2009 Top 20

[DiG]

Heres my fist go at a top 20 for next years draft. These arent just seniors they are all eligible.

1. James Laurinaitis, ILB
2. Michael Crabtree, WR
3. Chris Wells, RB
4. Malcolm Jenkins, CB
5. Tyson Jackson, DE
6. Taylor Mays, SS
7. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
8. Demarcus Granger, DT
9. Tim Tebow, QB
10. Michael Johnson, DE
11. Knowshon Moreno, RB
12. Al Woods, DT
13. CJ Spiller, RB
14. Andrew Gardner, OT
15. Rey Maualuga, ILB
16. Myron Rolle, S
17. George Selvie, DE/OLB
18. Brian Cushing, OLB
19. Percy Harvin, WR
20. Andre Smith, OT

[darnik44two]

I wish I knew what it was that everyone loves about Laurinaitis. To me, he'll never be a ILB in the NFL. I'll bet anything he winds up as an OLB. The most important attribute of an ILB is to work through trash and get off blocks. That's his biggest weakness. He was hyped up this year by the media, but in the end I bet anything he didn't get drafted any earlier than 15th-20th. That said, I think he'll be a decent OLB in time.

Rey Maualuga is head and shoulders above Laurinaitis.

[Sveen]

Nice signature darnik. You made that yourself?

[darnik44two]

Nice signature darnik. You made that yourself?

Thanks, yeah I made it.

[Sveen]

Great job. Maybe you could make me one when I know who I want the Saints to get? ;)

[darnik44two]

Great job. Maybe you could make me one when I know who I want the Saints to get? ;)

Yeah sure, I expect to be making alot of them, lol. I have over 350 of those cards made already. I just have to slightly alter them because they have another sites logo on them. Here's what the cards look like full sized.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee246/darnik522/SEDRICK-ELLIS-CARD-PLAIN.jpg

[Blatz]

Is Demarcus Granger going to be able to stay out of trouble long enough to make it to the draft?

Also, I'm not a big Maualuga fan, but after seeing his performance in the Rose Bowl, I think he will end up rated higher than 15.


And yeah, your cards definitely look cool. Thanks for sharing.

[Babylon]

Heres my fist go at a top 20 for next years draft. These arent just seniors they are all eligible.

1. James Laurinaitis, ILB
2. Michael Crabtree, WR
3. Chris Wells, RB
4. Malcolm Jenkins, CB
5. Tyson Jackson, DE
6. Taylor Mays, SS
7. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
8. Demarcus Granger, DT
9. Tim Tebow, QB
10. Michael Johnson, DE
11. Knowshon Moreno, RB
12. Al Woods, DT
13. CJ Spiller, RB
14. Andrew Gardner, OT
15. Rey Maualuga, ILB
16. Myron Rolle, S
17. George Selvie, DE/OLB
18. Brian Cushing, OLB
19. Percy Harvin, WR
20. Andre Smith, OT


If you're talking draft eligible i would have to make room for

Matthew Stafford
Jeremy Macklin
Jake Locker

[StaticGator]

I think most FSU fans are ready to put Myron Rolle on a bus. I don't think he's top 20 right now.

[CroomDawgs]

Cmon y'all, gotta have Anthony Dixon!

[Sniper]

Heres my fist go at a top 20 for next years draft. These arent just seniors they are all eligible.

1. James Laurinaitis, ILB
2. Michael Crabtree, WR
3. Chris Wells, RB
4. Malcolm Jenkins, CB
5. Tyson Jackson, DE
6. Taylor Mays, SS
7. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
8. Demarcus Granger, DT
9. Tim Tebow, QB
10. Michael Johnson, DE
11. Knowshon Moreno, RB
12. Al Woods, DT
13. CJ Spiller, RB
14. Andrew Gardner, OT
15. Rey Maualuga, ILB
16. Myron Rolle, S
17. George Selvie, DE/OLB
18. Brian Cushing, OLB
19. Percy Harvin, WR
20. Andre Smith, OT

1. LeSean McCoy needs to be on there.
2. No way is Laurinaitis the #1 pick or the most talented. I'm glad darnik sees what I see so I don't get called crazy, but Laurinaitis is TERRIBLE at shedding blocks.
3. Andre Smith is just an absolute tank, and as the #1 OT he will be significantly higher.
4. Myron Rolle may be better suited as a OLB.
5. Beanie Wells is my #1

Not a bad job though.

[darnik44two]

Laurinaitis might be the 3rd ILB taken next year. I think Maualuga absolutely goes before him and I could see Jasper Brinkley going before him. With a good year Brinkley could be a top 10 pick. He plays like Ray Lewis.

[Patriots16-0]

Heres my fist go at a top 20 for next years draft. These arent just seniors they are all eligible.

1. James Laurinaitis, ILB
2. Michael Crabtree, WR
3. Chris Wells, RB
4. Malcolm Jenkins, CB
5. Tyson Jackson, DE
6. Taylor Mays, SS
7. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
8. Demarcus Granger, DT
9. Tim Tebow, QB
10. Michael Johnson, DE
11. Knowshon Moreno, RB
12. Al Woods, DT
13. CJ Spiller, RB
14. Andrew Gardner, OT
15. Rey Maualuga, ILB
16. Myron Rolle, S
17. George Selvie, DE/OLB
18. Brian Cushing, OLB
19. Percy Harvin, WR
20. Andre Smith, OT

You forgot the #1 QB.

[Iamcanadian]

Heres my fist go at a top 20 for next years draft. These arent just seniors they are all eligible.

1. James Laurinaitis, ILB
2. Michael Crabtree, WR
3. Chris Wells, RB
4. Malcolm Jenkins, CB
5. Tyson Jackson, DE
6. Taylor Mays, SS
7. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
8. Demarcus Granger, DT
9. Tim Tebow, QB
10. Michael Johnson, DE
11. Knowshon Moreno, RB
12. Al Woods, DT
13. CJ Spiller, RB
14. Andrew Gardner, OT
15. Rey Maualuga, ILB
16. Myron Rolle, S
17. George Selvie, DE/OLB
18. Brian Cushing, OLB
19. Percy Harvin, WR
20. Andre Smith, OT

If this is the order you think they will go then your list is terrible, if it is just a general list of your top 20 without any order then it's OK. However, Tyson Jackson doesn't belong on it in any way, shape or form.
As for the Laurinaitis haters, I couldn't disagree more. He is a sure fire top 10 prospect next year but I do agree that Maualuga will challenge him for #1 ILB. It should be a good crop of ILB's.

[DiG]

If this is the order you think they will go then your list is terrible, if it is just a general list of your top 20 without any order then it's OK. However, Tyson Jackson doesn't belong on it in any way, shape or form.
As for the Laurinaitis haters, I couldn't disagree more. He is a sure fire top 10 prospect next year but I do agree that Maualuga will challenge him for #1 ILB. It should be a good crop of ILB's.

this is not a mock by any means this is a talent ranking. some things could be argued for sure. and i dont know a ton about all the guys on the list. a few of them i went based off some research.

[Patriots16-0]

Where are "The Chases"??

[Solomon]

At the underclassmen deadline I came up with this list of the top 32 senior prospects for next year. By position:

Cullen Harper
Chase Holbrook

Marlon Lucky

Aaron Kelly
Brian Robiskie
Brandon Gibson

Travis Beckum
Cornelius Ingram

Mike Oher
Phil Loadholt
Alex Boone
Andrew Gardner

Duke Robinson
Herman Johnson

Alex Mack
Jon Luigs

Michael Johnson
Tyson Jackson

Terrance Taylor
Ziggy Hood
George Hypolite

Brian Cushing
Marcus Freeman
Sean Lee

James Laurinaitis
Rey Maualuga

Malcolm Jenkins
Victor Harris
Mike Mickens
Derek Pegues (S or CB at next level?)

Nic Harris
Michael Hamlin
-----------------------------

And my top 25 underclassmen:

1. Andre Smith OT
2. Chris Wells RB
3. Greg Hardy OLB/DE
4. Percy Harvin WR/RB
5. Tim Tebow QB
6. Demarcus Granger DT
7. Knowshon Moreno RB
8. Taylor Mays S
9. Michael Crabtree WR
10. Sam Bradford QB
11. Perrish Cox CB
12. Jermaine Gresham TE
13. Ciron Black OT
14. Darrius Heyward-Bey WR
15. George Selvie OLB/DE
16. William Franklin WR
17. Ricky Sapp OLB/DE
18. Al Woods DT
19. Kenny Britt WR
20. Maurice Evans DE
21. Brandon Spikes ILB
22. Brandon Graham DE
23. Vontae Davis CB
24. LeSean McCoy
25. Jeremy Jarmon DE

[gangGREENinsider]

I have a man-crush on Derek Pegues. He's a clone of Reggie Nelson. Like Nelson, people think he can play both CB and S. But he'll play FS. He plays the deep Cover 1 at Miss State just like the Eraser did at UF and his instincts are just phenomenal- he makes plays sideline to sideline. Not sure he's the intimidating presence Nelson was in terms of big hits but unlike Nelson, Pegues will have more seasoning and ups his value by being a dynamite PR.

[georgiafan]

Even though I think he gets drafted in the 1st round I don't see how Tebow is so high on everyone's list.

[619]

I dont know if its just me but Id rank Knowshon Moreno and Percy Harvin a lot higher.

[Turtlepower]

Even though I think he gets drafted in the 1st round I don't see how Tebow is so high on everyone's list.

Tebow is the next Reggie Bush. He is an amazing college football player with tools that work really well in the college game, but he will get extremely overdrafted based on hype alone.

[bearsfan_51]

I'll go with 32 too, as that just seems like a more logical cutoff point.

1) Chris Wells*
2) Michael Crabtree*
3) Tim Tebow*
4) Malcolm Jenkins
5) Michael Oher
6) James Laurinaitis
7) Tyson Jackson
8) George Selvie*
9) Demarcus Granger*
10) Al Woods*
11) Taylor Mays*
12) Myron Rolle*
13) Ray Maualuga
14) Knowshon Moreno*
15) Darrius Heyward-Bey*
16) Phil Loadholt
17) Brandon Spikes*
18) C.J Spiller*
19) Matthew Stafford*
20) Jeffrey Fitzgerald*
21) Fili Moala
22) Myron Pryor
23) Vontae Davis*
24) Percy Harvin*
25) Brandon LaFell*
26) Brian Cushing
27) Sean Lee*
28) Hunter Cantwell
29) Alex Boone
30) Eric VandenHeuvel
31) Ian Campbell
32) Terrance Taylor


Obviously this is a class VERY dependent upon juniors declaring (much like the current one), but if enough of them declare, and I think they will, it could turn out to be a very good class.

[bearsfan_51]

Even though I think he gets drafted in the 1st round I don't see how Tebow is so high on everyone's list.
Because I think he's a 2nd rounder at best, I don't see how ANYONE thinks that Chase Daniel is a top NFL prospect.

[Turtlepower]

I'll go with 32 too, as that just seems like a more logical cutoff point.

1) Chris Wells*
2) Michael Crabtree*
3) Tim Tebow*
4) Malcolm Jenkins
5) Michael Oher
6) James Laurinaitis
7) Tyson Jackson
8) George Selvie*
9) Demarcus Granger*
10) Al Woods*
11) Taylor Mays*
12) Myron Rolle*
13) Ray Maualuga
14) Knowshon Moreno*
15) Darrius Heyward-Bey*
16) Phil Loadholt
17) Brandon Spikes*
18) C.J Spiller*
19) Matthew Stafford*
20) Jeffrey Fitzgerald*
21) Fili Moala
22) Myron Pryor
23) Vontae Davis*
24) Percy Harvin*
25) Brandon LaFell*
26) Brian Cushing
27) Sean Lee*
28) Hunter Cantwell
29) Alex Boone
30) Eric VandenHeuvel
31) Ian Campbell
32) Terrance Taylor


Obviously this is a class VERY dependent upon juniors declaring (much like the current one), but if enough of them declare, and I think they will, it could turn out to be a very good class.

I thought Knowshon was a freshman. Is he a redshirt freshman? Also, I feel Cushing has been extremely underrated since his injury this year. If he can come back and play like his 06 form, I would be surprised if he fell out of the top-15.

[Turtlepower]

Because I think he's a 3rd rounder at best, I don't see how ANYONE thinks that Chase Daniel is a top NFL prospect.

Chase Daniel has played in the exact same offense for 7 years now. I completely agree and think that he won't ever be starting a day in the NFL.

[bearsfan_51]

I thought Knowshon was a freshman. Is he a redshirt freshman? Also, I feel Cushing has been extremely underrated since his injury this year. If he can come back and play like his 06 form, I would be surprised if he fell out of the top-15.
I tend to devalue linebackers, particularly outside linebackers in a 4-3 scheme.

[Turtlepower]

I tend to devalue linebackers, particularly outside linebackers in a 4-3 scheme.

I agree, but I feel that every year there are 1 or two linebackers who are worthy of top picks, such as AJ Hawk and Patrick Willis.

[Solomon]

Arrgh...I just heard that Oher is coming back for his senior season. Time to change a few things around...

[Solomon]

I tend to devalue linebackers, particularly outside linebackers in a 4-3 scheme.

good point. However Cushing can also be an OLB in a 3-4 scheme and that increases his value immensely. 3-4 pass rushing OLBs are all the vogue these days and the fact that he has already played OLB (i.e he's not a DE trying to learn a new position) should smooth his transition to the NFL.

[georgiafan]

I thought Knowshon was a freshman. Is he a redshirt freshman? .

Yeah he is a redshirt freshman

[Babylon]

I thought Knowshon was a freshman. Is he a redshirt freshman? Also, I feel Cushing has been extremely underrated since his injury this year. If he can come back and play like his 06 form, I would be surprised if he fell out of the top-15.


Cushing might be the best linebacker in the country regardless of class, the guy has ideal size at 6-3 and 240 and just has tremendous instincts for the position, he just flat out makes plays whether in the run game or dropping into pass coverage. He needs to stay healthy but he will be the top linebacker coming out next year and that includes Laurinaitis and whoever else there is out there.

[underscore]

Just as Dan Connor is a notch better than Poz...Sean Lee is a notch better than Connor.

[thebow305]

I wish I knew what it was that everyone loves about Laurinaitis. To me, he'll never be a ILB in the NFL. I'll bet anything he winds up as an OLB. The most important attribute of an ILB is to work through trash and get off blocks. That's his biggest weakness. He was hyped up this year by the media, but in the end I bet anything he didn't get drafted any earlier than 15th-20th. That said, I think he'll be a decent OLB in time.

Rey Maualuga is head and shoulders above Laurinaitis.


Couldn't agree more. I'd take Maualuga over Laurinaitis any day of the week. No questions asked.

Michael Oher should be in this list. Also, I would probably put Nic Harris in there over Myron Rolle. Rolle is as sound a tackler as there is, but he is not much of a playmaker.

[neko4]

Percy/Heyward-Bay should be 1 and 2 at WR. Crabtree plays in a system that lets him get alot of catches. I think when its all said and done Crabtree will be everybit as good as Percy and Bay, but I just think the other 2 are better

(Haha, me attacking a system WR, but not a "system QB")

[Sniper]

Percy/Heyward-Bay should be 1 and 2 at WR. Crabtree plays in a system that lets him get alot of catches. I think when its all said and done Crabtree will be everybit as good as Percy and Bay, but I just think the other 2 are better

(Haha, me attacking a system WR, but not a "system QB")

Explain then how Crabtree bested any other Texas Tech WR's numbers of all time

[SuperKevin]

At the underclassmen deadline I came up with this list of the top 32 senior prospects for next year. By position:

Cullen Harper
Chase Holbrook

Marlon Lucky

Aaron Kelly
Brian Robiskie
Brandon Gibson

Travis Beckum
Cornelius Ingram

Mike Oher
Phil Loadholt
Alex Boone
Andrew Gardner

Duke Robinson
Herman Johnson

Alex Mack
Jon Luigs

Michael Johnson
Tyson Jackson

Terrance Taylor
Ziggy Hood
George Hypolite

Brian Cushing
Marcus Freeman
Sean Lee

James Laurinaitis
Rey Maualuga

Malcolm Jenkins
Victor Harris
Mike Mickens
Derek Pegues (S or CB at next level?)

Nic Harris
Michael Hamlin
-----------------------------

And my top 25 underclassmen:

1. Andre Smith OT
2. Chris Wells RB
3. Greg Hardy OLB/DE
4. Percy Harvin WR/RB
5. Tim Tebow QB
6. Demarcus Granger DT
7. Knowshon Moreno RB
8. Taylor Mays S
9. Michael Crabtree WR
10. Sam Bradford QB
11. Perrish Cox CB
12. Jermaine Gresham TE
13. Ciron Black OT
14. Darrius Heyward-Bey WR
15. George Selvie OLB/DE
16. William Franklin WR
17. Ricky Sapp OLB/DE
18. Al Woods DT
19. Kenny Britt WR
20. Maurice Evans DE
21. Brandon Spikes ILB
22. Brandon Graham DE
23. Vontae Davis CB
24. LeSean McCoy
25. Jeremy Jarmon DE

Tennessee RB Arian Foster and Michigan State RB Javon Ringer are better senior RBs than Marlon Lucky

[Solomon]

Tennessee RB Arian Foster and Michigan State RB Javon Ringer are better senior RBs than Marlon Lucky

I think Ringer is a better and more consistant college RB, but I feel like Lucky has better size and is better suited for the NFL. I also think Lucky is quicker and has better acceleration than Foster. Lucky is also a very good receiver out of the backfield and while the other two are decent he still has the nod in that department. In short I think Lucky has more to offer an NFL team because of his versatility, he can fit in at many different spots whereas I think Ringer will be limited to a change of pace speed back, and Foster will be more of a short yardage grinder.

It's very close between the three of them (and Kahlil Bell if he makes a smooth recovery from his ACL injury) frankly I don't see any of them getting a sniff of the first round short of blowing up Chris Henry style at the combine.

[gangGREENinsider]

Just a SR. to watch next year who caught my eye- Illinois LT Xavier Fulton. Converted DL so he's raw but he's a great athlete...great feet. I expect him to break out next year and perhaps go first day.

[dogthebountyhunter]

Maurice Evans from Penn State is going to blow up next year.

[iloxygenil]

I think most FSU fans are ready to put Myron Rolle on a bus. I don't think he's top 20 right now.

What's wrong with Myron? He's smart and he's a fixture around the ball...

[Solomon]

Maurice Evans from Penn State is going to blow up next year.

He blew up this year, If he does it again next year he's a legit 1st rounder. With good workouts a top 15 pick (but he needs to run faster than he is expected to in order to make up for his lack of size).

[doingthisinsteadofwork]

If you're talking draft eligible i would have to make room for

Matthew Stafford
Jeremy Macklin
Jake Locker
I hope your not serious.Jake Locker has tons of talent but saying hes a top 20 prospect for next years draft is a complete joke.

[MURPHMAN]

I am surprised nobody has mentioned ILB Jasper Brinkley. Next years draft has the potential of being very strong with impact ILB's.

[darnik44two]

I am surprised nobody has mentioned ILB Jasper Brinkley. Next years draft has the potential of being very strong with impact ILB's.

I mentioned him. I think he's better than Laurinaitis, which would make Brinkley the #2 LB.

[BuddyCHRIST]

What's wrong with Myron? He's smart and he's a fixture around the ball...

he takes terrible angles and gets him self out of position alot. He's not very fast (Watch him get smoked by Rafael Little in the MCB) and doesn't really deliver big hits or make many plays in the secondary. He's a sound tackler when he's around the ball and doesn't get beat too bad but I've been dissapointed with him this past season.

[BamaFalcon59]

I would say Myron will be a OLB. Similar to Thomas Davis.

[Patriots16-0]

Hey guys, what do you think about Chase Holbrook? I wonder if he have a chance to be a 1st rounder. I think he has the potential.

[keylime_5]

Okay, if you think James L. is TERRIBLE at shedding blocks then you either A)have only watched 2 or 3 Ohio State games (Florida, LSU, Penn State, and maybe any game from 2006)...or B) you don't really know what you're talking about. Sure he struggles at times at disengaging b/c he really could use some more upper body strenght, but in 2007 he got a LOT better at shedding his blocks. Having a defensive line that doesn't hold up at the point very well on running plays doesnt help his case. But he comes off his blocks well enough to be as dominant at the next level as he is in college. He has the size, athleticism, instincts, penetration and playmaking ability to be a perennial pro bowler in the NFL. He's not a former Butkus, Nagurski, and 2time all american winner for nothing. I've watched every one of his games, and i've watched most PSU games and while Connor does project as a WLB in the NFL, he doesn't get off his blocks any better than James. Brinkley is about 1/10 the LB as James, and I've seen about every game from both.

[Patriots16-0]

If you're talking draft eligible i would have to make room for

Matthew Stafford
Jeremy Macklin
Jake Locker

Locker isn't even a Top 200 prospect.

[619]

Locker isn't even a Top 200 prospect.

Oh yes he is.

[Sniper]

Okay, if you think James L. is TERRIBLE at shedding blocks then you either A)have only watched 2 or 3 Ohio State games (Florida, LSU, Penn State, and maybe any game from 2006)...or B) you don't really know what you're talking about. Sure he struggles at times at disengaging b/c he really could use some more upper body strenght, but in 2007 he got a LOT better at shedding his blocks. Having a defensive line that doesn't hold up at the point very well on running plays doesnt help his case. But he comes off his blocks well enough to be as dominant at the next level as he is in college. He has the size, athleticism, instincts, penetration and playmaking ability to be a perennial pro bowler in the NFL. He's not a former Butkus, Nagurski, and 2time all american winner for nothing. I've watched every one of his games, and i've watched most PSU games and while Connor does project as a WLB in the NFL, he doesn't get off his blocks any better than James. Brinkley is about 1/10 the LB as James, and I've seen about every game from both.

I love it when your homerism shows no bounds. He struggles against ANYONE that puts a hat on him. He's not THAT dominant in college. If by dominant you mean a mighty 39 solo tackles, then yeah, I guess he's dominant.

He's a former multiple award winner for the simple reason that he gets ridiculous publicity for playing on a top 5 team and because Pops is a former wrestler. Connor is infinitely better than Laurinaitis at shedding blocks. Oh and please, Brinkley 1/10 the LB of James? Give me a ******* break. Maybe if Brinkley had guys like Vernon Gholston, Marcus Freeman, Malcolm Jenkins etc..to work with, he'd look better. If you watch the film instead of paying attention to the jersey name both on the front and back, Brinkley>Laurinaitis.

[thebow305]

I would say Myron will be a OLB. Similar to Thomas Davis.

I could see that very easily. I also agree with buddychrist, he is as sound a tackler as there is, but he doesn't make a lot of game changing plays back there and is not a big interception guy. Heck, he may be better suited for OLB in the pros than Geno Hayes. :D

[draftguru151]

I would say Myron will be a OLB. Similar to Thomas Davis.

Yea I think he ends up at OLB as well.

[Babylon]

Locker isn't even a Top 200 prospect.

First off he wont be in the 09 draft(although eligible) so we're talking a guy who is a couple of years away. Was the best freshman in the Pac-10 last year but really needs to work on his accuracy and footwork. In his defense his receivers at the UW were probably in the bottom 10% of D-1 schools. He has a strong arm, has great leadership ability and is a great competitor. Trust me when i say he is one of the best athletes to ever play the QB position.