on the bench at the Combine and could be versatile enough to move outside in a pinch. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
38	247	Seattle Nick Reed, DE/LB Oregon 6-2, 250 A premier college pass rusher who busted his tail to be a very smart, very tough producer who played at an All-America level. Decent against the run, for his size, he made things happen by outhustling everyone else. Someone will try to make him a linebacker, probably for the inside, but it’s not going to happen. He’ll be a decent flier to take late, but the limitations are too great to overcome. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 22
39	248	Seattle Cameron Morrah, TE California 6-3, 245 (Jr.) More like a big wide receiver than bruising tight end, he’s not going to block anyone and he’s not going to do too much tackle-breaking once he gets the ball in his hands. Making matters worse is his lack of polish as a route runner. However, he’s fast, very athletic, and will blow through a defense to get to the second level in a hurry. He’s a strong prospect, but he needs work. *CFN Value Rank:* Fourth Round CFN Position Rank:* 12*
40	249	Cincinnati Clinton McDonald, DT Memphis 6-1, 285 Way undersized but extremely quick and athletic, he could grow into a tremendous pass rusher who sees time in certain situations. He’ll blow past interior blockers, but he’ll be blasted by the bigger and stronger ones. He’s not going to be an every down player because he his lack of raw strength, but the former linebacker is extremely tough and is the type of player you want in a locker room. However, he won’t stick around if he’s not getting into the backfield on a regular basis. *CFN Value Rank:* Sixth Round CFN Position Rank:* 13*
41	250	Jacksonville Rashad Jennings, RB Liberty 6-1, 235 The former Pitt Panther is one of the best bruisers in the draft and could be the best inside power runner available. He’s not going to break off any big runs and there’s not going to be anything fancy about what he does, but he could become a closer late in games and a goal line specialist. While his production might have come at Liberty, he didn’t wear down and was a great fighter game in and game out. He’s not going to be a feature-back, but he could be a sledgehammer of a No. 2 option with a little bit of refining. While he looks like a fullback right out of central casting off the field, he’s not exactly fluid on it. *CFN Value Rank:* Fourth Round CFN Position Rank: 14
42	251	Chicago Derek Kinder, WR Pitt 6-0 215 Kinder came back after missing all of 2007 and was steady, but unspectacular catching 36 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns. And then came his Pro Day workout when he was fast, athletic, and extremely impressive for his size. With the skills to be an interesting late no-risk pick, he could be used as a returner or a third down target. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: 41
43	252	Cincinnati Freddie Brown, WR Utah 6-4, 215 A steady target all year long for the Utes, Brown exploded late in the season highlighted by a 12-catch, 125-yard day in the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Very big with good toughness and the hands to be dependable, he's a midrange reciever who won't stretch the field but will make every play that comes his way. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: NR
44	253	Jacksonville Tiquan Underwood, WR Rutgers 6-1 185 The running mate next to Kenny Britt, he’s a phenomenal athlete with jaw-dropping speed and leaping ability. He’s not nearly physical enough and will be knocked off a route by a soft breeze. Still raw, he has the upside to grow into a dangerous target if he gets the time to develop, but he doesn't run the full route tree and he'll be a one-trick receiver to start out his career. *CFN Value Rank:* Seventh Round CFN Position Rank: 32
45	254	Arizona Trevor Canfield, OG Cincinnati 6-4, 305 Limited, he needs to be in the right offense, likely a zone blocking scheme, to end up seeing any time. He slimmed down over to fit the Cincinnati attack and was fine until he had to go against the top-shelf talent. He’ll be at his best when he bulks back up a little bit and can play with more power, but he needs to get stronger and he’s not enough of an athlete to handle the quicker interior pass rushers. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: 20
46	255	Detroit Dan Gronkowski, TE Maryland 6-5, 255 If he’s asked to be just a blocker, he’ll be a big producer for a power offense. If he’s asked to be a receiver, forget about it. He’s a good guy who’ll work his tail off to become a better route runner and a receiver, but he’s not a natural pass catcher. Freakishly strong, he could stick by shoving some people around and by doing everything asked of him. He’ll be worth the flier. *CFN Value Rank:* Sixth Round CFN Position Rank: 15
47	256	Kansas City Ryan Succop, PK South Carolina 6-2, 220 A good all-around kicker who can be a kickoff specialist, handle punting if need be, and be a reliable placekicker, Succop, if all goes well could handle a variety or roles and could save a roster spot. While he has a big leg on field goals, it's not accurate from deep with his range wavering around 45 yards before he starts to spray the ball a bit. *CFN Value Rank:* Free Agent CFN Position Rank: 8

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