Defensive Ends
This 2009 DE's class is one of the stronger positions in the draft. On draft day, you'll hear the words "3-4 or 4-3 defensive end" a lot. With the influx of more teams shifting to a 3-4, a lot of these small, quick defensive ends will play Outside Linebacker in the NFL based on the fact more teams are using these 3-4 alignments. A lot of these guys could end up playing Linebacker if they're fast enough and teams believe they can play it. Depth is a question mark on this DE class, a few diamonds in the rough but not for as many DE's as there are. I have listed the heights and weights, 40 times, repetitions of 225 on the bench press, vertical leap, and some broadjumps.
1. Brian Orakpo - Texas (DE/OLB)
6'3 263, 40-yd dash: 4.7, reps of 225: 31, vertical leap: 39.5 in, broadjump: 10-10
projected: top 10 pick
overall: Orakpo is the cream of the crop in this years DE class. He can play either DE or OLB. He shows great pass rushing ability and athleticism that cannot be matched by many in this draft class. He had double digit sacks last year and was consistant in doing it. If you want to pick a weakness, he's still a little bit raw in his pass rushing skills as he will need to develop other moves at the next level to get to the QB, but you really could say that about any rookie coming in.
2. Everette Brown - Florida st (DE/OLB)
6'2 256, 40-yd dash: 4.73, reps of 225: 26, vertical leap: 31.5 in
projected: top 15 pick
overall: Brown was maybe the most complete and productive DE last year. He was constantly in the backfield on every play (21 TFL). He's as good against the run as he was pass rushing. He may have to switch positions to OLB at the next level, in which case he will have to improve his coverage skills.
3. Aaron Maybin - Penn st (DE/OLB)
6'4 253, 40-yd dash: 4.59, reps of 225: 22, vertical leap: 40.5 in, broadjump: 10-10
projected: top 20
overall: Maybin is shooting up the draft boards from his insane Pro Day workout. Seriously, a 4.59 40? Good lord. Maybin was as consistant and electrifying as any pass rusher out there last year. His upside is just straight off the charts. However, anyone drafting him should be aware he's only 20 and therefore is very raw. Needs to develop his game and as Chubbs from Happy Gilmore said "then you'd be unstoppable son!"
4. Tyson Jackson - LSU
6'4 295, 40-yd dash: 4.91, reps of 225: 20, vertical leap: 28.5 in
projected: 1st round
overall: Jackson is built for a 3-4 DE system. Almost a solid 300 with good run stopping ability and limited pass rushing skills. Not a whole lot of upside in Jackson, but he should be a steady anchor to a 3-4.
5. Michael Johnson - Georgia Tech (DE/OLB)
6'7 266, 40-yd dash: 4.59, reps of 225: 28, vertical leap: 38.5 in
projected: 1st round
overall: Johnson is a lot like Maybin of Penn st. He's a freakish athlete who could play DE or OLB and can really get to the QB in the hurry. He's out of the Julius Peppers mold and comes off of blocks very well to boot. Unfortunately, unlike Maybin, he never has put the whole package together to have a great season in college. Some also question his work ethic, but his upside is tremendous.
6. Robert Ayers - Tennessee
6'3 272, 40-yd dash: 4.89, reps of 225: 18
projected: late 1st-early 2nd round
overall: Honestly, i have no idea why Ayers is shooting up the draft boards. He is a great run stopper and was first team All-SEC, which sure as hell isn't easy to do. His overall strength and pass rushing ability are question marks.
7. Larry English - Northern Illinois (DE/OLB)
6'2 251, 40-yd dash: 4.7, reps of 225: 36
projected: late 1st-early 2nd round
overall: English is a high motor "tweener" DE and OLB mold. He was highly productive in college, registered double digit sack numbers. His strength is very astounding and he's a weight room warrior. He may be a step slow and has limited burst getting to the QB. A solid prospect.
8. Connor Barwin - Cinncinati (DE/OLB)
6'4 256, 40-yd dash: 4.47, reps of 225: 23, vertical leap: 41.5 in
projected: late 1st-early 2nd round
overall: Now, I'm not saying Barwin is on steroids or anything, but a 4.47 40 at 256 pounds and a 41.5 inch vertical leap is almost not human. Barwin is obviously insanely quick and really came on last year, leading a Bearcats D that won the Big East. Projects as an OLB based on a lack of size, but could be a dynamite player.
9. Paul Kruger - Utah
6'4 263, 40-yd dash: 4.79, reps of 225: 24, vertical leap: 32.5 in
projected: 2nd round
overall: Kruger has seen his stock rise over the past season, due in large part to being the leader of a Utah defense that went undefeated. He's good against the run and has good pass rushing ability. He's not flashy and doesn't possess great speed, which keeps him out of round 1.
10. Lawrence Sidbury - Richmond (DE/OLB)
6'3 265, 40-yd dash: 4.64, reps of 225: 28, vertical leap: 35 in
projected: 3rd round
notes: Athletic "tweener" between DE and OLB who led Richmond to I-AA title...lack of competition may be a question mark
11. Phillip Hunt - Houston (DE/OLB)
6'1 244, 40-yd dash: 4.75, reps of 225: 14, vertical leap: 41.5 in
projected: 3rd-4th round
notes: Put up monsterous sack numbers in college...strength and lack of size are concerns
12. Brandon Williams - Texas Tech (DE/OLB)
6'5 252, 40-yd dash: 4.78, reps of 225: 18, vertical leap: 33.5 in
projected: 4th round
notes: high motor guy who notched 13 sacks last year...very raw with limited athleticism, maybe came out a year too early
13. Mitch King - Iowa (DE/DT)
6'2 278, 40-yd dash: 4.89, reps of 225: 23, vertical leap: 33.5 in
projected: 4th round
notes: Good run stopper who shows great leadership qualities...really doesn't have a position without working on speed or adding some weight...will have to be a special teams guy at first
14. Kyle Moore - USC
6'5 272, 40-yd dash: 4.76, reps of 225: 22
projected: 4th-5th round
notes: Highly athletic prospect that shows excellent speed and strength combo...was overshadowed a lot by the other bigtime players he played with at USC
15. Matt Shaughnessey - Wisconsin
6'5 266, 40-yd dash: 4.86, reps of 225: 24
projected: 5th round
notes: speed is a major question mark...2nd teamer who will have to make mark on special teams
16. David Veikune - Hawaii
6'2 257, 40-yd dash: 4.87, reps of 225: 35
projected: 5th-6th round
notes: Showed good pass rush ability and strength to fight off offensive tackles in college...needs to add weight and is a raw prospect
17. Orien Martin - Virginia Tech (DE/OLB)
6'2 260, 40-yd dash: 4.7, reps of 225: 24, vertical leap: 31 in
projected: 5th-6th round
notes: solid run stopper who can play both DE and OLB
18. Pennel Egboh - Stanford
6'6 277, 40-yd dash: 4.86, reps of 225: 26, vertical leap: 35 in
projected: 5th-6th round
notes: Best fit to play in 3-4 system..solid run stopper who will need to put on some weight
19. Stryker Sulak - Missouri
6'4 251, 40-yd dash: 4.77, reps of 225: 22
projected: 6th round
notes: One of the best names in the draft...should be a situational pass rusher and special teams warrior at best
20. Brandon Swain - West Texas A&M
6'4 256, 40-yd dash: 4.7 (projected)
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: Amazing production in his pass rushing ability...the level of competition he faced is going to be the main concern
21. Willie VanDeSteeg - Minnesota
6'4 255, 40-yd dash: 4.75 (projected)
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: Another situational pass rusher who will need to improve speed
22. Jeremy Navarre - Maryland
6'3 285, 40-yd dash: 4.9 (projected), reps of 225: 36
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: best fit for DE in a 3-4 system...will be a project
23. Derek Walker - Illinois
6'4 268, 40-yd dash: 4.99, reps of 225: 24, vertical leap: 37.5 in
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: Good for a 4-3...shows good ability to get to the QB off the edge...his speed is a major concern along with past injuries
Others:
Neefy Moffett - Florida st 6'1 254, 40-yd dash: 4.7 (projected) (projected: 7th)
Zach Potter - Nebraska 6'7 279, 40-yd dash: 4.92, reps of 225: 20 (projected: 7th)
Tim Jamison - Michigan 6'2 256, 40-yd dash: 4.92, reps of 225: 21 (projected: 7th)
Nick Reed - Oregon 6'2 255, 40-yd dash: 4.9 (projected) (projected: 7th)
Jeff Schweiger - San Jose st 6'4 275, 40-yd dash: 4.72, reps of 225: 25, vertical leap: 35.5 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Will Davis - Illinois 6'2 260, 40-yd dash: 4.86, reps of 225: 27, vertical leap: 34 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Michael Bennett - Texas A&M 6'4 274, 40-yd dash: 4.86, reps of 225: 24, vertical leap: 36.5 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Jameson Hartke - Ohio 6'4 264, 40-yd dash: 4.75 (projected) (projected: 7th-FA)
Kirston Pittman - LSU 6'3 250, 40-yd dash: 4.69, reps of 225: 28, vertical leap: 30.5 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Jamaal Westerman - Rutgers 6'2 257, 40-yd dash: 4.78, reps of 225: 20 (projected: 7th-FA)
Jarius Wynn - Georgia, 6'3 272, 40-yd dash: 4.94, reps of 225: 21, vertical leap: 29 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Darius Davis - Wayne st 6'1 270, 40-yd dash: 4.8 (projected), reps of 225: 15 (projected: 7th-FA)
Ruben Davis - California 6'5 281, 40-yd dash: 4.94, reps of 225: 20 (projected: 7th-FA)
John Faletoese - Cal Davis 6'2 286, 40-yd dash: 5.08, reps of 225: 18, vertical leap: 30 in (projected: 7th-FA) (DE/DT)
Ian Campbell - Kansas st 6'4 265, 40-yd dash: 4.99, reps of 225: 21 (projected: 7th-FA)
Other positions:
