Top 32 Players for 2009 Draft

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1. Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech (6-7, 259, 4.65) | Grade: 96

Shows an explosive first step and changes directions well when attacking upfield. Flashes a strong upper body and can extend arms once locked on against blockers. Shoots gaps, closes well and can deliver the big hit. Can set up offensive tackles to the outside before redirecting inside and flashes an effective rip move, and can deliver the big hit and put blockers on their backs when they get off-balance. Has long arms and can tip passes when he doesn't get to the quarterback.

2. Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC (6-1⅞, 260, 4.75) | Grade: 96

Shows natural instincts, reads keys extremely well and finds the football quickly, and is an aggressive, downhill thumper. Recognizes play-action and reacts well. Does a nice job of controlling and shedding blockers, opens hips extremely well and changes directions instantly. Shows excellent overall range and is a knockout artist who will violently explode through ball carriers when given the opportunity. Does a good job of looking up shallow crossers and disrupting their routes and is able to sniff out and react to screens extremely well.

3. James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State (6-2, 240, 4.75) | Grade: 95

Shows a strong grasp of blocking schemes and beats offensive linemen to the point of attack. Keeps his head up and locates the ball quickly, reads the quarterback's eyes in coverage and does an above-average job of timing breaks on the ball. Shows excellent lateral mobility when scraping down the line of scrimmage, uses quick feet to avoid blockers while on the move and gets through traffic quickly. Relentless and shows sideline-to-sideline range.

4. Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia (6-5⅛, 310, 5.20) | Grade: 94

Has active feet and can slide with a defender once Monroe gets his hands on him. Shows a quick kick step, has a wide frame and uses long arms to ride edge-rushers past the pocket. Engulfs undersized defenders and reaches the second level quickly and can adjust to moving targets in space. Knee injuries have been an issue, but he has the size, athletic ability and range to emerge as a starting left tackle in the NFL if he can stay healthy.

5. Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest (6-1¾, 247, 4.64) | Grade: 94

Aggressive and quick enough to disrupt running plays in the backfield. Plays with adequate leverage, extends arms once locked on and can set the edge. Shows a strong punch and can shed blockers in time to make a play. Shows sideline-to-sideline range and is explosive enough to turn the corner at the NFL level and shows ideal closing speed. Shows good body control and recovery, active hands and relentlessness.

6. Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi (6-5, 330, 5.20) | Grade: 93

A well-proportioned OT with strong arms and hands and outstanding lower-body strength. Flashes a mean streak, takes solid angles and wins nearly every battle once he's locked on. Works to sustain, drives his legs and generally gets a good surge. Range as a second-level blocker is adequate. Uses long arms and strong hands to force rushers wide, plays with a wide base and is very effective anchoring versus the bull-rush and occasionally mixes in a very effective cut block.

7. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State (6-0, 195, 4.45) | Grade: 92

Reads the quarterback's eyes, shows a strong grasp of spacing when lined up at corner and can play a centerfielder-type role when lined up at safety. Shows a strong punch and can slow receivers down at the line of scrimmage. Flashes the ability to recover, and while he doesn't deliver many big hits he shows good body control in space, generally wraps up on contact and very rarely misses open-field tackles. Plays with a mean streak, uses his hands well and can shed blocks quickly.

8. Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin (6-3, 237, 4.65) | Grade: 91

His ability to line up wide, at the traditional tight end spot and at fullback causes matchup problems for defenses. Is explosive and can get open quickly when he isn't slowed down at the line of scrimmage. Shows adequate footwork when running routes and good burst coming out of cuts. Reaches top-end speed quickly and can work the seam. Fluid turning upfield, can make the first defender miss and has a second gear when he gets a seam. Runs hard and flashes the ability to pick up yards after contact.

9. William Moore, S, Missouri (6-0⅜, 228, 4.50) | Grade: 90

Displays outstanding hands when he's in position to make the play. Closes quickly, times jumps well and will catch the ball at its highest point. He has a lot of upside because of his outstanding combination of size and closing burst. He is big enough to play in the box, generally takes solid angles and is fairly reliable as an open-field tackler.

10. Brian Cushing, OLB, USC (6-2¾, 253, 4.75) | Grade: 89

Shows good instincts and seems to play a step ahead of everyone else, as he locates and gets to the ball extremely quickly. Recognizes play-action quickly and does a nice job of staying home against misdirection. Is very stout when lined up over tight ends and is an aggressive, downhill player. Is loose in the hips and changes directions extremely well. Displays sideline-to-sideline range and does a good job of avoiding blocks without taking himself out of the play when in pursuit.

11. Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati (5-11⅜182, 4.52) | Grade: 88

A playmaker who is aggressive going after the football. Displays natural hands and isn't going to drop many passes he gets his hands on. A threat to take it the distance after every interception. Fluid hips give him the ability to change directions quickly. Is smooth turning and running and can latch onto the receiver's hip when defending deep routes. An instinctive player who finds and gets to the ball very quickly and is not afraid to lower his shoulder.

12. Alex Mack, C, California (6-3⅞, 310, 5.10) | Grade: 88

Keeps his head on a swivel and is able to recognize and adjust to line stunts and blitzes. Gets his hands inside defenders' frames, locks on and locks out arms once in position. Sinks hips and can recover when bull-rushers are able to get an initial push. Shows outstanding quickness snapping the ball and taking his first step simultaneously. Stays low and plays with leverage, allowing him to root defenders off the ball.

13. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State (6-5⅝, 260, 4.85) | Grade: 87

A better blocker than most at his position and has a big frame, long arms and big hands. Good overall strength for a tight end and flashes a mean streak. Will make tough catches in traffic and won't back down from a challenge. Is a productive receiver with soft hands who can pluck on the run and also catches the ball consistently over his head. Rarely drops a catchable pass and knows how to use his frame to shield defenders from the ball. Is fluid and smooth for his size.

14. Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU (6-4¼, 295, 4.80) | Grade: 87

A big-bodied DE with a wide base, long arms and big hands who is an outstanding run defender. Can stack and shed blockers and is a powerful hitter with adequate wrap-up skills in space, especially for such a big man. Displays good overall awareness and recognition skills, finds the ball quickly and also plays with discipline. His game is built around size, strength and power and there are not many DEs coming out of college with his phone-booth skills.

15. Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas (6-3¾, 310, 4.93) | Grade: 87

Displays very good football intelligence and is one of the most efficient all-around offensive linemen in college football. Is experienced and effective snapping the ball in shotgun formation. Shows great instincts and quick feet in pass protection, keeping his head on a swivel and picking up stunts and blitzes. Is a natural knee-bender with mirror-and-slide skills who moves very well. Can pull and trap effectively and is efficient in hitting the moving target in space.

16. Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut (5-10, 185, 4.41) | Grade: 86

An instinctive overall player who shows good awareness in zone coverage and does a nice job of midpointing the high-low routes. Shows good short-area burst when closing to the football and the second gear to recover when receivers get behind him. Aggressive when going after the football and does a nice job of getting his hands between the ball and receiver without drawing penalties. Sheds blocks and gets to the ball, where he is effective going down low and knocking ball carriers off their feet.

17. Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina (6-5, 305, 5.10) | Grade: 86

Excellent experience playing at the highest collegiate level. Knows his assignments and rarely shows hesitation and is especially good at recognizing blitzes and stunts in pass pro. A quick, balanced athlete for the position with very good lateral mobility. Overall agility is not elite but certainly better than average. Is a technically sound knee-bender who is quick to get set and plays with balance and body control. Shows excellent hand placement, shuffles feet quickly and can mirror-and-slide versus more athletic edge-rushers.

18. Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas (6-3½, 255, 4.75) | Grade: 85

A very fluid athlete who can change directions smoothly for a taller end, and shows good closing quickness in pursuit. Has some good double moves as a pass-rusher, and does a good job of using his long arms and quick hands to keep blockers off his pads temporarily. Plays with discipline and will fight to the finish. Orakpo shows flashes of big-time playmaking ability, has good size potential and is a fine athlete for his frame.

19. Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest (5-8⅝, 192, 4.45) | Grade: 85

Smith is a playmaker with very good agility and speed. Shows closing speed that is a notch below elite coming out of his backpedal but can get to the quarterback when asked to blitz off the edge. Times jumps fairly well and shows above-average leaping ability. Reads keys and locates the ball quickly and recognizes bubble screens well. Flashes a mean streak and times hits well when in coverage.

20. James Davis, RB, Clemson (5-11⅛209, 4.49) | Grade: 85

Lowers his shoulder into defenders, drives his legs after contact and almost always falls forward to pick up maximum yardage. Shows good upper-body strength and flashes a powerful stiff arm. Reaches top speed quickly and can get around the corner. Does a good job of setting up blockers when attacking the perimeter, reads the flow of the defense and shows patience, and does an above-average of job of locating seams on the move.

21. Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State (6-2, 190, 4.52) | Grade: 84

Does an excellent job of cutting routes off when corners give him a cushion. Lacks ideal change-of-direction skills but shows good footwork and uses his upper body to set up breaks. Reads defenses well and locates seams when he sees zone coverage. Fearless going over the middle and will expose his frame to make the catch. A physical receiver who does a good job of using hands to get past defenders when they try to muscle him out of routes.

22. Victor Harris, CB, Virginia Tech (5-11⅛, 192, 4.57) | Grade: 84

Generally does a good job of getting his head turned when running downfield and can make over-the-shoulder catches. Looks the ball into his hands and can snatch it out of the air. A dangerous open-field runner who reads blocks well. Does a good job of locking in on the ball when it's in the air and shows the ability to adjust to tipped passes. Reads the QB's eyes in zone and is at best when he can jump underneath routes. Is mean, times hits well and flashes the ability to deliver the big blow.

23. Louis Murphy, WR, Florida (6-2½, 198, 4.40) | Grade: 83

Has very good timed speed and it translates to the field. Is able to get over the top of DBs in man-to-man coverage, finds the ball well over his shoulder and can catch the deep ball in effortlessly in stride. Can catch the ball over his head and adjusts well to poorly thrown passes, and will secure the ball in traffic. Very good top-end speed and shows a second gear to separate vertically. Uses his frame to effectively shield defenders.

24. Terrance Taylor, DT, Michigan (6-0, 310, 5.20) | Grade: 83

Shows above-average upper-body and lower-body strength and has a mean streak. Keeps his head up and does a decent job of locating the ball carrier. Shows good discipline when asked to stay home and play draws and middle screens. Extends his arms once he's locked on, making it tough for blockers to get into his frame, and flashes the ability to shed blocks in time to make plays. He is a stout interior run-stuffer who can protect his linebackers by occupying multiple blockers.

25. Curtis Painter, QB, Purdue (6-2½, 225, 5.00) | Grade: 83

Tough and flashes above-average patience. Has above-average accuracy and the ability to hit receivers in stride. Shows an over-the-top release and flashes the ability to loft the ball over the pass rush. Arm strength is a notch below elite but puts adequate zip on downfield passes and can still make all the NFL throws. Can get outside of the pocket on rollouts and generally does a good job of squaring shoulders before releasing the ball. Lowers shoulder and shows adequate lower-body strength on quarterback sneaks.

26. Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma (6-5½, 335, 5.30) | Grade: 83

Fires out of his stance, displays a quick first step when coming forward and takes very good angles as a run-blocker. Has the massive build and enough strength to win nearly all phone-booth matchups when he's in position. A natural knee-bender who shows the ability to mirror-and-slide once set. Has long arms and quick hands and is big enough to engulf most defenders when in proper position. Displays adequate initial pop and almost always works to the whistle.

27. Vance Walker, DT, Georgia Tech (6-1¾, 298, 5.05) | Grade: 82

Plays with a mean streak and shows above-average upper body strength. Shows above-average lower body strength as well and appears to take pride in holding his ground. A powerful bull-rusher who gets under blockers' pads, drives legs and collapses the pocket. Flashes an adequate spin move, has active hands and can shed blocks quickly. Has a fairly low center of gravity and has the ability to anchor working against double teams. Has a good motor and shows adequate range for his size.

28. Dannell Ellerbe, ILB, Georgia (6-0⅞, 235, 4.65) | Grade: 82

A tough, instinctive player who reacts to keys and finds the football quickly. Does a good job of recognizing play-action and misdirection and is strong and physical at the point of attack. Is explosive taking on blockers and can shed them quickly. Changes directions well and is light on his feet, times stunts well and flashes effective power moves. Displays closing speed to get to the quarterback at the NFL level. Is a strong overall tackler, wraps up and has the hand strength to latch onto ball carrier. Is capable of delivering knockout blow when given the opportunity.

29. Patrick Chung, S, Oregon (5-10⅞, 212, 4.55) | Grade: 82

An aggressive safety who shows above-average instincts for the position. Is quick to find the ball, brings a physical presence to the field and looks to deliver knockout blows at all times. Reads the quarterback's eyes and breaks on the ball well. Closes extremely fast after the catch and is quick to make the tackle. Possesses good overall range, takes sound angles to the football when it's in the air and shows above-average recovery speed when he does get caught out of position.

30. Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State (6-1, 240, 4.60) | Grade: 82

Keeps shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and shows good lateral mobility when scraping down the line. Closes down cutback lanes by taking sound pursuit angles and shows good range. Keeps receivers in front of him and shows adequate burst coming out of his backpedal. Shows adequate closing speed when he gets a clear path to the quarterback. Keeps his head up well and locates the ball carrier.

31. Jason Smith, OT, Baylor (6-4½, 300, 5.15) | Grade: 81

A tough, aggressive finisher with good overall strength. Gives excellent effort and will play to the echo of the whistle. He recognizes and reacts to pressure quickly, shows the ability to recover when caught out of position and uses long arms and a strong punch to keep rushers at bay. Gets set quickly but lacks ideal mirror-and-slide skills.

32. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College (6-1¼, 334, 5.16) | Grade: 80

Anticipates the snap count and flashes the ability to makes plays behind the line of scrimmage. Takes adequate angles to the ball and can make plays in pursuit. Takes the shortest path to the quarterback, can collapse the pocket and is a relentless pass-rusher. Is not very tall but generally gets his hands up when he isn't going to get to the quarterback and can tip passes at the line of scrimmage. Flashes an effective spin move as well.

Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.

Post #598265

Jags2DaDeath

Posted Thursday, September 04, 2008 10:39 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, October 30, 2008 3:22 PM

Not the flashiest group. Most of the best skill players from this class declared early last year. If Wells, Stafford, Moreno, Tebow, Harvin, Crabtree and other declare, it will get much more interesting.

Future Jaguars: Boo Robinson, Bear Pascoe

Post #598280

TheSpacePope

Posted Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:18 AM

Group: Banned Members
Last Login: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 12:57 AM

If Tebow declares he wouldn't be on this list.

Rey Maualuga, I think, is a bad tackler. He apparently went to the Troy Polamalu school of tackling because all he does is throw his body at people.. he doesn't wrap up.

Experience is a hard teacher because it gives the test first and the lesson later.

Post #598319

Larry

Posted Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:35 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 3:08 PM

Michael Johnson needs to prove he is an every down defensive end before he gets that #1 spot. Great player, needs to prove he can go more than 25-30 snaps a game. He could just as easily fall into Calais Campbell territory for his senior year statistically because he couldn't handle the increased work load.

Post #598332

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