DFW Drafts Success

When the draft takes place next month, there will be a lot of attention on the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  In fact, just look at the cover of the Lindy’s NFL Draft Guide, and you will see that two of the three players on the cover called Dallas their home before college.  Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech and Matthew Stafford of Georgia grace the cover of the Lindy’s Draft guide.

Michael Crabtree played his high school football at Dallas’ Carter High School.  Crabtree was a quarterback in high school, but he used his natural athletic ability to become an All-American receiver for Mike Leach’s Texas Tech Red Raiders.  The result was he became a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner and made a decision to go pro after just two years of college football–Crabtree redshirted his first year.

It is impossible to know where Crabtree might go, but most seem to think he is a first rounder.  NFL Draft Site and Walter Football have Crabtree being drafted 4th by the Seattle Seahawks.  DraftCountdown has Crabtree going 8th to the Jacksonville Jaguars and NFLDraftDog has him going 5th to the Cleveland Browns.

Matthew Stafford is the glamour pick for this year’s draft.  Considered by many to be the top quarterback in the

2009 NFL Draft, Stafford seems to show up on the cover of everyone’s front page.  Stafford played high school football at Higland Park High School near Dallas where he led the Scots to a dominating performance his senior year and a state championship.

Most expect him to go in the top 5 of the draft.  In fact, it seems most people think that the Detroit Lions will pick him at number 1.  If the Lions don’t take him, well, the St. Louis Rams are sitting at number 2, and they may not pass on the “golden boy” with the “golden arm.”  It seems that Stafford did not disappoint during his school’s pro day.

While these two players are potential first round and top 10 picks, there are a few other players from the Dallas-Fort Worth area that may get picked in the draft. 

Phillip Hunt was a stand out defensive end for the University of Houston Cougars.  Hunt was a product of Dunbar High School from Fort Worth.  His senior year at Houston, Hunt took the coaching of former Dallas Cowboy Jim Jeffcoat and became the all-time sack leader for the Cougars and number two in sacks in the Bowl Championship Subdivsion just behind TCU’s Jerry Hughes.

Because Hunt is a little undersized for an NFL defensive end, many are projecting him as a pass rush-specialist or outside linebacker.  Depending on who you are, he seems to be projected a 6th or 7th round pick.

Jason Phillips was a mainstay for the TCU Horned Frogs the last four years.  Phillips’ accomplishments and stories are the stuff of legends around Fort Worth.  The Waller native came to TCU after playing an option quarterback in high school for his father.

Presently, Phillips is rehabbing a knee injury he suffered at the combine, but NFL teams shouldn’t worry about his toughness.  Phillips missed exactly one game in four years for the Frogs.  He will most likely play inside linebacker for someone, and he will probably be a second day pick.

The pride of Azle, TX is James Casey.  Casey, who spend three years in the Chicago White Socks farm system, played two years at Rice before opting to turn pro.  Casey is seen as a tight end or H-back.  He is very versitile playing seven different positions in one game.  Casey finished second nationally in receptions last year for the Owls.

Casey is a little small for an NFL tight end, and at 25 years of age he might not gain much more mass, but he is a very good athlete that a team can find a unique use for.  Look for Cassey to be drafted by the 5th round.

There are several other college seniors who are looking to be drafted this year.  SMU star kicker Thomas Morstead will look to get a shot at making a team.  Quarterback Chase Daniel, the former Southlake Carroll Dragon and Missouri Tiger, will also be looking for a shot to make a team.

At TCU’s Pro Day, 12 players participated.  In addition to Jason Phillips, the Frog seniors Blake Schlueter, Shae Reagan, Robert Henson, Aaron Brown, Stephen Hodge, Steven Coleman, Giles Montgomery, Heath Raetz, James Vess, Cody Moore and Justin Watts.

I caught up with Blake Schueleter at a neaby restaurant, and he told me that his performance at TCU’s Pro Day may have moved him from being an undrafted free agent to a 7th round draft choice.  It seems that the scouts were impressed with Schlueter’s athleticism (he ran a 4.7 40 yard dash).

Here is to hoping there will be success for Dallas-Fort Worth players in the 2009 NFL Draft.