2009 NFL Mock Draft (1-10)

Today culminates my three-day series of my Mock Draft. Here are the first 10 picks of the 2009 NFL Draft. Who goes No. 1? Where does Michael Crabtree land? You will find the answers below...

...Or at least my opinion.

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Matt Stafford may not be the No. 1 player on Detroit's Big Board, but they can't go another year without a leader on the field. Stafford is the pick. Now they look to build around him.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Smith is an athletic tackle that the Rams need to pick. St. Louis is in desperate need of a big-time "big guy" to have for years to come, especially with the loss of Orlando Pace.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

Possibly the No. 1 overall player in the draft, Curry is a dynamic player and has a chance to be a star in the league. By trading for Matt Cassel earlier this offseason, the Chiefs can look at defense in the draft. An offensive tackle would be the next logical choice.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

With a very successful Pro Day, Sanchez is possibly the fastest-rising player. He can be a franchise QB in the NFL, and it would be hard for Seattle to pass him up with a slowing Matt Hasselbeck.

 
5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orapko, DE, Texas

Orapko is a beast at defensive end and fits in very well in the Cleveland system. He could develop as a premier player on the Cleveland defense.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

A very good and powerful offensive tackle, Monroe could be effective in blocking the pass rush, leading Carson Palmer to being much more effective.

7. Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Before his injury, Crabtree was thought of as the top prospect. He still is, and Oakland can't skip him. The lone thought of adding him to Darren McFadden and JaMarcus Russell excites me about how explosive their offense could be.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Possibly the fastest "game" receiver in the draft, Maclin can provide a vertical threat and is very effective inside the hashes. I don't see the Jags skipping on him with the chance.

9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

One of the biggest holes in Green Bay revolves around defensive tackle, and the powerful and best DT in the draft, Raji, seems to be the best fit in Green Bay's system.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Although we saw a possible attitude problem at the Pro Day with Andre Smith, he can immediately start and play very well. The 49ers could go many ways depending on who is available. Here, Smith makes the most sense.

Read the rest of the draft...

Picks 11-20

Picks 21-32