Tab's 2009 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

It has been just four days since my last mock draft, which received 5,600 reads and 33 comments. But a lot has changed, both with existing veterans and prospects at the combine. These changes warrant an updated look at Round One.

Michael Crabtree's going to miss up to 10 weeks, but is going to hold off on surgery until after he runs the 40 for scouts. Speaking of holding off, tackle Andre Smith should have held off on the entire combine; after showing up out of shape, he walked out of the event without any warning. Oops!

In the pros, the biggest impact on the draft was likely dealt by the Carolina Panthers when they successfully convinced tackle Jordan Gross to sign an extension and then placed the franchise tag on defensive end Julius Peppers. One other significant move was the Miami Dolphins giving tackle Vernon Carey a six-year extension.

So the top two veteran offensive tackles that were available, and that were being watched by the teams that need a tackle, are off the market. And the top receiver in the draft is injured. How does that affect the draft? Let's take a look.

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB

They renegotiated Daunte Culpepper's contract today, meaning they'll have at least a decent veteran presence on the roster. Culpepper was once the big arm quarterback in a draft, so he might be the perfect mentor for Stafford. Anyone want Jon Kitna?

2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, OT

I think they'll look back at their past to build their future. The Rams franchise turned around as much because of the constant presence of Orlando Pace as anything else in the last 12 years. Monroe or Jason Smith will likely replace Andre Smith as the top tackle, and Monroe fills this 300-pound need.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Jason Smith, OT

They have a young quarterback in Tyler Thigpen, a solid running game (when Larry Johnson's healthy and trying), and a nice playmaker outside with Dwayne Bowe. They take an offensive tackle to give Thigpen front-side protection as an eventual replacement for Damion McIntosh at RT. The Chiefs are also a prime candidate to trade down out of this slot in an effort to take Brandon Pettigrew, the best tight end in this class, to replace an unhappy Tony Gonzalez.

4. Seattle Seahawks: BJ Raji, DT

They'd like to help their offense, but Andre Smith will need to be in shape and impressive at Alabama's pro day to get back into the top of the draft. While Crabtree is a candidate, his injury raises questions that I don't think Seattle wants to deal with; if Deion Branch could stay healthy they wouldn't need a receiver as much. Raji fills a big need, and is the best healthy player available.

5. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry, LB

The Browns have lots of talent on offense that just needs to click like it did in 2007. Curry's the best linebacker in the draft, and with Andra Davis leaving as a free agent, the Browns happen to need a linebacker.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Crabtree, WR

Since apparently Drew Rosenhaus is shopping, Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh will test free agency; if Crabtree falls to the Bengals it's a best case scenario for them. And maybe the worst for Crabtree. He might want to put off his surgery for a full year or two.

7. Oakland Raiders: Everette Brown, DE

The Raiders have taken skill position players in each of the past two first rounds (JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden). It might be time that they address their defense, and Brown's a solid defensive end.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Knowshon Moreno, RB

A young replacement for Fred Taylor, Moreno's the best running back in the class. It might be a significant stretch to say he'll go in the top ten, but he fills a need in Jacksonville with Taylor gone and is a marquee talent.

9. Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB

Their secondary has a lot of good talent, but lacks depth. Jenkins, next to Charles Woodson, would be a solid coverage secondary. How do you think an old Wolverine would take to teaming with a Buckeye in Wisconsin?

10. San Francisco 49ers: Brian Orakpo, DE

They need to stop...something. Mike Singletary will have a good defense, and Orakpo's a physical freak who can play the run and the pass effectively. If Singletary can build a solid defensive front to keep lineman off stud linebacker Patrick Willis, they'll have something to grow on.

11. Buffalo Bills:  Aaron Maybin, DE

Maybin, like Orakpo and Brown, is a solid end that gets to the quarterback and can play the run as well. Buffalo was miserable in most parts of their defense last year, so the best defender available would certainly help.

12. Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE

Denver, like Buffalo, needs talent on defense. Jackson would help them get after the quarterback.

13. Washington Redskins: Andre Smith, OT

Chris Samuels isn't a youngster any more, and Jason Campbell and Clinton Portis could use some help up front. This answers the rhetorical question: How much did it cost Smith to show up to the combine and leave the way he did?

14. New Orleans Saints: Ray Maualuga, LB

With Vilma leaving to free agency, they'll snatch up a playmaker to build around.

15. Houston Texans: Jeremy Maclin, WR

They need a running back as well (they cut Ahman Green last week), but a solid speed threat opposite the best receiver you've never heard of, Andre Johnson, might open the field up for a lesser running back.

16. San Diego Chargers: Percy Harvin, WR

The future of LT might swing this pick, as might the health of Shawne Merriman and Antonio Gates. Harvin's the best player on the board here for a team that needs to score points.

17. New York Jets: Mark Sanchez, QB

Favre's gone, and they need to add at least depth. Kellen Clemens is a nice player, but either Sanchez of Freeman could be the future of the Jets.

18. Chicago Bears: Michael Oher, OT

The Bears need a receiver, badly. They also need a safety. Oher is a great story and a good tackle that could save the Bears from overpaying for John St. Clair and play opposite last year's number one, Chris Williams, opening holes for Matt Forte for a long time. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman, QB

Out with the old (Jeff Garcia), in with a kid from Kansas State? Sounds like Gruden never left...

20. Detroit Lions: Eben Britton, OT

If they pass on one of the top tier tackles at number one, they'll pray that someone falls to them here at 20. Britton would fill a huge need and keep Stafford (and Daunte Culpepper) on their feet for a few years..

21. Philadelphia Eagles: William Moore, S

Brian Dawkins isn't going to be around forever. Moore might be available later, but he's the best safety in the draft, and the Eagles are in a position where they can draft to fill specific needs, especially with a second first round pick later.

22. Minnesota Vikings: DJ Moore, CB

They'll probably address their quarterback issues with Jeff Garcia. Their run defense is as good as there is in football, but their pass defense could improve. If Moore is available here, the Vikings will take him.

23. New England Patriots: Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB

Laurence Maroney's had problems staying healthy, and they need a running game to take pressure off Tom Brady and/or Matt Cassel.

24. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Pettigrew, TE

It's a new era in Atlanta, and their offense was solid last year. But it hasn't been that long since Alge Crumpler was opening up space by being a favorite target for the Falcons, and Pettigrew might be the best fit for this team.

25. Miami Dolphins: Brian Cushing, LB

They need a leader on defense. Bill Parcells has always valued talent at linebacker, and Cushing could fill a big need in Miami.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Larry English, DE/OLB

Ray Lewis is a free agent, Terrell Suggs has been franchised (again) and Chris McAllister has been cut loose. English is a sleeper, but could be a nice fit in the 3-4 in Baltimore.

27. Indianapolis: Peria Jerry, DT

The Colts franchised CB Calvin Heyden, and the future of Marvin Harrison might impact this selection. But the Colts' problem for the past few years has been stopping the run, and someone other than Dwight Freeney getting to the quarterback. Jerry would be a nice body in the middle of Indy's defensive line.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: Hakeem Nicks, WR

They plan on keeping Donovan McNabb around for a while, so they better get him some weapons. Nicks is a big body that could be a great complement to last year's find in the second round, DeSean Jackson.

29. New York Giants: Vontae Davis, CB

Davis would provide depth on a defense that suffered from a number of injuries last year. They're losing Sam Madison and RW McQuarters to free agency.

30. Tennessee Titans: Michael Johnson, DE

With their ability to keep Albert Haynesworth in question, and Javon Kearse hurt on an annual basis, another lineman on the defensive side of the ball makes sense.

31. Arizona Cardinals: LeSean McCoy, RB

A replacement candidate for Edgerrin James. If Anquan Boldin leaves, a receiver might happen here.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Mack, C

They gave Max Stark a one-year deal to stay, but they'll add depth in the middle of an offensive line that's called upon to clear holes for one of the best running games in the NFL and keep Big Ben on his feet.