NFL Draft 09′, Bust or Superstar | The Top 10 – PureStyle Magazine

Every year the NFL Draft is made up of potential stars, unfortunately it doesn’t always workout that way. This year we take a look at the top 10 picks and predict, bust or superstar. Only time will tell if we are right.

Number 10: Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Pros:

Size, Physically gifted
Dangerous after the catch
Great Hands

Cons:

Not extremely fast, but fast enough
More of an athlete, less of a route runner

Verdict: Superstar

While not in the mold of a Calvin Johnson, what Michael Crabtree did at Texas Tech was impressive. If Graham Harrell threw it up, Crabtree went and got it. At number 10, might be a steal that late, but going to San Francisco, might not be the best situation. If San Francisco can settle their QB position then without a doubt, Michael Crabtree will be a stud.

Number 9: B.J. Raji, DT, Green Bay Packers

Pros:

Wide, good at plugging up the hole
Very quick for his size
Good at getting in the backfield

Cons:

Not tall, won’t knock down a lot of passes
Not much of a pass rusher, more of a run stopper

Verdict: Superstar

Raji lands in a good situation in Green Bay, with a good secondary, that gives Raji more time to cause trouble. His run-stopping ability is unquestioned, and his work ethic is impressive. A good hard working player, could be very special. Reminds me a little of Rod Coleman of the Saints.

Number 8: Eugene Monroe, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars

Pros:

Good size
Very polished, ready to start right away
Excellent in pass protection

Cons:

Durability
Lack of agressiveness

Verdict: Superstar

Simply, just ready to go. Very good in the pass game and efficient in the run game. He could use to have more of a killer instinct and put a defender on his back, but rarely gives up a sack. Followed in D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s shoes at Virginia, and was his understudy his freshman season. Overall should be a solid if not great tackle in the NFL.

Number 7: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders

Pros:

Great speed
Very good athlete, smooth
Good height

Cons:

Questionable hands and instincts
Not a good route runner

Verdict: BUST

Does he have potential? Sure, just like every other great athlete that goes to Oakland and dies a slow death and disappears. Typical Raiders pick, fast, tall, great athlete… no hands. Drops way too many passes and might have a hard time creating separation in the NFL with corners that are just as fast as he is. Great potential, but poor situation and team.

Number 6: Andre Smith, OT, Cincinnati Bengals

Pros:

Physical monster
Athletic for his size
Good awareness

Cons:

Questionable character
Stamina

Verdict: BUST

Smith has great size, speed and quickness for a tackle… He also is lazy and gets tired quickly. While he has a lot of experience at Alabama facing top competition and did very well, he also has been known to take a play or two off. Add his AWOL NFL Scouting Combine act, and that leaves a lot of question marks for an otherwise very talented tackle. And the Bengals aren’t really known as the most disipline team in the league to keep him in control.

Number 5: Mark Sanchez, QB, New York Jets

Pros:

Good athlete and mobile
Very solid mechanics and throwing motion
“IT” factor

Cons:

Lack of experience
Desicion making

Verdict: Superstar

As many scouts say, Sanchez just has those intangibles that are rare. That certain “it” factor. He’s special, the only question isn’t if he’ll be good, it’s just how long. Some think he’s ready, others think he needs experience. Either way, it’s only a matter of when. Our bigggest question mark isn’t whether he can handle playing in NY, after all he played in LA and USC, but how long it will take the Jets to give him the weapons he needs after Coles left and Jones is having contract issues. But overall could be very special.

Number 4: Aaron Curry, LB, Seattle Seahawks

Pros:

Physically gifted
Good instincts, always around the ball
Good in coverage

Cons:

Over plays the ball sometimes
Limited in the pass rush

Verdict: Superstar

Curry won’t get you a lot of sacks, but he will be a solid 100+ tackle year in and year out linebacker. And should have a few interceptions too. He’s fast and can get to anything, he’s always where ever the ball is. Defensively, maybe the best of the draft. Lands in a solid situation, with the Seahawks and their new coach, Mora, who is defensive minded. Should be a pro bowl player within 3 years.

Number 3: Tyson Jackson, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Pros:

Size and bulk, long arms
Great strength
Solid pass rusher, gets to the QB

Cons:

Takes plays off
Not fast

Verdict: BUST

While his workouts jumped him up from potential 2nd round pick to impress the Chiefs enough to take him 3rd overall, the biggest question mark of the draft. Produced good numbers in college at LSU, but wasn’t ever spectacular. Had very good pro day and workouts so physically he has the tools, the question is can he do it in the game. Playing with a weak Kansas City defense might not help, since if he is good, he will see double teams without anyone to take the pressure off him on their defensive line.

Number 2: Jason Smith, OT, St Louis Rams

Pros:

Good athlete, light on his feet
Nice size
Lots of upside

Cons:

Needs to add strength
Not great in the run game

Verdict: BUST

Jason Smith is arguably the most athletic of all the tackles in this draft, but their wasn’t much rating wise between him and Monroe who went 8th. At number 2? BUST. The Rams in an effort to replace Orlando Pace, went for a tackle, but while Smith might be good down the road, he’s not ready to start right away. He’s not very good in the run game, which might hurt Jackson if he does start, and doesn’t really matter how good he might be when they still have Bulger who holds the ball way too long anyway. Lots of potential and upside, but that doesn’t have a history of being a good thing when the player is forced in before they are ready.

Number 1: Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

Pros:

Arm strength
Raw talent and athletic
Can make all the throws

Cons:

Wild at times, i.e. Favre
Not great footwork and mechanics

Verdict: BUST

Something about Stafford just reminds me of David Carr. And while Carr is a very good QB, and now a solid backup for the Giants, is that what you want out of a number one pick making a guaranteed $47.1 million and potentially $78 million? Like Carr, Stafford is going to the Lions who have no offensive line. Like Carr, has an amazing WR in Calvin Johnson, like the Texans had in Andre Johnson. But no matter the weapon, if you can’t get him the ball what good is it? Stafford will have a benefit Sanchez doesn’t, sitting behind a motivated Culpeper, but still, he will get thrown to the Lions and tore apart, pun intended.

Potential First Round picks who could shine:

#12 Knowshon Moreno – RB, Denver Broncos: What running back (other than Maurice Clarett) doesn’t shine in Denver? Should be a very solid running back in the NFL
#14 Malcolm Jenkins – CB, New Orleans Saints: Good situation, might be in a rotation with David, but should get plenty of opportunites, lots of physical gifts. Fast.
#19 Jeremy Maclin – WR, Philadelphia Eagles: If drafted in the top 10, maybe bust, but fell into great situation with a good QB in McNabb and Andy Reid’s pass first offense. Jackson, Brown & Curtis should take any pressure off, and he should be able to just use his raw ability to learn and make a few big plays here and there.
#20 Brandon Pettigrew -Â TE, Detroit Lions: Bad situation, rookie QB, but great talent. Could emerge as a sleeper with Jason Whitten type talent. Not very fast, but quick, and great blocker for a TE.
#30 Kenny Britt – WR, Tennessee Titans: Good situation, good QB in Collins who can get him the ball. Terriffic size and athletisism. Might have beneifited by falling in the draft to a good team where he can produce right away.