2009 NFL Draft - Top 5 Risers and Fallers
by Michael Abromowitz
NFL Draft Director
1/26/09

We haven't even gotten to the Combine yet, and we already have players making movement in the draft.  It is only January, so these players' draft positions are sure to change again.


Top 5 Risers

1.  B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Last year, Raji's dreams of the NFL seemed to be just that, a dream.  Having to sit out the entire 2007 college football season, his draft status tanked.  After a great senior season, and one of the most impressive Senior Bowl week performances, his status has never been higher.  Raji has solidified himself as the top defensive tackle in the draft, and may have improved his stock by the pure luck that the Broncos and Packers are expected to switch to a 3-4 defense, where Raji looks to be an ideal nosetackle.  First round seemed like a sure bet a few weeks ago, but now Raji should go in the top 15.

2.  Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois
Maybe it should be the Demarcus Ware factor.  Stud DE from a non BCS school stock moves up as he projects to play OLB in a 3-4 system.  English, though, may be versatile enough where he could play OLB in a 4-3 system.  Projections now have English as a late 1st round-early 2nd round prospect.  Not too shabby for the "tweener."  English is a pass rushing specialist.  During his career at Northern Illinois he had 32.5 sacks.  A solid 40 would keep him in the 1st round.

3.  Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Smith has always been projected as a first rounder, but better than Michael Oher and possibly Eugene Monroe?  Well it is quite possible that this Baylor offensive tackle could be the 2nd tackle drafted, and even possibly the top tackle drafted over Andre Smith.  Despite being from Baylor, Smith have been able to attract scouts with his massive size and athleticism.  He began his college career as a tight end, something scouts love, as it is signals that the prospect is athletic and light on his feet (I always think of Bills' OT Jason Peters, former Arkansas TE).  As of now, looks to be a top 10 prospect.

4.  Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Ever since Nicks' amazing catch against West Virginia in the Meineke Care Care Bowl, his draft stock has only gone up.  In that game, he had eight catches for an amazing 217 yards with two touchdowns.  In the beginning of the season, all the publicity at UNC went to fellow wideout Brandon Tate, but then Tate got injured, and Nicks made a name for himself.  Nicks is gifted with incredible hands, but lacks the ideal speed I seeking in a receiver.  At 6-1, 215, Nicks' projected 40 is around 4.60, which is questionable, especially for someone under 6-2.  He currently is projected as a late first round-early 2nd round prospect.

5.  Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
The Cavaliers started last season with a blowout loss to USC and the Trojans' stud OLB Brian Cushing looked to be like a surefire first rounder.  Cushing, still looks to be a first rounder, but Clint Sintim may end up getting drafted higher.  Sintim benefited being at UVA, as the Cavaliers are one of just a few teams that use a 3-4 defense.  In the 3-4 this past season, Sintim recorded 11 sacks as an outside linebacker.  Sintim's 3-4 experience is a major plus for NFL teams as he won't have the normal transitional learning phase many prospects have.  He could also play OLB in a 4-3.  Projected now as a first rounder.


Top 5 Fallers

1.  Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
The first thing Johnson needs to do is fire his agent.  There is no reason he should have skipped the Senior Bowl.  Competition at the DE is a battle right now with numerous prospects vying to be first round picks, and Johnson's absence in Mobile may have helped many of them.  Johnson, who is the most physically gifted prospect in the draft, with a 6-7, 260 frame, and 4.65 speed, but lacks the physical and toughness, could have proved doubters with a solid week at the week in Mobile.  Johnson, who played only one season as a full time starter, needs a great Combine as his stock is getting closer to the 2nd round.  Sounds a lot like Calais Campbell last season. 

2.  William Moore, S, Missouri
When Taylor Mays made the decision to stay at school, it seemed like a sure thing that Moore would not only be the first safety drafted, but a top 15 pick.  However, that may not be the case.  With a so-so senior season, and a Mobile week he wish to forget, including much struggling in pass coverage, Moore may have dropped his stock to the end of the 1st round.  Western Michigan's Louis Delmas and Alabama's Rashad Johnson may surpass him by April.  Moore needs to have a better Combine and Pro Day.

3.  James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
Just like Michael Johnson, Laurinaitis should not have skipped the Senior Bowl.  His competition, Ray Maualauga, to be the top ILB drafted showed up and performed very well.  Maualuga was running all over the field, showing scouts the defensive terror that he is.  Maualuga's teammate, OLB Brian Cushing also helped his stock playing in Mobile.  Meanwhile, Laurinaitis stock continues to dwindle down the 1st round.  At one time, considered a top 15, the Senior Bowl would have been a good stage to show that he has the physicality and power to be an elite ILB, instead he couldn't.  Projected now to be drafted in the second half of the 1st round.

4.  Troy Kropog, OT, Tulane
Troy Kropog has been one of those prospects I have labeled my "Duane Brown" for this draft.  An offensive tackle that I consider 2nd round talent that gets drafted in the 1st round due to need at the tackle position.  So many teams have a need for offensive tackles, and with that, the 5th, 6th, and 7th rated prospect at the OT position has a chance to be drafted in the 1st round.  After a horrific Senior Bowl week, Kropog's stock has plummeted.  He was slow off the snap and beat constantly by defenders.  Right now, 2nd round is optimistic, with 3rd-4th round being more realistic.

5.  Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech
Watching Harrell this past season, I really thought he was different than all the other Texas Tech quarterbacks.  Every Tech QB has had major success in the Red Raiders' offensive system, only to struggle or fail to make an impact in the NFL.  Harrell showed amazing poise and accuracy as he led Tech to one of their most memorable seasons in history.  However, since the loss at the Cotton Bowl, Harrell's stock has plummeted.  This past week at the Senior Bowl, Harrell failed to redeem himself.  His arm strength is weak, his mobility limited, and his throwing motion unorthodox.  In a certain system, Harrell may be able to excel, but it will take time, and a team will probably not invest in him until the 5th round or later.  Unlike other Texas Tech QB's, I expect Harrell to be a solid backup, but dreams of getting drafted in the top 3 rounds were probably shot this past weekend. 

Michael Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
Kyle Allen's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
MockDraftDatabase.com (our mock draft database)