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 NCAA Scouting
2009 NFL Draft
Second Day Sleepers
by Paul Hopkins & Brian Davis
3/6/2009
In every draft class there are players who are expected to make it and players who break out in their rookie year, surprising even the most knowledgeable of pundits despite how much Mike Mayock tries to tell us he saw it coming. So hidden in the 256 players taken in April, we’ve sifted through them to pick out those who we feel have a chance going into training camp of making their mark from the outset.
We’ve omitted those taken in the first two rounds as they’re all too obvious. The greater satisfaction from fans of teams comes when they unearth a lower round gem.
Round 3
PAUL’s PICKS…
 Jason Williams ILB Western Michigan Dallas Cowboys
Now hands up, who thought I would start with a Cowboy player? Well done everyone. Except for once I am genuinely excited for what this guy can bring. On two counts. One is his clearly obvious physical attributes. His timed 4.49 40 dash outstripped any linebackers invited to the combine. He’s also got the urban legend reserved for Jarron Gilbert; namely the jumping out of the pool into a standing position. He’s clearly a determined character, having overcome personal obstacles in his life to make it in the NFL and he can patently play football.And the second is frankly, what is a dearth of anything substantial at ILB alongside Bradie James for the Cowboys. Bobby Carpenter can’t play 3-4 to save his life and Keith Brooking is ancient. As far as I am concerned, the job is there for Williams’ taking if he wants it.
Chase Coffman TE Mizzou Cincinnati Bengals
In the pass happy Missouri offence Chase Coffman put up outstanding numbers, ranking top in the college’s all-time receiving TD’s with 20, third in receptions and seventh in receiving yards. Assuming the newly rebuilt line can keep him upright and healthy in 2009, Carson Palmer figures to find someone he can rely on to bring the ball in. Laveranues Coles aside I think his most reliable pair of hands might be found in his rookie from Mizzou, particularly in the red zone. He can get open, is a top athlete and knows how to play the game.
Travis Beckum TE Wisconsin New York Giants
In a team which is in quite desperate need of someone to step up and be a receiver for them this year after the departures of Shockey and Burress over the past couple of years, the Giants needless to say focused their draft on players who can catch the ball. And whilst Kenny Britt et al will improve the unit, Travis Beckum is a most intriguing prospect. He played as more like a receiver in college than a tight end as considering the Giants already have a physical offensive line and a TE more suited to blocking than pass catching in Kevin Boss, Beckum could find his way onto the field He has an uncanny knack of getting himself open despite being covered by the defences and being able to make the difficult grab. He sounds ideal for a QB like Eli Manning.
BRIAN’s PICKS…
Kraig Urbik – OG Wisconsin Pittsburgh Steelers
In Round 3 Pittsburgh picked up OG Kraig Urbik from Wisconsin and with the Steelers Offensive line not as strong as it has been over the past3-4 seasonsand with Big Ben taking some serious knocksover the course of the post season and season as a whole, they can’t afford to seethe possible future hall of famer taking knocks week after week, Urbik could be in frame to be in with a shout of competing for starting job straight away, and is versatile enough to offer flexibility across the Offensive line. The Badgers have a decent history with producing solid offensive lineman and this tradition should continue here.
 Louis Vasquez OG Texas Tech San Diego Chargers
San Diego are in a similar situation and I like former Texas Tech OG Louis Vasquez to make a stab at starting early season, came from an explosive spread offence with a pro sized Offensive line (albeit a split O line, so interested to see how he adapts to the Pro style O line) and helped Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree to record breaking numbers, didn’t give up a sack as a senior andplayed the whole year through injury, put up the most amount of reps at the combine with 39 Bench presses of 225lbs.
Corvey Irvin DT Georgia Carolina Panthers
Carolina needed help at Defensive Tackle, Kemoeatu picked up injuries last season and they lack a playmaker in the middle,whilst former Georgia Defensive Tackle Corvey Irvinmay notbe that playmaker in the style of BJ Raji, he’ll certainly be a development guy whoat 6’3 and 301lbshas gota good shot at becoming a starter early on considering Lewis is 31 and Kemoeatu is liable to pick up an injury at any time and will certainly see action as a situational pass rusher through the middle spelling for both and may benefit long term from being the (slightly) smaller guy of 2 on the inside of the Carolina Defensive line.
Round 4
PAUL’s PICKS…
Jonathan Luigs C Arkansas Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals offensive line was dreadful in 2009 and it is reassuring that Marvin Lewis et al recognised it sufficiently to make that a prime focus for improvement in the draft.Luigs is big, rough and tough and has a legitimate shot at starting from the outset in 2009. A natural leader, having him anchoring the line can only be a good thing for the Bengals.
 DJ Moore CB Vanderbilt Chicago Bears
One of the more interesting drops over draft weekend was that experienced by Vanderbilt’s DJ Moore. Touted as high as a 2nd rounder, the ball-hawking Commodores CB found himself tumbling down boards as teams looked over him to other, lesser touted prospects. His size may prevent him from becoming a full-time starter in the league, but landing at the Bears he may get a chance to cement a spot at the #2 or #3 position.
BRIAN’s PICKS…
Donald Washington -DB Ohio State Kansas City Chiefs
Came out of Ohio State as a Junior playing alongside first round draftee Malcolm Jenkins at Ohio State. Has some character concerns which likely cost him being drafted on day 1, needs to knuckle down and let his football do the talking,was described as the best athlete on the Ohio State team, is a nice tackler and tracks receivers downfield well. I’d look to himbeing involvedstraightaway in Kansas City ‘s Nickel packages, but could move up to starting CB in time.
Mike Thomas -WR Arizona Jacksonville Jaguars
The PAC 10’s all time reception leading receiver coming off the back of a 74-825-4 TD season falls into a nice situation in Jacksonville where he’ll be competing straight awaywith fellow Rookie Jarrett Dillard (Rice) for the starting jobat slot receiver and possibly challenge Mike Walker for the spot opposite Torry Holt. The Jags lost Matt Jones, Reggie Williams and Joey Porter for various reasons, anduntil recently hadonly recruited Dennis Northcutt through Free Agencyuntil Torry Holt’s arrival,so the pot was extremely thin entering the draft, Thomas is very undersized 5’7 1/4″ tall but you can look for him to go across the middle in search of the ball and has a nice breakaway pace where he will likely contribute on Kick Returning duties as well.
Kyle Moore -DT/DE USC Tampa Bay Buccaneers
European bornplayer towatch! OK, so he was born into a military family in Germany but it all still counts! The Buccs Defensive End situation is a heap of confusion right now with 3rd year starter Gaines Adams, rotational veteran JimmyWilkerson signed on, Greg Stylez White coming off the back of a decent 2009, old man Kevin Carter possibly coming back and now Moore thrown into the mix it could be a right old mish mash of combinations rotating on and off the field until they find the right look. I’d look for Kyle Moore to be involved on passing downs and push whoever may start opposite Adams for a long term role.
Round 5
PAUL’s PICKS…
 Jason Phillips ILB TCU Baltimore Ravens
Matching Phillips with the Ravens was almost a match made in heaven. He personifies what the Ravens defence has been all about for years. A natural leader, he has been a cornerstone of TCU’s emergence in recent times. At college he seemed eternally banged up, but in equal measures he never missed any time. At the very least he’ll see time on the field in back-up positions.
Michael Hamlin S Clemson Dallas Cowboys
Another player predicted to go much higher, albeit it in many mock drafts he endedup going to the same team. The Cowboys are weak at safety and despite the addition of hard-hitting Gerald Sensabaugh the SS position is clearly up for grabs, with Sensabaugh’s contract only being for one year. Hamlin combines good football smarts with the physical attributes to sustain a career in the NFL. As someone who chased down Darius Heyward-Bey in college, he clearly can make an impact. And the Cowboys will be giving him every opportunity to do so.
BRIAN’s PICKS…
Marcus Freeman -OLB Ohio State Chicago Bears
Another Buckeye, but you only have to look at Hunter Hillenmeyer’s injury record to see that he couldbe less than stableif given the starting job, therefore I like Freeman’s chances of providing trainingcamp competition to both Hillenmeyer and Roach to start alongside Urlacher and Briggs who he has been compared to. Only a possible signing ofPisa Tinoisamoa will harm his chances of being in the shake up to be active early on.
Cornelius Ingram – TE Florida Philadelphia Eagles
Bit of a long shot thisone, but the Eagles were happy to let LJ Smith walk after last season and have Brent Celek waiting in the wings to take over the starting role after a stunning 10 catch 2 Touchdown performance in theNFC Championship game versus the Cardinals. Ingram is coming off the back of a Senior year out with an ACL however he has all the tools to succeed in a high powered and explosive Eagles offence and had a good camp work out recentlyand Ibelieve he can beat out veteran Matt Schobel in Camp to earn the 2nd Tight End role.Played more of WR/TE role at Florida but I would like the chances of the Eagles doing something pretty creative with him given the fact they already have receivers who are going to keep any NFL defence honest for 60 minutes.
 DukeRobinson -OG/OT Oklahoma Carolina Panthers
The Panthers could have got themselves a huge steal by eventually picking up The Duke in Round 5 aftera predicted Day 1 draft predictionfailed to materialise. Is going to have a tough job seeing out Keydrick Vincent for the starting role but if Vincent doesn’t come back from the groin injury that kept him out of the last 2 games of the season then The Duke may sniff out his chance and edge ahead during TC.
Round 6
BRIAN’s PICKS…
James ‘Buster’ Davis – RB Clemson Cleveland Browns
Jamal Lewis won’t be given up on just yet but you can probably expect for him to be rested more often and the Browns bringing in Davis for more reps and share some of Lewis’ load along with Jerome Harrison, he nearly came out as a Junior in 2008 and his stock was affected by staying at Clemson for his Senior year but I’d look to him to be seeing up toand around 10 carriesa game and acould be a valid fantasy option for the 2010 season.
Bear Pascoe -TE Fresno State San Francisco 49ers
The 4th 49er draftee already to sign his rookie contract and will add an extra body to the offensive line as a blocking Tight End and may well become a useful Red Zone threat with his 6’5″ frame and would certainly figure to be more active than the previous incumbrant Billy Bajema. Won’t be of any use in Fantasy levels but in terms of physical play and helping the 49ers develop more of apower running game, he’ll be a very useful addition and will allow Vernon Davis to step forward and have a breakout year.
PAUL’s PICKS…
Jake Ingram LS Hawaii New England Patriots
You kind of took the wind out of my sails with Buster Davis who is clearly head and shoulders the best prospect taken in Round 6 and I think strongly that he’ll prove to be a shrewd acquisition by the Browns eventually. So, scouting through the list of potential starters, players with potential and with an opportunity to grow, I was struck by the Patriots acquiring a new long snapper in the form of Hawaii ‘s Jake Ingram. Perhaps more famous from his segment with Kenny Mane than his performances on the field, which tells you how good he was as a LS (the best ones are always the ones people haven’t heard off), Larry Izzo left New England for the New York Jets in March leaving the Pats with a gap in this most specialist of spots. Ingram fills that void with a safe pair of hands.
Round 7
PAUL’s PICKS…
 Mike Mickens CB Cinncinati Dallas Cowboys
Now we’re getting into the real long shots. Mickens was arguably one of the finest DB’s in college football in recent years and only real injury concerns saw him drop this far. But physically he has the ideal body to play CB and his coverage skills were known throughout the NCAA in his four years at the Cats. He now comes into a Dallas secondary which is talented but a bit light. And with the long-term uncertainty at safety and the potential shuffling of the cards in the secondary, Mickens might well emerge to have a major role sooner rather than later.
Ricky Jean-Francois DT LSU San Francisco 49ers
A year ago, Francois was being touted as a potential first round draft pick. Since then though, he has literally gone under the radar as players like Tyson Jackson took all the plaudits. If Mike Singletary can get him to knuckle down and not take plays off as seemingly has become the norm, then eventually Francois could emerge to play a role for the Niners.
BRIAN’s PICKS…
Sammie Stroughter- WR Oregon State Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Regained his Senior year after being grantedMedical Hardship in 2007 with personal issues following the death of 2 family members, was deemed too short, too slow by some coming into the NFL but the Buccaneers saw the potential he can offer in Round 7 and have taken the chance. That chance is already looking good as Stroughter continues to impress in minicamp and OTA’s and is looking like he may even get the slot receiver position already. Has 2x 1000+ yardseasons under his belt at Oregon State and given the lack of depth at receiverin Tampa Bay the Buccaneers could have got themselves a real steal here.
Zach Follett (The Pain Train) – OLB California Detroit
Okay, so this is my one one homer pick and serious man crush time here, it is Round 7 after all.I absolutely love Follett, as a player and as a person, he’s committed he gives you 110% at all times and is as grounded as you are likely to find, whilst he won’t unseat Peterson and Sims straight away, he does offer the flexibility to backup all 3 Linebacker Roles and will likely be a Special Teams ace to start with, in his Senior year at Cal hewas a semi finalist in the Chuck Bednarik Award which eventually went to USC Middle LinebackerRey Maualuga, led the PAC10 in tackles for a loss (23), Had 10.5 sacks, had 85 tackles (Tied 12th Nationwide)and also blocked a Field Goal for a Touchdown against Washington State.
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