Monday April 28, 2008

The 2009 NFL Draft

The 2009 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft only featured two Clemson Tigers as Phillip Merling went in the second round to Miami and Barry Richardson went in the sixth round to Kansas City. This may be the last year for some time that we see only two Tigers taken.

The senior class at Clemson has seven players who scouts will look at this season and a couple of guys that may come out early after their junior season.

Dorell Scott may be the top prospect in the senior class at this time. I am hearing that some scouts think he can be a first or second round pick if he plays well in 2008. Scott is a big body that looks a lot like some of the defensive tackles taken in the first two rounds this year. He moves his feet well and if he conditions well again this off-season, scouts will like the way he will perform at the combine. I also think he will need to increase his productivity in his senior year but he has a lot of the tools that make him a first day guy at this point.

Rashaad Jackson is about in the same boat as Scott coming out of the spring. Some feel he will also be a first day guy. Jackson is a better athlete than Scott and rushes the passer better but he does not have the size of Scott. I have always liked his effort and his productivity. If and when he is drafted, I will say this will be one of the best stories we have seen from this program. Jackson has worked his way up and now has a chance to make some big-time money.

Michael Hamlin considered leaving after his junior season but he made the right choice in coming back. Hamlin looks fully recovered from his bowl game injury and he is poised for a good senior season. Scouts like his intelligence and character. I think he can really increase his stock as a senior and may play his way into the first day.

Aaron Kelly also thought about the draft after last season and I know he has to feel great about his decision after watching the draft on Saturday as all of those wide receivers were being passed up. The 2008 NFL Draft featured zero wide receivers in the first round! Scouts will question his strength and his blocking but Kelly played his way into the conversation last year with a record breaking campaign. Scouts will like his height and his hands. Like the rest of this bunch, Kelly could make a lot of money with a good senior season.

James Davis entered the draft but made the right decision when he opted to come back to school instead. Some scouts think he is a fourth or fifth round talent but I totally disagree. He does not possess the breakaway speed but Davis is an NFL back and deserves more respect. In my opinion, Davis will play several years in the league. He should have a chip on his shoulder this year with something to prove to some of those doubting scouts. Davis is physical enough to play in the league and if his shoulder is healthy he can finish runs.

Cullen Harper played his way into this conversation last year also. Who could have imagined the record setting year Harper had in 2007? Scouts might not be overwhelmed with his release or his arm strength but they will like his toughness and accuracy. Harper probably needs to have another great season in 2008 but they will like his size and durability.

Chris Clemens runs well enough to test well and that will get him a look. However, I think he needs to become much more productive to be a part of the draft class of 2009.

As far as the junior class is concerned, two or three Tigers may have a decision to make after the season as well.

C.J. Spiller is a player that will wow scouts with his speed and his athleticism. However, I think much less of his status than some NFL scouts. Don’t get me wrong, I love Spiller and think he is a dynamic college player. I think he is one of the best backs in the country and would never want to play against him. But the NFL is looking for a different back. Some scouts think he is a first round talent but I have questions. I just don’t see scat backs in the NFL. I see 235-pound bruisers who finish runs but I don’t see finesse backs. NFL backs punish tacklers and don’t run out of bounds. Spiller will play in the league and will be a terrific receiver out of the backfield and a great return guy but I can’t see him as an every down back in the NFL. So do you spend a first round pick on a third down back? I am not convinced.

Rickey Sapp is another player that I hear great things from the NFL. He runs as well as anybody at his position and his quickness is unmatched. However, Sapp at this point is one-dimensional. He will have to show some improvement against the run to be a first day pick. The upside is tremendous but I think Sapp will have to adjust and play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Also, Sapp needs to be more productive as a junior.

Jacoby Ford does not get the mentions like Spiller or Sapp but I am not sure why. I think he is underrated in this conversation. If Spiller can make it in the league than Ford also has a chance. He will have to get in the right system but Ford has explosiveness and that can play in the NFL.

It too early to tell but other juniors like Thomas Austin, Corey Lambert, Kevin Alexander, Jarrett Crittenden, Jamie Cumbie, Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor may also have a shot at the NFL but I can’t see any of those guys coming out early to do it.

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