By: Jeremy Smith
With about three months remaining until the 2009 NFL Draft, here is my early peak at who I think will go to certain teams and I'll explain my reasoning for it as well. Remember that the final few spots are in limbo right now due to the playoffs still going on and won't be totally set until the night of February 1st after the Super Bowl goes off. So without further delay, here is my 2009 Mock Draft.1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford-QB (Georgia)-New Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has his hands full as he takes over a team that went winless in 2008. Stafford will be the building block that they need to get this team going. They have a true number one wide receiver in Calvin Johnson and if they can somehow protect Stafford in the pocket he can make plays with his cannon arm, but sitting on the bench his rookie year may do him the most good. He needs to learn the offense and learn the league and not just jump in the fire.
2. St. Louis Rams: Andre Smith-OT (Alabama)-By far the best offensive lineman in the draft and will help out by playing immediately and trying to rebuild a Rams team that isn't too far from being a decent team.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Mark Sanchez-QB (USC)-I want to believe in what Tyler Thigpen has shown them but I do not believe he is a franchise type player. Sanchez is the pick I think the Chiefs need to go with. With Scott Pioli now the GM, he will do what he thinks is best and he knows how to find talent as he did at New England and winning three Super Bowl titles.
4. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree-WR (Texas Tech)-This is the player they need no question. They have some of the worst receivers in the league. Deion Branch is always hurt, Engram is getting old, and Nate Burleson is bad and is coming off an ACL injury. I don't think there should be any doubt who the Seahawks need here.
5. Cleveland Browns: Michael Oher-OT (Ole Miss)-Both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn were under pressure all season long. The Browns have talent at all the skill positions, but they need pass protection.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Eugene Monroe-OT (Virginia)-If the Bengals want to actually have Carson Palmer play an entire season they need to address the pass protection. Like Cleveland, the Bengals desperately need offensive line help and if Oher is taken ahead of Cincinnati then go with Monroe.
7. Oakland Raiders: Jason Smith-OT (Baylor)-Seeing a trend? Like the Bengals and Browns, if JaMarcus Russell is expected to do anything he needs time to throw the ball.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aaron Curry-ILB (Wake Forest)-A preseason Super Bowl contender really started off bad and got worse. Not a horrible defense but it definitely needs improvement and Aaron Curry is the best linebacker in the draft and he will help contribute immediately.
9. Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins-CB (Ohio State)-The Packers are ancient at the cornerback position. Al Harris and Charles Woodson have been in the league for many years so they really need to improve and get younger in the defensive backfield.
10. San Francisco 49ers: Everette Brown-DE/LB (Florida State)-The 49ers need a consistent pass rusher. Manny Lawson has been a bust so far with only six career sacks in 32 games. Brown may give them what they need as he finished his senior campaign with 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
11. Buffalo Bills: Brian Orakpo-DE (Texas)-A big reason in why the Bills collapsed after a 5-1 start is the lack of a pass rush. Despite struggling in the Fiesta Bowl, Orakpo had a great season with 15.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 11 games.
12. Denver Broncos: Rey Maualuga-ILB (USC)-New Head Coach Josh McDaniels comes in and with Mike Nolan as his defensive coordinator he will look to implement the 3-4 defense and Maualuga is the top pure 3-4 linebacker and hopefully he can help the Broncos improve that horrible defense that finished in the bottom five in all categories.
13. Washington Redskins: Eben Britton-OT (Arizona)-The Redskins have problems at right tackle. Jon Jansen doesn't have much time left and Britton would fit great on the right side of this offensive line to help Campbell.
14. New Orleans Saints: James Laurinaitis-ILB (Ohio State)-With Brandon Spikes and Taylor Mays returning to school, Laurinaitis is a smart selection especially if the team can't resign Jonathan Vilma.
15. Houston Texans: William Moore-S (Missouri)-Defensive end is an option but this team need a ball hogging defensive player that they have been lacking for years.
16. San Diego Chargers: Knowshon Moreno-RB (Georgia)-With talks of LT being traded and now Sproles is a free agent. Expect Sproles to be re-signed but LT has a great chance of being traded away to get some salary cap room. Moreno had an outstanding two years at Georgia and would fit in well with this outstanding offensive team.
17. New York Jets: Vontae Davis-CB (Illinois)-The Jets gave up the 29th most pass yards per game in 2008. That should say enough that the Jets need help in pass defense.
18. Chicago Bears: Michael Johnson-DE (Georgia Tech)-The Bears need help at receiver but they will more than likely try to improve the defensive line that underachieved in 2008. At times Johnson doesn't play up to his physical abilities but in '08 he did have 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and seven passes broken up.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Chris Wells-RB (Ohio State)-Cadillac Wiliams can't stay healthy, Warrick Dunn is getting old, and Earnest Graham is coming off of an injury as well. Wells is a steal here. Both he and Moreno would be top ten picks if not for the lack of need for running back.
20. Detroit Lions-William Beatty-OT (Connecticut)-The Lions surrendered 52 sacks in 2008. They desperately need a dominant left tackle to help protect Stafford's blindside assuming Detroit picks him with the number one pick.
21. Arizona Cardinals-LeSean McCoy-RB (Pittsburgh)-Yes the Cardinals have found a way to run all of sudden in the playoffs but Edgerrin James' days in Arizona and in the NFL are numbered and Tim Hightower isn't a number one guy. McCoy may not be the number one guy they need, but he will definitely help out in their backfield that underachieved all year until now.
22. Minnesota Vikings-D.J. Moore-CB (Vanderbilt)-The dual threat of D.J. Moore being a shut down corner plus an explosive kick returner make this the smartest pick for the Vikings. Don't forget he played receiver at Vanderbilt too.
23. New England Patriots-Aaron Maybin-DE/OLB (Penn State)-The Patriots found a way to get younger on defense by drafting inside linebacker Jerod Mayo last year. Maybin will help the exterior of the defense, and although Mike Vrabel can still play, he will be 34 in August.
24. Atlanta Falcons-B.J. Raji-DT (Boston College)-In one year this team has gone from thin to deep in all positions except defensive tackle. And that is a big reason why the Cardinals rushing attack exposed them in the playoffs.
25. Miami Dolphins-Duke Robinson-G (Oklahoma)-With Robinson and Jake Long on the left side of the offensive line, the Dolphins would have a great running game and also give Pennington time.
26. Baltimore Ravens-Jeremy Maclin-WR (Missouri)-With Derrick Mason about to turn 35 and although Clayton has been playing well lately, the Ravens need to develop the next number one receiver for Joe Flacco.
27. Indianapolis Colts-Peria Jerry-DT (Ole Miss)-I could see the Colts taking the best offensive player available here but the run defense has to be addressed. And a run stuffing nose tackle is exactly what they need.
28. Philadelphia Eagles-Brandon Pettigrew-TE (Oklahoma State)-L.J. Smith is inconsistent to put it mildly. The Eagles need a top tier tight end and Pettigrew gives them that and they may cut ties with Smith if they do indeed draft Pettigrew.
29. New York Giants-Paul Kruger-DE (Utah)-The Giants need a receiver but the draft is so deep at receiver that they can get Nicks, Britt or LaFell in the second round. The Giants can continue to improve their dominant defense with Kruger and would give them the best front four in the NFL.
30. Tennessee Titans-Percy Harvin-WR (Florida)-Yea I know the Titans don't ever draft receivers but this year they can get a guy who is as athletic if not more athletic than Chris Johnson. The Titans always look for speed at the skill positions and Harvin definitely gives you that and will give Collins (assuming he comes back) a great player to throw to.
31. Philadelphia Eagles-Darrius Heyward-Bey-WR (Maryland)-The Eagles not only need tight end help with my pick of Pettigrew at number 28, but also at wide receiver. They got DeSean Jackson last year but it's a question whether he can be a true number one guy. Heyward-Bey gives the Eagles size and incredible speed at the wide receiver position.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers-Alex Mack-C (California)-One of the top center prospects will help Pittsburgh protect Big Ben. Roethlisberger has been under pressure all season long and yet they are still alive in the playoffs. Give him some better protection and who knows what he can do.
Well there it is folks...my 2009 NFL mock draft. Hope everyone enjoys. Read and comment and let me know what you think...thanks.
Percy Harvin will be WAY higher than 30th.
ReplyDeletegreat blog overall
ReplyDeletei agree with what adam said that was my thought to... although zac seems to think he'll slide to the titans too.... I just don't see it at all... no way if i was a G.M. would i let him slide past 15 no way.. .and i think maclin should but may not go higher. I also hate this thought that everyone seems to have that KC should take Sanchez or Stafford at 3 no way trade down or take Crabtree who is a monster and shouldn't slide past 3... best talent in the draft and Tyler Thigpen was the only great bright spot on that team last year.. so no way should they do that i like vontae a couple picks higher too and yeeee know shon personally talent to go higher but do teams need him is the key... O wait YES YEs they do every team could.. and old crazy neck muscles made of Sparta and Troy James Laurinaitis is a man overall not to bad buddy but i'd make some changes but who knows especially this early
ReplyDeleteGreat post. You surprised me with several of your players, but that is the way it goes every year. I personally don't think Eben Britton is a top-15 player, but you may be right on it. Players every year seem to come out of nowhere and get selected far higher than the "experts" predict. And just for a point of reference, I by no means consider myself to be an "expert." And I do think that Percy Harvin will be available at 30 if the Titans want to take him. The question will just be whether or not they actually draft a receiver this year. There aren't many teams in desperate need for a WR, and Harvin is at least the 3rd best receiver out there if not 4th behind Hakeem Nicks. Lots will be said and lots will change by the time the draft rolls around, but you're off to a good start with this post. I love this time of year.
ReplyDeleteYou researched the information well, but I have to disagree with Stafford going 1st to Detroit and as a Georgia fan I wouldn't be happy if he does. He's not going to be sitting on the bench this year. I honestly believe they will start him because of their QB situation. They have a O-line that can keep the pressure off of him, but the problem is Detroit defense, there isn't one. They would have won four or five game this season if the defense had held. Sanchez would be a better and stronger play for them and he fits their offense too. Stafford going to K.C. might be a better situation. I would be surprised if Detroit took Crabtree as their 1st pick. I seriously have to disagree with the San Diego Chargers being a prolific offense. If they were then they would have a much better winning record to show for their effort this season. Knowshon could go to them though. I would see them trading LT considering all the trouble they have had with him, Tampa Bay might look at him to.
ReplyDeleteKenny
I like it. The only ones i disagree with are Cleveland and Green Bay. Cleveland just drafted Joe Thomas two years ago and he's already been to a pro bowl. and Green Bay is sending a young safety to hawaii this year and had a 25 year old corner grab 5 picks. i think those two go differently but hey thats just my opinion.
ReplyDeletezpdefran.blogspot.com
Interesting and a good read, but I am pretty sure you did not mean to leave out USC safety Taylor Mays....??? He will go first round.
ReplyDeleteYou know this sounds crazy but if I was Detroit I would trade down get a later first round pick and some additional picks or a player or two out of it. They need to build there defense as much as possible because there offense can put points up but they can't stop anybody. Also I don't see Maclin falling that far I almost seeing him going at the #8 slot to Jacksonville. Also for Cleveland I think they will take Malcom Jenkins they need as much help as they can get in that DB field. Overall good mock draft though
ReplyDeleteOverall, I believe this is a good mock. I think that KC should not draft a QB this early in the draft... they have more pressing needs. Cleveland needs a DB more than an OT, the reason their offense was terrible was because Ken Dorsey was their QB due to injuries. Also, as a Bucs fan, I would not mind if they take a rb. Personally, I think that they should take Peria Jerry the DT from Ole Miss, it's a more pressing need than RB where quality ones can be found later in the draft.
ReplyDeletei don't agree with your browns pick of oher, they will most certainly take a rb, olb, or a def. back.
ReplyDeleteGood Stuff! I'll have to agree that Percy probably won't be available at 30. Indy will pick before the Titans regardless of final standings and they always go with the best player available, regardless of team needs. And it's doubtful that he'll last that long. And 6 OT's in the first 20 picks? It's true that alot of teams need to beef up their offensive lines, but Cleveland did get Joe Thomas, who's already gone to Hawaii once in his first two years. Nonetheless, great job. Looking forward to Mock Draft Version 2.
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