Football

Ryan Burnett

$100,000 cars? Everybody's got 'em. Vontae Davis is headed to Miami.

10. Marcus Freeman, OSU- This was a tough call. Travis Beckum arguably should have made this list. He was clearly the best TE in the B10 the last two years and the Giants are the perfect organization for him to join, plus ( if he has a solid spring training) he could be a fantasy sleeper. But he didn’t get this spot because I am in love with the Marcus Freeman-Bears marriage. He had a bad combine, and has been red by injuries the past few months, but when he gets healthy he will be an absolute stud in Chicago. Prediction: he will have a better pro career than his Buckeyes teammate Laurinitis, put it on the board.

9. Derrick Williams, PSU- I absolutely hated him at Penn State. The consumate under-performer. Its not that he was lazy, he just…well I honestly don’t know what the hell happened to Williams (who as a blue-chip recruit was the most heralded wide-receiver in the nation). But for some reason now that he’s playing for my Lions I like him. Seriously though, if Stafford is the real deal Williams can’t not be productive playing opposite Calvin Johnson. right?

8. Javon Ringer, MSU- This was a great pick for the Titans. My belief is that this signals the end of the road for Lendale White in a Titans uniform, and the Tennesse brass envision Ringer as the new compliment to Chris Henry on the outside. Ringer doesn’t have White’s power but his value is in his versatility. He can catch, take it outside, or pound it inside. Plus I think Ringer could actually one day be a feature back for another team (I seem to be the only one who thinks so). Either way,this is a great find in the fifth round.

7. Brian Robiskie, OSU- Robiskie got totally screwed his senior year. 2008 should have been the s chance to really shine, but then senior QB Todd Boeckman lost his job erelle Pryor and the Buckeyes passed the ball 6 times the reof the season. Pobiskie projects to be a solid slot receiver at the next level. But as the 4th player taken in round two I think the Browns definiately reached.

6. Shonn Greene, Iowa- Greene has tremendous upside, but the fact that he only had one outstanding collegiate season scared off a lot of teams. The Jets aggressively traded up to take him at the begining of the third round, and the move will pay off. Probably not in 2009-2010, but in 2011 we’ll be looking back and calling him the Clinton Portis of this year’s draft.

5. James Laurinaitis, OSU- Has the least Bust Potential of any B10 player taken in the 2009 draft. He’s coachable, instictive, and polished. He doesn’t have the freakish athleticism of the number 4 pick Aaron Curry, but he should be able to start immediately for the Rams, and as long as he’s in a 4-3 he should rack up a ton of tackles.

4. Aaron Maybin, PSU- I’m not a huge Aaron Maybin guy. His freakish athleticism made him a first round pick, not his level of talent. If he’s put into a system in which he doesn’t have to play disciplined football, and he’s just allowed to pin his ears back and rush the passer (i.e. Philadelphia), then he could have a very productive first few years in the league, otherwise Mabin’s a bit of a project.

3. Malcolm Jenkins, OSU- The only knock on Jenkins is his speed. Besides that he does absolutely everything else exceptionally well. Problem is with all of the blazing fast wide-receivers coming into the league these days I think Jenkins’ lack of foot speed is going to keep him from every being a perennial pro-bowler.

2. Chris Wells, OSU- After Davis I had Chris Wells as the highest rated B10 player in this years draft. he has the power, vision, and patience to be the chairman of a very productive running back committee. The Cardinals will be making a mistake though, if they use Beanie as an every down back. Despite his size, he’s way to injury prone to be a feature back in the NFL.

1. Vontae Davis, Illinois - For my money, Davis is the best B10 prospect in this draft, and definiately the best defensive back on the board. He’s more agressive, more athletic, and more of a playmaker than Malcom Jenkins Yes, he’s more mistake prone and generally less polished than the OSU CB who was taken 11 spots earlier, but I got $10 that says Davis makes more pro-bowl appearances than Malcolm Jenkins.