Projecting the 2009 NFL Draft

Here's my best shot at the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft on Championship Sunday.

1. Detroit Lions: OT Andre Smith

This franchise has missed on wide receivers in the past, while other teams have had success building through the draft with an anchor tackle. If the Lions have a clue, they'll draft a bookend and either wait until later in the draft or, more likely, get their quarterback via free agency.

2. St. Louis Rams: WR Michael Crabtree

I put Crabtree here for two reasons. First, he's the best player on the board. And secondly, if Torry Holt is, for some reason, not in St. Louis any more they would need a wide receiver outside with Stephen Jackson inside.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: DE Brian Orakpo

They've missed Derrick Thomas since he was killed in the automobile accident, and when they found that power rusher in Jared Allen they traded him to Minnesota. Orakpo is a scary physical presence.

4. Seattle Seahawks: OT Michael Oher

Nobody can hide from the injury bug in Seattle. They have a relatively young running game and decent receivers...they just need to keep Mr. Hasselback on the field. Drafting a solid OL would help accomplish that.

5. Cleveland Browns: LB Aaron Curry

From the fringe of the playoff picture to the junkyard in one year. They'll have a new coach and general manager next year, and Curry would be a nice centerpiece to build a defense around. At five, Curry might be a steal.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Eugene Monroe

They were miserable because their quarterback got hurt. For the same reason Seattle takes a tackle, so do the Bengals. Maybe this guy will stay out of jail.

7. Oakland Raiders: WR Jeremy Maclin

Two years ago it was JaMarcus Russell. Last year Darren McFadden. How about a receiver to go with these two playmakers? Maclin's got the hands and speed to light it up with the big arm of Russell.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Ray Maualuga

Mike Peterson will not be back in Jacksonville. This is the best linebacker on the board with whom to replace the all pro.

9. Green Bay Packers: OT Jason Smith

They Packers have a veteran line that protected Brett Favre for years. Time to build a new one to protect Aaron Rogers.

10. San Francisco 49ers: DE Aaron Maybin

Mike Singletary will want big time players on his defense that can get after the ball in a hurry. Maybin might go higher than ten, but if he falls the 49ers would be thrilled to put him in front of Patrick Willis.

11. Buffalo Bills: OT Eben Britton

They've got skill players in Buffalo but need to keep their quarterback, whoever it is, off his back. Again, just like the Packers, Bengals and Seahawks, they'll take advantage of a deep class at tackle.

12. Denver Broncos: RB LeSean McCoy

This might surprise, but I think the Broncos will take a running back after they started what felt like 50 players at the position last year. While talent evaluators will say Knowshon Moreno is a better pro prospect, I think McCoy fits what Denver has traditionally done (and the offensive model in New England did) better than Moreno.

13. Washington Redskins: CB Malcolm Jenkins

Their pass defense, in a division with the Cowboys, Giants, and Eagles, is suspect. They have an expensive pass rush (Jason Taylor) and have decent linebackers. They need depth in the secondary. Jenkins is the best player on the board.

14. New Orleans Saints: RB Knowshon Moreno

Replacement for Deuce McAllister? The looming drug suspension, coupled with injury issues for both Deuce and Reggie Bush, present a need. Moreno's an explosive player and the best available. Pierre Thomas might not be in New Orleans in 2009 either.

15. Houston Texans: DT BJ Raji

The best defensive tackle inside Mario Williams? Houston could build a scary pass rush quickly.

16. San Diego Chargers: LB James Laurinaitis

They have a good secondary, and when they get Shawne Merriman back they'll have a solid pass rush. Laurinaitis could run free on a defense that underwhelmed most of 2008.

17. New York Jets: QB Mark Sanchez

Steal alert: the Jets find the replacement for Favre in USC's Sanchez. The question is...will Favre need to be replaced in 2009 or later?

18. Chicago Bears: WR Hakeem Nicks

The Bears need a playmaker at wide receiver to compliment Matt Forte and Devin Hester. Nicks has some of the best hands to come out of college football in quite some time, and his size translates well into the bruising NFC North.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Tyson Jackson

Monty Kiffin and Jon Gruden are gone, and their new scheme and coaches will try to renew the commitment to defense. Jackson's the best defender on the board.

20. Detroit Lions: CB Vontae Davis

Their defense sucks. Davis is a top tier corner, and the best defender available.

21. Arizona Cardinals: RB Chris "Beanie" Wells

If Edgerrin James leaves, Wells might be a nice player next to Tim Hightower on the Super Bowl-bound Cardinals offense.

22. Minnesota Vikings: QB Matthew Stafford

Many analysts would agree that the Vikings were a quarterback from being a more legitimate Super Bowl contender. Tavaris Jackson is a versatile athlete, but Stafford has a cannon arm. He could step in with Adrian Peterson and Bernard Berrian to have an explosive offense.

23. New England Patriots: LB Brian Cushing

Just another stud player Belichek and plug in to his scheme. More assistant coaches leave, and more will come in. The oldest position on the Patriots roster is linebacker, and Cushing's a good one.

24. Atlanta Falcons: C Max Unger

Someone to protect Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan for the next decade.

25. Miami Dolphins: DE Everett Brown

They lost Jason Taylor last year, and had to rely on linebacker Joey Porter to rush the passer for most of 2008. Brown would be a great addition to a good defense.

26. Baltimore Ravens: WR Percy Harvin

The Ravens need a wide receiver. Harvin has top ten talent.

27. Indianapolis Colts: CB DJ Moore

If Marvin Harrison retires/moves on, they might look for a receiver here, but Moore is the best player on the board and the Colts secondary often left something to be desired in 2008. With Bob Sanders health an annual concern, depth is crucial.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Darrius Heyward-Smith

2008 first rounder DeSean Jackson played well, but the Eagles still need depth. I'm also going to say the Eagles take a receiver here so Heyward-Smith doesn't fall to the Giants at 29, as they look to potentially replace Plaxico Burress.

29. New York Giants: DE Michael Johnson

Health issues cost them almost their entire defensive line entering 2008, and they could use more depth. If a receiver falls they might take one here.

30. Tennessee Titans: TE Brandon Pettigrew

They have a great defense, and a wonderful running game. Pettigrew could open up their offense in the middle.

31. Philadelphia Eagles: S William Moore

Just in case we've seen the last of Brian Dawkins. Moore's a good one, too.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Peria Jerry

The rich continue to get richer. Jerry joins a solid group of studs on an already awesome defensive line.