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The NFL Combine is the proverbial meat market of the National Football League. While athletic prowess is not a sure fire indicator for success in the league it does provide an opportunity for overlooked players to raise their stock and overrated players to lose some of their status if not all of it (Andre Smith ). Here is a look at the front seven defensive class of 2009, as I am very disappointed with the defensive backs.

Who Impressed:

Texas DE Brian Orakpo

Orakpo, like Maualunga tweaked his hamstring during the 40-yard dash, but still posted ridiculous numbers including a 4.70 40yd dash and posting 31 reps in the bench press, besting all ends in the camp. Orakpo, posting numbers like this with the athleticism he displays on the field will possibly play LB in the NFL in a 3-4 scheme and would still be a man-whore at DE in a 4-3.

Cincinnati DE Connor Barwin

In the Orange Bowl, I kept an eye on this kid and he showed a massive motor continually finding himself in the Virginia Tech backfield. Barwin looked a little raw, but who can deny his size and stats he posted this week at the combine. The former tight end finished first among defensive linemen in vertical jump (40.5 inches), broad jump (10 feet 8 inches), three-cone drill time (6.87 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle time (4.18). His 4.66 40-yard dash was second best among ends.



Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry

The Butkus Award winner showed why he is so highly rated. One scout said he clearly looked like the best linebacker in the draft, outclassing the competition in almost everything he did. Curry ran a 4.56 40, broad jumped 10-4 and high jumped 37 inches, all best among linebackers, and showed excellent athleticism in positional drills.


Florida State DE Everette Brown 


Brown was one of the standouts. He not only ran well in the 40-yard dash, timing in the 4.6s, but looked very good in just about everything he did. He did not blow any doors off in terms of explosiveness, but showed good all-around athleticism. While no one came to the Combine questioning his ability to be an end in a 4-3 scheme, his athletic display proved to 3-4 teams that he has the foot speed, agility, balance and flexibility to move smoothly and easily off the ball. He should have no trouble in pass coverage at the next level. 
Brown is just a hair behind Orakpo in my opinion.

USC OLB Clay Matthews 


Even though this kid didn’t start until the 4th game of his senior season, he is one of the hottest names in this years draft. The former walk-on is one of the most natural pass rushers I’ve seen in years. He started off by running in the 40 in the high 4.5s/low 4.6s and kept going from there. He looked smooth, fluid and athletic in drills, and showed the hips, foot quickness and agility to change directions and move well in space. 
Needs to pick up some weight while maintaining these type of numbers.

Who Depressed:

LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois


Jean-Francois probably caused his stock to drop from a 4th round prospect to a 7th round/free agent prospect. He looked out of shape, soft-bodied and did not impress in workouts or drills. Jean-Francois did not run the 40, which probably kept him from completely killing his draft stock. 
Ricky needed to look more like Jean-Claude than Jean-Francois for this combine.

Ohio State
 MLB James Laurinaitis

With all due respect I’ve never been impressed by this kid as he is representative of the entire OSU program: over-hyped and never delivers in the clutch. For example, an average 40 time did not wow anyone running in the 4.8 range. Laurinaitis looked like an average athlete and did not show the flexibility and agility that would have solidified him as a first-rounder in going through other drills. I think he was a very solid LB in college but to receive the hoopla he did was undeserved and the combine is the first step of the NFL exposing this young man.

Michigan DT Terrance Taylor

Taylor was one of the few bright lights in a very dismal year for Michigan. Taylor did lead all DT in the bench press hoisting 225 37 times. His stock had been on the decline lately, but Taylor reversed the trend, showing his quickness in positional along with a great showing on the bench. You could make an argument that he deserved to be in the who impressed category but we will leave him here for now could end up being one of the steals of this draft.


USC LB Rey Maualuga

He pulled a hamstring after running an unimpressive 4.89 40. However, unlike Laurinaitis, Maualuga will be a star in the NFL. Anybody checked out Ray Lewis’ 40 time lately? Rey is a manimal at LB and that face will be proven as long as he stays healthy. Go ahead and roll with that “p.s. I hope I never run into James Laurinaitis in a dark alley anywhere.” Maualuga is the guy you need to be looking out for.

Penn State DE Aaron Maybin

He bulked up to 249 pounds but apparently lost speed, running the 40 in 4.88—not very fast for a speed rusher. This may be the most disappointing, because during the year this kid looked like a missile coming off the edge. Time will only tell if this is an indicator of this kid’s true skill set.

Sincerely,

5.1 Forty Clayborne

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