NFL Mock Draft: Post-Senior Bowl

With the NFL Season over, the focus has shifted to the draft.  The NFL Scouting Combine is just a week away, so here's an early look at the 2009 draft.

1. Detroit Lions, QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia- The Lions taking a QB is about as close to a given as you will find in this year's draft.  For the next three months they will breakdown and compare Stafford and Mark Sanchez.  Stafford has the better measureables while Sanchez has the better intangibles.  The fact Stafford is more experienced and has played behind a porous line in the past gives him the edge.

2. St. Louis Rams, OT Andre Smith, Alabama - The debate has only just begun at the offensive tackle position with 4 guys battling for the No. 1 slot. Eugene Monroe is gaining a lot of momentum in recent weeks but it is hard to move up someone who skipped the Senior Bowl.  Don't be surprised if Smith's footwork, size, and character cause him to slide during the coming months but he is the top tackle for now.

3. Kansas City Chiefs, DE Brian Orakpo, Texas- Taking a QB is extremely tempting but new GM Scott Pioli has had success with late rounders in the past and may be willing to give Tyler Thigpen a chance.  I look for Pioli to try to rebuild the Chiefs from the inside out by taking a pass rusher like Orakpo who fits a 3-4 or 4-3 defense.

4. Seattle Seahawks, WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech - Don't be surprised if the Seahawks take an offensive tackle considering Walter Jones is getting up in age.  That said, finding a top receiver is a must for a team expecting to turn things around quickly.

5. Cleveland Browns, OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest - The Browns take the best player available on the defensive side of the ball in Curry.  Ohio State Buckeyes Malcolm Jenkins and Beanie Wells will also get long looks.

6. Cincinnati Bengals, OT Jason Smith, Baylor- If the Bengals are concerned about Carson Palmer staying healthy then this pick needs to be a left tackle.  I expect Smith to move up boards in coming weeks with his rare athleticism for the position.  This said a RB, MLB or DE would not be a shock considering their past draft history.

7. Oakland Raiders, OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia- The Raiders are a wild card considering their propensity for drafting skills guys but this offense and JaMarcus Russell are going nowhere until they learn to protect the QB.  This said, WR Jeremy Maclin and a DE are possibilities with Al Davis calling the shots.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars, OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss- The Jaguars has a whole week to check out Oher at the Senior Bwol and while they know he is a bit of a work in progress, he is a tremendous talent for an offensive line in need of an upgrade.

9. Green Bay Packers, DT BJ Raji, Boston College- With the team switching to a 3-4, Raji is the Casey Hampton-like building block in the middle.  A 3-4 outside linebacker is also a possibility but those types should be plentiful in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

10. San Francisco 49ers, QB Mark Sanchez, USC - If Sanchez slips past Kansas City he could easily fall into the 49ers laps at No. 10 overall. Despite other needs, the 49ers would be hard pressed to pass on the QB here.

11. Buffalo Bills, TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State- The Bills would love to have Raji fall to them here but with him off the board they debate TE vs. DE.  Pettigrew is the safer pick and his all-around talents are a nice fit for their run-heavy offense.

12. Denver Broncos, ILB Rey Maualuga, USC- The Broncos have major needs on defense and none bigger than adding an intimidating MLB to the front seven.

13. Washington Redskins, DE Everette Brown, Florida State - With the top four offensive tackles off the board the Redskins take the best defensive player available in Everette Brown.  He is undersized but his pass rushing skills should allow him to make an immediate contribution.

14. New Orleans Saints, CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State- The Saints have tried to fix their CB problems via free agency with little success.  They finally decide to fix the leak rather than plugging it but drafting the top cornerback in the draft.

15. Houston Texans, DE Paul Kruger, Utah - The Texans are looking for a DE to play opposite Mario Williams and Kruger is a fast rising prospects who will bring the heat on the QB without being a liability against the run.  Center Alex Mack could also be considered here.

16. San Diego Chargers, RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia- LT is showing wear on the tires and Darren Sproles is not an every down back even if he re-signs.  Moreno is a good runner and receiver for a team that likes its backs to do both.  If Moreno is off the board then look for them to take LeSean McCoy.

17. New York Jets, CB Vontae Davis, Illinois- A RB or WR is tempting considering the talent still on the board but CB is their top need and Davis is the type of physical man corner Rex Ryan likes.

18. Chicago Bears, WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri- The Bears will consider defensive ends and defensive tackles but adding a playmaker like Maclin will stretch defenses and give them another dangerous kick returner as well.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State- The Bucs need to add playmakers on offense and Wells gives them a power back to wear down opposing defenses and take pressure off of the QB position. Darrius Heyward-Bey or Percy Harvin are intriquing options if they want to go the receiver route instead.

20. Detroit Lions, OT Eben Britton, Arizona- The Lions follow the Falcons model from a year ago and take a left tackle to protect Matthew Stafford as the new staff hopefully realizes Jeff Backus is not the answer on the left side.  MLB James Laurinaitis would be an intriguing option in a Chris Spielman sort of way.

21. Philadelphia Eagles, RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh- The Eagles are disappointed to see Britton go off the board in front of them and turn their attention to finding a running mate for Brian Westbrook.  McCoy is a good all-around back who can share the job in the short term and protects the Eagles in the event Westbrook begins to show his age.

22. Minnesota Vikings, CB DJ Moore, Vanderbilt - After considering the offensive linemen, the Vikings take a best player available at a position of need approach to select DJ Moore.  Moore is a top cover corner who can also provide help in the return game.

23. New England Patriots, OLB Brian Cushing, USC- Cushing is an excellent fit for the Patriots defense with his ability to play inside and out.  Similar to Mike Vrabel, he continues the team's re-loading effort on the defensive side of the ball.

24. Atlanta Falcons, DE/DT Tyson Jackson, LSU - While most people think Jackson is more of a 3-4 DE, I think the Falcons will take a hard look at Jackson as a defensive tackle considering he is taller, heavier and more talented than the other defensive tackles on the board.

25. Miami Dolphins, DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State - After building up the trenches last year the Dolphins look to add a young pass rusher to develop on the outside of their 3-4.

26. Baltimore Ravens, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland- The Ravens don't have to look far to fill their need at WR with the former Maryland Terrapin. Heyward-Bey has the combination of size and speed teams crave.  He is also one of the fastest rising prospects on the board.

27. Indianapolis Colts, DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss - Jerry is an undersized defensive tackle in the Tampa-two mold.  His ability to provide an interior pass rush and anchor against the run fills a long-time need for the Colts.

28. Philadelphia Eagles, OT William Beatty, Connecticut- The Eagles are not thrilled to be reaching a bit for Beatty but if there is one thing the Eagles expect to get with one of their two first round picks it is an offensive tackle.  Beatty has the athleticism to play left tackle but remains a work in progress.

29. New York Giants, WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers- The Giants consider taking a MLB like Laurinaitis but realize if they want one of the top receivers they may have to reach for one here.  Britt is a big, tall receiver with a physical style that would help fill the void left by Plaxico Burress.

30. Tennessee Titans, WR Percy Harvin, Florida- The Titans finally grab a wide receiver whom defenses will have to account for in Harvin.  His route running is a little raw but Harvin is an excellent playmaker in the open field and should make an impact as a slot receiver and returner a la DeSean Jackson.

31. Arizona Cardinals, RB Donald Brown, Connecticut - Many have not heard a lot about Brown but he is a versatile all-around back who can run inside and out plus catch passes out of the backfield. His versatility should combine well with Hightower's sledge hammer style.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers, G Duke Robinson, Oklahoma - The Steelers really want an offensive tackle but they do the next best thing which is draft the best guard in the draft in Robinson.

To view rounds two and three visit NFLDraft101.com.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com and can be reached at [e-mail].