2009 NFL Mock Draft

1

Detroit

Jason Smith

OT

Baylor

Detroit needs to start from the middle and work outward as they try and rebuild their entire identity. They have needs everywhere, so why not take the top tackle in the draft.

2

St. Louis

Eugene Monroe

OT

Virginia

I actually like Monroe better than Smith overall, but I think Smith has more upside. Both players are going to be great however, and St. Louis needs to replace the recently released Orlando Pace.

3

Kansas City

Aaron Curry

OLB

Wake Forrest

Insert best defensive player available here. Curry is a beast!

4

Seattle

B.J. Raji

DT

Boston College

Raji is the only DT in this draft that I believe can be truly dominant in any scheme. The Seahawks could go with Crabtree or Oher here, but they also need a DT and Raji could be an elite one.

5

Cleveland

Brian Orakpo

DE

Texas

Cleveland needs to get more pressure on the QB, and Orakpo has that ability standing up in a 3--4 scheme. Now they just need to keep Shaun Rodgers happy.

6

Cincinnati

Michael Crabtree

WR

Texas Tech

I think Chad Ocho Cinco gets moved before the draft and the Bengals start fresh with Crabtree. If he's not there, look for them to grab Aaron Maybin or Everette Brown.

7

Oakland

Malcolm Jenkins

CB

Ohio State

Oakland likes speed, so Maclin is a possibility here, but Al Davis also likes defensive backs and high profile. Jenkins has been a star for awhile now in the college ranks and can play corner or safety, which are both need positions for the Raiders.

8

Jacksonville

Rey Maualuga

ILB

USC

Jacksonville goes the safe route and drafts someone to anchor the middle of their defense for the next decade.

9

Green Bay

Aaron Maybin

OLB/DE

Penn State

Green Bay needs a pass rusher going into a 3-4 defense. Maybin has the athletic ability to play on his feet and get to the QB.

10

San Francisco

Matthew Stafford

QB

Georgia

The 49ers are shocked the Stafford is still on the board and grab him to be the new face of the franchise.

11

Buffalo

Everette Brown

DE

Florida State

The Bills need to generate a pass rush, and Brown will do well opposite Aaron Shobel.

12

Denver

Vontae Davis

CB

Illinois

Denver really wants Maualuga here, but since he's off the board, they'll try to trade down. Davis fills a need and is a boom-or-bust type of prospect.

13

Washington

Andre Smith

OT

Alabama

Washington takes a chance on the maligned Smith, counting on him to be the mauling right tackle they need.

14

New Orleans

Brian Cushing

OLB

USC

New Orleans has taken steps to improve their secondary and Peria Jerry is an option here as well. Also, it'd be fun to see them grab Chris Wells. However, I think that in a first round full of top LB talent, they grab their favorite outside backer, which will be the ultra-talented Cushing.

15

Houston

Peria Jerry

DT

Mississippi

Houston would like to upgrade over disappointing Travis Johnson next to Amobi Okoye, who also took a step back in his second season.

16

San Diego

Tyson Jackson

DE

LSU

Replacing Igor Olshansky isn't as easy as you'd think. Jackson fits well as a 3-4 end and could be an upgrade in the long run.

17

New York Jets

Mark Sanchez

QB

USC

The Jets need a new QB and if Sanchez falls this far, they'll be happy to scoop him up. Hopefully they let him learn for a couple of years first however.

18

Chicago

Jeremy Maclin

WR

Missouri

Insert best WR here. Chicago needs a top WR in the worst way, and they'll be lucky if Maclin lasts this long.

19

Tampa Bay

Darrius Heyward-Bey

WR

Maryland

Heyward-Bey is a rising prospect, and the Bucs don't have anyone opposite Antonio Bryant. If Jerry lasts this long, I think the Bucs will take him, and Cushing would be an option as well. In the end though, I think that the speedy Heyward-Bey is the pick .

20

Detroit (from Dallas)

Clay Matthews

LB

USC

Detroit got their OT first, now they go with a great LB who can play inside or outside. He's the best defensive player on the board and with Sanchez and Stafford gone, he's the best pick for Detroit at this spot.

21

Philadelphia

Michael Oher

OT

Mississippi

Philly likes to take linemen with their first round picks. It'd be unbelievable for Oher to last this long.

22

Minnesota

Hakeem Nicks

WR

North Carolina

Nicks is rising up draft boards and would be a great fit opposite Berrian in Minnesota. The Vikings have few holes on their team, but a top WR is one of them.

23

New England

Chris Wells

RB

Ohio State

New England needs to get more out of the RB position. Wells is a complete back who fits the Patriots style and will complement Fred Taylor perfectly.

24

Atlanta

Brandon Pettigrew

TE

Oklahoma State

While Atlanta could use help in the secondary, at LB, and at DT, they really need a safety valve for Matt Ryan. Insert Pettigrew into the equation and the Falcons offense will start to get really scary.

25

Miami

James Laurinaitis

ILB

Ohio State

Laurinaitis seems like a Parcells kind of guy and he can replace Akin Ayodele lining up next to Channing Crowder.

26

Baltimore

Max Unger

C

Oregon

Baltimore needs to replace the departed Jason Brown. The aging Matt Birk is a very quick fix, and Unger can play just about any OL position.

27

Indianapolis

Percy Harvin

WR

Florida

Harvin is a dynamic player that might help ease the loss of future hall of famer Marvin Harrison.

28

Philadelphia (from Carolina)

Knowshon Moreno

RB

Georgia

The heir apparent to Brian Westbrook, who might be a more complete back when it's all said and done, and I think very highly of Westbrook. I just think Moreno will end up being that good.

29

New York Giants

Sean Smith

S/CB

Utah

This versatile playmaker can play both safety and cornerback for the Giants who have very few needs outside of a replacement for Burress. If Nicks falls here, expect him to be the pick.

30

Tennessee

Robert Ayers

DE

Tennessee

Ayers is quickly flying up draft boards, and Tennessee won't hesitate to pull the trigger here if he falls this far.

31

Arizona

Larry English

OLB

Northern Illinois

English is just the kind of versatile pass rushing threat that the Cardinals need to play in their hybrid defensive scheme. He can play on his hand or on his feet.

32

Pittsburgh

Duke Robinson

OG

Oklahoma

Robinson is a best and could start from day 1. Alex Mack is a possibility or Unger if he's there, but Robinson will be tough to pass up for the reigning Super Bowl champions.