I have a key to better understand my star system:
: Elite Prospect 
: Top 8 Prospect : Solid First-Round Prospect : Fringe First-Round Prospect; Very Strong Round 2 Prospect : Second-Round Prospect : Third-Round Prospect : 4th-5th Round Prospect : Late Round/Undrafted Free Agent Matt McGuire’s 2009 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Offensive Players By Position
Updated April 20, 2009
4-3 Defensive Ends
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Tyson Jackson, LSU
Great size and has an underrated motor in terms of rushing the quarterback.
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Brian Orakpo, Texas
Brian Orakpo really lived up to the hype this year and will be the first pass-rusher taken on Draft Day.
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Larry English, Northern Illinois
Makes up for lack of size with an outstanding work ethic, great effort and an elite rip move.
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Robert Ayers, Tennessee
Displayed impressive athleticism and a nice spin move in Mobile, but I am not buying it that he is a top 10 talent at all.
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Paul Kruger, Utah
Paul Kruger was one of the most productive defensive linemen in the country, amassing 61 tackles, seven pass breakups, 16.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
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Brian Orakpo, Texas
I just do not see Eric Mangini passing up on Brian Orakpo at No. 5 overall if he doesn’t trade Braylon Edwards or Brady Quinn.
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Everette Brown, Florida State
Disappointing measurement at the Combine when he measured in at 6-1 1/2 as opposed to his listing at 6-4. He did not show elite athleticism so I have to move him down a little bit.
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Larry English, Northern Illinois
Gives versatility in the 3-4 and 4-3.
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Clay Matthews, USC
Outstanding family tree. His father, Clay Matthews, Jr., played in the NFL for 19 years, and his uncle, Bruce Matthews, is a Hall of Famer.
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Aaron Maybin, Penn State
Could be a one-year wonder and comes from bad program pedigree. A one-dimensional pass-rusher who can’t do much else.
Defensive Tackles
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B.J. Raji, Boston College
Scouts and general managers are salivating at the thought of drafting B.J. Raji. He really played himself into the top 11 picks in Mobile.
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Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
I had Peria Jerry as a first-round grade before the Senior Bowl. I wasn’t shocked when he tore it up.
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Evander Hood, Missouri
Another under tackle during Senior Bowl week showcasing his talent. Could go much higher than people expect.
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Ron Brace, Boston College
Great nose tackle prospect could go off the board high in the second round.
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Alex Magee, Purdue
Alex Magee has very overlooked athleticism and is active.
Inside Linebackers
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Rey Maualuga, USC
Back-to-back years of impressive game film doesn’t discount one mediocre week at the Senior Bowl. I was disappointed at the weigh-in as Maualuga looked pretty average and slightly overweight.
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James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
I didn’t think James Laurinaitis was very physical this season, and not showing up to Mobile gives me reason to worry about his level of competitiveness.
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Jason Phillips, TCU
For my money, Jason Phillips is the most underrated MIKE linebacker in the 2009 NFL Draft because he shows great toughness and instincts.
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Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
Very impressive measurement times caused me to do a re-evaluation of his tapes and I subsequently moved him up on my board. Great fit in the 3-4.
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Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
Dannell Ellerbe has great instincts and grades out high on effort. I want to know why he wasn’t invited to Mobile. I don’t get it.
4-3 Outside Linebackers
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Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Doesn’t have the ability to play weakside linebacker in the Tampa-2, but that defensive scheme is dying off anyway.
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Clay Matthews, USC
Clay Matthews has versatility to play both WILL and SAM.
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Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
Elite versatility, as Tyrone McKenzie can play WILL, MIKE and SAM in the 4-3 defense. Extroardinary production with 359 career tackles. Big-time leader.
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Brian Cushing, USC
Not instinctive and does not make many impact plays. More of an athlete than a football player.
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Nic Harris, Oklahoma
Experience at safety showed in Mobile, as Nic Harris was a sideline-to-sideline player with the ability to close quickly. Great weakside prospect and can contribute on special teams.
Cornerbacks
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Darius Butler, Connecticut
I moved up Darius Butler to the No. 3 corner spot after the Senior Bowl, then to No. 2 after Malcolm Jenkins’ disappointing 40 times. Now, he is my top corner in the 2009 NFL Draft because of Davis’ growing character concerns.
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Vontae Davis, Illinois
Vontae Davis really isn’t that far off from an elite grade. He had a phenomenal season, showing outstanding speed, ball skills and support against the run. However, is he uncoachable regarding his character rumors?
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Michael Jenkins, Ohio State
Will likely be picked by New Orleans at No. 14 overall because of his corner/free safety versatility.
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Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
An overrated athlete with bad size, Alphonso Smith did not show up in Mobile for Senior Bowl week practices.
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Mark Parson, Ohio
For my money, I think Mark Parson is one of the biggest sleepers in the 2009 NFL Draft. His athleticism, instincts and ability to break up passes goes very overlooked.
Safeties
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Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
Very good free safety prospect, but it might require a rough transition.
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Rashad Johnson, Alabama
Elite play-maker with top notch intangibles. I do not understand why he is regarded as a second-round talent.
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Sean Smith, Utah
Another very good free safety with great size (6-3). Sean Smith isn’t very rangy.
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William Moore, Missouri
I have to drop William Moore a little bit after his bad week of Senior Bowl practice, and I don’t like knee-jerk decisions. Still, he’s the top strong safety in the 2009 NFL Draft.
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Patrick Chung, Oregon
Patrick Chung is a physical safety who loves to fill up in the run game.
MISSING
Matt McGuire’s 2009 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Offensive Players By Position
Matt McGuire’s 2008 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Defensive Players By Position
Matt’s 2009 NFL Mock Draft
2009 NFL Mock Draft Database
2009 NFL Draft Prospects
2009 NFL Mock Draft – Walt’s
