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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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| NBA | |
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power By Ron Jumper Normally, this time of year generates excitement and intrigue around the college stars that are about to go from playing on Saturday to the much more challenging NFL on Sundays. This year, no one even wants the top pick in the draft. The Lions wouldn’t mind being 4th or 5th, but they can’t get anyone to bite in their attempt to move down the board. I mean, why would anyone? You just cost yourself an extra $7 or $8 million and the guy you are getting isn’t much different. As for the fans, last year’s draft had D-MAC, Glenn Dorsey, and Matt Ryan, all of whom were very well known names at the college level. Scouts and experts love Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry, but the average college football fan didn’t even know his name during the season. Because of that, it tends to generate less fan interest come draft time. Another basic cause for concern is the lack of quality prospects at running back. Be honest, it is the fantasy football player in you that is a little let down. Two years ago, you knew Adrian Peterson would become relevant in fantasy football from day 1, as well as Marshawn Lynch. Last year, one could argue that was the deepest class of quality running backs in NFL history. There was McFadden, Jonathon Stewart, Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Kevin Smith, Tim Hightower, and Steve Slaton. That is a ridiculous amount of backs. As for this draft, there are barely any prospects who run under a 4.6 40. Knowshon Moreno and Chris Wells are the top rated backs, but I’m not holding my breathe they will make a significant impact early on. I think Iowa’s Shonne Greene and Colorado State’s Gartrell Johnson will be sleepers that go later in the draft, but that is another story for another day. I mentioned already that Curry wasn’t exactly a household name, and I would certainly put Baylor’s Jason Smith in that same category. Smith came to Baylor as a tight end then grew into an elite LT. Nice little story… I suppose. Looking around at Mock Drafts, it appears that 3 offensive lineman could go in the top 6 picks. Zzzzz… Wake me up when the Raiders are on the clock with the 7th pick. Lastly, where are the elite quarterbacks? I know we have nominated Stafford as this year’s “franchise” quarterback. However, having watched him play the last 3 years, I just don’t see that “it” factor that the special quarterbacks have. When I watched Matt Ryan play last year, I just knew he was going to be a big time quarterback in the NFL. I’m not big on Mark Sanchez either, as I don’t think he really proved himself since he basically just started for one season. Josh Freeman is in the same ballpark as Stafford and Sanchez, as they are all juniors who will need time to develop. The difference is that Freeman will likely go 10 spots later in the draft. It isn’t to say that the 2009 draft won’t produce some really good players, it just doesn’t have the usual star power going into the draft that we are accustomed to. I think Aaron Curry will be an outstanding LB. The lone “big name” prospect, Michael Crabtree, should be a very good receiver in the NFL. I’m very high on DT B.J. Raji (though I’m now realizing that “high” was a poor choice of words). Both Eugene Monroe and Jason Smith are very safe left tackle prospects, though Andre Smith seems like a serious gamble. If you really need a QB or RB, it might be best to wait until 2010 and see what is available then before you commit yourself to that kind of money. April 11, 2009 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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