Javon Ringer - Running Back - Michigan State

Running Back

Javon Ringer

Michigan State

5'9" - 200 lbs

Projection: Late 2nd-Early 3rd

Javon Ringer is well known in the college football circles. Whether you were simply watching Michigan State because their game was on national TV or you were yelling at your favorite team's defense to stop Ringer, it was hard to not be impressed by this guy. Considered to be a smaller running back by NFL standards, Ringer still put up first teir running back numbers. He tied for the most touchdowns in the nation (22), was fourth for most yards in the nation (1637) and led the nation in total attempts (390) .

The only thing that may actually be exceptional about Ringer is his effort and fight. He won't blow past defenders or juke the defender out of his shoes, but Ringer can still often be seen picking up first down after first down. Ringer is a hard runner and gets plenty of yards after first contact. He was motioned to the slot often at Michigan State and has shown the ability to run routes properly. Ringer knows how to use his blockers, find the cutback lanes and reaches his top speed quickly, which allows him to explode through the hole.

Ringer missed 5 games in 2006 from a right knee injury but has played in all 13 games in 2007 and 2008. Ringer isn't an amazing blocker and will sometimes drop balls that he should catch when running routes. His short size could be an issue in the NFL and he will need to work on his lower body strength as he sometimes has problems moving the pile on short yardage. His speed should allow him to turn the corner but he lacks the break away speed that could be necessary for him to outrun some NFL defensive players. Ringer is elusive, but not that elusive. He could be a great pickup later in the draft or could just be another small back that can't make it in the NFL.

Javon Ringer could play the same role Steve Slaton played this year. Ringer may start the season as a back-up and eventually become an effective starter because of injury.

2008 totals: 13 games - 390 Attempts - 1,637 Yards - 22 rushing TDs - 28 receptions - 190 yards - 125.9 yards per game

Career totals: 44 games - 843 Attempts - 4,398 yards - 34 rushing TDs - 96 receptions - 719 Yards - 99.9 Yards per game

Teams that could be interested in Ringer: Giants - Colts - Patriots - Cardinals - Eagles -
Rams - Buccaneers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v27BId9Ia8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ydHaYbUpIY

B.J. Raji - Defensive Tackle - Boston College

Defensive Tackle
B.J. Raji
Boston College
6'1" - 334 lbs
Projection: 2nd Round Pick

B.J. Raji is one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2009 NFL draft. Raji is a bigger defensive tackle, weighing in at 334 pounds. Not quite as tall as some tackles, Raji still manages to make his presence be known. Raji recorded 7.5 sacks in 2008, along with 14 tackles for a loss and 3 quarterback hurries. Raji locates the ball well and despite his thick size is still quite quick and athletic. Raji gets right to the quarterback and has the ability to read the snap count properly, allowing him to make play in the backfield. He has shown flashes of being an elite defensive tackle but still has some struggles.

The first downsize is Raji's overall size. One of the top defensive tackles in the NFL, Albert Haynesworth is 5 inches taller and nearly 15 pounds lighter. Raji will need to go on a diet and lose some weight before coming a star in the NFL. Raji's next problem is his inability to perform once double-teamed. Raji does not handle double teams well and if double teamed is pretty much useless. Raji also has had some injury and character problems. He missed the 2007 season after being red shirted for academic reasons (which may show that he lacks a work ethic). He also missed some spring practices while nursing a shoulder injury. During the 2006 Central Michigan game Raji was ejected for punching a Chippewah player. Raji's problems seem to outweigh his positives. B.J. could be the next Albert Haynesworth or he could turn into the next defensive tackle bust (think John McCargo).

2008 Stats: 7.5 Sacks - 42 total tackles - 14 tackles for loss - 5 passes broken up - 3 quarterback hurries

Career Stats: 10.5 sacks - 65 total tackles - 22.5 tackles for loss - 8 passes broken up - 1 quarterback hurry - 1 forced fumble

Teams That Could Draft Raji: Atlanta - San Francisco - Indianapolis - Denver - Tampa Bay - Miami - Carolina - San Diego - Detroit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAs7UtO5-S4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXrhwRTkxfI

Rey Maualuga - ILB - USC

Inside Linebacker
Rey Maualuga
USC
6'1" - 260 Lbs
Projection: Top 15 Pick

Maualuga has been slated by many as the number 1 inside linebacker in the 2009 NFL Draft (ahead of James Laurinaitis). One look at Maualuga and any team should know what type of player they are getting, a tough one. Decked out in tatoos and longer hair, Rey is a hard-nosed, tough guy linebacker. If you watch just one USC game, you're bound to see atleast one big hit by #58. Rey has explosive speed and is often seen breaking through the offensive line immediatly after the snap. Rey's fierce attitude and big hits has many comparing him to Baltimore's Ray Lewis.

Another positive Maualuga has is his play recognition and coverage skills. Whether it's reacting well to play action or defending the pass, Maualuga is a beast at both. His season stats show just that. In 2008, Maualuga had 79 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss, 4 passes broken up and 1 quarterback hurry.

Maualuga's problems actually arise because of his agressiveness. Rey will sometimes get out of position because of his agressive playing style. He will also miss some tackles because he leaves his feet to early trying to deliever a big hit. If NFL defensive coordinators/linebackers coaches can teach Rey to harness his agressivness and use it during the right moments in the game he could be the next big hitter of the NFL (think Ray Lewis or Troy Polamalu).


Career Stats: 236 Total Tackles - 8 Sacks - 4 Interceptions - 18 tackles for loss - 10 passes broken up - 2 Quarterback hurries - 2 forced fumbles

Teams That Should Be Interested In Maualuga: Kansas City - St. Louis - Seattle - Cleveland - Buffalo - Denver - New Orleans - New York Jets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUxw6fIAPgI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJhktBHplvg

*Rey Maualuga won the 2008 Chuck Bednarik Award*

Malcolm Jenkins - CB - Ohio State

Cornerback
Malcolm Jenkins
Ohio State
6'0" - 195 Lbs
Projection: Top 10 Pick

Certain mock draft's have Jenkins as the number 2 cornerback in the 2009 draft, behind Illinois' Vontae Davis, while others have Jenkins as high as a top 5 pick. ESPN gave Jenkins a grade of 97, good enough to be the fifth best player (other players who recieved a 97 include Michael Crabtree, Matt Stafford and Aaron Curry). No matter where Jenkins is selected, the team that drafts him will most likely be getting something special.

While Penn State is often called "Linebacker-U", Ohio State should be called "Cornerback-U." NFL Corner's who attended Ohio State include, Nate Clements, Chris Gamble, Shawn Springs, and Antoine Winfield. I'd bet Jenkins will soon be a noteable alum of Ohio State, in the NFL.

Jenkins has been playing in games since his Freshman year, in 2005. His durability won't be an issue because since 2005, Jenkins has started in every game for the Buckeyes. Jenkins will need to bulk up a little bit to be the same size as most NFL cornerbacks, but his height won't be an issue. Jenkins plays both the Zone and Man to Man defenses very well. Jenkins could easily be converted to a Safety in the NFL as he plays the centerfield role pretty well. Jenkins can slow down receivers at the line and blitz the quarterback if needed as well. If Jenkins intercepts the ball (he had 3 in 2008) he has the speed to take it all the way back for a touchdown. If he doesn't get the interception, Jenkins is a very good open-field tackler.

Jenkins' problems come in his closing speed and ability to deliever a big hit. If beat off the line in Man to Man, Jenkins is not as likely as some cornerbacks to be able to close back in on the receiver and will often get beat over the top. While you may not see Jenkins miss very many open-field tackles, you will also not see many big hits by the guy either. He plays with intensity but just does not have those big hits you see from some of the league's cornerbacks. Overall though, Jenkins should have a good NFL career, especially with the ability to be converted to a Safety if needed.

Pros: Good Open-Field Tackler, Football Smart, Can jam the receiver at the line or play zone well

Cons: Doesn't deliever big hits, lacks closing speed, drops some picks that are near his hips or legs.

Teams that should be interested in Jenkins: Detroit, Seattle, Cleveland, Green Bay, Jacksonville, New Orleans

2008 Stats: 3 INTs - 3 FF - 3.5 TFL - 1 Sack - 9 Passes Broken Up - 2 Punts Blocked - 54 Tackles

Career Stats: 11 INTs - 4 FF - 13 TFL - 1 Sack - 15 Passes Broken Up - 2 Punts Blocked - 156 Tackles

In 2008 Jenkins won the Jim Thorpe Award as the Nations best Defensive Back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A4Hu-Z8LOs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s82SCXjRgoY

Aaron Curry - Outside Linebacker - Wake Forest

Outside Linebacker

Aaron Curry
Wake Forest
6'2" - 247 lbs
Projection: Top 5 Pick

Aaron Curry should definitly be a top 5 pick after the combine and senior bowl. He's got a great blend of speed, height, durability and size to be an outside linebacker in the NFL. During his collegiate career, Curry started 36 out of 38 games and has yet to miss a game due to injury. Curry is quick enough to break into the backfield and get tackles for a loss. During his career he had 38 tackles for loss, with 16 in 2008. Curry won't hurry the quarterback too often (only 10 times in his career) or force too many fumbles (only 5 in his career) but he won't miss many tackles.

Curry's sack numbers aren't that spectacular with only 8.5 in his career but as an outside lineback he will be relied on more to cover the Tight End and tackle the running back. The downside of Curry might be his inability to cover well in the zone. He reads the Quarterback's eyes well but does not read routes very well. Curry might get burned by some of the faster tight ends in the league because he takes a while to open his hips to run with the Tight End but should still end up being an outstanding outside linebacker. However, he won't be able to be moved to middle linebacker.

Curry does not have many character issues and is seen by some as the best defensive player entering the 2009 NFL Draft. Mike Mayock has listed Curry as the top senior prospect. He should be a top 5 pick and which ever team drafts him should be very happy with the player they recieve. Curry could be compared to a Karlos Dansby or Patrick Willis based on their sizes (all three are around the 250 lbs range).

Pros: Reads the quarterback's eyes well - Has explosivness to get into the backfield - Won't miss many tackles

Cons: Takes a while to open hips and run with Tight End - Struggles in zone defense - Doesn't read routes well

Teams that could draft Curry: St Louis - Kansas City - Cleveland - Cincinnati - Buffalo

2008 Stats: 105 Total Tackles - 16 TFL - 2.5 Sacks - 1 FF - 1 INT
Career Stats: 287 Total Tackles - 38 TFL - 8.5 Sacks - 5 FF - 6 INTs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmnpZkypO_8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o6Tjv01rg4&feature=related

Matthew Stafford - Quarterback - Georgia

Quarterback

Matt Stafford*
Georgia
6'2" - 235 lbs
Projection: Top 10 Pick

Matt Stafford is argueably the number one draft pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. He has great size, listed at 6 foot 2 and 235 pounds. Although he and the Georgia Bulldogs did not live up to their pre-season number 1 ranking, they did finish the season 10-3 with a season ending 24-12 victory over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. Stafford has a powerful arm and is accurate but has a problem making poor decisions when he is under pressure. Stafford is only a Junior and could benefit from another year at Georgia but will most likely leave for the NFL.

Stafford is mobile enough to move around in the pocket or run if his team needs a few yards to get the first down. Despite getting rattled when under pressure Stafford does release the ball rather quickly and won't hold on to the ball too long. He sees the field well, often finding the open receiver. Four recievers on Georgia caught 25 or more receptions throughout the year (seven caught 10 receptions or more), proving Stafford likes to spread the ball around and can find the open man. The one thing fans of the team that drafts him should be happy about is hdis accuracy. In 2008 Stafford completed 61.4% of his passes for 9.0 yards per attempt in 13 games.

Stafford would fit best on a team that has a solid run game. He benefitted this year from Knowshon Moreno being in the backfield and could put up solid numbers in the NFL would a quality run game. Stafford should spread the ball around in the NFL, as he did in college, and it's likely that the team he's on may not have a 1000 yard receiver but several 500 yard receivers.

Pros: Quick Release - Accuracy - Decent Arm

Cons: Struggles Under Pressure - Interceptions (39 in career)

Teams that should consider drafting Stafford: Detroit - Seattle - Kansas City - San Francisco - Houston

Stafford finished the season with 3,209 yards, 22 touchdowns and a Quarterback rating of 153.17.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcvSDUMw-XQ&feature=related