'09 NFL Draft: Underclassmen will significantly upgrade talent pool

By Tony Pauline, Special to SI.com, TFYDraft.com

Matt Stafford's Bulldogs had a disappointing season, but the Georgia junior is still expected to be the first QB drafted in April. Bob Rosato/SI

Underclassmen always impact the NFL Draft, and the league is bracing for a record number of non-senior entrants into the 2009 event. The talent at several positions, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive line and cornerback, would be significantly upgraded with an infusion of underclassmen talent.

Here's a list of the top draft eligible non-seniors at each position, along with their present draft ranking and a prognosis on if they'll be playing on Sundays next year. Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare their eligibility for the draft in April.

Quarterback

Matt Stafford/Georgia: NFL scouts predict the Georgia gunslinger would be the first quarterback selected if he entered the draft. By all accounts, Stafford plans to do so. He is considered a top five pick by some, but the consensus is Stafford is more likely to land in the middle of round one.

Mark Sanchez/USC: Sanchez rates just below Stafford as a late first-round pick. He's given different signs as to whether he'll enter the draft. It could be a while before he makes a final decision.

Sam Bradford/Oklahoma: His accuracy has been compared to Peyton Manning's, yet scouts still have questions about the Heisman Trophy winner's ability to play in an NFL style offense. He grades out as a second-round choice; most expect him to return to Norman next season.

Josh Freeman/Kansas State: The Wildcats' strong-armed passer can hurl the football a country mile, yet his accuracy is very erratic. He is expected to enter the draft and most league insiders feel a team will fall in love with his physical skills and select him much earlier than warranted.

Others to watch: Colt McCoy/Texas, Nate Davis/Ball State, Tim Tebow/Florida.

Running Back

Chris Wells/Ohio State: Wells is a tough north/south runner who hammers opponents on the inside. He's expected to enter the draft and will be taken in the top half of round one.

Knowshon Moreno/Georgia: Scouts expect Moreno to follow teammate Stafford to the NFL and become another first-round pick from the Georgia program. Moreno will battle Wells for the honor of being the first running back drafted.

Shonn Greene/Iowa: Greene caught the Hawkeyes faithful by surprise as the first-year starter. Though he hadn't played in 2007, he ran roughshod over the competition this season. He is expected to enter the draft and become an early second-round choice.

Donald Brown/Connecticut: He put together a tremendous season, impressing scouts with a variety of ball-carrying skills. He's said to be leaning towards entering the draft, where he would be a second-round choice.

C.J. Spiller/Clemson: Spiller displayed game-breaking skills the past two years, though injuries reduced his effectiveness in '08. Scouts favor Spiller returning for his senior season to prove he can be a feature runner for an entire year, but Spiller is likely to enter the draft and become a top 45 selection.

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree has 227 catches for 3,097 yards and 40 touchdowns in two seasons at Texas Tech. John Biever/SI

Others to watch: LeSean McCoy/Pittsburgh, DeMarco Murray/Oklahoma

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Michael Crabtree/WR/Texas Tech: Scouts expect the Red Raiders' dominant wideout to enter the draft, contrary to his public pronouncements about returning to Lubbock. Crabtree will end up as a top six selection in April.

Jermaine Gresham/TE/Oklahoma: Gresham is a home run-hitting tight end who is hard to defend. He is expected to enter the draft and will be chosen in the first dozen picks.

Jeremy Maclin/WR/Missouri: Maclin rounds out the trio of Big 12 game breakers at wideout. He possesses breakaway speed and can score from anywhere on the field. Maclin is giving serious consideration to making the jump; he'll go in the middle of round one if he opts for the NFL.

Percy Harvin/WR/Florida: The Gators multi-purpose skill player is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. Sources in Gainesville say they expect Harvin to enter the draft. If he does, he'll slide into the bottom third of the first round.

Jared Cook/TE/South Carolina: Cook is one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the nation. Many in the scouting community think he will be the second player selected at the position if he enters the draft, which Cook is expected to do.

Darrius Heyward-Bey/WR/Maryland: Heyward-Bey is another pass catcher with enough home-run speed to strike fear in defensive backs. His production was spotty this year, which will depress his draft grade. Look for Heyward-Bey to make the jump to the NFL and end up in round two.

Others to watch: Jacoby Ford/WR/Clemson, Brandon LaFell/WR/LSU, Dennis Pitta/TE/BYU, Damian Williams/WR/USC, Kenny Britt/Rutgers.