A Review of ACC players drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft.

For you ACC Fans out there, check out what NFL team drafted your favorite player.

Round One

No. 4 Aaron Curry, Wake Forest, ILB: Team—Seattle Seahawks

Aaron Curry is one of the best NFL prospects ever to come out of Wake Forest. Curry won the 2008 Butkus Award, given to the nations best linebacker. At 6'2", 254 Lbs, he has great size for an NFL linebacker, and has the speed to cover from sideline to sideline. Curry is also known for an outstanding work ethic. There is little doubt he's a future pro-bowler.

No. 7 Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland, WR: Team—Oakland Raiders

In a pick that shocked just about any follower of the NFL, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey was picked ahead of Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech. Al Davis and the Raiders used to be mavaricks and trend setters in the NFL, now you just wonder what they are thinking.

That being said, I like Heyward-Bey, he has tremendous speed, and his hands are better than he gets credit for. If he played at USC and had Marc Sanchez instead of Maryland QB Chris Turner throwing to him, he'd have caught 70 passes and had 1,000 yds receiving. Still he's not better than Crabtree.

No. 8 Eugene Monroe, Virginia, OT: Team—Jacksonville Jaguars

Virginia has done a good job in recent years producing offensive lineman and tight ends. Monroe is another one. Considered one the best offensive lineman in the draft, Monroe should have a long and profitable NFL career.

No. 9 B.J. Raji, Boston College, DT: Team—Green Bay Packers

337 lb. defensive tackles who can move like Raji, just don't come around very often. Raji is the epitome of a run stopper, and this past season Boston College led the ACC against the run. That's all you need to know.

No. 29 Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina, WR: Team—New York Giants

When North Carolina WR Brandon Tate went down with injury for the 2008 football season, the UNC passing game didn't miss a beat, as Nicks stepped in and did a great job. He doesn't possess elite speed, but his hands are among the best in this year's NFL draft. He'll be a perfect possession receiver in the NFL.

 

Round Two

No. 37 Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest, CB: Team—Denver Broncos

Alphonso Smith has some of the best pass coverage skills of any cornerback in the draft. He had seven interceptions last season, and was a consensus All-American. His size may hurt though, when playing the larger more physical receivers. Smith is only 5'9", 193 lbs., but with his instincts and big play ability, he'll find a spot playing in zone coverage most likely.

No. 40 Ron Brace, Boston College, DT: Team—New England Patriots

Along with B.J. Raji, Ron Brace made up the best interior defensive line in the ACC, maybe the country. He doesn't quite have Raji's athleticism, but his athleticism is good enough if he gets himself into better shape. Brace did not perform well at the NFL Combine, and getting drafted in round two, is like a second chance. With no off the field issues, and dependable character, I would guess Brace will take this chance very seriously.

#No. 43 Everette Brown, Florida State, DE: Team—Carolina Panthers

Everette Brown is Florida States only NFL draftee. The first Miami Hurricane is not drafted until Round six. Times they be a changing. Brown is flat out explosive on the edges. He is only 6'1", which will probably keep him from being an every down lineman. As a pass rush specialist that will play opposite Julius Peppers (apparently Peppers will stay), the Panthers will wreak havoc on quarterbacks this season.

No. 45 Clint Stinim, Virginia, OLB: Team—New York Giants

At 6'3", 256 lbs., Stinim has good size, and is a strong pass rusher. The question mark will be how well he can cover TE's and RB's that come out of the backfield.

No. 64 Richard Quinn, North Carolina, TE: Team—Denver Broncos

I've always said it was easier to teach a player how to catch passes than how to block. Quinn is an example of a big time collegiate blocking TE, who isn't known for his pass catching skills. If you don't block in the NFL, you don't play, and Quinn might turn out to be one of the better second round picks.

 

Round Three

No. 70 Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech, DE: Team—Cincinnati Bengals

Johnson was a physical freak at Georgia Tech. At 6'7" he has a great frame to build on. If you saw his interception return for a TD against Miami, you know all the athletic skills are there. There are concerns about his work ethic though. I think those concerns are a little unfair, as he started largely as a project and worked himself into the third round pick of the NFL draft.

No. 80 Kevin Barnes, Maryland, CB: Team—Washington Redskins

Barnes impressed scouts with his athletic ability, but ability to support the run is a concern. He's athletic but needs to be more physical is the short on Kevin Barnes.

No. 83 Brandon Tate, North Carolina: Team—New England Patriots

If Brandon Tate didn't have a major knee injury last season, he’s a top 15 pick easy. Tate can return kicks, has great hands, and run goods routes. If his knee heals properly, he’s the steal of the third round.

 

Round Four

No. 103 Dorell Scott, Clemson: Team—St. Louis Rams

Dorell is generally is solid athletically, but considered somewhat of an underachiever at Clemson. If he works hard on getting in shape and increasing his stamina, the potential is there to be strong contributor to the Rams.

No. 116 Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest, S: Team—New Orleans Saints

At 6'1" and 221 lbs., Vaughn possesses very good size. He is a good open field tackler, but there are concerns about his instincts in pass coverage.

No. 118 Stanley Arnoux, Wake Forest, ILB: Team—New Orleans Saints

I missed something here, when did Wake Forest become Florida State and get four players drafted before the end of the fourth round? A solid if unspectacular player from Wake Forest, Arnoux is a deans list student from Wake Forest. He is also known for his football intelligence and very good fundamentals. He is not likely to be a future NFL starter, but I could see a nice special teams career.

No. 122 Anthony Hill, NC State, TE: Team—Houston Texans

Hill is regarded as one of the best blocking TE’s in this years draft. He’s limited athletically, but has really good hands. With added bulk he could be transitioned to the offensive line, but his pass catching might be too good to pass up.

No. 129 Andre Brown, NC State, RB: Team—New York Giants

Andre Brown begins a slew of talented mid-round ACC backs. Brown is a strong inside runner, with good speed, and a solid pass catcher. What Brown lacks as an outside runner, is made up by his solid skills elsewhere.

 

Round Five

No. 156 Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina, OT: Team—Atlanta Falcons

At 6'7", 309 lbs., Reynolds possesses tremendous size to play offensive tackle.  He will work on his speed and mobility, though.

No. 157 Victor Harris, Virginia Tech, CB: Team—Philadelphia Eagles

For all the ACC success Frank Beamer and the Hokies have had, Victor Harris is the first Virginia Tech player selected in this years' draft. As are most Beamer coached players, Harris is a good tackler, with excellent fundamentals. His footwork could be improved.

No. 160 Brooks Foster, North Carolina, WR: Team—St. Louis Rams

Wow were the Heels ever loaded at wide receiver. Foster is their third WR drafted in the first five rounds. Foster runs routes well, and has decent speed, but will have to improve his physicality.

No. 165 Chris Clemons, Clemson, S: Team—Miami Dolphins

The first of two safeties that formed a formidable combination on Clemsons' defense last season. Not known for his defensive big play ability, Clemons is a good tackler, and a sound fundamental player, just don’t expect a ton of interceptions at this point.

No. 166 Michael Hamlin, Clemson, S: Team—Dallas Cowboys

He is similar to Clemons in that, Hamlin is a good tackler and a sound fundamental player. His hands are better than Clemons' so he could come up with more interceptions, and fumbles.

Round Six

No. 176 Spencer Adkins, Miami, ILB: Team—Atlanta Falcons

Wake Forest had more NFL draft choices than Miami and Florida State combined. Let that sink in…OK…Adkins has good athleticism, but his instincts are in question. Watch Miami’s game against Georgia Tech from last season to find Adkins and several Miami defenders out of position and confused.

No. 181 Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech, OT: Team—Miami Dolphins

Andrew Gardner was Georgia Tech’s best offensive lineman this past season, even with the cut blocking schemes required by Paul Johnson’s options offense. Gardner is a hard worker who doesn’t take plays off. He will need to improve his overall strength.

No. 185 Cedric Peerman, Virginia, RB: Team—Baltimore Ravens

Peerman was an underrated back at Virginia, who is faster than he looked. His downhill running style could simply wear down opponents. I wonder what kind of stats he would have had if Virginia actually had a consistent passing game. He's the first of two sleeper RB's picked from the ACC.

No. 195 James Davis, Clemson, RB: Team—Cleveland Browns

If Davis would have come out last year as junior, he would have probably been no worse than a second round pick. This year, playing a makeshift offensive line, and splitting carries with CJ Spiller, his draft stock plummeted. Davis has ability to run between tackles, though he is not burner in terms of speed. He could be nice sleeper pick for Cleveland.

No. 208 John Philips, Virgina, TE: Team Dallas Cowboys

The offensive line, TE Virginia pipeline to the NFL just continues. Philips is a solid blocker, and at 6'6" 251 lbs., has an excellent frame to build. While not the fastest TE in the draft, his blocking ability and size could land him a spot on the Cowboys roster.

 

Round Seven

No. 210 Vance Walker, Georgia Tech, DT: Team—Atlanta Falcons

Another member of the talented Georgia Tech defensive front from 2008, Walker plays tough, and he plays hard. His effort will never be in doubt, but his lack of speed might be a problem for him in the NFL.

No. 230 Moises Fokou, Maryland, OLB: Team—Philadelphia Eagles

Fokou is a raw talent who plays with a chip on his shoulder. A former walk-on, his work ethic won’t be questioned. He needs to add strength, and if he makes the Eagles squad, it  will be as a special teamer.

No. 234 Darryl Richard, Georgia Tech, DT: Team—New England Patriots

Nickmaned "The Professor" at Georgia Tech, the Patriots defiantly picked one the smartest players in the draft. Richard anchored a Tech defensive line that produced three NFL draft picks. He will have to improve his lateral movement like his former teammate Walker, though, to make an NFL team.

No. 236 Jamie Thomas, Maryland, OT: Team—Indianapolis Colts

Thomas is a selection that could surprise. He lacks good lateral quickness, but is a solid straight ahead blocker.

No. 255 Dan Gronkowski, Maryland, TE: Team—Detroit Lions

Gronkowski does not have good game speed, but at 6'6", 250 lbs., he's a good blocker with soft hands, he might just stick with the Lions.

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