2009 NFL Mock Draft (post Tony Ganzalez Trade)

After the Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta trade, I feel fairly confident there will be no more NFL trades before the NFL Draft begins Saturday afternoon.  Of course by putting that in writing virtually guarantees Braylon Edwards is on the New York Giants by the time I wake up tomorrow.

That being said, here it is, my 2009 NFL Mock Draft.  Please let me know how much you disagree with who I have your favorite team selecting.

1.       Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

All indications to this point are that the Lions are in serious talks with Stafford and his agent to get a deal done before the draft on Saturday.  The Lions desperately need to find a new face for their franchise and hope Stafford can do for Detroit what Matt Ryan was able to do for Atlanta a year ago.  Stafford has been publicly supportive of the idea of coming to Detroit and even went to the same high school as the last great Lions quarterback, Bobby Layne.

2.       St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The Rams desperately need an offensive tackle to replace the recently departed Orlando Pace.  Smith fills that void nicely as the top tackle in the draft.

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

A great pick up for the Chiefs in this position.  As the top rated player on most experts board it would be hard for the Chiefs to pass on a talent like Curry on the board at the third overall pick.

4.       Seattle Seahawks – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

The Seahawks were abysmal last season with injuries at wide receiver exposing them as not having as much depth at the position as they had previously thought.  They added all-pro wide out T.J. Houshmandzadeh but Deion Branch and Nate Burleson are not the receivers Seattle thought they were getting.  The addition of Crabtree could make Seattle the preseason favorite to win the NFC West.

5.       Cleveland Browns – Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

This quintessential “tweener” gives the Browns the edge pass rusher they need at either the end position or outside linebacker.

6.       Cincinnati Bengals – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Convinced Carson Palmer is not the answer at quarterback the Bengals take QB Mark Sanchez with the sixth pick in the draft.  Can’t say I’d put it past the Bengals, but seriously, a tackle with the talent of Monroe is a no brainer for the Bengals here.

7.       Oakland Raiders – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

The Raiders desperately need a top target for JaMarcus Russell’s laser, rocket arm.  They hoped Crabtree would fall to them here but a very happy to draft Maclin here.

8.       Jacksonville Jaguars – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

A great talent at number eight.  In an offensive tackle rich draft, the Jaguars pick up the guy they have been looking for for years to replace Tony Boselli.

9.       Green Bay Packers – BJ Raji, DT, Boston College

With questions about a failed drug test behind him, Raji finds himself as a top ten pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.  The Packers are happy to add a dominant defensive tackle to their new 3-4 defensive scheme.  Green Bay remembers the headaches Warren Sapp gave their offensive coordinators for years.  Now they hope it will be Raji who gives other NFC North OC’s headaches.

10.   San Fransisco 49ers – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

There are a lot of directions the 49ers could go with this pick but with Sanchez falling to them the decision gets a lot easier. 

11.   Buffalo Bills – Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

After trading offensive tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles, offensive tackle replaces defensive end as the Bills’ top need.  With the early run on tackles and a number of worthy defensive ends still on the board, Buffalo takes Oher here.  As an added bonus, the front office adds a player who’s life is being chronicled in a Hollywood movie who’s Hollywood ending took him to Buffalo, a city desperate to stay relevant in order keep its 50 year old franchise.

12.   Denver Broncos - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State

The Broncos desperately need help on the defensive line.  A lot of pundits think they need a quarterback but if Josh Daniels could turn Matt Cassel into an all-pro quarterback, then expect him to work more miracles with Kyle Orton and Chris Simms.  Maybin helps a pass rush that was non-existent a year ago.

13.   Washington Redskins – Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

Despite what Daniel Snyder may think, the Redskins need a defensive end more than a quarterback.  Ayers is their man.

14.   New Orleans Saints – Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

Don’t be fooled by the rumors of the Saints taking a running back in the first round.  Jenkins is the pick here.

15.   Houston Texans – Clay Matthews, LB, USC

Could it be?  Another Matthews in Houston?  The Texans answer the question of which will be the first USC linebacker taken in the draft with the selection of Matthews here at pick number fifteen.

16.   San Diego Chargers – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

The Chargers make it two consecutive USC linebackers taken with the selection of Rey Maualuga to fortify the interior of their linebacking corps.

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

Jets need a quarterback, plain and simple.

18.   Denver Broncos – Brian Cushing, DE/OLB, USC

The Broncos make it three USC linebackers in four picks and also greatly improve one of the worst defenses in the league with the addition of both Aaron Maybin and Brian Cushing in the first round of the NFL Draft.

19.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

There is no reason Jackson should still be available at this pick and with all the needs Tampa Bay has along the defensive line this is an easy pick for the Bucs.

20.   Detroit Lions – Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

The Lions pick up a solid offensive tackle to go with their shiny new franchise quarterback.

21.   Philadelphia Eagles – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Eagles are in need of a running back to succeed the great Brian Westbrook.  Moreno also offers a new offensive weapon to keep quarterback Donovan McNabb happy.

22.   Minnesota Vikings – Percy Harvin, WR/KR, Florida

For those fantasy football owners who were already drooling over the Vikings D/ST drool a little more with the addition of this prolific return man.  The Vikings are happy they can upgrade their offense and return game with the 22^nd pick overall.

23.   New England Patriots – Vontae Davis, DB, Illinois

Even with the free agent acquisitions of Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs, the Patriots will look for a more long term solution at corner with this pick.  The rich get richer.

24.   Atlanta Falcons – James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

With the Falcons addressing their need at tight end with the addition of Tony Gonzalez they can focus on their need at linebacker with the 24^th pick in the draft.

25.   Miami Dolphins – Larry English, LB, Northern Illinois

English is an athletic pass rushing linebacker who will fit well in the Dolphins 3-4 defense.  Parcells is a defensive minded guy so it’s a good bet he goes on the defensive side of the ball in the first round.

26.   Baltimore Ravens – Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

A local guy and new target for second year quarterback Joe Flacco makes Heyward-Bey an appealing selection for the Ravens.  Four receivers in the first round might be a bit of a reach, but Heyward-Bey’s on field production warrants a first round selection.

27.   Indianapolis Colts – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State

The Colts need a number two running back to compliment Joseph Addai.  Wells is an exceptional pick for Bill Polian and company at this selection.

28.   Buffalo Bills – Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

Tough choice for the Bills with both Brown and Pettigrew on the board this late in the first round.  The Bills go defensive end here hoping to get a tight end in the later rounds.

29.   New York Giants – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

Kevin Boss wasn’t the replacement for Jeremy Shockey the Giants had hoped he would be. Add to that the loss of Plaxico Burress and the Giants offense is in need of a serious boost.  Pettigrew gives them that boost.

30.   Tennessee Titans – Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

Not a lot of needs on this team.  Jerry should fit in well in Chuck Cecil’s new defensive scheme.

31.   Arizona Cardinals – Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

Brown gives depth to the running back position and offers a long term solution at running back for the NFC Champions.

32.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Alex Mack, C, California

A great selection at the end of the first round.  The Steelers could use to strengthen the inside of their offensive line and Mack could play center or guard for them although most likely center.