2009 1st 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
Matthew Stafford 6-2 225 QB Georgia
The Good: A proven leader who was a three year starter for Georgia. Has a big arm, quick release, good footwork, and excellent mechanics. Excellent at reading the field and reading his progressions. Excellent accuracy including deep balls. Knows how to read a defense and will take what they give him, rarely forcing the issue. Is a big game quarterback who was born to lead. No injury concerns.
The Bad: Measured shorter than expected (6’ 2”) at the combine. Will sometimes get sloppy with his footwork and passes. Has a tendency to lead receivers a little too much but could turn out to be OKAY at the next level with such speedy receivers. A typical pocket passer who won’t beat you with his legs.
The Truth: Came out after his junior year ranking as the top pick on many experts draft board. Is a tad short for a pocket type passer but has all the intangibles and arm to become an excellent NFL quarterback for many years to come. He is one of the few guys in this draft who could step in right away ala Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco of 2008.
Drafted: Detroit Lions-Round 1-Pick Number 1
FFT Update: No surprise that Stafford was the top pick for the Lions. Detroit didn’t win a single game last season and Daunte Culpepper is way past his prime, so unless Stafford comes in and completely struggles I don’t see any reason for the Lions not to give their new future a chance right away. Whether he is holding a clipboard this season or the Lions throw him to the dogs he’s going to have the same fantasy value. I don’t see him being worth having on your fantasy roster till at least 2011.
Mark Sanchez 6-2 227 QB USC
The Good: Knows how to read defenses as well as in quarterback in this draft and will rarely throw into coverage. Quick decisions and arm. Very good arm strength to make every NFL pass. Excellent at leading his receivers and has a natural feel of hitting them right off their break. Doesn’t have foot speed to burn you but is surprisingly elusive and capable of buying an extra couple of seconds when needed. Excellent passer on the run. He’s an excellent leader who is tough as nails.
The Bad: Coming out after his junior season with only one year as a full-time college quarterback could prove to be a costly mistake. He’s streaky, when he’s on he’s unstoppable but must become more consistent. While he’s tough he has had a history of injury troubles. May be a system player who benefited from superior talent around him while at USC.
The Truth: Probably could’ve used one more year at USC but has an excellent work ethic, arm, and football smarts to be a star at some point in his career, I just wonder if he’ll be ready to start if needed in the next couple of years. Pete Carroll has said Sanchez is as talented as any quarterback he’s coached at USC, of course he also said Sanchez could use another year in college too. I am 50/50 on whether Sanchez ever becomes a fantasy star but I’d be surprised if he’s any kind of factor this season.
Drafted: New York Jets-Round 1-Pick Number 5
FFT Update: The Jets traded up to get their future that may quickly become their present as he only has to beat out Kellen Clemens to be the starter. I think this is the perfect fit for Sanchez and I really like his chances to become a star even though above I was a little weary. I think he has the potential to have a Joe Flacco type of rookie season with big time years ahead.
Darrius Heyward-Bey 6-2 210 WR Maryland
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40 yard Dash: 4.25 at the combine (second fastest this decade)
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Vertical Jump: 38.5” at the combine
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Birthday 2/26/1987 Age: 22
The Good: Good size and track speed, second fastest 40 time recorded at the combine this decade. Very fast off the line. Long arms and strong hands. Good at reading his blockers to turn a small gain into a big play.
The Bad: May be nothing more than a deep threat ala Devery Henderson of the New Orleans Saints. Despite his speed, he finds it difficult to create separation in and out of his cuts. Doesn’t always use his size and jumping ability to his advantage. Not always willing to go across the middle. Not a very good blocker.
The Truth: His size and speed has us salivating but then the realization that he could be nothing more than the second coming of Devery Henderson, Ashley Lelie, or Troy Williamson brings us crashing back down to earth. He has the talent but must improve his route running, hands, and blocking in order to ever be a star. He’s high risk / high reward who has all the tools but may not know how to use them.
Drafted: Oakland Raiders-Round 1-Pick Number-7
FFT Update: A major surprise that he was the number one receiver taken in this draft. The Raiders love the deep threat and JaMarcus Russell has a cannon but the bottom line is that at this point Heyward-Bey may be nothing more than that. I stand by the high risk/high reward comment above.
Michael Crabtree 6-1 215 WR Texas Tech
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40 yard Dash Didn’t test at the combine
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Vertical Jump Didn’t test at the combine
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Birthday 9/14/1987 Age: 21
The Good: Good size and speed, flat out knows how to play the position, excellent hands, and knows how to use his body to make the difficult catches looking easy. Quick and strong off the line. Can line up anywhere on the field. Playmaker who always fights for the extra yard and falls forward. Despite being named the best receiver in college football the past two years running, he appears to be a down to earth team player.
The Bad: Had surgery in March to fix a stress fracture in his foot and didn’t work out at the combine. Doesn’t have top end speed. Can dance around sometimes trying to make a play. Needs improvement as a blocker. Sometimes doesn’t secure the ball in the open field.
The Truth: If this guy was a little faster and not coming off foot surgery we’d be in full on drool mode, as it is we are still pretty smitten. He has all the tools to be a fantasy star from day one, he should be a top tier dynasty pick and could be one of the few rookie receivers worth a look in re-draft leagues in 2009.
Drafted: San Francisco 49ers-Round 1-Pick Number 10
FFT Update: The 9ers have got to be flat out estatic that CrabMan fell into their lap. I love this guy and I think this is the guy that up’s the fantasy value of all the 9ers across the board. He should be one of the first picks in dynasty leagues and is worth a pick in re-draft leagues.
Knowshon Moreno 5-11 217 RB Georgia
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40 yard Dash: 4.50 at the combine
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225 Lb Bench Reps: 25 at the combine
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Vertical Jump: 35.5” at the combine
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Birthday 7/16/1987 Age: 21
The Good: Good size and build with the quickness and strength that scouts love. Good field vision with the ability to find the holes and cutback lanes. Has all the moves needed to get free. Takes more than one guy to bring him down. Always runs hard, fights for extra yards, and falls forward. Good receiver. No fear to block. Loves the limelight but comes across confident not cocky. Great football intelligence and learns a playbook quickly.
The Bad: Lacks track speed. Could bulk up some. Too demonstrative sometimes. Good blocker but could improve his technique.
The Truth: Arguably the top fantasy player in this class and while he doesn’t come in with Adrian Peterson or Darren McFadden hype he’s got all the tools to be a big time NFL and fantasy running back for many years to come. I love me some Moreno, who will be the top pick in dynasty leagues and could be a solid fantasy contributor right away.
Drafted: Denver Broncos-Round 1-Pick Number 12
FFT Update: The Broncos needed another running back like a hole in the head but it’s obvious they have zero faith in any of them or they wouldn’t have taken Moreno with the 12th pick. I’m a big Moreno fan but with so many Broncos backs it could be somewhat of acommittee this year. I still think he'd be the 1A in aforementioned committee and up decent numbers and has better and bigger years ahead.
Josh Freeman 6-6 248 QB Kansas St
The Good: Ideal NFL size with a strong arm to make all the throws. Good quickness on release. Knows when to step up in the pocket and is good at finding secondary receiver. Has decent speed and quickness to avoid defenders on the run.
The Bad: Needs to work on his footwork and must step into his throws and square his shoulders better. Must improve his accuracy. Will force the ball and lacks touch on short passes.
The Truth: Freeman is big, has a big arm, and is quickly moving up the mock draft rankings. Right now I see him as David Garrard with JaMarcus Russell hype with the potential to be Donovan McNabb. I guess what I’m trying to say is that in my book there is no quarterback in this draft with big star/bust written all over him more than Freeman.
Drafted: Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Round 1-Pick Number-17
FFT Update: I still think Freeman is a monster boom or bust type of guy who will get time to learn for a year or two most likely. I think it will be at least 2012 before he will have fantasy roster value. Second rounder in Dynasty rookie drafts.
Jeremy Maclin 6-0 198 WR Missouri
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40 yard Dash 4.45 at the combine
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Vertical Jump Didn’t jump at the combine
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Birthday 8/26/1988 Age: 21
The Good: Lacks ideal height but "looks" like a receiver. Has excellent speed and quickness, knows how to make defenders miss, and can take it to the house any time he touches the ball. Adds value as an excellent return man. Makes difficult catches look easy. Has no fear on the field, a great leader, and tough as nails. Solid blocker.
The Bad: Must continue to work on his route running. Has an occasional drop likely do to making a move before he catches the ball.
The Truth: Could be the best receiver in this draft with his great speed and abilities. Must improve some small things but his excellent work ethic will help. He is a combo of Hines Ward, Steve Smith, Devin Hester, and Torry Holt. I don’t expect a lot this season but in year two or three he could become a fantasy force for years to come.
Drafted: Philadelphia Eagles-Round-1-Pick Number-19
FFT Update: It’s a surprise that the Eagles traded up a couple of spots to get a receiver as this may not be the best of style mixes for him. He’s too talented not to be a factor but I still think it won’t be this season.
Brandon Pettigrew 6-6 263 TE Oklahoma St
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40 yard Dash 4.80 at the combine
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Vertical Jump 33” at the combine
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Birthday 2/23/1985 Age: 24
The Good: The rare size scouts love at his position. Good blocker. Big, strong, soft hands. Knows how to gain extra yards after the catch. Good speed for his size. Not afraid to run a defender over. Four year starter for the Pokes.
The Bad: Didn’t catch a single touchdown as senior. Had a felony assault and battery against a police officer in Stillwater in January 2008. Despite being a four year starter he still seems a bit raw.
The Truth: The guy is a blocker first, plain and simple! He will have some games where he puts up decent numbers as a receiver but his value as a blocker is just too great for him to have much value as a receiver. This is a guy you want on your NFL team but likely not on your fantasy team.
Drafted: Detroit Lions-Round 1-Pick Number-20
FFT Update: This is a perfect fit for him to possibly have some solid fantasy value (more than I outlined in "The Truth" pre-draft) as the Lions have no other tight end even close to Pettigrew’s status. He will still be asked to stay in and block a lot but I do like his fantasy value much more now than when I wrote up his bio. I still don’t think he’s going to be a number one fantasy guy but he’s got potential to surprise.
Percy Harvin 5-11 192 WR Florida
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40 yard Dash: 4.39 at the combine
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Vertical Jump: Didn’t test at the combine
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Birthday 5/28/1988 Age: 21
The Good: Lacks ideal size but has a good football body. Super speed with the ability to take it to the house any time he touches it. Knows how to make defenders miss, reads his blocks well, and has stop on a dime cut back ability. Good hands with no fear of making the difficult catches. Could add value as a return man even though he wasn’t one while at Florida.
The Bad: Had inflated stats due to Florida’s spread offense where he had a lot of carries and screen type passes. May find life much more difficult in a pro-style offense depening on system he lands in. Has a history of injury troubles but nobody questions his toughness.
The Truth: Likely not an every down receiver at this point but his speed and ability could lead a team to insert a number of plays designed just for Harvin. Could be a Reggie Bush type who lines up all over the field. Coming out of Florida is a concern as, year after year they have hyped receivers who quickly become busts in the NFL. Boom or bust pick here.
Drafted: Minnesota Vikings-Round 1-Pick Number-22
FFT Update: This looks to be a good fit for Harvin and the Vikes as Harvin should become a stud in the return game that becomes more and more part of the offense throughout the season. He is a boom or bust type of guy whose value will vary depending on league scoring formats. I like the thought of duel Peterson/Harvin looks on offense. That's a whole lot of spooky for defenses to concern themselves with.
Donald Brown 5-10 210 RB UConn
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40 yard Dash: 4.46 at the combine
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225 Lb Bench Reps: Didn’t bench because of shoulder injury
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Vertical Jump: 41.5” at the combine
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Birthday 4/11/1987 Age: 22
The Good: Nice solid build with good speed. Shifty runner with great eyes to find the hole and the ability to cut and go. May not be the greatest receiver or blocker around but, as with everything he does, he gives it 110% and leaves it all on the field.
The Bad: Could possibly use some more bulk but cannot afford to lose any speed. Gives it all he’s got but still isn’t a great blocker. Does pretty much everything good but not much great. A recent trend of UConn backs putting up big numbers in college not translating to the NFL doesn’t help.
The Truth: The only division I running back to rush for over 2000 yards last season (2,083), added 18 rushing touchdowns as well. His work ethic along with some great athleticism will afford him a long look at the next level and I love the guy’s potential. May never be a fantasy star but has the potential to be back 1a. Not likely a guy to sweat in re-draft leagues but definitely worth a pick in dynasty leagues.
Drafted: Indianapolis Colts-Round-1-Pick Number-27
FFT Update: Fantasy owners couldn’t have asked for a better fit than this! Joseph Addai remains the Colts number one rushing option but past history has shown us that the number two Colts running back has good fantasy value and Brown will instantly slip ahead of Mike Hart in that role. Forget what I said about him likely not being a guy to sweat in re-draft leagues, he should have value similar to what Dominic Rhodes was in 2008 with so much more upside!
Hakeem Nicks 6-1 212 WR North Carolina
The Good: Runs faster than his 40 time would show. Quick off the line and strong enough to fight off press coverage. Has the ability to make all the catches, great hands, and great field vision. Excellent balance, strength, body control, and agility. Knows how to make small plays into big gains.
The Bad: Lacks great speed. Didn’t face as many double teams as other receivers in this draft due to the talented receivers the Tar Heels had last season.
The Truth: He doesn’t have big play speed but he has all the other tools you look for in a top notch receiver. His work ethic and route running could allow for Nicks to have the best rookie season out of any receiver in this draft. I love Nicks' upside and would not be surprised if he is a fantasy star in a couple of years.
Drafted: New York Giants-Round 1-Pick Number-29
FFT Update: I already loved Nicks and going to the Giants only makes my heart grow fonder. He has all the makings of the second coming of Anquan Boldin and I would not be shocked if he has a similar rookie season. The Giants got a steal here.
Kenny Britt 6-3 218 WR Rutgers
The Good: Excellent size, quickness, and route runner. Solid blocker. Knows how to make people miss in the open field with no fear of running a defender over if given the chance. Does very well at adjusting to low throws which is rare for a receiver of his height. No fear of going over the middle.
The Bad: Needs to bulk up but has already put on some weight since the end of the season. Must improve at being more physical to get off the line. Has had a history of drops and can let balls get into his body too often. Needs to use his height and jumping ability to his advantage more. Lacks burner speed. Needs to keep ego in check.
The Truth: Britt is only 20, has excellent size, decent speed, and the route running ability to be a great NFL player for years to come, of course he also drops too many passes, lacks strength, and is a potential locker room cancer to the wrong team. He’s a high risk / high reward pick that isn’t likely to have much fantasy value for at least another year.
Drafted: Tennessee Titans-Round 1-Pick Number-30
FFT Update: Britt landed in the perfect situation as far as a team that won’t put up with any attitude and will make him a better player. But the Titans have subpar quarterback play and have not drafted a quality receiver in quite awhile. I still like his potential to be a star in a couple of years.
Chris “Beanie” Wells 6-1 235 RB Ohio St
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40 yard Dash: 4.52 at the combine
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225 Lb Bench Reps: 25 at the combine
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Vertical Jump: 33.5” at the combine
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Birthday 8/7/1988 Age: 20
The Good: Is only 20 years old. Has the size, speed, and overall skills that scouts love. Strong enough to run inside and shifty enough to take it outside when needed. Great field vision and quickness to find the hole and bust through it. Good strength as a blocker.
The Bad: Has had injury issues and some people question his toughness. No added value as a receiver. Must improve his blocking mechanics.
The Truth: The only question surrounding Beanie is his toughness, there is no questioning his early first round ability. I look for Wells to be a big time power runner who will run over defenders as well as burning them deep. If he finds his true heart for the game then the sky is the limit for this guy. A top pick in dynasty leagues who should have re-draft value as well and could be a top fantasy back in the next couple of years.
Drafted: Arizona Cardinals-Round 1-Pick Number-31
FFT Update: The Cardinals have been at or near the bottom of the league in rushing for the past several years so they have to just be ecstatic that Beanie fell to them. This likely means the end for Edgerrin James. Tim Hightower will still get his share of carries, especially near the goal line, but Wells should be a top dynasty pick and won’t likely last long in re-draft league either. I expect big things out of the Bean man.
