Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
Top 50 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft 2009
* underclassmen - Rating mid Feb. - Pre-NFL Combine ‘09
Photo - Aaron Curry - Wake Forest
1. * Matthew Stafford - QB - Georgia
Talented junior QB has big time ability to develop into a special NFL starter in his pro career.
2. * Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
Gifted young receiver has the special athletic package to become a premier NFL playmaker.
3. Aaron Curry - LB - Wake Forest
Instinctive senior linebacker combines the total package including speed, instincts, quickness, mobility and power to be a rookie NFL starter in either defensive scheme.
4. * Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
Huge junior left tackle completed his outstanding short career, displaying great footwork and power for the outside.
5. Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas
Explosive edge rusher has the fast first step and power to pressure the passer off the edge and make big plays.
6. * Mark Sanchez - QB - Southern Cal
Strong armed junior QB has the talent to develop into a special NFL starter in his pro career with the ability to drive the ball down the field and make all the throws.
7. Eugene Monroe - OT - Virginia
Nimble senior left tackle is a well developed prospect with the combination of massive size, fine footwork and power to carry a rookie starting grade on the outside. He did not play in Senior Bowl.
8. B.J. Raji - DT - Boston College
Massive defender is a force on the inside with the ability to hold the point, stuff the run and push the pocket. His performance at the Senior Bowl moves him into the top 10-15 prospects entering combine.
9. Jason Smith - OT - Baylor
Athletic senior left tackle shows well developed skills including top athleticism, footwork, technique and body control for the demanding outside position. He opted out of the Senior Bowl.
10. * Jeremy Maclin - WR - Missouri
Big play junior wideout/ returner has been a game changer since his freshman season in his Big 12 career. He combines top speed, quickness and natural running skills in both key roles.
11. Rey Maualuga - LB - Southern Cal
Explosive middle linebacker had a strong ‘08 performance, showing power and speed with sideline to sideline playmaking ability. He is capable of playing in either pro scheme.
12. * Knowshon Moreno - RB - Georgia
Quick young tailback is one of the talented runners in this class with natural skills to be an early NFL feature back and fill all the key roles for the position.
13. * Everette Brown - DE - Florida St
Explosive junior edge rusher completed an impressive final season where he was a difference maker who commanded special attention from an offense especially in passing situations.
14. Michael Oher - OT - Ole Miss
Mobile senior left tackle combines the package of size, athleticism, agility and toughness to be a blue chip pro prospect. He should be a rookie NFL starter with the LOD to be a premier young left tackle.
15. * Vontae Davis - CB - Illinois
Athletic junior cornerback has blue chip talent including the size, recovery speed, quickness, instincts and quick reactions to develop into a top pro cover man with some development.
16. * Percy Harvin - WR - Florida
Fast junior receiver/ returner has shown big play ability in several roles with the talent to be a major difference maker that will command an early selection in April.
17. Malcolm Jenkins - CB - Ohio St
Physical cornerback has the combination of size, speed and experience to play any coverage scheme, showing the instincts, range and ball skills to be a rookie starter especially in a cover two scheme.
18. Brian Cushing - LB - Southern Cal
Mobile athletic senior linebacker has performed well, showing a high level of development to start as a rookie in either pro scheme.
19. Alphonso Smith - CB - Wake Forest
Tough savvy cornerback shows well developed skills for the position, combining keen instincts with fine AA, recovery speed and the intangibles to compete for a rookie NFL starting job.
20. * Chris Wells - RB - Ohio St
Fast powerful junior has the speed, strength and quickness to run both inside and outside with the burst to make the big play. He lost some time in ‘08 with leg injuries that will be evaluated in the offseason.
21. Peria Jerry - DT - Mississippi
Explosive senior tackle combines the bulk, power, instincts and quickness to create havoc from the inside and become an early NFL starter in a four man front.
22. * D.J. Moore - CB - Vanderbilt
Speedy versatile junior performer has excelled in pass coverage in addition to the return and receiving game that should elevate him to the first round after the postseason workouts.
23. * Aaron Maybin - DE - Penn St
Quick junior pass rusher shows a burst from the outside using his good speed and technique to beat tackles on the snap. He needs a big postseason to maintain this ranking and move up the charts further.
24. James Laurinaitis - LB - Ohio St
Rugged senior linebacker combines a high level of development with the physical athletic skills and the intangibles to start early as a pro in both NFL defensive systems mainly on the inside.
25. * Eben Britton - OT - Arizona
Physical agile junior tackle combines the athletic skill set with the technique, toughness and intangibles to become a starting rookie NFL lineman. .
26. * Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR - Maryland
Big agile athletic junior receiver has highly developed skills to become a starting pro fairly early in his career.
27. Brandon Pettigrew - TE - Oklahoma St
Athletic mobile senior tight end has the complete package to become a top flight pro showing both fine blocking and receiving skills to be an early NFL starter.
28. Michael Johnson - DE - Georgia Tech
Tall senior defender displays the burst off the edge to make sacks and develop into a top NFL edge rusher. He is a consistent outside rusher with the growth potential to become a fine pro sack artist.
29. Derrick Williams - WR - Penn St.
Athletic wideout/ return specialist has been a big play performer for the PSU offense and special teams consistently that should earn him an early selection in April.
30. Clint Sintim - LB - Virginia
Tough athletic linebacker shows well developed skills to be an early NFL starter and is ideally suited for the 3-4 scheme on the outside where he excelled in the ACC.
31. * Hakeem Nicks - WR - North Carolina
Fast junior receiver has the talent to be a fine NFL starter especially as a vertical threat with further development in route running and minor adjustments.
32. * Josh Freeman - QB - Kansas St
Strong armed junior passer has an intriguing skill set for the position but needs to settle into a system where he develops his AA and talent with the upside to become a fine NFL starter in time.
33. * Sean Smith - CB - Utah
Big junior corner is flying up the charts off a strong '08 performance when he graded out high in coverage vs top competition.
34. Larry English - DE - Northern Illinois
Quick edge pass rusher has been a difference maker in the MAC making big plays consistently as a pass rusher. He had a good week in Mobile vs the best and needs to impress at NFL Combine.
35. Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU
Powerful senior end has the experience and athleticism to be an every down end in either scheme with more consistency. He needs a strong postseason workout to move up the charts further.
36. Alex Mack - OC - California
Savvy pivotman combines well developed physical skills with the technique, toughness and intangibles to become a rookie NFL starter.
37. * Kenny Britt - WR - Rutgers
Big athletic junior receiver finished his career with a strong performance showing fine playmaking skills in key late games. He needs a strong showing at the NFL Combine to maintain this ranking.
38. *Jared Cook - TE - South Carolina
Fast junior tight end has well developed receiving skills to be a fine addition to a pro offense with the talent to stretch the field and open the passing game in the deep seam.
39. Darius Butler - CB - Connecticut
Quick senior cornerback impressed over the postseason after missing the last half of the '08 season with a knee problem. He displays fine recovery speed and quickness to play man coverage.
40. Max Unger - OL - Oregon
Versatile wide body lineman has played every position along the line well that will earn him an early NFL starting grade and a high selection in April.
41. William Moore - FS - Missouri
Physical senior defender shows the talent to start in the NFL, though his Senior Bowl performance was only average. It probably hurt his ranking that makes his NFL Combine performance critical to his grade.
42. Duke Robinson - OG - Oklahoma
Hog senior guard combines mobility, bulk, footwork and speed to perform all the duties with quickness, power and athleticism to become a solid NFL starter.
43. Chase Coffman - TE - Missouri
Tough tight end displays well developed receiving skills to be a big factor in a pro passing game plus improving blocking ability. He suffered a foot injury in their bowl win that could hinder his postseason.
44. Coye Francies - CB - San Jose St.
Big quick senior cover man shows fast developing coverage skills after a strong final performance.
45. Louis Delmas - S - Western Michigan
Athletic safety has improved significantly this fall showing sideline to sideline speed and top instincts.
46. Clay Matthews - LB - Southern California
Fast senior defender shows the quick burst on the outside that allows him to bring pressure off the edge. He is capable of playing in either pro scheme, though best suited for the 3-4 scheme.
47. * Shonn Greene - RB - Iowa
Strong compact junior back exploded with a huge '08 season in the Big Ten and the key reason Iowa won a bowl game.
48. Patrick Chung - S - Oregon
Athletic senior safety can play either deep position whether matching up in coverage or near the line of scrimmage. He needs to impress at the NFL Combine to move up further.
49. Tyrone McKenzie - LB - South Florida
Quick instinctive linebacker has the speed and toughness to get to the ball consistently to finish plays.
50. Rashad Johnson - FS - Alabama
Savvy senior safety has been a playmaker in the physical Bama defense, showing good tackling and coverage skills vs top competition.
New Top 100 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft '09 in February Newsletter