NFL Draft 2009: Percy Harvin

Phrases like this have been heard many times in the last couple of years in Florida. Percy Harvin served as a multipurpose player for the Florida Gators playing both running back and wide receiver. Out of the backfield, he thrived when he could quickly read a block, make his cut, and then run. When he lined up at wide receiver, he was a threat for a big play on each snap. There are a few highlights from this past season available on YouTube.

According to Wikipedia, Harvin stands 5 feet, 11 inches tall and plays at a weight of 195 pounds. He was born on May 28^th, 1988 making him only 20 years old. He played for Landstown High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Coming out of high school he was very highly rated by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. A speedster on the field, he also won 5 gold medals at the Virginia State High School Track Meet in his senior year.

Percy went to the University of Florida where he played both receiver and running back. He was such a dynamic threat that he caused opposing teams to prepare strategies specifically for stopping him - let alone Florida's other weapons (i.e. Tim Tebow). He was part of two national championship teams, being a major factor in the second one. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, including what was later determined to be a hairline fracture, he was a strong player never afraid to take the hit. In the 2008-09 National Championship game, playing with that hairline fracture, he carried the ball 9 times for 122 yards rushing along with a touchdown. He also had 5 catches for 49 yards leading the Gators to their second National Championship. (Wikipedia) After his junior season, Harvin decided to declare for the NFL Draft and is preparing to play at the next level.

Percy participated in the NFL combine preparing for the Draft and is planning on displaying his ability at Florida's Pro Day on March 18^th, 2009. At the combine he put on a good show running a time of 4.41 seconds in the 40 yard dash and bench pressing 225 pounds 19 times. His 40 time, which is much slower than the 4.3 area he was recorded at during his freshman season, was tied for 6^th place among receivers. He was the 5^th best in bench press and failed to make the top 10 in the vertical jump. He is hoping to better his 40 time at his Pro Day. Should he do that, it will only add to his draft value.

Pro Scouts love his speed and elusiveness comparing him to Reggie Bush or DeSean Jackson. As receivers go, he is a little bit short. However he has a solid build and is not afraid of contact. Depending on the team that drafts him, he may fit better as a slot or number two receiver or maybe a change of pace running back similar to Bush or San Diego's Darren Sproles. If used as a receiver, he may be similar to New England's Wes Welker or Jackson. He also may be used as a kick/punt returner. While he does come from a program that has produced a number of flops over the past few seasons, he is a different kind of player than any of those guys mostly due to being a short, speedy receiver who can slip a tackle and be gone. He is rated as a five-star player by Scout.com and will most likely go in the first round.

Compared to the other receivers in this year's draft, he is lumped in the top five with Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Hakeem Nicks, and Darrius Heyward-Bey. He is considered by most as the third rated receiver, but depending on who you believe he is rated anywhere from 2^nd to 5^th out of this group. Crabtree is the top receiver on almost every draft-board. Maclin is a good receiver whose 40 time didn't help him, but his size and ability have him as the number 2 receiver on most boards. Nicks is a solid player, but also ran a poor 40 time and many teams have him at the number 4 receiver. The only one of the top 5 who had a better time in the 40 is Heyward-Bey who ran a smoking 4.30 according to ffToolbox.com, but is rated by most teams as the bottom of the group of 5. Harvin will most likely be the third receiver taken in the draft, unless his value as a dual threat moves him up.

Many teams will consider Harvin in the draft. Though the order has been announced, this could change with a trade at any moment up until the pick is used. Harvin will probably go somewhere between 10 and 20, but here is a quick look at what the first round looks like:

1 - Detriot Lions - Harvin won't go this high and the Lions won't take another receiver in the top 10.

2 - St. Louis Rams - The Rams could use a new receiver, but have bigger needs on the Offensive line

3 - Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs will probably use this pick on defense, but would love a threat like Harvin.

4 - Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks were expected to select Michael Crabtree here until they singed free agent TJ Houshmandzadeh.

5 - Cleveland Browns - The Browns will try to improve their defense, but would love Harvin to play alongside Braylon Edwards at receiver.

6 - Cincinnati Bengals - The loss of Houshmandzadeh left a hole at receiver, but signing Laveranues Coles filled a lot of that gap. There are much bigger holes elsewhere on the team that the Bengals will try to fill.

7 - Oakland Raiders - If Crabtree falls this far, the Raiders will stop his fall here. This opens the door for Harvin to get picked soon.

8 - Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars need a receiver among other things. Many think they would go with Maclin here if they decide to go for a receiver, but there is also potential for Harvin here.

9 - Green Bay Packers - The Packers feel good about their receivers, so this is probably not a stopping point for Harvin.

10 - San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers just signed Brandon Jones, so they will probably pass on Harvin.

11 - Buffalo Bills - The Bills have a lot of needs, but they may pick Harvin here to give Trent Edwards another option.

12 - Denver Broncos - The Broncos feel like they are deep at receiver, but with Brandon Marshall's possible suspension coming, they may consider it.

13 - Washington Redskins - The Redskins will consider a compliment to Santana Moss, but they usually draft defensive players in the first round.

14 - New Orleans Saints - The Saints already have a similar player in Reggie Bush and will probably not look his way.

15 - Houston Texans - The Texans are looking for a compliment to Steve Slaton at running back or a defensive player, but might take a second look at Harvin as a potential change of pace back.

16 - San Diego Chargers - The Chargers have a similar player in Darren Sproles who was hit with their franchise tag. They could look at a receiver though.

17 - New York Jets - The Jets would love to have a good receiver like Harvin and if he is still around, he may become a Jet.

18 - Chicago Bears - The Bears have a number of needs, but definitely need an upgrade at receiver. Harvin would be similar to Devon Hester in being a big play threat, so that may make them look at the other guys.

19 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Buccaneers have a couple of decent receivers, but may choose to give Harvin a second look, should he still be available.

20 - Detroit Lions (from Dallas) - The Lions have too many needs and will not take a receiver in the first round for years to come.

21 - Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles got DeSean Jackson in the draft last year and he paid huge dividends, but with two of their offensive tackles possibly hitting the road and a huge hole at Safety, they will have to pass on Harvin, who is very similar to Jackson.

22 - Minnesota Vikings - Would love to have a good receiver and will give him a second look.

23 - New England Patriots - The Patriots have two of the best receivers in the game in Randy Moss and Wes Welker. They have other areas they will explore.

24 - Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons may consider a guy like Harvin to compliment Roddy White.

25 - Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins are looking for a receiver, but Harvin is probably not going to last this long.

26 - Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens need a receiver and if Harvin is available, they may pick him up.

27 - Indianapolis Colts - If Harvin is still on the board, he will be a Colt at this point. Peyton would love to throw to a threat like him and with Marvin Harrison departing Indy, he would be a welcome addition.

28 - Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) - Possibly - but he's probably gone.

29 - New York Giants - The Giants will draft defense.

30 - Tennessee Titans - The Titans could use a receiver, but Harvin probably won't be on the board at this point.

31 - Arizona Cardinals - Unless they trade Anquan Boldin before draft day, the Cardinals are set at receiver.

32 - Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers will focus on offensive line in the first couple rounds of this draft.

The only problem with using this draft order is that many trades could go down between now and then. These trades could lead to another team who picks later grabbing him. Teams could be divided into three groups.

The first are teams that are in desperate need of a receiver. These teams are Jets, Dolphins, Ravens, Browns, Titans, Jaguars, Chargers, Raiders, Giants, Bears, Vikings, Buccaneers, Rams, and 49ers. One of these teams might select him if he is the best receiver on the board and they might trade up to get him should the higher receivers go before their pick.

The second group is teams who could use another option. Most of them have at least one receiver who is very good, but after that things are sparse. These are Bills, Bengals, Texans, Chiefs, Redskins, Eagles, Cowboys, Lions, Falcons, Panthers, and Seahawks. One of these teams might select him if he is deemed the best player available, but they won't trade up for him.

The final group is teams who are probably not interested, but may pick him if they decide they have no other holes. Most of these have two good receivers on the roster already, and a third would just be a perk. These are Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Broncos, Packers, Saints, and Cardinals.

After all of this analysis, my prediction is:

With the number 17 pick in the draft, the New York Jets select Percy Harvin.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Harvin; http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d5d80ee370a&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true; http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/2009/nfl_combine_results.cfm?pos=WR