Friday, December 4, 2009

NFL Mock Draft 2009 1.0


We are only a few weeks away from one of the most anticipated days in sports, the NFL Draft. Teams are reviewing all the players trying to find the right fits for their team. This is my mock board #1. In all likelihood it will change dramatically before the draft. As of now, here is how I think things will go down.

#1 Detroit Lions- QB Matthew Stafford (Georgia)
The Lions are looking for a new face of their franchise. They want a leader! and a guy with a big arm to get the ball to Calvin Johnson. Matthew Stafford could potentially be this guy. Would I take him #1? No, but Detroit will.

#2 St. Louis Rams- OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia)
Ever since Andre Smith has plummeted down the draft board, no man has shined brighter than Eugene Monroe. He looks to have the skills to be one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL for years to come. Plus, what better man to replace Orlando Pace.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- OLB Aaro! n Curry< /span> (Wake Forest)
Scott Pioli is now running the show in Kansas City and he wants to build a defense, something KC has not had in ages. Curry is the perfect piece to start with. Arguably the best player in this years draft, Curry, looks like a lock here.

4. Seattle Seahawks- DE Brian Orakpo (Texas)
Just because Seattle signed T.J. Houshmanzadeh does not mean Crabtree will not be picked. But, I do not foresee that being the move. Seattle wants defense, and Orakpo looks like a dominant pass rusher.

5. Cleveland Browns- DT B.J. Raji (Boston College)
Eric Mangini wants to build the defense Romeo Crennel could not. It starts with the interior and Raji looks like a stud. The Browns do take Orakpo if he is here, but he's off the board, so Raji is! the pick.

6. Cincinnati Bengals- OT Jason Smith (Baylor)
Cinci will be celebrating if Smith slips to 6. They need a tackle and Smith looks like a can't miss player. Crabtree is a possibility here, but the Bengals need lineman desperately.

7. Oakland Raiders- WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri)
The Raiders love play-makers. They would like! a star wide receiver to help out QB JaMarcus Russell. Why not! Crabtre e here? Because Al Davis loves speed, and no one has more than Jeremy Maclin.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars- QB Mark Sanchez (USC)
Someone could trade above the Jags to snatch Sanchez, but if he's here they'll take him. David Garrard has reached his ceiling and it is all downhill from here on out. Sanchez could sit a year and be the guy next season.

9. Green Bay Packers- DE Aaron Maybin (Penn State)
The Packers could really use a defensive lineman who can help right now. Orakpo and Raji will likely be gone by this point, so Maybin is the next best thing.

10. San Francisco 49ers- WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech)
This could be the end of the free fall for OT Andre Smith, but he has character issues. Head coach Mike Singletary has proven he wants high character guys. Crabtree is still on the board and the 49ers rejoice at their gift.

11. Buffalo Bills- TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State)
The Bills haven't had a good TE, well since I can remember. Pettigrew can step in right away and help out Trent Edwards in the middle of the field. With T.O. and Lee Evans he won't have to play a huge role right away and will be able to ease into! the offense.

12. ! Denver B roncos- OT Andre Smith (Alabama)
A lot of people think Denver will go running back, but they signed a plethora of them this offseason. Smith is a steal here and I think they could use another big body to protect Cutler.

13. Washington Redskins- DE Everette Brown (Florida State)
The Redskins parted ways with Jason Taylor opening up a hole of the d-line. Brown can fill that void immediatel! y.

14. New Orleans Saints- CB Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State)
The Saints would be thrilled if Jenkins is still on the board. Jenkins has quietly slid out most teams top 10, but New Orleans would be ecstatic to pick him up at 14.

15. Houston Texans- DE Tyson Jackson (LSU)
Houston needs a pass rusher to go opposite Mario Williams. They would like Everette Br! own, but with him gone it is likely they settle with Jackson.
16. San Diego Chargers- RB Knowshown Moreno (Georgia)
If Moreno is here, SD grabs him. Sproles is on a one-year tenure and LT is aging. The Chargers could not pass up this kid if he's on the board.

17. New York Jets- QB Josh Freeman (Kansas State)
I expect the Jets to attempt to trade up for Sanchez, but if he goes to Jax that could be too difficult. I do not believe Rex Ryan is sold on Clemens, they grab Freeman as a safety net.

18. Chicago Bears- WR Percy Harvin (Florida)
The Bears could use some offense. So why not grab a guy who can play WR and RB? Harvin is their guy and will make Kyle Orton (or whoever is starting)'s job a lot easier.

19. Tampa Bay Bucs- LB Clay Matthews (USC)
The Bucs released Derrick Brooks and are ready to rebuild. Matthews has the looks of a solid starting linebacker who can be a great leader.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)- RB Chris "Beanie" Wells (Ohio State)
Detroit's jaw will drop if Wells is still there. They get a QB and RB in round 1. A good start for new head coach Jim Schwartz.

21. Philadelphia Eagles- WR Darrius Heyward-! Bey (Maryland)
I know they have DeSean Jackson, but I expect Reggie Brown to be headed elsewhere after the draft or next offseason via trade. Heyward-Bey is a big guy who can get up for passes, something Philly does not have.

22. Minnesota Vikings- CB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
Davis is a steal if he slips this far. With Antoine Winfield a soon to be free agent, they need to start looking for a fut! ure #1 guy. Davis is exactly that.

23. New England Patriots- LB James Laurinaitis (Ohio State)
Laurinaitis was originally expected to be a top 15 pick, but his status has dropped. NE needs a LB and a future leader, Lurinaitis is that guy. He is the typical Bill Belichick player.

24. Atlanta Falcons- DT Peria Jerry (Mississippi)
The Falcons will look defensive in the draft and could use a big man in the middle. Jerry is that guy.

25. Miami Dolphins- WR Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina)
Miami lacks depth in their receiving core. Nicks could be a solid guy in the future. Miami takes a chance on him.

26. Baltimore Ravens- LB Brian Cushing (USC)
Bart Scott is headed to NY and a hole sits in the linebacking core. Cushing can step in right away and help.

27. Indianapolis Colts- LB Rey Maualuga (USC)
Indy probably isn't even considering that Maualuga will be here. But if he is, the Colts grab him.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)- RB Donald Brown (Connecticut)
Buckhalter is gone, and Westbrook is often injured. Brown is durable and tough. He would be a stea! l at 28.

29. New York Giants- WR Brian Robiskie (Ohio State)
The Giants will be very upset with what is left on the board at WR, I expect them to trade down. But if they keep it, Robiskie could go here.

30. Tennessee Titans- DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee)
He went to the University of Tennessee and the hometown pick would be a bonus. Plus, Ayers is the best player left on the board and can really help the Titans.

31. Arizona Cardinals- RB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh)
Arizona could use a counter part for Hightower assuming James is released. McCoy is a good speed back and would be a good fit.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers- C Alex Mack (California)
The offensive line is th! e bigges t concern. Mack addresses that need.