Wednesday, February 18, 2009
2009 NFL Draft Risers and Fallers
Without further ado, let's just get right into it, shall we?
RISERS
Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Despite the high-caliber of the top offensive tackles in this year's draft, Eugene Monroe has gained top overall status on many draft boards due to the fact that he's so well-rounded. He might not be the sexiest pick of the bunch, but he can do everything and he can do it well enough to play in the NFL at a high level. Although between Monroe, Jason and Andre Smith, and Michael Oher, it's close enough that a strong and impressive showing at the Combine can end up doing wonders for who's the first one taken come April.
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Brian Orakpo's upside has hypnotized some people so much that he's been slated to go as high as eight and the sixth pick in some Internet mock drafts. Orakpo finished just shy of 11 sacks (10.5) in his 2008 senior year campaign and should make an enticing option for any team in need of a pure pass-rusher with plenty of reasons to look fondly on the future.
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Barring their NFL Combine performances, Knowshon Moreno could very well overtake Chris "Beanie" Wells as the consensus number one running back heading into the 2009 draft. For most of the offseason, it was Wells hands down, but as we get closer and closer to draft time, more and more people are beginning to come around with Moreno. He has all of the tools necessary to be a highly efficient NFL running back and we're primed to see just that from him during the Combine.
Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
Unless you've been living under a rock the past few weeks, than you've likely seen clips and heard gushing descriptions of Everette Brown, a defensive end from Florida State who is, plain and simple, a tackling machine. When combining this with his athleticism, it's really no wonder as to why so many NFL teams and draft enthusiasts are going wild over the guy.
Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
Last, but certainly not least, OLB Aaron Curry from Wake Forest has absolutely rocketed up practically every draft board in the nation. He's even gone so high as to be penciled into the Kansas City Chiefs third overall selection slot. The only downside to such an occurrence is that he really has nowhere to go but down — however, all signs are pointing towards him staying right in the 3-7 draft pick range.
HOLDING STEADY
Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Stafford has been the unanimous number one since what seems like the exact moment Tim Tebow announced he'd be returning to school in Florida. He has all of the tools required of a successful young quarterback who from the looks of things, has the drive and desire to put the work in that will be necessary for pushing him over the success hump. Barring a complete and utter catastrophe at the Combine, expect Stafford to be donning Lions blue come draft day.
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Despite the fact that he will not be running the 40-yard dash due to injury, Michael Crabtree hasn't gone anywhere at all on the majority of draft boards across the nation. Unless Jeremy Maclin manages to run a ridiculously fast 40, Crabtree should find himself as the number one wide receiver in this year's draft without having to do an ounce of working out for anyone.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Jeremy Maclin has been a mainstay directly behind Crabtree in mock drafts since the end of the season. Usually, once Crabtree is off the board, Maclin goes within the next 3-4 picks to whichever team needs a high-profile rookie wide receiver (and there are a lot of them). With Crabtree's injury forcing him on the sideline for the Combine, it's all up to Maclin, Percy Harvin, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Hakeem Nicks as to who wants to try and gain the front runner lead for second best WR of this year's crop.
FALLERS
Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
While he hasn't necessarily been what you could call "falling" off the draft boards, he has gone from what seemed like the number one offensive lineman in the draft, down to the third or fourth overall. Again, we still have yet to see the Combine workouts and they usually can tell us a lot, so we'll have to wait and see if Oher can regain his former number one title or will stick to being the third or fourth best lineman this year.
Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
Chris "Beanie" Wells has gone from what seemed like the unanimous number one running back, down to perhaps a lock-in for the second one taken. A lot of people will be watching both Wells' and fellow top running back Knowshon Moreno's performances at this year's Combine and quite frankly, so should you!
That will do it for this year's "pre-Combine" edition of the risers and fallers, boys and girls. May your Combine viewing be bountiful, may your mock drafts be accurate, and may your hometown team get the best possible selection that you were hoping for.