2009 NFL Mock Draft: As of 4/7/09

With this year's installment of the NFL Draft approaching, here's my take on the first round, subject to any trades or new pickups in free agency.

These are never right, as some teams take surprise picks, and some pick different players from the same position.

This mock draft is based on rankings and whether the player will be good in that system.

Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

The Lions are in need a franchise quarterback, and with Duante Culpepper not getting any younger, Detroit picks the new face of the franchise, and hope it was the right decision for years to come.

St. Louis Rams

Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The Rams can make up for not getting Jake Long in last year's draft.

Kansas City Chiefs

Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

The Chief's would be fools to pass on the best defensive player in the draft.

Seattle Seahawks

B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

This solid DT will greatly improve the Seattle defense, however, the Seahawks could go with an OT at this pick.

Cleveland Browns

Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

With the Stallworth issue, and Edwards not happy and dropping passes, He can give Quin (or Anderson) a big time target.

Cincinnati Bengals

Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Will give Palmer more time in the pocket and less time on the turf.

Oakland Raiders

Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Al Davis loves speed, and this guy's got it. Helps make the Raider defense into a feared force.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

With the Tra Thomas signing, the OT position is no longer the Jacksonville's biggest need. By picking Jenkins, the Jaguars vastly upgrade their secondary.

Green Bay Packers

Everette Brown, DE/LB, Florida State

With Raji off the board, the Pack gives them the next best player to help their new 3-4 defense.

San Fransisco 49er's

Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

The LT position is the foundation of any new offense, just ask the Dolphins.

Buffalo Bills

Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

After the signing of T.O., the Bill's turn towards the defensive side of the ball.

Denver Broncos

Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Changing to a 3-4 can be hard, but this will give Denver some of the pass-rush it needs to have the transition easier.

Washington Redskins

Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

With all his drama, Dan Snyder is happy he fell this far, and starts him at RT on day one.

New Orleans Saints

Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Name one of the Saints' starting CBs. Thought so!

Houston Texans

Brian Cushing, LB, USC

The offense is pretty much set, so giving the defense a weapon along with DeMeco Ryans only buffs up the team.

San Diego Chargers

Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

The Chargers make their defense complete with another ILB.

New York Jets

Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

With Brett Favre retired, The Jets snag their franchise quarterback.

Denver Broncos

Clay Matthews, OLB, USC

This pick helps the defense immensely, and after missing out on Maualuga, he fills a huge hole.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

With Leftwich signed, QB is no longer a need for this draft, and can be put on hold until next year.

Detroit Lions

Will Beatty, OT, Connecticut

Time to protect that Franchise QB.

Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

With the loss of L.J. Smith, the TE position gets a face-lift, and Donovan McNabb another weapon to throw the ball to.

Minnesota Vikings

Alex Mack, C, Cal

Can't pass on the best center in the draft, especially when they just released Matt Birk.

New England Patriots

James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

The Pats need another ILB, and Laurinaitis fits that spot well. Not to mention he'll be next to Jared Mayo.

Atlanta Falcons

D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

With Dominique Foxworth gone, the Falcons need help in the secondary.

Miami Dolphins

Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

Miami's secondary can be improved, and with the top DEs of the board, they select Smith.

Baltimore Ravens

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Derrick Mason isn't getting any younger, and this allows Flacco to use his arm to stretch the field.

Indianapolis Colts

Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

After releasing Ed Johnson, the Colts need a replacement.

Philadelphia Eagles

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Eagles could go OT here, but with the best running back in the draft falling this far, the Eagles need to take him to be Westbrook's heir.

New York Giants

Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

This is a need, especially if Plaxico Burress does not return. The Giant's might also take Cal Poly's Ramses Barden later in the draft.

Tennessee Titans

Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois

A steal at this spot, and can easily back-up Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Arizona Cardinals

Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State

The Cards can pass. Now, they can run.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

The O-Line was a travesty last year, and gets a little help in the first round.