Exploring the First Round of the 2009 NFL Draft (PART 2)

You can see Exploring The First Round of the 2009 NFL Draft here

PICKS 18-32

18. Washington Redskins  : James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State

Washington was another team this season under new coach Jim Zorn who looked great—starting with a 6-2 record before dropping their six of their last eight. Redskins linebacker London Fletcher has definitely proven that he is a future Hall of Famer but the Redskins should be trying to find a replacement for him.

James Laurinaitis is known in college football for his versatility—he could play big inside and also can jump to the outside as well. If he is picked by the Redskins, he will slowly transition into a great linebacker behind Fletcher.

19. Chicago Bears: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

The Chicago Bears’ biggest issue at the beginning of this season was at the quarterback position—Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton? Since then, Kyle Orton showed he was the better QB and the Bears seem to be doing okay with him.

The Bears’ primary weapon is Devin Hester at WR, but clearly he can’t handle the entire load by himself. Jeremy Maclin led the nation in all-purpose yards and is just as explosive as Hester; adding him to their roster can fulfill their needs for their struggling wide-receiver core.

20. Minnesota Vikings: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

The Vikings is another team that had trouble with the QB position this season. Mark Sanchez, who hasn’t been explosive at USC, still showed that he can lead his team to victories by making big plays.

21. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Everett Brown, DE, Florida State

The Lions have been struggling to rush the passer at the DE position despite having Dewayne White, who has been solid for the Lions; but the Lions will go after Everett Brown, who has the speed of a linebacker but the size of a lineman.

Brown has the vision and the playmaker abilities to make things difficult for the quarterback, as he has proven for the Seminoles.

22. New York Jets: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Brett Favre has proven to turn things around for the Jets compared to last season, but now they’re not sure if they’re even going to make the playoffs. The Jets’ WR corps, with Coles and Cotchery, has proved to be solid, but they can use a young talent added to that duo.

Percy Harvin is one of the most explosive impact players in college football and led his team, over this season, to the national championship game. Harvin is a future NFL star, given he stays healthy over his career.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Antonio Bryant has established himself as one of the elite wideouts in the NFL this season while Joey Galloway has battled injuries this year and Michael Clayton is going to be a free agent.

Heyward-Bey was one of the top players in the ACC with the Terrapins and with his height, he is going to be easy to find for quarterbacks. The Bucs could also go for a DT, OT, and a quarterback to take over Jeff Garcia’s reign.

24. Miami Dolphins: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

Miami has obviously turned things around from last season with the help of Bill Parcells and Chad Pennington. Despite having Joey Porter, who has been explosive this season, the Dolphins can still use some help in their secondary from Brian Cushing.

Cushing has helped USC anchor one of the best defenses in the nation and is impressive when he is healthy; he can definitely upgrade Miami’s defense is picked. The Dolphins can also be looking for a DT or a WR.

25. New England Patriots: B.J Raji, DT, Boston College

After the loss of many, including Tom Brady to injuries this season and the loss of Asante Samuel, the Patriots are obviously not the team of last year.

Regardless, Matt Cassel has stepped up and surprisingly, he has been phenomenal in place of Brady. New England’s defense has been showing effects of age and they could use a DT to help their defensive line.

B.J Raji, who missed the 2007 season due to academics, have made up for his absence in 2008 with a dominating season for the Eagles and can help the Patriots’ defensive line.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

The Baltimore Ravens took Joe Flacco last year in the draft, and he has definitely turned things around for the Ravens this season. Not only has the Ravens’ offense looked dominating, but their defense, led by Ray Lewis, has made offenses look terrible.

Despite the dominance of their defense, the Ravens could still use a cover man. Alphonso Smith, is a playmaker with speed and hands that would only upgrade this Baltimore defense.

The Ravens could also be looking for a wideout, as Derrick Mason is sure going to be playing past his prime, and also a linebacker as Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Bart Scott are going to become unrestricted free agents after the 2008 season.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

Eben Britton, who is arguably the best OT in the Pac-10 Conference, has vision and quickness to back up Matt Ryan and the Falcons.

If he declares for the draft, Britton would be most certainly behind guys like Oher, Monroe, Smith, Black, and Jason Smith, but he is a definite first-round OT.

28. Indianapolis Colts: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

The Colts’ defense struggled all season long and that is partly because they hadn’t had the impact player who could pressure the passer on their D-Line.

Peria Jerry, who has been definitely under the radar at Ole Miss, could fill that role with his strength and athleticism. The Colts could win big by choosing Jerry with this late draft pick.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma

Pittsburgh’s usually dominating O-Line gave up too many sacks and ranked third-to-last in rushing yards per game this season. This is partly due to the injury woes of Willie Parker, but it’s evident that the Steelers can use some help on their offensive line.

With the departure of Alan Faneca to New York this past season and guys like Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, and Marvel Smith becoming free agents after 2008, the Steelers can use Duke Robinson.

A bulldozing guard who comes from one of the best programs in the nation, there is no question that Robinson would be a great pick for the Steelers.

30. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

The Eagles’ group of tight ends did year pretty much did nothing but disappoint. With L.J Smith most likely leaving due to free-agency after this season, the Eagles could pick up Brandon Pettigrew.

A dominant blocking tight end who also great hands, there is no doubt that Pettigrew is among the top tight ends in the draft. The Eagles could also be looking for a strong safety or defensive linemen.

31. New York Giants: Clint Sintim, OLB, Virgina

Despite playing without Osi Umenyiora this season, the defending Super Bowl Champions look to be the best in the league, starting with their dominant defense. Justin Tuck has lead his team to ranking top 10 in both rushing and passing yards allowed out of the entire NFL.

While AP is solid in the inside, Danny Clark has been a disappointment for the Giants and they would be very happy to find Clint Sintim still on the board. A effective run and pass blitzer, Sintim has everything the Giants look for in a linebacker.

32. Tennessee Titans: Greg Hardy, DE, Mississppi

Tennessee is probably the most surprising team this year. With the offense led by not Vince Young, but Kerry Collins, and the dominating “smash and dash” combo with LenDale White and Chris Johnson, the Titans have emerged as the “team to beat” this season capping a 13-2 season so far.

While their defense is dominant, anchored by Albert Haynesworth, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and Cortland Finnegan, they could still use a outside pass rusher and run blocker.

Greg Hardy, a very underated DE at Ole Miss, is a run stuffer with vision and also the speed of a linebacker who can be very dangerous for opposing teams; he would fit great into that explosive Titans defense.

Tennessee could also look for a WR, as their tight end and running back are their leading receivers.