2009 NFL Draft Prediction

With the playoffs starting this weekend and only 12 teams playing, the rest of the league has only one thing on their minds: the NFL Draft. What do certain teams need the most help with?

Will the Lions actually not draft a wide receiver this year? All of these questions will be answered and more as the top 15 draft picks are predicted for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Pick One: Detroit Lions

What does the only team in NFL history to have 16 losses most need to improve? Everything. Unfortunately, the draft is not a miracle worker, but the Detroit Lions should start with defense.

The 2009 Draft has a lot of defensive talent. The Lions should start with Defensive End Aaron Maybin from Penn State. With 12 sacks and three forced fumbles, Maybin can bring something to the Lions defensive line: potential.

Pick Two: St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams had the 26th ranked passing game. That is probably due to the fact their quarterbacks are ancient, according to the NFL. Trent Green and Marc Bulger are not getting any younger.

The Rams need to pick up a solid quarterback. Brock Berlin won't cut it for the future. Enter Sam Bradford, 2008 Heisman Trophy winner and leader of the Oklahoma Sooners. He can ramp up the Rams offense in a year with the talent they have at wide receiver.

Pick Three: Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have helped their offense in recent years and it has paid off; however, they still struggle on defense. The only defense worse than the Chiefs this year: the Lions, and let's face it, they were worse than everyone this year.

The Chiefs need to add depth to their defense. Outside Linebacker Aaron Curry from Wake Forest leads his team in tackles and tackles for loss this season. He is a fifth-year senior with plenty of experience.

Pick Four: Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have a decent offense, but they really need help on defense especially in the passing game. They were ranked 32nd this year against the pass.

Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State can improve this defense. Standing at 6'1 and 200 lbs., he has the size and speed to play in the NFL. He also usually covers the team's best wide receiver and has still managed two seasons All-Big Ten and in the running for the Jim Thorpe Award.

Pick Five: Cleveland Browns

This pick may be a long shot, but the Cleveland Browns are in desperate need of a running back. Jamal Lewis has carried the backfield, but he is almost 30 and the Browns need to think about the future.

They have a couple younger backups, but Knowshon Moreno from Georgia would be the go-to back of the future. He is not the biggest guy on the field, but he is physical.

Moreno has been named All-America Second Team, as well as one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award.

Pick Six: Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have two young running backs, Chris Perry and Cedric Benson. Yet, they ranked near the bottom of the league. This is partly due to the fact that they need a better offensive line.

Also, a big problem the Bengals have is the amount of sacks they give up: 51 in 16 games. They need help with their offensive line. Andre Smith from Alabama can add the size to the offensive line.

Pick Seven: Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders rank in the top 10 in a couple defensive categories as well as their rushing offense; however, they rank dead last in passing offense. Using their big pick on JaMarcus Russell, they need to give him people to throw to.

Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech has the speed and agility to be a big-play wide receiver in the NFL. Ranking in the top of the NCAA in receptions per game and yards per game, Crabtree has the ability to bring the Raiders out of last place.

Pick Eight: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars need help on defense. They have no real big name defender, especially not at linebacker. Rey Maualuga from USC can be that big-name linebacker for the Jaguars.

He has a lot of speed for a big guy of 6'2 and 260 lbs. One of the best linebackers in the country, Maualuga can hang back and cover receivers or rush the line and create sacks and passing troubles.

Pick Nine: Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers struggled with their offensive line this season, mostly due to inconsistencies. They need an offensive line group to stick together for a whole season to improve their rushing game and prevent sacks.

Eugene Monroe from Virginia did not allow a sack during the 2007 season. He has the size of an NFL lineman and will fit in to a weak Packer line.

Pick 10: San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers need help in the passing game. They could arguably take a quarterback with their first round pick, but they should improve around the quarterback first.

The 49ers should take wide receiver Jeremy Maclin from Missouri. Maclin upped his status a little due to his stellar play in the bowl game. He would create depth and add another dimension to join Isaac Bruce.

Pick 11: Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills looked to have a great offense at the beginning of the season and slowed down a little towards the end. Their rushing defense, on the other hand, never really got started. The Bills need help with their defensive line.

They should use their first pick on Everette Brown from Florida State. Brown is a huge defender at 6'4" and 260 lbs, but can move quickly off the line. He is third in the country with 14 sacks on the season. The Bills need a big-play lineman.

Pick 12: Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos can score points, but their biggest problem is that they give up too many. They have one of the worst defenses in the NFL and need a big man on their line to create havoc.

Brian Orakpo from Texas is that big man. He only has 11 sacks on the season, but also contributed to 38 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. He has played against stellar offenses in the Big 12 Conference and can bring a defense back to the Broncos.

Pick 13: Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins don't have a stand-out weakness. They just need to put together performances. That being said, they do need help at the wide receiver position.

Antwaan Randle El has not added the depth he did with Steelers, so the Redskins need a pure wide receiver. Percy Harvin from Florida does not lead the country in any categories, but with the arm of Jason Campbell throwing to him, will continue to thrive in the NFL.

He can also add the depth of a runner if needed.

Pick 14: New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints had one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL, but their defense cost them games. Ranked low in pass defense, the Saints need some pass defenders.

Cornerback Vontae Davis from Illinois can boost the passing defense of the Saints. He only had two interceptions on the season, but did not allow a lot of yards after the catch. That can be a big help in the NFL.

Pick 15: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans spent their draft pick on Mario Williams a few years ago. It's that time to add the depth to their line with another first-round defensive line pick.

Gerald McCoy from Oklahoma can add the depth needed for the Texans. A First-Team All Big-12, McCoy had 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss this season. He has the needed size for the NFL at 6'4" and 295 pounds. If he continues to stay under 300, he can continue his speed rush.