My 2009 NFL Mock Draft Round 1

It's that time of the year again!!  The 2009 NFL Draft is only three days away and the excitement from die-hard fans is evident.  Many analysts as well as fans have variations and versions of where the soon to be pros will land.  Here are my first round selections:

With the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select......

1. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford, Georgia

Stafford has a cannon for an arm and has big play potential.  The Lions have a big-time threat at Wide Out in Calvin Johnson and Stafford would instantly help out the Lions passing game.

2. St. Louis Rams- Jason Smith, Baylor

Jason Smith is a big offensive tackle (6'5", 309 pounds) and the Rams just released their best offensive tackle for many years, Orlando Pace.  Look for the Rams to solidify the offensive line with the second pick in the draft

3. Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Curry, Wake Forest

Aaron Curry is thought to be by many analysts as the best player in this year's draft.  He is a play-maker at OLB and has a motor that all the scouts rave about.  Look for Kansas City to select the cornerstone of the defense for years to come with the third pick

4. Seattle Seahawks- Eugene Monroe- Virginia

The offensive line may be the most important factor to building a great offense.  Eugene Monroe will help sure up the offensive line for the Seattle Seahawks, giving a healthy Matt Hasselback time to find newly acquired T.J. Houshmandzadeh for big plays

5. Cleavland Browns- B.J. Raji, Boston College

The Cleavland Browns need a lot of help in all facets of the game.  An area of concern to address with this pick would be on the defensive line.  B.J. Raji will fit in nicely with big Shaun Rodgers at tackle

6. Cincinatti Bengals-Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

Carson Palmer is coming off elbow surgery and says he feels fine...the Bengals failed to resign stud wide out T.J. Houshmandzadeh so look for the Bengals to give Carson another big target in Michael Crabtree

7. Oakland Raiders- Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Oakland needs play-makers for JaMarcus Russel and the Oakland offense.  Look for Al Davis to select this play maker with the seventh pick

8. New York Jets (from Jax) Mark Sanchez, USC

The Jets love this guy and want to scoop him up before Washington so they trade the 17th pick along with a third rounder to get their guy.  Sanchez brings a face to the Jets franchise along with a big upside.

9. Green Bay Packers- Brian Orakpo, Texas

Green Bay is switching to a 3-4 on defense and Orakpo can help rush off the edge as an outside linebacker in the new 3-4 scheme

10. San Fransisco 49ers- Aaron Maybin, Penn State

Aaron Maybin's stock has spiked up since the combine and all the private workouts.  San Fran needs help on defense so expect them to take this pass rusher with the 10th pick

11. Buffalo Bills- Andre Smith, Alabama

Andre Smith has all the physical tools to be an all-pro offensive lineman in the NFL.  He slips to the 11th pick because of character concern.

With Jason Peters going to Philly, the Bills fill a big hole in the offensive line with this pick

12. Denver Broncos-Tyson Jackson, LSU

Denver needs  A LOT of help on defense.  They select this pass rushing defensive end to help the defense out.

13. Washington Redskins-Michael Oher, Ole Miss

Michael Oher is not the conventional pick for Daniel Snyder and the Washington Redskins; however, Snyder fights off the urge to trade up for Sanchez and select a stud offensive lineman.

14. New Orleans Saints-Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State

The New Orleans Saints need a physical running back to compliment the speedy Reggie Bush, and "Beanie" is the perfect fit

15. Houston Texans- Malcom Jenkins, Ohio State

Houston has firepower on offense, but lack big play-makers in the secondary.  Malcom Jenkins will be drafted to help force turnovers for the Texans

16. San Diego Chargers-Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech

The Chargers need a pass rusher on defense, and Michael Johnson fits the bill..He is a very athletic guy, and with some proper coaching, could become a dominant pass rusher

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (from NYJ) - Ray Maualuga, USC

Jacksonville takes Inside Linebacker Ray Maualuga to give an attitude and identity to this defense that lacked both in '08

18. Denver Broncos- Larry English, Northern Illinois

Denver takes another defensive player with the 18th pick..English will play Outside Linebacker and give another pass rushing presence to the defense

 19. Tampa Bay Bucs- Josh Freeman, Kansas State

This pick is a little high for Freeman, but the Bucs need a QB of the future and Freeman is that guy

20. Detroit Lions- Everette Brown, Florida State

The Lions address the defense with the 20th pick, selecting DE Everette Brown.  He will help get pressure on the opposing QB, something that the Lions failed to do last year

21. Philadelphia Eagles- Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

The Eagles have addressed some key positions in free agency and via trade, acquiring OT Jason Peters, Stacey Andrews, Safety Sean Jones, and FB Leonard Weaver. 

Look for the Eagles to get a back to split carries with Westbrook, and eventally take the number one running back spot

22. Minnesota Vikings- Percy Harvin, Florida

The Vikings are in need of play-makers, and despite Harvin's recent positive drug test, the Vikings take a shot on him

23. New England Patriots- Vonte Davis, Illinois

Look for New England to grab a ball-hawk with this pick..Vonte instantly helps out the defense and creates more turnovers in the secondary

24. Atlanta Falcons- Fili Moala, USC

Look for the Falcons to beef up their defense, selecting the DT from USC

25. Miami Dolphins- Brian Cushing, USC

The Dolphins select a hard-nosed linebacker with the 25th pick to add depth to the defense.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Darius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

The Ravens go out and get Flacco a big time play-maker in Heyward-Bey, giving Flacco a nice one-two punch with Mason and Heyward-Bey at Wide Out

27. Indianapolis Colts- Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina

The Colts parted ways with sure-handed wide out Marvin Harrison in the offseason.  Nicks comes in and becomes Harrison's predecessor

28. Buffalo Bills (from PHI) Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State

Buffalo adds some weapons to the offense with this pick to compliment T.O and Lee Evans

29. Cleavland Browns (from NYG) James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

Cleavland trades disgruntled wide out Braylon Edwards to the G-Men for the 29th overall pick in the draft.  The Browns look to improve the defense with this pick and take LB James Laurinaitis

30. Tennessee Titans- Kenny Britt, Rutgers

The Titans get a much needed weapon for Kerry Collins and the Titans Offense

31. Arizona Cardinals- Donald Brown, UConn

The Cardinals do not find any suitors for Anquan Boldin and are forced to stay at 31 and select RB Donald Brown out of UConn

32. Pittsburgh Steelers- Alex Mack, Cal

The Superbowl Champion Steelers add depth to the O-line with the pick of Alex Mack