Someone asked me recently why he should pay attention to mock drafts when trades just blow them up? Beats the heck out of me. All I know is that we give the people what they want, and what they want is a guide to this weekend’s NFL draft. Well, here it is ... before trades blow the whole thing up:
| 2009 NFL Mock Draft |
| 1. Detroit Lions | ||
|
Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia: Someone asked me if this is the smart pick or the popular pick. It's both. | |
| 2. St. Louis Rams | ||
|
Jason Smith, T, Baylor: The Rams go with one of the top two tackles, and Smith wins by a neck over Eugene Monroe. | |
| 3. Kansas City Chiefs | ||
|
Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest: Chiefs want to trade down to take Ty Jackson. If they can’t this is their best choice. | |
| 4. Seattle Seahawks | ||
|
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech: Seahawks could go with a tackle or Mark Sanchez, but Crabtree is too good to pass. Will take Curry if he’s here. | |
| 5. Cleveland Browns | ||
|
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: The club could use another tackle, but Eric Mangini pushes for defense. B.J. Raji a possibility, too. | |
| 6. Cincinnati Bengals | ||
|
Andre Smith, T, Alabama: They’re hung up between B.J.Raji and the two tackle that remain, but Smith wins in a close call. | |
| 7. Oakland Raiders | ||
|
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri: You run the vertical passing game, so where’s the vertical receiver? Right here. | |
| 8. Jacksonville Jaguars | ||
|
Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern California: Someone takes him here. Jacksonville. Washington. Denver. Someone. | |
| 9. Green Bay Packers | ||
|
Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU: They want the best defensive end on the board or a tackle. I’ll give them the best defensive end. | |
| 10. San Francisco 49ers | ||
|
Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia: He has no business getting this far, but he stops here. Marvel Smith is not the answer in San Francisco. | |
| 11. Buffalo | ||
|
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State: Bills reached for Whitner. They reach again and find the best blocking TE in draft. | |
| 12. Denver Broncos | ||
|
B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College: He shouldn’t make it this far, but the Broncos will do cartwheels if he does. | |
| 13. Washington Redskins | ||
|
Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State: They need someone to replace Jason Taylor. It’s either Maybin or Orakpo. | |
| 14. New Orleans Saints | ||
|
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State: Saints must find a physical corner. Running back a possibility, too. | |
| 15. Houston Texans | ||
|
Brian Cushing, LB, USC: The guy is versatile. He can play all linebacker positions. | |
| 16. San Diego Chargers | ||
|
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia: Bolts must find successor for LaDainian Tomlinson sooner or later. It’s sooner. | |
| 17. New york Jets | ||
|
Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State: Jets could use a quarterback or a wide receiver, but they look for Thomas Jones’ replacement here. | |
| 18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears) | ||
|
Rey Maualuga, LB, USC: You name it, the Broncos can use it for defense. | |
| 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ||
|
Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi: Just not enough defense for the new head coach. Bucs could use almost anything here. | |
| 20. Detroit Lions (From Dallas) | ||
|
Michael Oher, T, Mississippi: I can’t see him slipping this far, but if he does he doesn’t get past Lions. | |
| 21. Philadelphia Eagles | ||
|
Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois: If Pettigrew is here the Eagles take him. If he’s not they go for the best man-to-man cornerback. | |
| 22. Minnesota Vikings | ||
|
Percy Harvin, WR, Florida: Vikings love the guy, warts and all. If he checks out OK with injured foot he doesn’t get past here. | |
| 23. New England Patriots | ||
|
Clay Matthews, LB, USC: They traded away Mike Vrabel. It's time to get younger at the position. | |
| 24. Atlanta Falcons | ||
|
Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut: Could take the best DT here, too, but if Butler's around they won't pass. | |
| 25. Miami Dolphins | ||
|
Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia: He played for Parcells’ protégé at Virginia and could be perfect fit for Phins … provided they don’t take a WR. | |
| 26. Baltimore Ravens | ||
|
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland: I don’t think he gets this far, either. But if he does Ravens jump on the guy. | |
| 27. Indianapolis Colts | ||
|
Evander Hood, DT, Missouri: Colts can’t get enough defensive tackles. They would take two if they could. Wide receiver also a possibility. | |
| 28. Buffalo Bills (from Philadelphia through Carolina) | ||
|
Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee: His stock finally stopped climbing. Now he’s at the bottom of the first round where he belongs. | |
| 29. New York Giants | ||
|
Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina: They like Heyward-Bey, but if they can’t go up to get him they stay here and take Nicks. | |
| 30. Tennessee Titans | ||
|
Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest: There’s always a reach, and consider this one of them. He’s small but a big-time playmaker. | |
| 31. Arizona Cardinals | ||
|
Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut: The Cards weren’t going to live with Edgerrin James another year. They hope Moreno or Brown is here. If not, it’s Wells. | |
| 32. Pittsburgh Steelers | ||
|
Max Unger, C, Oregon: It’s a center or defensive back. Offensive line needs work, and Unger has versatility to play anywhere. | |
