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By Robert Baker, 49ers Clubhouse draft writer
Updated March 24, 2000
TOP 5 DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Courtney Brown Penn St. 6’4” 265lbs 4.65
1999: 54 tkls 29 tkls for loss 13.5 sacks
An excellent pass and run stopper. Always gives 100% on the field and at training. Is level headed and has long arms. He is extremely athletic and is the cousin of Georgia Tech’s JoeHamilton. Will definatly be a force in the NFL.
Top 3
2. Shaun Ellis Tennessee 6’4” 265lbs 4.65
1999:41 tkls 11 tkls for loss 8.5 sacks
Can get to the Quarterback and just as well stop the run. He is an intelligent player, being able to read plays and react quickly. Improved from his Junior year, only recording one sack, and should continue his improvement.
Mid 1st Round
3. John Engelburger Virginia Tech 6’4” 270lbs 4.8
1999:53 tkls 6 tkls for loss 7 sacks
This German native began his collage career as a tight end. Can play both end and tackle. He is strong, tough and aggressive. Like Brown, always gives 100% and is level headed, always working hard at training.
Mid 1st Round
4. Darren Howard Kansas St. 6’4” 275lbs 4.8
1999: 53 tkls 11 tkls for loss 5.5 sacks
Has an excellent ability to get to the Quarterback and bring him down, registering 10.5 sacks in his Junior year. Struggles in run defence, putting most of his effort on getting to the QB. But will improve on run stopping once in NFL.
Late 1st Round
5. John Abraham South Carolina 6’3” 245 lbs 4.5
1999: 61 tkls 6 tkls for loss 6 sacks
Can play OLB or DE. A bit like ‘the freak’ Jevon Kearse, able to play DE and OLB and has great speed and very athletic. Unlike Kearse, he doesn’t have natural talent and freakish athleticism.
Late 1st Round
STEAL. Adewale Ogunleye
Indiana 6’4” 265lbs 4.9
1999: 22 tkls 11 tkls for loss 7.5
sacks
Had his season ended after six games
with a knee injury, but still put up extraordinary numbers for six games.
He is an extremely good pass rushing. Would most likely be a late first
round pick if it wasn’t for his knee injury.
Late 2nd to Early 3rd
1. Corey Simon Florida St. 6’2” 290lbs 4.8
1999: 82 tkls 20 tkls for loss 4 sacks
Has injury concerns with five surgeries in college, his latest was rotator cuff sergery after his season. If he can get over his injuries, he’ll be a magnificent player. He’ll be an immediate starter and a big impact player.
Top 5
2. Chris Hovan Boston College 6’3” 290lbs 5.0
1999: 69 tkls 21 tkls for loss 10.5
Experienced, Starting 10 games in his Freshman season, and starting every game since. Can play DE, but is better suited to a DT. He has good size, strong, can get to the QB and is a hard worker.
Mid to Late 1st Round
3. Mao Tosi Idaho 6’6” 300lbs 5.0
1999: 46 tkls 15 tkls for loss 6.5 sacks
He is massive! And along with his remarkable size is strength and isn’t fast, but can explode of the line and cause problems for Offensive linemen. He is also a great run stopper.
Early 2nd Round
4. Darwin Walker Tennessee 6’2” 290lbs 4.8
1999: 44 tkls 8 tkls for loss 7 sacks
Is extremely strong and uses that strength to push the offensive line around and can causea lot of problems against the run and also gets to the Quarterback. Also has good speed and a good tackler.
Early to Mid 2nd Round
5. Chris Combs Duke
6’5” 280lbs 4.9
1999: 57 tkls 15 tkls for loss 2
sacks
Spent his first few years as a unknown,
but is steadily making a name for himself. He has good size and has a lot
of potential. Does need some good coaching, and may be a big suprise.
Late 2nd to Early 3rd Round
1. LaVar Arrington Penn St. 6’3” 235lbs 4.5
1999: 72 tkls 20 tkls for loss 9 sacks 1 int
This guy is amazing, and in my opinion is the best in the draft. Has amazing athletic skills, strong, and is an excellent run defender and a good pass defender. A dominating player who will be an automatic starter.
Top 2
2. Brian Urlacher New Mexico 6’3” 245lbs 4.6
1999: 154 tkls 6 tkls for loss 1 sack 1 int Played receiver and safety in high school and was a safety in Junior and Senior seasons. He was also a WR in his Senior year, 7 rec for 61 yrds with 6 TD’s. Strong, tough, physical, great coverage and aggressive.
Mid 1st Round
3. Julian Peterson Michigan St. 6’3” 230lbs 4.7
1999: 72 tkls 25 tkls for loss 11.5 sacks
He is an amazing pass rusher! Very competitive and he is quick. He is a bit small and may need to hit the weight room He does need coaching to become complete and not just a pass rusher.
Late 1st Round
4. Keith Bulluck Syracuse 6’3” 230lbs 4.5
1999: 135 tkls 11 tkls for loss 2 sacks
Can play either Inside or Outside linebacker, but better suited to outside. Is great at coverage and has the speed to cause a lot of problems, great at stopping the run, and can put pressure on the QB.
Late 1st to Early 2nd
5. Na’il Diggs Ohio St. 6’3” 235lbs 4.6
1999: 94 tkls 15 tkls for loss 6 sacks
A great all round player. Can stop the run, drop back into coverage and get in and get to the Quarterback. Has great speed and good size. Should end up being a successful NFL starter.
Mid 2nd
6. Raynoch Thompson Tennessee 6’2” 220lbs 4.5
1999: 85 tkls 6 tkls for loss 1 sack 3 int
A great athlete and can be pushed around by blockers. Has great speed and a good in coverage.
Late 2nd
SLEEPER: Sekou Sanyika California 6’4” 235lbs 4.7
1999: 57 tkls 18 tkls for loss 6.5 sacks 2 int
Great in coverage, can get to the QB, is a good athlete, and has decent size. He’s consistent, and has improved every year, and should keep improving in the pro’s. Can play inside, but is better suited to the outside.
Late 2nd to Early 3rd
1. Rob Morris Brigham Young 6’2” 250lbs 4.7
1999: 74 tkls 10 tkls for loss 6 sacks
At High School he was on the basketball team, football team and track team. Was a FB until after his freshman year. A great run stopper, fast, always puts in all his effort, aggressive and a great tackler. He will be 25 years old as a rookie.
Mid to Late 1st Round
2. Marcus Bell Arizona 6’2” 235lbs 4.7
1999: 124 tkls 14 tkls for loss 4 sack 1 int
Great vs. the run and is excellent cover guy. He isn’t as big as some of the Linebackers in the draft, but is still tough and can make tackles.
Late 1st Round
3. Brandon Short Penn St. 6’2” 245lbs 4.6
1999: 101 tkls 15 tkls for loss 4 sacks 1 int
He is mature and an on field leader. He’s tough, aggressive and strong. He is at his most dangerous vs. the run. Does struggle in coverage, but is agile and quick, so should improve in that area.
Late 1st to Early 2nd
4. Matt Beck California
6’3” 230lbs 4.7
1999: 8 tkls 2 tkls for loss 2 int
Great at covering opposing teams
Tight End and Running Backs. Was injured for most of last year, which may
be a worry for pro scouts.
Late 2nd
5. Danny Clark Illinois
6’2” 235lbs 4.8
1999: 115 tkls 11 tkls for loss
3 sacks 1 int
Reliable, consistant, productive
and is very competitive. He has good size, but may need to work on his
speed to become an NFL starter.
Late 2nd to Early 3rd
1. Ahmed Plummer Ohio St. 5’11” 190lbs 4.5
1999: 55 tkls 5 int 9 passes broken up
Good athleticism and rarely gets beaten deep. He is intelligent and an experienced corner. He has improved every year with the buckeyes’. Should continue Ohio St. recent tradition of CB in the first round.
Late 1st Round
2. Rashard Anderson Jackson St. 6’3” 205lbs 4.5
1999: 40 tkls 3 int 6 passes broken up
Has great size and excellent physical abilities. One of his major problems is his lack of opposition, but his stock has climbed during postseason practices and workouts. Is a favourite of the niners.
Late 1st to Early Second Round
3. Dwayne Goodwich Tennessee 5’11” 190lbs 4.3
1999: 33 tkls 3 int 6 passes broken up
He’s quick and physical. He has come up against some of the best receivers in the NCAA and won. He also has great instincts and excellent cover ability. His stock has gone down, was rated by some as the best corner in the draft.
Mid 2nd Round
4. Lloyd Harrison
North Carolina St. 5’11” 190lbs 4.4
1999: 29 tkls 5 int 10 passes broken
up
He has OK size, but is very quick.
He has been dominating the ACC division for the last couple of years and
has a good chance of becoming a solid NFL player, maybe even a starter.
Mid to Late 2nd Round
5. Hank Poteat Pittsburgh
5’10” 190lbs 4.4
1999: 43 tkls 3 int 12 passes broken
up
Another that has had his stock rise
in the postseason. Has great speed, a good athlete and a great return man,
which will give him an edge over other corners. Size is a worry and is
easily fooled by fakes.
Mid to Late 2nd Round
STEAL. Deltha O’Neal
California 5’11” 185lbs 4.5
1999: 32 tkls 9 int 11 pass broken
up
Was a RB coming out of High School.
He is one of if not the best return man in the NCAA. Does need a bit more
experience at corner and continue his techniquedevelopment, but my prediction
is the he will be the best out of this crop with the right coaching.
Early 3rd Round
1. Deon Grant Tennessee 6’2” 205lbs 4.4
1999: 54 tkls 6 int 6 passes broken up
Has great size, speed, being on Tennessee’s track team, and a big leap. Has great reading ability and soft hands and is great at picking of passes. Has excellent coverage and could be used as a shut down corner.
Top 15
2. Brian Gray Brigham
Young 6’2” 210lbs 4.5
1999: 35 tkls 3 int 7 passes broken
up
Another that could also be a cornerback,
playing his Senior season as a corner. Tough, physical, athletic and has
excellent size. Played a Strong Safety in his Freshman year at El Carmino
Junior College.
Mid to Late 2nd Round
3. Mark Roman Louisiana
St. 5’11” 185lbs 4.5
1999: 33 tkls 2 int 5 passes broken
up
Is a consistant performer and is
another safety that can be moved to a cornerback in needed. He may need
to add a bit of weight and is a bit small for some teams likings. Should
play as a Free Safety.
Mid 3rd Round
4. Kenoy Kennedy
Arkansas 6’1” 205lbs 4.6
1999: 91 tkls 5 int 5 passes broken
up
When you get hit by this guy, you
know it. He packs a punch when he tackles and is great at it. He is also
a good cover guy and with his ability to tackle is a great run stopper.
Early to Mid 4th Round
5. Gary Berry Ohio
St. 5’11” 195lbs 4.4
1999: 86 tkls 2 int 3 passes broken
up He has amazing speed, being the fastest Safety in the draft. He is very
consistent and should be picked on day one in the draft.
Mid to Late 4th Round
