2009 NFL Mock Draft with Analysis

1. Detroit - Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia

I'm sorry Lion fans, it doesn't look like Philly is interested in trading the 21st, 28th, 2nd round pick and 2010 first for Jason Smith. But all you end up with is a franchise QB that reminds me of Troy Aikman. So it's a win in the end.

2. St. Louis - Eugene Monroe, LT, Virginia

In the Jason Smith vs. Eugene Monroe debate, I'm rolling with the more pro-ready LT. I know I've said that I favour upside in the past, but I believe that Steve Spagnoulo is here to make a splash early and isn't fooling around when it comes to protecting Marc Bulger.

3. Kansas City - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Aaron Curry is a perfect fit for the Pioli/Belichick defensive scheme. It basically asks you to understand each front 7 position so that you can line up in different spots to create confusion. This makes versatility very important. How else do you think they got by with Mike Vrabel, Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin for what seems like a decade?

4. Seattle - Jason Smith, LT, Baylor

Walter Jones is coming back from a very serious injury. He'll probably never be 100 percent again in his career and I am therefore predicting that this will be his last year as a pro.

In regards to what Seattle will do with Jason Smith, I think you could put him at left guard for a while. This is what the Ravens did when they drafted Jonathon Ogden. They had a very serviceable left tackle at that time too. Boy, was he pissed.

5. Cleveland - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

We're going to look back at this draft five years from now and go, "Baylor, Wake Forest and Texas Tech in the top five, what the hell?" I'm pretty confident that Michael Crabtree will be high up on their board and George Kokinis does come from Baltimore where "best player/value available" rules supreme.

6. Cincinnati - Andre Smith, LT, Alabama

Marvin Lewis has stated his desire to run the ball, they need a LT really badly, if they cared about character they would have stayed away from Tank Johnson and Chris Henry. Tank Johnson does not eliminate BJ Raji from contention here in my eyes though.

7. Oakland - Brian Orakpo, RE, Texas

Derrick Burgess is not a long term option here. Orakpo ran a very good 40 for his size and the Raiders' defense is all about getting after the pass. I was very tempted to put Darrius Heyward-Bey here, but I think this offseason shows that Al Davis is changing his ways or someone else has taken control (Weekend at Bernie's).

8. [TRADE SCENARIO] Buffalo - B.J. Raji, three-tech, Boston College

Oh I'm sorry, were you expecting Mark Sanchez? No. I don't play that, that's far too cliche for my taste. Buffalo jumps Green Bay to upgrade their pass rush without having to put an undersized right end at left end or replacing Aaron Schobel who may have something left in the tank.

9. [TRADE SCENARIO] Denver - Mark Sanchez, QB, So-Cal

OK, so maybe I am a little cliche. But it's slightly different because Green Bay is jolted by the fact that they lost their guy in B.J. Raji. So they agree to pick an extra pick so that Denver can pick up the ideal QB for Josh McDaniel's system (which is irrelevant because he won't make it past year two).

10. San Francisco - Aaron Maybin, OLB, Penn State

Aaron Maybin's reported wide-eyed high energy character make him the perfect candidate to be a Mike Singletary guy. Those long arms and explosive first step are an asset too. I've said all along that Singletary is taking either an offensive linemen or linebacker.

11. [TRADE SCENARIO] Jacksonville - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

I know a lot of people have him dropping, but I disagree. He may be a bit overrated and underdeveloped, but the potential is high and he also brings in added value in the return game. Jacksonville has nothing right now.

12. [TRADE SCENARIO] Green Bay - Tyson Jackson, five-tech, LSU

He'll be a good pairing with Cullen Jenkins at the five-tech spots. With half of the league converting to the 3-4, the value of the five-tech spot has doubled. Tyson Jackson is very raw as a pass rusher, but I'm a fan of his bullrush.

13. Washington - Michael Oher, LT, Ole Miss

I felt bad, because it's a bit of a cliche pick, but there were a lot of reports last year that the Redskins were ready to pounce on any LT that fell to them. None did, so they get an instant starter at RT and an eventual replacement for Chris Samuels.

14. New Orleans - Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

Saints need a closer at RB, Pierre Thomas is not the answer and having someone who can punch it in at the goalline will take pressure off of Drew Brees. They took Deuce McAlister when they had Ricky Williams and took Reggie Bush when they had Deuce McAlister.

15. Houston - Malcolm Jenkins, FS, Ohio State

Toughest pick in the draft, without a doubt. I've always shied away from this, because of Eugene Wilson's extension, but he's getting less money than I realized and Malcolm Jenkins has the potential to be an elite safety. Don't even think he's playing CB in this league though.

16. San Diego - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

I see that your brows have furrowed because I'm projecting a running back to a team with Darren Sproles and LaDainian Tomlinson. Both of these guys could be off the roster next year. We can all agree that LT is definitely gone.

It's nice that Darren Sproles was able to run over an undersized Colt's defense, but no way he is ready for the lead-back role. Do you really think a team is going to pass on an elite talent like Knowshon Moreno? Hell no.

17. New York Jets - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

Josh Freeman might actually be better than Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff as a rookie. Rex Ryan has to have some say here too. He's got a complete defense and the only other possible pick at this point would be a wide receiver and Percy Harvin just ain't looking too good right now.

18. Denver - Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois

I was like, "Oh yeah, Everette Brown." But then I remembered that he's far too small to play across from Elvis Dumervil and take on a RT. Enter the Larry English, who makes Denver's defense slightly more legit.

19. Tampa Bay - Michael Johnson, LE (?), Georgia Tech

In Pewter report I trust. I hate this pick by the way. You're run defense is going to get destroyed Tampa Bay. I could not believe how easily MJ allowed Ciron Black to push him around in the Chick-Fil-A bowl.

20. Detroit - William Beatty, LT, UConn

I like him a lot better now that he's put on more weight. Still a little bit of a project, but he should be on the same level as any left tackle 3 years from now. You always got to protect the blindside of the QB.

21. Philadelphia - Robert Ayers, LE, Tennessee

I really like Robert Ayers as a LE. As a RE, he's not explosive enough to consistently take on LTs. But he can play the run and will be quick enough to take on the RTs in the AFC East.

22. [TRADE SCENARIO] Baltimore - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

I expect a bidding war at this spot for Vontae Davis and Darius Butler. Ravens are able to put away Davis' character concerns because they have such a strong locker room. Fabian Washington is better suited to being an elite nickelback (they exist in my head).

23. New England - Everette Brown, OLB, Florida State

This is one of the tougher picks to project. But Everette Brown is a steal here and I believe he can fit in the Belichick scheme.

24. Atlanta - Darius Butler, CB, UConn

This team's defense puts extra emphasis on the pass defense. Chevis Jackson and Chris Houston just ain't cutting it. You'll totally have forgot about Chris Houston in a couple of years after being wowed by Darius Butler.

25. Miami - Rey Maualuga, ILB, So-Cal

I'm just following draft trends here. History shows that Bill Parcells favours the linebacker position. Seeing an old-school roughneck hooligan like Rey will make him wet his adult diaper.

26. [TRADE SCENARIO] Minnesota - Eben Britton, RT, Arizona

I'm opposed to seeing right tackles in the first round, but Minnesota definitely needs to shore up their right side. I think the right tackle and right guard gave up a combined 15 sacks. The balance that Britton possesses should help against the pass rush moves that LEs typically like to use.

27. Indianapolis - Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

The colts take care of Peyton Manning. The whole team is dependent on his production. Anthony Gonzales is nice, but this is a team that loves to have three receivers that they can depend on.

28. Philadelphia - Clay Matthews, OLB, USC

I kind of want to flip-flop this pick with Minnesota, but I'm gonna stick with Matthews here. He can replace the mediocre Chris Gocong and will be able to blitz the quarterback which is a must in the Jim Johnson defense.

29. [TRADE SCENARIO] Cleveland - Jarron Gilbert, five-tech, San Jose State

It's pretty obvious who the Giants are trading for at this juncture...yep Brady Quinn. Jarron Gilbert seems to be flying up draft boards. I definitely think he can sneak into the first round going as high as 26 to the Ravens.

30. [TRADE SCENARIO] Oakland - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Al Davis will not be able to contain himself. A 4.3 40 time is still on the board and a bunch of teams in round two with a legitimate WR need are coming up. Pair him with Chaz Schillens and put Higgins, the worst dancer in the NFL, in the slot and you have a possibly legit WR corp for a team that relies on it's offense like no other.

31. Arizona - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Arizona

I've noticed that the TE is more involved in Arizona's offense than it should be. It's starting to look like Anquan Boldin is going to be moved so Arizona needs that third passing option behind Steve Breaston and Larry Fitzgerald to work the underneath.

32. Pittsburgh - Alex Mack, Center, California

Ack! Cliche pick! But I can't help it because I really don't like any CBs at this point and don't believe that the Steelers see safety as a need for them. I'm gonna roll with the O-linemen who can pave holes for Willie Parker, but also do an adequate job at protecting Roethlisberger.

This is another team that might trade up for Darius Butler or Vontae Davis, since they made a big move for Santonio Holmes the last time they stole/won the Super Bowl.