2009 NFL Draft Prospects:
Darrius Heyward-Bey Profile

Strengths: Very good size with good muscle definition … Elite timed speed that translates well in games … Explosive … Deadly after the catch and a home-run hitter … Elusive in the open field and is a slippery athlete … Ridiculously high upside.

Weaknesses: Mediocre collegiate production … Lacks serious experience … Did not have many big games … Inconsistent hands; not soft … Raw route runner; production mostly out of screens and crossing routes … Not much effort into blocking … A project and will take 3-4 years before ready to be a starter … Extremely difficult evaluation.

Summary: DHB is a prospect I simply cannot get behind. Whether he is or isn’t (because of bad QB play and scheme) responsible for his lack of production at Maryland, that lack of experience will really hurt him. I do not envision a smooth transition to the NFL and I see a player who will not make an immediate contribution for a while. To me, he answered no questions at the Combine because we already knew he was very fast. Therefore, if you run a 4.30, should your stock really go up? I am not buying it. I give him a fringe first-round/strong second-round 3.5-star grade.

Player Comparison: Troy Williamson. I am not saying DHB will completely bust like Williamson, but they are very similar as prospects: below-average production, 6-2/200, 4.3 speed.





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