2009 NFL Mock Draft

Will Matthew Stafford be the No. 1 overall pick this year?

I generally like to wait a couple of weeks into free agency before attempting a mock. The greatest challenge is trying not to necessarily pick the fan favorites, but to step into the front office's shoes of that team and try to figure out what they're thinking.

Unfortunately, I do not have the greatest of resources other than what I am able to read on the internet.

I spent hours scouring the net researching individual teams and also visited various forums to gain insight on the fans' perspective on their teams. There are some surprises. Thanks and enjoy!

1st Round

1) Detroit Lions - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Matt Stafford was considered here but this is the safest pick…low risk, high reward. It’s just what the team needs after the high risk, low reward drafts of the Millen era. New GM Martin Mayhew can’t afford to make those same mistakes.

Given the statistical failures on QB’s entering the draft after their junior year can’t make Mayhew feel any better. Fortifying both lines will help new coach Schwartz build a physical team on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball where a QB could be plugged in a year or two later.

Daunte Culpepper buys the team another year at the QB position.

Current LT Jeff Backus could be moved back to RT or RG to make room for Smith. Some consider Aaron Curry the safest pick. But the safest pick is not going to be a guy that could potentially be off the field on third down.

Smith will play every offensive snap while Curry may be out in nickel or dime situations.

2) St. Louis Rams- Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

The recent departure of former franchise LT Orlando Pace is disturbing, but needed to be done given his recent injury history and high salary cap figure.

But without Pace, the o-line is bad…but not that bad. The defense is worse.

The defense will need impact defenders to make new coach Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme successful. Aaron Curry is not only arguably the best defender in this year’s draft, but perhaps the best player. Spag’s will run an aggressive, blitzing style of defense and Curry will help spearhead the assault.

3) Kansas City Chiefs- B.J. Raji, DT

Surprised? This is what Pioli does. Look at how the Patriotsbuilt their team over the last 10 years.

When they had early picks, they chose to take the best DT prospects in the draft. Pioli was part of a Patriots franchise that took players such as Roland Seymour, Ty Warrenand Vince Wilfork in the first rounds of their respective drafts. That philosophy should carry over to the Chiefs.

Defense was clearly an issue. The team showed that it could move the ball and score points last year with Tyler Thigpen at QB only to be let down by a defense that gave up over 158 ypg in rushing defense.

Pioli has already started the house cleaning, but more help is needed. Impact NT's are harder to find than impact LBs. Raji is a top 5 talent that will take pressure off of last year's No. 5 overall pick Glenn Dorsey.

4) Seattle Seahawks - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Michael Crabtree is enticing here but the signing of T.J. Houshmanzadeh bought the Seahawks some time at the receiver position. LT Walter Jones is not getting any younger and Monroe is his future replacement.

Monroe can step in and play RT immediately. Or an extreme case could see Walter Jones follow in Orlando Pace’s recent footsteps.

5) Cleveland Browns- Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

The Browns get the award last year for the team that regressed the most. The Browns finished 10-6 in 2007 only to follow up with a 4-12 finish in 2008.

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