Picking Last in Each Round of the 2009 NFL Draft
by Michael Abromowitz
NFL Draft Director
4/19/09


The Detroit Lions should have an excellent chance to build their team in this draft as they have earned the right to draft first in each round (traded 1st pick in the 4th and 5th rounds).  These high picks should definitely help bring talent to the Lions.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t build a strong draft when picking at the end of each round.  Let’s create a hypothetical situation in which there are 33 teams in the NFL, and my team is drafting last in each round.  For this activity, I used a 3rd party source to avoid any bias opinion or chance to control the outcome.  I have used NFLDraftScout.com for the round by round projections.  I can only draft a player in rounds earlier than projected.  For example, in the 1st round, I cannot draft any prospect projected to go in the 1st round, even if their projection is “1st-2nd round.”  In the 7th round, I cannot draft any prospect projected to even get drafted.  If a prospect is projected to go between rounds 4-6, I am only able to draft him in rounds 1-3.  I will get 1 pick per round.  I also must draft at least 1 prospect from each group: 

QB/RB/FB
WR/TE
OL
DL
LB
DB

With 6 groups, I only get 1 extra draft pick to use anyway I like.  Let’s assume that my team runs a basic 4-3 defense. 

1st Round – Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan (projected 2nd Round)
Having a chance to draft the top prospect at his position was too good to pass up.  Delmas is the whole package, he can cover against the pass, tackle well, and he hits hard.  He should be one of the premier safeties in the league.  I also considered drafting James Casey, tight end from Rice.  Casey may be the most athletic specimen in this draft.  Not only can he play tight end, but he also can play H-Back, RB, FB, QB, WR, and long snapper.  Casey would bring amazing versatility to my offense and could be used in a wildcat formation.  However, I see far more value in Delmas as I can find a decent tight end later in the draft, but probably not a safety. 

2nd Round – Gerald Cadogan, OT, Penn St. (projected 3rd Round)
I knew I was going to address offensive line with one of my first two picks because not only is it a vital position, but after the first two rounds I don’t believe there will be a player that can make an impact immediately.  I have been extremely high on Cadogan and lucky to see him fall to me at the end of round two.  In Cadogan, I get an athletic tackle who is quick on his feet an also has experience playing guard.  I also considered Rashad Jennings, a big bruising back, and Gerald McRath, an inside linebacker.  However, with an expected run on offensive tackles, I thought Cadogan was the best choice. 


3rd Round – Glen Coffee, RB, Alabama (projected 4th – 5th Round)
Glen Coffee would have benefited from another year of college, but his early entry is my gift as I am able to get the taller running back that I wanted.  The SEC is known for producing some great running backs, and I think Coffee can be a good one.  He is 6-0, 210 lbs with a 4.5 40.  In 2008, he ran for 1,383 yards with 10 touchdowns, and also caught 16 receptions.   The most important stat: he never fumbled.  I will admit Coffee’s strong offensive line did help with his stats.  I also considered two big defensive tackles: Dorell Scott from Clemson and Sammie Lee Hill from tiny Stillman, and the speedster receiver Johnny Knox from Abilene Christian. 

4th Round – Scott McKillop, ILB, Pittsburgh (projected 5th Round)
I want a strong leader in the middle of my defense that is a tackling machine and that is exactly what Scott McKillop is.  McKillop finished the 2008 season with 151 tackles.  People may say McKillop lacks ideal speed, but he ran a solid 4.7 40 at the Combine and had top-five performances in five of seven testing events.  With Delmas and McKillop, my defense has two strong leaders.  I also considered adding another offensive tackle in Joel Bell of Furman, Georgia cornerback Asher Allen, and speedy Ole Miss. Receiver Mike Wallace.

5th Round – Chris Baker, DT, Hampton (projected 6th Round)
I admit it, this pick doesn’t fit my high character that I seek in prospects, but Baker seems to have grown up after being arrested at Penn St and transferring and it is extremely difficult to pass on a tackle that is 6-2, 326 lbs that can run a 4.9 40.  He is extremely agile for his size and the “plug” I am looking for on my defensive line.  Baker falls primarily because of his off field issues, but if he stays out of trouble, he can be a real steal.   I also considered cornerback/kick returner Joe Burnett from Central Florida , outside linebacker Corey Smith from Cincinnati, wide receiver Quan Cosby from Texas, and tight end Bear Pascoe.  Baker’s size and speed was too good to pass up.

6th Round – Tiquan Underwood, WR, Rutgers (projected 7th Round)
Once I get to the later rounds I am looking for players to contribute on special teams.  Underwood is fast, really fast.  He has 4.3 speed and has great size at 6-1.  He could add bulk as he is 184 lbs.  He lacks great hands and had a very poor senior season.  In 2007, he had 65 receptions for 1,100 yards, while in 2008, he only had 40 receptions for 494 yards.  I am not too worried about Underwood’s hands as he can improve that, but you can’t teach 4.3 speed.  Underwood has the potential to be a very good return specialist.  I also considered Pittsburgh fullback Conredge Collins, Florida State cornerback/return specialist Michael Ray Garvin, who can run a sub 4.3 40, and BYU guard Ray Feinga.  I chose Underwood because I think he can make an immediate impact as a returner and has the potential to develop into a solid receiver. 


7th Round – Darius Hill, TE, Ball St. (not projected to get drafted)
If anyone knows me, the position I consider myself most knowledgeable at is tight end.  I love the position and believe it is the best weapon in football if teams know how to use it.  I love utilizing tight ends in my offense, I considered taking James Casey in round 1, but believed I could draft a solid tight end in the later rounds.  And I believe I did.  Hill was extremely productive in his career at Ball State.  In four seasons, he had 158 career receptions for 2,476 yards and 31 touchdowns.  Even for a receiver, those statistics look gaudy.  Hill also has ideal measurements as he is 6-7 and 246 lbs and ran a 4.72 40.  Hill falls this far because he is not much of a blocker, drops too many balls, and his statistics dropped as he was doubled teamed far more this season, especially after receiver Dante Love was lost for the season.  I love Hill’s potential especially for a 7th round pick.  I also considered Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman.

Here is a summary of my draft:
1.  Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan
2.  Gerald Cadogan, OT, Penn St.
3.  Glenn Coffee, RB, Alabama
4.  Scott McKillop, ILB, Pittsburgh
5.  Chris Baker, DT, Hampton
6.  Tiquan Underwood, WR, Rutgers
7.  Darius Hill, TE, Ball St.

Feel free to send comments.  Hate my team? Like it?   Feel free to send me who you would draft in this situation.


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 - 6 rounds
MockDraftDatabase.com (our mock draft database)