2009 NFL Draft All-Fan Team
by Michael Abromowitz
NFL Draft Director
4/1/09


When it comes to the NFL Draft I get tons of fan mail.  Usually the readers give me suggestions of who their team should draft, not just round 1, but all 7 rounds.  The most common email is something like this:

We can pass on player A in round 1 because we should be able to draft Player B in round X. 

After all these suggestions, I started seeing the same prospects.  Fans of every team are targeting the same players.  If I would make assumptions from the emails, it would be that Connor Barwin will be drafted by every team…. in the 2nd round.  The common explanation: “Why should we draft Aaron Maybin/Everette Brown in round 1, when we can get Barwin in round 2?”  As names started to continue to pop up, I decided to make a list and create an All-Fan Team.  The prospects on this list are players our readers want drafted by their team, usually after the first round.  A lot of times these are prospects that have eye popping measurements or impressive college stats.  Some are small school prospects that transferred from a BCS school.  When readers sent me their mock draft for their favorite team, these prospects showed up the most.  Missouri leads the team with 3 players.

Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston St.
Almost all readers are familiar with Rhett Bomar during his time at Oklahoma.  Bomar was one of the most highly touted high school prospects and with Adrian Peterson, the two were expected to bring a national title to Oklahoma.  After Bomar’s dismissal from Oklahoma, Bomar went off the radar as he transferred to Sam Houston St.   With this being a very weak year for quarterbacks, Bomar is starting to regain the attention as he is one of the top senior quarterbacks in this draft.  Many readers believe if he had stayed at Oklahoma he could have been a 1st round draft pick so he would be a steal for their team drafted him in the 4th.  Thus their reason for their team to pass on one of the top 3 quarterbacks in the 1st round.  Bomar has great potential and reminds me a lot of Brett Favre.  Besides similar measurements, both have a strong arm and are great scramblers, but yet sometimes try to do way too much. 

Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty
Hate to tell you the bad news, but Jennings is not a secret.  Every NFL team and draft nut is aware of him, especially his 6-1 stature.  Even though he is 3 inches smaller than Brandon Jacobs, fans like the comparison.  A big bruising back from a small school (both transferred from a BCS school).  Jennings is projected to go in round 3 according to many readers.  Expect him to go even earlier because NFL teams have taken notice.  Jennings had one of the best college head coaches in Danny Rocco, who coached for the Jets and was Al Groh's associate head coach at Virginia.

Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa
After Jennings, the next running back to flutter my inbox is Greene.  Every fan wants to remind me of Greene’s 1,850 yards last season in addition to his 20 touchdowns.  Greene’s age is a factor for him declaring early, as he will be 24 when he plays his first professional game.  Greene’s speed, will keep him out of the first round and possibly 2nd round.  I am really high on Greene, but you can’t use his stats to say he is better than Chris Wells, Knowshon Moreno, and Donald Brown.  He played in a run first offense helping his statistics. 


Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
Anytime a wide receiver is 6-6, fans are going to want him for their team.  Barden who is 6-6 with 4.5 speed may come from a small program, Cal Poly, but he is no sleeper prospect.  A lot of comparisons are being made with Barden and former Northern Colorado prospect Vincent Jackson.  Barden certainly is an intriguing prospect and giving fans hope that their favorite team will draft him. 

Derrick Williams, WR, Penn St.
Maybe the most touted player out of high school in 2005, readers are huge fans of Williams.  Despite lacking top timed speed, fans are enamored with his playmaking ability and more importantly the chance that he may be available in round 3 or later.  Williams also is a fan favorite because along with Justin King, the two top prospects helped revive Penn State's program.  With Penn State on the downfall and fans and media wanting Joe Paterno to retire, these two prospects chose to play for Paterno.  Since, Penn State is back to being the one of the top programs in the country and Paterno is still the head coach. 

Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri
Coffman’s career stats at Missouri were off the charts.  In his career, he had 247 receptions, 2,659 receiving yards, and 30 touchdowns.  Looking at those stats, you would think Coffman was a wide receiver, a very good wide receiver.  Coffman has Missouri’s pass happy offense to thank for those cushy numbers.  With recent injuries and not being much of a blocker, Coffman is projected to go in the late 2nd – 3rd round of the draft.  With his offensive potential, readers think he could be a steal. 

Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina
Many readers want their team to pass up on an OT in the 1st round because they believe Meredith is 1st round value that can be drafted in the 2nd round.  Meredith has that combination of athleticism and strength.  He ran his 40 at the Combine in under 5 seconds and also bench pressed 225 lbs 31 times.  With a run on offensive tackles last year and another one expected, Meredith may get drafted higher than expected. 

Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska
Before the Combine, Murtha was remembered more as a talented prospect with a history of injuries than his play on the field.  At the Combine, the 6-7 Murtha dominated statistically including a 4.82 40.  Once considered an undrafted free agent, Murtha now could go as high as the 5th round. 

Herman Johnson, G, LSU
Johnson is 6-7, 356 lbs making him extremely large for an offensive guard.  His massive size may actually be a disadvantage for him at guard, but fans cannot stop imagining him blocking next to some giant offensive tackle.  Could move to right tackle in the NFL.

Andy Levitre, G, Oregon St.
Readers loved that Levitre played both tackle positions in college, but is projected to play guard in the NFL.  West Coasters love him and believe he is a 2nd round prospect who gets forgotten because he played in the Northwest.  I don’t think he is forgotten because I have received a lot of emails about him.

Eric Wood, C, Louisville
With Alex Mack and Max Unger expected to be off the board by early 2nd round, readers think their team could get Wood in the later part of round 2 or early 3.  Wood’s stock has increased recently, and I have a hard time seeing him get pass the middle of round 2.  In most years, Wood would be the top center prospect in the draft.  Fans like to remind me that Wood can also play guard, if I didn’t know that already.

Connor Barwin, DE/OLB/TE, Cincinnati
Barwin is the most popular player in the draft, or at least the player that I get the most emails about.  I could be a millionaire for every nickel I got from fans telling me that Barwin “can also be a team’s 3rd string tight end.”  After a great Combine, Barwin’s stock has increased rapidly, and he could very well be drafted in round 1.  Many readers have emailed wanting their team to bypass on Everette Brown/Aaron Maybin in the 1st round because they could get just as good of value with Barwin in the 2nd round.  Well if that is the case, I wouldn’t expect Barwin to last until 2nd round.  Barwin’s athleticism and ability to play tight end has made fans thinking he could be the best steal in the draft.  Problem is he probably won’t be a steal as every NFL team is aware of his talents.

Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Everyone knows about Johnson’s 6-7, 266 lb frame with 4.61 speed.  He has all the “potential” in the world, but just has not used it yet.  With that, he could fall into the 2nd round; giving fans the impression he could be a treasure.  Mario Williams and Julius Peppers are names being used to compare Michael Johnson.  Imagine getting one of those players with a late 1st round or 2nd round pick!  Readers think it is a possibility. 

Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
With so many teams switching to a 3-4 and needing a big nosetackle, Ron Brace’s name has come up often especially because after teammate B.J. Raji, he looks to be the top 3-4 DT.  He is projected as a 2nd rounder, and fans of Kansas City, Green Bay, Denver, and Tennessee think he is going to their team. 

Terrance Knighton, DT, Temple
Knighton’s stock has certainly risen because so many teams are trying to find a nosetackle for their 3-4 defense.  Being from Temple and being 6-3, 321 lbs certainly increases his mystery and fans’ excitement about him.  Because of his college, fans think they could steal him in the 7th round. Well, Knighton is becoming a hot name around NFL teams and could easily get drafted as early as the 5th round. 

Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
The only certain, or at least most likely, first rounder on this list.  Cushing is one of MY readers’ most talked about prospects because of his insane athleticism and massive physique.  Readers also love that Cushing can play outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and even defensive end.  More intrigue surrounding Cushing: message boards and articles have spilled rumors that Cushing has taken steroids, but he has never tested positives.  His hype and ability is also maximized because he played at USC.  He played at USC, he must be awesome!

Jason Williams, OLB, Western Illinois
Williams’ 40 may be the 40 heard around the country.  After wowing scouts with a 4.49 40 and 26 repetitions on the bench press, Williams’ stock has never been hotter and now he is projected to be a 3rd rounder.  Fans have been flooding me with emails about this “sleeper” prospect from Western Illinois.  Numerous NFL teams are scheduling visits for Williams to come in.  Fans have been talking about Williams all over the message boards.

Frantz Joseph, ILB, Florida Atlantic
People like to call him a sleeper and a late round draft steal because he went to Florida Atlantic, but Joseph is one of the top inside linebackers in this draft even though he was not invited to the Combine.  I think he could go as high as the 4th round.  Joseph was 2nd in the nation with 154 tackles and after a great Motor City Bowl performance and being named defensive MVP of the Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game, Joseph’s stock has been climbing.  He has the chance to be the first Florida Atlantic player drafted.  Joseph’s draft situation reminds me a lot of former Florida International OLB Antwan Barnes (first FIU player drafted) who is now a Baltimore Raven.  Joseph transferred from Boston College to be closer to his mother for financial reasons.  Joseph was an immigrant from Haiti raised in poverty.  Who doesn’t love a rags to riches story. 


Mark Parson, CB, Ohio
Parson may be the most overhyped player in the NFL Draft and Deion Sanders may be the reason.  Sanders has him training at his Prime U Camp, despite the NFL not inviting to the Combine and many NFL Draft experts, including myself not projecting Parson any higher than the 6th or 7th round.  Parson is the only player on this list that readers want their team to draft Parson earlier than projected.  Note: many "fan" sites do project Parson going higher as well.   Parson’s problem is for being under 5-9 he lacks top speed.  However, his lack of highlight tape may be because opposing teams hardly threw his way.   Deion Sanders is one of the greatest cornerbacks ever so he and many fans may know something the NFL and many NFL Draft analysts do not. 

Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland
Kevin Barnes was one of the big winners of the NFL Draft.  He ranked among the top five cornerbacks tested in the 40-yard dash (4.45 seconds), the vertical jump (38.5 inches), the broad jump (10 feet, 8 inches), and other drills.  He also scored a 41 on his Wonderlic, the highest known for this draft.  Anytime a player has amazing athletic ability and brains he becomes an instant fan favorite.  Barnes is also above 6 feet tall, something many NFL teams desire.  Barnes projects now as a 3rd rounder. 

William Moore, S, Missouri
Moore was once considered a top 15 pick and NFL fans still remember that.  Since a poor Senior Bowl, Moore’s stock has dropped to the 2nd round.  But fans still remember that top 15 projection and many believe he would be a total steal in the 2nd round.  I know because many fans have told me.  Atlanta, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston – you all know who you are.   

Sean Smith, S, Utah
Fans love Smith’s 6-4 frame and 4.43 speed and most importantly his ability to play both cornerback and free safety.  Because of his size, Smith may be moved to free safety.   Fans love the idea of a free safety with coverage skills like a cornerback.  With so many tall receivers in the NFL, Smith’s value to NFL teams and fans is only increased.  You don’t see a 6-4 cornerback that often and with that Smith has created a lot of interest.  Smith could be drafted as high as the late 1st round, but most likely will be taken in the 2nd round. 

Jeff Wolfert, K, Missouri
I don’t get many emails regarding kickers and to be honest I don’t spend too much time evaluating them.  Wolfert makes this team because of the one email I received about him.  That one email came from his girlfriend.  His girlfriend was wondering why I didn’t rank her boyfriend that high compared to other kickers who were less accurate in college.  I explained to her about leg strength and his other weaknesses.  This was all before I knew she was his girlfriend.  She was extremely polite about the whole thing and gave me a complete detail of how well Wolfert did at Missouri’s Pro Day.

Kevin Huber, P, Cincinnati
The only punter mentioned in any of my emails.

All-Fan Player of the 2009 NFL Draft
Connor Barwin, DE/OLB/TE, Cincinnati

Honorable Mention
Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech
Jarett Dillard, WR, Rice
Jarron Gilbert, DE/DT, San Jose St.
Lawrence Sidbury Jr., DE, Richmond
Domonique Johnson, CB, Jackson St.

Michael Abromowitz has been quoted in numerous publications, both internet and print and is a proud member of the Football Writers Association of America.


Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 7 rounds
Cox's 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 4 rounds
MockDraftDatabase.com (our mock draft database)