Separating the Elite OT Prospects of the 2009 NFL Draft

[Max_Power]

I have a feeling that Oher will be drafted last of the four, but have the better career of those four.

[Hobbes2d]

Finally they're starting to slot out where I've had these guys all along. LOL @ Oher being #1. Just hilarious.

[Hobbes2d]

I have a feeling that Oher will be drafted last of the four, but have the better career of those four.

Nah, probably not. Unless he moves to G.

[49ersRus]

Separating the Elite OT Prospects of the 2009 NFL Draft (http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/1/separating_the_elite_ot_prospects_of_the_2009_nfl_ draft/)

This article breaks down the 4 OT's. Its kind of cool to read. Here is the final analysis...

Eugene Monroe has to be the odds on favorite to go first in this group because of his high floor, even though he might have the lowest ceiling, and he’s ready to step in right away in just about any scheme - sounds like Jake Long, doesn’t it? I don’t expect Monroe to fall past Seattle even in the worst case scenario. Jason Smith is almost a sure thing to be off the board by the time the top 10 is chosen because of zone blocking teams like Green Bay and Oakland that could use a long term LT in that 7-10 range. Smith’s upside and rare athleticism could easily convince a top five team like Seattle or St. Louis to take him (assuming Monroe is off the board) if he interviews well and otherwise gains the confidence of NFL organizations during the combine and pre-draft workouts. Andre Smith should be third off the board, and I could see a team convincing themselves to take him second in this group, or maybe even first if he shows up at the combine in good shape and in top form. Any organization that values production over upside could favor the Alabama product, and I could see him going off the board as early as Seattle or Cincinnati, and no later than Jacksonville, unless major character concerns come up over the next few months. Oher could scare off teams in the top 10 if he doesn’t interview well, but players like him should not fall out of the top 20, and I would guess his slide stops around Washington (#13), Houston (#15), or San Diego (#16) in any scenario.

Andre Smith sounds like more of a RT/OG then a LT. We might have a chance to get him at #10. That might be too good to pass up.

[49ersforlife5x]

Well, I have Monroe as the most likely to flop of those 4. The reasons? In the past couple drafts, there have been 2 other Cavalier O linemen who were supposedly the best going...D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brandon Albert, who, so far, have been colossal disappointments.. And I view Monroe as the perfect Tri-fecta of Cavalier O line busts!

The ACC, as a whole, really underwhelmed this season. I'm not saying that's cause for his stock to plummet, but it should make you want to review his performances a little more carefully.


I have Oher in a land-slide! Has everything you want in that position, and is as mentally tough as they get, just like another Ole' Miss standout, Patrick Willis!

The 2 Smith's are a toss up. I think Jason is a little bit green, but has incredible talent and the most upside of anyone in this draft. Andre, is a junior, who's play really fell off towards the end of the year.

[WehaveVD]

1.Monroe is by far the most polished L.T. in the draft as he ragdolled Kenwan Balmer...He has everything you want in that pick.
2.Jason Smith-because of his athleticism\
3.Michael Oher has a great combination of speed and size but is sort of a diamond in the rough as far as his footwork goes and hand work go.
4.Andre Smith-I see him as more of a RT because of his immense size...He might have trouble keeping up with the speed of NFL OLB/DE.

[TheWileyVet]

Well, I have Monroe as the most likely to flop of those 4. The reasons? In the past couple drafts, there have been 2 other Cavalier O linemen who were supposedly the best going...D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brandon Albert, who, so far, have been colossal disappointments.. And I view Monroe as the perfect Tri-fecta of Cavalier O line busts!

I may be wrong but wasn't Brandon Albert considered the top OG in the draft? I thought that's what he played in college. Monroe at LT and Albert at LG was the Cavalier O Line a cpl years ago.

It's not entirely Albert's fault he's played poorly, the Chiefs moved him to LT. And then there's the fact that he played for the Chiefs :laugh:

[JaketheSnake]

Brandon Albert was originally an LT at Virginia, but they iked Eugene Monroe so much that they moved Brandon Albert to LG.

WTF? Why would that make NFL scouts think he could succeed there if he couldn't succeed there in college?

[BAKNAFEK88]

I may be wrong but wasn't Brandon Albert considered the top OG in the draft? I thought that's what he played in college. Monroe at LT and Albert at LG was the Cavalier O Line a cpl years ago.

It's not entirely Albert's fault he's played poorly, the Chiefs moved him to LT. And then there's the fact that he played for the Chiefs :laugh:
Brandon Albert was originally an LT at Virginia, but they iked Eugene Monroe so much that they moved Brandon Albert to LG.

[TheWileyVet]

WTF? Why would that make NFL scouts think he could succeed there if he couldn't succeed there in college?

Yea that's why it's kinda strange. I have a couple buddies that are hard core Chief fans and they are praying for a top LT at pick 3. Their hope is that they take a LT and move Albert to LG, shoring up the left-side of their line for the long term.

I think alot of Chief fans want Monroe. They think pairing old college linemates together would be fantastic.

[SBbound49ers]

Yea that's why it's kinda strange. I have a couple buddies that are hard core Chief fans and they are praying for a top LT at pick 3. Their hope is that they take a LT and move Albert to LG, shoring up the left-side of their line for the long term.

I think alot of Chief fans want Monroe. They think pairing old college linemates together would be fantastic.

Brian Waters is one of the best LGs in the league.

[TheWileyVet]

Brian Waters is one of the best LGs in the league.

Actually they moved him to RG due to his age. They want youth on the left side. I'm not 100% positive, but pretty darn sure.

[SBbound49ers]

Actually they moved him to RG due to his age. They want youth on the left side. I'm not 100% positive, but pretty darn sure.

If thats the case, a LT would make sense there.

Im sure the Chiefs will go BPA, they have so many holes to fill.

[superman1]

Well, I have Monroe as the most likely to flop of those 4. The reasons? In the past couple drafts, there have been 2 other Cavalier O linemen who were supposedly the best going...D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brandon Albert, who, so far, have been colossal disappointments.. And I view Monroe as the perfect Tri-fecta of Cavalier O line busts!

The ACC, as a whole, really underwhelmed this season. I'm not saying that's cause for his stock to plummet, but it should make you want to review his performances a little more carefully.


I have Oher in a land-slide! Has everything you want in that position, and is as mentally tough as they get, just like another Ole' Miss standout, Patrick Willis!

The 2 Smith's are a toss up. I think Jason is a little bit green, but has incredible talent and the most upside of anyone in this draft. Andre, is a junior, who's play really fell off towards the end of the year.I got a big kick outta this one putting down Va's o-lineman, who if you watched this year play have done a tremendous job. one thing is for sure and that is they are in different situations in the NFL and very rarely do you come out being the best at the said position for starters and as far as the ACC flopping this year, well there was alot of in-experience in key positions for alot of the teams here in the ACC, but their overall performance outside the conference didn't do to badly compared to other conferences. if you really watched Monroe this past year you'd see he was probably better than the ones you just named, who are already starters in the NFL.:pards:

[Blong4Ever]

They all sound a lot better then Jennings. I believe any of them could step in and earn a starting RT job by the start of the season. Everyone wants the flashy player for our first pick but we are one solid lineman away from being elite. Staley has really stepped up as a LT, Heitman is close to pro-bowl caliber, our guards are maulers so with 1 tackle we could be a young elite group that would be the cornerstone to Singletary's power running game.

[WhistlingMtn]

They all sound a lot better then Jennings. I believe any of them could step in and earn a starting RT job by the start of the season. Everyone wants the flashy player for our first pick but we are one solid lineman away from being elite. Staley has really stepped up as a LT, Heitman is close to pro-bowl caliber, our guards are maulers so with 1 tackle we could be a young elite group that would be the cornerstone to Singletary's power running game.

The 49ers line are not one tackle away form being elite. Maybe 1 all-pro tackle and about 3 years of continuity from being top 8.

[roleplay3r1]

I have Oher in a land-slide! Has everything you want in that position

Except the willingness(ability?) to consistently dominate. That's kind of a big deal.

[dhimiter]

Well, I have Monroe as the most likely to flop of those 4. The reasons? In the past couple drafts, there have been 2 other Cavalier O linemen who were supposedly the best going...D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brandon Albert, who, so far, have been colossal disappointments.. And I view Monroe as the perfect Tri-fecta of Cavalier O line busts!

The ACC, as a whole, really underwhelmed this season. I'm not saying that's cause for his stock to plummet, but it should make you want to review his performances a little more carefully.


I have Oher in a land-slide! Has everything you want in that position, and is as mentally tough as they get, just like another Ole' Miss standout, Patrick Willis!

The 2 Smith's are a toss up. I think Jason is a little bit green, but has incredible talent and the most upside of anyone in this draft. Andre, is a junior, who's play really fell off towards the end of the year.


I can't agree with u at all on this. Oher has shown me that he is at best a good Tackle, and you got him as the best of this group. You have his mental toughness being is #1 atribute but I have heard on numerous occasions that, that just may be is #1 fault, so I can't even actknowledge your understanding.

You are doubting Monroe because of what other players from his college have done. Which by the way is crazy. Ferguson had a better than average rookie year and not so great 2nd year and was pretty **** reliable most of last year so to say he was a flop is crazy. Now as far as Albert is concerned he is a rookie LT for the Cheifs. He actually did pretty good. I'm sorry if every rookie Tackle that came out wasn't Long or even Thomas, but that is why they were the first Tackles taken.




Separating the Elite OT Prospects of the 2009 NFL Draft (http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/1/separating_the_elite_ot_prospects_of_the_2009_nfl_ draft/)

This article breaks down the 4 OT's. Its kind of cool to read. Here is the final analysis...



Andre Smith sounds like more of a RT/OG then a LT. We might have a chance to get him at #10. That might be too good to pass up.


Thank you that was a great read. I appreciate the indepth info.

I was thinking Andre Smith reminded me of Hutchinson and this is the first I heard of anyone actually mentioning him as a guard, so I guess I am not that off base.

For us this seems a bit upsetting because though Andre Smith could be a guard, I don't know he would be the best move at RT. Oher maybe the best move at RT, though I don't favor him as a top 10 pick. Monroe is my favorite as far as overall skill set. But could see Jason Smith as athletic enough to make a transition to any position on the Oline making him more valueable and a lot less of as risk.

The good news is most of the teams that need an OT are also the ones who would be in the market for Crabtree and maybe they look at the success of those other teams and take the OTs and leave us with Crabtree. Just a thought.

[BAKNAFEK88]

WTF? Why would that make NFL scouts think he could succeed there if he couldn't succeed there in college?

This was the case at UVA. They moved him to a different position but the scouts still felt he was better at LT. It wasn't the first time a guy was drafted to play a position other than what he played in college. Cato June SS Michigan, OLB with Indy and Tampa, Brian Urlacher SS New Mexico, MLB Bears

[9erfanfromday1]

I think Oher at #10 would be really good. I think Singletary will like this guy and it can't hurt that his story is very similar to Patrick Willis who was our best pick in the last 6 years....maybe more.