2009 NFL Day One Draft Mock
4/23/09
1. Lions: QB Matt Stafford, Georgia
The Lions seem intent on finding a Matt Ryan in this draft. Too bad one doesn’t exist.
Detroit has slightly altered their Lions logo. Now they’re taking a slightly altered version of Joey Harrington.
Stafford has a bigger arm, but that’s about it.
2. Rams: OT Jason Smith, Baylor
St. Louis needs to find a direct replacement for Orlando Pace. They feel Smith can fit the bill.
3. Chiefs: ILB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Chiefs GM Scott Pioli needs someone to anchor the Chiefs defense. In a draft where good inside linebackers are hard to find, the Chiefs would be hard pressed to find someone who can make a bigger impact at the position later in the draft.
4. Seahawks: QB Mark Sanchez, USC **
Matt Hasselbeck is getting up there in years and has suffered through injuries for the last two seasons.
On top of that, Head Coach Jim Mora Jr. probably wants his own guy after staying with Michael Vick in Atlanta.
5. Browns: DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas
With trade talks with the Giants at a stalemate, the Browns will address their pass rusher needs at this point.
6. Bengals: OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
Monroe doesn’t have an extensive criminal record, but he might help keep Carson Palmer on the field next year.
7. Raiders: DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
Al Davis is crazy. With that said, his draft philosophy is far away from the Detroit Lions.
The last time Oakland took a receiver in the first round was in 1988. They took Tim Brown.
The top two receiver prospects didn’t exactly blaze up stupendous .40 times.
Al Davis loves athletic freaks. Michael Johnson is a classic case of major reach, potential, and likely bust factor for the Raiders.
8. Jaguars: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
This is the absolute dream scenario for the Jaguars. They get their franchise receiver.
9. Packers: NT B.J. Raji, Boston College
Green Bay needs a true nose tackle and Raji can immediately come in and start in their new 3-4 defense.
10. 49ers: OT Michael Oher, Mississippi **
The 49ers will look to move out. If not, they will draft some protection for whoever is under center next year.
We’ve seen Singletary battle character issues, so it’s doubtful they would take Andre Smith.
11. Bills: OT Andre Smith, Alabama
Trading Jason Peters leaves a huge hole at left tackle. Smith has top five talent and the Bills can’t afford to let him slide by.
12. Broncos: DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
The Broncos need someone to get after the passer and need defensive ends.
13. Redskins: DE/OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn State **
It seems more and more unlikely the Redskins will actually be picking for themselves at this pick. Until something becomes official, I’ll presume they do.
There isn’t any realistic “wow” pick here, so the Redskins will continue to plug pieces into their very expensive defense.
14. Saints: RB Chris “Beanie” Wells, Ohio State
Reggie Bush isn’t an every down back. Deuce McAllister is gone and Wells has a similar style.
There will be a heated debate in the Saints war room between Wells and Malcolm Jenkins. In the end, there’s a better chance of finding a talented corner later in the draft then a back in the McAllister mold who can play effectively right away.
15. Texans: FS/CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
The Texans need major help at safety and could use a corner to play in some nickel and dime coverage. Jenkins fills that void.
16. Chargers: DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee **
The Chargers lost some pieces of their defensive line and need to draft some replacements.
17. Jets: TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State **
Head Coach Rex Ryan is bringing the Ravens philosophy to the Jets. On offense that means a conservative approach with a lot of safe passes and two and even three tight end sets.
The only tight end the Jets have at the moment is Dustin Keller. He can’t block at all. Rex Ryan needs a tight end who can run block effectively.
Pettigrew is certainly qualified and is also a terrific receiving threat. He can turn into the reliable underneath target as Keller stretches the field vertically.
The Jets are using defensive lineman in minicamp to play tight end. Ideally the Jets will move down and still land Pettigrew, but it’s unlikely.
They have to take him anyway.
18. Broncos: OLB Clay Matthews, USC
The Broncos other major need defensively is at outside linebacker. Matthews is the best prospect available.
19. Bucs: DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi
It seems everyone has pegged the Bucs taking Josh Freeman. I just don’t see it.
Jon Gruden isn’t around anymore to tinker with another quarterback. The Bucs have Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown, and a pick from last year in Josh Johnson. They need the man of the future but don’t need to reach for someone who isn’t a proven commodity.
They need help up front to allow Gaines Adams and the rest of the defensive ends to play aggressively.
20. Lions: OT William Beatty, UConn
Detroit will need players to protect Stafford, Culpepper, and whoever else is playing for them this year. They have no left tackle right now and Beatty is the last of the first round tackles.
21. Eagles: CB Darius Butler, UConn
A lot of people feel the Eagles will draft Knowshon Moreno. I think they should take Moreno. He’s one of the top players in this draft.
Andy Reid is notorious for not committing to the run. He almost hates to run the football. I don’t see someone who doesn’t like to run using his top pick in the draft on a running back.
With Lito Sheppard gone, the Eagles need another corner who can compete for a starting job. Butler is the top corner on the board.
22. Vikings: OT Eben Britton, Arizona
Minnesota can address a major need on the offensive line to help keep the ball in Adrian Peterson’s hands.
23. Patriots: ILB Ray Maualuga, USC
The Patriots have very little depth at linebacker and Maualuga is the type of player the Patriots love.
24. Falcons: OLB Brian Cushing, USC
With Brandon Pettigrew off the board, the Falcons will take a linebacker to help replace Keith Brooking and Michael Boley.
25. Dolphins: WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers
Miami needs a big receiver who can go up and get the football to complement Ted Ginn Jr., Greg Camarillo, and Davone Bess.
26. Ravens: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
The Ravens need an explosive weapon on offense. Maclin is a great value pick here.
27. Colts: DT Evander Hood, Missouri
The Colts have no depth at defensive tackle and Hood is the best player available at the position.
28. Bills: DE/OLB Everette Brown, FSU
The Bills are the winner of the team need vs. talent sweepstakes. They will consider Brown at 11 and would be thrilled if he slides to them at 28.
29. Giants: ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Laurinaitis is a Tom Coughlin type of guy and fills one of the few needs on the team.
With Britt off the board, the Giants will wait until later to address their need for a big receiver.
30. Titans: CB/S Sean Smith, Utah
The Titans have gone years without acknowledging their need for a receiver in the opening round. I don’t see why that should change now.
Smith is getting high praise from some scouts and is the type of player Head Coach Jeff Fisher can immediately plug into the defense.
31. Cardinals: RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
The Cardinals have nothing at running back. If Moreno slides to them, he will become rookie of the year.
Pairing him with the passing attack will make the Cardinals offense nearly unstoppable because blitzing will become a lot more costly.
32. Steelers: C Alex Mack, California
The Steelers don’t have many needs but need an upgrade at center.
Mack is considered one of the best prospects at the position of the decade and could continue the Steelers tradition of great centers.
SECOND ROUND
33. Lions: CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
The Lions continue to find talent to plug into positions of dire need.
34. Patriots: DE/OLB Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
The Patriots just traded away Mike Vrabel. Barwin is drawing comparisons to Vrabel. It’s a perfect fit.
35. Rams: QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State **
The Rams need a plan for the future at quarterback. Marc Bulger appears to be at the end of the road.
Taking Freeman in the second round takes a lot of pressure off of him. He’ll have time to develop.
Freeman has no chance to make it in this league if he is rushed right away. He still needs to establish leadership skills.
36. Browns: WR Darius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
The Browns will now address a receiver need. At the very least, they need to replace Dontae Stallworth, who has been charged with DUI manslaughter.
37. Seahawks: C/G Max Unger, Oregon **
The Seahawks need lineman who can fit their new zone-blocking scheme. Offensive tackle is a bigger need but a huge reach for the players available, so the Seahawks bolster the inside of the line.
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38. Bengals: C Eric Wood, Louisville
The Bengals continue to try and build a wall around Carson Palmer. Wood has the ability to block against the nose tackles in their division.
39. Jaguars: FS Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
The Jaguars need someone at the position so that Brian Williams can return to corner.
40. Raiders: WR Percy Harvin, Florida
Jevon Walker was a bust.
The one route Harvin ran with no issues at all at Florida was the go route.
41. Packers: DE/OLB Larry English, Northern Illinois
The Packers need someone who can play in the 3-4 as a pass rushing linebacker.
The fact that Aaron Kampman is slotted at linebacker next year shows how desperate the Packers are for someone who can pressure the quarterback from outside linebacker.
42. Bills: OLB/DE Clint Sintim, Virginia
The Bills need some depth at outside linebacker. They continue to get good value with their picks.
43. 49ers: CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
The 49ers were picked apart in the secondary last season and will have to find talent at the position before Kurt Warner gets another crack at them.
44. Dolphins: NT Ron Brace, Boston College
Bill Parcells knows the Dolphins need a nose tackle desperately. There aren’t too many available and with a big receiver in the stable, the Dolphins can address this big need.
45. Giants: WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
The Giants need a tall receiver to catch the jump balls Eli Manning loves to throw. Robiskie has the size down.
46. Texans: RB Donald Brown, UConn
Houston has been looking for a tough, between the tackles back since they became a franchise. Brown can be that guy to complement Steve Slaton.
47. Patriots: SS Patrick Chung, Oregon
Rodney Harrison won’t be around for much longer.
Chung will be a nice replacement.
48. Broncos: DT/DE Fila Moala, USC **
Denver is basically rebuilding the entire defensive line. Moala’s versatility is perfect for them.
49. Bears: WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
The Bears need a polished receiver to start right away and give Jay Cutler a good target.
Getting Nicks at this point is absolute robbery.
50. Browns: CB/S Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
The Browns are going to need someone to play free safety.
It’s likely Brandon McDonald will be slotted there, so the Browns need to replace his value at corner.
51. Cowboys: WR/QB Pat White, West Virginia **
The Cowboys need a “sexy” pick to generate buzz for their new stadium. They are thinking of running wildcat type plays next year.
They are also looking for a backup for Tony Romo.
White could end up being two picks in one.
52. Jets: WR Derrick Williams, Penn State
The Jets need to replace Laveranues Coles and get someone who can eventually become a starter.
Williams should fill in nicely. There isn’t any other position of need where the value fits the pick, so the Jets should go receiver here.
53. Eagles: DE Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
The Eagles look at this kid jumping out of the pool and see Jevon Kearse all over again.
54. Vikings: WR Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
The Vikings need a good complement across from Bernard Berrian. Iglesias is the type of receiver they need.
55. Falcons: SS William Moore, Missouri
With the acquisition of Tony Gonzales, the Falcons no longer need a tight end early on.
They do need to replace Lawyer Milloy.
56. Dolphins: OLB Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
The Dolphins need an outside linebacker prospect to groom and McKenzie is the type of player Parcells and company can cultivate into a starter a year from now.
57. Ravens: TE Jared Cook, South Carolina
The Ravens need a successor to Todd Heap.
58. Patriots: OT Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
The Patriots have an aging offensive line and don’t like to pay veterans boatloads of cash. They will need some fresh blood after next year and Meredith fits their scheme.
59. Panthers: DT Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn **
The Panthers need to bolster the defensive line and Marks is a first round talent who should see plenty of playing time as a rookie.
60. Giants: CB Victor “Macho” Harris, Virginia Tech
The Giants can take whatever position has the best player to bolster their depth. Corner wins out in this scenario.
61. Colts: OT Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
Indianapolis was ravaged by injuries to their offensive line last season and need someone who they can plug into multiple positions if needed.
Cadogan can play anywhere on the right side.
62. Titans: OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma **
The Titans need someone in the fold who can eventually deal with the front lines in Jacksonville and Indianapolis.
They have bigger needs but Loadholt is too good for them to pass up.
63. Cardinals: C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
The Cardinals had a penalty machine at center last year and need to find a replacement.
Luigs helped foster a solid running game in a very offensively challenged situation at Arkansas. He would be a good pick to help establish Moreno and the running game.
64. Steelers: G Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
The Steelers continue to bolster their offensive line by taking a very talented guard who falls to them in the same fashion as Alex Mack in the first round.
two stars means the team will be looking to trade from their current slot.