2009 NFL Mock Draft

April 17, 2009 by Sean Anthony

With the NFL draft just one week away I feel it is necessary to get one last mock draft out before the over hyped and over paid players get their names called. With so much going on with trades and free agent signings the draft has really shakin' up since sports analylists did their 50 versions of this draft. If you compare this draft to the others you will notice major differences in regards to who is picked where, but then again how many people guess these things correctly? It is not easy, but as for my draft here is the board I have if I GM'd for any of these teams.
 
1. Detroit Lions, Jason Smith (OT, Baylor)- The Lions need to pass up the allure of a big time QB who wants huge money less we all remember Joey Harrington. Smith is a powerhouse linemen and if given a year of experience before a franchise QB is taken they could actually rebuild. Honestly if they win 1 game they did better than the 07-08 campaign.
 
2. St. Louis Rams, Eugene Monroe (OT, Virginia)- The Rams need much more than the draft will give them, but if they want Bulger to be their QB for a few more years they need to keep him out of the turf. Monroe is huge and a great run blocker for "Action" Jackson in the backfield. This is a safe and worthwhile pick.
 
3. Kansas City Chiefs, Aaron Curry (OLB, Wake Forest)- Pioli loves young and able linebackers and Curry is a psycho on the field. He fits really any scheme and can tackle anything and everything. With getting rid of Donnie Edwards earlier in the offseason they need a replacement and Curry is too good to pass up.
 
4. Seattle Seahawks, Mark Sanchez (QB, USC)- Seattle gets one of the smartest picks in the draft here and gets their future starter too. They will take Sanchez over Stafford for many reasons, but the most important is his winning mentality and physical prowess over Stafford. Sanchez had an amazing showing at the combine and rocketed up draft boards. He will gain meaningful learning years under Hasselbeck before starting in the same way Aaron Rodgers was treated with Favre.
 
5. Cleveland Browns, Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech)- With Braylon Edwards in a nearly imminent trade with the NY Giants the Browns need to fix this void ASAP. Crabtree will be an instant starter and return man. If Curry lands here look for them to pony up and take Curry instead.
 
6. Cincinnati Bengals, Andre Smith (OT, Alabama)- Despite his antics his talents are not to be underestamated. "Beanie" Wells and Moreno will get a look here, but they can use their 2nd round pick to get a good RB like Shonn Green while Smith will instantly make the running game better than a rookie RB.
 
7. Oakland Raiders, Jeremy Maclin (WR, Mizzou)- The Raiders need an all star wideout and Maclin is that. He can return kicks and punts as well, making him a 3-dimensional threat. The Raiders need to draft defense, but Maclin's allure is too much for them to resist.
 
8. Jacksonville Jaguars, B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College)- The Jags can wait till the 2nd round for a WR and you can't let a talent like Raji go. They had a terrible run defense last year and Raji is a towering run stop enabling DT. If Maclin makes it here or by some chance Crabtree look for the Jags to jump the gun for them.
 
9. Green Bay Packers, Brian Orakpo (DE, Texas)- The Pack need a few things and a complimentary DE is one of those. Orakpo has the ability to free up A.J. Hawk and create mismatches on the defensive side of the ball. If Monroe or one of the Smith's make it here the Packers might jump and grab a big OT.
 
10. San Francisco 49ers, Aaron Maybin (OLB, Penn State)- The 49ers have a lot of needs, but Defense is what they need the most. Even when their offense scored their defense had no ability to stop opposing teams from marching down the field. Maybin brings run stopping ability and leadership to the 49ers D.
 
11. Buffalo Bills, Robert Ayers (OLB, Tenn)- The Bills have a stacked offense and need to get their defense whipped ino shape quick. If they can come out of this draft with a starting defense look for the Bills to challenge for their division title.
 
12. Denver Broncos, Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia)- The Broncs have no choice here they need a franchise QB because face it, Kyle Orton is decent and nothing more. They would like to wait and pick a QB later, but the Jets are right before the Broncs next pic from the Bears and more than likely would take Stafford.
 
13. Washington Redskins, Michael Oher (OT, Mizzou)- The Skins need a new offensive line in general. While a total overhaul is not possible Oher would add youth and ability to help keep Portis and Campbell healthy and in prime condition.
 
14. New Orleans Saints, Brian Cushing (OLB, USC)- Everyone who says they are taking Wells is crazy. They have an investment in Bush and Thomas and another high price injury prone RB is out of the question. WIth one pick in the first 3 rounds look for them to take Cushing or an equal LB or trade for more draft picks.
 
15. Houston Texans, Peria Jerry (DT, Mizzou)- Mizzou players are flying off the shelf eh? Jerry adds instant gratification to the Texans front four and with their current inability to stop a running game it is obvious why a huge DT would be taken. If Raji's here they'll take him.
 
16. San Diego Chargers, Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU)- The Chargers still have a high powered offense and need their D to step up once in awhile. Jackson adds sacking ability with run stopping size. The Chargers should really take a WR as they have a need for a slot reciever or a real number 2 on their offense.
 
17. New York Jets, Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, Maryland)- With Coles gone they need a downfield threat for their slew of QBs. Whoever starts at QB for them needs that safety net where they can just heave the ball downfield and have a 70% chance of their guy catching it and Heyward-Bey gives them just that. Oh and if Freeman is here, he might be a Jet.
 
18. Denver Broncos (via Chicago), Malcolm Jenkins (DB, OSU)- Denver needs to help Champ Bailey out and Jenkins provides instant support. He is tall and powerful and able to handle the Randy Moss's and TO's in the league. His speed is in question, but if it really becomes a problem they can move him to safety if needed.
 
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Josh Freeman (QB, KSU)- The Bucs need a QB of the future and Freeman has the most upside with the least downside. Freeman at worst will be like Jason Campbell and at best could be a less mobile Jeff Garcia. Great safe pick here.
 
20. Detroit Lions (via Dallas), Rey Maualuga (ILB, USC)- With their OT already picked up they need some leadership and strength to their D. Maualuga is a power hitter and can close those running gaps that the Lions allow oh so often.
 
21. Philidelphia Eagles, Brandon Pettigrew (TE, Ok St.)- The Eagles need to replace L.J. Smith and Pettigrew is an instant upgrade from Smith who either was hurt or under-performed. Pettigrew is a great blocker and so its like drafting a linemen with catching ability basically.
 
22. Minnesota Vikings, Eben Britton (OT, Arizona)- With no worthwhile QBs left and their hopes in Sage Rosenfels (wow...I said that?) Britton is the safest pick for the Vikes. Britton has great talent  and some good upside and will help the Vikes on either side of the line.
 
23. New England Patriots, Knowshon Moreno (RB, Georgia)- With the Laurence Maroney bust at the RB position they need to find a strong and instant replacement and Moreno is that. With Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris both older vets they need some young talent that can start for several years. Maroney just hasn't fit the bill and Moreno has the ability and promise the Pats crave at RB.
 
24. Atlanta Falcons, Clay Matthews (OLB, USC)- The Falcons need to upgrade their defense and Matthews has the ability to step in and step up. He can create run stopping ability and will help in the mid-range passing that plagued the Falcons last year especially against the Cardinals in the playoffs.
 
25. Miami Dolphins, Sean Smith (DB, Utah)- Parcells will love to take Smith if he drops to here, Smith is a huge athletic DB who can even play safety if needed. Look for the Fins to take Smith here to improve their secondary dramatically.
 
26. Baltimore Ravens, James Laurinaitis (LB, OSU)- This is perfect for the Ravens, as they need to replace Scott and Laurinaitis is the downward missile they crave. He fits their hit first ask questions later defensive style and under the wing of Ray Lewis could defintely excel in a short amount of time.
 
27. Indianapolis Colts, Brian Robiskie (WR, OSU)- With Harrison gone and Gonzalez excelling in Indy there should be no fear in taking Robiskie. They need another reciever and one to take over the slot position currently vacant of a great WR. Indy might take a DT, but with so few worthwhile WRs its hard to overlook Robiskie.
 
28. Buffalo Bills (via Philly, via Carolina), Alex Mack (C, Cal) With trading Jason Peters away they need to find a young gun to start filling in their offensive woes. If they want to win the division they need to keep Trent Edwards on his feet and not his back so he can be on target. Mack can play any position on the O-line which gives him amazing worth especially to a team who traded all pro linemen Jason Peters for this pick.
 
29. New York Giants, Percy Harvin (WR, Florida)- This is in the case of they don't get Braylon Edwards in which this will be a Cleveland Browns draft pick. Harvin has the skills set needed to become a number 1 wideout, but it is questionable about how good he will be in his first year. He played 4 positons at FLA (RB, WR, KR, PR) and is a multi threat in the NFL, but has no guarantee with starting time.
 
30. Tennessee Titans, Vontae Davis (CB, Illinois)- Davis is a risky pick but the Titans need a hard hitting CB to compliment Cortland Finnegan. Davis is a smashmouth styled DB, but is sloppy with his footwork, but if given a place where he can make mistakes and still be covered he could adapt and fix his problems and excel and the Titans seem to have that ability.
 
31. Arizona Cardinals, Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB, OSU)- The Cards need a duel RB setting to utilize their swing pass threat and Wells does just that. He also adds a natural running ability as well as the ability to run through a brick wall if needed. He instantly makes their backfield more dangerous and allows the Cards to release disgruntled RB James.
 
32. Pittsburgh Steelers, Jarron Gilbert (DL, San Jose St.)- With all 3 D-line starters over 30 they need some youth to turn to in the coming years and Gilbert possess that tough Steeler mentality they need. This is a safe and smart pick for Pitt.
 
There you are, my 2009 NFL draft. While some picks may change due to trades (NYG trading for Edwards is a near definate) most of these picks should stay solid for the most part. Enjoy and watch the draft! (If any trades are made that impact the 1st round I will fix the draft picks and overhaul it if needed as well.)