Wednesday, April 15, 2009

2009 NFL Draft position rankings

OFFENSE
Quarterbak
1. Matt Stafford, Georgia
2. Mark Sanchez, USC
3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State
4. Pat White, West Virginia
5. Cullen Harper, Clemson
6. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State
7. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M
8. Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
9. Chris Crane, Boston College
10. Nate Davis, Ball State
11. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
12. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas
13. Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
14. Mike Teel, Rutgers
15. Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
16. Brian Johnson, Utah
17. John Parker Wilson, Alabama
18. Curtis Painter, Purdue
19. Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
20. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
21. Chase Daniel, Missouri
22. Mike Reilly, Central Washington
23. Chase Patton, Missouri
24. Drew Willy, Buffalo
25. Nate Longshore, California

Running Back
1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
2. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
3. Donald Brown, Connecticut
4. Andre Brown, North Carolina State
5. Shonn Greene, Iowa
6. Chris Wells, Ohio State
7. Javon Ringer, Michigan State
8. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon
9. Rashad Jennings, Liberty
10. Glen Coffee, Alabama
11. Cedric Peerman, Virginia
12. Arian Foster, Tennessee
13. James Davis, Clemson
14. Javarris Williams, Tennessee State
15. Gartrell Johnson, Colorado State
16. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
17. Aaron Brown, TCU
18. Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
19. Kory Sheets, Purdue
20. Devin Moore, Wyoming
21. Ian Johnson, Boise State
22. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
23. Chris Ogbonnaya, Texas
24. Brad Lester, Auburn
25. Brandon Ore, West Liberty State

Fullback
1. Quinn Johnson, LSU
2. Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse
3. Brannan Southerland, Georgia
4. Eric Kettani, Navy
5. Brock Bolen, Louisville

Wide Receiver
1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
3. Hakim Nicks, North Carolina
4. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
5. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
6. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
7. Brandon Tate, North Carolina
8. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
9. Deon Butler, Penn State
10. Mike Thomas, Arizona
11. Patrick Turner, USC
12. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
13. Derrick Williams, Penn State
14. Brooks Foster, North Carolina
15. Quan Cosby, Texas
16. Percy Harvin, Florida
17. Demetrius Byrd, LSU
18. Jarrett Dillard, Rice
19. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State
20. Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers
21. Taurus Johnson, South Florida
22. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly
23. Brandon Gibson, Washington State
24. Aaron Kelly, Clemson
25. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia
26. Louis Murphy, Florida
27. Darius Passmore, Marshall
28. Mike Wallace, Mississippi
29. Austin Collie, BYU
30. Greg Carr, Florida State
31. Jordan Norwood, Penn State
32. Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma
33. Kevin Ogletree, Virginia
34. Jeremy Childs, Boise State
35. Marko Mitchell, Nevada
36. Brian Hartline, Ohio State
37. Brennan Marion, Tulsa
38. Jamayel Smith, Mississippi State
39. Derek Kinder, Pittsburgh
40. Jaison Williams, Oregon

Tight End
1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
2. Jared Cook, South Carolina
3. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi
4. Cornelius Ingram, Florida
5. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
6. Chase Coffman, Missouri
7. Ryan Purvis, Boston College
8. James Casey, Rice
9. Anthony Hill, North Carolina State
10. John Phillips, Virginia
11. Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
12. Cameron Morrah, California
13. Jared Bronson, Central Washington
14. David Johnson, Arkansas State
15. Travis McCall, Alabama

Offensive Tackle
1. Eugene Monroe, Virginia
2. Jason Smith, Baylor
3. Michael Oher, Mississippi
4. Eben Britton, Arizona
5. Andre Smith, Alabama
6. William Beatty, Connecticut
7. Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
8. Troy Kropog, Tulane
9. Sebastian Vollmer, Houston
10. Jason Watkins, Florida
11. Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
12. Augustus Parrish, Kent State
13. Xavier Fulton, Illinois
14. Ramon Foster, Tennessee
15. Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
16. T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan
17. Fenuki Tupou, Oregon
18. Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina
19. Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State
20. Alex Boone, Ohio State

Offensive Guard
1. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin
2. Herman Johnson, LSU
3. Tyronne Green, Auburn
4. Andy Levitre, Oregon State
5. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
6. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati
7. Anthony Parker, Tennessee
8. Seth Olsen, Iowa
9. Rey Feinga, BYU
10. Ryan Stanchek, West Virginia
11. Greg Islander, West Virginia
12. Jamie Thomas, Maryland
13. Travis Bright, BYU
14. Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech
15. Ryan Durand, Syracuse
16. Cedric Dockery, Texas
17. Andy Kemp, Wisconsin
18. Maurice Miller, Mississippi
19. Jeremy Perry, Oregon State
20. Roger Allen, Missouri Western State

Center
1. Max Unger, Orgeon
2. Eric Wood, Louisville
3. Alex Mack, California
4. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
6. A. Q. Shipley, Penn State
7. Ryan Shuman, Virginia Tech
8. C. J. Davis, Pittsburgh
9. Cecil Newton, Tennessee State
10. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma

DEFENSE
Defensive End
1. Brian Orakpo, Texas
2. Everette Brown, Florida State
3. Robert Ayers, Tennessee
4. Larry English, Northern Illinois
5. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
6. Aaron Maybin, Penn State
7. Tyson Jackson, LSU
8. Kyle Moore, USC
9. Cody Brown, Connecticut
10. Paul Kruger, Utah
11. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
12. Will Davis, Illinois
13. Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond
14. Brandon Williams, Texas Tech
15. Michael Bennett, Texas A&M
16. Jarius Wynn, Georgia
17. Tim Jamison, Michigan
18. David Veikune, Hawaii
19. Maurice Evans, Penn State
20. Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin

Defensive Tackle
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College
2. Evander Hood, Missouri
3. Ron Brace, Boston College
4. Peria Jerry, Mississippi
5. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
6. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
7. Corey Irvin, Georgia
8. Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn
9. Fili Moala, USC
10. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
12. Alex Magee, Purdue
12. Chris Baker, Hampton
13. Mitch King, Iowa
14. Myron Pryor, Kentucky
15. Roy Miller, Texas
16. Dorell Scott, Clemson
17. Darryl Richard, Georgia Tech
18. Clinton McDonald, Memphis
19. Terrance Taylor, Michigan
20. Jeff Owens, Georgia

Outside Linebacker
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. Brian Cushing, USC
3. Clay Matthews, USC
4. Clint Sintim, Virginia
5. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
6. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
7. Zach Follett, California
8. Nic Harris, Oklahoma
9. Ashlee Palmer, Mississippi
10. Kaluka Maiav, USC
11. Anthony Felder, California
12. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia
13. Jason Williams, Western Illinois
14. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin
15. Brian Toal, Boston College
16. Robert Francois, Boston College
17. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss
18. Moise Fokou, Maryland
19. DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
20. Nick Reed, Oregon

Inside Linebacker
1. Rey Maualuga, USC
2. Johnny Williams, Kentucky
3. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
4. Darry Beckwith, LSU
5. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
6. Worrell Williams, California
7. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
8. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
9. Jason Phillips, TCU
10. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State

Cornerback
1. Vontae Davis, Illinois
2. Asher Allen, Georgia
3. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
4. Darius Butler, Connecticut
5. Sean Smith, Utah
6. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
7. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
8. Keenan Lewis, Oregon State
9. Bradley Fletcher, Iowa
10. Coye Francies, San Jose State
11. Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina
12. Jairus Byrd, Oregon
13. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech
14. Ellis Lankaster, West Virginia
15. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
16. Don Carey, Norfolk State
17. Jahi Word-Daniels, Georgia Tech
18. Domonique Johnson, Jackson State
19. Kevin Barnes, Maryland
20. Lardarius Webb, Nicholls State
21. Jerraud Powers, Auburn
22. Cary Harris, USC
23. Ryan Palmer, Texas
24. DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati
25. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati
26. Brandon Hughes, Oregon State
27. Wopamo Osaisai, Stanford
28. Morgan Trent, Michigan
29. Ryan Mouton, Hawaii
30. Donald Washington, Ohio State

Safety
1. Patrick Chung, Oregon
2. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
3. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
4. Rashad Johnson, Alabama
5. Sherrod Martin, Troy
6. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech
7. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State
8. Keith Fitzhugh, Mississippi State
9. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina
10. Michael Hamlin, Clemson
11. William Moore, Missouri
12. Courtney Greene, Rutgers
13. Curtis Taylor, LSU
14. Glover Quin, New Mexico
15. Otis Wiley, Michigan State
16. David Bruton, Notre Dame
17. Lendy Holmes, Oklahoma
18. Kevin Ellison, USC
19. Trimane Goddard, North Carolina
20. De’Von Hall, Utah State

Saturday, February 28, 2009

2009 NFL Draft position rankings

OFFENSE
Quarterbak
1. Matt Stafford, Georgia
2. Mark Sanchez, USC
3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State
4. Nate Davis, Ball State
5. Cullen Harper, Clemson
6. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State
7. Pat White, West Virginia
8. Chris Crane, Boston College
9. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M
10. Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
11. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
12. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas
13. Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
14. Mike Teel, Rutgers
15. Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
16. Brian Johnson, Utah
17. John Parker Wilson, Alabama
18. Curtis Painter, Purdue
19. Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
20. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
21. Chase Daniel, Missouri
22. Mike Reilly, Central Washington
23. Chase Patton, Missouri
24. Drew Willy, Buffalo
25. Nate Longshore, California

Running Back
1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
2. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
3. Donald Brown, Connecticut
4. Shonn Greene, Iowa
5. Chris Wells, Ohio State
6. Andre Brown, North Carolina State
7. Javon Ringer, Michigan State
8. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon
9. Rashad Jennings, Liberty
10. Glen Coffee, Alabama
11. Cedric Peerman, Virginia
12. Arian Foster, Tennessee
13. James Davis, Clemson
14. Javarris Williams, Tennessee State
15. Gartrell Johnson, Colorado State
16. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
17. Aaron Brown, TCU
18. Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
19. Kory Sheets, Purdue
20. Devin Moore, Wyoming
21. Ian Johnson, Boise State
22. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
23. Chris Ogbonnaya, Texas
24. Brad Lester, Auburn
25. Brandon Ore, West Liberty State

Fullback
1. Quinn Johnson, LSU
2. Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse
3. Brannan Southerland, Georgia
4. Eric Kettani, Navy
5. Brock Bolen, Louisville

Wide Receiver
1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
3. Hakim Nicks, North Carolina
4. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
5. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
6. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
7. Percy Harvin, Florida
8. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
9. Brandon Tate, North Carolina
10. Deon Butler, Penn State
11. Mike Thomas, Arizona
12. Patrick Turner, USC
13. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
14. Derrick Williams, Penn State
15. Brooks Foster, North Carolina
16. Quan Cosby, Texas
17. Demetrius Byrd, LSU
18. Jarrett Dillard, Rice
19. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State
20. Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers
21. Taurus Johnson, South Florida
22. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly
23. Brandon Gibson, Washington State
24. Aaron Kelly, Clemson
25. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia
26. Louis Murphy, Florida
27. Darius Passmore, Marshall
28. Mike Wallace, Mississippi
29. Austin Collie, BYU
30. Greg Carr, Florida State
31. Jordan Norwood, Penn State
32. Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma
33. Kevin Ogletree, Virginia
34. Jeremy Childs, Boise State
35. Marko Mitchell, Nevada
36. Brian Hartline, Ohio State
37. Brennan Marion, Tulsa
38. Jamayel Smith, Mississippi State
39. Derek Kinder, Pittsburgh
40. Jaison Williams, Oregon

Tight End
1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
2. Jared Cook, South Carolina
3. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi
4. Cornelius Ingram, Florida
5. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
6. Chase Coffman, Missouri
7. Ryan Purvis, Boston College
8. James Casey, Rice
9. Anthony Hill, North Carolina State
10. John Phillips, Virginia
11. Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
12. Cameron Morrah, California
13. Jared Bronson, Central Washington
14. David Johnson, Arkansas State
15. Travis McCall, Alabama

Offensive Tackle
1. Jason Smith, Baylor
2. Michael Oher, Mississippi
3. Eugene Monroe, Virginia
4. Eben Britton, Arizona
5. Andre Smith, Alabama
6. William Beatty, Connecticut
7. Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
8. Troy Kropog, Tulane
9. Sebastian Vollmer, Houston
10. Jason Watkins, Florida
11. Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
12. Augustus Parrish, Kent State
13. Xavier Fulton, Illinois
14. Ramon Foster, Tennessee
15. Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
16. T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan
17. Fenuki Tupou, Oregon
18. Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina
19. Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State
20. Alex Boone, Ohio State

Offensive Guard
1. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin
2. Herman Johnson, LSU
3. Tyronne Green, Auburn
4. Andy Levitre, Oregon State
5. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
6. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati
7. Anthony Parker, Tennessee
8. Ryan Stanchek, West Virginia
9. Rey Feinga, BYU
10. Seth Olsen, Iowa
11. Greg Islander, West Virginia
12. Jamie Thomas, Maryland
13. Travis Bright, BYU
14. Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech
15. Ryan Durand, Syracuse
16. Cedric Dockery, Texas
17. Andy Kemp, Wisconsin
18. Maurice Miller, Mississippi
19. Jeremy Perry, Oregon State
20. Roger Allen, Missouri Western State

Center
1. Max Unger, Orgeon
2. Eric Wood, Louisville
3. Alex Mack, California
4. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
6. A. Q. Shipley, Penn State
7. Ryan Shuman, Virginia Tech
8. C. J. Davis, Pittsburgh
9. Cecil Newton, Tennessee State
10. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma

DEFENSE
Defensive End
1. Brian Orakpo, Texas
2. Everette Brown, Florida State
3. Robert Ayers, Tennessee
4. Larry English, Northern Illinois
5. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
6. Aaron Maybin, Penn State
7. Tyson Jackson, LSU
8. Kyle Moore, USC
9. Cody Brown, Connecticut
10. Paul Kruger, Utah
11. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
12. Will Davis, Illinois
13. Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond
14. Brandon Williams, Texas Tech
15. Michael Bennett, Texas A&M
16. Jarius Wynn, Georgia
17. Tim Jamison, Michigan
18. David Veikune, Hawaii
19. Maurice Evans, Penn State
20. Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin

Defensive Tackle
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College
2. Evander Hood, Missouri
3. Ron Brace, Boston College
4. Peria Jerry, Mississippi
5. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
6. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
7. Corey Irvin, Georgia
8. Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn
9. Fili Moala, USC
10. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
12. Alex Magee, Purdue
12. Chris Baker, Hampton
13. Mitch King, Iowa
14. Myron Pryor, Kentucky
15. Roy Miller, Texas
16. Dorell Scott, Clemson
17. Darryl Richard, Georgia Tech
18. Clinton McDonald, Memphis
19. Terrance Taylor, Michigan
20. Jeff Owens, Georgia

Outside Linebacker
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. Brian Cushing, USC
3. Clay Matthews, USC
4. Clint Sintim, Virginia
5. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
6. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
7. Zach Follett, California
8. Nic Harris, Oklahoma
9. Ashlee Palmer, Mississippi
10. Kaluka Maiav, USC
11. Anthony Felder, California
12. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia
13. Jason Williams, Western Illinois
14. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin
15. Brian Toal, Boston College
16. Robert Francois, Boston College
17. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss
18. Moise Fokou, Maryland
19. DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
20. Nick Reed, Oregon

Inside Linebacker
1. Rey Maualuga, USC
2. Johnny Williams, Kentucky
3. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
4. Darry Beckwith, LSU
5. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
6. Worrell Williams, California
7. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
8. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
9. Jason Phillips, TCU
10. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State

Cornerback
1. Vontae Davis, Illinois
2. Asher Allen, Georgia
3. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
4. Darius Butler, Connecticut
5. Sean Smith, Utah
6. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
7. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
8. Keenan Lewis, Oregon State
9. Bradley Fletcher, Iowa
10. Coye Francies, San Jose State
11. Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina
12. Jairus Byrd, Oregon
13. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech
14. Ellis Lankaster, West Virginia
15. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
16. Don Carey, Norfolk State
17. Jahi Word-Daniels, Georgia Tech
18. Domonique Johnson, Jackson State
19. Kevin Barnes, Maryland
20. Lardarius Webb, Nicholls State
21. Jerraud Powers, Auburn
22. Cary Harris, USC
23. Ryan Palmer, Texas
24. DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati
25. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati
26. Brandon Hughes, Oregon State
27. Wopamo Osaisai, Stanford
28. Morgan Trent, Michigan
29. Ryan Mouton, Hawaii
30. Donald Washington, Ohio State

Safety
1. Patrick Chung, Oregon
2. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
3. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
4. Rashad Johnson, Alabama
5. Sherrod Martin, Troy
6. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State
7. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech
8. Keith Fitzhugh, Mississippi State
9. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina
10. Michael Hamlin, Clemson
11. Curtis Taylor, LSU
12. William Moore, Missouri
13. Courtney Greene, Rutgers
14. Glover Quin, New Mexico
15. Otis Wiley, Michigan State
16. David Bruton, Notre Dame
17. Lendy Holmes, Oklahoma
18. Kevin Ellison, USC
19. Trimane Goddard, North Carolina
20. De’Von Hall, Utah State

Thursday, February 19, 2009

2009 NFL Mock Draft

1. Detroit Lions
Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
The Lions have three of the first thirty-three picks in a draft deep in offensive tackle prospects but shallow as ever in prospective franchise QBs, so I think it makes sense to grab the QB first and the OT later.

2. St. Louis Rams
Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
I still have some reservations about Andre Smith's pass blocking, but for now he seems to be the closest thing to the consensus number one OT. Whether it's Andre Smith, Jason Smith, or Eugene Monroe, the Rams need to finally find their replacement for Orlando Pace.

3. Kansas City Chiefs
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
If the Lions pass on Stafford, then I think the Chiefs have to take him, but otherwise they need to address their defensive front seven. I had Michael Crabtree going here in my first mock, but as good as Crabtree is, with Scott Pioli now in charge in KC, I think he's too smart to select a WR when the Chiefs are so awful at pressuring the QB.

4. Seattle Seahawks
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
I like Crabtree a lot, and it's true the Seahawks haven't had a bona fide number one receiver in some time, but if I were in Seattle's front office, I'd be pushing to select one of the great left tackle prospects in this draft who could be Walter Jones's eventual replacement.

5. Cleveland Browns
Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Davis has been making standout plays since he was a freshman and I can't believe he's not the highest-rated corner on most draftniks' boards. He's a perfect fit for Mangini's defensive scheme.

6. Cincinnati Bengals
Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
A position of strength on the Cincinnati roster just two years ago, the Bengals have few options at either tackle spot right now.

7. Oakland Raiders
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Given a need at both positions I would always take a top offensive tackle prospect over a wide receiver, but Al Davis doesn't think that way. Speed rules in Mr. Davis's mind.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
If the last three seasons have proved anything it's that a rookie left tackle can step in and play at a very high level (see Marcus McNeil, Joe Thomas, Ryan Clady and Jake Long). The Jags will be hoping Smith or one of other top OT can step in and be an immediate upgrade over Khalif Barnes, a serviceable tackle likely to leave via free agency.

9. Green Bay Packers
Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
NT B.J. Raji and OT Michael Oher both would also make sense here, but the Packers absolutely have to get another pass rusher to play OLB if they're truly going to transition to a base 3-4.

10. San Francisco 49ers
B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College
It might not be as much of a need as right tackle, free safety, wide receiver, or a pass rusher, but if the 49ers truly want to play Fysical football, then they need to go with the value on the board and upgrade their defensive line.

11. Buffalo Bills
Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
For my money the best pure linebacker in the draft, Curry brings great value here, although the Bills could also stand to add a pass rusher like Aaron Maybin or Larry English or tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

12. Denver Broncos
Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC
B.J. Raji would be the best pick for the Broncos since he would be the biggest help in their transition to a 3-4 defense. With him off the board, Denver will have to add a different piece of the 3-4 puzzle. I think Aaron Curry would be a great fit and that Maualuga is a bit overrated, but sometimes you have to dance with who's available.

13. Washington Redskins
Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Maybin could learn some of the tricks of the trade from one of the best, Jason Taylor, while he gets the necessary time he'll need to acclimate to the pro game.

14. New Orleans Saints
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The Saints have been trying to fill holes in their secondary for years now, so they could be very happy to find Jenkins, who many view as a top-ten talent, available here. I think he's a bit overrated myself and might be better suited as a free safety at the next level.

15. Houston Texans
Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
I don't think Johnson warrants a first round selection, but I can see how the Texans might view him as a potential perfect bookend to Mario Williams, especially down the road after Johnson has a year of NFL conditioning.

16. San Diego Chargers
Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Losing right defensive end Igor Olshansky to free agency shouldn't hurt too much, since he lost his starting job last season, but the Chargers still need to bolster their front three, and Jackson has the size and skill set to play 3-4 DE, though he's another overrated prospect in my opinion.

17. New York Jets
Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
When he came out, I had high expectations for Kellen Clemens, but he didn't look so hot when he had his chance to play in 2007. It doesn't seem likely that either he or Brett Ratliff are the future starters.

18. Chicago Bears
Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
The Bears defensive ends are getting up there in age and Ayers is arguably the best base DE prospect in this year's draft.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
The Bucs get a gift as Oher falls all the way to the nineteenth pick.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys)
Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
Having taken a franchise QB with the first pick, the Lions can turn their focus to shoring up the offensive line.

21. Philadelphia Eagles
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

22. Minnesota Vikings
Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
The Vikings have the best DT tandem in the league, but they need to think about the future given Pat Williams age, and with all of the top offensive linemen off the board, it makes sense to go where the value is.

23. New England Patriots
Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois
If the draft turns out this way, I'll be cursing the first twenty-two teams who picked for letting English get to the Pats. Given the way Bellichick collects tight ends, don't be surprised if Brandon Pettigrew (should he still be on the board) goes here even though the Pats have Ben Watson and Dave Thomas.

24. Atlanta Falcons
Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
I guess this would be another huge steal, but I'm not sold on Harvin's potential as a pro. He could be a fine complement to Roddy White, and given a creative offensive scheme that gets him the ball he could be a dangerous weapon, I just hink he's a bit overrated.

25. Miami Dolphins
Ron Brace, NT, Boston College
This might be a bit high for Brace, but there just aren't that many quality nose tackle prospects.

26. Baltimore Ravens
Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Cushing should prove to be an adequate replacement for Bart Scott, though I don't have quite as much confidence in his pro potential as most others do.

27. Indianapolis Colts
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Oh boy.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina Panthers)
William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
The Eagles need to add some good young players at both offensive tackle positions.

29. New York Giants
Hakim Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Adding Nicks should go a long way toward forgetting Plaxico Burress.

30. Tennessee Titans
Fili Moala, DT, USC
If Albert Haynesworth bolts via free agency, the Titans will need to bolster the depth along the interior of their defensive line.

31. Arizona Cardinals
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Moreno is as worthy of a top-ten pick as RB who has come out in recent year. I'd put him behind only Adrian Peterson. But he's still a RB after all. But but: this would be one of the steals of this and any draft if the Cards landed him this far down.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers
Max Unger, C, Orgeon
Pittsburgh's offensive line played better as the year went on, but an upgrade in the interior of the line is still much needed if they don't want to see Big Ben keep getting knocked silly.

Friday, January 23, 2009

2009 NFL Draft position rankings

OFFENSE
Quarterbak
1. Matt Stafford, Georgia
2. Mark Sanchez, USC
3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State
4. Nate Davis, Ball State
5. Cullen Harper, Clemson
6. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State
7. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
8. Chris Crane, Boston College
9. Pat White, West Virginia
10. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas
11. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M
12. Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
13. Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
14. Mike Teel, Rutgers
15. Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
16. Brian Johnson, Utah
17. John Parker Wilson, Alabama
18. Curtis Painter, Purdue
19. Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
20. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
21. Chase Daniel, Missouri
22. Mike Reilly, Central Washington
23. Chase Patton, Missouri
24. Drew Willy, Buffalo
25. Nate Longshore, California

Running Back
1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
2. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
3. Shonn Greene, Iowa
4. Donald Brown, Connecticut
5. Chris Wells, Ohio State
6. Andre Brown, North Carolina State
7. Javon Ringer, Michigan State
8. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon
9. Rashad Jennings, Liberty
10. Glen Coffee, Alabama
11. Cedric Peerman, Virginia
12. Arian Foster, Tennessee
13. James Davis, Clemson
14. Brad Lester, Auburn
15. Javarris Williams, Tennessee State
16. Gartrell Johnson, Colorado State
17. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
18. Aaron Brown, TCU
19. Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
20. Kory Sheets, Purdue
21. Devin Moore, Wyoming
22. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
23. Ian Johnson, Boise State
24. Chris Ogbonnaya, Texas
25. Brandon Ore, West Liberty State

Fullback
1. Quinn Johnson, LSU
2. Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse
3. Brannan Southerland, Georgia
4. Eric Kettani, Navy
5. Brock Bolen, Louisville

Wide Receiver
1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
3. Hakim Nicks, North Carolina
4. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
5. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
6. Percy Harvin, Florida
7. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
8. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
9. Derrick Williams, Penn State
10. Brandon Tate, North Carolina
11. Mike Thomas, Arizona
12. Deon Butler, Penn State
13. Patrick Turner, USC
14. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
15. Brooks Foster, North Carolina
16. Quan Cosby, Texas
17. Demetrius Byrd, LSU
18. Jarrett Dillard, Rice
19. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State
20. Taurus Johnson, South Florida
21. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly
22. Brandon Gibson, Washington State
23. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia
24. Aaron Kelly, Clemson
25. Louis Murphy, Florida
26. Darius Passmore, Marshall
27. Mike Wallace, Mississippi
28. Austin Collie, BYU
29. Greg Carr, Florida State
30. Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers
31. Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma
32. Marko Mitchell, Nevada
33. Jeremy Childs, Boise State
34. Jaison Williams, Oregon
35. Brian Hartline, Ohio State
36. Brennan Marion, Tulsa
37. Kevin Ogletree, Virginia
38. Jamayel Smith, Mississippi State
39. Derek Kinder, Pittsburgh
40. Brennan Marion, Tulsa

Tight End
1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
2. Jared Cook, South Carolina
3. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi
4. Cornelius Ingram, Florida
5. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
6. Chase Coffman, Missouri
7. Ryan Purvis, Boston College
8. James Casey, Rice
9. Anthony Hill, North Carolina State
10. John Phillips, Virginia
11. Brian Mandeville, Northeastern
12. Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
13. Cameron Morrah, California
14. Travis McCall, Alabama
15. Jared Bronson, Central Washington

Offensive Tackle
1. Andre Smith, Alabama
2. Michael Oher, Mississippi
3. Eugene Monroe, Virginia
4. Eben Britton, Arizona
5. Jason Smith, Baylor
6. William Beatty, Connecticut
7. Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
8. Troy Kropog, Tulane
9. Jason Watkins, Florida
10. Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
11. Augustus Parrish, Kent State
12. Sebastian Vollmer, Houston
13. Xavier Fulton, Illinois
14. Ramon Foster, Tennessee
15. Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
16. Alex Boone, Ohio State
17. Fenuki Tupou, Oregon
18. Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina
19. Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State
20. T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan

Offensive Guard
1. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin
2. Herman Johnson, LSU
3. Andy Levitre, Oregon State
4. Tyronne Green, Auburn
5. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
6. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati
7. Anthony Parker, Tennessee
8. Ryan Stanchek, West Virginia
9. Rey Feinga, BYU
10. Seth Olsen, Iowa
11. Greg Islander, West Virginia
12. Jamie Thomas, Maryland
13. Travis Bright, BYU
14. Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech
15. Ryan Durand, Syracuse
16. Cedric Dockery, Texas
17. Andy Kemp, Wisconsin
18. Maurice Miller, Mississippi
19. Jeremy Perry, Oregon State
20. Roger Allen, Missouri Western State

Center
1. Max Unger, Orgeon
2. Eric Wood, Louisville
3. Alex Mack, California
4. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5. A. Q. Shipley, Penn State
6. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
7. Ryan Shuman, Virginia Tech
8. C. J. Davis, Pittsburgh
9. Cecil Newton, Tennessee State
10. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma

DEFENSE
Defensive End
1. Brian Orakpo, Texas
2. Everette Brown, Florida State
3. Robert Ayers, Tennessee
4. Kyle Moore, USC
5. Larry English, Northern Illinois
6. Aaron Maybin, Penn State
7. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
8. Cody Brown, Connecticut
9. Will Davis, Illinois
10. Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond
11. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
12. Paul Kruger, Utah
13. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
14. Brandon Williams, Texas Tech
15. Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin
16. Tim Jamison, Michigan
17. Michael Bennett, Texas A&M
18. David Veikune, Hawaii
19. Maurice Evans, Penn State
20. Jarius Wynn, Georgia

Defensive Tackle
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College
2. Peria Jerry, Mississippi
3. Evander Hood, Missouri
4. Fili Moala, USC
5. Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn
6. Ron Brace, Boston College
7. Tyson Jackson, LSU
8. Corey Irvin, Georgia
9. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
10. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
12. Alex Magee, Purdue
12. Chris Baker, Hampton
13. Mitch King, Iowa
14. Myron Pryor, Kentucky
15. Roy Miller, Texas
16. Dorell Scott, Clemson
17. Darryl Richard, Georgia Tech
18. Clinton McDonald, Memphis
19. Terrance Taylor, Michigan
20. Jeff Owens, Georgia

Outside Linebacker
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. Clint Sintim, Virginia
3. Brian Cushing, USC
4. Clay Matthews, USC
5. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
6. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
7. Nic Harris, Oklahoma
8. Zach Follett, California
9. Ashlee Palmer, Mississippi
10. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia
11. Kaluka Maiav, USC
12. Anthony Felder, California
13. Moise Fokou, Maryland
14. Jason Williams, Western Illinois
15. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin
16. Brian Toal, Boston College
17. Robert Francois, Boston College
18. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss
19. DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
20. Nick Reed, Oregon

Inside Linebacker
1. Rey Maualuga, USC
2. Johnny Williams, Kentucky
3. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
4. Darry Beckwith, LSU
5. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
6. Worrell Williams, California
7. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
8. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
9. Jason Phillips, TCU
10. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State

Cornerback
1. Vontae Davis, Illinois
2. Asher Allen, Georgia
3. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
4. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
5. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
6. Darius Butler, Connecticut
7. Sean Smith, Utah
8. Keenan Lewis, Oregon State
9. Coye Francies, San Jose State
10. Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina
11. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech
12. Jairus Byrd, Oregon
13. Ellis Lankaster, West Virginia
14. Bradley Fletcher, Iowa
15. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
16. Cary Harris, USC
17. Don Carey, Norfolk State
18. Ryan Palmer, Texas
19. Jahi Word-Daniels, Georgia Tech
20. Domonique Johnson, Jackson State
21. DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati
22. Kevin Barnes, Maryland
23. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati
24. Jerraud Powers, Auburn
25. Wopamo Osaisai, Stanford
26. Brandon Hughes, Oregon State
27. Morgan Trent, Michigan
28. Ryan Mouton, Hawaii
29. Donald Washington, Ohio State
30. James Williams, Southern Connecticut

Safety
1. Patrick Chung, Oregon
2. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
3. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
4. Rashad Johnson, Alabama
5. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State
6. Michael Hamlin, Clemson
7. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina
8. Keith Fitzhugh, Mississippi State
9. Sherrod Martin, Troy
10. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech
11. Curtis Taylor, LSU
12. William Moore, Missouri
13. Courtney Greene, Rutgers
14. Kevin Ellison, USC
15. Lendy Holmes, Oklahoma
16. Glover Quin, New Mexico
17. Otis Wiley, Michigan State
18. David Bruton, Notre Dame
19. Trimane Goddard, North Carolina
20. De’Von Hall, Utah State

Sunday, January 18, 2009

2008 Linebacker Ratings

Decided to go ahead and see how my defensive rating system would rate the linebackers. Because tackles are taken into consideration, LBs have higher ratings than the defensive linemen. So this isn't a good system for comparing one position to another, but it still looks like it does a pretty good job of comparing players at the same position. Doesn't mean I think it's perfect. Half way through the season I wouldn't have quibbled too much with Barrett Ruud showing up as the top-rated middle/inside backer, but at this point my overriding impressions of his 2008 season are his whiffs in the Carolina and Oakland games when the Bucs were fighting for a playoff spot. Still, I wouldn't place him lower than fourth, and in fact I'd say the top four names on the below list correspond to what would be the top four names on most observers' lists. If I hadn't added total scrimmage plays into the equation then those four would have come out in the following order: Patrick Willis, Jon Beason, Ruud, and Ray Lewis (tied with Jonathan Vilma). The fact that the scrimmage plays push Lewis's rating higher after the outstanding year he had, and put him above Vilma by 8.4 points, confirm for me that it's better to include them.

11 Highest-rated Inside Linebackers


The outside linebacker ratings confirm (well for me at least) two opinions I had: DeMarcus Ware probably should have been Defensive Player of the Year (though I wouldn't make a big stink about it, James Harrison was certainly worthy), and Karlos Dansby was the best 4-3 outside backer: it is a minor travesty that he didn't get a single AP All-Pro vote. Only one of those went to a 4-3 guy and that was by some Rip Van Winkle who voted for Derrick Brooks (Brooks rated an 86.8, good enough for 19th). Without the scrimmage plays adjustment, Thomas Davis would have moved up to third, knocking Harrison to fourth; also, Lance Briggs would have moved up to fifth and Chad Greenway would have slid down to sixth.

10 Highest-rated Outside Linebackers

2009 NFL Draft position rankings

OFFENSE
Quarterbak
1. Matt Stafford, Georgia
2. Mark Sanchez, USC
3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State
4. Nate Davis, Ball State
5. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State
6. Cullen Harper, Clemson
7. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
8. Chris Crane, Boston College
9. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas
10. Pat White, West Virginia
11. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M
12. Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
13. Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
14. Mike Teel, Rutgers
15. Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
16. Brian Johnson, Utah
17. John Parker Wilson, Alabama
18. Curtis Painter, Purdue
19. Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
20. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
21. Chase Daniel, Missouri
22. Mike Reilly, Central Washington
23. Chase Patton, Missouri
24. Drew Willy, Buffalo
25. Nate Longshore, California

Running Back
1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
2. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
3. Shonn Greene, Iowa
4. Donald Brown, Connecticut
5. Chris Wells, Ohio State
6. Javon Ringer, Michigan State
7. Glen Coffee, Alabama
8. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon
9. James Davis, Clemson
10. Rashad Jennings, Liberty
11. Andre Brown, North Carolina State
12. Arian Foster, Tennessee
13. Brad Lester, Auburn
14. Cedric Peerman, Virginia
15. Javarris Williams, Tennessee State
16. Gartrell Johnson, Colorado State
17. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
18. Aaron Brown, TCU
19. Kory Sheets, Purdue
20. Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
21. Devin Moore, Wyoming
22. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
23. Ian Johnson, Boise State
24. Chris Ogbonnaya, Texas
25. Brandon Ore, West Liberty State

Fullback
1. Quinn Johnson, LSU
2. Brannan Southerland, Georgia
3. Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse
4. Eric Kettani, Navy
5. Brock Bolen, Louisville

Wide Receiver
1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
3. Hakim Nicks, North Carolina
4. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
5. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
6. Percy Harvin, Florida
7. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
8. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
9. Derrick Williams, Penn State
10. Brandon Tate, North Carolina
11. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly
12. Deon Butler, Penn State
13. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
14. Brooks Foster, North Carolina
15. Quan Cosby, Texas
16. Brandon Gibson, Washington State
17. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia
18. Demetrius Byrd, LSU
19. Jarrett Dillard, Rice
20. Taurus Johnson, South Florida
21. Mike Thomas, Arizona
22. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State
23. Aaron Kelly, Clemson
24. Louis Murphy, Florida
25. Darius Passmore, Marshall
26. Patrick Turner, USC
27. Mike Wallace, Mississippi
28. Austin Collie, BYU
29. Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers
30. Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma
31. Marko Mitchell, Nevada
32. Jeremy Childs, Boise State
33. Jaison Williams, Oregon
34. Brian Hartline, Ohio State
35. Brennan Marion, Tulsa
36. Greg Carr, Florida State
37. Kevin Ogletree, Virginia
38. Jamayel Smith, Mississippi State
39. Derek Kinder, Pittsburgh
40. Brennan Marion, Tulsa

Tight End
1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
2. Jared Cook, South Carolina
3. Cornelius Ingram, Florida
4. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
5. Chase Coffman, Missouri
6. Ryan Purvis, Boston College
7. James Casey, Rice
8. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi
9. Anthony Hill, North Carolina State
10. Brian Mandeville, Northeastern
11. Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
12. John Phillips, Virginia
13. Travis McCall, Alabama
14. Jared Bronson, Central Washington
15. Darius Hill, Ball State

Offensive Tackle
1. Andre Smith, Alabama
2. Michael Oher, Mississippi
3. Eugene Monroe, Virginia
4. Eben Britton, Arizona
5. Jason Smith, Baylor
6. William Beatty, Connecticut
7. Troy Kropog, Tulane
8. Xavier Fulton, Illinois
9. Jason Watkins, Florida
10. Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
11. Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
12. Augustus Parrish, Kent State
13. Sebastian Vollmer, Houston
14. Ramon Foster, Tennessee
15. Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
16. Alex Boone, Ohio State
17. Fenuki Tupou, Oregon
18. Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina
19. Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State
20. T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan

Offensive Guard
1. Herman Johnson, LSU
2. Andy Levitre, Oregon State
3. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin
4. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
5. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati
6. Tyronne Green, Auburn
7. Anthony Parker, Tennessee
8. Ryan Stanchek, West Virginia
9. Rey Feinga, BYU
10. Seth Olsen, Iowa
11. Greg Islander, West Virginia
12. Jamie Thomas, Maryland
13. Andy Kemp, Wisconsin
14. Travis Bright, BYU
15. Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech
16. Ryan Durand, Syracuse
17. Cedric Dockery, Texas
18. Maurice Miller, Mississippi
19. Jeremy Perry, Oregon State
20. Roger Allen, Missouri Western State

Center
1. Max Unger, Orgeon
2. Alex Mack, California
3. Eric Wood, Louisville
4. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
6. C. J. Davis, Pittsburgh
7. Cecil Newton, Tennessee State
8. A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
9. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma
10. Edwin Williams, Maryland

DEFENSE
Defensive End
1. Brian Orakpo, Texas
2. Everette Brown, Florida State
3. Aaron Maybin, Penn State
4. Robert Ayers, Tennessee
5. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
6. Kyle Moore, USC
7. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
8. Paul Kruger, Utah
9. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
10. Will Davis, Illinois
11. Brandon Williams, Texas Tech
12. Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin
13. Tim Jamison, Michigan
14. Michael Bennett, Texas A&M
15. Maurice Evans, Penn State
16. Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond
17. Jarius Wynn, Georgia
18. Derek Walker, Illinois
19. Brandon Swain, West Texas A&M
20. Stryker Sulak, Missouri

Defensive Tackle
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College
2. Peria Jerry, Mississippi
3. Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn
4. Ron Brace, Boston College
5. Evander Hood, Missouri
6. Tyson Jackson, LSU
7. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
8. Fili Moala, USC
9. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
10. Chris Baker, Hampton
12. Mitch King, Iowa
12. Corey Irvin, Georgia
13. Myron Pryor, Kentucky
14. Alex Magee, Purdue
15. Roy Miller, Texas
16. Dorell Scott, Clemson
17. Darryl Richard, Georgia Tech
18. Clinton McDonald, Memphis
19. Terrance Taylor, Michigan
20. Jeff Owens, Georgia

Outside Linebacker
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. Clint Sintim, Virginia
3. Brian Cushing, USC
4. Clay Matthews, USC
5. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
6. Larry English, Northern Illinois
7. Cody Brown, Connecticut
8. Zach Follett, California
9. Ashlee Palmer, Mississippi
10. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia
11. Kaluka Maiav, USC
12. Moise Fokou, Maryland
13. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
14. Anthony Felder, California
15. Jason Williams, Western Illinois
16. Brian Toal, Boston College
17. Robert Francois, Boston College
18. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss
19. Nick Reed, Oregon
20. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin

Inside Linebacker
1. Rey Maualuga, USC
2. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
3. Darry Beckwith, LSU
4. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
5. Johnny Williams, Kentucky
6. Worrell Williams, California
7. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
8. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
9. Jason Phillips, TCU
10. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State

Cornerback
1. Vontae Davis, Illinois
2. Asher Allen, Georgia
3. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
4. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
5. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
6. Darius Butler, Connecticut
7. Sean Smith, Utah
8. DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati
9. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
10. Domonique Johnson, Jackson State
11. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech
12. Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina
13. Jairus Byrd, Oregon
14. Keenan Lewis, Oregon State
15. Kevin Barnes, Maryland
16. Coye Francies, San Jose State
17. Bradley Fletcher, Iowa
18. Ellis Lankaster, West Virginia
19. Jahi Word-Daniels, Georgia Tech
20. Cary Harris, USC
21. Ryan Palmer, Texas
22. Don Carey, Norfolk State
23. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati
24. Jerraud Powers, Auburn
25. Wopamo Osaisai, Stanford
26. Brandon Hughes, Oregon State
27. Morgan Trent, Michigan
28. Ryan Mouton, Hawaii
29. Donald Washington, Ohio State
30. James Williams, Southern Connecticut

Safety
1. Sherrod Martin, Troy
2. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
3. William Moore, Missouri
4. Rashad Johnson, Alabama
5. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
6. Michael Hamlin, Clemson
7. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina
8. Nic Harris, Oklahoma
9. Curtis Taylor, LSU
10. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech
11. Courtney Greene, Rutgers
12. Patrick Chung, Oregon
13. Kevin Ellison, USC
14. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State
15. Keith Fitzhugh, Mississippi State
16. David Bruton, Notre Dame
17. Lendy Holmes, Oklahoma
18. Otis Wiley, Michigan State
19. Glover Quin, New Mexico
20. De’Von Hall, Utah State

Thursday, January 15, 2009

2008 Defensive Tackle Ratings

Ask observant NFL fans who the best defensive tackles were in 2008 and I'm pretty sure there are five names that will consistently come up: Albert Haynesworth, Kevin Williams, Shaun Rogers, Jay Ratliff, and Haloti Ngata. Jamal Williams, Fred Robbins, and Kris Jenkins (who had been having a very strong season before seeing his level of play fall off in the last handful of games) would also likely be mentioned quite a bit, as probably would Darnell Dockett (especially now with the Cards doing so well in the playoffs). Using the statistical rating system I discussed in the previous posts, those names all show up near the top (nine of the top fourteen spots). Anyway, here are the twenty defensive tackles with the highest ratings. Pat Williams would have had a shot at being twentieth if he hadn't missed the last two games.

Monday, January 12, 2009

2008 Defensive End Ratings

Update 1.14.09: Figured the teams' total defensive snaps into the rating system which then amounted to the following:

TOP 10 4-3 DEs
Justin Tuck.........107.4
Trent Cole..........101.6
Jared Allen.........97.3
Mario Williams......94.1
Julius Peppers......87.7
John Abraham........86.2
Alex Brown..........80.0
Justin Smith........77.9
Robert Mathis.......77.3
Adewale Ogunleye....75.4

TOP 10 3-4 DEs
Richard Seymour.....66.3
Aaron Smith..........64.7
Shaun Ellis...........63.7
Ty Warren.............48.9
Justin Bannan......46.3
Kenyon Coleman....46.1
Vonnie Holliday....44.9
Kendall Langford...42.9
Corey Williams.....41.8
Chris Canty..........41.3

***

Kept changing my mind this year as to who the All Pro defensive ends should be: Justin Tuck, Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, Trent Cole. John Abraham and Mario Williams weren't completely out of the running either. I came up with a simple little stats-based rating system to help me choose. Cole and Tuck came out on top (tied) and I was going to put them on my team until I found some mistakes with the stat site I used. I reran the numbers with less data and Peppers and Abraham came out one, two (tied actually). When I finally posted my All Pro team the other day I decided on Tuck and Peppers. Subsequently I tracked down the complete, correct stats. Cole comes out on top again. Leaving him off my All Pro team had already been bothering me, even though he doesn't have the double digit sack numbers you usually like to see from an All Pro end, but now I've gone back and changed Peppers out for Cole.

I thought the ratings might be of some general interest so I'll post them here. I didn't run the numbers on every DE. The stats used are: Sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, interceptions, solo tackles, and passes defended.



Sunday, January 11, 2009

2009 NFL Mock Draft

1. Detroit Lions
Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia

2. St. Louis Rams
Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

3. Kansas City Chiefs
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

4. Seattle Seahawks
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

5. Cleveland Browns
Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

6. Cincinnati Bengals
Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

7. Oakland Raiders
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

9. Green Bay Packers
Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

10. San Francisco 49ers
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

11. Buffalo Bills
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

12. Denver Broncos
Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

13. Washington Redskins
Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

14. New Orleans Saints
Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

15. Houston Texans
Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

16. San Diego Chargers
Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State

17. New York Jets
Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

18. Chicago Bears
Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys)
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

21. Arizona Cardinals
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

22. Minnesota Vikings
B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

23. New England Patriots
Brian Cushing, LB, USC

24. Atlanta Falcons
Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

25. Miami Dolphins
Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois

26. Baltimore Ravens
Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

27. Indianapolis Colts
Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina Panthers)
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

29. New York Giants
Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia

30. Tennessee Titans
Hakim Nicks, WR, North Carolina

31. Philadelphia Eagles
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

32. Pittsburgh Steelers
Max Unger, C, Orgeon

2009 NFL Draft position rankings

OFFENSE
Quarterbak
1. Matt Stafford, Georgia
2. Josh Freeman, Kansas State
3. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State
4. Cullen Harper, Clemson
5. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
6. Chris Crane, Boston College
7. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas
8. Pat White, West Virginia
9. Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
10. Mike Teel, Rutgers
11. Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
12. Brian Johnson, Utah
13. John Parker Wilson, Alabama
14. Mike Reilly, Central Washington
15. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M

Running Back
1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
2. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
3. Shonn Greene, Iowa
4. C.J. Spiller, Clemson
5. Donald Brown, Connecticut
6. Chris Wells, Ohio State
7. Javon Ringer, Michigan State
8. Glen Coffee, Alabama
9. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon
10. James Davis, Clemson
11. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
12. Rashad Jennings, Liberty
13. Andre Brown, North Carolina State
14. Arian Foster, Tennessee
15. Brad Lester, Auburn

Fullback
1. Quinn Johnson, LSU
2. Brannan Southerland, Georgia
3. Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse
4. Brock Bolen, Louisville
5. Eric Kettani, Navy

Wide Receiver
1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
3. Hakim Nicks, North Carolina
4. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
5. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
6. Percy Harvin, Florida
7. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
8. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
9. Derrick Williams, Penn State
10. Brandon Tate, North Carolina
11. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
12. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly
13. Darius Passmore, Marshall
14. Aaron Kelly, Clemson
15. Brooks Foster, North Carolina
16. Marko Mitchell, Nevada
17. Quan Cosby, Texas
18. Brandon Gibson, Washington State
19. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia
20. Deon Butler, Penn State
21. Demetrius Byrd, LSU
22. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State
23. Louis Murphy, Florida
24. Jarrett Dillard, Rice
25. Mike Wallace, Mississippi
26. Patrick Turner, USC
27. Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers
28. Manuel Johnson , Oklahoma
29. Mike Thomas, Arizona
30. Jaison Williams, Oregon

Tight End
1. Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
2. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
3. Jared Cook, South Carolina
4. Cornelius Ingram, Florida
5. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
6. Chase Coffman, Missouri
7. Ryan Purvis, Boston College
8. James Casey, Rice
9. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi
10. Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
11. Anthony Hill, North Carolina State
12. John Phillips, Virginia
13. Jared Bronson, Central Washington
14. Brian Mandeville, Northeastern
15. Darius Hill, Ball State

Offensive Tackle
1. Andre Smith, Alabama
2. Michael Oher, Mississippi
3. Eugene Monroe, Virginia
4. Eben Britton, Arizona
5. Jason Smith, Baylor
6. William Beatty, Connecticut
7. Troy Kropog, Tulane
8. Augustus Parrish, Kent State
9. Jason Watkins, Florida
10. Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
11. Fenuki Tupou, Oregon
12. Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
13. Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
14. Alex Boone, Ohio State
15. Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina
16. Ramon Foster, Tennessee
17. Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State
18. Mike Tepper, California
19. Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech
20. T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan

Offensive Guard
1. Herman Johnson, LSU
2. Andy Levitre, Oregon State
3. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin
4. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
5. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati
6. Tyronne Green, Auburn
7. Ryan Stanchek, West Virginia
8. Cedric Dockery, Texas
9. Rey Feinga, BYU
10. C. J. Davis, Pittsburgh
11. Anthony Parker, Tennessee
12. Greg Isdaner, West Virginia
13. Jamie Thomas, Maryland
14. Seth Olsen, Iowa
15. Andy Kemp, Wisconsin
16. Travis Bright, BYU
17. Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech
18. Maurice Miller, Mississippi
19. Jeremy Perry, Oregon State
20. Roger Allen, Missouri Western State

Center
1. Max Unger, Orgeon
2. Alex Mack, California
3. Eric Wood, Louisville
4. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
6. Cecil Newton, Tennessee State
7. A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
8. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma
9. Edwin Williams, Maryland
10. Alex Fletcher, Stanford

DEFENSE
Defensive End
1. Brian Orakpo, Texas
2. Aaron Maybin, Penn State
3. Everette Brown, Florida State
4. Robert Ayers, Tennessee
5. Kyle Moore, USC
6. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU
7. Greg Hardy, Mississippi
8. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
9. Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin
10. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
11. Michael Bennett, Texas A&M
12. Will Davis, Illinois
13. Pannel Egboh, Stanford
14. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
15. Tim Jamison, Michigan
16. Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond
17. Clinton McDonald, Memphis
18. Jarius Wynn, Georgia
19. Derek Walker, Illinois
20. Brandon Swain, West Texas A&M

Defensive Tackle
1. Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
2. B.J. Raji, Boston College
3. Peria Jerry, Mississippi
4. Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn
5. Ron Brace, Boston College
6. Evander Hood, Missouri
7. Tyson Jackson, LSU
8. Myron Pryor, Kentucky
9. Fili Moala, USC
10. Roy Miller, Texas
11. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
12. Corey Irvin, Georgia
13. Mitch King, Iowa
14. Darryl Richard, Georgia Tech
15. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
16. Terrance Taylor, Michigan
17. Jeff Owens, Georgia
18. John Gill, Northwestern
19. Dorell Scott, Clemson
20. Ty Steinkuhler, Nebraska

Outside Linebacker
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. Clint Sintim, Virginia
3. Brian Cushing, USC
4. Clay Matthews, USC
5. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
6. Larry English, Northern Illinois
7. Cody Brown, Connecticut
8. Zach Follett, California
9. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia
10. Kaluka Maiav: USC
10. Jason Williams, Western Illinois
11. Robert Francois, Boston College
12. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
13. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin
14. DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
15. Ashlee Palmer, Mississippi

Inside Linebacker
1. Brandon Spikes, Florida
2. Rey Maualuga, USC
3. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
4. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
5. Darry Beckwith, LSU
6. Worrell Williams, California
7. Jason Phillips, TCU
8. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
9. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
10. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State

Cornerback
1. Vontae Davis, Illinois
2. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
3. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
4. Darius Butler, Connecticut
5. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
6. DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati
7. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
8. Trevard Lindley, Kentucky
9. Domonique Johnson, Jackson State
10. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech
11. Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina
12. Keenan Lewis, Oregon State
13. Kevin Barnes, Maryland
14. Coye Francies, San Jose State
15. Jahi Word-Daniels, Georgia Tech
16. Cary Harris, USC
17. Ellis Lankaster, West Virginia
18. Wopamo Osaisai, Stanford
19. Ryan Palmer, Texas
20. Morgan Trent, Michigan

Safety
1. Taylor Mays, USC
2. Sherrod Martin, Troy
3. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
4. Myron Rolle, Florida State
5. William Moore, Missouri
6. Rashad Johnson, Alabama
7. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
8. Michael Hamlin, Clemson
9. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina
10. Nic Harris, Oklahoma
11. Kevin Ellison, USC
12. Curtis Taylor, LSU
13. Courtney Greene, Rutgers
14. Patrick Chung, Oregon
15. Otis Wiley, Michigan State
16. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech
17. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati
18. Lendy Holmes, Oklahoma
19. David Bruton, Notre Dame
20. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State

Saturday, January 10, 2009

53 Deep 2008 All-Pro Team

OFFENSE
QB: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
RB: DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
TE: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
WR: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
WR: Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
T: Michael Roos, Tennessee Titans
T: Ryan Clady, Denver Broncos
G: Chris Snee, New York Giants
G: Travelle Wharton, Carolina Panthers
C: Kevin Mawae, Tennessee Titans

DEFENSE
DE: Justin Tuck, New York Giants
DE: Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles
DT: Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee Titans
DT: Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings
OLB: DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
OLB: James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers
MLB: Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders
CB: Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings
SS: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
FS: Ed Reed, Baltimore Colts

SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
P: Mike Scifres, San Diego Chargers
KR: Leodis McKelvin, Buffalo Bills