NFL Mock Draft 2009 Rounds One-Three: Could Three O-Linemen Be Taken in Top 10?

Round One

1.  Detroit Lions:  Matthew Stafford; Quarterback, Georgia

Detroit probably won’t be able to get the quarterback they want via free agency, and unless they can get Matt Cassel in a trade this seems like the logical pick.  Stafford has the most NFL ready arm in the draft, but some scouts are skeptical about his leadership and intangibles.  I say, look at the film.  He consistently proved at Georgia that he is an elite quarterback.

2.  St. Louis Rams:  Andre Smith; Offensive Tackle, Alabama

It’s pretty much set in stone that if Detroit takes anybody but Smith with the No. 1 pick, he is going to be a Ram next season.  There isn’t a more dominant left tackle in the draft than Andre Smith.  He is massive, and has been a top prospect since he was in high school.  He would solidify their line for years to come, just like Orlando Pace did from 1996 on.

3.  Kansas City Chiefs:  Michael Crabtree; Wide Receiver, Texas Tech

I will not back down from my stance on Tyler Thigpen being a franchise quarterback for this team.  He was phenomenal in his first year as a starter, and I refuse to believe it was his fault that KC lost so many games.  Crabtree would be a terrific compliment to Dwayne Bowe, and may help ease the pain when Tony Gonzalez is traded this offseason.

4.  Seattle Seahawks:  Aaron Curry; Outside Linebacker, Wake Forest

The Seahawks were a major disappointment last season, and definitely need to restructure their defense.   Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu are great linebackers, but LeRoy Hill hasn’t been as good as he was in his rookie season, and the Seahawks need to find another playmaker to replace him.  Curry is the best linebacker in the draft, and has a nose for finding the ball carrier.  He was dominant at the collegiate level.

5.  Cleveland Browns:  Malcolm Jenkins; Cornerback, Ohio State

Cleveland hasn’t had a good defense in a very long time, and arguably the worst part about it has been the play of their defensive backs.  Outside of Sean Jones, this team has really nothing to brag about in the defensive backfield.  Malcolm Jenkins is the best corner in the draft, and has proven that being a four-year starter for Ohio State.

6.  Cincinnati Bengals:  Eugene Monroe; Offensive Tackle, Virginia

Monroe would be a steal here for the Bengals, who are in desperate need of a stud at left tackle.  Monroe is considered to be one of the fastest rising players in the draft, and is the best senior lineman in the country.  If Carson Palmer is to stay healthy, the Bengals will need to protect him. 

7.  Oakland Raiders:  Jason Smith; Offensive Tackle, Baylor

The Raiders simply did not know what they were doing offensively this season, and that is unacceptable given they have a very solid defense.  If JaMarcus Russell wants to avoid “bust” status, he will have to be well protected.  Smith is a converted tight end who is extremely athletic for his size, and Oakland needs to draft a player with high character for once.

8.  Jacksonville Jaguars:  Rey Maualuga; Middle Linebacker, USC

The Jaguars could be losing Mike Peterson this offseason, and a replacement will be needed.  This pick makes a lot of sense too because Maualuga was coached by Jack Del Rio in the Senior Bowl, so he has really gotten a chance to know him.  Maualuga is a tough player who has been one of the more consistent LB’s in the country the last few years.  This would be a very good pick.

9.  Green Bay Packers:  Brian Orakpo; Defensive End, Texas

Green Bay does not really have a pass rush, and that could be fixed by simply writing down Orakpo’s name on a sheet of paper come draft day.  He is the top pass rushing defensive end in the draft, and has excellent instincts. 

10.  San Francisco 49ers:  Mark Sanchez; Quarterback, USC

San Francisco’s quarterbacks may have been a bit more successful if they had been able to stay upright, which is why I’m sure the Niners would probably love to get one of the top-rated offensive linemen here.  However, I think that drafting Sanchez would be the next best thing.  He is very accurate and comes out of a pro-style offense.

11.  Buffalo Bills:  Brandon Pettigrew; Tight End, Oklahoma State

Buffalo’s offensive game was very one dimensional in 2008.  Trent Edwards wasn’t consistently able to move the ball down the field, and that was partially due to a lack of playmakers.  Pettigrew definitely raised his stock with a great week at the Senior Bowl, and proved that he cannot only catch the ball with the best of them, but he is a very capable blocking tight end as well.

12.  Denver Broncos:  B.J. Raji; Defensive Tackle, Boston College

Denver’s defense was among the very worst in the NFL last season, and most of that credit can be given to the men up front.  Raji, like Pettigrew, was a dominant player at the Senior Bowl, and cemented himself as the top DT in the entire draft.  While the Broncos transition to the 3-4, they need to add a top nose tackle.  Raji would be just that for them.

13.  Washington Redskins:  Everette Brown; Defensive End, Florida State

You want pass rush?  Just look to the kid out of Florida State, Everette Brown.  He is a physical marvel who would benefit greatly from the tutelage of Jason Taylor at defensive end.  He is very quick, and has the ability to be a rush outside linebacker or a down lineman in any defensive scheme.  He is very versatile.

14.  New Orleans Saints:  Brian Cushing; Outside Linebacker, USC

The Saints’ defense has been somewhat of an Achilles heel for them the past couple of seasons, and Cushing could help ease that pain.  There is no guarantee that Jonathan Vilma will be back with the team next season, but if he is, Vilma, Cushing, and Fujita would be a very good trio of linebackers for the Saints.

15.  Houston Texans:  Vontae Davis; Cornerback, Illinois

Will the Texans be able to avoid a slow start in 2009?  This team has proven two years in a row that it is definitely capable of playing with the big boys, but they have waited until midseason to really get it rolling.  Vontae Davis is one of the biggest and fastest corners available, and he would be a great addition to this already sound Texans defense.

16.  San Diego Chargers:  James Laurinaitis; Middle Linebacker, Ohio State

If there were a spot on San Diego’s defense that isn’t already loaded with talent, it’s at the middle linebacker position.  Stephen Cooper was adequate, but with the 3-4 defense, the Chargers really need a solid leader at the MLB spot.  Laurinaitis would be a very good addition to this team.

17.  New York Jets:  Jeremy Maclin; Wide Receiver, Missouri

Maclin has blinding speed and his free fall will end with the Jets.  He could go as high as seven overall to the Raiders, but there isn’t a pressing need for a wide receiver anywhere before this.  New York would be able to use him effectively as a return man as well as a game changing wide receiver.

18.  Chicago Bears:  Darrius Heyward-Bey; Wide Receiver, Maryland

For as long as I have been watching the NFL, the Chicago Bears have lacked two things.  One, inconsistent play at the quarterback position, and two, nobody they have been able to call their “star” receiver.  Heyward-Bey has great size, and blazing speed at the wide receiver position, and could make Kyle Orton look really, really good.

19.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Peria Jerry; Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss

Jerry is quick on the rise in this year’s crop of defensive linemen, and he would be an excellent addition to Raheem Morris’ defense.  He is a great pass rusher, and is quicker than most defensive tackles in the draft.  He has a great motor, and can wreak havoc in the backfield.

20.  Detroit Lions (from Dallas):  Michael Oher; Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss

Some think that Oher made a mistake in returning for his senior season, and if he falls all the way to pick No. 20 I can say with some confidence that that would be a good assessment.  Oher is big and strong, and is most effective as a pass protector, which is what the Lions will need for their new franchise quarterback.

21.  Philadelphia Eagles:  Brandon LaFell; Wide Receiver, LSU

Right now, this pick may seem to be a reach, but come late February, it won’t be.  LaFell has ideal size at 6’3” 210 pounds, and he will also probably run in the low 4.4’s at the combine, and he may even crack the high 4.3’s.  He really excelled in a run first offense as a receiver, and put up good numbers for the Tigers.

22.  Minnesota Vikings:  Percy Harvin; Wide Receiver, Florida

Wow.  Talk about playmakers.  If the Vikings can nab Harvin, they would have two of the most explosive offensive players to come out of college in recent years.  Harvin is a playmaker, and can be effective at any position in an offense.  He also showed he has great toughness, playing in the National Championship game after suffering a fairly serious injury.

23.  New England Patriots:  Alphonso Smith; Cornerback, Wake Forest

If New England takes Smith, they may very well have consecutive defensive rookies of the year.  In four years, Smith had 21 interceptions, including 15 the past two seasons.  He is so fast, so quick, and so agile, and he may have the best ball skills of any cornerback in the draft.  Don’t be surprised if he goes much, much higher than this.

24.  Atlanta Falcons:  William Moore; Safety, Missouri

I haven’t been very impressed with Moore, but there no doubt he has the physical ability to be a top safety in this league.  Atlanta had a very impressive run in 2008, but they could very well be losing starting safety Lawyer Milloy this offseason, and will need to find his eventual replacement.

25.  Miami Dolphins:  D.J. Moore; Cornerback, Vanderbilt

There was no bigger surprise in the 2008 season than the Miami Dolphins, who had 11 times as many wins last season as they did the year prior.  Their defense really played inspired at times, but eventually pure playmakers will be needed.  Enter D.J. Moore, who has been one of the most versatile players in the country as of late.  He would be an immediate starter for the Phins.

26.  Baltimore Ravens:  Aaron Maybin; Outside Linebacker, Penn State

Baltimore has three linebackers that are set to become free agents this offseason, and will undoubtedly need to find replacements for at least one of them.  Aaron Maybin is a perfect fit for the 3-4 defense, and would help keep some of that toughness that the Ravens could lose this offseason.

27.  Indianapolis Colts:  Clint Sintim; Outside Linebacker, Virginia

Sintim just seems like a Colt to me.  He has ideal size for an outside linebacker, and he is a great pass rusher and blitzer.  He is very aggressive, and is rarely if ever out of place.  I think he has the potential to be a real impact player at the next level, and he would be a great fit for the Colts.

28.  Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina):  Chris Wells; Running Back, Ohio State

I know you are probably thinking it’s crazy that the first running back off the board is all the way down at pick No. 28, but it is definitely not out of the question.  I think maybe a team will try and trade up for a back like Knowshon Moreno, but Wells seems like a good thunder to Brian Westbrook’s lightning.

29.  New York Giants:  Knowshon Moreno; Running Back, Georgia

If Moreno falls all the way to the Giants, they will jump at the chance to get him.  They could be losing their top two running backs to free agency, and a playmaker like Moreno would be a great replacement.  He reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush.

30.  Tennessee Titans:  Hakeem Nicks; Wide Receiver, North Carolina

It appears as though Kerry Collins will be returning, and in order for the Titans to avoid being a one-dimensional offense, they are going to need to add some legitimate weapons at wide receiver.  Nicks is probably best known for his catch against West Virginia, but he is also a very solid prospect.  He is 6’1” 210 pounds, and has big play ability.

31.  Arizona Cardinals:  LeSean McCoy; Running Back, Pittsburgh

It doesn’t appear that Edgerrin James wants to be back in Arizona next season, but he may change his mind if Arizona can complete their magnificent Super Bowl run.  If he doesn’t, I think the Cardinals could look to add some explosive talent at running back through the draft.  McCoy is very young, but he has a ton of talent and is a very versatile runner.

32.  Pittsburgh Steelers:  Alex Mack; Center, California

Ben Roethlisberger was sacked far too many times this season, and the Steelers need to find a way to keep him upright.  Alex Mack is the best center prospect in the country, and would fill a major hole for the Steelers up front.

Round Two

33.  Detroit Lions:  Tyson Jackson; Defensive End, LSU

34.  St. Louis Rams:  Sean Smith; Cornerback, Utah

35.  Kansas City Chiefs:  Max Unger; Center, Oregon

36.  Seattle Seahawks:  Duke Robinson; Guard, Oklahoma

37.  Cleveland Browns:  Clay Matthews; Outside Linebacker, USC

38.  Cincinnati Bengals:  Michael Johnson; Defensive End, Georgia Tech

39.  Oakland Raiders:  Kenny Britt; Wide Receiver, Rutgers

40.  Jacksonville Jaguars:  Eben Britton; Offensive Tackle, Arizona

41.  Green Bay Packers:  Rashad Johnson; Safety, Alabama

42.  San Francisco 49ers:  Larry English; Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Northern Illinois

43.  Buffalo Bills:  Herman Johnson; Guard, LSU

44.  Denver Broncos:  Shonn Greene; Running Back, Iowa

45.  Miami Dolphins (from Washington):  Ramses Barden; Wide Receiver, Cal Poly

46.  New York Giants (from New Orleans):  Louis Delmas; Safety, Western Michigan

47.  Houston Texans:  Patrick Chung; Safety, Oregon

48.  New England Patriots (from San Diego):  Paul Kruger; Defensive End/Linebacker, Utah

49.  New York Jets:  Josh Freeman; Quarterback, Kansas State

50.  Chicago Bears:  Victor “Macho” Harris; Cornerback, Virginia Tech

51.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Rhett Bomar; Quarterback, Sam Houston State

52.  Dallas Cowboys:  Troy Kropog; Offensive Tackle, Tulane

53.  Philadelphia Eagles:  Phil Loadholt; Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

54.  Minnesota Vikings:  Nate Davis; Quarterback, Ball State

55.  New England Patriots:  Donald Brown; Running Back, Connecticut

56.  Atlanta Falcons:  Sen’Derrick Marks; Defensive Tackle, Auburn

57.  Miami Dolphins:  Ron Brace; Defensive Tackle, Boston College

58.  Baltimore Ravens:  Asher Allen; Cornerback, Georgia

59.  Indianapolis Colts:  Evander “Ziggy” Hood; Defensive Tackle, Missouri

60.  Carolina Panthers:  Brandon Tate; Wide Receiver, North Carolina

61.  New York Giants:  Brooks Foster; Wide Receiver, North Carolina

62.  Tennessee Titans:  Chase Coffman; Tight End, Missouri

63.  Arizona Cardinals:  Darius Butler; Cornerback, Connecticut

64.  Pittsburgh Steelers:  Andrew Levitre; Guard, Oregon State         

Round Three

65.  Detroit Lions:  Kevin Ellison; Safety, USC

66.  St. Louis Rams:  Darry Beckwith; Linebacker, LSU

67.  Kansas City Chiefs:  Robert Ayers; Defensive End, Tennessee

68.  Seattle Seahawks:  Derrick Williams; Wide Receiver, Penn State

69.  Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland):  Juaquin Iglesias; Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

70.  Cincinnati Bengals:  Jared Cook; Tight End, South Carolina

71.  Oakland Raiders:  Fili Moala; Defensive Tackle, USC

72.  Jacksonville Jaguars:  Brian Robiskie; Wide Receiver, Ohio State

73.  Green Bay Packers:  Jamon Meredith; Offensive Tackle, South Carolina

74.  San Francisco 49ers:  Connor Barwin; Outside Linebacker, Cincinnati

75.  Buffalo Bills:  Michael Bennett; Defensive End, Texas A&M

76.  Denver Broncos:  David Veikune; Outside Linebacker, Hawaii

77.  Washington Redskins:  Carey Harris; Cornerback, USC

78.  New York Jets (from New Orleans):  Alex Magee; Defensive Tackle, Purdue

79.  Houston Texans:  Mohamed Massaquoi; Wide Receiver, Georgia

80.  San Diego Chargers:  Emanuel Cook; Safety, South Carolina

81.  Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets):  Cody Brown; Outside Linebacker, Connecticut

82.  Chicago Bears:  Sebastian Vollmer; Offensive Tackle, Houston

83.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Nic Harris; Outside Linebacker/Safety, Oklahoma

84.  Detroit Lions (from Dallas):  Cornelius Ingram; Tight End, Florida

85.  Philadelphia Eagles:  Chip Vaughn; Safety, Wake Forest

86.  Minnesota Vikings:  Captain Munnerlyn; Cornerback, South Carolina

87.  New England Patriots:  Austin Collie; Wide Receiver, BYU

88.  Atlanta Falcons:  Shawn Nelson; Tight End, Southern Mississippi

89.  Miami Dolphins:  Brandon Williams; Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Texas Tech

90.  Baltimore Ravens:  Louis Murphy; Wide Receiver, Florida

91.  Indianapolis Colts:  Mike Mickens; Cornerback, Cincinnati

92.  Carolina Panthers:  Travis Beckum; Tight End, Wisconsin

93.  New York Giants:  James Casey; Tight End, Rice

94.  Tennessee Titans:  Jonathan Luigs; Center, Alabama

95.  Arizona Cardinals:  Steven Beatty; Offensive Lineman, Connecticut

96.  Pittsburgh Steelers:  Terrance Taylor; Defensive Tackle, Michigan