NFL Mock Draft (3/25/09)

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 2 seasons ago, 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 to take Smith here, but we still 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 – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

It will be interesting to see where Crabtree ends up going, as he 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 the Browns may take him here having just lost Stallworth, and looking to trade Edwards.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – 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 Bengals can’t stop anybody on defense, and Raji will be a good stopper up the middle, similar to Haloti Ngata of the division rival Ravens.

7. Oakland Raiders – 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 Raiders right away, as they have no good receivers.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Jaguars have addressed a few needs in free agency, and with Andre Smith on the board here, they may take him. The Jaguars did sign veteran Eagle Tra Thomas, but he is old, and the Jaguars offensive line was terrible last season. Smith was once considered a top 5 pick, and could be a steal here for the Jaguars. Look for them to maybe take a receiver if Crabtree or Maclin is still available.

9. Green Bay Packers – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Packers need help in many areas on the defense, its tough to narrow it down. Orakpo is a guy you can plug in as the foundation of a defense, and is a flat out physical specimen. The Packers defense obviously needs to get better and younger to compete in the NFC, and Orakpo would be a good place to start.

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 – Everette Brown, DE/LB, Florida State

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

12. Denver Broncos – 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 bounced back with a terrific pro day. Either way, Maybin could be exactly what the Broncos need at defensive end, or outside linebacker.

13. Washington Redskins – 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 Redskins need offensive line help, as they have addressed a few other needs already in the offseason.

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 – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

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 Texans need defensive help, and Maualuga would look good plugged in right next to 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 – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Harvin had a great career in college, and looks like he could be a good playmaker at the next level. Harvin has been shooting up the draft boards due to his combination of speed and strength. The Bears could go a couple different ways here, but as we have projected Freeman off the board, there is no QB worth taking here.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Bucs have running backs, but they are very fragile and never healthy. Moreno is probably the best running back in the draft, and if he is available at this pick, may be a huge steal.

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 – 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. Has better numbers than any of the other RB’s in this draft. With Buckhalter gone, and Westbrook hitting the age of 30, the Eagles need a good running back in this draft.

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 – Brian Cushing, LB, USC

It is obvious that the Patriots are looking to get younger at the LB position, and with losing Vrabel, we think they will take the best available linebacker to groom into a beast in the Patriots defense. Cushing is shooting up the draft boards, and some say he will go before teammate Rey Maualuga. Cushing has a lot of upside, and could be a steal at this pick.

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 – Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan

With most of the playmakers (Maclin, Harvin) off the board here, look for the Ravens to continue to keep their defense among the best in the NFL. The Ravens lost their starting strong safety, Leonhard, and Ed Reed could groom Delmas to be the next great Ravens defensive player.

27. Indianapolis Colts – Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri

The Colts need a solid defensive tackle to plug up the middle, as their run stopping continues to be poor. Hood is a very good defensive tackle, who can come in and help plug up the middle of the line, which is exactly what they need.

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 – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

Nicks proved himself this season to be among the nation’s elite wide receivers. Looks a lot like Larry Fitzgerald when he plays. Is a true #1 receiver, can catch the ball anywhere on the field, and makes catches that most receivers can’t.

31. Arizona Cardinals – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State

Wells stock has been up and down all offseason, but could end up being a great pick for the Cardinals at this pick. The Cardinals definitely need a running back, and Wells is both athletic and can make people miss, or run the ball between the tackles. 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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