Matt McGuire’s 2009 NFL Draft Prospects

These rankings do not reflect where these players will go in the draft or how I think they will fall in the draft. It is just how good I think these players are on my personal draft board.

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 Defensive Players By Position


Sept. 24, 2009

Quarterbacks

  1. Matt Stafford, Georgia
    If you still are not a believe in Matt Stafford, read my article on why Quarterbacks Bust in the NFL. To say just because Stafford is a junior will cause him to bust, is absolutely ridiculous.

  2. Mark Sanchez, USC
    The hype for Mark Sanchez has died down a little bit since early January. Todd McShay previously had Sanchez as his No. 1 quarterback, but not anymore. No one really thinks he is a top-nine selection, and I think Jacksonville is sending a smokescreen with their supposed “interest.”

  3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State
    Josh Freeman operated a lot under center, but his accuracy was very shaky last season. Still, he has the upside, physical tools and experience in a pro-style offense to be a starter.

  4. Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
    Made some impressive throws in the East/West Shrine game. All the quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl were pitiful last week, so I moved them all down by default. Worst senior quarterback class since 2000 when after Chad Pennington, we had Giovanni Carmozzi, Chris Redman, Tee Martin and Marc Bulger (who wasn’t drafted until the sixth round, so he wasn’t a highly regarded prospect).

  5. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
    I was never on the Graham Harrell bandwagon, but I simply moved Nate Davis out of my top five because of his learning disability and unimpressive numbers at the Combine when he was supposed to run a 4.65 and a great 3-cone.





Running Backs

  1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
    I have recently moved Knowshon Moreno up to my No. 5 player in my 2009 NFL Draft Big Board. He is just so special and will be a star in the NFL.

  2. Chris “Beanie” Wells, Ohio State
    Chris Wells is still an incredibly gifted back and will be a steal for some team. Look out for him to go No. 14 to New Orleans.

  3. Donald Brown, Connecticut
    Impressive speed in the open field and can break away. Good vision and will fit zone blocking schemes.

  4. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
    LeSean McCoy had a slow start, but he really picked his game up rushing for 1,328 yards, 14 touchdowns, a 4.8 average, and 33 receptions for 244 yards.

  5. Kory Sheets, Purdue
    Great all-around back who is a good blocker and receiver, with sneaky speed in the open field.




Wide Receivers

  1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
    If Seattle passes up on Michael Crabtree at No. 4, he will be targeted by Jacksonville at No. 8.

  2. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
    Kenny Britt is a great route runner, has reliable hands, and is simply underrated by the draftnik community because he doesn’t run a great stopwatch time.

  3. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
    Hakeem Nicks has one of the best pairs of hands in the class, he runs solid routes, he maximizes the YAC, and he is just a very solid all-around receiver.

  4. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
    Elite intangibles will earn Brian Robiskie a spot somewhere in the league.

  5. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
    Very raw route runner with inconsistent hands and does not like to go over the middle. Jeremy Maclin is a glorified version of Ted Ginn Jr.




Tight Ends

  1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
    I have been saying since last May that Brandon Pettigrew is a first-round pick and the best blocking tight end in the 2009 class.

  2. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
    He gained the necessary weight, but unfortunately broke his fibula and was deactivated for the rest of the 2008 college season.

  3. Jared Cook, South Carolina
    Not highly productive in an offense with radically inconsistent quarterback play, but the talent is there.

  4. Cornelius Ingram, Florida
    Is it just me, or has Cornelius Ingram really juiced up his muscular composition? He is a beast, but I am concerned about durability and some rust.

  5. James Casey, Rice
    James Casey has great ball skills and Y.A.C. ability.



Offensive Tackles

  1. Eugene Monroe, Virginia
    The top left tackle in the 2009 NFL Draft could go as high as No. 2 to Saint Louis or No. 6 to Cincinnati.

  2. Jason Smith, Baylor
    Riskier prospect than most project because he is a little top heavy with inconsistent feet. He could struggle with the transition.

  3. Michael Oher, Ole Miss
    Michael Oher is still a little underrated – his inconsistencies have been blown out of proportion.

  4. William Beatty, Connecticut
    Extremely quick feet, but needs to pack on bulk. An average run-blocker.

  5. Eben Britton, Arizona
    Andre Smith is a loser. Eben Britton is not.




Guards

  1. Max Unger, Oregon
    Athleticism and versatility make Max Unger my No. 1 guard, though he is overrated as a pure center.

  2. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
    You have to give the NFL Network’s Mike Mayock a ton of credit for calling out Duke Robinson’s pass-blocking inconsistencies on tape.

  3. Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
    Brings versatility at guard and right tackle; gets a great push in the running game.

  4. Andy Levitre, Oregon State
    Andy Levitre is a versatile player who is a blue-collar linemen.

  5. Herman Johnson, LSU
    Has elite size and strength with long arms, but does not play up to his potential and lacks quickness.



Centers

  1. Alex Mack, California
    Could go down as the best center prospect since Bruce Matthews in the 1983 NFL Draft.

  2. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
    Athleticism is not where I want it to be, but he is smart and has good leadership qualities. Can anchor against 3-4 nose tackles.

  3. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
    Andre Caldwell’s best fit will be a zone-blocking scheme where he can display his range. Houston, Kansas City, and Oakland are potential targets of the All-SEC center.

  4. Max Unger, Oregon
    Had a somewhat rough week in Mobile as he got too high and wasn’t very powerful.

  5. Eric Wood, Louisville
    Eric Wood is very strong and tough; typical “lunchpail lineman” with his nasty demeanor. Struggled with athletic defensive tackles in Mobile in 1v1 drills.




MISSING


Matt McGuire’s 2009 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Defensive Players By Position


Matt McGuire’s 2008 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Offensive Players By Position


Matt’s 2009 NFL Mock Draft


2009 NFL Mock Draft Database


2009 NFL Draft Prospects


2009 NFL Mock Draft – Walt’s