Top 15 Prospects For The 2009 NFL Draft

Alex TimmonsCorrespondent IDecember 7, 2008

There are so many great prospects eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft, so I decided to list the 15 best prospects, give a brief summary for each, and write a comparison of who this player's style of game blends close to. Here is the list:

15. Aaron Curry

Curry plays OLB for Wake Forest. At 6'3", 250lbs he has the speed, size, and strength to thrive in the pros. Curry runs a 4.5 40 yard dash and is a senior.

Projection- top 10 pick.

Comparison-Keith Brooking [ATL]

14. Taylor Mays

Mays plays Free Safety for USC. Mays has all the athletic tools and the body to be the next great Safety in the NFL. Mays at 6'4", 230 lbs he runs a 4.39 40 yard dash. Mays is a junior.

Projection- top 15 pick

Comparison- Adrian Wilson [ARI]

13. Brian Orakpo

Orakpo plays DE for Texas. He is listed at 6'4", 260 lbs. His combination of strength and speed reminds me a lot of Osi Umenyiora. Orakpo is a senior. Orakpo run a 4.62 40 yard dash.

Projection- top 7 pick

Comparison-Osi Umenyiora [NYG]

12. Chris [Beanie] Wells

Wells plays RB for the Ohio St. Buckeyes. Wells combination of speed[4.5 yard dash], size[6'1", 235lbs], and strength gives him all the tools he needs to become a good NFL RB. Wells main concern is his blocking and catching ability. He is a junior.

Projection- top 20 pick

Comparison- Bo Jackson

11. Matthew Stafford

Most experts like Stafford's ability more than Sam Bradford. I am not one of them. Stafford is a QB from Georgia. He lists at 6'3", 230 lbs. Stafford runs between a 4.6 and 4.7. Stafford's only problem is that he is way too turnover prone whick will be trouble in the pros. If he wasn't that turnover prone he would probably be listed No. 1 or 2 on this list. He is a junior.

Projection- top 7 pick

Comparison- Jay Cutler [DEN]

10. Eugene Monroe

Eugene is a LT for Virginia. Listed at 6'6", 315 lbs he does not have the strength and durability to last long in the NFL. Eugene runs a 5.2 40 yard dash. Monroe is also a senior.

Projection- top 10 pick

Comparison- Branden Albert [KC]

9. Knowshon Moreno

Moreno is a RB for Georgia. He is listed at 5'11", 207 lbs. He runs a 4.47 40 yard dash. Not as good physically as Wells but I put him atop the RB's because he is a more pure runner than Wells. Moreno is an eligible Sophomore.

Projection- top 10 pick

Comparison- Carnell [Cadillac] Williams

8. Michael Oher

Oher is a great LT from Ole Miss. When Oher 1st came to Ole Miss he played Guard and was great but they decided to move him to LT where he is better at. Oher lists at 6'6", 325 lbs. Oher declared for the 2008 NFL Draft but dropped out. Oher is a senior.

Projection- top 5 pick

Comparison- Willie Roaf

7. Michael Johnson

Johnson is a DE from Georgia Tech. His great physical stature with his speed, size, and strength giving him all the tools he needs to be the next great DE. Michael is 6'6", 260 lbs and he runs a 4.6 40 yard dash and is a senior.

Projection- top 7 pick

Comparison-Mario Williams [HOU]

6. Rey Maualuga

This was probably the hardest decision for me to put Rey below Laurinatis. Rey is a MLB for USC. Rey stands at 6'2", 260 lbs and he runs a 4.55 40 yard dash. His cons include his attitude and leadership problems on the field. Is a senior.

Projection- top ten pick

Comparison- Junior Seau [NE]

5. James Laurinatis

James is an Ohio St. MLB. James stands 6'3", 245 lbs and he runs a 4.6 40 yard dash. James' strengths are his athletic ability with James being a former hockey star. James is a senior. His cons are his tendancy to try to deliver the big hit rather than just wrapping up the offensive player.

Projection- top 7 pick

Comparison- A.J. Hawk

4. Andre Smith

Andre is a LT for Alabama. He is listed at 6'4", 330 lbs and runs a 5.3 40 yard dash. Smith has the size and strength to be a star in the NFL but he doesn't have the speed or quickness needed to excel to a pro bowler. Andre is a Junior.

Projection- top 3 pick

Comparison- Orlando Pace [STL]

3. Malcolm Jenkins

Malcolm is a CB for Ohio St. He is also one of my favorites in this Draft because of his combination of brain, size, speed, and strength. Malcolm is a senior who runs a 4.4 40 yard dash. He is listed at 6'1", 201 lbs. He also is known for his physicality by getting into WR's heads.

Projection- top 5 pick

Comparison- Marlin Jackson [IND]

2. Sam Bradford

Sam is an eligible sophomore. He plays QB for Oklahoma. In just 2 years he has shown that he has the ability to take over games and become a superstar in the NFL. Sam is 6'4", 220 lbs and he runs between a 4.5-4.6 40 yard dash. His ability to throw his passes accurately and with power on it gives him the chance to be the #1 QB taken and maybe for the Lions the No. 1 pick in the Draft.

Projection- top 3 pick

Comparison- Eli Manning

1. Michael Crabtree-

Crabtree is hands-down the best WR prospect since Larry Fitzgerald. His ability to run a 4.4 40 yard dash and easily pass CB's will give him the chance to be the first WR to be selected No. 1 overall since Keyshawn Johnson. Crabtree is an eligible Sophomore. His only con is that he might be prone to injury cause he doesn't get down on 1st contact. Is listed at 6'3", 214 lbs.

Projection- top 3 pick

Projection - Larry Fitzgerald/Andre Johnson

Here are a few sleepers I think who will be in the late 1st, early 2nd round who could become good NFL players. Here are five: