Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
Hindu Theory Players '09
Hindu Theory - This theory is a takeoff on our old friend, George Young former General Manager of the New York Giants, "If NFL General Managers and scouts had one common religion, it would be Hinduism because they all believe in reincarnation. They think every new player reminds them of some former NFL performer." This theory takes into account a players' projected NFL ability, size, body type, athleticism and upside potential as a pro.
Photo - OL Max Unger - Oregon
Current Player - Reminds of
OL Max Unger - Pete Kendall
LB Larry English - LaMar Woodley
CB Lardarius Webb - Cortland Finnegan
DE/LB Connor Barwin - Mike Vrabel
Robert Ayers - Tamba Hali
TE James Casey - Owen Daniels
LB Aaron Curry - Junior Seau
WR Hakeem Nicks - Terrell Owens
LB Aaron Maybin - Jason Taylor
S William Moore - Adrian Wilson
RB Knowshon Moreno - Marshawn Lynch
LB Lawrence Sidbury - Shaun Phillips
CB Michael Ray Garvin - Chris Carr
OC Alex Mack - Jeremy Newberry
WR Percy Harvin - Steve Smith
DT Chris Baker - Tank Johnson
TE Jared Cook - Daniel Graham
S Louis Delmas - Kerry Rhodes
WR Kenny Britt - Braylon Edwards
NT B.J. Raji - Jamal Williams
OC Eric Wood - Jake Grove
LB Brian Cushing - Keith Brooking
OG Duke Robinson - Davin Joseph
RB Donald Brown - Marion Barber
TE Richard Quinn - Reggie Kelly
CB Malcolm Jenkins - Nate Clements
DE Michael Johnson - Mathias Kiwanuka
TE Chase Coffman - Zack Miller
WR Jeremy Maclin - Eddie Kennison
DT Mitch King - Dan Klecko
RB Shonn Greene - Rudi Johnson
CB Alphonso Smith - Antoine Winfield
DT Fili Moala - Shaun Cody
TE Travis Beckum - Randy McMichael
RB * Chris Wells - Jamal Lewis
OL Herman Johnson - Leonard Davis
WR Brian Robiskie - Amani Toomer
Atlanta Falcons - 11-5 - Head Coach - Mike Smith - 2nd Year
Photo - DT Peria Jerry - Ole Miss
The Falcons pulled off a major trade acquiring veteran Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez for a #2 pick in the NFL Draft 2010. Gonzalez gives young QB Matt Ryan a valuable weapon for their passing game. He will open up the middle zones for the wide receivers and keep linebackers out of the box for tough runner Michael Turner. His acquisition allows the Falcons to focus on defense early in the draft and primarily on their front seven positions. They could possibly use all their top 100 selections on the defensive side of the ball to improve a young unit that has undergone many changes over recent offseasons.
Atlanta Falcon Team Report
Key Team Needs:
1. DT 2. LB 3. CB 4. OT 5. S
1. Defensive Tackle - The Falcons will probably address the DT position in the early rounds with a possible #1 selection if DT Peria Jerry or Ziggy Hood are still on the board at the 24th overall pick. Young potential starters Jon Babineaux and Trey Lewis are still untested. They have become very interested in both Jerry and Hood over recent weeks. They also like Corvey Irwin and Alex Magee in the 3rd round.
2. Linebacker - The Falcons lost Michael Boley in FA after releasing Keith Brooking. They have little depth currently and could address both the inside and outside spots. They hope to address this area with at least prime top 100 selection and could use a #1 pick on Clay Matthews or Brian Cushing. They have OLB Marcus Freeman and Ashlee Palmer on their 3rd round list. They also like Tyrone McKenzie in the middle rounds.
3. Cornerback - The secondary may be addressed at both the safety and corner positions. They could surprise and address the corner early and they like Darius Butler very much in the late 1st round. In the 2nd round, they could add CB D.J. Moore who would be a major boost to their return game. They like Bradley Fletcher and Asher Allen in the 3rd round.
4. Offensive Tackle - The Falcons have pressing needs at right tackle. They will look to add a right tackle early to couple with last year’s #1 pick Sam Baker. They will consider OT Eben Britton in the first round. He has the ability to play either side and start as a rookie. They like Troy Kropog and Jason Watkins in the middle rounds.
5. Safety - The Falcons released veteran Lawyer Milloy and will look to young Thomas DeCoud to step in and claim a starting job. They have little depth behind projected starters. They hope to address this area with at least prime top 100 selection and have Rashad Johnson on their early middle round list. They also like Darcel McBath and Chip Vaughn and have them on their 3rd round list.
Insiders’ Insights
The Falcons had their best draft class in franchise history last April selecting possibly six starters including franchise QB Matt Ryan. They still have clear needs on both sides of the ball. On the late first round, they like DT Peria Jerry and LB Brian Cushing and will debate those two to the last minute. DT Ziggy Hood could be a surprise #1 pick. They could use most of their draft choices on defensive players including a few picks for their changing secondary. Their biggest offensive need is a big mobile tackle with an early starting grade. He would be difficult to pass on OT Britton if available. Their defense will probably be the primary focus of the draft with each unit in need of an influx of talent. Both the linebacker unit and secondary are high priorities. They see Brian Cushing as a Keith Brooking clone. In a good defensive back class; they may address both the corner and safety spot twice by the middle rounds. Cornerback is still a high need and could be addressed in early rounds. They may find several top athletes like Darius Butler or Alphonso Smith available.
1st Round - DT Peria Jerry - Ole Miss - Mobile defender would be a fine addition for the inside.
Alternate Pick - CB Darius Butler - Upon Natural cover defender would be an excellent addition.
Jay Cutler Traded to Bears
Photo - OT Eugene Monroe - Virginia
The Broncos pulled the trigger on the Jay Cutler deal, sending the disgruntled QB along with a #5 pick to the Bears for two #1 picks plus a #3 selection and veteran QB Kyle Orton. This gives the Broncos two #1 picks over the next two drafts with the 12th and 18th overall in the first round this year. They will miss out on the top two QBs, Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez at those spots and would now have to package another deal to move up to land either of the junior passers.
This deal will probably begin movement in the early rounds with clubs like the Browns, Jaguars and Jets, in addition to the Broncos talking deals with QB prospects their prime target. Veteran NFL passers like Brady Quinn, Alex Smith, Kellen Clemons and Jason Campbell have all been involved in trade talks with clubs. Any new trades will probably be contingent on the draft prospects available On the Clock when they select in the first round.
First Round
1 Detroit - Matt Stafford - QB - Georgia
2 St. Louis - Eugene Monroe - OT - Virginia
3 Kansas City - Aaron Curry - LB - Wake Forest
4 Seattle - Jason Smith - OT - Baylor
5 Cleveland - Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas
6 Cincinnati -* Everette Brown - DE - Florida St
7 Oakland - * Jeremy Maclin - WR - Missouri
8 Jacksonville - * Mark Sanchez - QB - Southern Cal
9 Green Bay - B.J. Raji - DT - Boston College
10 San Francisco - * Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
11 Buffalo - Michael Johnson - DE - Georgia Tech
12 Denver - * Vontae Davis - CB - Illinois
13 Washington - * Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
14 New Orleans - Malcolm Jenkins - CB - Ohio St.
15 Houston - * Percy Harvin - WR - Florida
16 San Diego - * Aaron Maybin - LB - Penn St
17 New York Jets - * Josh Freeman - QB - Kansas St
18 Denver (Chicago) - Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU
19 Tampa Bay - * Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR - Maryland
20 Detroit (Dallas) - Michael Oher - OT - Mississippi
21 Philadelphia - Brandon Pettigrew - TE -Oklahoma St
22 Minnesota - * Eben Britton - OT - Arizona
23 New England - * Hakeem Nicks - WR - North Carolina
24 Atlanta - Alphonso Smith - CB - Wake Forest
25 Miami - Brian Cushing - LB - Southern Cal
26 Baltimore - Rey Maualuga - LB - Southern Cal
27 Indianapolis - Peria Jerry - DT - Mississippi
28 Philadelphia (Carolina) -* Knowshon Moreno - RB - Georgia
29 New York Giants - * Kenny Britt - WR - Rutgers
30 Tennessee - Darius Butler - CB - Connecticut
31 Arizona -* Chris Wells - RB - Ohio St
32 Pittsburgh - Alex Mack - OC - California
Go to www.draftinsiders.com to Order Special Yearbook Package
Exclusive Emails to Full Subscribers Now thru NFL Draft 2009
"The Publication NFL Scouts Buy"
