FINAL 2009 NFL MOCK DRAFT

1. Detroit Lions

Matt Stafford QB

Georgia

Stafford is all but ensured of being the first pick over all at this point. Aside from his over-discussed skills he is a charismatic kid that is perfect to become the face of an otherwise failing franchise.

2. St. Louis Rams

Jason Smith OT

Baylor

At 6’5″, 305 lbs. Smith has great size but he will wow people with his athletic ability. The converted tight end is extremely agile and quick  and will defend against speed rushers very well. Smith’s showing at the  combine has likely helped him up draft boards around the league and the Rams are hoping that Smith can replace future HOF’er Orlando Pace,  who signed with Chicago.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Aaron Curry OLB

Wake Forest

Curry is being called the safest pick in this year’s draft. His size, speed and strength all translate very well to the NFL game and will make an immediate impact for the Chief’s defense.

4. Seattle Seahawks

Eugene Monroe OT

Virginia

Monroe’s skills and ability were the reason that Branden Albert (15th overall pick in 2008) was a guard in college. Albert is now a starting tackle for the Chiefs. The Seahawks have been rumored to possibly take USC QB Mark Sanchez with this pick, although I would think the outlook of next year’s QB crop would be enough to allow Seattle to take Monroe instead.

5. Cleveland Browns

Michael Crabtree

WR

Texas Tech

The stress fracture and subsequent surgery has many scouts, coaches and GM’s, well, stressing about his value. Crabtree has been very active this past week to try and ensure he remains a top ten pick. By the Browns taking Crabtree here it likely means that the Browns will spend the next couple hours trying to inflate the trade value of Braylon Edwards. If Edwards trade talks do fall apart prior to the draft, the Browns may decide to go with Texas DE/OLB Brian Orakpo.

6. Cincinnati Bengals

B.J. Raji

DT

Boston College

The Bengals need to improve their defense badly. Adding Raji to the defensive line would be a great start. He is a big, strong, agile player that can be a factor in both the run and pass.

7. Oakland Raiders

Jeremy Maclin

WR

Missouri

Maclin has a great skill set. He has good hands, great speed and agility. He can help a team in the passing game, the return game and was also a very effective option out of the backfield on occasion. His combine performance locked him in as the 2nd best receiver available in the draft. The Raiders could take any number of players, but by taking Maclin they are giving JaMarcus Russel a viable target in the passing game.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Michael Oher

OT

Ole Miss

Oher is a top ten talent at the offensive tackle position but is not getting mentioned much lately. He is a good fit for Jacksonville because he can play on either side of the ball and can immediately step into their depleted offensive line corps.

9. Green Bay Packers

Mark Sanchez

QB

USC

Most people assume that Sanchez will be taken with the 8th pick via a trade, but knowing Ted Thompson he would likely be much more willing to move down to gain another pick later in the draft. That being said, if the Packers keep this pick I expect they will select Brian Orakpo. I expect Sanchez to be picked here by either the Redskins or the Jets.

10. San Francisco 49ers

Andre Smith

OT

Alabama

Andre Smith is very large (6’4″, 330 lbs.) and is going to be a great run blocker in the NFL. Most of Smith’s combine antics have largely been forgotten and has regained nearly all of his pre-draft value. The 49ers would be very happy if Mark Sanchez fell to them, but would definitely be able to use Smith’s ability on the offensive line. However, the last time the 49ers drafted a player with the surname “Smith” in the first round, it was largely thought to be a bust, which is very likely in this situation as well.

11. Buffalo Bills

Brian Orakpo

DE/OLB

Texas

Orakpo has the tools to become an elite pass rusher in the NFL. He is among the group of prospects that could play either the rush end in a 4-3 or a rush linebacker in the 3-4. With the Bills, he would help apply the pressure on the opposing quarterback from the line.

12. Denver Broncos

Tyson Jackson

DE/OLB

LSU

Jackson’s biggest knock is that he takes plays off, however he has been shooting up draft boards lately, especially to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are apparently in love with Jackson because of his hybrid status and would likely be the only team to take him in the top 15 of the first round.

13. Washington Redskins

Aaron Maybin

DE/OLB

Penn State

Maybin has the talent to be great in the NFL. He also has great versatility to play as a speed rush defensive end or to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. If the Redskins do trade up (especially with the Packers) this is still a logical pick at this spot. However, if the Redskins stand pat, Maybin is a good pick for them as well.

14. New Orleans Saints

Malcom Jenkins

CB

Ohio State

Jenkins has been given the benefit of playing behind a very good defensive front during his college career but that doesn’t mean he isn’t talented. Jenkins’ long term projection is that he will translate more into the role of a safety. No matter where he lines up he will help the Saints terrible defensive backfield.

15. Houston Texans

Robert Ayers

DE

Tennessee

Ayers is really the best true defensive end in the draft. I was initially hesitant about his skills but his motivated style of play is something that coaches love. He will complient the rest of the Houston front seven very well and will have an opportunity to contribute right away.

16. San Diego Chargers

Peria Jerry

DT

Ole Miss

Peria Jerry is extremely quick and agile for a 312 lb. man-child and gets into the backfield with regularity. The biggest knock on Jerry is his lack of sheer strength. At the Senior Bowl he upped his stock into a late first round prospect. The Chargers defensive line depth was one of their biggest weaknesses last season and drafting Jerry here is a good move to improve that.

17. New York Jets

Knowshon Moreno

RB

Georgia

Moreno is a blend of speed, agility and muscle and can provide any team with a great home run threat out of the backfield. He has amazing downfield moves and can make just about any defender look foolish. The Jets are in a tough spot, but a good one. They are definitely interested in moving up to get Mark Sanchez or taking advantage of another team grabbing him (Browns/Redskins). If that isn’t an option, they may be tempted to reach for Josh Freeman, but realistically they should grab a solid offensive weapon in Moreno.

18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)

Rey Maualuga

LB

USC

Maualuga is without a doubt the best interior linebacker in the draft. He is very explosive and can fill holes in the line very quickly. The Broncos would be estatic if they could get Tyson Jackson and Maualuga with their first round picks to help improve their multiple defensive holes.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Larry English

LB

Northern Illinois

English’s size will likely lock him into being an OLB in the NFL but his stock is on the rise nonetheless. His stats and accolades in the MAC shouldn’t be downplayed, his ethic is pure. This is probably the highest that English could go, but he could be a key cog in the new defense for Tampa now that long time coordinator Monte Kiffin has moved on.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)

Brian Cushing

LB

USC

Cushing is something of a genetic freak with his strength and speed. He will help Detroit’s pitiful defense play tougher and faster against opposing running games. The Lions could be looking to grab Eben Britton (OT – Arizona) here, but Cushing is the best defensive player available and provides better upside.

21. Philadelphia Eagles

Chris Wells

RB

Ohio State

Wells is a downhill runner that doesn’t shy away from contact. He has deceiving speed which allows him to break away from opposing linebackers. “Beanie” is working very hard to toss the reputation that he is injury prone. Wells could finally give the 1-2 punch the Eagles backfield has needed with Brian Westbrook.

22. Minnesota Vikings

Josh Freeman

QB

Kansas State

I think this would be a logical place for a team to trade into the first round to get Freeman if they wanted him. Freeman is possibly the biggest bust candidate in this draft. His arm is very strong and has QB coaches salivating, but at this pick it is possibly too high. Realistically, he is probably a mid 2nd-early 3rd round talent but because of certain teams’ desperation at the quarterback position and the long term potential of Freeman he is likely being taken in the late 1st round. If this pick isn’t traded I expect the Vikings to target Darius Butler or Vontae Davis.

23. New England Patriots

Clay Matthews

LB

USC

Matthews has joined his USC teammates as a first round prospect after a great work-out at the Combine. He fits in well with the style of the Patriots Linebackers and will inject some much needed youth and energy into the New England defense.

24. Atlanta Falcons

Vontae Davis

CB

Illinois

Malcom Jenkins gets all the hype of a Big Ten CB but Davis has the better upside. His recovery speed is what is going to make him a great corner in the NFL. The Falcons would be happy with any defensive upgrade, but Davis would probably be the best case for the team.

25. Miami Dolphins

Darrius Heyward-Bey

WR

Maryland

Heyward-Bey went into the combine with the title as a big physical receiver. He can now add “lightning fast” to that resume. His 4.30 makes him the fastest offensive player available. He needs to work on catching the ball with his hands more, but his size and speed make him extremely attractive. Miami needs a big reciever to compliment their many slot types and Heyward-Bey does just that.

26. Baltimore Ravens

Brandon Pettigrew

TE

Oklahoma State

At 6’6″, 260 lbs. Pettigrew creates a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses, no matter who is throwing him the ball. He can be a great asset to the offense in the short and intermediate passing game. The Ravens have had plenty of strain in dealing with Todd Heap injuries over the past few seasons and drafting Pettigrew would help ease some of those headaches.

27. Indianapolis Colts

Darius Butler

CB

Connecticut

Butler is relatively unknown at this point but his cover skills are going to be whispered about in war rooms on draft day. He is very fundamental and has a ton of field experience due to his status as a three year starter. The Colts are likely looking at going with a receiver or a corner here and Butler provides the best value of anyone else available.

28. Buffalo Bills (from Carolina through Philadelphia)

Max Unger

OL

Oregon

Unger doesn’t have the intimidating size that you expect out of a first round pick but he is very quick and is very fundamentally sound. He has plenty of frame to pack on another 15-20 lbs. of muscle and could be a solid Center in the NFL. The Bills traded OT Jason Peter to get this pick and Unger’s versatility likely makes this an easy pick. Unger isn’t a tackle by trade, but could likely play the position if needed.

29. New York Giants

Hakeem Nicks

WR

North Carolina

Nicks is a big, physical receiver that has bear paws for hands. He catches everything thrown to him. If the Giants don’t trade for Braylon Edwards, this is the next logical step for them.

30. Tennessee Titans

Kenny Britt

WR

Rutgers

Britt has been a late riser in many mocks and draft boards but has moved up because he is a bit more polished and has less questions about his ability than Hakeem Nicks or Darrius Heyward-Bey. The Titans would be much more inclined to take a defensive lineman or a defensive back but Britt would help the Titans passing game.

31. Arizona Cardinals

Donald Brown

RB

Connecticut

Brown is very similar to a very successful running back taken in last year’s draft, Matt Forte. He has plenty of experience and is very smart on the football field. He is very patient to find the hole and uses a quick burst to eat up yardage in bunches. He is rising up draft boards very quickly and will be another option in the backfield.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers

Alphonso Smith

CB

Wake Forest

Smith’s nickname is “Prime” for being a shorter version of Deion Sanders. He has great tools to get after opposing receivers and will likely be a regular in quarterback’s nightmares. The Steelers have to be targeting a defensive back or a defensive lineman and Smith fits the bill of one of those needs.

Round 2

33. Detroit Lions

Eben Britton

OT

Arizona

34. New England Patriots (from Kansas City)

James Laurinaitis

LB

Ohio State

35. St. Louis Rams

Everette Brown

DE

Florida State

36. Cleveland Browns

Connor Barwin

DE

Cincinatti

37. Seattle Seahawks

LeSean McCoy

RB

Pitt

38. Cincinnati Bengals

Eric Wood

C

Louisville

39. Jacksonville Jaguars

William Beatty

OT

Connecticut

40. Oakland Raiders

Michael Johnson

DE

Georgia Tech

41. Green Bay Packers

Patrick Chung

SS

Oregon

42. Buffalo Bills

Alex Mack

C

Cal

43. San Francisco 49ers

Clint Sintim

LB

Virginia

44. Miami Dolphins (from Washington)

Mohamed Massaquoi

WR

Georgia

45. New York Giants (from New Orleans)

Shonn Greene

RB

Iowa

46. Houston Texans

Percy Harvin

WR

Florida

47. New England Patriots (from San Diego)

Sean Smith

DB

Utah

48. Denver Broncos

Rashad Johnson

S

Alabama

49. Chicago Bears

William Moore

S

Missouri

50. Cleveland Browns (from Tampa Bay)

Paul Kruger

OLB

Utah

51. Dallas Cowboys

Ron Brace

NT

Boston College

52. New York Jets

Jared Cook

TE

South Carolina

53. Philadelphia Eagles

Louis Delmas

S

Western Michigan

54. Minnesota Vikings

Phil Loadholt

OT

Oklahoma

55. Atlanta Falcons

Fili Moala

DL

USC

56. Miami Dolphins

Sherrod Martin

DB

Troy

57. Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Williams

WR

Penn State

58. New England Patriots

DJ Moore

CB

Vanderbilt

59. Carolina Panthers

Jamon Meredith

OT

South Carolina

60. New York Giants

Evander Hood

DT

Missouri

61. Indianapolis Colts

Brandon Tate

WR

North Carolina

62. Tennessee Titans

Sen’Derrick Marks

DT

Auburn

63. Arizona Cardinals

Duke Robinson

G

Oklahoma

64. Pittsburgh Steelers

Andy Levitre

OL

Oregon State