Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
First Round Selection Order - NFL Draft
Photo – Golden Tate - Notre Dame
The Rams are On the Clock
The St Louis Rams hold the first overall choice of the NFL Draft 2010 on April 22 after another horrific season that saw them win only one game all season. They avoided a winless season by beating the Detroit Lions who became the first club in league history to go 0-16 last season. The final selection order is complete except for the Super Bowl winner and future trades.
x - Ties decided by a coin flip at the NFL Combine
y - Super Bowl game will determine final order after coin flips.
Team / W-L / Opp W-L %
1 St. Louis - 1-15 - .520
2 Detroit - 2-14 - .523
3 Tampa Bay - 3-13 - .55
4 Washington - 4-12 - .49
5 Kansas City - 4-12 - .51
6 Seattle - 5-11 - .47
7 Cleveland - 5-11 - .51
8 Oakland - 5-11 - .52
9 Buffalo - 6-10 - .51
10 x - Denver (Chicago) - 7-9 - .49
10 x - Jacksonville - 7-9 - .49
12 Miami - 7-9 - .55
13 San Francisco - 8-8 - .47
14 Seattle (Denver) - 8-8 - .52
15 New York Giants - 8-8 - .535
16 x - Tennessee - 8-8 - .539
16 x - San Fran (Carolina) - 8-8 - .539
18 Pittsburgh - 9-7 - .48
19 x - Atlanta - 9-7 - .504
20 x - Houston - 9-7 - .504
21 Cincinnati - 10-6 - .49
22 New England - 10-6 - .51
23 Green Bay - 11-5 - .44
24 Philadelphia - 11-5 - .48
25 Baltimore - 9-7 - .52
26 Arizona - 10-6 - .44
27 Dallas - 11-5 - .48
28 San Diego - 13-3 - .45
29 New York Jets - 9-7 - .51
30 Minnesota - 12-4 - .44
31 y New Orleans - 13-3 - .42
32 y Indianapolis - 14-2 - .47
First Round Selection Order - NFL Draft
x - Coin flip to determine position
y - Final order after playoff games
Photo – Safety Eric Berry - Tennessee
Conference Championship games and Super Bowl will determine final order after coin flips.
Team / W-L / Opp W-L %
1 St. Louis - 1-15 - .520
2 Detroit - 2-14 - .523
3 Tampa Bay - 3-13 - .55
4 Washington - 4-12 - .49
5 Kansas City - 4-12 - .51
6 Seattle - 5-11 - .47
7 Cleveland - 5-11 - .51
8 Oakland - 5-11 - .52
9 Buffalo - 6-10 - .51
10 x - Denver (Chicago) - 7-9 - .49
10 x - Jacksonville - 7-9 - .49
12 Miami - 7-9 - .55
13 San Francisco - 8-8 - .47
14 Seattle (Denver) - 8-8 - .52
15 New York Giants - 8-8 - .535
16 x - Tennessee - 8-8 - .539
16 x - San Fran (Carolina) - 8-8 - .539
18 Pittsburgh - 9-7 - .48
19 x - Atlanta - 9-7 - .504
20 x - Houston - 9-7 - .504
21 Cincinnati - 10-6 - .49
22 New England - 10-6 - .51
23 Green Bay - 11-5 - .44
24 Philadelphia - 11-5 - .48
25 Baltimore - 9-7 - .52
26 Arizona - 10-6 - .44
27 Dallas - 11-5 - .48
28 San Diego - 13-3 - .45
29 y New York Jets - 9-7 - .51
30 y Minnesota - 12-4 - .44
31 y New Orleans - 13-3 - .42
32 y Indianapolis - 14-2 - .47
Cushing and Harvin Win Rookie Honors
Photo – LB Brian Cushing - Texans
The current rookie class has had a huge impact during the NFL ’09 season with many first year players being a difference in their clubs overall performance. Linebacker Brian Cushing and wideout Percy Harvin had Pro Bowl rookie seasons and became core performers for their clubs.
Cushing was a difference maker on an emerging Texans club that fell just short of making the NFL playoffs for the first time. Cushing had 134 tackles for the Texans who had their first winning record of 9-7 this season. He also had five sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in one of the most well rounded performers by a rookie defender in years. The Texans scouting staff has done a fine job in bringing in young talent and Cushing should be a core defender on this club for a number of years.
Harvin had a huge performance in the potent Vikings attack directed by veteran QB Brett Favre. Harvin became everything we felt he could be as a pro as both a receiver and returner. Harvin was added to the Pro Bowl roster off his outstanding rookie performance that included 60 receptions for 790 yards and 6 TDs. He also rushed 15 times for 135 yards; returned 42 kickoffs for 1,156 yards (27.5 yards per return) and 2 TDs. He set Minnesota's single-season franchise record for all-purpose yardage (2,081).
Here are the Scouting Reports on LB Brian Cushing and WR Percy Harvin from Draft Insiders’ Yearbook from March 2009. Draft Insiders’ Yearbook has over 400 In-depth Scouting Reports annually
Brian Cushing #10 - 6’3” 245 lbs. - Southern Cal - Sp. 4.7 Rating 90
Hindu Theory - Keith Brooking
Tough savvy outside linebacker has the athletic package to become a top NFL starter after an excellent college career in the Pac 10. Brian combines fine size, speed and quickness with keen instincts, especially toughness, to become an excellent NFL defender at any backer position in either scheme. Though best suited for the outside in a 4-3 set, he is capable of playing at a high level in any position and would welcome the attack backer role in a 3-4 scheme. He is a very good dedicated athlete with size, speed and quickness to become an excellent pro with the level of development to start as a rookie. He provides leadership and playmaking ability that will earn him high grades by most scouts that should solidify an early draft selection. He was a consensus N.J. high school All-American that has fine size and the overall athletic abilities that allowed him to become a core defender on the USC national championship college club. He made big plays that changed the outcome of games with the versatility to move along a front seven and create mismatches. He has rare versatility for a linebacker along with fine instincts, quickness and tackling skills plus the vital intangibles to become a top flight pro defender. He has the hip flip and movement skills of many safeties after earlier experience at that position. As a senior, he posted 73 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 6 PBU and 1 pick, while earning 1st team Pac 10 honors for the second time. As a junior, he posted 25 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBU, 1 FR and 0 picks, earning Pac 10 honors. As a sophomore, he played the strongside backer role and made 57 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 BK and 1 PBU in 13 starts, earning 1st team Pac 10 honors. He is a natural knee bender that shows fine balance and does well at hitting through the ball carrier. He can be a downhill player who is able to makes plays all over the field and does a good job of playing off blockers and getting through traffic. He understands his responsibilities in the defensive scheme and carries them out perfectly, being like another coach on the field. He stays in his lanes and does well at turning the play back inside or stringing it out to the sidelines without giving ground. He is a mature and intelligent person with outstanding work habits and fine character who is an avid film watcher in the mold of a Zach Thomas in game preparation. He will take on and shed blockers and will fight through them to reach and take down the runner. In pass coverage, he does a fine job of getting deep drops and can be walked off in coverage and is able to take on slot receivers. He is a natural fluid athlete that moves very well, both going forward and in reverse. He has an excellent burst of speed and quickness when attacking forward, displaying upside as a pass rusher in the right scheme, though not always utilized to the fullest in that role in college. He competes as well as anyone in this draft and is prepared to start as a rookie. His fine athleticism and explosion is displayed by a good 35” VJ and the flexibility to fill a number of roles. He knows how to use his hands to control and discard blockers. He needs to get stronger to be more consistently quicker getting off blocks, but is a sure tackler with top instincts. He is a blue-chip prospect who could slip down to the mid 1st in this deep draft that will be overloaded with juniors. He is similar to defenders like Keith Brooking and Chad Greenway who are athletic ‘backers with rare skills to play any position in any scheme. At the combine, he weighed in at 243 lbs. and did 30 reps. He ran a 4.74 time and had a 35” VJ and a 10’” BJ with an exceptional 6.84 three cone time. Excellent defender with fine talent and intangibles to be a playmaker on the outside. One of the toughest players in this class and a top 20 prospect who should go in the middle of the round. Future Pro Bowler.
Draft Projection: 1st Round - Top 20 Prospect
Percy Harvin #1 - 5’11” 190 lbs. - Florida - Sp. 4.40 Rating 90
Hindu Theory - Steve Smith (Panthers)
Electrifying all-purpose junior playmaker has been one of the most explosive performers from the college ranks to enter the NFL early in recent years. Percy is a fast receiver/return specialist who shows explosiveness quickness after he gets his hands on the ball whether as a runner, receiver or a return specialist. He is a premier playmaker who has been instrumental in the Florida national title victories. Despite some concerns about size, he is a tough athlete who is well built, though he has only marginal NFL measureables for the position. He is a highly developed athlete as both a receiver and returner. He is both fast and quick with the explosive burst to separate easily and dangerous to score from any on the field. As a receiver, he possesses fine hands with the separation speed to get deep and hit the home run regularly. He also has outstanding openfield running skills after he gets his hands on the ball to create special problems for a defense. He has the components to become an NFL star - speed, quickness, hands, great vision and the natural running skills to strike from anywhere. After helping the Gators win another national title, he declared for the NFL Draft ’09. He has elite speed to get deep and hit the home run and displayed this consistently over his career. He has the top burst of speed to separate and get past cover men in the deep game to hit the big play. At the line, he needs to show he can beat the bump and run vs NFL caliber defenders after rarely facing that technique in college. His ability to handle the physicality of the NFL game is a major concern despite his big play ability at a very high level in the SEC. Once into his patterns, he can take the short hitch pass and create room to break a big play. His excellent running skills after the catch will warrant a very early selection and probably in the mid first round area. He is especially dangerous on the shorter routes to take the play the distance and is ideally suited for the West Coast offenses. His ability to find the end zone and natural running ability will make him a top commodity in April with every club looking for playmakers. He has fine hands and shows the ability to run sound routes and create separation consistently. He must prove he has the ability to stay on his routes and go over the middle in the NFL game. On the deep pass, he has developed good instincts tracking and the body control and hands to make the big play. He shows the ability to track the deep ball with the savvy to be in position to make the big catch. He is well developed as a route runner and recognizes coverage quickly with the ability to adjust and help his passer. His speed off the line puts him in a position to eat up a corners cushion when he comes off the line clean. Once into his route, he retains his top speed very well at the breakpoint and creates consistent separation. He has sudden speed and is very quick into his routes and cuts with the ability to create space in patterns. He needs some strength development to battle the jam and fight through being pushed off his routes. As a collegian, he was rarely tested with the bump and run and must prove he can beat that technique to become a starting NFL receiver.
The Numbers: As a junior, he started 11 of 12 games and caught 40 passes for 644 yards and 7 TDs for an 16.1. yard average per catch that earned him SEC honors. As a sophomore, he started 10 of 11 games and caught 59 passes for 858 yards, a 14.5 yard average per catch. As a freshman, he started 5 of 13 games and caught 34 passes for 427 yards and 2 TDs for a 12.6 yard average. At the NFL Combine, he checked in over 5’11” and a chiseled 192 lbs. He ran 4.39 and 4.41 times with and 10 reps in the lifting. He stopped due to an ankle injury.
Continue to Next Page for rest of Percy Harvin Scouting Report
NFL Draft 2010 Selection Order - First Round
x - NFL Playoff team - Playoffs will determine the final draft order
y - Coin flip to determine position
Photo - DT Nda Shu – Nebraska
# Team / W-L
1 St. Louis - 1-15
2 Detroit - 2-14
3 Tampa Bay - 3-13
4 Washington - 4-12
5 Kansas City - 4-12
6 Seattle - 5-11
7 Cleveland - 5-11
8 Oakland - 5-11
9 Buffalo - 6-10
y - 10 Jacksonville - 7-9
y - 11 Denver (Chicago) - 7-9
12 Miami - 7-9
13 San Francisco - 8-8
14 Seattle (Denver) - 8-8
15 N.Y. Giants - 8-8
y - 16 Tennessee - 8-8
y - 17 San Fran (Carolina)- 8-8
18 Pittsburgh - 9-7
19 Atlanta - 9-7
20 Houston - 9-7
x y - 21 New York Jets - 9-7
x y - 22 Baltimore - 9-7
x 23 Arizona - 10-6
x 24 Cincinnati - 10-6
x 25 New England - 10-6
x 26 Green Bay - 11-5
x 27 Philadelphia - 11-5
x 28 Dallas - 11-5
x 29 Minnesota - 12-4
x 30 San Diego - 13-3
x 31 New Orleans - 13-3
x 32 Indianapolis - 14-2
Legendary Bobby Bowden Retires
Photo – Coach Bobby Bowden
28 of Bobby Bowden's former players have been selected in the 1st round of the NFL Draft over the last 20 years with one final draft class this spring.
One of the legendary college head coaches, Bobby Bowden retired yesterday after a 44 year coaching career. The great majority of his career was spent at Florida St where he won two national championships and competed for the title for two decades before recent problems. The 80-year-old coach retires as the second winningest head coach behind only Penn St’s Joe Paterno. He finishes with 389 career wins are second only to Paterno among major college head coaches. Coach Bobby Bowden was carried off the field by his players after the Seminoles upset No. 18 West Virginia 33-21 in the Gator Bowl. Bowden finished his career with a 389-129-4 record, and most importantly to him, a 33rd consecutive winning season. Bowden and Florida St finished the 2009 season with a 7-6 record and Gator Bowl victory over #18th ranked West Virginia, marking the 21st bowl victory in his illustrious career. Ironically, Bowden coached at West Virginia prior to taking the head position with the Seminoles. The Gator Bowl in the final game of Bowden’s storied 57-year coaching career. It was a pleasure knowing Bobby Bowden over my long scouting career first at the Kickoff Classics at the Meadowlands in the late '80s and then at Florida St in Tallahassee beginning in the early '90s. Bowden was a brilliant coach and a true gentleman who was always fair and honest with pro personnel executives and the huge contingent of media people who swarmed him and the high profile Seminole program over his long college career. He was always concerned with his players careers after their playing career at Florida St whether they went on to the NFL or into the work force.
“The winning was really a bonus,” Bowden said. “Knowing it’s your last game, I’ll be honest with you, I’m kind of interested in this retirement business. I ain’t got to set my alarm no more, I’ll get up when I’m darn good and ready, then like I say, go out and look for a job.”
Next week, Jimbo Fisher takes over at Florida State, which finished 7-6 for the third time in the last four years. That run of mediocrity was the 80-year-old Bowden’s downfall that essentially forced into retirement after Florida St offered him a lesser role for 2010. With under 2 minutes to go in the Gator bowl, Bowden went down to the Florida St band section, removing his autographed white cap and tossing it into the seats.
“It’s got to be memorable,” Bowden said. “It’s my last dadgum ballgame after 57 years of coaching.” Bowden leaves as major college football’s second-winningest coach. Joe Paterno earned his 394th victory Friday in the Capital One Bowl as Penn State beat LSU 19-17, now the official winner of the back-and-forth race to be the game’s all-time win leader, something that wasn’t lost on Bowden. Paterno could win No. 400 next year. By his own math, Bowden’s already beyond that benchmark. “How about them 22 wins I got at South Georgia College? How come they don’t count?” Bowden said, talking about where he was from 1956-58, before heading to Samford. “I know it doesn’t count NCAA, but will somebody mention, please, that I have 400 wins during my lifetime?” Bowden was head coach at Samford from 1959-62, led West Virginia from 1970-75 and took over at Florida St the next season. Bowden is the only coach in NCAA history to win 11 consecutive bowl games (1985-95) and the only coach ever with 14 consecutive bowl appearances (1982-95) without a loss (FSU tied Georgia 17-17 in the 1984 Citrus Bowl). Bowden and Florida St finished the 2006 season with an Emerald Bowl victory over UCLA.
Among his many accomplishments, one of the most amazing has to be the remarkable 14 straight top five finishes in the AP poll from 1987-2000. During that run Florida St was 152-18-1 and captured national championships in 1993 and 1999. In 1999 the team became the first and only squad to ever go wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the AP poll. The Seminoles also played for the title three other times during that span and since 1993 no team in the FBS has played for more national titles than FSU. Bowden has won 12 ACC Championships since FSU joined the conference in 1992. Under Bowden's guidance, FSU has not only produced great teams, but many great players as well. Two Seminoles, Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke won the Heisman Trophy, 24 of his players have been named consensus All-Americans, three of his QB's have won the Johnny Unitas Award and two have won the Thorpe Award, the Butkus Award, the Davey O'Brien Award and the Lombardi Award.
Success on the field is not enough for Bobby Bowden as he expects his players to contribute more than just athletically. Two of Bowden's greatest players, Warrick Dunn and Derrick Brooks, went on to not only become phenomenal pros, but each defender were honored as the NFL's Man of the Year. Florida St is one of just five schools to produce multiple players to win the NFL's top award for community service.
Favre & Manning Earn Pro Bowl Classic
Photo – QB Peyton Manning - Colts
Veteran NFL passers, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning have had outstanding '09 seasons that earned them another Pro Bowl berth. Each veteran has been longtime Pro Bowl regulars and were again selected to this season’s game after leading their clubs to divisional titles. Favre was among eight Minnesota Vikings who made the NFC team, while Manning was one of six Indianapolis Colts named to the AFC squad. This will be Brett Favre’s 11th Pro Bowl appearance while Peyton Manning will play in his 10th classic. No other QBs in NFL history have been to 10 all-star games. Both players will direct their clubs in the NFL playoffs and could possibly miss the Pro Bowl this season with the All-star event scheduled the week prior to the Super Bowl for the first time. Both the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl will be played in South Florida. The Super Bowl will be played on Feb. 7 in Miami while the Pro Bowl has been moved to the previous Sunday at Dolphin Stadium. No Super Bowl participants will play in the all-star game.
Pro Bowl Rosters
AFC
Offense
Quarterbacks
Tom Brady, New England
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
Philip Rivers, San Diego
Running Backs
Chris Johnson, Tennessee
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville
Ray Rice, Baltimore
Wide Receivers
Andre Johnson, Houston
Brandon Marshall, Denver
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
Wes Welker, New England
Tight Ends
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis
Antonio Gates, San Diego
Fullback
Le'Ron McClain, Baltimore
Centers
Nick Mangold, N.Y. Jets
Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis
Guards
Kris Dielman, San Diego
Alan Faneca, N.Y Jets
Logan Mankins, New England
Tackles
Ryan Clady, Denver
Jake Long, Miami
Joe Thomas, Cleveland
Defense
Ends
Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis
Robert Mathis, Indianapolis
Mario Williams, Houston
Interior Linemen
Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh
Haloti Ngata, Baltimore
Vince Wilfork, New England
Middle Linebackers
Ray Lewis, Baltimore
DeMeco Ryans, Houston
Outside Linebackers
Brian Cushing, Houston
Elvis Dumervil, Denver
James Harrison, Pittsburgh
Cornerbacks
Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland
Champ Bailey, Denver
Darrelle Revis, N.Y. Jets
Safeties
Brian Dawkins, Denver
Jairus Byrd, Buffalo
Ed Reed, Baltimore
Specialists
Punter
Shane Lechler, Oakland
Kick Return Specialist
Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland
Placekicker
Nate Kaeding, San Diego
Special Teamer
Kassim Osgood, San Diego
Continue to next page for NFC Pro Bowl Players
BCS Bowl Matchups
BCS National Championship Game
Texas vs. Alabama in Pasadena, Ca on Jan. 7th
The 2009-10 bowl season starts in Albuquerque, N.M. and ends in Pasadena, Ca. Here's a look at the schedule from the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 19 to the Citi BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7 in the Rose Bowl.
Photo - Mardy Gilyard - Cincinnati
2009-10 College Football Bowl Schedule
Bowl / Location / Date/Time / Network
New Mexico Bowl
Fresno State vs. Wyoming Albuquerque, N.M. Dec. 19 4:30 p.m. ESPN
St. Petersburg Bowl
UCF vs. Rutgers St. Petersburg, Fl Dec. 19 8 p.m. ESPN
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee New Orleans, La Dec. 20 8:30 p.m. ESPN
MAACO Las Vegas Bowl
Oregon State vs. BYU Las Vegas, Nv Dec. 22 8 p.m. ESPN
S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Utah vs. Cal San Diego, Ca Dec. 23 8 p.m. ESPN
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Nevada vs. SMU Honolulu, Hi Dec. 24 8 p.m. ESPN
Little Caesars Bowl
Marshall vs. Ohio Detroit, Mi Dec. 26 1 p.m. ESPN
Meineke Car Care Bowl
Pitt vs. North Carolina Charlotte, N.C. Dec. 26 4:30 p.m. ESPN
Emerald Bowl
Boston College vs. USC San Francisco, Ca Dec. 26 8 p.m. ESPN
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Kentucky vs. Clemson Nashville, Tn. Dec. 27 8:30 p.m. ESPN
AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
Texas A&M vs. Georgia Shreveport, La. Dec. 28 5 p.m. ESPN2
EagleBank Bowl
Army or UCLA vs. Temple Washington, D.C. Dec. 29 4:30 p.m. ESPN
Champs Sports Bowl
Miami vs. Wisconsin Orlando, Fl. Dec. 29 8 p.m. ESPN
Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
Bowling Green vs. Idaho Boise, Idaho Dec. 30 4:30 p.m. ESPN
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Arizona vs. Nebraska San Diego, Ca Dec. 30 8 p.m. ESPN
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Houston vs. Air Force Fort Worth, Tx Dec. 31 Noon ESPN
Brut Sun Bowl
Oklahoma vs. Stanford El Paso, Texas Dec. 31 2 p.m. CBS
Texas
Navy vs. Missouri Houston, Tx Dec. 31 3:30 p.m. ESPN
Insight Bowl
Minnesota vs. Iowa State Tempe, Ariz. Dec. 31 6 p.m. NFL Network
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee Atlanta, Ga Dec. 31 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Outback Bowl
Northwestern vs. Auburn Tampa, Fl. Jan. 1 11 a.m. ESPN
Capital One Bowl
Penn State vs. LSU Orlando, Fla. Jan. 1 1 p.m. ABC
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl
West Virginia vs. Florida State Jacksonville, Fla. Jan. 1 1 p.m. CBS
Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi
Ohio State vs. Oregon Pasadena, Ca Jan. 1 4:30 p.m. ABC
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Florida vs. Cincinnati New Orleans, La Jan. 1 8:30 p.m. FOX
International Bowl
South Florida vs. Northern Illinois Toronto, Canada Jan. 2 Noon ESPN2
Papajohns.com Bowl
South Carolina vs. UConn Birmingham, Ala. Jan. 2 2 p.m. ESPN
AT&T Cotton Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss Arlington, Texas Jan. 2 2 p.m. FOX
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Arkansas vs. East Carolina Memphis, Tenn. Jan. 2 5:30 p.m. ESPN
Valero Alamo Bowl
Michigan State vs. Texas Tech San Antonio, Tx Jan. 2 9 p.m. ESPN
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Boise State vs. TCU Glendale, Ariz. Jan. 4 8 p.m. FOX
FedEx Orange Bowl
Iowa vs. Georgia Tech Miami, Fl Jan. 5 8 p.m. FOX
GMAC Bowl
Central Michigan vs. Troy Mobile, Ala. Jan. 6 7 p.m. ESPN
Citi BCS National Championship Game
Texas vs. Alabama Pasadena, Ca Jan. 7 8 p.m. ABC
