Pick-Pos---Name---------Explosion---Quick---Athlete---Agility
15. LB---Clay Matthews-----68.58---12.57-----5.46----0.44
46. OC---Eric Wood---------68.75---13.75-----5.00----0.68
77. S----Chip Vaughn-------68.42---12.63-----5.42----0.33
108. DE--Lawrence Sidbury--73------13.41-----5.44----0.14
118. QB--Stephen McGee--DNBench--13.36-----DNB----0.12
144. LB--Scott McKillop-----72.42----12.98-----5.58----0.33
175. RB--Ian Johnson-------68.67----12.58-----5.46----0.24
204. DT--Roy Miller---------76.58----14.43-----5.31----0.24

This is my All-Combine team. McGee did not participate in the Bench, so I can't compute his "Explosion" or "Athlete" Index. The "Agility" factor is determined by the difference between a player's 40 time and their Short Shuttle. It's a tool best used when a player has a poor 40 time but make up for it with a good shuttle. Anything over .50 seconds is considered elite.

Hey Roy I wanted to ask, what's the story with Ian Johnson? I thought his combine was pretty good, and although his height/weight isn't great, they're at least passable. Is it a combination of his measureables and his declining stats as a senior, or is it something I'm not aware of? Everytime I see a mock, he's going in the second half of the draft and I thought he's a bit better than that.

Take out Mike Goodson RBC Texas A&M and that draft coudnt get much better.

I assume it's because his stats declined as a senior. He is more known for his proposal to his wife than his accomplishments on the field. I imagine he'll do better on the actual day of the draft than in these mocks.

i.e. I won't be surprised if he's a 3rd round pick.

March 16th update

1. LB Clay Matthews USC 6 '3 1/8" 240 4.62
2. DT Ziggy Hood Missouri 6' 2 7/8" 300 4.88
3. SS Chip Vaughn Wake Forest 6' 1 3/8" 221 4.45
4. QB Stephen McGee Texas A&M 6' 3" 223 4.61
4. DE Kyle Moore USC 6' 5" 272 4.81
5. FS Chris Clemons Clemson 6' 0" 208 4.38
6. RB Ian Johnson Boise State 5' 11" 212 4.42
7. LB Lee Robinson Alcorn State 6' 2" 249 4.74

FA DE Stryker Sulak Missouri 6' 4 1/2" 251 4.70
FA DE Victor Butler Oregon St 6' 2" 248 4.77

FA RB Javarris Williams Tenn State 5' 9 1/2" 223 4.51

This is my first post, but I've been lurking a while.

Here's my first mock:

1)Peria Jerry DT Ole Miss
2)Sean Smith CB/S Utah
3)Eric Woods C Louisville
4)Zack Follett OLB Cal
4)DeAndre Levy OLB Wisconsin
5)Stephen McGhee QB A&M
6)Victor Butler DE Oregon St
7)Gantrell Johnson RB CSU

FA Deon Butler WR Penn St
FA Ryan McKee OT Sou Miss
FA Stanley Arnoux ILB Wake Forest
FA Diyral Briggs OLB Bowling Green

Mine, for what it's worth:

15. Clay Matthews LB Southern Cal
46. Louis Delmas S West. Mich.
77. Lawrence Sidbury DE Richmond
108. Ricky Jean-Francois DT LSU
118. Glen Coffee RB 'Bama
144. Pat White QB/WR West Virginia
175. Jasper Brinkley LB South Carolina
204. Bruce Johnson Cb Miami, Fl.

I could live with this.

Consensus Mock Draft 2009 NFL Rev 26
Released March 16, 2009

15 Clay Matthews OLB43 USC
46 Evander Hood DT43 Missouri
77 Andy Levitre OG Oregon State
108 Michael Hamlin SS Clemson
118 Mike Goodson RBC Texas A&M
144 Michael Bennett DE43 Texas A&M
175 Alex Boone OT Ohio State
204 Sammy Stroughter WRS Oregon St


My cherry pick.

15 Clay Matthews OLB43 USC
46 Evander Hood DT43 Missouri
77 Andy Levitre OG Oregon State
108 Derek Pegues FS Mississippi St
118 traded with Pitt for 128 and 192
128 Kaluka Maiava OLB43 USC
144 Stephen McGee QB Texas A&M
175 Sebastian Vollmer OT Houston
192 Johnny Knox WRS Abilene Christian
204 Ian Johnson RBC Boise State

UDFA Dan Gronkowski Maryland TE
UDFA Aaron Brown TCU RBC
UDFA Stryker Sulak Missouri DE43
UDFA Gartrell Johnson Colorado State RBF
UDFA Brian Toal Boston College LB

1. Clay Matthews OLB USC
* versatility at the linebacker position, can play all three spots and also put his hand on the ground and rush the passer on third down

2. Max Unger OG Oregon
* versatility on the oline, can come in right away and start at right guard

3. Chip Vaughn SS Wake Forest
* will come in immediately and compete with Barber for the starting job at SS.

4. Ricky Jean-Francois DT LSU
* depth up front, former national championship game MVP as a soph, coming out as a jr. and could be Travis Johnson's replacement

4. Tyronne Green OG Auburn
* will provide depth at the guard position in year one, but could move into a starting role in year two if Unger starts a center

5. Jasper Brinkley MLB USC (the other one)
* thumper in the middle who was always around the ball every time I watched South Carolina, underrated player who I believe is really pretty solid

6. Tony Carter CB Florida St.
* could be a Cortland Finnegan type steal late in the draft undersized but has some wheels, ran 4.42 and 4.41 @ FSU pro day

7. Antone Smith RB Florida St.
* Steve Slaton clone, maybe a little smaller but faster, ran 4.33 and 4.36 at pro day, not much production until senior year, could be the type of player that
has fallen through the cracks and could be a steal.

Interesting. So you're saying we take two OGs, no running back until the seventh, and no speed rushing DE? Unless we make some pickups before the draft, I don't see this happening.

Honestly fellas, would everybody be that excited about Clay Matthews if he didn't have the home-town connection here ?

I would, something about Cushing is causing me to not be excited. It maybe the injury history, it maybe the fact that he did not jump at me on film like Matthews did. I started liking Matthews back around the lose to Oregon St. IIRC. He just made plays you remembered.

Rey Rey is a middle only guy who I feel needs to be in the 3-4.

Now if we where talking Curry, heck hey, but he has climb out of reach.

Laurinitus also seemed to peek to me 2 years ago, SO he has dropped on my list.

I like some other latter round guys at LB, but I think the Texans have ignored the LB group long enough, get us 3 playmakers at LB and watch the run defense get better.

Lucky for us this a deep LB draft, only a few superstars but a lot of solid everyday player types.

He is really saying OC and OG, only Unger can play now at OG and upgrade Briesel while he learns to read the DL and becomes familiar with the line calls. Next year you have a new OC and a 2nd year guy ready to play ORG.

Also most of us are forgetting that Chester is starting to get to age that we need to find his eventual replacement in the next couple of years.

We certainly need help on the interior oline and with Unger you get and instant upgrade at two positions and a starter from day one. With Green you get depth there that is needed and a possible starter down the road.

What are you going to get out of a speed rusher that you're not going to get out of Matthews? Your speed rusher is likely going to come in based on down and distance and Matthews can bring what you're speed rusher already has. As for the running back situation... I think this kid is flying under the radar. He was highly recruited out of highshool but for whatever the reason didn't have a whole lot of production until his senior year at FSU. Could be a late bloomer but one thing is for sure he can blister. 4.33 is that. And like I said, he looks like Slaton on tape.

Yep... same page.

BTW if we address the OL like gunn is suggesting we are finally done with the starters, we can then start to be like a non expansion team and take OL candidates to groom. Then our depth at OL will finally be development guys along with maybe one old timer. Not a group of throw aways from other teams.

I see Gibbs staying a few year, at least until his health becomes an issue, because he has retired before and did not like it. Now he is building something special again. This team is getting close.

I would like to draft Unger in the 2nd but I think he is gone before we pick at 46. But if he slides I jump on him.

I like Sebastian Vollmer, he is a diamond in the rough. I can see him being a starter in a few years, making Winston a OG.

An OL of Brown, Pitts, Unger, Winston, Vollmer in a few years would be a huge upgrade to the OL Capers had on the field. That would be a combination of size and quickness, goodbye goalline trouble.

What I especially like about Mathews Jr. is his dad was an all pro LB for Cleveland, and gave my Oilers fits. His uncle Bruce Played for the Old Oilers, and is probably the best Olineman to ever play the game, and that's saying something. So the bloodlines are there. He will probably slot right into our spot at #15. And I will predict right now that he will be an All-Pro.:)

Having a good offensive line generally equates to having a good team. If people believe that our offensive line is "okay", then they must not have noticed the way this team perfomed on third and shorts and on goal line situations. I doubt Unger will be there as well, but if he is, it's a no brainer.

As for your oline... that's a big right side. It's all about physicality up front for me. I want my guys to be nasty and impose that on other teams... and that's why I'm a big fan of Unger.

If Volmer becomes the player I project then he might be a LT, and that would require Brown to move, do you move Brown to RT with Winston sliding to RG or do you move Brown to RG?

I will say Winston's feet are not near as good as Browns, so a move into the phone booth might sit better with his abilities.

Yes.

I'm not from here and have absolutely no ties to the home-town connection. In fact, I looked at Matthews' "blood-lines" as a bit of a negative. It keeps getting brought up as a reason to take him, but unless his dad or uncle suits up, who cares?

Then I took that bias, and put it aside. I assumed that people were giving him a free pass because of who he was related to. However, when I watched him play, he stood out on his own merit.

Instead of looking at him as a kid with a silver spoon in his mouth, he has shown me that he has had to work for what he's gotten. He walked on at USC for crying out loud. You'd think that they would have given him a full ride just because of his family.

So, to answer the question, I am excited about Clay despite his home-town connections and blood lines.

I'm scared as he>* of Matthews!! Can you say Vernon Gholston here we come.

Matthews wasn't even the third best LB at USC, much less a starter until recently. And why is no one mentioning his whopping 5.5 sacks his whole career there in the PAC-10. Drafting Matthews on potential is a colossal risk, more than Vernon was. At least he had 22 sacks his college career. And at 15, a major reach.

He hasn't done anything to warrant a 15th overall selection, besides have a nice combine, IMO. We all know if his name wasn't Matthews we wouldn't even be considering him in the first round. He also has some significant question marks about his maturity level (He created a "White Power" facebook group in 2007 with his buddies). How's he gonna explain that to his future teammates. And don't forget the amount of muscle he's put on in a very short amount of time. Wasn't he a 175lb walk on ?? Cushing's getting more heat over it right now, but the winds will shift to him eventually.
Finally, what position is he really gonna play? OLB in a 4-3. How, he has zero cover skills. So he's only a two down LB. Really? At the end of the day he's really a 3-4 OLB/4-3 DE tweener with very limited starting experience.

I think Jerry or Harvin are much safer picks and would be productive from game 1. Harvin, who is my preferred choice because of the explosiveness he plays with, would give us a level of athleticism and speed this team has never seen on our side of the ball and shift our offense to the same level of our division rival's, the Colts. With Slaton and Harvin in the backfield and AJ, Walters, and Daniels lined up, defenses won't know who to double. Kyle would look like a genius. And Harvin's been tearing it up for years at Florida and comes with a proven track record(bad pun).

Jerry's also been a disruptive force in the same conference, the SEC. He could easily replace Travis Johnson.

This pick needs to be really researched. Our season( and Kubiak's job) depends on it...

Blitzwood is kinda hittin on some of my thoughts about Matthews, and believe me I don't wanta put the guy down. The home-town connection with uncle Bruce is heart-warming and all (and it keeps gettin better with the H-of-Fame unc now on the Texans' coaching staff) and the Texans surely need some home-town heros to fire up the fan-base, but he makes some points about Clay M in his post that's worth considering. BTW what's this about "White Power" ? That's a new twist ?
LZ on 1560 was talking the other day about the Texans picking DT TJ with their first-round pick (16th overall) in 2005 Draft. He started at FSU only in his senior year and the highlight of his season (and his carrer at FSU), was basically the first 5 or 6 games of that year. I feel more comfortable with a
guy like D-Rob or DeMeco who's had a multi-year career as a starter at his alma mater. It's just a longer resume, more accomplishments, etc.
And like Blitzwood hinted at, maybe Matthews wouldn't have even started or played that much in his senior year if one less Trojan LB hadn't exhausted his eligibility ?

You both make a good point but I think an organization that is confident in its player evaluations shouldn't lay down rules/obstacles in order to protect itself against a mistake.

In other words, I personally may be uncomfortable with a one year wonder. The statistics on those players becoming good NFL players may even suggest it's something to avoid, but if the front office rates the player high and it has an opportunity to go get him, that front office should do it anyway.

I like Harvin and like Maclin even more, however, it's been pointed out that the offense isn't the big problem with our football team.

Peria Jerry could easily replace Travis Johnson, however, the question is does he make the defense better? Would he improve the run defense and keep DeMeco Ryans free to make plays? I'm not so sure.

The BPA on defense may very well be Vontae Davis. However, there will be folks who say that they are not wanting another CB because it won't address what the team needs.

So, no matter who we take, somebody will come up with a reason not to take him.

You often make good sense to me D-M but not this time.
To me the ultimate consideration in an NFL teams use of its first round Draft pick is protection against the worst case scenario on the downside: a college players evaluation & projection to the NFL which is so badly mistaken that it results in a bust.

Actually, I realized what he meant and I should have said so. And I really don't think it would necessarily be a bad idea to do it. The part of what he said that really bothers me is not picking up a DE and not getting a back until the seventh. Seventh round backs usually don't have NFL careers. We would have to get awfully lucky to find one that will. Also, the guy he mentioned may not even be there in the seventh when we pick. What do we do then?

As for DE, I thought the whole plan for the DL was to move Smith to the inside on passing downs. If we go with Bulman at RDE in those situations, it seems to me we would not get the full benefit of moving Smith inside. Also we are a bit thin at DE right now. We cut Weaver, and apparently Cochran won't be back, so if Smith moves inside, Bulman is really our only other DE. Sounds scary.

Roy,
you're right, you can't make everyone happy.
(BTW, Roy's are always right, just ask me:-)

I like our offense and don't think we're that far off, either, but just because it's good doesn't mean it can't get better, especially when every other team is gonna try to improve their offense in the draft. I like Maclin, but think he'll be gone by the time the 15th pick rolls around. Harvin is just as good with better experience having played a vital roll in two BCS championships. The thing I really like about him is he plays RB and can spell Slaton. Something we need. But he can also line up as WR and safety valve and even do some returns. He's just so versatile for one player. Players that talented come around once every so often. He's virtually a can't miss.

Our defense needs to be upgraded and given some quality depth at multiple positions, but drafting an OLB that is a project in the first round doesn't help us on improving on an 8-8 season while other teams get better. I know we need probably 2-3 linebackers, but drafting for that need in the first round will make us reach for a player that probably won't be ready for at least a year. That player would be going up against elite players in the pros and I don't know if he's ready for that yet. It's gonna be really hard to learn that position in the pros going up against the best RB, TE, and linemen there is. Just ask Duane Brown and the 11 sacks he surrendered last year. We don't need to reach for another first round project.

The good news is that this is a deep class for linebackers and corners and we should be able to find starters at both positions in the mid-rounds. Dante will always need a quality backup after his surgery, and you could easily make a case for Reeves as well. He didn't start turning his head to make a play on the ball until the end of the season.

I think building a good defense should start in the secondary. Once you have your deep targets covered, you should build up the D-line with some good run-stuffers and pass-rushers to pressure the offense. Then build a quality LB corp that is smart, aggressive, and with good instincts.

We're not far off and could make HUGE improvements through this draft.

Maybe your getting Cushing and Matthews confused. Because at USC, Cush is the guy that didn't play on 3rd down. :confused:

Also..... you're coming across as if you have and agenda, imo.

How about this for a draft.

1. CB Vontae Davis Illinois
2. SS Chip Vaughn Wake Forest
3. RB Cedric Peerman Virginia
4. FS David Bruton Notre Dame
4. DE Kyle Moore USC
5. LB Scott McKillop Pittsburgh
6. LB Lee Robinson Alcorn State
7. DE Victor Butler Oregon St

gunn, Yea, my agenda is called "not drafting another project in the first round". Seriously. I can't believe some are cool with it just because of his name, then they wonder why we're 8-8 again.

If it's third and long, and Cush was out, then Matthews was out unless he's bringing the blitz.


Roy,
not bad, although I'm not very high on Vontae in the first. His brother is getting benched by Singletary in the pros, and Vontae got benched as a junior. His character leaves alot to be desired, from what I've read.
Plus Dante and Vontae gets a little redundant:D

How about:
1. Percy Harvin WR/RB Florida
2. Jarron Gilbert DT/DE SJSU
3. Jarius Byrd CB Oregon
4. Tyrone McKenzie OLB S.Florida
4. David Bruton FS Notre Dame
5. Zack Follett OLB Cal
6. Quin Johnson RB/FB LSU
7. Dallas Reynolds C/OG BYU

Questioning maturity level and bringing steriods into the picture is hardly saying "stay away from a project in round one". Certainly, and I'm going out on limb here, when you have no direct knowledge of either. If you have a reason for not wanting a certain player, it might be better if it's actually legitimate instead of unsubstantiated nonsense.

As per Mike Lombardi, Cushing was on the bench for USC on 3rd downs calling in the question: if he can't play for USC on 3rd down, how is he going to in the NFL?

I'm really trying to figure out a way to accrue some 3rd round picks in this draft.

S Chip Vaughn Wake Forest 6' 1 3/8" 221 4.45
S Patrick Chung Oregon 5' 11" 212 4.49
RB Andre Brown NC State 6' 0 1/8" 224 4.47
RB Rashad Jennings Liberty 6' 1" 231 4.58
RB Shonn Greene Iowa 5' 10.5" 227 4.65
DT Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn 6' 1" 295 5.00
LB Gerald McGrath Southern Miss 6' 2" 231 4.49
TE Shawn Nelson Southern Miss 6' 5" 240 4.52
S Rashad Johnson Alabama 6' 0" 203 4.49
WR Mike Thomas Arizona 5' 8" 195 4.35
LB Dannell Ellerbe Georgia 6' 1" 236 4.63
RB Cedric Peerman Virginia 5' 10" 216 4.39
DE Lawrence Sidbury Richmond 6' 2 3/8" 266 4.57
OC Antoine Caldwell Alabama 6' 4" 307 5.21
LB Cody Brown Connecticut 6' 2" 244 4.76

These are some of the names that I think will be available in the 3rd who can be good players in the NFL. I'm not sure how many Pro-Bowls they will be going to, but I'm pretty sure that they could help our roster.

Gunn, at the end of the day he is a project. His skill set could realistically be had in the mid-late rounds. He has the potential to get better, which is why he's being mentioned in the first round. I feel we need help now, especially since we don't have a starter at that position.

Nobody knows for a fact who is using or if anyone is using. It's a topic for debate and speculation. But, you would be a bit naive to think that Matthews was a late bloomer, who physically matured later, and stayed under the radar until his senior season, all while adding 75-80lbs of muscle.

I disagree I think he has tremendous upside, 1.49 in the 10 yard is really an amazing number for a 240 pounder. Unbelievable actually. Combined with his tackling ability, pass rush, and upside I definitely think he warrants a first round pick.

I would be happy with him or Cushing. I'm a little torn though, I love Adibi's potential, but I am concerned about his injury history. Diles is really a better fit in the middle. If you believe Adibi can stay healthy then Cushing should be the choice, as I don't believe Matthews best fit is SLB. If you don't then Matthews should be the choice.

See, now this is where you got ahead of yourself.

Clay Matthews USC 6 '3 1/8" 240 4.62 23 35.5 2.64 1.49 10.08 6.9 4.18 68.58 12.57 5.46 0.44

These are the type of numbers that Jonathan Vilma put up at his Combine at 233lbs.

23 - reps, 37" Vertical, 10'1" Jump, 6.7 - Cone, 4.2 - Shuttle.

You won't be finding a mid-late round LB with this type of athleticism, I'm sorry. When it comes to size, explosion, and change of direction, then Matthews is the guy you want in this draft.

Now, I understand the notion of not wanting to spend the #15 pick on a guy who has just burst on the scene. Imagine how Jerry Jones felt when he burned the #11 pick on a kid from Troy who did all of his growing in college. Of course, now he's trying to figure out how many zeros to put into DeMarcus Ware's next contract.

AHH, no, His skill set can be found in the middle rounds because his technique is not developed for an OLB in a 4-3. He's better, and has played mostly DE or OLB in a 3-4. His skill set and technique is less developed than say Cushings or Sintim for that matter.

I never said anything about his athleticism. Just because you have a test well at the combine doesn't mean you're a great football player. We've all seen that before.

I think Marcus Freeman, who is a really good cover 2 will, is a good example the mid-rounds.

Can you name some examples of these middle round picks that have as good of skills? Just curious.:confused:

How has he played OLB in a 34 when USC runs and always has run an under 43?