The 2009 NFL Mock Draft

I know that this is yet another mock draft for this year's draft. I also know that the more you look at these things, the more they start to run together.

No one really knows what goes on in these teams' front offices and draft rooms, but most of them know the talent level of these players.

I don't usually pay attention to the pre-combine mock drafts. The combine is the biggest difference in the positioning of a player's spot in the draft.

This list doesn't exactly represent what I want to happen, but what I think will probably happen. Regardless, here is my take on the first 32 picks.

Pick 1, Detroit Lions; Michael Oher OT, Mississippi.

I know the debate is out there, and this is one of the most talked about picks in any draft. Having the No. 1 pick can make or break an organization. Having said that, the Lions don't want to gamble on a QB. The risk is too much for the organization to handle. Top ten OT prospects are, for the most part, sure-fire picks, and Oher will become the head of the class in the months to come.

Pick 2, St. Louis Rams; Matt Stafford QB, Georgia.

There are probably sexier picks here for the Rams, especially with new defensive-minded head coach Steve Spagnuolo. I think that the Rams believe that they have the tools to compete in the lowly NFC West. Adding Stafford will do one of two things, either give them the franchise QB to turn the team around, or light a fire under current QB, Marc Bulger. The same strategy worked in San Diego for Drew Brees, and I think this kind of move can re-ignite Bulger's career.

Pick 3, Kansas City Chiefs; Andre Smith OT, Alabama.

Regardless of what most people believe, the Chiefs believe that they have a QB in Tyler Thigpen. They could go defensive here to shore up one of the league's worst run defenses, but I believe that with Smith sitting here staring at 'em, they won't hesitate. They won't pass up the chance of drafting their starting left tackle for the next 15-20 years.

Pick 4, Seattle Seahawks; Michael Crabtree WR, Texas Tech.

I don't have to say much about this pick. Seattle is one big play receiver away from being a serious Super Bowl--yes, I said Super Bowl--contender. Crabtree is the big play receiver in this year's draft, and now he's off the board.

Pick 5, Cleveland Browns; Knowshon Moreno RB, Georgia.

I know that the Browns are going through a change right now, and after the trade for Shaun Rogers, they lost their best corner. However, Moreno is the most balanced back in the draft, and will not only become the Browns' best RB, but one of their top three receivers. Lets face it, Jamal Lewis isn't getting any younger.

Pick 6, Cincinnati Bengals; Brian Orakpo DE, Texas.

I had a hard time with this pick, going between OT and DL. I'm sure that the Bengals will be forced to the same tough decision. However, what got me over the hump, and what will get Marvin Lewis through his decision, is the Bengals' failure on the defensive side of the ball since Lewis has been there. This is one of the great defensive minds of the decade, and now he will get a force off the edge of the line. Orakpo is the best pure pass rusher in this class, and now he's off the board.

Pick 7, Oakland Raiders; Eugene Monroe OT, Virginia.

Knowing Al Davis, and his love for offensive coaches, he will do everything he can to try and move up to get Crabtree. Since I can't predict trades, I am purely going off of what's available. The Raiders currently have a tackle trio of Mario Henderson, Cornell Green, and Kwame Harris. Monroe would come into camp and instantly be the best of the bunch.

Pick 8, Jacksonville Jaguars; Aaron Curry LB, Wake Forest.

The Jaguars may go with a QB here, but I doubt it. They could also go CB with Jenkins still here, but again, I doubt it. With ILB Mike Peterson on his way out, and Curry, who many have as a top-five pick, still available, now is the time for the replacement. Curry will come in and the defense won't miss a step. They might even take one step forward.

Pick 9, Green Bay Packers; Jason Smith OT, Baylor.

Many fellow mock drafters have the Packers going defensively here. However, the Packers realize that their starting tackles are aging more rapidly than expected. Getting Smith here will give the Packers their starting tackle for the next 15 years or so. Smith may not start right away, but adding him should improve the play of the entire line as a unit.

Pick 10, San Francisco 49ers; Ray Maualuga LB, USC.

Maualuga is exactly what new head coach Mike Singletary wants in a player. Maualuga is a hard-nosed intense player that led the best defense that college football has seen in the last fifty years or so. They might go with a QB here, but I think Singletary believes you don't need a big name QB to win in this league. Maualuga adds to the toughness that Singletary brings to the game, and makes this 49ers defense on the brink of greatness.

Pick 11, Buffalo Bills; Jeremy Maclin WR, Missouri.

The Bills started last season hot, winning five of their first six games. They faltered down the stretch though, finishing last in the AFC East. The Bills believe that their defense is as good as any, and will look in another direction with this pick. They are in need of another threat to take coverage away from WR Lee Evans, and Maclin is the best available here. He will also improve the Bills' special teams unit as a returner, helping them with field position.

Pick 12, Denver Broncos; B.J. Raji DT, Boston College.

As of right now this may be a reach, but Raji's draft stock is on the rise. Come April, this might be low for the 320 lb. force on the line. The Broncos need help all over the front seven, and I think that Raji is the best available at any position here. The Broncos could go after RB here, but if I've learned anything in the past, it's that the Broncos don't need a highly-rated RB to be successful on the ground.

Pick 13, Washington Redskins; Eben Britton OT, Arizona.

The Redskins know that their biggest need is at the OT position. They have two talented OTs on their roster in Samuels and Jansen, but they can't seem to stay on the field. They have sat here and watched four OTs taken already and can't wait or they could wind up with a scrub. Britton is the last stud tackle remaining, and I don't think Snyder will hesitate grabbing him up.

Pick 14, New Orleans Saints; Malcolm Jenkins CB, Ohio State.

I know, I know, you're probably thinking I'm crazy for having Jenkins drop this far. I just don't think that Jenkins will do enough to solidify him as a top ten pick. He had a great career at Ohio State, and should be a great corner in the NFL. The Saints will be delighted to bring in a guy like Jenkins.

Pick 15, Houston Texans; Vontae Davis CB, Illinois.

To say the Texans need help in the secondary is an understatement. They stand to lose CB Dunta Robinson and the don't have any bodies on the team to replace him. Vontae Davis can come in and start right away. Davis has great top-end speed and will be able to keep up with most teams' no. 1 guy.

Pick 16, San Diego Chargers; Everette Brown DE/OLB, Florida State.

The Chargers have holes at both OLB and DE. Drafting Brown could fill one of the two. He played DE in college, but probably won't make it at that position in the NFL. His athleticism and size, though, could make him a force off the edge to compliment Merriman when he returns. If Brown can convert and play successfully, opposing QBs will have a heck of a time playing against the 2009 Chargers.

Pick 17, New York Jets; Mark Sanchez QB, USC.

Many scouts have Sanchez above Stafford as a pro. Well the Jets are hoping that those scouts are right. I don't think Pete Carroll's comments hurt his stock, I think that teams around the league are concerned about his lack of playing time at USC. With Brett Favre likely retiring, and the jury still out on young QB Kellen Clemens, the Jets would be ridiculous to not take Sanchez here.

Pick 18, Chicago Bears; Ramses Barden WR, Cal Poly.

The Bears will be looking to take the best WR off the board here regardless on how this draft unfolds. Barden is a huge 6'6" 225lb receiver from a small-time school, but he has huge upside. I think that a great Senior Bowl performance and a great combine performance will catapult this kid right into the first round. There may be faster and better known receivers, but Barden will be a better pro.

Pick 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Michael Johnson DE, Georgia Tech.

Many scouts have Johnson as a top-10 or top-15 player, but Johnson hurt his stock by not competing in the Senior Bowl, and by having a lackluster senior campaign. Tampa Bay will welcome probably the most balanced DE in this class. At 6'7" 260 lbs., he is the prototypical DE in a 4-3 scheme, and the Bucs are looking for a player to compliment young DE Gaines Adams.

Pick 20, Detroit Lions; James Laurinaitis ILB, Ohio State.

The Lions are coming off a year where they had arguably the worst defense over the last couple of decades. They need help all over the defensive side of the ball; at CB, DT, DE, ILB, OLB, and FS. So at this spot, I think the Lions will take the best available defender on the board, and that is Laurinaitis.

Pick 21, Philadelphia Eagles; William Moore S, Missouri.

A lot of scouts have the Eagles taking a TE here with LJ Smith leaving via free agency. However, the play of TE Brent Celek in the postseason will put those talks to rest. Eagles' S Brian Dawkins isn't getting any younger, and might be one or two years past his prime. Moore is a big-time safety prospect who could have been a top-15 pick if he didn't have poor numbers as a senior.

Pick 22, Minnesota Vikings; DJ Moore CB, Vanderbilt.

Week after week, teams try to run on the Vikings, and week after week, teams wind up throwing the ball 40-50 times a game. If the Vikings want to catapult themselves into the elite class of the NFC, adding a corner can't hurt the cause. Moore is the best corner available and should help the Vikings from day one.

Pick 23, New England Patriots; Brian Cushing OLB, USC.

As the entire league knows, the Patriots are old on defense. They took a huge step in the right direction last year, drafting defensive ROY Jerod Mayo. They can take another step forward adding Cushing. Cushing was the starting LB for that great USC defense and should be an impact player moving forward for the Patriots.

Pick 24, Atlanta Falcons; Peria Jerry DT, Mississippi.

The Falcons hit the draft jackpot a year ago, landing QB-phenom Matt Ryan. This year, they don't need to take any of the risks other teams need to take. It's simple; get better up front defensively. Jerry is a force on the line with his quickness off the ball. Falcons DT Grady Jackson is good for one or two downs when the other teams are running, but doesn't get the pass rush needed on passing downs.

Pick 25, Miami Dolphins; Aaron Maybin DE/OLB, Penn State.

The Dolphins had one of the best turnaround seasons in the history of the NFL. This is in part of Bill Parcells knowing his type of players. Aaron Maybin is a Parcells' type of player. He is a big linebacker at 6'4" 248 lbs. and has a knack for getting to the QB.

Pick 26, Baltimore Ravens; Tyson Jackson DE, LSU

I know that they already have one of the stingiest defenses in the league. I know they could use a receiving threat for Flacco to go deep with, but Jackson is a 6'5" 290 lb. DE that would fit perfectly into a 3-4 scheme. Current Ravens' DE Trevor Pryce is aging rapidly and Jackson gives them a great playmaker on the line next to Ngata.

Pick 27, Indianapolis Colts; Alphonso Smith CB, Wake Forest.

The Colts have more important needs here like DT and LB. However, the value at those positions doesn't seem to be here. They also have needs for corners, and, unlike the other positions, there is a lot of value here. Smith is the playmaking corner they need to play in the Colts' cover two. He has great top-end speed, but is a little undersized at 5'9". His great ball skills make up for the lack of height.

Pick 28, Philadelphia Eagles; Brandon Pettigrew TE, Oklahoma State.

Philadelphia will use their second first round pick to replace the departing LJ Smith. Pettigrew is a pure receiving TE and has the ability to create mismatches all over the place. He has the ability to flank out and lineup at receiver in the Eagles' numerous spread formations. He will give McNabb a go-to guy when on the run.

Pick 29, NY Giants; Darrius Heyward-Bey WR, Maryland.

The Giants are going to be looking for a receiver to take Burress' spot in case he is unable to return to the team. Heyward-Bey is one of the bigger receivers left available here in the first round, and should be able to do a lot of the things that Burress was able to do in the Giants' offense.

Pick 30, Tennessee Titans; Percy Harvin WR, Florida.

No one can argue that the Titans have what it takes on defense to be a contender for the next couple of years. People cannot say the same thing on the offensive side of the ball. The Titans have a great running game, but lack the receiving threat to keep defenses honest. Harvin is probably the fastest of the receivers in this class and has a knack for finding the end zone, scoring in 12 straight games that he's played. 

Pick 31, Arizona Cardinals; Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State.

The Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl. WHAT?! It's too bad the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to expose the lack of a good ground game. The Cardinals head into the off-season looking for a playmaker who can carry the load 20-30 times again, depending on how often they throw the ball around. Wells is the best running back at this point and now he's an Arizona Cardinal.

Pick 32, Pittsburgh Steelers; Max Unger C, Oregon.

Super Bowl champs! Can't have much to add to an already impressive group of players. If they need help anywhere, it is on the offensive line; in particular, center. Big Ben is constantly shaking off defenders on almost every play, and if the Steelers can keep him clean, they can have an offense to match that defense.

Well there it is, the first round if the draft if were to happen today. The draft, however, is three months away. There is the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and pro days left to determine draft position.

I will try to update this list as I learn more of the prospects after each of these events. I hope you enjoy, and look forward to your feedback.