Player Value

[WPB Dawg Fan]

This will help with some of our discussions I think....

NFL Draft: Value chart

By Wes Bunting, National Football Post Feb 2, 1:11 pm EST

One word that is thrown around more than any other on draft day has to be “value.” NFL draft boards are put together to help determine not only the ranking of a prospect, but also how many prospects are worthy of being selected in each of the seven rounds. So when NFL teams discuss value they are not necessarily talking about the top 32 players on their board, but instead, they are breaking down the prospects into different tiers, which helps them determine just how many players are worthy of a first round grade. The following is The National Football Post’s first value chart for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Tier 1 (Elite Prospects)

Michael Crabtree: WR, Texas Tech

Aaron Curry: OLB, Wake Forest

Eugene Monroe: OT, Virginia

B.J. Raji: DT, Boston College

Malcolm Jenkins: CB, Ohio State

Tier 2 (High First-Round Caliber)

Andre Smith: OT, Alabama

Jason Smith: OT, Baylor

Mark Sanchez: QB, USC

Brian Orakpo: DE/OLB, Texas

Matthew Stafford: QB, Georgia

Everette Brown: Florida State

Michael Oher: OT, Ole Miss

Knowshon Moreno: RB, Georgia

Tier 3 (First-Round Caliber)

Peria Jerry: DT, Ole Miss

D.J. Moore: CB, Vanderbilt

Chris Wells: RB Ohio State

Brian Cushing: OLB, USC

LeSean McCoy: RB, Pittsburgh

Jeremy Maclin: WR, Missouri

Brandon Pettigrew: TE, Oklahoma State

Rey Maualuga: ILB, USC

Percy Harvin: RB/WR, Florida

Alphonso Smith: CB, Wake Forest

Aaron Maybin: OLB/DE, Penn State

Clay Matthews: OLB, USC

Robert Ayers: DE, Tennessee

Tier 4 (Late First-Round/Early Second-Round Caliber)

James Laurinaitis: ILB, Ohio State

Vontae Davis: CB, Illinois

Eben Britton: OT, Arizona

William Beatty: OT, Connecticut

Darrius Heyward-Bey: WR, Maryland

Sean Smith: CB/FS, Utah

Hakeem Nicks: WR, North Carolina

Michael Johnson: DE/OLB, Georgia Tech

Josh Freeman: QB, Kansas State

Coye Francies: CB, San Jose State

Sen’Derrick Marks: DT, Auburn

Louis Delmas: FS, Western Michigan

Tier 5 (Second-Round Caliber)

Larry English: OLB/DE, Northern Illinois

Tyson Jackson: DE, LSU

Alex Mack: C, California

Shonn Greene: RB, Iowa

Max Unger: C. Oregon

Clint Sintim: OLB, Virginia

Derrick Williams: WR, Penn State

Chase Coffman: TE, Missouri

Kenny Britt: WR, Rutgers

Duke Robinson: OG, Oklahoma

James Casey: TE, Rice

Juaquin Iglesias: WR, Oklahoma

Eric Wood: C, Louisville

Jarron Gilbert: DT, San Jose State

David Veikune: DE, Hawaii

Shawn Nelson: TE, Southern Miss

Tyronne Green: OG, Auburn

Tier 6 (Second/Third-Round Caliber)

Darius Butler: CB, Connecticut

Brian Robiskie: WR, Ohio State

Patrick Chung: SS, Oregon

Paul Kruger: DE/OLB, Utah

Jairus Byrd: CB, Oregon

Donald Brown: RB, Connecticut

Herman Johnson: OG, LSU

Evander Hood: DT, Missouri

Javon Ringer: RB, Michigan State

Pat White: QB, West Virginia

Connor Barwin: DE/TE, Cincinnati

Jonathan Luigs: C, Arkansas

Jared Cook: TE, South Carolina

Darry Beckwith: ILB, LSU

Mike Mickens: CB, Cincinnati

Fili Moala: DT, USC

Asher Allen: CB, Georgia

Chip Vaughn: SS, Wake Forest

Nate Davis: QB, Ball State

Tier 7 (Third-Round Caliber)

Jamon Meredith: OT, South Carolina

Victor Harris: CB, Virginia Tech

Mitch King: DT, Iowa

Tyrone McKenzie: OLB, South Florida

Ron Brace: DT, Boston College

Troy Kropog: OT, Tulane

Derek Pegues: FS, Mississippi State

Marcus Freeman: OLB, Ohio State

Antoine Caldwell: C, Alabama

Fenuki Tupou: OT, Oregon

Jeremiah Johnson: RB, Oregon

Trevor Canfield: OG, Cincinnati

Rashad Johnson: FS, Alabama

Augustus Parrish: OT, Kent State

Vance Walker: DT, Georgia Tech

Tier 8 (Third/Fourth-Round Caliber)

William Moore: FS, Missouri

Louis Murphy: WR, Florida

Domonique Johnson: CB, Jackson State

Cody Brown: DE/OLB, Connecticut

Jarett Dillard: WR, Rice

Scott McKillop: MLB, Pittsburgh Cary Harris: CB, USC

Andre Brown: RB, N.C. State

Zack Follett: OLB, California

Ricky Jean-Francois: DT, LSU

Sherrod Martin: FS, Troy

Corvey Irvin: DT, Georgia

Tier 9 (Fourth-Round Caliber)

Rashad Jennings: RB, Liberty

Phil Loadholt: OT, Oklahoma

Kraig Urbik: OG, Wisconsin

Michael Hamlin: SS, Clemson

Captain Munnerlyn: CB, South Carolina

Alex Magee: DT, Purdue

Rhett Bomar: QB, Sam Houston

Louie Sakoda: K, Utah

Emanuel Cook: SS, South Carolina

Travis Beckum: TE, Wisconsin

David Bruton: FS, Notre Dame

James Davis: RB, Clemson

Tier 10 (Impact Late-Round Prospects)

Mike Thomas: WR, Arizona

A.Q. Shipley: C, Penn State

Cedric Peerman: RB, Virginia

Jason Watkins: OT, Florida

Kyle Moore: DE, USC

Michael Bennett: DE, Texas A&M

Clinton McDonald: DT, Memphis

Mortty Ivy: OLB, West Virginia

Joseph Frantz: ILB, Florida Atlantic

Stephen Hodge: SS, TCU

Thomas Morstead: P, Southern Methodist

Graham Gano: K, Florida State

Kenny McKinley: WR, South Carolina

Graham Harrell: QB, Texas Tech The National Football Post (www.nationalfootballpost.com) is a unique and premiere online source of quality and credible news, information and insight about all sides of football featuring professionals with experience in all facets of the NFL.

As Curry is rated as ELITE at a position of need, he seems like the logical choice. I am starting to think that we may consider letting Jones walk and take Jenkins to play S as well. Raji and Monroe really don't make a lot of sense for us...but Crabtree may be an interesting proposition...if only as a pick and trade.

[WPB Dawg Fan]

Here is their position by position ranking:

NFL Draft: Rankings by position

By Wes Bunting, National Football Post Jan 29, 10:53 pm EST

As NFL officials make their way back to their draft boards following the Senior Bowl, position rankings now become critically important. In order for teams to put together the most precise big board, accuracy in position rankings is paramount. This process is not only considered one of the most significant aspects of the draft process, it’s also one of the most frequently updated.

Quarterbacks

1. Mark Sanchez, USC (6-3, 225)

2. Matthew Stafford, Georgia (6-3, 236)

3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State (6-6, 248)

4. Pat White, West Virginia (6-0, 192)

5. Nate Davis, Ball State (6-2, 218)

6. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech (6-2, 205)

7. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State (6-2, 216)

8. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas (6-1, 214)

9. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M (6-3, 216)

10. Cullen Harper, Clemson (6-3, 220)

Running Backs

1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia (5-11, 208)

2. Chris Wells, Ohio State (6-1, 237)

3. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh (5-11, 210)

4. Shonn Greene, Iowa (5-11, 235)

5. Donald Brown, Connecticut (5-10, 210)

6. Javon Ringer, Michigan State (5-9, 205)

7. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon (5-9, 208)

8. Andre Brown, N.C. State (6-0 224)

9. Rashad Jennings, Liberty (6-1, 232)

10. Cedric Peerman, Virginia (5-10, 210)

Fullbacks

1. Quinn Johnson, LSU (6-1, 260)

2. Brannan Southerland, Georgia (6-0, 245)

3. Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse (6-0, 238)

4. Mark Hafner, Houston (6-2, 235)

5. Travis McCall, Alabama (6-2, 276)

6. Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh (5-11, 232)

7. Eric Kettani, Navy (6-0, 242)

8. Marquez Branson, Central Arkansas (6-2, 248)

9. David Johnson, Arkansas State (6-2, 250)

10. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M (6-0, 278)

Wide Receivers

1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech (6-3. 214)

2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri (6-1, 200)

3. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (6-1, 210)

4. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland (6-2, 206)

5. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma (6-0 204)

6. Derrick Williams, Penn State (6-0, 200)

7. Kenny Britt, Rutgers (6-4, 215)

8. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State (6-2, 200)

9. Mike Thomas, Arizona (5-8 187)

10. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina (6-0, 182)

Tight Ends

1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State (6-6, 260)

2. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi (6-5, 242)

3. Chase Coffman, Missouri (6-6, 252)

4. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati (6-4, 253)

5. James Casey, Rice (6-4, 235)

6. Jared Cook, South Carolina (6-5, 242)

7. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin (6-3, 237)

8. Cornelius Ingram, Florida (6-4, 245)

9. Brian Mandeville, Northeastern (6-6, 255)

10. Davon Drew, East Carolina (6-4, 258)

Offensive Tackles

1. Eugene Monroe, Virginia (6-5, 315)

2. Andre Smith, Alabama (6-4, 340)

3. Michael Oher, Mississippi (6-5, 320)

4. Jason Smith, Baylor (6-5, 300)

5. William Beatty, Connecticut (6-6, 310)

6. Eben Britton, Arizona (6-6, 310)

7. Jamon Meredith, South Carolina (6-5, 289)

8. Fenuki Tupou, Oregon (6-5, 332)

9. Jason Watkins, Florida (6-6, 317)

10. Augustus Parrish, Kent State (6-4, 297)

Offensive Guards

1. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma (6-5, 335)

2. Herman Johnson, LSU (6-7, 335)

3. Tyronne Green, Auburn (6-2, 309)

4. Andy Levitre, Oregon State (6-2, 318)

5. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati (6-5, 305)

6. Jamie Thomas, Maryland (6-4, 331)

7. Maurice Miller, Ole Miss (6-3, 243)

8. Seth Olsen, Iowa (6-5, 304)

9. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin (6-6, 323)

10. Anthony Parker, Tennessee (6-2, 305)

Centers

1. Alex Mack, California (6-4, 314)

2. Max Unger, Oregon (6-5, 305)

3. Eric Wood, Louisville (6-5, 308)

4. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama (6-5, 305)

5. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas (6-5, 314)

6. A.Q. Shipley, Penn State (6-1, 297)

7. Cecil Newton, Tennessee State (6-2, 295)

8. Alex Fletcher, Stanford (6-3, 302)

9. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma (6-2, 292)

10. Ryan McDonald, Illinois (6-4, 298)

Defensive Ends

1. Brian Orakpo, Texas (6-4, 260)

2. Everette Brown, Florida State (6-4, 252)

3. Aaron Maybin, Penn State (6-4, 242)

4. Robert Ayers, Tennessee (6-3, 273)

5. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech (6-7, 260)

6. Tyson Jackson, LSU (6-4, 295)

7. Paul Kruger, Utah (6-5, 265)

8. Larry English, Northern Illinois (6-2, 254)

9. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati (6-4, 255)

10. David Veikune, Hawaii (6-2, 255)

Defensive Tackles

1. B.J. Raji, Boston College (6-1, 325)

2. Peria Jerry, Mississippi (6-3, 295)

3. Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn (6-1, 295)

4. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5, 287)

5. Fili Moala, Southern Cal (6-5, 298)

6. Evander Hood, Missouri (6-3, 295)

7. Mitch King, Iowa (6-2, 275)

8. Corvey Irvin, Georgia (6-3, 289)

9. Ron Brace, Boston College (6-3, 326)

10. Alex Magee, Purdue (6-3, 295)

Outside Linebackers

1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest (6-2, 246)

2. Brian Cushing, Southern California (6-4, 243)

3. Clay Matthews, Southern California (6-4, 246)

4. Clint Sintim, Virginia (6-3, 254)

5. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida (6-2, 235)

6. Zack Follett, California (6-2, 238)

7. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State (6-1, 238)

8. Cody Brown, Connecticut (6-2, 248)

9. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia (6-1, 236)

10. Nic Harris, Oklahoma (6-3, 233)

Inside Linebackers

1. Rey Maualuga, Southern California (6-2, 260)

2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (6-2, 240)

3. Darry Beckwith, LSU (6-1, 235)

4. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh (6-1, 240)

5. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss (6-3, 220)

6. Jason Phillips, TCU (6-1, 235)

7. Worrell Williams, Cailfornia (6-0, 250)

8. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia (6-1, 236)

9. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina (6-2, 265)

10. Joseph Frantz, Florida Atlantic (6-2, 235)

Cornerbacks

1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State (6-0, 200)

2. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt (5-10, 184)

3. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest (5-9. 190)

4. Coye Francies, San Jose State (6-0 179)

5. Vontae Davis, Illinois (6-0, 205)

6. Sean Smith, Utah (6-3, 215)

7. Darius Butler, Connecticut (5-11, 187)

8. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati: (5-11, 176)

9. Asher Allen, Georgia (5-10, 198)

10. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech (5-11, 195)

Free Safeties

1. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan (6-0, 196)

2. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State (5-10, 195)

3. William Moore, Missouri (6-1, 226)

4. Rashad Johnson, Alabama (6-0, 190)

5. Sherrod Martin, Troy ( 6-1, 193)

6. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati (6-1, 192)

7. David Bruton, Notre Dame (6-2, 210)

8. Troy Nolan, Arizona State (6-1, 207)

9. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech (6-1, 198)

10. Curtis Taylor, LSU (6-2, 208)

Strong Safeties

1. Patrick Chung, Oregon (5-11, 210)

2. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest (6-2, 214)

3. Kevin Ellison, Southern California (6-1, 228)

4. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina (5-10, 205)

5. Michael Hamlin, Clemson (6-3, 206)

6. Stephen Hodge, TCU (6-0 214)

7. Trimane Goddard, North Carolina (5-11, 195)

8. Courtney Greene, Rutgers: (6-1, 211)

9. Otis Wiley, Michigan State (6-2, 210)

10. Jamarca Sanford, Mississippi (5-10, 200)

Specialists

1. Louie Sakoda, Utah (5-9, 171), kicker/punter

2. Graham Gano, Florida State (6-1, 192), kicker/punter

3. Thomas Morstead, Southern Methodist (6-4, 228), punter

4. Kevin Huber, Cincinnati (6-1, 224), punter

5. Jake Ingram, Hawaii (6-3 235), long snapper

6. Jose Martinez, UTEP (5-9, 200), kicker

7. Pat McAfee, West Virginia (6-0 228), kicker

8. Mark Estermyer, Pittsburgh (6-1, 247), long snapper

9. Ryan Succop, South Carolina (6-2, 224), kicker

10. Sam Swank, Wake Forest (6-0 202), kicker

[WPB Dawg Fan]

And finally, their mock draft:

National Football Post 2 Round Mock Draft

5. Cleveland Browns: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The Browns need to add a pass rusher at some point in the draft, but at this stage I don’t feel there’s a guy who warrants the fifth overall pick. Jenkins will come in and instantly improve the Browns’ secondary. OLB Aaron Curry has gotten a lot of attention here, but I feel his skill set would be underutilized in a 3-4 defense.

Personally I don't agree on their assessment of Curry...but that is Alo's fault!!!

37. Cleveland Browns: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Jackson is the type of 5-technique defensive end the Browns were lacking last season.

I think getting either Jenkins or Curry in 1..and Tyson Jackson in round 2 would have to be considered a pretty darn good draft for us.

[ClevelandFanForLife]

i still say having three inexperienced cbs is risky. also im just not sold on jenkins. i know he is a good kid that does very well in class, but he wasn't tested that much in the season. however his speed is electric and i think will eventually be a pretty good cb in the pros. however, we need someone who will make a difference now. cbs take too long to get acclimated to the nfl.

[Nicksilvy]

I'm surprised ADVERTISEMENT was only tier 3. I thought it would be at least 2.

And I agree on the 'we don't need another young cornerback when we have so many other areas of need' plan.

[WPB Dawg Fan]

@clevelandfanforlife said:

i still say having three inexperienced cbs is risky. also im just not sold on jenkins. i know he is a good kid that does very well in class, but he wasn't tested that much in the season. however his speed is electric and i think will eventually be a pretty good cb in the pros. however, we need someone who will make a difference now. cbs take too long to get acclimated to the nfl.

I honestly think that Jenkins may end up being a safety. He has the size for it...and with his speed he could be an impact player at that position. His versatility to play BOTH safety and corner is why I am thinking he may be a good pickup.

I think Alo has also mentioned that Jenkins may project well at S...and if we lose Jones...we are going to need a top notch safety from somewhere...as Adams is the next guy on our depth chart. He is a nice player...but I would hate to think of him as our #1 S.

[WPB Dawg Fan]

@nicksilvy said:

I'm surprised ADVERTISEMENT was only tier 3. I thought it would be at least 2.

And I agree on the 'we don't need another young cornerback when we have so many other areas of need' plan.

thanks...I have since removed ADVERTISEMENT

[CIMO.]

I'm not much of a draft guy, so I'll ask some of the gurus on here...

if Beanie or Moreno (or both) slip to the 20s....is there a chance the Browns trade up for them? A Curry/Wells draft would be incredible to me.

[ballpeen]

I do think Curry would be under utilized in a 3-4....he has great movement....put him as a run and chase backer in a 4-3 and he will be all over the place.

In a 3-4 you aren't going to see all of his skills.

JMO

[Nicksilvy]

I don't feel we have the picks to trade away to get high enough to take Beanie (barring a DA trade for way more then I feel he's valued at) when we could have Greene in the 2nd.

and I'm sad ADVERTISEMENT withdrew from the draft, I was hoping the Vikings would take it.

[JewDago]

@wpb-dawg-fan said:

I honestly think that Jenkins may end up being a safety. He has the size for it...and with his speed he could be an impact player at that position. His versatility to play BOTH safety and corner is why I am thinking he may be a good pickup.

I think Alo has also mentioned that Jenkins may project well at S...and if we lose Jones...we are going to need a top notch safety from somewhere...as Adams is the next guy on our depth chart. He is a nice player...but I would hate to think of him as our #1 S.

jenkins' versatility in coverage would open up a ton of defensive possibilities if the coaching staff's willing to make use of them. with a safety who can cover as well as jenkins can, there's less need to sub in your nickel package which lets you keep your base D in more or shift to something exotic like a 2-5-4 to really confuse the offense. as a defensive guy, that kind of flexibility would be very tempting. it almost makes me want jenkins.

[YtownBrownsBacker]

Since the Browns will be playing a cover two zone most of the time, Jenkins would be a waste at #5 even if they project him as a safety. There are great safety and CB prospects through round 3, which makes getting additional picks a priority.

Brown's can't pass on Curry. He is the perfect fit next to Jackson. Then again, can you pass up a talent like Crabtree. This is a stronger, faster Edwards that can make all the catches. I think other teams just might want to trade up to grab him, so we would have a tough decision.

Sorry, but Mangini would take a offensive lineman before a corner at #5. He mentioned "musts" and "needs" yesterday in his press conference. I believe ILB is in that "must" catagory. He has stressed on more then one occasion that stopping the run is his number one priority on defense. So, I say ILB and SS are musts. Pass rusher, OL and CB are needs.

[ballpeen]

Brown's can't pass on Curry. He is the perfect fit next to Jackson.

No doubt he is good....but he is a OLB....he is a great cover backer...teams aren't going to bury him in the middle if they want to get the best out of the guy.

He is a 4-3 SOLB.

The more this goes, I see Everett Brown as the selection, taking Wimps spot and sending Wimp over to the other side to compete with Peek and whoever else for the other OLB starting position.

We will live with Jackson and beau or whoever else in the middle.

That or we won't go backer at all and take Jenkins....you can't go wrong selecting a Champ Bailey type player.

[Mr. T]

It would be nice to trade DA to Detroit for their 20th pick that they got from Dallas so we could get a couple of stud defensive players.

wishful thinking.

[ballpeen]

wishful thinking.

Indeed.....

Maybe DA and our 2nd for this pick and their 4th.

[KardiacKid26]

Just hoping that Shonn Greene lands in our hands in the second round....

[D'Qwimbley]

Scouts and Curry himself have both said his best attribute is his ability to shed blocks. That is a perfect fit next to DQ, who is a chaser.

[YtownBrownsBacker]

@d-qwimbley said:

Scouts and Curry himself have both said his best attribute is his ability to shed blocks. That is a perfect fit next to DQ, who is a chaser.

Actually he is everything you want in a 3-4 SILB. He is quick, athletic, has speed, works well in traffic and uses his hands well to ge off of blocks. He also is very good as a cover LB. He drops into coverage well.

Best part is that he will compliment Jackson well. He is not a pass rushing 3-4 OLB like some think he can be.

[Aloysius]

Actually he is everything you want in a 3-4 SILB. He is quick, athletic, has speed, works well in traffic and uses his hands well to ge off of blocks. He also is very good as a cover LB. He drops into coverage well.

I agree!

Here are some nice Curry highlights from the Florida State game: