2009 Mock Draft 3

The Senior Bowl and all-star games are in the books, and as a result we have some player movement. Especially at the bottom end of the first round where there is not yet a clear cut consensus on who belongs. There are so many guys who have either an low first/early second round grade, we are going to have to wait till the combine at Indy to really get some more information on some of these guys. As of now, however, we have a final draft order, so lets see how our first round plays out right now.



1. Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Team Rebuilding often starts at the Quarterback position, and Detroit definitely needs to go back to the drawing board. New Head Coach, Jim Schwartz, needs a leader behind center, and Stafford is the top QB in this class. He is the most pro-ready, his arm is unparalleled, and he played against top notch competition all year long. Right now he is my #1.






2. St Louis Rams – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Rams really need to address the o-line. Future Hall-of-Famer, Orlando Pace, has reached the end of a magnificent career, and Smith is the best o-line prospect in this year’s draft. He has ideal size, and amazing strength. In fact, he compares well to last years first overall selection, Jake Long.





3. Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forrest

With Scott Pioli taking the reigns in KC, I am even more certain the team will not look to QB with this selection. Instead, they will look to get a cornerstone for their defense. Right now, the only playmaker at linebacker for the team is Derrick Johnson. Curry has the type of versatility the team could really use in its defensive rebuilding effort.




4. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

The Seahawks have gone from good to bad in a hurry. They need to get Hasslebeck some weapons if this team is to get better, and there is no better weapon in this year’s draft than Crabtree. He lacks prototypical speed, but is big, strong, smart, fast enough, and has great hands. He will immediately help this team open up the offense for new head coach Jim Mora Jr.





5. Cleveland Browns – Aaron Maybin, DE/LB, Penn State

The Browns really underachieved in 08, and they will need to play better offense in 09 if they want to compete. Having said that, this team has a talented offense, and thus they need to draft on the defensive side of the ball to continue to improve. For a team that finished 08 with only 17 sacks, Maybin will be a big addition on that front. This may be a bit of a stretch for Maybin because right now he is somewhat one dimensional, but he could be the best pass rusher in this draft.





6. Cincinnati Bengals – BJ Raji, DT, Boston College

The Bengals need to be able to stop the run. BJ Raji can do that. No single player benefited more from his performance at the Senior Bowl than Raji. This kid proved he is worthy of a top ten selection with the way he played in Mobile. Marvin Lewis will love this kid’s mettle in the middle.






7. Oakland Raiders – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The Raiders have selected franchise type players during the last two years. Now they need someone to help keep Russell and McFadden upright. As a former TE, Smith has the best feet of any of the linemen in this draft, and he continues his move up the draft board. He is now the number two tackle overall.






8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

The Jags could look in many directions with this choice. They could look at linebacker but I don’t see Curry falling this far. They need some help on the o-line too, and Monroe is a top line tackle. He would be an immediate upgrade over Khalif Barnes, and this could really help this team.






9. Green Bay Packers – Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

The Pack would be happy if one of the three top tackles fell to them here. Unfortunately, since this doesn’t play out, they will look to the other line for their choice. Brown is another guy who is moving up draft boards very quickly. He gets a great jump off the edge, and will take some of the focus off of Aaron Kampman which would be a big help to the Green Bay defense.





10. San Francisco 49ers – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

Alex Smith is officially a bust, and O’Sullivan is not the long term answer at QB. Sanchez is therefore the logical selection at this point. He put up good numbers at USC in his only year as a starter, but I agree with Pete Carroll, he should have returned to the Trojans for another season. Regardless, with Bradford going back to Sooner country, Sanchez is the number two signal caller on the board.





11. Buffalo Bills – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

Buffalo is in desperate need of help at TE, and Pettigrew is the top TE of this year’s class. The only question here is if #11 is too much of a reach for Pettigrew. In the end, I think the Bills will decide that his upside and completeness make him a worth while risk.






12. Denver Broncos – Knowshown Moreno, RB, Georgia

Shanahan is out in Denver, and thus will be the ban on drafting first round running backs. Moreno and Wells are the two top backs in the draft, and I see Moreno as the better pro. New Head Coach, Josh McDaniels is a creative offensive mind, and I believe that he will utilize his skills in a multitude of ways, and who knows, he could be like another former UGA product turned Denver Bronco, Terrell Davis.




13. Washington Redskins – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Redskins surprised a lot of folks with their strong early season play, before falling off in the second half. To make themselves more formidable in 09, they need to be better at the point of attack on defense. Orakpo can get after the QB, but he can also fit into a outside linebackers role if the situation arises. Jason Taylor did not seem to fit into the mix in Washington. Orakpo could be a better piece to the puzzle.




14. New Orleans Saints – Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State

The Saints spent last off season improving their front seven. Now with that high flying offense still in full gear, they need some help in the secondary. Greg Williams is the new DC in the Big Easy, and Malcolm Jenkins is the best prospect in this years class. Jenkins can play corner or safety. Especially at 14, Jenkins, a top 5 talent, provides exceptional value.





15. Houston Texans – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Over the last few seasons, Houston has built themselves quite a young talented defense. They have Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans, and Amobi Okoye to build around. The offense has been getting better too, especially with the addition of Steve Slaton last year. Unfortunately however, to stop the Texans, you just need to focus on Andre Johnson. The addition of Jeremy Maclin stops all of that. He is too good to leave in one-on-one coverage with no over the top help, and this will open up so many more opportunities for Schaub and the offense. Texans could be a definite playoff contender in 09 with Maclin on board.



16. San Diego Chargers - Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

The Chargers really underachieved in 08, and it was in large part because of the defense. Shawn Merriman will be back in 09, but adding a beast like Maualuga to the middle will really help this team step it up. The defense isn’t quite the same since Donnie Edwards left, and Big Rey fixes this issue… now.






17. New York Jets – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Sure, Rex Ryan is the new boss in town, and this should mean a focus on defense, but with the top pass rushers off the board, Ryan will be smart and help the team’s offense. Harvin is a talented special teamer and wide out, and will immediately upgrade New York’s offense.






18. Chicago Bears – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Bears made out well last year with the selection of Tulane RB Matt Forte. He along with Kyle Orton give the offense something to build around. Considering the defense all of a sudden looks quite pedestrian, I expect the Bears to make their mark there. A few years back the combination of Tillman and Vasher looked primed to develop into one of the league’s best. Now, Peanut is hurt and Vasher has fallen out of favor, so enter Davis. Davis is a top notch cover man, but he has some commitment concerns. The Bears will like what they see enough though to take the jump.




19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Tampa needs some answers behind center, but Josh Freeman is too big of a reach here. Instead new HC Raheem Morris will give new DC Jim Bates something to build around. Jackson is the type of lineman that can replace the aging Kevin Carter on the defensive front. If he stays focused, this could be a great addition for Tampa.





20. Detroit Lions via Dallas – James Laurinaitis, ILB, USC

The Lions have a lot of holes to fill, on both sides of the ball. Laurinaitis is simply a great ball player. He is not going to measure out well, and that is why he falls to the Lions here. Well what luck for them. Add him to a defense that already boasts Ernie Sims and you have the foundation for the future.






21. Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

The Eagles have an aging o-line. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan have both past their primes, and adding a player like Oher could be just what the doctor ordered. Oher has the talent to be a top ten pick, but he has been too inconsistent to bank on. He can develop into a real solid player at the next level though, and the Eagles will be willing to take the chance.





22. Minnesota Vikings – Brian Cushing, LB, USC

The Vikes are a team who still has some holes to fill. The addition of Jared Allen to the defensive front helped out a bit, but the team still has needs to address. Upgrading at the outside backer position would be a great place to start. Cushing is an instinctive player who gets after the ball very well. He goes for the big hit a bit too often for my liking, he can still make waves. The Vikings could use a player with Cushing’s spirit on their team.




23. New England Patriots – DJ Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

No matter how many players the Pats seem to loose, they continually find themselves competitive in the AFC. Unfortunately, after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in the last bizzillion years, the Pats have some holes to fill. The secondary is a great place to start, and Moore is the right guy to start with. He can cover, and make plays ala Asante Samuel. Moore is also the type who could take it to the house when he picks it off too. This would be the first step back towards a playoff run in 09.




24. Atlanta Falcons – Clay Mathews, OLB, USC

The Falcons had a great season, but they need to fill some holes if they want to continue to improve. This team is likely going to lose linebacker in the coming off-season, and the fast rising Mathews could be the choice. Mathews obviously come from a great lineage, and played at a top notch program in So. Cal. Clay is still raw, but he is skyrocketing up draft boards due to an immense upside. The Falcons are just the type of team who could bring it out of him.




25. Miami Dolphins – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

The Phins turnaround has been nothing short of miraculous. Adding a guy like Nicks to this offense will give them the possession type receiver they need to compliment Ted Ginn. The team may look for an upgrade a linebacker but with Karlos Dansby and Jason Taylor both on the radar, I think Nicks will be the call.






26. Baltimore Ravens – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Joe Flacco has been impressive in his rookie season as the Raven’s signal caller. What he does in the future is going to be largely a result of what the team does to surround him with talent. The wide receiver position is still a question in Baltimore, as Mason nears the end of his playing days, and Clayton is really more of a #2 than a #1. Heyward-Bey can stretch a defense and this would be a valuable addition to the Ravens.




27. Indianapolis Colts – Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

The Colts are a very good football team, and as long as Peyton Manning is in Indy, the offense will continue to roll. The defense has some areas where they could improve however. They really need an athletic defensive tackle to run the Tampa 2 around. Jerry is very athletic for a big fella, and he could be just the right type of player to kick off the post-Tony Dungy era in Indy.





28. Philadelphia Eagles via Carolina – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio St

With their second pick in the first round, I expect the Eagles to look again at improving their offense. With the o-line having been addressed, the team could look to add another running back to help reduce Westbrook’s workload, and hopefully increase his chances of staying healthy. Wells is an absolute heist at this point in round 1. Although banged up a bit at Ohio St, his playing behind Westbrook should help both players stay healthy longer, and should the Eagles come out of the first round with both Oher and Wells on their squad, how much better would that offense be?





29. New York Giants – Larry English, DE/LB, Northern Illinois

The Giants will have some decisions to make in the off-season that will effect what they do with this selection. I do not expect to see Plax back in New York next season, but I do expect the team to push hard to acquire a receiver like Anquan Boldin to replace him with. This leaves defense as the next area of need. English is a talented small school prospect who can play with his hand in the dirt, or upright at the next level. He has excellent speed, and has shown himself to be a smart player that Coughlin would love to have on his squad.





30. Tennessee Titans – Alex Mack, C, California

The Titans have done a great job this season. Their aggressive defense and a dominant run game has kept this team at the top of their game all season. They do however need to come to the realization that time has take its toll, and Kevin Mawae is is getting on in years. It is time to bring in his replacement, and Mack is that guy. He is one tough customer, and he will be a great addition to this unit where he will have the opportunity to learn from one of the great center’s of this generation.





31. Arizona Cardinals – LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

True, this offense is tremendous. Warner looks young again, and he has some serious weapons at the receiver positions. Edge unfortunately is no longer the player he once was, and although good, Tim Hightower is better suited for a short yard back. MCcoy is a shifty back who can also run between the tackles. He would immediately give this offensive backfield a much needed boost.





32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Max Unger, C/G, Oregon

When you are as talented as the Steelers are, you have a lot of options at 32. This team lost some talent last year on the offensive front with Faneca heading to New York. Obviously, the team continued to roll, but with the impending free agency of some other big fellas up front, Unger is a great choice for Sixburgh. Unger is a hard nosed kid who can play any of the interior positions on the line, and this is exactly the type of player the Steelers have continued to build around.