by Peter Christian
As the countdown to the NFL Draft is now less than 30 days, it is time to really get serious with our NFL Mock Draft. TSB.net readers can expect up to two updates per week as we near the greatest non-athletic sporting event of the year. As for this edition, ENJOY!!!
The NFL Mock Draft Database
1. Detroit Lions |
Matt Stafford QB |
Georgia |
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Stafford held his own at the NFL Scouting Combine by showing off his skills, strength and poise. He isn’t the best player overall in this draft but he does have a bright future at the QB position. The Lions are finding that the number one pick isn’t nearly as valuable as it might seem. Nonetheless, Detroit needs a quarterback and will likely bite the bullet with Stafford |
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2. St. Louis Rams |
Jason Smith OT |
Baylor |
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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 is now getting consideration as the best Offensive Tackle available in some scout’s rankings. With Pace gone in St. Louis, there is little doubt that the Rams plan to make good use of this year’s top heavy OT crop. |
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3. Kansas City Chiefs |
Aaron Curry OLB |
Wake Forest |
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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 on which ever team’s lap Curry falls into. Kansas City couldn’t ask for a better fit in this year’s draft than Aaron Curry. |
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4. Seattle Seahawks |
Eugene Monroe OT |
Virginia |
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Eugene Monroe’s stock is on the rise after a very solid showing in Indianapolis and due to the meteoric fall of Andre Smith. However, Monroe has great talent. His 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 were the early destination for Michael Crabtree but the signing of T.J. Houshmanzadeh likely means that Seattle is going to focus on its less glamorous, but more glaring needs on the offensive line. |
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5. Cleveland Browns |
Brian Orakpo |
DE |
Texas |
Orakpo has the tools to become an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Some scouts and NFL junkies have said that he could be converted to an outside linebacker which could happen in Cleveland if Eric Mangini brings the 3-4 defense to the Dawg Pound. Where ever the Browns have Orakpo line up he is definitely going to fill a need. |
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6. Cincinnati Bengals |
Michael Crabtree |
WR |
Texas Tech |
The stress fracture and subsequent surgery has many scouts, coaches and GM’s, well, stressing about his value. However, the last two years of game film will likely ease some of that stress. The injury shouldn’t affect his value but it may cause team’s to proceed cautiously. The Bengals need a lot on both sides of the ball, but a replacement for Houshmanzadeh with a talent like Crabtree is tough to pass up. |
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7. Oakland Raiders |
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. Smith’s combine disappearance has likely caused him to lose the claim as the best O-lineman in the draft, but time is already causing teams to forget about his off-field issues. The Raiders need to protect their quarterback and need to pave lanes for their running backs, Smith could help do that. I repeat, COULD. |
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8. Jacksonville Jaguars |
Michael Oher |
OT |
Ole Miss |
Oher is finally getting more buzz about his skills and NFL potential than about the Michael Lewis book that was written about him. He looked great at the combine and the Senior Bowl and should definitely be a top ten pick in 2009. Jacksonville may be tempted here to select Jeremy Maclin to replace their TROUBLED wide receiver corps, but Oher has to be the pick. |
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9. Green Bay Packers |
Aaron Maybin |
DE |
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. Since the Packers are switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 a player like Maybin makes even more sense because they can utilize his position flexibility to help that transition. |
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10. San Francisco 49ers |
Mark Sanchez |
QB |
USC |
Sanchez’s decision to participate in the drills at the Combine was a good one. Not only did it show an eagerness to prove himself as an elite prospect but he was able to silence many of his critics. His performance not only locked him into the first round but will likely be a top 15 pick. If the 49ers do jump at Sanchez it will likely signal the major error they made with Alex Smith, but passing on Sanchez would be likely more foolish than the Smith pick 5 years ago. |
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11. Buffalo Bills |
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. If Ray Lewis and Troy Polamalu had a baby, Maualuga would be the result. The Bills need help defensively and there are few better players to provide an immediate impact in the 2009 draft. |
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12. Denver Broncos |
B.J. Raji |
DT |
Boston College |
Raji is the best interior defensive lineman in this draft however the recent report of a positive test for marijuana has had some affect on his draft stock. Considering the last time a stud defensive tackle saw his draft stock fall due to a positive drug test at the combine (Warren Sapp), I think teams are salivating at the prospect of grabbing Raji in the teens. The Broncos would do well to take a front line player that can cause chaos in the backfield and make the defensive backs jobs easier. |
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13. Washington Redskins |
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 Redskins have plenty of offensive options currently, but Maclin would provide a noticeable upgrade to the wide receivers and is a great value at pick 13 overall. |
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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. OSU’s history of producing good CB’s will continue with Jenkins. The Saints could be a good team if they could prevent the big play, Jenkins can help that problem right away. |
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15. Houston Texans |
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. I’m not sure why the Texans were only 8-8 last season as they don’t have that many glaring holes. Depth and talent in the defensive backfield will be a good boost though. |
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16. San Diego Chargers |
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. Stretching the field with Heyward-Bey can only help the Charger offense to be even more prolific next season. |
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17. New York Jets |
Brian Cushing |
LB |
USC |
Cushing has plenty of question marks to go with his talent, there is quite a bit of debate as to whether he will translate into a OLB in a 4-3 scheme or ILB in a 3-4. However as GM’s watch him on the field, those question marks will likely be forgotten. Cushing’s draft stock will likely hinge on his medical records and team interviews rather than his measurables. The Jets and Rex Ryan are very concerned with the quarterback position but can’t really address it with this pick. A solid talent in the middle of the defense will make the defense a bit more stout, something Ryan would likely prefer. |
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18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) |
DJ Moore |
CB |
Vanderbilt |
Moore dealt with a lot of injuries last season but was still a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award as one of the nation’s best defensive backs. He has shown an ability to make good reads and get good breaks on the ball, racking up 11 interceptions over the last two seasons. If Denver is able to take Raji with the 12th pick, a defensive back is the logical selection with the pick that the Broncos received from the Bears. If Raji is gone at 12, Jenkins could be the pick there with the 18th pick being either Peria Jerry or James Laurinitis. |
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19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Eben Britton |
OT |
Arizona |
Britton is a big man and can anchor an offensive line. He will have to work on his footwork, but he has the raw skills to be great. I was extremely certain that the Buccaneers had their sights on Brandon Pettigrew, but the acquisition of Kellen Winslow Jr. nullifies that thought. Tampa Bay could look to go with depth at offensive line, like Britton, or they could give thought to defensive players like Robert Ayers or James Laurinitis. |
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20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) |
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. Although two offensive players for defensive minded Jim Schwartz in his first draft might seem like a stretch, the thought of leaving a talent like Pettigrew on the table would be a bit too much to handle. |
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21. Philadelphia Eagles |
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 Eagles know they need a running back with some size and strength to move the pile because Brian Westbrook cannot do it. |
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22. Minnesota Vikings |
Robert Ayers |
DE |
Tennessee |
Ayers is difficult to project because the tape on him is relatively inconsistent. He proved that he is a great practice player at the Senior Bowl. In order to succeed in the NFL, he needs to bring his practice intensity to game day. While the Vikings have a lot of big name talent on the defensive line, they don’t have a lot of depth behind Jared Allen or the Williams boys (Pat and Kevin). Ayers talent could flourish along side three pro-bowl players. |
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23. New England Patriots |
James Laurinitis |
LB |
Ohio State |
Laurinitis likely would have been taken in the top 10 in last year’s draft, but his slipping has little to do with his own play. He brings great energy to the field and is always around the ball. The Patriots need to help their defense. A corner might be the logical choice, but Laurinitis seems like a perfect fit in the Bellichick way of life. |
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24. Atlanta Falcons |
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. Atlanta’s surprise season was in spite of one of the weakest defensive backfields in the league. Smith is a little bit of a reach here, but how can you resist a Deion Sanders clone not going to the Falcons? |
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25. Miami Dolphins |
Hakeem Nicks |
WR |
North Carolina |
Nicks is a big, physical receiver that has bear paws for hands. He catches everything thrown to him. His breakout season for Butch Davis at UNC has made him a must see at the combine for NFL GM’s. The Dolphins have a bunch of receivers that all need to be in the slot. Nicks is a guy that can line up wide and run the traditional routes from the position. |
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26. Baltimore Ravens |
Percy Harvin |
WR |
Florida |
Harvin is possibly the best athlete in the draft. He has amazing speed and is surprisingly strong for his stature. His game likely translates to becoming a slot receiver in the NFL but he can line up anywhere if asked. John Harbaugh has to be pleased with last year’s first round pick, Joe Flacco. Giving him a young target to allow him to grow is just the next step in the progression. |
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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 in need of defense (again) and Butler is creeping up draft boards very quietly. I have very high hopes for Butler’s NFL career. |
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28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) |
Everette Brown |
DE |
Florida State |
Everette Brown is an extremely agile defensive lineman. There is talk about his game translating to the OLB position in the NFL which would likely best utilize his versatility. Early in the off-season, Brown was being ranked among the best DE’s in the draft. His value slipping isn’t an effect of him not performing well at the combine, but more of a result of other players improving their stock significantly. The Eagles could also look at taking an offensive lineman here, but with Britton off the board anyone else would be a reach. Getting Brown with the 28th pick is a good value for Philadelphia |
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29. New York Giants |
Clay Matthews |
LB |
USC |
Matthews has joined his USC teammates as a first round prospect after a great work-out at the Combine. He can jump even higher up draft boards by showing his great work ethic in individual work outs and at USC’s pro day. The Giants have addressed much of their defensive depth deficiencies through free agency but adding some youth to the equation wouldn’t help. The only other blatant need for the Giants is a wide receiver, but there just isn’t one worthy of a first round pick available. |
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30. Tennessee Titans |
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 Titans biggest loss this off-season was that of Albert Haynesworth’s defection to Washington. Drafting Jerry can help fill the void left by the Pro-Bowl Defensive Tackle. |
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31. Arizona Cardinals |
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. The Cardinals would love Wells to be another useful option in their offensive attack. |
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32. Pittsburgh Steelers |
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. Unger can also play at guard or tackle if need be, the Steelers could really use that flexibility and depth on their offensive line. |
Next best available:
Donald Brown |
RB |
Connecticut |
Larry English |
OLB |
Northern Illinois |
Sean Smith |
DB |
Utah |
Tyson Jackson |
DE |
LSU |
Alex Mack |
C |
Cal |
LeSean McCoy |
RB |
Pitt |
Connor Barwin |
DE |
Cincinatti |
Shonn Greene |
RB |
Iowa |