2009 Senior Bowl Recap: Defense Studs and Duds

The 2009 Senior Bowl is now in the books. Some considered it a down year for the game, given the number of players who decided to sit this one out (including Tyson Jackson, Aaron Curry, and Michael Johnson). 

While the first-round talent was in short supply, the number of players looking to improve their stock was not. Without further ado, here are this year’s Senior Bowl Defensive Studs and Duds (by position).

Defensive Tackle

Studs:  Led by the Senior Bowl’s top performer, BJ Raji, the defensive tackles had a pretty strong week in Mobile. Raji was a terror on the offensive linemen and was virtually unblockable in one-on-one drills with his combination of size, power, and quickness. 

After entering the season as a fourth-round prospect, Raji has been drawing comparisons to Casey Hampton and is now getting Top 10 consideration. Among the other defensive tackles, Peria Jerry showed good technique and strength, while Evander (Ziggy) Hood showed a great spin move and an excellent motor (like Trevor Laws last year). 

Duds:  Fili Moala looks like a Top 10 pick on one play and a practice squad player the next. While he possesses elite talent, his inconsistency is causing him to slide into the third or fourth round area. He especially needs to improve his anchoring at the point of attack, as he was driven off the ball several times throughout the week. 

Ron Brace had an OK week, but not the breakout week he needed to get out of teammate BJ Raji's shadow. He looked too much like a one-dimensional run-stuffer (not that there is anything wrong with that).  Mitch King showed a great motor, but at 275 pounds, you wonder whether he has a true position in the pros, because he plays like a DT but looks like a DE.

Defensive End

Studs: Like the defensive tackles, the defensive ends had a pretty good week in Mobile. One player who may have played his way into the first round was Northern Illinois' Larry English. He showcased excellent pass rush skills and was stronger than expected against the run. He may fit best as a 3-4 OLB, but it might be a mistake to pigeon hole him as one. Put him in an NFL strength program and he may add 10 pounds of muscle and develop into a good pass rushing 4-3 end.  

Aside from English, three late round prospects may have played themselves into fourth-round consideration: Robert Ayers, David Veikune, and Lawrence Sidbury. 

Sidbury is a raw pass rusher out of Richmond who showed excellent pass rush skills and built on his excellent Shrine Bowl performance. Ayers has 4-3 DE size and showed good all-around skills, adding further intrigue to Tennessee's one-year wonder. Like Ayers, Veikune has flown under the radar, but he took advantage of his opportunity by blowing by tackles and guards all week. If only he could stop the run.

Duds:  Cody Brown hoped to show he had the athleticism to be a 3-4 OLB but failed to show the athleticism required for the transition. He is just one of many undersized defensive ends this year. USC’s Kyle Moore was similar to teammate Moala as his inconsistency keeps you wondering what player you are really going to get.

Linebacker

Studs:   There were bigger names at linebacker, including a trio out of USC, but the player who improved his stock the most was converted safety Nic Harris. He entered the weak as a slow-footed safety, but at linebacker, he was great in coverage and rushing the passer while showing excellent instincts.

In addition to Harris, Darry Beckwith lashed sideline-to-sideline speed and good instincts, making him a good fit inside or on the weakside. Of the USC trio, Brian Cushing had the best week, showing the versatility to play inside or out. 

Duds: LB Rey Maualuga is arguably the best MLB in the draft, but despite his obvious talents, he did not dominate as expected. He makes a lot of impact plays, but a week’s worth of workouts reminded you he misses some, too. Despite all the pub, Clay Matthews is more of a 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 one. He is a high-motor guy who will maximize his talents, but the more he is used as a pass rusher, the better. 

Clint Sintim was a bit of a disappointment as he continued the trend of Virginia linebackers who look great when attacking the ball but struggled reading plays and appeared stiff in coverage. 

Cornerback

Studs: You can make the argument that along with DT BJ Raji, CB Alphonso Smith was one of the top two performers of Senior Bowl Week. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with excellent coverage skills, anticipation, ball skills, and recovery speed. 

He stuck with receivers all week long, solidifying his hold on a first-round slot. Two other corners who improved their stock were Oregon State’s Keenan Lewis and San Jose State’s Coye Francies. Lewis has rare height for a corner at 6’1" and displayed good press coverage skills and a better than expected ability to turn and run with receivers.  

Although not the breakout performer Dominque Rodgers Cromartie was a year ago, Francies was the best player in Mobile you had never heard of before. He's a rail thin six-footer with excellent speed, good coverage awareness, and a willingness to get physical.

Duds:   Darius Butler looked tentative in coverage all week. For a guy known for his speed, he allowed too big of a cushion and generally looked tentative. Domonique Johnson hoped to be a small-school star but generally looked out of his league. He has talent, but he is a raw developmental type at this point.

Safety

Studs: The safeties struggled most of the week, but two players who improved their stock were Patrick Chung and Louis Delmas. Chung’s coverage skills and awareness were better than expected for an in-the-box safety. He may have elevated himself to being the top strong safety in the draft. Delmas held his own versus the big boys and looked to be the best free safety on the field.

Duds: After battling injuries and inconsistency his senior year, William Moore needed to have a great week to solidify his first-round grade. Unfortunately, he struggled in coverage all week and may have fallen out of the first day. His lack of speed is a concern, and some now wonder whether he will need to switch to OLB.

Chris Maier is senior editor for NFLDraft101.com. He can be reached at [e-mail].  Chief scout Dan Wernery contributed to this article and can be reached at [e-mail].