2009 3rd 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
Shonn Greene 5-10 227 RB Iowa
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40 yard Dash: 4.62 at the combine
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225 Lb Bench Reps: 19 at the combine
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Vertical Jump: 37” at the combine
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Birthday 8/21/1985 Age: 23
The Good: Solid frame with good mass, especially in the lower body. Gets to the hole quickly, doesn’t dance around, and will take a couple of yards rather than a big loss. Runs low to the ground and does a good job of using his ability to make defenders miss. Always falls forward. Good field vision, reads his blocks well, and is a good blocker himself. Fresh legs.
The Bad: Lacks ideal speed. Needs work as a receiver, only 11 career receptions at Iowa. Only started one season at Iowa and will turn 24 in August. Could take longer to learn a complex playbook.
The Truth: A lot of people feel that he is nothing more than a contributor that will never be a feature back and maybe they’ll turn out to be right but I’m willing to go out on a limb with this guy, I think he’s got stud potential and I thought he should’ve won the Heisman last year in all honesty. Playing for a very average team against solid division I competition he run for over 100 yards in every game despite facing eight and nine man fronts. Iowa backs have not had a good showing at the next level but I think Greene is going to change that trend.
Drafted: New York Jets-Round 3-Pick Number-65
FFT Update: I still think Greene is underrated and going to the Jets could be a perfect fit with Thomas Jones near the end of the road and Leon Washington not a feature back, Greene could get a shot to be the guy in a couple of years if he shows his worth. I don’t expect much this season but 2010 or 2011 could be the start of something special.
Glen Coffee 6-0 209 RB Alabama
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40 yard Dash: 4.50 at the combine
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225 Lb Bench Reps: 24 at the combine
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Vertical Jump: 36” at the combine
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Birthday 5/1/1987 Age: 21
The Good: Ideal NFL running back size. Good at reading the hole, following his blocks and bursting thru the open hole. Knows how to make guys miss but has no fear of running a guy over. Appears faster than his timed speed. Capable receiver and blocker. Hard worker who will put in extra time in the weight room. Likeable guy on and off the field and a proven leader as well.
The Bad: Doesn’t have real powerful legs. Can run too upright at times. Despite the ability to make defenders miss he often tries to run them over instead thus limiting his potential yardage. Was suspended four games in 2007 for being part of a textbook scandal.
The Truth: Likely could’ve used another year at Bama but he’s got some big time talent and huge upside. He may not be a feature back right away but he has the potential to contribute right away and if he improves on some weaknesses then the sky is the limit for this kid. Could be worth a late round flyer in re-draft leagues and should go fairly high in dynasty leagues.
Drafted: San Francisco 49ers-Round 3-Pick Number-74
FFT Update: Actually landed in a pretty good situation where he can be a change-of-pace back while he learns behind Frank Gore. Won’t have much value for a couple of years but could be a nice sleeper down the road.
Derrick Williams 5-11 194 WR Penn St
The Good: Good quickness and ability to get off the line. Has good knowledge of where he is on the field at all times and knows how to get open. Added value as a return man. Good field vision, toughness, and blocking ability. Good leader with a great attitude on and off the field.
The Bad: Was not a start for PSU, only had 44 receptions, 485 yards, and four touchdowns last season with only nine career touchdowns. Only 5-11, runs a 4.65 40 yard dash, and only has a 33 inch vertical jump.
The Truth: Based on his ability to do a little bit of everything Williams will likely get a long look in the NFL but has too many weaknesses at this point to be a fantasy factor. Has a great work ethic and attitude which could translate into solid sleeper material in a few years but it would be a shock if he did much of anything over the next couple of seasons.
Drafted: Detroit Lions-Round 3-Pick Number-82
FFT Update: He fell into a perfect situation in Detroit with a new quarterback and not a whole lot of competition to be the third receiver right away. I still think it’s going to take him some time to develop but I am more excited about his potential than I was before the draft. He should be a return man this season with some potential as a third or fourth receiver in a couple of years.
Brandon Tate 6-0 183 WR North Carolina
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40 yard Dash: Didn’t work out at the combine
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Vertical Jump: Didn’t work out at the combine
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Birthday 10/5/1987 Age: 22
The Good: Good quickness off the line. Good field vision and is elusive when he gets in the open. Adjusts to the ball well. Added value as a return man.
The Bad: Tore his ACL and MCL in October and has not tested so there is no proof of whether he lost a step or not. Not a great route runner. Let’s the ball get into his chest too often.
The Truth: As long as he is healthy and has not lost any of his speed Tate will likely be a big time return man in the NFL who will need a few years and a lot of reps to ever have any value as a receiver.
Drafted: New England Patriots-Round 3-Pick Number-83
FFT Update: I don’t see Tate as anything more than a return man this season. Going to the Pat’s will allow him time to work on his receiving skills but I still don’t see him as much of a fantasy factor.
Mike Wallace 6-1 199 WR Ole’ Miss
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40 yard Dash: 4.28 at the combine
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Vertical Jump: 40” at the combine
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Birthday 8/1/1986 Age: 22
The Good: Good size, awesome speed, and amazing leaping ability. Improving his route running and catching ability. Good week at the Senior bowl.
The Bad: Must keep working on his route running ability. Lets too many balls get into his chest.
The Truth: I love me some Mike Wallace, the sky is the limit for this guy if he’s willing to put in the work with a coach on his route running and a jug machine to help his hands. He’s got good height, top end speed, and can leap to the moon. He could end up being the best receiver in this class and won’t cost as much as many other guys. Keep a very close idea on this guy.
Drafted: Pittsburgh Steelers-Round 3-Pick Number-84
FFT Update: If you believe any of the above hype then you’ve got to think the Steelers got themselves a steal. He should take over the Nate Washington role for a couple of years before possibly being the future replacement for aging Hines Ward. I still love his upside.
Ramses Barden 6-6 229 WR Cal Poly
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40 yard Dash: 4.55 at the combine
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Vertical Jump: 33.5” at the combine
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Birthday 1/1/1986 Age: 23
The Good: Big time size! Uses his size to his advantage and wins most jump balls. Does a good job of finding the soft spot in zones. Good blocker. Could be used at tight end also.
The Bad: Lacks ideal speed. Uses his body well but has a case of the drops on jump balls too often. Played against lower competition. Thanks to his tall frame and long strides he’s an easy target to bring down.
The Truth: He’s got the rare size that fantasy owners dream of with adequate speed and quickness. He appears to be a Vincent Jackson clone which means it could take a couple of years for him to make a name for himself but could eventually be a fantasy starter. He could also be a Mikhael Ricks or Malcom Floyd…I’m seeing high risk/high reward here.
Drafted: New York Giants-Round 3-Pick Number-85
FFT Update: The Giants have a roster full of potential but really no proven receivers at this point so Barden will at least get a chance to make a name for himself. He’s got red zone potential but I still think it’s going to take a couple of years for him to develop and He’s still a big time boom or bust guy.
Patrick Turner 6-5 223 WR USC
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40 yard Dash: Didn’t test at the combine. 4.59 on Pro Day
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Vertical Jump: Didn’t test at the combine. 34.5” on Pro Day
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Birthday 5/19/1987 Age: 22
The Good: Monster size with long arms and big hands. Gets off the line quickly. Good field vision with the ability to get extra yards on his own. Uses his height to his advantage. Had a good week at the Senior bowl.
The Bad: Doesn’t have great speed and it takes him a few strides to get going. Needs to learn to use his size and power better. Isn’t a big play threat.
The Truth: He looks like a big time receiver but he’s got to learn to use his talents to his benefit. USC receivers of late have been major busts but I think Turner has the potential to break the stigma. He’s projected as a possible second day guy in the draft which makes him a steal in my book. He probably needs a couple of years to bloom but I love his upside.
Drafted: Miami Dolphins-Round 3-Pick Number-87
FFT Update: The Dolphins are in desperate need of a tall receiver to step up and keep the chains moving and be a red zone threat and Turner could be that guy. The Dolphins have very little receiver talent so Turner may see time right away but I still think it will take awhile for him to become a potential fantasy starter but I love the situation he’s in.
Jared Cook 6-5 246 TE South Carolina
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40 yard Dash 4.49 at the combine
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Vertical Jump 41” at the combine
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Birthday 4/7/1987 Age: 21
The Good: He’s got the rare size, speed, and leaping ability that have NFL and fantasy scouts drooling. Quick off the line, can use his strength and speed to gain separation. Long arms, big hands, and the ability to use both to his advantage. Adequate blocker.
The Bad: May have trouble in typical tight offense offenses as he often lined up wide for the Gamecocks. Needs to concentrate more on his routes. Can get a case of the drops. Could improve as a blocker.
The Truth: How can you not love a guy who is 6’5”, runs a 4.49 40 yard dash, and a 41” vertical jump?! Actually ran a 4.37 in 2007 and by the way his 41” vertical at the combine was five inches higher than the second best tight end! The guy has Vernon Davis written all over him; now let’s just hope he doesn’t follow in Davis’s footsteps. He’s worth a dynasty pick in my book that may be worth a pickup in re-draft leagues at some point in 2009.
Drafted: Tennessee Titans-Round 3-Pick Number-89
FFT Update: The Titans love tight ends and it’s obvious that the Alge Crumpler experiment failed and I still think Bo Scaife is not that talented. Cook has the potential to be a big time fantasy star, of course he also could be the second coming of Ben Troupe. Boom or bust guy with just too much upside to ignore.
Deon Butler 5-10 182 WR Penn St
The Good: Quick off the line, good hands, and very good field vision. Not the tallest or strongest but does have long arms to get off weaker jams and the speed to make defenders pay for jamming him.
The Bad: Small in height and frame. Will have a hard time getting off the line with his strength. A willing blocker but he must improve. Not a big time depth threat despite blazing speed. More of a slot type of receiver.
The Truth: Overshadowed at Penn St by other NFL caliber receivers but his speed and elusiveness will give him a shot at the next level. He looks like a slot guy who may be best suited for short passes and crossing routes, using his speed to turn small gains into big plays. Doesn’t look to have any fantasy value at this point and even if he sticks around I’d be surprised if he is ever anything more than a possible number five or six receiver on your fantasy roster.
Drafted: Seattle Seahawks-Round 3-Pick Number-91
FFT Update: This pick doesn’t make much sense to me as the Seahawks have a whole roster full of similar or better prospects than Butler. I don’t expect anything from him for at least a couple of years and just don’t ever see him being much of fantasy force.
Chase Coffman 6-6 244 TE Missouri
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40 yard Dash Didn’t work out at the combine
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Vertical Jump Didn’t work out at the combine
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Birthday 11/10/1986 Age: 22
The Good: Excellent mix of size and athleticism. Can line up all over the field. Good quickness off the line using his strength and speed. Knows how to use his body to his advantage. Good blocker. His dad (Paul Coffman) played in the NFL for 10 years.
The Bad: Won’t burn anybody deep. Has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons. Did not work out at the combine or on Mizzou’s pro day.
The Truth: Coffman was Missouri’s best tight end two years ago when Martin Rucker was on the team so you know he’s got skills. He can be used anywhere on the field and while he doesn’t have top notch speed he can create big plays ala Heath Miller. He has the potential to have a rookie season similar to John Carlson and to move into Heath Miller mode soon after.
Drafted: Cincinnati Bengals-Round 3-Pick Number-98
FFT Update: Did the Bengals FINALLY draft what appears to be a capable fantasy tight end?!? Unless the Bengals actually put in a game plan to include the tight end on pass plays it won’t matter much but if they do then I really like Coffman’s upside, especially in the red zone where the Bengals sorely miss a big body. It’s all about how the Bengals decide to use a quality tight end. Keep a close eye on the situation.
Juaquin Iglesias 6-1 210 WR Oklahoma
The Good: Good quickness, top line speed, and route running ability. Knows how to gain separation and makes plays with the ball in his hands. Adds value as a return man. Tough guy with no fear of going over the middle.
The Bad: Doesn’t always seem as fast as his 40 time would show. May not be a #1 type of receiver who is best suited as a slot receiver in a west coast offense.
The Truth: Iglesias is a solid player with a lot of qualities NFL teams love but as far as a fantasy prospect he may be more of a slot possession type of receiver who starts his career as a return man. Oklahoma receivers haven’t exactly turned into pro studs in the past several years so while I like Iglesias’s potential he is a buyer beware prospect at this point.
Drafted: Chicago Bears-Round 3-Pick Number-99
FFT Update: Interesting, very interesting! I don’t think Iglesias could have fell into a better situation. The Bears don’t have a single proven receiver and now have Jay Cutler. I still think Iglesias is a boom or bust type of guy but I’m liking his chance to boom a whole lot more now as he has the chance to be on the field right away.
Travis Beckum 6-3 239 TE Wisconsin
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40 yard Dash Didn’t test at the combine (4.61 on campus)
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Vertical Jump Didn’t test at the combine (38.5” on campus)
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Birthday 1/24/1987 Age: 22
The Good: Though he didn’t test at the combine he is said to have 4.5 to 4.6 40 time speed. Good quickness off the line and knows what to do when the ball is in his hands. Uses his body well to shield defenders and times his jumps well.
The Bad: Has had injury troubles. Is undersized for typical NFL tight end and too big to play fullback, likely will play some H-back from time to time. Needs to work on running crisper routes. Tendency to let passes get into his body. Decent blocker but can be pushed around by larger linemen and linebackers.
The Truth: If he wasn’t injured last season he may have been at the top of the tight end list but the fact is that he’s undersized and likely won’t be a true #1 tight end in the NFL which makes him a very iffy fantasy pick at this time. In the right system his value may make him worthy of a look in a couple of years.
Drafted: New York Giants-Round 3-Pick Number-100
FFT Update: Beckum fell into a good situation where he can be a nice compliment to Kevin Boss and has the potential to have value similar to Kevin Boss when Jeremy Shockey was still around. I’m not expecting much out of Beckum anytime soon but his potential warrants watching.
