NFL Mock Draft (3/17/09)

1. Detroit Lions – Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia

We might not agree with this pick, but we do believe that Stafford will be the choice here at #1 for the Lions. They drafted Drew Stanton last season, who a lot of people said was 1st round talent, yet they have not yet given him a shot to start. The Lions probably should look defense of O-Line here, but we think the pick is Stafford.

2. St. Louis Rams – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Classic left tackle who is arguably the top offensive lineman in a draft full of them. The Rams clearly need someone to protect the QB’s backside to replace Orlando Pace. Very athletic for his size.

3. Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Clearly the best linebacker in this draft, and maybe the safest pick in the entire draft. All signs point to Curry being a future pro-bowler. Since the Chiefs acquired Matt Cassell to address their QB situation, they would be silly to pass on Curry at this point if he is there.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Some people consider Monroe the best offensive lineman in the draft over Jason Smith. Monroe is a classic tackle, perfect size, and the Seahawks should go offensive lineman, since they just signed Houshmandzadeh at wide receiver.

5. Cleveland Browns – B. J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Raji not only dominated the senior bowl, he also performed very well at the combine. Raji has established himself as the best defensive tackle in the draft. The Browns can’t stop anybody, and Raji will be a good stopper up the middle, similar to Haloti Ngata of the Ravens.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Bengals need so much help in many areas, its tough to narrow it down. Orakpo is a guy you can plug in as the foundation of a defense. The Bengals defense obviously needs to get better in the same division as the Steelers and Ravens, and Orakpo would be a good place to start.

7. Oakland Raiders – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Crabtree is falling in the eyes of some due to his upcoming surgery, and not being able to participate in the combine. He also measured in at 6’1” instead of the 6’3” he was listed as at Texas Tech. Still a beast, who is the best receiver among a group of deep receivers in this draft class, and you know Al Davis would love him to be here when they make this pick.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Maclin may be the ultimate “playmaker” of the draft. Maclin has speed, can run routes, catch the ball, and can return punts. Definitely the 2nd best receiver in this draft behind Crabtree, and could fit in for the Jaguars right away.

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

Brown is a guy who can play both defensive end, or outside linebacker positions, depending on what the Packers need. The Packers need a solid defensive end, and Brown plays a lot in the backfield, on both running and passing plays.

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

The 49ers missed out on getting Kurt Warner this offseason, and clearly need a quarterback, and Sanchez could be the guy. Sanchez could turn out to be a very good QB, but may take some time to break in to the starting lineup.

11. Buffalo Bills – Aaron Maybin, DE/LB, Penn State

Maybin is a solid prospect out of Penn State, who can project as an outside linebacker or defensive end. Maybin didn’t do much to help himself at the combine, but he could be exactly what the Bills need at defensive end, or outside linebacker.

12. Denver Broncos – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

The Broncos have been locking up everyone in free agency, including two former Eagles in Buckhalter and Dawkins. Maualuga is a playmaker. He had a bad combine, but if you watch tape of this guy, he stands out. He can get to the edges, and cover a tight end or running back. The Broncos need defensive help badly, and Maualuga should provide it for the long term.

13. Washington Redskins – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Redskins have addressed a few needs in free agency, and with Andre Smith on the board here, they may take him. Smith was once considered a top 5 pick, and could be a steal here for the Redskins.

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

The Saints need help all over their defense, and Jenkins is probably the best secondary player in this draft. Jenkins had a bad combine, so some are projecting him as a safety. Probably will be able to be effective at safety or cornerback.

15. Houston Texans – Brian Cushing, LB, USC

Cushing is shooting up the draft boards, and some say he will go before teammate Rey Maualuga. Cushing has a lot of upside, and would go nicely playing next to DeMeco Ryans.

16. San Diego Chargers – Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

May have done the most to help himself at the combine than anybody else. Ran the fastest 40 at the combine, and with his decent size, locked himself into being a first round pick. The Chargers don’t have much depth at receiver, and Heyward-Bey could provide help to Rivers, Gates, and the rushing attack.

17. New York Jets – Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

One of the most intriguing guys in the draft is Freeman. At the combine, Freeman was shaky, but showed a tremendous upside. Could be a huge bust, but may be worth it for the Jets who will be hurt without having Favre at QB.

18. Chicago Bears – Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

Another one of the good tackles that will be taken in the first round. Oher could go higher or lower, depending on how teams rank the tackles that are available. The Bears could go a few ways with this pick, but we think they will go with Oher here.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Clay Matthews, LB, USC

The Buccaneers defense collapsed at the end of last season, and they couldn’t stop the run to save their life. Matthews is a great outside linebacker, who can go sideline to sideline, and could make an immediate impact on the Bucs, since they cut the rest of their roster.

20. Detroit Lions – Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

The Lions need to go defense here if they take a QB #1 overall. Jerry is the 2nd ranked defensive tackle this season, and could make an immediate impact on the Lions.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Eagles lost their backup running back, Correll Buckhalter this offseason, and unfortunately, Brian Westbrook is not getting any younger. Moreno is probably the best running back in the draft, and if he is available at this pick, may be a huge steal.

22. Minnesota Vikings – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Vikings use this pick on the secondary in an attempt to make their passing defense as good as their rushing defense. Davis is the 2nd ranked cornerback in this draft, although he may be the most athletic. Davis is a flat out playmaker.

23. New England Patriots – Larry English, DE/LB, Northern Illinois

With talks of the Patriots trading for Peppers, this pick may not come to fruition, but with the Peppers talk, it is obvious that the Patriots are looking for help at the DE/LB position, and English could step in and provide help immediately.

24. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

Great blocker, but doesn’t have much speed. Can still catch what is thrown his way, and should be effective. The Falcons should be surrounding Matt Ryan with talent, to maximize his talent. They have Turner, and White already. Pettigrew should be able to help out a lot with the passing and running game.

25. Miami Dolphins – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

The Dolphins have a need on the defensive line, they do not have much depth here, and they have not yet been able to replace the production of Jason Taylor. Jackson is one of the best defensive end’s in this draft.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Harvin had a great career in college, and looks like he could be a good playmaker at the next level. The Ravens just lost their punt returner (Leonhard), and Harvin could fit in there right away, and work his way into the starting lineup at wide receiver, giving Flacco another weapon to grow with.

27. Indianapolis Colts – James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

The Colts defense was not very good last season, most notably trying to stop the run. Laurinaitis could be a very good inside linebacker for years to come. Similar to fellow linebacker, Maualuga, Laurinaitis stands out when you watch him play.

28. Philadelphia Eagles – Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

The Eagles haven’t done much this offseason, but it seems clear that both offensive tackles will not be with the team next season. The Eagles signed Stacy Andrews, but still need another tackle in this draft. Britton could be a steal at this pick.

29. New York Giants – Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

The Giants could look elsewhere in this pick, since they are inviting Burress back to their initial minicamps. However, there is no guarantee that Burress will be back with the Giants, and the Giants clearly were not the same without him. Britt is a receiver who has the same skill set as Burress; he is tall, and can stretch the field. He also attended Rutgers, giving him a local tie to the New York/Northern New Jersey area.

30. Tennessee Titans – Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri

The Titans need a solid defensive tackle to replace the loss of Haynesworth. Hood is a very good defensive tackle, who can come in and help plug up the middle of the line, and replace some of the prodictivity they will miss without Haynesworth.

31. Arizona Cardinals – LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

McCoy is a beast, and may be the most complete running back of this draft. McCoy is considered a small back at 5’11”, but weighs 210, and can run the ball up the middle if he needs to. Finds the hole quickly, and can make defenders look foolish with his cutting ability. Should be a solid back for years to come, and the Cardinals should not let him get past them, with Edge wanting out.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alex Mack, C, California

The Steelers may get a steal here in Mack. There are a lot of other good offensive lineman going in the first round, most are huge tackles, so Mack can get overshadowed. The Steelers need offensive line help, and Mack can provide it.

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