2009 NFL Draft - Top 10 Sleepers
by Clint Clearwater
NFL Draft Analyst
3/21/09


The NFL draft is rapidly approaching and with it comes a sense of excitement and wonder.  Everyone wants to know who their favorite team is going to pick in the first round and if that pick will pay off.  However, with every first round stud there is a late round stud, commonly referred to as a sleeper.  Some of these players were not even invited to the Combine.  Nevertheless, every year they surprise and shock everyone.  Here is a list of my top ten sleepers in this year’s NFL draft.


1.  Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina
Height: 6-0. Weight: 183.
Combine 40 Time: 4.64.
Tate injured his knee early in 2008 and was lost for the entire season.  Prior to his injury, he played great.  He had 376 yards, 3 receiving TDs, 143 yards rushing and a punt return for a touchdown in just six games.  When he was healthy, I liked him over his teammate, Hakeem Hicks, who is a potential 1st round pick.

2.  Michael Bennett, DE, Texas A&M
Height: 6-4. Weight: 274.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.86.
Benchx225: 24.
Bennett has great height and weight.  His stats aren’t that special, however I strongly believe that his best football is ahead of him.  He has great solid rushing and at his size, that can be lethal.  Bennett is the brother of Cowboys' tight end Martellus Bennett.

3.  Joe Burnett, CB, UCF
Height: 5-9. Weight: 192. 
Combine 40 Time: 4.51.
Benchx225: 22.
Burnett had 44 tackles, 11 passes broken up and 4.5 TFL. He is also a great special teams player; he blocked a kick and returned 2 kickoffs for touchdowns.  Burnett will be a great value pick for an NFL team, since he brings so much to the table.  He will make an immediate impact as kick/punt returner, but could be a good nickleback as well.

4.  Terrance Knighton, DT, Temple
Height: 6-3. Weight: 321.
40 Time: 5.19
Knighton is a huge mammoth defensive tackle.  He ranked No. 2 in the MAC in fumble recoveries, and blocked a field goal against Navy (4th of his career).  He finished this season with 54 tackles and 7.5 TFL.  He also was the team’s defensive MVP in 2007.  He is a monster run stopper who can also provide a rush.  I think that he will be a great 3-4 defensive tackle in the NFL as long as he keeps his strength up and works on his technique. 

5.  Anthony Heygood, OLB, Purdue
Height: 6-0. Weight: 225.
40 Time: 4.67.
Benchx225: 18
Heygood led Purdue’s defense with 114 tackles and 6 TFL.  He used to play running back before 2006; once he made the transition to linebacker he has been a tackling monster.  He is a little small, so many teams will shy away from him, but the boy can play football.  He is versatile, and fast.  Plus many other small linebackers have made the transition.

6.  Zach Potter, DE, Nebraska 
Height: 6-7. Weight: 279.
40 Time: 4.93.
Benchx225: 20.
Potter was an All-Big XII honorable mention and had 12 TFL, 5.5 sacks, seven passes broken up and two picks in 2008.  His height and weight really stood out.  He does a good job of standing up linemen and finding the ball carrier.  He won’t provide too much of a pass rush in the NFL, but he will be good against the run.  He looks to be an ideal 3-4 DE.   

7.  Dave Philistin, ILB, Maryland
Height: 6-2. Weight: 231.
40 Time: 4.68.
Philistin had 94 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks this year.  He plays with great intensity, however he over pursues……a lot.  He has the measurements, with solid height and weight, in addition to great speed.

8.  Cecil Newton, C, Tennessee State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 297.
40 Time: 5.15
He is a third year starter for Tennessee State’s offensive line.  Tennessee State was known for running the ball well, and a lot of their success is due to Newton.  He needs to beef up a little. 

9.  Phil Trautwein, OT, Florida
Height: 6-6. Weight: 310.
40 Time: 5.25.
Trautwein is one of the few Florida Gators who are constantly overlooked.  He was on the All-SEC First Team.  He missed all of 2007 due to a stress fracture he got during training camp, however since then he was been a rock for the Gators.  He is a tremendous run blocker.  Trautwein’s fellow tackle at Florida, Jason Watkins, is getting much of the publicity right now.

10.  Jamarca Sanford, SS, Ole Miss
Height: 5-10. Weight: 214.
Combine 40 Time: 4.54.
Benchx225: 29.
Sanford had 82 tackles and four tackles for loss in his senior season.  Sanford is a strong, thick kid who is great against the run.  At the very least he will be a great special team’s player in the NFL, but I think he would be a great run-stopping safety.  As a senior, he was the SEC’s active leader in career tackles.  Finished his career with 287 tackles. 


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