NFL Draft: Best Players On The Board

Day one of the 2009 NFL Draft is now in the books, but there is still a significant amount of talent available for day two.  Since NFL franchises and championships are built on the second day of the draft, we’ve compiled a list of guys who could go a long way toward helping an NFL team reach that championship.

Michael Johnson    Defensive End    Georgia Tech

Johnson is one of the most physically gifted prospects in the entire draft and has a skill set that is second to none at the defensive end position. But, questions about his passion and ability to play the run have caused him to fall out of the first two rounds. However, Johnson is an explosive edge rusher who has the ability to develop into a Jason Taylor-type player, I expect him to come off the board very quickly in round three.

Shawn Nelson    Tight End    Southern Mississippi

Nelson is my top rated tight end in the 2009 draft and will end up being a great value wherever he gets selected today. He has the ability to get down the field, pluck the ball away from his body and pick up yards after the catch. His long, thin frame is a bit of a concern, but he blocks much better than he is given credit for.

Duke Robinson    Guard    Oklahoma

In one of the weakest offensive guard classes to come along in years, Robinson still stands on the board and will end up being a good value in round three. He is a big, physical road-grader who can create movement in the run game and hold his own in pass protection. For a team that values big, physical offensive linemen (Eagles, Cowboys), Robinson should be an attractive fit.

Jarron Gilbert    Defensive Tackle    San Jose State

Gilbert has to be one of the prospects who is generating the most talk among NFL executives this morning, especially from the teams that run a 3-4 scheme. He is a long, explosive D-lineman who has the versatility to play either the three or five-technique and should hear his named called very quickly on day two.

Shonn Greene    Running Back    Iowa

Greene is one of my favorite running backs in this year’s draft class and I think he really has a chance to be more productive than any of the other backs drafted before him next season. His vision, power and toughness between the tackles would make him an ideal fit in a zone blocking scheme.  Houston would be the perfect fit.

Stephen McGee    Quarterback    Texas A&M

The draft only saw four quarterbacks come off the board in the first two rounds and McGee now looks like the best QB available. He is still very raw and needs some time to develop. However, he can make all the throws, is accurate from the pocket and can create plays with his feet. I can definitely see a team like the Vikings or Broncos taking a shot on him at some point.

Jason Williams    Outside Linebacker    Western Illinois

The small-school linebacker has been flying up draft boards during the post-season process and is now likely to hear his name called off the board in round three. Williams possesses rare straight-line speed for the position and makes plays sideline-to-sideline. He is ideally suited to play OLB in a 4-3 and I could see him drawing a lot of interest from the Titans.

Late round quarterbacks Nate Davis, Graham Harrell and Cullen Harper are all recognizable names amongst even the most casual of football fans, but I expect to see all three of them slip into the later portions of the draft.

There are still some intriguing mid/late round offensive tackles on the board that have the ability to develop into starting left tackles at the next level. Two guys that fit that mold are Xavier Fulton and Joel Bell. Both are very gifted athletes who possess the feet and body control to handle the edge, but may need a year of two to develop into the position.

Finally, below is a list of mid/late round guys to keep an eye out for on day two:

QB Rhett Bomar: Sam Houston State

TE John Phillips: Virginia

CB Keenan Lewis: Oregon State

DT Terrance Knighton: Temple

DT Sammie Hill: Stillman

DT Ricky Jean-Francois: LSU

FS Chris Clemons: Clemson

CB Greg Toler: St. Paul's

DT Roy Miller: Texas

OT Gerald Cadogan: Penn State

OG Herman Johnson: LSU

CB Bradley Fletcher: Iowa

RB Javon Ringer: Michigan State

CB Mike Mickens: Cincinnati

ILB Dannell Ellerbe: Georgia

DE Kyle Moore: USC

ILB Frantz Joseph: Florida Atlantic

ILB Mortty Ivy: West Virginia

DT Mitch King: Iowa

DE Zach Potter: Nebraska

DE/DT Everette Pedescleaux: Northern Iowa

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