Matty's Rookie of the Week

Hello everyone and welcome back to Matty's Rookie of the Week, the week 16 edition. The playoff picture is becoming ever clearer and some rookies are really stepping up and helping out their teams deep into the season at a bevy of different positions and I don't think we've ever had seen two such successful rookie QBs and I gotta say, things are looking good for the future. So without further delay, lets get into the trenches and find out who I have as my rookie of the week!

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Joe Flacco, QB

6'6" 230 lbs

Delaware

1st round pick, 18th overall

17/25 for 149 yards and 1 TD

Joe Flacco may not have been a stat giant this week but he is the main reason to why the Ravens have a serious shot at doing some damage during the playoffs. He is being very efficient with his throws as of recent and he has looked good under constant pressure, especially the last two weeks with facing the Steelers and the Cowboys, he has poise and has not made any costly mistakes and has put the Ravens in charge of locking up the last wild card spot in the AFC, congrats Joe!

Runner Ups:

Offense

Chris Johnson, RB

5'11" 200 lbs

East Carolina

1st round pick, 24th overall

16 rushes, 69 yards and 1 TD

Defense

Jason Jones, DE/DT

6'5" 275 lbs

Eastern Michigan

2nd round pick, 54th overall

5 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 3 FF

Stayed tuned for the final regular season ROTW at the conclusion of week 17!

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Hello everyone and welcome back to Matty's Rookie of the Week, the week 15 edition. We saw a lot of great games and the playoff picture is starting to take form and certain rookies have played an integral part on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. So without further delay, lets get into the trenches and find out who I have as my rookie of the week!

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Kevin Smith, RB
6'1" 217 lbs
Central Florida
3rd round pick, 64th overall
20 rushes, 88 yards 1 TD and 6 receptions, 31 yards

Kevin Smith gets the nod for rookie of the week and might be the Lions first moral victory all season all long. It really shows you how bad the Lions front office is when they bring in Rudi Johnson to take carries away from Smith who is younger, faster and just as strong. He was the main reason that the Lions were still in the game against the Colts late in the fourth quarter, he ran well, caught the ball efficiently out of the back field and had an all around good game, shame he plays for such a horrible team. But congrats Kevin, you earned it.

Runner Ups:

Offense

Ryan Clady, OT
6'6" 325 lbs
Boise State
1st round pick, 12th overall
0 sacks against

Defense

Brandon Flowers, CB
5'9" 187 lbs
Virginia Tech
2nd round pick, 35th overall
10 tackles, 1 pass def, FF

Be sure to check back next week for the Week 16 ROTW!

2009 Mock Draft, Picks 17-32

17. Denver Broncos – Brandon Spikes, LB Florida








With the seventeenth selection, the Broncos select defensive playmaker and tackling machine extraordinaire, Brandon Spikes from Florida. Considering this season, the starters at MLB have been Nate Webster and Spencer Larsen with Nike Koutivides backing up. If you didn't just puke in your mouth a little bit then you have no idea how hard a time Denver has had filling the spot at MLB… almost as bad as RB. But they bring in Spikes and he makes that defense immensely better from day one as he is a big, bad and blazing fast. He'll go sideline to sideline and make plays in coverage, he's the total package.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Stafford, QB Georgia








With the eighteenth selection the Vikings take the first QB off the board in the Georgia gunslinger Stafford. Tavaris Jackson will be a perennial back up with playing expertise, Gus Ferotte throws too many picks and is far too brittle to be anyone's starting QB and a solid QB is the only thing keeping the Vikings from a deep playoff run. Queue the QB from Georgia who should fit nicely into Childress' system, he can move in the pocket, he can make all the throws and has a knack for winning, he'll be the face of the franchise along with AP for a long time.

19. New England Patriots – D.J. Moore, CB Vanderbilt








With the nineteenth selection, the Patriots select cornerback D.J. Moore from Vanderbilt, the Patriots have had a really tough time covering the pass this year, this could also be because they haven't had the same kind of pass rush they usually get so this pick could also be Clint Sintim from Virginia or someone to replace Rodney Harrison and since William Moore has slipped so far, he could also be the pick. But with the makeshift secondary the Patriots currently have, getting Moore from Vandy will go a long way to bringing the Patriots secondary back up to snuff.

20. Arizona Cardinals – Alex Mack, C California








With the twentieth selection, the Cardinals select one of my personal favourite players in this year's draft, the man beast with a mean streak a mile long, Alex Mack. The Cardinals are proving to have very few weaknesses on offense, but establishing the running game is definitely one, if the Cardinals can balance their offense, dominate the clock and keep their defense off the field it will do wonders for them and I think Alex Mack may be the key component in doing that and he'll start from day one as well.

21. Miami Dolphins – Alphonso Smith, CB Wake Forest








The Dolphins have been one of the better stories this year and with this selection they select a player to help out their ailing secondary which has undoubtedly been their Achilles heel all season. They grab my favourite cornerback in the draft in Alphonso Smith from Wake Forest. The only thing that might limit him is his ability to play the run but I think Coach Sporano will make sure he sticks his nose in there and makes some noise and after that, he has all the tools to be an elite cover corner in a division where he has to face Randy Moss and Lee Evans twice a year.

22. Washington Redskins – Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma








With Coach Jim Zorn on board and looking good, it's likely he continues to upgrade the offense because it has really slowed them down the last couple weeks. Clinton Portis has had no running room and the pass protection is breaking down. Considering the age of the guards currently in place and the value of Duke Robinson, I can't imagine the Redskins passing him up. This pick could also be Tyson Jackson from LSU as a DE who can run stop or James Laurinaitis from Ohio State who can play along side London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh.

23. New York Jets – Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri








With Laveranues Coles coming out of the woodworks to call out Brett Favre on a consistent basis, the Jets are likely to cut ties with him when his contract expires. With him gone, the Jets will need a new speedster WR who can go up and get the ball, and considering Maclin's size and speed, he would be a perfect fit to go and catch the long bomb from "Lord" Favre if he decides to retire and unretire again this season.

24. Detrot Lions (from Dallas) – James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State








The Lions got a solid pick for Roy E. Williams and they'll use it to sure up their defense even more. I don't know how they ever thought they could get by with Paris Lenon and Jordan Dizon at MLB. Dizon is better suited as a WLB since he's undersized and Lenon is a special teamer and depth player but hardly a starter. The Lions go out and get Animal Jr. from Ohio State and place him in the middle of the defense alongside Ernie Sims, Brian Orakpo, Cliff Avril and some other talents and get the defense churning.

25. Atlanta Falcons – B.J. Raji, DT Boston College








The resurgent Falcons have been an incredible surprise this season and I give credit to Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff for turning the franchise around so quickly. The team has very few needs at this point but they could definitely stand to upgrade their defensive line, especially the nose tackle. Babineaux has been a standout this season but he needs a big body next to him to occupy blockers and I think Raji is the best fit for what they need.

26. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) – William Moore, S Missouri








The Eagles have been getting surprisingly decent play from Dawkins and Quinton Mikel but I think with the value of William Moore and the play making ability he has, they'll overlook the fact they drafted Quinton Demps and get a steal here with William Moore. The Eagles could also pick the top tight end but I some how don't see them going that route and instead they go the route of fixing their secondary, which is a change pick wise itself, but I think it has to be made.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland








The Ravens are a team with very few weaknesses; they have a suffocating defense, a quality run game and an emerging passing game. But I still think they're lacking that vertical threat down the field that Joe Flacco can heave the ball to and go for points because the Ravens are definitely lacking some explosion in their offense, so they grab the raw in state prospect DHB and allow him to learn from a quality vet in Derrick Mason and hopefully DHB and the Flaccinator will be putting big points up.

28. Indianapolis Colts – Sen'Derrick Marks, DT Auburn








The Colts have absolutely nothing at DT. If this pick isn't the top defensive tackle on their board than they might have a screw loose. Marks is a penetrating DT who can harass the QB and collapse the pocket and give Indy some size upfront where they are severely lacking.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Percy Harvin, WR Florida








Joey Galloway is pretty much out of the system, Stovall hasn't panned out, Jackson is a returner at best and Clayton is inconsistent so I think the Bucs need to grab a WR and I think it's either Harvin or Britt, but I'm tempted to say Harvin because the Florida offense is much like the West Coast Offense that Gruden runs, screens, hitches, drags and such, so Harvin will be able to utilize his talents.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jason Smith, OT Baylor








The Steelers have had revolving doors at the tackle spot with Smith, Starks, Colon and other players trying to fill the void. Not to mention Roethlisberger is constantly under pressure so I think the Steelers need to grab the next tackle on the board and luckily, Jason Smith is a fantastic pick up this late in the draft. He'll be able to slide in at LT so that Marvel Smith can retire because that back injury is not going to get better and it'll hopefully keep Roethlisberger's blindside intact for the next 10 years.

31. Tennessee Titans – Mike Mickens, CB Cincinnati








Tennessee knows what to draft to win and with their secondary aging and #2 corner looking to be the only weak spot I think they go out and draft Mike Mickens, he might be slipping on some people's boards because of a meniscus injury he had to have surgery for, but I think Mickens is one of the most talented corners and that the Titans will gladly snatch him up, however, this pick could also be Clint Sintim from Virginia or Trevard Lindley from Kentucky.

32. New York Giants – Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers








The last pick in the 1st round goes to the Giants, and with it they select the in-state superstar WR Kenny Britt. The Giants have had some horrible luck with WR's this year. Tyree has been injured most of the season, Toomer is aging and Burress is looking at serious jail time. Behind that, they have Manningham, Smith and Moss, none of whom aside from Smith has really shown to be comfortable in this offense so I think they grab Britt and they'll gain that big body vertical threat that they are missing now that Plaxico is out of the line-up indefinitely.

There we have it folks, the second half of the first round. Now, if you're a little confused by the draft order it's because I use my buddy Eric's power rankings instead of ordering by record, just to see if it changed anything. However, the next mock will use the more accurate draft order since it will likely be up towards the end of the season when the standings are just about finalized, regardless, enjoy!

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Hello everyone and welcome back to Matty's Rookie of the Week, the week 14 edition. We saw a lot of great games from some really talented rookies this week on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. So without further delay, lets get into the trenches and find out who I have as my rookie of the week!

Matty's Rookie of the Week:

Jonathan Stewart, RB
5'10" 235 lbs
Oregon
1st round pick, 13th overall
15 rushes, 115 yards and 2 TDs

There he is folks, Matty's Rookie of the Week for week 14, the trucking back from Carolina, Mr. Jonathan Stewart. It is amazing how well a team can do when they find perfect balance in their backfield and that is exactly what has happened in Carolina with the two headed monster of Stewart and Williams. Earlier this season, the Panthers were blown out by the Bucs when they posted a lackluster 40 yards and 20 carries. However, this past Monday night they exploded for over 300 yards and 3 TDs and have now taken control of the NFC South from the Bucs, the main reason for that is right here, Jonathan Stewart gives the Panthers a quality back who can not only make the first guy miss, but pound him into the ground so he's hesitant the next time a run play is called to his side, then it allows DeAngelo Williams to fly by which leads to some big gains and points. Now, there were plenty of other candidates for this award but Jonathan Stewart, congrats, it goes to you.

Runner Ups:

Offense

Davone Bess, WR
5'10" 190 lbs
Hawaii
Undrafted
9 receptions, 74 yards

Defense

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
6'2" 182 lbs
Tennessee State
1st round pick, 16th overall
5 tackles, 2 pass def, 1 int for TD

Be sure to check back next week for the Week 15 ROTW!

2009 Mock Draft, Picks 1-16

Round 1:

1. Detroit Lions – Brian Orakpo, DE Texas

With the first selection in the 2009 NFL Draft I think the Lions go with the most impact defensive player on the board in Texas DE Brian Orakpo who has been an absolute monster this season. The game that most sticks out in my mind was the game vs. Missouri where Texas would only use a 3 man front and Orakpo was constantly harassing Chase Daniel all game long. The Lions have a wealth of needs coming into this draft but somehow I think they pass on QB and OT to select a game breaking DE because I have a feeling the Lions will go after Josh McDaniels, OC from the Patriots and his QB Matt Cassel which would leave them in the position to take BPA and that is Orakpo.

2. Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss

With the second selection, the Bengals go out and grab the big tackle from Mississippi, Michael may be slipping in people's eyes but I still think he's the best of the bunch and fits the style of offense that Cincinnati uses, he's an athletic tackle that can protect Palmer's backside while they move incumbent veteran Levi Jones over to RT and hopefully let Stacy Andrews go or move him to guard as he has been a disappointment this season after getting the franchise tag. Oher will go a long way in helping out the struggling Cincy offense.

3. Seattle Seahawks – Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State

With the third selection, the Seahawks go out and grab the top corner back available since they're having such a hard time covering the pass this year. Josh Wilson and Kelly Jennings are both nickel corners at best and Malcolm Jenkins can come in immediately and start opposite Trufant, but he also has the versatility to be a great FS for the Seahawks so I think this is the best pick for them, this pick could also be an OT or a WR since those are also positions of weakness but with Walter Jones still in place and Sean Locklear back from injury, I think they can hold off and get the best pure cover corner in the draft in Jenkins.

4. St. Louis Rams – Andre Smith, OT Alabama

With the fourth selection, the Rams select the massive tackle from Saban's resurgent Alabama squad. Andre Smith is a massive and imposing human being and considering the Rams were likely to pounce on Jake Long had he slipped to number 2 last year there is no way they don't go out and grab one of the two OTs left on the board at this point. I think Smith is the better fit of the two for the Rams since they would like to feature Jackson heavily and take some of the pressure of Bulger who has been an absolute catastrophe this year. Bringing in Smith would immediately help out the Rams ailing offense, especially in the red zone.

5. Oakland Raiders – Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia

With the fifth selection, the Crypt Keeper selects someone that didn't run a blazing 40 and that's the third OT in Eugene Monroe, the Raiders have big money invested in their QB and RB but the guys protecting them are hardly anything to write home about. Kwame Harris? Really? Eugene Monroe is drafted and starts from day one on the left side of the line where Robert Gallery is actually playing well and gives Jamarcus Russell some time to throw the ball so he can complete his 15-20 passes a game while the running game takes over. However, we all know Al Davis and how he gets all hot and bothered when he sees a fast 40, so this pick could also be Michael Crabtree, Taylor Mays or Darrius Heyward-Bey.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

With the sixth selection, the Jaguars go out and select the productive WR from Texas Tech, Mr. Crabtree, now, Jacksonville has had some really tough luck this season on both sides of the ball in regards to injuries, team disruptions and what have you, so this pick could also be traded down to the mid teens so that someone can come up and have a shot at Crabtree and Jacksonville can grab Brandon Spikes from Florida or Duke Robinson from Oklahoma. However, I think with the severe lack of production from the Jacksonville WRs and Matt Jones, their only productive WR sitting on possession charges, they'll need the skills of Crabtree in their offense to bail out David Garrard who has looked stunningly unimpressive this season.

7. Cleveland Browns – Chris Wells, RB Ohio State

With the seventh selection we welcome the Browns back to the first day after a brief hiatus last year and they go out and select the truck back from Ohio State, Mr. Chris Wells. In all likliehood, Jamal Lewis has played his last season with the Browns, he's lost all his get up and go and is looking more like a slug coming through the hole than a truck. If the Browns get Wells they can team him up with Jerome Harrison and have the two-headed beast of a backfield that is coming synonymous with NFL teams this season. Teaming up the speedy Harrison and bruising Wells in their division will do them some good, not to mention take some of the pressure off whoever is at QB.

8. San Diego Chargers – Rey Maualuga, LB USC

With the eighth selection San Diego has a wealth of needs to pick from, none that make sense here though as they could use OL depth since Goff might be leaving in the offseason, but it might still be too early for Duke Robinson to go. They also need a good 3-4 DE but again, potentially too early for Tyson Jackson. So, I think San Diego picks an in-state icon in the wild blitzing backer Maualuga and instantly upgrades the inside linebacker position for the Chargers who really don't have much in there. This is definitely a BPA pick, but San Diego could also trade down so that a team could come up and grab a DE like Michael Johnson or Greg Hardy before there's a run on them.

9. Buffalo Bills – Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech

With the ninth selection, the frigid Bills select Michael Johnson from Georgia Tech. For years, the Bills have had nothing opposite DE Aaron Schobel and they were able to get by because he was a relentless machine but as soon as he went down, the Bills lost all pass rush which leads me to believe they'll go out and grab the ridiculously huge DE from G-Tech, Michael Johnson who has all the potential to become a star and would give the Bills a very dangerous defensive line with Schobel, and tackles Stroud and Williams.

10. Kansas City Chiefs – Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss

With the tenth selection in the draft, the Chiefs select their most pressing need of all, a DE who can get to the QB. Kansas City has about as many sacks this season as Osi Umenyiora had in one game against Philly last year. Tamba Hali is not a pass rusher, he's a run stuffer and a motor player, but he lacks the speed around the edge so the Chiefs grab the next pass rusher in Hardy to play the rush end while Hali mans the other side and hopefully help out Dorsey and Tyler inside.

11. San Francisco 49ers – Taylor Mays, S USC

With the eleventh selection, the 49ers go BPA and Mays is that player. What was potentially a top 10 talent has slid to the 49ers who could use Mays range and playmaking ability. This pick could also be OL, pass rusher or even a WR because the 49ers have been severely lacking on offense but I think the 49ers hold off on OL until the second and select the speedy safety from SoCal.

12. Houston Texans – Everette Brown, DE Florida State

With the twelfth selection, the Texans grab the next pass rusher on the board in Brown from Florida State. The Texans have not gotten much from their defensive line this season with exception for Mario Williams and bringing in Brown will give the Texans a young and fantastic defensive line that will take serious pressure off the secondary. This pick could also be William Moore from Mizzou but I think the Texans need to take the best DE on the board as elite pass rushers are being snapped up quickly.

13. New Orleans Saints – Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest

With the thirteenth selection, the Saints go out and grab the best defensive playmaker on the board in the sure tackling, sideline to sideline machine in Aaron Curry. The Saints upgraded their defense when they traded for Vilma, but aside from Vilma I can't even think of who the other two OLBs for the Saints are. I think maybe a rotation of Shanle, Simoneau and Fujita… yeah, not great in my opinion so the Saints grab Curry and he starts from day one and is probably going to immediately be in consideration for defensive rookie of the year.

14. Philadelphia Eagles – Ciron Black, OT LSU

With the fourteenth selection, the Eagles have a wealth of needs as well and with news that Tre Thomas and Jon Runyan will probably be let go and with the injury woes to Andrews and Jean-Gilles, the Eagles are definitely going to go OL here and since I think they have better depth at guard, I think they go OT with Ciron Black from LSU. Ciron is a solid pass blocker and devastating run blocker opening huge holes against great opponents in the SEC. He'll definitely be a pick Andy Reid will enjoy making… if he retains his job of course.

15. Green Bay Packers – George Selvie, DE South Florida

With the fifteenth selection, the Green Bay Packers and Ted Thompson grab the next best pass rusher on the board in George Selvie from South Florida. With the release of KGB and severe lack of production from the defensive line after losing Jenkins to injury and Williams to the Browns, the Packers are in need of a book end for Aaron Kampman and Selvie is staring them right in the face, it's going to be a tough transition from Florida to Green Bay but it's definitely a fit.

16. Chicago Bears – Vontae Davis, CB Illinois

With the sixteenth selection, Da Bears select cornerback Vontae Davis. The Bears have really suffered from injuries and poor play in the secondary this season and may be the only reason they don't win the division this year. This pick could also be a WR like Darrius Heyward-Bey, but I think Lovie Smith goes with what he knows and that's a strong running game and suffocating defense and in order to do that, he needs a guy who can cover and Davis fits that bill.

Be sure to stay tuned for picks 17-32!

My Top 10 Favourite Prospects for the 2009 NFL Entry Draft.

Howdy folks, Matty here with another blog to keep you informed on the world of NFL and NCAA. I've compiled a list of my 10 favourite players who will be declaring for the NFL entry draft, give you some brief insight on them and let you know where I think they may be drafted. So, without further delay, lets get to the lucky man who starts this countdown off.

No. 10 -

Marcus Thigpen
RB/KR
Indiana Hoosiers
5'9" 199 lbs
Junior
94 rush attempts for 631 yards and 7 TDs
Projected Round: 5th-6th

Marcus Thigpen is the first player to make this list and he does so with an impressive burst of speed and acceleration. Thigpen may be one of the top return men in the country, his speed, lateral mobility and acceleration may be second to none. He's the perfect complimentary back that is becoming all the rage in the NFL today, he returns kicks amazingly, he can break the long run at any given time and he can catch passes out of the backfield. He will never be a feature back but he will always be very a dangerous weapon for any team. His play reminds me of Jerious Norwood, RB for the Atlanta Falcons.

No. 9 -

Duke Robinson
OL
Oklahoma Sooners
6'5" 330 lbs
Senior
1st Team All Big-12
Projected Round: 1st

The next player on my list is the road grating behemoth from Oklahoma, the Duke! Duke is a classic Sooners offensive lineman, he's big, he's mean and he's freakishly athletic. Coming out the Big-12, he's had plenty of challenges from interior defensive tackles and nasty defensive ends looping around but he's an incredibly smart offensive lineman and rarely finds himself out of position. I don't think it would be a stretch to see this big fella here end up in the first round going to a team like the Eagles or Steelers who would love to bring aboard the Georgia native. His play reminds me of Davin Joseph, OG for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

No. 8 -

Alphonso Smith
CB
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
5'9" 190 lbs
Senior
20 Career Ints, 4 Return TDs
Projected Round: 1st-2nd

The next athlete on the countdown is an exceptional talent and one of the reasons for the emergence of Wake Forest over the past few years, alongside LB Aaron Curry, Smith gives the Demon Deacons some credibility on the defensive side of the ball not to mention incredible career production. Smith is a great corner back who closes on the ball extremely well and has great ball skills and is able to read plays very nicely, he's not much of a run supporter but at his size I don't blame him. However, I believe he is the #2 corner in the draft behind Malcolm Jenkins from OSU. His play reminds me of Champ Bailey, CB for the Denver Broncos.

No. 7 -

Ramses Barden
WR
Cal Poly SLO Mustangs
6'6" 227 lbs
Senior
67 receptions, 1,257 rec. yards and 18 TDs
Projected Round: 3rd-4th

Not many people may have heard of Barden because he plays at 1-AA Cal Poly, but the boys at SLO play some good football and this fella in particular outshines them all. This is the definition of possession receiver and red zone threat. At 6'6" and weighing in at 227 pounds, this fella will win the jump ball match in the end zone more often than not, he has great career production and all the skills to make it to the next level. He'll probably have to do some training to boost his numbers at the combine since scouts will want to see the fluidity in his hips and his long speed, but I think he can pull it off. His play reminds me of Vincent Jackson, WR for the San Diego Chargers.

No. 6 -

Michael Oher
OT
Ole Miss Rebels
6'5" 325
Senior
1st Team All-SEC
Projected Round: 1st

Here he is ladies and gents, Big Mike himself, one of the best stories in the NFL Draft. Every year there is an athlete whose upbrining really makes you appreciate what they do even more, such players as Patrick Willis or Tamba Hali who overcome tremendous odds to make their dreams come true. Oher is another one of those players, a great LT and a cornerstone for a franchise in dire need of protection. His play reminds me of D'Brickshaw Ferguson of the New York Jets.

No. 5 -

Brian Cushing
LB
Southern California Trojans
6'3" 252 lbs
Senior
63 tackles, 9 tfl, 2.5 sacks, 1 int and ff
Projected Round: 2nd-3rd

One of my absolute favourite players in this years coming draft is the versatile Brian Cushing. This big fella is an athlete and knows how put his team first. When the Trojans were stacked at LB he played DE and he has always been on the move. He is a jack of all trades and a fantastic linebacker, he has great instincts, he doesn't miss many tackles and he is also capable of dropping back into coverage without missing a beat. If Cushing has one knock, it is his ability to stay on the field, shoulder and ankle injuries have caused him to miss some serious time but regardless, the boy is can play. His play reminds me of Terrell Suggs from the Baltimore Ravens.

No. 4 -

Alex Mack
C
California Golden Bears
6'4" 315 lbs
Senior
1st Team All American
Projected Round: 1st

This is my favourite offensive linemen in the draft, this guy personifies the term mean streak. Mack is the kind of football player you'd hate to face but love to have on your side. He's a big, nasty, tough, smart and capable football player that will no doubt anchor the center of an offensive line and make all the necessary calls for the next 10-15 years. He is an absolute animal and always finishes his blocks and heads down field to find more victims, if he falls out of the first round I will be shocked. His play reminds me of Tom Nalen from the Denver Broncos.

No. 3 -

Patrick Chung
S
Oregon Ducks
5'11" 212 lbs
Senior
2nd Team All American
Projected Round: 2nd-3rd

Here we go, Patrick Chung tops out the top three, this aggressive, nasty hitting safety is another player who I absolutely adore and would fit in just about any defensive system and flourish. He has great instincts and range that allow him to pick off passes and knock receivers out like a light, but unfortunately his over aggressiveness is his downfall as it sometimes leaves him out of position or he whiffs on a tackle but regardless, he is a dynamic player and one of my absolute favourites. His play reminds me of Ryan Clark from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

No. 2 -

Jasper Brinkley
LB
South Carolina Gamecocks
6'2" 275 lbs
Senior
1st Team All-SEC
Projected Round: 4th-5th

Number 2 on my list is the absolutely enormous MLB for the Gamecocks, Mr. Jasper Brinkley, as far as I'm concerned if it was not for his knee injury negating his entire 2007 campaign, this is a guy who would be a 1st rounder. He has all the tools to become an elite MLB in the NFL. He's big, he's mean, he plays sideline to sideline, he rarely misses tackles and when he tackles you, you go down. He might be a bit of a liability in coverage because he's an extremely large fella but he can definitely man the middle of a defense with low zones and playing the flats. I think if he works out well at the combine it would jump him into the 3rd round. His play reminds me of Karlos Dansby from the Arizona Cardinals.

No. 1 -

Tyson Jackson
DE
Louisiana State Tigers
6'5" 295 lbs
Senior
34 tackles, 8.5 tfl, 4.5 sacks, fr
Projected Round: 1st-2nd

Here he is, my favourite prospect coming out in this years NFL entry draft. However, anyone who knows me is probably not surprised by this since I am a huge LSU fan. Regardless of that fact, Tyson Jackson is without a doubt my favourite prospect because he just is the type of player that can do everything for you. In all likelihood he'll be a LE or 5-T in the NFL because of his stoutness against the run and his limited pass rush variety but I think he's the kind of player who comes to work and gets things done. If he gets to combine in shape and ready to go he could be a top 25 pick with teams like the Redskins, Bills, Steelers and Chargers needing his skills. His play reminds me of Shaun Ellis from the New York Jets.

There you have it ladies and gents, my top 10 favourite prospects for this years NFL Draft. Be sure to keep tabs on this blog and www.alldayfootball.com to see my upcoming mock draft as well as my top prospects list.