The Ten Best Picks of the First Round: Good and Bad

The 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft was filled with many trades (ie: Browns and Pats) and many surprises to fans and even teams. Some of the picks made were predictable and some of the picks made were rather shocking.

I spent the whole day watching the draft. I never left my seat one time. I analyzed every pick that I could and that is what I am here for today. Today I will share with you my ten favorite picks of the 1st round. Some were very good and some, well some were very interesting.

Tyson Jackson to the Kansas City Chiefs

Bad.

I want to know why exactly the Chiefs picked Jackson. I know his stock was rising high and I know he is a solid player and a force to be reckoned with. Still, why?

The Chiefs could have picked Aaron Curry at linebacker or Michael Crabtree to make up for the departure of Tony Gonzalez. Was it necessary to take Jackson here?

I understand some Chiefs fans really like Jackson and as I said, he is a terrific player. Still, I think KC could have made a lot better choice with this pick.

Aaron Curry to the Seattle Seahawks

Great.

While I watched the draft with my Dad, I told him that I think Aaron Curry is the best player in the draft. I hold to the statement.

Curry is quick, strong, and smart. The perfect linebacker and a perfect fit for disappointing Seahawk team. I think Curry will make an immediate impact in the NFL. He is going to stalk guys like Steven Jackson and he is going to make any slot receiver think about coming through the middle.

Darrius Heyward-Bey to the Oakland Raiders

Stupidity.

Michael Crabtree. How is he not taken here? Lane Kiffin had to of smiled when he heard that Al Davis passed up on what some people are calling the next Jerry Rice to take the next Ashley Lelie.

I do want to get one thing straight. Football fans need to understand that this kid is a stud. He really is. He just should not have gone this high. The Raiders did not need Bey, they wanted him. That's the problem. They took who they wanted and not who they needed.

Bey will produce this season. He will make some plays and open some eyes. Still, Mr. Crabtree is going to make some noise this year and for many years to come.

Someone explain to me why Al Davis is in love with speed. Speed is great, if you play flag football. In the pros it is not all about speed and someone needs to inform Al about that.

Michael Crabtree to the San Fransico 49ers

Fantastic.

The 49ers never imagined that the best receiver in the draft would fall to them. They got lucky and they got a great pick.

The Niners officially have a RB-WR duo of Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree. This will scare opposing defenses.

Crabtree will be taken under the wings of Isaac Bruce and eventually become one of the best in my mind. He has all of the intangibles and he has the heat. Some are saying that he is the next Jerry Rice, and I would not exactly disagree with them.

Malcolm Jenkins to the New Orleans Saints

Good.

I like Jenkins a lot. I have grown up as an Ohio State Buckeyes fan and I can say without question that he is one of the best I have ever seen.

Jenkins simply loves the game of football. He loves to play and be around it. His passion fuels him.

His athleticism and durability will be great assets to the Saints defense. Putting him back there with guys like the studly Tracy Porter or the veteran Darren Sharper will cause teams to think twice before going deep.

I love this pick by New Orleans

Jeremy Maclin to the Philadelphia Eagles

Good.

Donavon McNabb had to love it when he heard that the Eagles traded up. It meant only one thing, Percy Harvin or Jeremy Maclin. It was the latter in Maclin and McNabb had to enjoy it.

The Eagles have two of the quickest receivers in the league now in Desean Jackson and Maclin. Maclin fits the offense well. He's a slasher and a dasher. He's a good blocker as well. Imagine a reverse involving Jackson to Maclin. How electrifying could that be?

I love the pick by Philly. Maclin will sell tickets and Maclin will also scare defenses. Now they have to worry about Maclin, Jackson, and Brian Westbrook.

And this was a playoff team last year...

Brandon Pettigrew to the Detroit Lions

Bad.

Brandon Pettigrew is a great tight end and he could be a cornerstone in the Lions franchise for a long time. Still, he shouldn't be a Lion.

The Lions had their second pick in the first round thanks to the Roy Williams trade. They made a solid pickup in Matthew Stafford at number 1. He will help the team dramatically and he could become their starter for a long time.

Yet in order to be a good NFL quarterback, you need a good offensive line, and the Lions have nobody to protect Stafford. This was their chance to get a kick start on creating that line and they pulled an Al Davis; they drafted the guy that they wanted and not the guy that they needed.

With Michael Oher on the board, the Lions should have jumped on him in a heartbeat. Phil Loadholt and William Beatty were on the board as well, so why did the Lions not get one of them?

Pettigrew is going to be a solid tight end in the pros and he as a player is a good pick. Still, he as a Lion is not a good fit.

Percy Harvin to the Minnesota Vikings

Yes and No. But leaning towards yes.

As a Minnesota Viking fan, I was indifferent about picking Harvin. Harvin is a stud but he is also a dud as far as character goes. Still, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt and I will say that the Vikings made a good pick here.

Harvin is a superstar athlete and arguably the most exciting player in the draft. Still, he's not a smart guy. He failed a drug test at the Combine. Percy, you know ahead of time that there will be a drug test at the Combine. Why would you not be prepared? Todd Mcshay said that Harvin failing the test is a sign of only two things. One is immaturity and two is that it could be a habitchual problem for him. Can the Vikings work around it?

Harvin and Adrian Peterson will bring some serious excitement to the NFC North. Harvin will also help beef up Bernard Berrian's stats and Sidney Rice's stats. Teams are going to be so worried about Harvin that they'll focus most of their attention on him and Peterson and that will cause Berrian and Rice to be left free. Visanthe Shiancoe will also be getting more touches thanks to Harvin.

This is a make or break pick for the Vikings. Harvin could be a superstar or Harvin could be big bust. Only time will tell us.

Hakeem Nicks to the New York Giants

Good.

I like it. I like it a lot actually. I saw Nicks play a couple of times this season and he is a solid receiver and the type of guy that Eli Manning would love to throw to.

Nicks will be a possesion receiver for the football Giants. Someone that Eli is going to love to hit on a 3rd and 6.

I like Nicks here because he wont replace Plaxico Burress but he will get his catches. Teams will be focused on Steve Smith a lot and that is where a lot of attention will be focused.

It is Nicks' job too make teams look at him. He doesn't need to be a superstar but he does need to be a possesion guy and someone that is reliable to Eli.

Chris Wells to the Arizona Cardinals

Good. Solid.

I've watched Chris Wells play ever since he was in high school and I know that he is a stud. He fits well in the Cardinal system as well.

Fire and Ice will be coming to Arizona. Tim Hightower is a guy who will blaze by defenders and Wells is a guy who will be an ice block. He will bulldoze guys in the secondary and he will outrun linebackers. He also will be a solid blocker in the backfield too.

I think Beanie will fit well in the Cardinal system and I think he will be successful in the pros. Only time will tell if he will prove to be solid or if he will prove that his injuries will constantly slow him down.