2009 NFL Mock Draft

Stafford must be the guy.  Detroit can not pass up the opportunity to find the quarterback of the future.  Stafford could end up having the success of Matt Ryan in Atlanta, at least personally.  Stafford will not lead the Lions to the playoffs in year one, but he is a major improvement and will help this team for years to come.2. St. Louis Rams – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Smith seems to be the consensus pick amongst other mock drafts and I happen to agree.  The Rams have so many needs and really at number 2 the possibilities are endless.  However, the life of a quarterback is not, therefore, the Rams need a strong, athletic lineman such as Smith, who is a converted TE, to protect whoever will stand behind center for the Rams in 2009.

Curry had a strong combine and has shown great character, something the Chiefs could use in the locker room.

The Seahawks have filled a couple of needs via free agency, mainly that of WR.  I would have said the Seahawks would go with Michael Crabtree here, however the Hawks filled their need at the position.  I would still not be surprised if they took Crabtree at 4, however the smarter pick is Monroe.5. Cleveland Browns – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Just based on ability, Crabtree is better than number 5.  Based on team needs, this is where he falls.  Cleveland would be smart to grab Crabtree here.  Especially since I can not see the Bengals letting him slip past 6 and I’m sure the Browns would not like to see him on the other side of the field twice a season.  Besides after the departure of Winslow, the uncertainty of Stallworth’s future, as he may be in prison, and the inconsistencies of Braylon Edwards, this would be a smart pick.

To offset the loss of T.J. Houshmandzadeh the Bengals will see Crabtree fall by the books, so the next best thing is Maclin.

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The Raiders can always use more help on the line to give QB JaMarcus Russell some protection.8. Jacksonville Jaguars – B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Questions on Raji will have him slip a little to number 8 in Jacksonville.  I’ve seen other mock drafts that have him slipping even further, but Raji will be a tough pass at number 8 if available.9. Green Bay Packers – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Let the Cheese Parties begin if Orakpo is around at number 9!  The Packers need a solid, athletic DE.  Orakpo is just the man to excite the masses in the land of the frozen tundra.10. San Francisco 49ers – Bryan Cushing, OLB, USC

With some of the 49ers other needs being filled prior to number 10, the Niners will move to their need for a linebacker.  Bryan Cushing is the best remaining LB.  Experts say he is a good fit on the inside and outside linebacker positions.11. Buffalo Bills – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

Buffalo could use a good DE.  They will probably be surprised to still see Maybin on the board at this point.

Sanchez has to be the likely pick here if he is still available at number 12. After the trade of Jay Cutler, the Broncos will probably not settle on a competition between Kyle Orton and Chris Simms.13. Washington Redskins – Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

Washington gets a solid player.  He didn’t have the best of combines, but if Washington takes a look at the whole package, they should know they are getting a solid player who had a decent 2008 season.14. New Orleans Saints – Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The Saints have several needs cinluding safety.  Tempting to take a running back here, but New Orleans can still find a good running back later in the draft without compromising much talent.15. Houston Texans – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

Maualuga has some great explosiveness.  Houston has histroically shown that is the type of defensive player they are looking for.16. San Diego Chargers – Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

Solid pick at 16.  He is quick to the QB, however one knock on him is he sometimes focuses too much on knocking the ball instead of the quarterback.  I’m sure San Diego can help him work on that.17. New York Jets – Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

With quarterback being a need for the Jets, they take the best quarterback remaining.  No matter who takes them, Stafford and Sanchez will be long gone by this point.  That leaves Freeman as option number three.  Flying under the radar a bit, Freeman may end up surprising some people.

Meeting the first need at quarterback, Denver continues to meet its need by taking the second ranked player at the defensive tackle position according to Scouts Inc.19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE, Larry English, Northern Illinois

Tampa loses out on getting Freeman thanks to the Jets, so now they must focus on their defensive line needs. 

A complete guess here.  I’ve seen others slot Davis here, so I thought why not?  The Lions have so many needs.  They already got the guy they wanted at number 1.  They could go many different directions at number 20.21. Philadelphia Eagles – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Eagles fill a need at RB.  A little surprising he falls this far and he might not.  New Orleans, Denver, Detroit all could consider him.  If Moreno isn’t picked here, maybe Ohio State’s Chris Wells.  We’ll see.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

The Vikings should feel happy that OT is a need of some but not many. This is right about where Oher should be picked and the Vikings could use the help at OT.  
23. New England Patriots – Clay Matthews, LB, USC

Good range and good closing speed.  Good fit for the Patriots at number 23. 
24. Atlanta Falcons – Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

If you asked me two weeks ago, I had Johnson slipping to the Cardinals at number 32, however it is clear he is the best remaining defensive player in the draft.  Atlanta needs him.  Sorry Arizona.

Harvin gets the chance to stay in Florida and create a solid target for Chad Pennington

26.

Baltimore gets a receiver who can catch and give you yardage.  42 receptions for 609 yards and five touchdowns in 2008 at Maryland should be proof enough this is a good pick here.  Harvin is the pick if available though.
27. Indianapolis Colts – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

Consensus is that the Colts, although needing defensive help, will go offense to surround Peyton Manning with more weapons.  I agree.  Nicks is the third receiver in a row to be picked.
28. Philadelphia Eagles – Ebon Britton, OT, Arizona

Britton is the 2nd highest OT ranked in Scouts Inc’s top 32 overall players.  Britton provided solid protection for Willie Tuitama at Arizona and he can step in and do the same for an aging Donovan McNabb.

29.

Tough to imagine Pettigrew dropping this far, however stranger things have happened.
30. Tennessee Titans – Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

Titans need a receiver.  If any of the group of Nicks, Harvin, or Heyward-Bey are still in the mix, I think they are the choice over Britt.
31. Arizona Cardinals – LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

I think Arizona has good history with picking Pittsburgh offensive weapons.  I don’t remember, how did that last one work out?
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

He’s the best player remaining.  Regardless of any need, the Steelers will take Wells if he is there.