2009 4th 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
Stephen McGee 6-3 225 QB Texas A&M
The Good: Good size, toughness, and arm strength. Can make all of the short and intermediate passes, and is generally accurate on long passes. Can make plays with his feet when needed. Born leader who does all the little things that teams love to see from their quarterback.
The Bad: A project who needs to improve his mechanics and work on his footwork before he’ll ever see the field. Locks onto primary receiver too often with a tendency to either take off or force the ball into a tight spot. Only started three games last season due to a torn labrum.
The Truth: Has all of the tools needed to be an NFL quarterback but needs a great teacher to refine and teach him proper technique. He’s a born leader who, in 2006 was named permanent captain for A&M. There is no getting around the fact that he is a project who will likely need at least three years to blossom into an NFL caliber quarterback.
Drafted: Dallas Cowboys-Round 4-Pick Number-101
FFT Update: He fell into a perfect scenario where he will be able to sit and learn (and sit some more) behind Tony Romo and Jon Kitna. At this point he is still nothing more than potential and likely will not even see the field for a few years so at this point he is not worth worrying about.
Mike Thomas 5-8 195 WR Arizona
The Good: Makes up for his 5’8” size with a 40.5” vertical jump! Has track star speed. Tough as nails with no fear of going over the middle and taking the big hit. Adds value as a return man. Helped his stock with a good Senior bowl week.
The Bad: Lacks the size, both height and weight, to likely be anything more than a slot receiver at least to start his career. Doesn’t always play as fast as his 40 time shows. Will get a case of the drops.
The Truth: Odds are he won’t become the next Steve Smith but I like his sleeper potential despite his lack of size. His speed and all over the field ability will give him a shot but in the end his size could hamper his true potential making him nothing more than a career slot receiver making an occasional play ala former Wild Cat alumni Dennis Northcutt.
Drafted: Jacksonville Jaguars-Round 4-Pick Number-107
FFT Update: This is a perfect situation for Thomas as the Jaguars are in desperate need of a speedy receiver capable of making big plays. It’s interesting that I compared him to Dennis Northcutt and now they are teammates. It will take time for Thomas to get his game ready for the next level but I still like his potential and there isn’t a lot of talent ahead of him on the depth chart at this point.
Brian Hartline 6-2 195 WR Ohio St
-
40 yard Dash: 4.52 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump: 34.5” at the combine
-
Birthday 11/22/1986 Age: 22
The Good: Good size. Good quickness of the line. Solid route runner. Has all the intangibles, hands, toughness, no fear, and blocking ability. Adds value in the return game.
The Bad: Lacks big time speed. Quick but not explosive out of his breaks. Has had some bad drops.
The Truth: The kind of guy you love to have on your team, does a lot of the little things big time receivers won’t do, but unless he figures out how to catch the ball more consistently he’ll have a short career. I just don’t think he’ll have much fantasy value.
Drafted: Miami Dolpins-Round 4-Pick Number-108
FFT Update: Hartline needs a lot of work to refine his game but he went to a place where he should be allotted the time as the Dolphins don’t have a lot of talent. I’m still not sold on him as a fantasy prospect but he’s worth keeping an eye on at least.
Mike Goodson 6-0 208 RB Texas A&M
-
40 yard Dash: 4.46 at the combine
-
225 Lb Bench Reps: 14 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump: 39.5” at the combine
-
Birthday 5/23/1987 Age: 22
The Good: Nice size with an athletic build, built more like a wide receiver than a running back actually. Excellent speed, agility, and quickness to the hole. Elusive in the open field with the ability to make defenders miss. Knows how to catch out of the backfield. Shows occasional power. Home run hitter.
The Bad: Just doesn’t have the bulk to likely be a feature back. Lacks the leg strength to be a short yardage guy. Dropped in production in each of his three years at A&M. Had issues with coaches in the past. Has had injury troubles and some question his toughness.
The Truth: Not a fan of a guy who’s stats get worse each year, but it’s hard to ignore his speed. Isn’t likely to ever be a feature back unless he seriously bulks up and loses his attitude. He does have the potential to be a solid part of an offense ala Jerious Norwood who could be on a fantasy roster but likely will never be anybody you will ever start.
Drafted: Carolina Panthers-Round 4-Pick Number-111
FFT Update: This is one of those picks that makes no sense to me, the Panthers already have two star running backs and everything on paper says Goodson isn’t anything special. His upside is limited especially in this offense.
Shawn Nelson 6-5 240 TE Southern Mississippi
-
40 yard Dash 4.52 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump 33” at the combine
-
Birthday 10/5/1985 Age: 23
The Good: Prototypical tight end size. Good quickness off the line using his strength and agility. Good speed for his position. Uses his size and body well when making catches. Good blocker and receiver who can line up in a variety of positions.
The Bad: Could use some more bulk in order to handle every down blocking schemes. Needs to improve his route running. Had too many drops in college. All four years were practically clones of each other which makes you question his ability to improve.
The Truth: He’s got decent size and speed but right now his weaknesses far outweigh his good attributes and he has a lot of work to do before he’ll possibly have any fantasy impact. At this point I just don’t see him as anything more than a backup tight end but he’s a name to at least keep an eye on.
Drafted: Buffalo Bills-Round 4-Pick Number-121
FFT Update: The Bills aren’t loaded at tight end so Nelson has a shot to make a name for himself. It’s still a long shot and at this point I still don’t see a big time fantasy prospect but I will still keep an eye on him.
Anthony Hill 6-5 262 TE NC St
-
40 yard Dash 4.84 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump 30.5” at the combine
-
Birthday 1/2/1985 Age: 24
The Good: Good size and strength. Knows how to find the soft spot in the zone. Good blocker. Good hands.
The Bad: Not quick off the line and not enough speed to gain separation. Not the best route runner. Has a history of injuries.
The Truth: His main value is as a blocker but he also is a solid red zone option as he scored four touchdowns last season on just 19 receptions, of course he only had one other touchdown on the other 60 receptions of his career so the jury is still out on whether the 2008 numbers were a fluke or not. I would be surprised if he ever has any fantasy value but he has slight sleeper potential if he is used in the red zone enough.
Drafted: Houston Texans-Round 4-Pick Number-122
FFT Update: Owen Daniels is the clear cut starter in Houston but Hill landed in a good spot as far as getting playing time as he will be called on in two tight end sets to stay into block. I see him as a Matt Spaeth type of player who gets an occasional catch and a touchdown or two a year but nothing more.
Louis Murphy 6-2 203 WR Florida
-
40 yard Dash 4.32 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump Didn’t test at the combine
-
Birthday 5/11/1987 Age: 21
The Good: Good height, long arms, and all around receiver body frame. Excellent speed. Knows how to get off jams with his speed but must improve his strength. Solid route runner that knows how to make plays with the ball in his hands.
The Bad: Despite good strength he can be jammed by bigger corners. Has had a history of drops and fumbles when hit big. Needs to learn to use his body to his advantage. Let’s the ball into his body too often. Not a good blocker.
The Truth: Yet another Gator receiver with talent to burn but is lacking the strength, hands, and blocking to likely be anything more than another Florida bust. He looks like a return man who will likely struggle to be much more. I won’t be shocked if he succeeds but as a receiver but it would be a surprise.
Drafted: Oakland Raiders-Round 4-Pick Number-124
FFT Update: Leave it to the Raiders to go after speed without substance, much like their first pick (Darius Heyward-Bey) this has bust written all over it. The Raiders already have a big time return man so Murphy could have trouble seeing the field anywhere. He’s got the size and speed to be special but he’s got to prove he’s not just your typical Gator bust.
Austin Collie 6-1 200 WR BYU
-
40 yard Dash: 4.56 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump: 34” at the combine
-
Birthday 11/11/1985 Age: 23
The Good: Ideal NFL size. Good quickness off the line and will surprise people as he runs faster than his timed speed. Good route runner with field vision and is elusive. Adds value as a return man.
The Bad: Doesn’t have great speed. Will already be 24 in November. Gives good effort as a blocker but lacks the ability to hold blocks.
The Truth: He has complementary receiver written all over him, the type of guy that has an occasional big game and makes a catch here and there to keep drives going but his speed and age make him a long shot to ever have any real fantasy value.
Drafted: Indianapolis Colts-Round 4-Pick Number-127
FFT Update: Collie landed in the perfect place for him to have any fantasy value. The Colts need a number three possession receiver and Collie fits that roll perfectly. I still don’t expect a lot of value, but any Colts receiver that sees the field has some inherant value so Collie is worth keeping tabs on.
Tony Fiammetta 6-0 245 FB Syracuse
-
40 yard Dash: 4.58 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump: 34” at the combine
-
Birthday 8/22/1986 Age: 22
The Good: Great size and build. Great blocker. Good hands as a receiver. Capable runner who can get some big yards when needed. Very good speed for a fullback.
The Bad: Takes some time to get going when going out on a pattern.
The Truth: Unless you’re in a league that uses fullbacks then there is no need to even know about this guy. As far as fullbacks to he looks like a solid talent.
Drafted: Carolina Panthers-Round 4-Pick Number-128
FFT Update: The Panthers already have a great fullback in Brad Hoover so Fiammetta’s role will be limited and his fantasy potential is nill.
Andre Brown 6-0 224 RB NC St
-
40 yard Dash: 4.37 at the combine
-
225 Lb Bench Reps: 24 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump: 37” at the combine
-
Birthday 12/15/1986 Age: 22
The Good: Has the size, speed, and strength that scouts drool over. Knows how to find the hole quickly and the speed to be gone if he breaks through. Will run a defender over when he has the opportunity. Solid blocker who knows how to pick up the blitz. Very capable receiver who can do damage in space. Adds value as a possible return man.
The Bad: Tendency to run too upright with long strides that make him appear slower than his tested 40 time. Lets too many passes get into his body. Must learn to use his speed more instead of dancing around.
The Truth: The guy has size, speed, and strength and is a capable receiver, yet the fact that he is a projected late round guy tells you he just doesn’t know how to put them to use. Maybe he will never amount to anything but as a dynasty owner I’m willing to take a gamble simply based on his combine numbers and hope he can get it together because if he does, watch out, this guy could be a star.
Drafted: New York Giants-Round 4-Pick Number-129
FFT Update: Going to the Giants is a good fit for Brown as the Giants have no problems using multiple running backs and last season three different Giant backs had fantasy value. I don’t expect big numbers from Brown any time soon but I love his potential and stand by my statements above.
Gartrell Johnson 5-10 219 RB Colorado St
-
40 yard Dash: 4.75 at the combine
-
225 Lb Bench Reps: 20 at the combine
-
Vertical Jump: 34” at the combine
-
Birthday 6/21/1986 Age: 22
The Good: May be on the short side but has a solid build. Runs strong and low to the ground. Hits the hole quick and hard, has no problem with taking hits. Good moves for a power runner. Always falls forward. Not a fumbler, only one fumble in 310 touches last season. Decent receiver and blocker. Had a good week at the East-West Shrine game.
The Bad: Lacks speed. Has some moves to make defenders miss but lacks a lot of agility. Isn’t as powerful as you’d like for a "power" runner. Could fall behind with a more difficult playbook.
The Truth: Somehow ended up at CSU after ending his senior season as the leading rushing in Dade County Florida. Built like a fullback but lacks the power; lacks speed to likely be an effective NFL running back. He has some nice qualities but it would be a shock if he is ever more than a bench player.
Drafted: San Diego Chargers-Round 4-Pick Number-134
FFT Update: Don’t expect much out of him from a fantasy perspective anytime soon, if ever, but L.T. is nearing the end, Darren Sproles doesn’t have the frame to be an every down back, so Johnson actually has the potential to be the future back. But he just doesn’t have the speed. He could be a nice short yardage guy who has some red zone value but honestly at this point I see nothing more.
