Post-Senior/Super Bowl (& Initial) 2009 NFL Mock Draft

I meant to write this the day or two after the Senior Bowl, which was about 10 days ago. Unfortunately, life happened. But, I'm back and ready to get back into the swing of the whole NFL Draft.

So without further ado, the Detroit Lions please make your pick.

1. Detroit Lions:  Andre Smith, LT, Alabama

Out of all the guys I've graded to this point (about twenty guys) he has the highest grade. Considering the Lions need for the best player available, this seems like a common sense pick for me, especially since it's possible a QB could be available for them at number 20.

2. St. Louis Rams:  Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

Ok, so you're thinking, you're just going by your top-rated players. Well, if your trying to accuse me of such a thing, then I take that as a compliment, because that's exactly what I'm doing. The Rams may choose to release Marc Bulger and start Trent Green this upcoming season, or any number of other possibilities, but let's just say Mark Sanchez should be their QB of the future.

3. Kansas City Chiefs:  Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest 

I have not graded Curry yet, but I know he is pretty versatile and allows the scheme versatility they will likely crave when they run a hybrid-style defense. Todd Haley (okay, I'm making an assumption here) will also be more than fine working with Tyler Thigpen and/or Brodie Croyle and will make one of them a top-level QB.

4. Seattle Seahawks:  Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

One of the obvious duh! picks in the First Round (which I think there will be more than a few of). Crabtree fits a need and is clearly the best player available at this point in the draft, which of course is the best of both worlds in draft circles.

5. Cleveland Browns:  Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State

Browns look for someone to replace Jamal Lewis, and someone they think can be the guy. No matter what, he will not be an every-down back as Jerome Harrison will likely take a large portion of the passing downs at RB Wright could get some looks at other times as well. But, taking the local product was too tempting in this instance.

6. Cincinnati Bengals:  Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

Bengals hope they are getting the franchise Tight End they haven't enjoyed in many years (or ever, they've been irrelevant so long I can't remember). What I think they'll end up getting is a good, but not great, in-line blocker and a short check down guy, but by no means a Pro Bowl-type Tight End.

7. Oakland Raiders:  Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Haven't seen any film on him, but have heard he fits well in a zone scheme and could be the pass protector the Raiders need for JaMarcus Russell. Another cog to possibly make the Oakland offense a good one for years to come.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

He's a quick penetrating DT who complements John Henderson's style very well. He also can provide a bit of a pass rush from that spot. Raji may be higher rated on most team's boards, but Jerry fits the Jaguars scheme and personnel better.

9. Green Bay Packers:  B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

He is the prototypical 3-4 Nose Tackle the Packers can build their defense around for the years to come.

10. San Francisco 49ers:  Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Luckily Shaun Hill is capable of carrying this team to an 8-8 or 9-7 season while Stafford spends, what should've been his senior season, on the bench perfecting his footwork and improving in the mental side of the game.

11. Buffalo Bills:  Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

One of the most talented offensive lineman in this draft. If he can play with passion and concentration for 60 minutes, he could be a steal at this point in the draft. And the Bills could let Jason Peters go if he proves to be the answer.

12. Denver Broncos:  Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas

The Broncos need to start getting tools for their new 3-4 defense and Orakpo has the ability to rush the passer and play the run effectively as that Rush End.

13. Washington Redskins:  Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

The Redskins are still searching for someone to rush the passer. Maybe just maybe Jackson can be that guy.

14. New Orleans Saints:  Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

If Jenkins is available here, I think it's automatic. A team can never have enough good DBs. I would also like to see them sign Nnamdi Asomugha if possible. Realistically, Jenkins will probably not be available, and then the Saints could trade this pick for a late First Round and either a second or third-round pick, because they need depth.

15. Houston Texans: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

One of the best athletes in the entire draft; Moore steps in and starts right away and probably for the next 12-15 years.

16. San Diego Chargers:  Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

With LT's situation, and the impending Free Agency of Darren Sproles, perhaps no other position in the NFL is more in limbo than the Chargers Running Back spot. If all three were to be on the roster next season, it could be the perfect fit and all the team needs.

17. New York Jets:  Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois

Rex Ryan is going to run the 3-4 and loves to have versatile players. English is the kind of guy who can rush the passer and play some in coverage.

18. Chicago Bears:  Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC

Nicks is the big, physical receiver the Bears need to complement Devin Hester who is an emerging big-play pass catcher.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Tampa Bay's main mission is to simply get younger on both sides of the ball. They can afford to take the best player available and Johnson would seem to be that guy at this point in the draft.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

If he had better size, Smith would be an even higher pick. Other than size, he is everything you want from a cornerback. He is tough and that is what Jim Schwartz and company are going to like so much about him.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

The Eagles love to draft lineman early in the draft and they need some talented youth on the O-Line anyway. Monroe would be a steal at this point.

22. Minnesota Vikings:  Alex Mack, C, Cal

Matt Birk isn't getting any younger. Mack gives the Vikings flexibility in case of an injury, and is the long-term solution at the center position whenever Birk decides to hang up the pads.

23. New England Patriots: Rey Mauluga, ILB, USC

The Patriots need an inside backer bad and Mauluga definitely fits the bill for that position. He will do well in that spot.

24. Atlanta Falcons: James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State

The Falcons like to play a lot of zone coverages and have their linebackers drop a lot. Laurinaitis excels at doing so and can replace the aging Keith Brooking.

25. Miami Dolphins: Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia

Bill Parcells and Sintim's college coach, Al Groh, have the same defensive philosophy and Sintim could step in right away and excel in the Dolphins' version of the 3-4 defense.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Davis is a very good athlete who excels coming down hill. His problem can be turning his hips and getting beat deep, which is not a problem in Baltimore with some guy named Ed Reed patrolling the entire field.

27. Indianapolis Colts:  Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

Robiskie was a solid college receiver and can step in and start as a wide-out which will allow Anthony Gonzales to continue in his role in the slot. Robiskie has been well-coached his entire life, as his father is a long-time NFL WRs Coach.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina):  Derek Pegues, S, Mississippi State

I could easily see them trading this or the first First Round pick for value, but if not, acquiring a safety to eventually replace Brian Dawkins is not a bad solution.

29. New York Giants:  Brian Cushing, OLB/DE, USC

Cushing gives the Giants another guy who has the ability to rush the passer and some scheme versatility. It is really only some inconsistency that has led Cushing to slip this far.

30. Tennessee Titans: Max Unger, C, Oregon

Of course, if Albert Haynesworth were to leave Tennessee, this impact would certainly be affected. Assuming he remains in Nashville, they can afford to go best player available and that is Unger in my opinion.

31. Arizona Cardinals: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

McCoy is the perfect complement to Tim Hightower and only makes Arizona that much more explosive, at least potentially.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Andy Levitre, OG, Oregon State

Levitre's ability to potentially play the tackle position and his definite strength to be able to play the guard position in a physical manner seems to fit the Steelers very well, especially long-term.

Other potential First-Round Players

Percy Harvin, Flex RB, Florida; Jeremy Maclin, WR/Ret., Mizzou; Will Moore, S, Mizzou; Clay Matthews, OLB/DE, USC; Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin; Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati; Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss; Fili Moala, DT, USC; Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn; Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa; Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State; Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State.

So, that is it for the post-Senior/Super Bowl (& Initial) Mock Draft. This is by no means the last. I still have a lot more film to watch, especially on potential First Day players. The next mock will most likely feature a second round. But also watch for more position rankings and draft analysis in general.

Until then, enjoy the Pro Bowl. God Bless!