2009 NFL Mock Draft

updated 4/23/09

 1.    Detroit Lions:  Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia*
               
Okay, so I finally give in.  I believe that the Lions will draft Matthew Stafford but if I were them I would have still taken Aaron Curry.  I would rather have Ray Lewis without the baggage than Jay Cutler without the baggage, which is how these players project.  With that said you can't totally blame them for going after what they believe is a franchise QB. 

 2.    St. Louis Rams:  Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

The Rams have been hoping for a LT for a while.  Last year they lost out on Jake Long but this year they will have their pick.  I have Monroe a little higher than Jason Smith because I feel he is more developed.  With the recent release of Orlando Pace they need someone who is ready to step in from day one.  The organization has committed to Marc Bulger who isn't overly mobile.  They need to protect him and I don't believe they can do that with Alex Barron at LT and Jacob Bell at RT.  I know most people have Jason Smith in this position because he is coming off a great combine but Monroe had a very good combine as well.  Also keep in mind that Branden Albert played well at LT this past year despite never playing there in college.  The reason he didn't play there in college is because he couldn't beat out Monroe.  As for Jason Smith, I agree that he has more upside but Monroe is more ready to step in on day one.
 
 3.    Kansas City Chiefs:  Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

The Chiefs would be elated.  Aaron Curry is the safest pick of the draft and the top prospect. Curry will help be the centerpiece of this new defense.  They could consider a Tackle or Crabtree but Curry is too good to pass up.  

 4.      Seattle Seahawks:  Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

With Houshmandzadeh on board there is a little less concern with WR.  OL is still a concern but they did resign Ray Willis.  Even with his signing the Seahawks will have a hard time passing on Jason Smith here. QB is a consideration but they think Hasselbeck still has a number of years left.

 5.    Cleveland Browns:  Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech* 

With Donte Stallworth's legal issues, WR becomes a big need.  No better cure than getting the top receiver in the draft.  

 6.   Cincinnati Bengals:  Andre Smith, OT, Alabama*

The Bengals have issues at the T position with Levi Jones struggling with injuries and Stacy Andrews leaving via free agency.  Andre Smith is climbing back up the draft board.  Boom or bust player that can be great if he pays the price.

 7.     Oakland Raiders:  B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

The Raiders really need help at T but Al Davis likes to take explosive athletes and B.J. Raji is an explosive DT.  I know that people don't typically think of DTs as explosive but Raji is really fast and quick for such a large man.  The Raiders also need a lot of help on the DL so this pick helps a need area as well.  WR is also a need area but Al Davis likes to take WRs that are explosive and that are not real high profile players.  So look for Al Davis to look at Johnny Knox in Round 3 or 4.

 8.  Jacksonville Jaguars:  Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri*
 
The Jaguars believe that Tra Thomas has some years left in him.  With his signing, getting a T in round 1 in not a necessity.  With Matt Jones's recent issues WR is a necessity.
         
 9.    Green Bay Packers:  Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas 

The Packers are transitioning to a 3-4 defense and will need to get someone who can rush the passer to play opposite Aaron Kampman.  Brian Orakpo slides a down the draft a little.  There aren't any bette pass rushers in the draft.  The Packers might wait to get their OLB in round two but if they get him in round one it gives them an opportunity to get a NT in round two.

10.   San Francisco 49ers:  Mark Sanchez, QB, USC*

The 49ers continue to have an open competition for QB year after year.  One way to fix that and have some continuity is to get your QB of the future.

11.    Buffalo Bills:  Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

With the trade of Jason Peters, Tackle is a top priority and Oher is the last top tier Tackle abailable. 

12.  Denver Broncos:  Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

The Broncos are transitioning to the 3-4 and will have a lot of holes to fix on defense.  They really have a lot of personnel that fit the 4-3 and not the 3-4, so finding defensive players that fit the scheme will be the focus.  Jackson is the best fitting 3-4 DE.

13.    Washington Redskins:  Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn St*

The Redskins won't be overly happy if the draft falls this way.  They have serious issues on the OL and would really like to take one in this spot because they don't have a second round pick.  With no top Tackles left they have to go with plan B with is get a pass rush.  There aren't many better pass rushers than Maybin. 

14.    New Orleans Saints:  Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St 

The Saints have needed a CB for what seems like forever.  Jenkins slides to this spot because of his poor combine but he has played at a high level against quality competition.  He will get a look at CB and if that doesn't go well he could be moved to FS which is another area the Saints could use some help.

15.    Houston Texans:  Everette Brown, OLB, Florida St*

The Texans helped their DE situation with the signing of Antonio Smith but they could still use a big OLB who can rush the passer.  Everette Brown fits the bill for that.  The Texans really need help in their secondary but with Malcolm Jenkins gone there really isn't much value at this point of the draft.

16.   San Diego Chargers:  Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia*

LT and Darren Sproles will be back but this is an organization that has never hesitated to add RBs and Moreno might be too good of a talent to pass.  LT is getting older and Moreno and LT are similar backs which means they wouldn't have to change their scheme at all.  Michael Oher could get some serious consideration here but visions of LT might be too tough to pass.

17.   New York Jets:  Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas St*

I finally feel that the Jets might consider trying to upgade the QB position.  The Jets needed a WR and now with Coles leaving, they really need a WR.  However, Harvin has been falling like a lead balloon due to his attitude and now his failed drug test at the combine.  There really hasn't been a WR that has solidified a mid-first round grade.  With no good value at WR it allows them to focus on QB and Josh Freeman is the man.  His stock has been soaring as of late.  Freeman will give them a franchise like QB but Jets fans will have to be patient because he will need time to develop.

18.     Denver Broncos (from Chicago):  Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

With the pick they get in the Jay Cutler deal the Broncos will continue to solidify the defense as it transitions to a 3-4.  There has been a lot of talk about the Broncos trying to get a QB but I don't see that.  I think that Kyle Orton is a very good fit for McDaniels and his scheme.  Brian Cushing would be a great addition because he is versatile enough to play inside or outside in their 3-4.

19.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

The Bucs got their veteran QB which is what I thought they would do rather than try to draft one.  Now they can focus on improving their defense.  Peria Jerry will help improve their DL which will be a great step towards getting this team back to the playoffs.

20.   Detroit Lions (from Dallas):  Eben Britton, OT, Arizona*

The Lions need a LT and they get a good one here.  If you go with the QB number one then you need to get people to protect him.  I think that Britton can play the left side but not everyone is convinced.  If the Lions aren't convinced that he can they may draft William Beatty instead.

21.   Philadelphia Eagles:  Chris Wells, RB, Ohio St*

With the Jason Peters trade they got the Tackle they so desparately needed.  It was a good move because I don't think that the players available at this spot are the type of linemen they typically like.  The Eagles could use a big RB to compliment Brain Westbrook.  Getting someone like Chris Wells will also help extend the career of Westbrook.

22.     Minnesota Vikings:  Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland* 

The Vikings could really use a RT but there isn't one at this spot of the draft unless the Lions draft Beatty instead of Britton.  Consistency at the CB position has been a problem and Vontae Davis has tons of potential but he is dropping due to his attitude.  He could be considered here but I think they will go for a WR that can stretch the field.  Heyward-Bey is the type of receiver they like and they could use more weapons in the pass game.

23.    New England Patriots:  Clay Matthews, OLB, USC

The Patriots need to get younger at the LB position and Matthews is rising up the board.  This is a good fit because Matthews is versatile and the Patriots like versatility. 

24.    Atlanta Falcons:  Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

The Falcons need help at DT, TE and OLB.  They would love to have Jerry but that seems more unlikely.  Pettigrew would be intriguing because he could give Matt Ryan a great target to throw to while also being a solid blocker to help in the run game.  However they need help at DE and in this draft scenario Ayers slides to them.  If he is available here, he is simply too good to pass up.

25.  Miami Dolphins:  Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina*

The Dolphins have a lot of holes.  Getting a pass rusher that can get to the passer is a consideration here but with Larry English sliding a little they might think that they can get English or Connor Barwin with their high second round pick.  WR is a big need for this team and they might not want to pass on the top tier of wideouts.

26.     Baltimore Ravens:  Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

The Ravens need help at WR, LB and CB.  Maualuga would be a great fit next to Ray Lewis and would be a great player to take over for him when his career is finished.  CB could also be a consideration but with the signing of Domonique Foxworth that may not be as pressing a need and besides the Ravens like big CBs so unless they like Sean Smith enough in this spot, CB might not be the route they take.  WR could be though, Hakeem Nicks will be considered here as well. 

27.  Indianapolis Colts:  Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers*

With Marvin Harrison leaving WR becomes a bigger need than it already was.  It is important to continue to give Peyton Manning weapons to work with.  Britt would actually be good value here.
 
28.  Buffalo Bills (from Carolina via Eagles):  Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Okla St

The Bills pick up this pick in the Jason Peters trade and now that they drafted their replacement they can go after the guy they might have targeted at number 11 before.  TE is a big area of concern and getting a big receiver to occupy the middle will help free up Terrell Owens and Lee Evans. 

29.   New York Giants:  William Beatty, OT, Connecticut

The Giants really need a WR but with all the top receivers gone they will be forced to go another direction.  For those wondering about Percy Harvin, I don't think the Giants will want to deal with the potential headaches and I don't think he really fits into their scheme.  Luckily the Giants have pretty solid depth and don't have a lot of needs and can use this pick with an eye towards the future.  The offensive line is getting older and will be in need of an upgrade soon.  Beatty is a great fit because they don't need him to play right away and he can focus on developing into the solid Tackle he can become.

30.  Tennessee Titans:  Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois*

The Titans don't have many needs, other than WR.  This year they luck out, instead of passing on another WR they have to pick something else because all the WR prospects are gone at this part of the draft.  Instead they select a solid player that has slid due to his attitude.  Jeff Fisher will stay on top of him and try to get the most out of him.  The Titans can use another CB and Vontae Davis is as talented as any corner in this draft.

31.  Arizona Cardinals:  Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut*

The Cardinals have plenty of needs and could go a lot of different directions here.  However, Larry Fitzgerald is the new king in Arizona and I think that he may convince the organization to select LeSean McCoy.  The Cardinals do need a RB because Edgerrin James may or may not be back and J.J. Arrington has already left.  However, Donald Brown is so much better than McCoy that I can no longer leave him as the choice.  Donald Brown's speed would pair up nicely with Tim Hightower.  Other possibilities include Alex Mack, Connor Barwin or Brandon Pettigrew.

32.   Pittsburgh Steelers:  Alex Mack, C, California

The Steelers would like to solidify the middle of the offensive line to help keep Ben Roethlisberger alive.  Mack can play C or G as can Justin Hartwig, but you may see the Steelers draft a couple of interior linemen.


*- underclassmen

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