While the 2009 NFL Draft looks as if it’s going to be a little light in some areas, at the top of the draft, it is stacked with good quality defensive ends at the top and then it starts to go downhill a little bit after the first three rounds. Teams will want to get one of the defensive ends mentioned here early as all of them have the capability to be an impact player in their first season of play.
The following is a listing of the top five players at the defensive end position in the 2009 NFL Draft.
1. Brian Orakpo-Texas-Some might question the decision to put Orakpo at the head of this group but looking at what he has to offer when compared to the others, Orakpo should be the most obvious choice in this instance. He is very athletic and has the speed to not only get up the field and rush the quarterback but also keep containment on the outside and chance down running backs. He could work in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive alignment making him one of the most versatile defensive ends in the draft. His production was solid in his senior season and so he will carry over that production and intensity into the NFL where he should excel. Granted, he didn’t have a spectacular combine (pulling up after the 40 with a sore hamstring. He came in at 6’3, weighed 263. He had a 4.7 40 and did pretty well in the vertical leap and the bench press. The downside to Orakpo is that he hasn’t been as consistent as some would like to see and he has had some injury problems that have caused him issues before as well. Orakpo’s size is somewhat in question but he doesn’t look like an outside linebacker in the pros. He is also weak against the run.
With Florida State’s Everett Brown nipping at his heels, Orakpo may not keep his spot as the number one defensive end in the 2009 NFL Draft much longer. He’s a great prospect with a lot of potential but some of the question marks surrounding him he is going to go to a team that really needs him and not necessarily one that “wants” him. It looks like he might be a better 3-4 defensive lineman and play outside linebacker but he really should stick to defensive end. He’s a top ten talent for sure and should easily go somewhere in the top ten.
2. Everette Brown-Florida State-This junior out of Tallahassee is turning a lot of heads and could eventually take over as the number one defense end prospect in the 2009 NFL Draft. What he has to offer is a unique ability to go after and rush the passer very effectively. He is a great athlete and has some of the better speed at the position (at the combine Brown came in at 6’1” and weighed 256 pounds. He ran a 4.73 40) and he is quick. He has shown a lot in a short amount of time and NFL scouts will be hoping that his production carries over into the NFL. Brown, like Orakpo, is shorter and lighter than the ideal defensive end and thus this may precipitate a move to outside linebacker in some systems especially those that play a 3-4 defense. In that, if he does see a conversion to linebacker, he will have to learn how to cover running backs and play the run better.
Brown should be able to shake the reputation that Florida State defensive linemen have in not performing well in the NFL and be a contributor wherever he lands virtually right out of the gate. He has some of the better talent at the position and is a great athlete which will help his draft stock immensely. Look for Brown to be selected somewhere in the top 20 of the 2009 NFL Draft and have a great career wherever he lands.
3. Tyson Jackson-LSU-After coming in with such promise before his senior season, Jackson actually has disappointed some people this past season and will have to make up for that and some other shortcomings before the 2009 NFL Draft. Looking at Jackson, he has the size needed to be an effective defensive end at the next level (at the combine Jackson stood 6’ 4 1/8” and weighed 296 pounds. He ran a 4.95 40 yard dash. He didn’t do the bench press). Jackson is good against the run and could work in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense. The knock on him is that he isn’t as quick as some would like to see nor does he rush the passer as well or consistently. He may also have trouble with stronger and more athletic offensive tackles in the NFL.
Jackson is an interesting prospect who has the attention of a lot of teams but most scouts worry about his production. He is a lock to be a first rounder but his career after that will depend on where he goes. He should go somewhere in the middle of the draft possibly to the New Orleans Saints or Chicago Bears, two teams that could really use his services. He won’t make it past number 20 in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
4. Michael Johnson-Georgia Tech-Johnson comes into the draft as the defensive end with the biggest potential both in being a success and being a bust. There were a lot of high expectations for Johnson heading into his senior season at Georgia Tech but he failed to live up to his potential and disappointment many people both in college and professional football. First and foremost, Johnson is an athlete. He is one of the best athletes in the 2009 NFL Draft. He is quick, has a great change of direction and has the speed (at the combine Johnson came in standing 6’ 6 7/8” weighing 266 pounds. He ran a 4.75 40 and got 38.5” vertical leap) to be a premier defensive end in the NFL. He would be best suited in a 4-3 but could play in a 3-4 if it came down to it. The biggest problem with Johnson is that he doesn’t have that much starting experience. He also didn’t have that good of a senior season in terms of production but was good and has a lot of potential to get better.
As mentioned, Johnson’s boom or bust potential is high on both ends. He is a fine athlete but the big question is can he be a good football player? Teams are going to look at him hard in this draft to determine if he can, indeed, prove to them that he has what it takes to succeed in the NFL, impress them enough that he could jump over Jackson and quite possibly Brown to be selected high in the 2009 NFL Draft. Right now, he looks like a mid to late first rounder but if he can prove he is a football player as well as an athlete, he could go in the top 15 of the draft.
5. Aaron Maybin-Penn State-Maybin was falling ever so slightly before the combine but thanks to a not so good outing there (he measured 6’ 3 ¾” and weighed 249 pounds. He ran a 4.88 40 and did 22 reps on the bench) so his stock has fallen a little bit. His size is also not too ideal for a defensive end so he might fit best in a 3-4 alignment where he could be used as an outside linebacker. He still has a lot to learn and could be a bit of a project player. He also needs to get stronger. But there is some upside to Maybin and he showed, last year, that he has a unique ability to get up the field quickly to rush the passer and create havoc in the backfield. He has a great work ethic and is willing to learn which will help him out greatly in the NFL.
Maybin, as stated, is going to be a bit of a project player but one that can come in and help a team that is lacking a great pass rusher. Look for Maybin, based on his potential, to go somewhere between number 15 and number 32 in the 2009 NFL Draft and have a good career provided he can land with the right team.
By Bryan Dietzler
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