Florida and USF Players Available in 2009 NFL Draft

Let me get this off my chest first. The 4:00 PM start time for the 2009 NFL Draft stinks! Today is supposed to be draft day. Not draft late afternoon/early evening. When I’m NFL Commissioner (one can dream), the noon start time will be restored and there will be no break between day one and day two. That’s right people! Seven straight rounds! Overnight! All you can handle!

Anyway, here are the Florida and USF players that could get selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. That of course in no way means they will all get drafted. In fact, there’s a good chance half of them might not hear their name called. But these are the most likely to be considered.

Florida Gators

Percy Harvin, WR – We all know about Harvin’s talent, but we don’t know how far his weaknesses (injuries, character concerns, the chronic) will cause him to fall. Initially thought of as a mid-first round pick, people are now saying Harvin could fall to the second round. Harvin has top 10 talent, but his “issues” could cause him to be available well into the 20s and maybe even the 30s. A team taking Harvin in the second round will get a steal in terms of the cost-to-talent ratio. Then again, a certain quarterback just got $41 million guaranteed before playing a down in the NFL, so teams aren’t too shy about the cost part of the equation.

Cornelius Ingram, TE – Had Ingram not missed the entire 2008 season, we would be talking about a guy that in all seriousness could be selected in the first half of the first round. Unfortunately for Ingram, that won’t happen. Fortunately for some team, they’ll be getting a great player and amazing athlete who appears to have no lingering effects from the injury.

Louis Murphy, WR – Murphy has definite value and was even in the first round in some mock drafts before the 2008 season began. The problem is he’s not a number one receiver and probably won’t even be a number two. Murphy is a great deep threat with good hands and plenty of speed. He could be the missing piece for a receiving corps that already has a go-to guy and a big red zone guy.

Phil Trautwein, T – Trautwein had a chance to play himself in the first half of the draft his senior year. That didn’t happen. He was solid, but far from spectacular and actually seemed to get worse as the season went on. The last impression scouts have of Trautwein on the field is the National Championship where he did not look good at all.

Jason Watkins, T – At best, Watkins will provide depth for some team. He is a solid performer, but never a great player. Watkins always had a great burst off the line, but had trouble adjusting to pass rushers coming at him.

USF Bulls

Taurus Johnson, WR – USF spreads the ball around to pass catchers too much to ever make one a star. Because of that, it will always be very hard for one to go to high in the draft because their bodies of work aren’t all that big. Johnson has great hands and some kick return experience could make him an intriguing prospect, but don’t expect to hear his name until late at best.

Tyrone McKenzie, LB – McKenzie holds the distinction of player for three different FBS programs. He is a sure tackler and a hard hitter. Teams may be unsure of him because they don’t know if he’s best suited to play inside or outside. Despite that, some team will take a chance on him and should get a solid contributor.