Tab's 2009 NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Post-Combine, Pre-Free Agency

My last two mock drafts have seen more than 13,000 reads and 100 comments, which has been overwhelming. But the game of football is in motion, and thus the first round is as well.

Earlier this week there was news coming from the combine that saw some prospects' stock rising and others falling. As the week has progressed, household names like Derrick Brooks have been released as teams try to save money and open up positions for younger players. 

These changes warrant an updated look at Round One.

In the wake of some big names being allowed to leave to free agency, and with the dust slowly settling from the combine, let's take a look at how I project the first round of the NFL draft just a couple hours before free agency begins..

1. Detroit Lions: Aaron Curry, LB

The rumors are that Daunte Culpepper is going to start in 2009, that Jon Kitna will be unemployed, and that the Lions are a long way from winning a weak division. Curry was at the top of the draft before he blew everyone away at the combine; all the Lions need to do is look to Chicago to see how much a superstar linebacker can impact a defense.

I think they wait for their quarterback and take the best player in the draft with the top pick.

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

This pick intrigues me as much as any in the draft. They have a decent young quarterback in Tyler Thigpen, an unhappy running back in Larry Johnson, and what looks like a good young receiver in Dwayne Bowe.

Last year, they traded away Jared Allen and their defense fell apart around that hole. I think they take a good young tackle to build an offensive line around... if they stay at three. If.

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: Andre Smith, OT

The million dollar question in Cleveland will be if Derek Anderson is still on the roster when the Browns select, and if their first pick is indeed here at five. I think they'd sell their souls for Curry to fall, but I don't think he will any more.

They're losing four linebackers to free agency, but could be a player to fill those holes with veterans. I think, especially if they're going to commit to Brady Quinn at quarterback, that they pick someone to protect him for the next decade in Smith.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Crabtree, WR

Their most consistent receiver is a free agent and their most consistent mouth is being shopped by his agent. If Crabtree's foot scares off the teams in the first five picks, the Bengals have a need and an enormous talent falling into their lap to fill it.

7. Oakland Raiders: Malcolm Jenkins, S

You'll notice that Jenkins is listed in my mock as a safety, not corner. Based on his size and his subpar combine, he's now being projected as a safety. This happens to work out fairly well for the Raiders, who just watched Gibril Wilson sign with Miami. The Raiders have a history of loving secondary players, and Jenkins fills a need.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Cushing, LB

Whom do you replace: Mike Peterson, Fred Taylor or Drayton Florence? I'm going with the linebacker, as Jack Del Rio wants to bring a toughness onto his roster, and Cushing does that.

9. Green Bay Packers: Michael Oher, OT

Yes, four tackles in the top ten picks. The Packers might like Orakpo here as they go to a 3-4, and they're probably begging for Cushing to be around here. But, if we look at their roster and what they need, they're going to be without tackle Mark Tauscher for the first time in nine years in 2009.

Quality players rarely slip past Green Bay, and Oher would potentially give Rodgers the same foundation that guy... Brett something?... had with Tauscher.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Brian Orakpo, DE

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. Orakpo would be a nice fit in the 3-4 in the Bay.

11. Buffalo Bills:  Everette Brown, DE

Brown's 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. Brown was the fastest end at the combine, and might remind a few Bills fans of Bruce Smith.

12. Denver Broncos: Ray Maualuga, LB

They're losing three linebackers to free agency this year, and Maualuga fills a need. They also released Dre Bly, leading me to think they might entertain the idea of a corner here, but the talent on the open market at corner is deeper than linebacker this year.

Maualuga would look nice next to DJ Williams.

13. Washington Redskins: Aaron Maybin, DE

Jason Taylor didn't distinguish himself last year, so bringing in another DE to take the attention off him might make sense. This pick comes with tons of question marks because, well, it's the offseason and the Redskins like to spend money on free agents.

14. New Orleans Saints: Vontae Davis, CB

With Jenkins becoming a safety, Davis is the top corner in the draft. The Saints can score with anyone in the league... and need to if they want to win. They didn't stop anyone last year, so they'll likely address their defensive issues here.

15. Houston Texans: Peria Jerry, DT

Their offense is solid with Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton around Matt Schaub, but, like the Saints, it's their defense that is the reason they're picking here. There's talent on the defense, but they need some beef on the line next to Mario Williams. Jerry might be a stretch at 15, but he fill their need.

16. San Diego Chargers: Michael Johnson, DE

The future of LT might swing this pick, as might the health of Shawne Merriman and Antonio Gates. They struggled getting to the quarterback last year in the absence of Merriman, so they'll take the best end available here.

If LT is moved, Knowshon Moreno might become popular to split carries with recently-franchised Darren Sproles.

17. New York Jets: Matthew Stafford, QB

Favre's gone, and they need to add at least depth. Kellen Clemens is a nice player, but Stafford might be the top player in this draft. This would indeed be the biggest fall of a player in the draft since Aaron Rodgers, but based on need there are four or five teams in the top 16 picks that might need/want a quarterback.

If Stafford slides past San Francisco, it might be an enormous win for the Jets.

18. Chicago Bears: Jeremy Maclin, WR

The Bears need a receiver, badly. They also need a safety and might need a corner if Nathan Vasher is released. They've offered a contract to John St. Claire to stay at tackle opposite last year's number one, Chris Williams.

If he re-signs, the Bears will likely look to take a receiver from a group that has as much depth in questions as it does talent.  

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Laurinaitis, LB

A quarterback, especially if Mark Sanchez is still available, will be really, really tempting. But with both Derrick Brooks and Cato June being released earlier this week, they need a linebacker as much as any team in the league.

20. Detroit Lions: Mark Sanchez, QB

They might take a tackle here, banking on Josh Freeman falling into round two. But if Sanchez is still around, and they take Curry with the top pick, it makes sense for them to grab a quarterback to get Calvin Johnson the ball.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Eben Britton, OT

Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are both free agents, so they'll need a tackle to keep Donovan McNabb healthy. Even though there are a lot of receivers still on the board, I think they'll address that through free agency. A sleeper here would be Moreno to give Brian Westbrook a break every once in a while.

22. Minnesota Vikings: DJ Moore, CB

They'll probably address their quarterback issues Sage Rosenfels. 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: William Moore, S

Laurence Maroney's had problems staying healthy, and they need a running game to take pressure off Tom Brady and/or Matt Cassel. But, even with Moreno and Beanie Wells on the board, I think they'll replace Rodney Harrison instead.

24. Atlanta Falcons: Tyson Jackson, DE

It's a new era in Atlanta, and their offense was solid last year. Their defense could use a big body on the outside, and Jackson has project as high as 11 in some drafts. He could overachieve opposite John Abraham.

25. Miami Dolphins: Clay Matthews, LB

They've already signed Gibril Wilson away from Oakland, and are rumored to be keeping Yeremiah Bell. Their offense was fair in 2008, and their secondary is being upgraded. They kept Channing Crowder inside, but need an outside presence. Matthews would be the third USC linebacker to go in the first round.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Alfonso Smith, CB

Ray Lewis is a free agent, Terrell Suggs has been franchised (again) and Chris McAllister has been cut loose. Smith's as good a corner as there is in this draft, and he'll be asked to move into the starting pretty quickly. How they approach free agency, and the status of Lewis, will have a huge bearing on this pick.

27. Indianapolis: Knowshon Moreno, RB

Marvin Harrison is gone, but I don't think the Colts go with the knee-jerk reaction to replace him in the draft. The receivers in this class aren't terribly exciting, but Moreno is the top running back. With the health issues Joseph Addai dealt with in 2008, it might make sense to find another, younger back to compliment him.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Pettitgrew, TE

They plan on keeping Donovan McNabb around for a while, and I think they'll get him some weapons in this draft and through free agency. I wouldn't be surprised if Marvin Harrison is in Philly by the time the draft comes, allowing the Eagles to focus on protecting McNabb with a tackle and getting him another option here with the best tight end in the draft.

29. New York Giants: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

This might soften the blow if the G-Men opt to not bring Plaxico Burress back. Heyward-Bey had the fastest 40 at the draft and is a big body receiver that would bring a unique dynamic to the Giants offense.

30. Tennessee Titans: Hakeem Nicks, WR

They'll try as hard as they can to keep Albert Haynesworth around, but at this stage in the first round they're not going to get a defensive lineman or outside linebacker to replace a void left by him leaving. Their offense worked well with two running backs last year, but another receiver for Kerry Collins might make sense here.

31. Arizona Cardinals: Beanie Wells, 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.