ROUND 7 ROOKIE PROFILES

2009 7th Round NFL Rookie profiles with combine measurables and fantasy football analysis.

ALL 90 FANTASY SKILL POSITION ROOKIE PROFILES: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7
***ENTIRE '09 NFL DRAFT

Chris Ogbonnaya 6-0 220 RB Texas

40 yard Dash: 4.57 at the combine
225 Lb Bench Reps: 19 at the combine
Vertical Jump: 35” at the combine
Birthday: 5/20/1986 Age: 22

The Good: Good size and build. Straight ahead runner with no fear. Very good receiver. Tough blocker. Tough hardnosed player.

The Bad: Despite having decent timed speed he is a lumbering straight ahead back. Takes time to get going and runs too upright.

The Truth: An odd guy to break down as he has solid timed speed and excellent receiving ability but runs like a big lumbering short yardage back. Will likely have a tough time sticking around but if lands in the perfect situation he could turn some heads and be a surprise fantasy value in a few years.

Drafted: St.Louis Rams-Round 7-Pick Number-211

FFT Update: Landing in St. Louis gives him a slight chance to see some short yardage carries but I still would be surprised if he ever has any fantasy value.

Javarris Williams 5-10 223 RB Tennessee St.

40 yard Dash: 4.51 at the combine
225 Lb Bench Reps: 25 at the combine
Vertical Jump: 33.5” at the combine
Birthday: 4/8/1986 Age: 23

The Good: Good size, quickness off the line, and vision to read his blocks and find the hole. Always fights for the extra yard making him an ideal short yardage back. A capable receiver and blocker. Had a good week of practice at the East-West Shrine game.

The Bad: Decent speed but doesn’t always use it to the best of his ability. Needs to learn to keep chugging on runs to be a more effective short yardage guy. Was overworked in college.

The Truth: One of those backs that’s decent at everything but great at nothing. He knows the game and has the skills where he could be an excellent fantasy sleeper in a situation where he is the Chester Taylor to Adrian Peterson for example. He is worth a pick in dynasty leagues and somebody to at least be aware of in re-draft leagues.

Drafted: Kansas City Chiefs-Round 7-Pick Number-212

FFT Update: Going to the Chiefs is not a great place for Williams to likely ever having any impact but down the road he could end up some place else and maybe he gets on the field but he’s still a long shot to ever have any fantasy value.

Fui Vakapuna 5-11 244 FB BYU

40 yard Dash: Not invited to the combine. 4.83 on Pro Day
225 Lb Bench Reps: Not invited to the combine. 29 on Pro Day
Vertical Jump: 33” at the combine
Birthday: 3/9/1984 Age: 25

The Good: Good build. Good field vision and is good at finding the hole. More agile that a lot of guys his size. Excellent short yardage back. Decent hands.

The Bad: Not great height. Not a great blocker. Has had injury trouble. Is already 25 years old.

The Truth: Just another fullback who will never have any fantasy value and will have trouble even making an NFL roster.

Drafted: Cincinnati Bengals-Round 7-Pick Number-215

FFT Update: Zero fantasy value even if he sticks.

Eddie Williams 6-1 239 FB Idaho

40 yard Dash: Not invited to the combine.
225 Lb Bench Reps: Not invited to the combine.
Vertical Jump: 33” at the combine
Birthday: 8/22/1987 Age: 23

The Good: Solid size and build. Good hands. Decent runner with some elusiveness. Good blocker.

The Bad: Kind of a tweener, too small to play tight end, too big and slow for running back and never has really been a lead blocking fullback.

The Truth: No fantasy value but actually a sleeper to have a decent NFL career.

Drafted: Washington Redskins-Round 7-Pick Number 221

FFT Update: Will likely have a tough time sticking in Washington but should stick some place, if only on the practice squad but again there is no fantasy value here.

Pat McAfee 6-0 228 K West Virginia

Birthday: 5/2/1986 Age: 22

The Good: Solid leg strength. Added value as a punter. No fear of making tackles. Good overall mechanics.

The Bad: Only converted on 73% of his career field goal chances. Not a monster leg. Missed two very makeable clutch kicks last year while WV was fighting to keep their national championship hopes alive. Until last season he only had 11 of 25 attempts from 40+ yards. Rarely gets his kick offs to the end zone.

The Truth: Is a long shot to make an NFL roster due to his lack of accuracy and proven leg strength along with his misses in big games. Even if he finds a home, I don’t expect him to have much fantasy value this season.

Drafted: Indianapolis Colts-Round 7-Pick Number-222

FFT Update: With Adam Vinatieri the clear starter for the Colts I really don’t see why the Colts made this pick unless they plan on letting him do some punting and handling kickoff duties. May get a shot to be a starting kicker at some point but will have to prove his worth.

Demetrius Byrd 6-0 196 WR LSU

40 yard Dash: 4.35 at the combine
Vertical Jump: 31.5”
Birthday: 6/30/1986 Age: 22

The Good: Quick off the line with speed to get past defenders that try to jam him. Uses his body well and knows how to make the catch at his highest peak. Very elusive with no fear of going over the middle.

The Bad: Lacks ideal size and needs to bulk up. Can be pushed around at the line. Takes a couple of steps to get going. No fear of the middle but will alligator some passes.

The Truth: On April 20 Byrd was in an accident and is in intensive care. His agent says he will make a full recovery but there is no word at this point on if he’ll be able to play football and if so when. At this point his recovery is much more important than football.

Drafted: San Diego Chargers-Round 7-Pick Number-224

FFT Update: Assuming Byrd makes a full recovery and is able to play football again then this could be a steal. The guy is a speedster who would be a player to watch but this injury could be a huge setback that he may not ever be able to overcome.

Manuel Johnson 5-11 189 WR Oklahoma

40 yard Dash: Didn’t test at the combine
Vertical Jump: Didn’t test at the combine
Birthday: 10/14/1986 Age: 22

The Good: An agile, sure handed receiver who just does all the things coaches love. Good route runner, good hands, decent speed. Tough guy (missed only one game after suffering a dislocated elbow last season) with no fear of going over the middle. Good blocker and a good guy.

The Bad: Isn’t real elusive or explosive. Doesn’t have great size but has the type of body frame where he should be able to bulk up without it affecting his speed. Has never been the main guy as the Sooners always had a star on the other side of him.

The Truth: What you see is what you get with this guy, a solid college support role player but not much more. Oklahoma doesn’t exactly have a great history of productive NFL receivers over the past several years and that trend will continue with Johnson.

Drafted: Dallas Cowboys-Round 7-Pick Number-229

FFT Update: The Cowboys don’t have a lot of depth at receiver so Johnson may have fell into a perfect situation but I still don’t expect much from his career and nothing for at least a couple of years.

Julian Edelman 5-11 195 WR Kent St.

40 yard Dash: Not invited to the combine. 4.52 on Pro Day
Vertical Jump: Not invited to the combine. 36.5” on Pro Day
Birthday: 5/22/1986 Age: 22

The Good: Runs faster than his timed speed, good cut back agility. A jack of all trades, played quarterback at Kent St and even punted four times and was a punt returner at the end of the season.

The Bad: Not great size to play quarterback at the next level and could use some bulk as a wide out. Has no experience as a receiver.

The Truth: A jack of all trades with no real position but he’s a great athlete who could be a return guy while he works on his receiving skills. Could be used as a wildcat guy who can throw or run. I still don’t see much fantasy value though.

Drafted: New England Patriots-Round 7-Pick #232

FFT Update: The Patriots have not really implemented the wildcat so I don’t see Edelman seeing the field except for on special teams. Anytime a player goes to the Patriots you have to at least know about the guy.

Sammie Stroughter 5-10 189 WR Oregon St

40 yard Dash: 4.54 at the combine
Vertical Jump: 30” at the combine
Birthday: 1/3/1986 Age: 23

The Good: Quick and strong off the line and in and out of his breaks. Knows how to make defenders miss with some elusive moves and great field vision. Does a good job making all the catches. No fear of going over the middle.

The Bad: Doesn’t have great size or speed. Streaky receiver who will get a case of the drops.

The Truth: A tough slot guy who will likely start his career as a special team’s guy but likely will never have any real fantasy value. He’s got deep sleeper potential but it will take a few years before he even likely gets a chance to really see the field.

Drafted: Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Round 7-Pick Number 233

FFT Update: There are worse places he could’ve landed since the Bucs aren’t exactly loaded at receiver. I still don’t think he’ll ever have much fantasy value but there is a slight chance that he becomes a quality slot receiver in a few years.

Jake O’Connell 6-3 250 FB/TE Miami (OH)

40 yard Dash: Not invited to the combine. 4.66 on Pro Day
Vertical Jump: Not invited to the combine. 41” on Pro Day
Birthday: 11/6/1985 Age: 23

The Good: Can play fullback, tight end, and the H-back position. Good speed for his size. No fear of contact, loves to be a ramming post and make tackles on special teams. Good receiver.

The Bad: Isn’t as strong as his frame shows and needs to work on his blocking game. Must improve route running ability.

The Truth: Actually has pretty nice upside for a guy that likely is a late day draft pick or free agent. Can help a team at different positions if needed. Likely will start out his career as a special teams player and may never do anything more than that.

Drafted: Kansas City Chiefs-Round 7-Pick number-237

FFT Update: He couldn’t fall into a better situation with one fullback on the Chiefs roster and with Tony Gonzalez gone to Atlanta there isn’t a single proven tight end on the roster. It will take him time but he should be able to make the roster at least. I’m not seeing much fantasy value at any point however.

LaRod Stephens-Howling 5-6 180 RB Pittsburgh

40 yard Dash: Not invited to the combine.
225 Lb Bench Reps: Not invited to the combine.
Vertical Jump: Not invited to the combine.
Birthday: 4/26/1987 Age: 22

The Good: Very quick to the hole and making cuts. Defenders can’t see him near the line because of his small stature. Tough runner. Good hands. Added value as a return man.

The Bad: Very small. Doesn’t have the strength or leg power to be an every down back or short yardage guy. Willing blocker but his size is a major liability.

The Truth: He’s an interesting prospect in the right situation he could be a little bit like Darren Sproles where he makes his living as a return man who may someday offer some value as at least a change-of-pace back.

Drafted: Arizona Cardinals-Round 7-Pick Number-240

FFT Update: Going to the Cards gives him a chance to be a return man as they are in dire needs of a big play threat in the return game. He has a chance to be a change of pace back down the road but his size will make it very difficult for him to ever have any fantasy value.

David Johnson 6-1 260 FB/TE Arkansas St

40 yard Dash: Not invited to the combine
Vertical Jump: Not invited to the combine
Birthday: 9/26/1987 Age: 21

The Good: Good size although pretty short to play tight end. Very good blocker. Good hands.

The Bad: Lacks height to play tight end. Hasn’t had a lot of reps as the lead blocker.

The Truth: Could be a nice NFL player who can contribute as a fullback and an H-back but will never have any fantasy value.

Drafted: Pittsburgh Steelers-Round 7-Pick Number-241

FFT Update: Leave it to the Steelers to draft a possible steel errr... steal in the last round. Johnson is the hard working blue collar type of player that the Steelers love but he still has no fantasy value.

Marko Mitchell 6-4 218 WR Nevada

40 yard Dash: 4.43 at the combine
Vertical Jump: 32” at the combine
Birthday: 3/11/1985 Age: 24

The Good: Big time size to go along with a 32 inch vertical and long arms. Good speed. Does a good job of using his size to his advantage. Good hands.

The Bad: Has a long stride that takes him a few steps to get going. Must hold onto the ball better. Lacks toughness and must tone up and become more physical. Will let the ball get into his chest.

The Truth: A low risk / high reward guy who has the size and speed to be a big time NFL star but his lack of toughness and the ability to get off the line quickly will make it difficult for him to succeed. He’s a guy to keep an eye on as he could turn into a Vincent Jackson type in a few years if everything went just right.

Drafted: Washington Redskins-Round 7-Pick Number-243

FFT Update: This could be a nice fit for Mitchell who should be able to stick around while working on his toughness. I still think he’s a nice sleeper who is still a long shot to ever have any fantasy value but again he’s worth knowing about.

Cameron Morrah 6-4 244 TE California

40 yard Dash: 4.66 at the combine
Vertical Jump: 32.5” at the combine
Birthday: 3/3/1987 Age: 22

The Good: Good hands, solid speed, and quick in and out of his breaks. No fear of going over the middle and times his jumps well.

The Bad: Could use some more bulk. Not a great blocker. Will drop some passes.

The Truth: A sleeper to watch over the next few years. Likely won’t see the field much as a rookie while he bulks up and tightens his game up. If nothing else the guys knows how to catch touchdowns; 10 in his career on only 41 receptions including eight last season on 27 receptions.

Drafted: Seattle Seahawks-Round 7-Pick Number-248

FFT Update: Could add depth to the Seahawks roster but unless John Carlson goes in the tank Morrah doesn’t look to have more than minimal fantasy value any time soon.

Rashad Jennings 6-1 231 RB Liberty

40 yard Dash: 4.59 at the combine
225 Lb Bench Reps: 29 at the combine
Vertical Jump: 34” at the combine
Birthday: 3/26/1985 Age: 24

The Good: Big time size, good vision, and very mobile for his size. Tough inside runner who dishes out more punishment than he takes. Will surprise people with his speed when he gets thru the first wave. Good receiver. Fights for every yard, always falls forward, and is rarely brought down by one man.

The Bad: Played against lower competition but started career at Pittsburgh and started some games as a true freshman. Doesn’t always secure the ball well enough. Not much of a blocker. Doesn’t have a lot of shifty moves in his game. Runs too upright sometimes.

The Truth: Jennings started his career as a 265 pound monster back at Pittsburgh and ended it as a fit 231 pound power back at Liberty. He’s been compared to Jamal Lewis, Anthony Thomas, and Brandon Jacobs. Aside from A.T. you can’t hate being in that company. I think he’s closest to B.J. and likely will start his career in a similar short yardage specialist manner. He’s a player worth keeping a close eye on.

Drafted: Jacksonville Jaguars-Round 7-Pick Number 250

FFT Update: I like Jennings potential and going to the Jags should allow him to stick around. He could see the field as a short yardage guy is Chauncey Washington proves he is not ready to handle the duties. One of the few seventh round picks that is worth keeping an eye on potentially this season.

Derek Kinder 6-0 202 WR Pittsburgh

40 yard Dash: Not invited to the combine. 4.54 on Pro Day
Vertical Jump: Not invited to the combine. 36.5” on Pro Day
Birthday: 3/25/1986 Age: 23

The Good: Solid size and build. Does a good job of making all the difficult catches. Finds the soft spot in the zone.

The Bad: Lacks ideal speed and strength. Must improve as a route runner. Not a fan of going over the middle. Not a great blocker. Missed 2007 season with ACL tear.

The Truth: Was one of the top receivers in the country in 2006 but a torn ACL cost him the 2007 season and a lackluster 2008 season hurt his stock but the bottom line is the guy has talent and could be a steal on draft day. Needs to work on his game but he’s a nice deep sleeper.

Drafted: Chicago Bears-Round 7-Pick Number-251

FFT Update: This could be a great pick for the Bears as this guy could turn out to be a nice player in a couple of years. I don’t think he’ll ever be a big time fantasy prospect but he could be a nice number three at some point down the road.

Freddie Brown 6-3 215 WR Utah

40 yard Dash: Not invited to the combine. 4.57 on Pro Day
Vertical Jump: Not invited to the combine. 36” on Pro Day
Birthday: 6/24/1986 Age: 22

The Good: Excellent NFL caliber size. Does a good job of using his size to his advantage. Smart guy.

The Bad: His hands are not an asset at this point. Not great speed. Not a fan of the middle.

The Truth: His only real asset is his size but he just has too many question marks to rate him as any kind of fantasy force.

Drafted: Cincinnati Bengals-Round 7-Pick Number-252

FFT Update: The Bengals have limited receiver depth so Brown at least as a shot to stick around but I just don’t see him having much of a career and never having any fantasy value.

Tiquan Underwood 6-1 210 WR Rutgers

40 yard Dash: 4.31 at the combine
Vertical Jump: 41.5” at the combine
Birthday: 2/17/1987 Age: 22

The Good: Good size, big time speed, and excellent hops. Good hands. Good field vision with the ability to make defenders miss. Added value as a return man.

The Bad: Long strides takes him awhile to get going. Lacks quickness and strength off the line. Not a good blocker. Not a fan of laying his body out or going over the middle.

The Truth: I love this guy’s paper numbers, 6’1”, 4.31 forty yard dash, 41.5 inch vertical jump. Unfortunately his paper numbers don’t necessarily translate onto the field. I’m willing to take a chance on this guy because I think he has more upside than most receivers in this draft. I’m seeing a low risk / high reward sleeper who has the potential to be a quality fantasy starter in a few years.

Drafted: Jacksonville Jaguars-Round 7-Pick Number 253

FFT Update: The Jaguars need receiver help and Underwood has all the tools to be one heck of a steal in this draft. Probably will just become the next Mike Walker type that just never gets any better but he’s got all the tools so I’m going to keep an eye on him.

Dan Gronkowski 6-5 255 TE Maryland

40 yard Dash 4.79 at the combine
Vertical Jump 33” at the combine
Birthday: 1/21/1985 Age: 24

The Good: Prototypical NFL tight end. Good blocker. Knows how to find the soft spots in the zone. Tough guy who leaves it all on the fields. Had an excellent combine and his stock is rising.

The Bad: Won’t be confused for any of the new style athletic tight ends. He has a slow release on pass patterns.

The Truth: Had a good combine but the bottom line is that Gronkowski is the old school style big boy lumbering tight end that will be asked to stay in and block a majority of the time. Does have the size to be a red zone threat but likely will never be a real fantasy factor.

Drafted: Detroit Lions-Round 7-Pick Number-255

FFT Update: Going to the Lions likely means he will be asked to stay in and save Matthew Stafford’s life. He has the possibility of going out for a pass here and there and may find the end zone once but he’s not likely to ever have any fantasy value.

Ryan Succop 6-2 218 K South Carolina

Birthday: 9/19/1986 Age: 22

The Good: Big guy. Added value as a punter and kick off guy. Big leg.

The Bad: Likely won’t be a punter as he has a slow delivery, had three punts blocked before losing his job. Can kick the ball too low on field goals, had three career kicks blocked.

The Truth: Not even close to the best kicker in this draft as he lacks consistency and has a low kick angle too often. Started last season missing six of his first nine attempts. End the season making six of seven. Has nice leg strength but just has too many questions to be an NFL kicker at this point.

Drafted: Kansas City Chiefs-Round 7-Pick Number-256

FFT Update: Did the Chiefs not learn anything after drafting a kicker just a couple of years ago?! This looks like a wasted pick as I just don’t see Succop being their guy. If he does win the job I still don’t see good fantasy value this season.