These rankings do not reflect where these players will go in the draft or how I think they will fall in the draft. It is just how good I think these players are on my personal draft board.

I have a key to better understand my star system:
: Elite Prospect
: Top 8 Prospect
: Solid First-Round Prospect
: Fringe First-Round Prospect; Very Strong Round 2 Prospect
: Second-Round Prospect
: Third-Round Prospect
: 4th-5th Round Prospect
: Late Round/Undrafted Free Agent


Defensive Ends

1. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
   Excellent height and speed to be the prototypical 4-3 edge rusher in the mold of Simeon Rice.
   
   
2. Greg Hardy, Ole Miss
   In the mold of a Jarvis Moss, but he can't have a disappointing junior season.
   
   
3. Tyson Jackson, LSU
   Needs to live up to his physical potential, and he has all the tools to dominate.
   
   
4. George Selvie, South Florida
   Despite being No. 4 on my list of ends, Selvie is my No. 1 DE/OLB for 3-4 defenses.
   
   
5. Greg Middleton, Indiana
   Led the country in sacks with 16.
   
   

Defensive Tackles

1. Jeff Owens, Georgia
   Owens' game is severely underrated right now, but I'm confident the spotlight will shine on him this season.
   
   
2. Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
   A player who has much underrated athletic ability for the position.
   
   
3. Vince Oghobaase, Duke
   Young star whom I think will have a huge junior year. Great size at 6-6, 315.
   
   
4. DeMarcus Granger, Oklahoma
   Has character concerns after getting caught shoplifting the week before the Fiesta Bowl.
   
   
5. Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn
   Plays end for Auburn, but will kick inside in the NFL at three technique.
   
   

Inside Linebackers

1. Rey Maualuga, USC
   Extremely physical and rangy linebacker who is a terrific blitzer; his intensity will remind you of Ray Lewis.
   
   
2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
   Highly productive, but isn't the physical specimen that Maualuga is.
   
   
3. Brandon Spikes, Florida
   Great in run support, but seems to struggle when dropping into zone.
   
   
4. Darry Beckwith, LSU
   Tenacious player from sideline to sideline.
   
   
5. Micah Johnson, Kentucky
   Top 10 recruit out of high school has a tremendous upside. He's 6-2, 255, and runs a 4.6. He's always around the football.
   
   

Outside Linebackers

1. Brian Cushing, USC
   Very tough and physical linebacker who can play in any scheme.
   
   
2. Davie Philistin, Maryland
   Will be a Tampa-2 weakside linebacker and has outstanding speed for the position.
   
   
3. Marcus Freeman, OhioState
   Lacks speed and fluid hips - is more of a strongside linebacker in the NFL from what I have gathered on tape.
   
   
4. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss
   Strictly a strongside linebacker in the 4-3.
   
   
5. Anthony Heygood, Purdue
   Solid weakside linebacker, but doesn't have the outstanding speed you want.
   
   

Cornerbacks

1. Michael Jenkins, Ohio State
   Needs to rebound from horrible performance in the National Championship.
   
   
2. Vontae Davis, Illinois
   Made my jaw drop as he ran down USC RB Joe McKnight with ease in the Rose Bowl.
   
   
3. Trevard Lindley, Kentucky
   Best cover corner in the SEC and has elite ball skills. If he gets stronger and plays more physical, he's a top 10 pick.
   
   
4. Victor "Macho" Harris, Virginia Tech
   While everyone was loving Brandon Flowers leading up to the draft because he was a very physical player, Harris is a better pro prospect.
   
   
5. Jairus Byrd, Oregon
   A ballhawk at corner (7 INTs), but make no mistake about it because Byrd is a solid tackler as well. Needs to refine zone awareness.
   
   

Safeties

1. Myron Rolle, Florida State
   Great athleticism and instincts should propel Rolle as the top safety in the country.
   
   
2. William Moore, Missouri
   Outstanding production and leadership, but speed is on the short side. Reminds me of John Lynch.
   
   
3. Taylor Mays, USC
   Great measureables (6-3, 225, 4.4) but he doesn't always play up to them. Let's see if he makes the next step in his junior year. I think he does.
   
   
4. Rashad Johnson, Alabama
   Will represent the 2008 Matt McGuire All-Underrated team at safety.
   
   
5. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State
   Play-maker who performs on an extremely consistent basis. Pegues' best fit is at free safety.
   
   

Matt McGuire's 2009 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Offensive Players By Position

Matt McGuire's 2008 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Defensive Players By Position

Matt's 2009 NFL Mock Draft 2008 NFL Free Agents 2009 NFL Mock Draft Database 2009 NFL Draft Prospects Walt's 2009 NFL Mock Draft