NFL Draft 2009: TAB's 12th and Final Mock Draft

Here we go, ladies and gentlemen, my 12th and final mock draft of 2009. Yes, I said 12th mock draft. Man, am I glad the day is finally here!

Not a ton has changed since earlier this week, but I’ve thrown a couple curveballs by predicting a couple trades. Watch for them, and good luck to everyone tomorrow!

1. Detroit Lions: QB Matthew Stafford

I think Jason Smith might be a safer long-term pick here than Stafford, as picking any quarterback with the first overall pick carries the burden of overwhelming success, but the Lions need a face for their franchise. As much as Calvin Johnson could be that, he needs someone to get him the ball. Stafford’s their guy.

2. St. Louis Rams: OT Jason Smith

Orlando Pace is now in Chicago after being the rock of their line for over a decade. In Smith they’ll look to make a fresh start on their aging roster with the same blueprint with which they were successful: start with the offensive line and build out.

Two wild cards here could be Mark Sanchez as an eventual replacement to Marc Bulger and Michael Crabtree to replace Torry Holt.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Trade pick to Washington—Redskins select QB

Mark Sanchez

Lots of people like Aaron Curry here, but I think this is where you see the first wild card in the draft. Washingtonowner Daniel Snyder has never been against spending money, and he seems to have a mancrush on Sanchez.

That being said, Seattle has a logical interest in a quarterback and/or trading down to someone who might want Sanchez. I’m also doubting Sanchez makes it to the eighth pick, a pick the Jags are marketing to every team in the league.

My prediction is Washington trading their first round pick (number 13), and a pick in or after the third round to Kansas City for the third overall. The additional late rounder helps the Chiefs add a tight end to replace Tony Gonzalez. It sounds like the Chiefs are in love with DE Tyson Jackson and are considering reaching for him here, when he should be around at 13.

The next question is where, and for what, is Jason Campbell traded?

4. Seattle Seahawks: OT Eugene Monroe

They’ve had a veteran leave their once-dominant offensive line each of the last three years, and they need to protect Matt Hasselback. Monroe’s the next-best lineman on the board.

5. Cleveland Browns: DE Brian Orakpo

There’s a strong chance that, depending on what happens before the draft, you see Crabtree come off the board here. But I don’t think the Browns move Braylon Edwards before the draft, or before they make this pick.

Keep watching for the answer to whether or not I think Edwards is a Brown on Sunday morning. Their defense was miserable, and Orakpo is a physical stud on the edge.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Andre Smith

If the Bengals want to win, they need Carson Palmer to stay off the turf. Smith was once thought of as a potential top overall talent, but a series of questionable events have dropped his stock. If he’s as good on the field in Cincy as he was in Alabama, the Bengals have a nice pick here.

7. Oakland Raiders: WR Michael Crabtree

The Raiders have a lot of holes to fill, but Al Davis has never seen a stud receiver he didn’t like. If they can add Crabtree to their young arsenal on offense, they’ll do it.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Aaron Curry

This pick has come to be viewed as the hinge of the first round. If Sanchez falls, the Jags could either pick him or trade down, as there could be as many as a dozen teams looking at the USC quarterback. I, obviously, don’t see Sanchez falling.

If a team has its eye on one of the great defensive ends in this class, this would be the spot to trade into before Green Bay and San Francisco get their shot at the position, one they both need.

With former captain Mike Peterson gone to free agency, Curry would be a welcome addition to an aging defense.

9. Green Bay Packers: DE Aaron Maybin

The Packers are making the transition to a 3-4 scheme on defense, and Maybin has kept his stock in or around the top 10 the entire winter. Some think he’s good enough to deserve a higher slot, so the Packers will be thrilled if he falls to them at nine.

10. San Francisco 49ers: DE Robert Ayers

Coach Mike Singletary would love to get his hands on Orakpo or Maybin here as the 'Niners work to build a defensive line in front of star linebacker Patrick Willis. Ayers has a big body that’s been skyrocketing up lots of draft boards and would be a good option for the Niners at end.

11. Buffalo Bills: OT Michael Oher

The Bills now have the relative luxury of having two first round selections after the trade with Philadelphia. It’s a relative luxury because they now have a substantial hole to fill at left tackle because of that exact trade.

Oher is the only first-round tackle left, and they have to replace Peters. It might be a stretch at 11, but they’ll do it.

12. Denver Broncos: DE Everette Brown

Brown is a good defensive end that would help build a better line for the Broncos woeful defensive unit from last year. They’ve spent a lot of money on their secondary this off season so far, so they’ll likely look to address their line here and even potentially again with the 18^th pick.

13. Kansas City Chiefs (projected to be from Washington): DE Tyson

Jackson

As I say earlier, the Chiefs seem to be in love with Jacksonas a good end to put into their new 3-4 scheme. This would be a likely place for him to be available, and the Chiefs would take him in a heartbeat if the deal I project happens with Washington.

14. New Orleans Saints: CB Malcolm Jenkins

They had no problem moving the ball on offense last year, but they again find themselves drafting in the top half of the first round because they couldn’t stop anything last year.

Jenkins is a big, physical corner that might even translate to safety in the NFL. The Saints need secondary help, and Jenkins does that. They might stay at Ohio State here and take Beanie Wells to replace Deuce McAllister, though.

15. Houston Texans: LB Brian Cushing

They have a great young nucleus starting on their defense with DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams. Adding Cushing to the mix would give them a formidable foundation with versatility against the run or pass. They might look at an offensive tackle here, but Cushing is a top-tier linebacker.

16. San Diego Chargers: DT B.J. Raji

Their defensive line struggled last year and they’ve had some defection to free agency. Raji’s the top rated defensive tackle, so getting him as low as 16 is good value.

17. New York Jets: Trade pick to Cleveland—Browns select WR Jeremy

Maclin

Maclin’s got all the talent in the world and has been coming off the board for lots of analysts as high as the top five. If the Jets can’t move into the top ten, which I don’t think the 17th pick will do for them against a desperate Daniel Snyder, they’ll look to explore other deals.

While this pick won’t get them Sanchez, it is probably high enough to get them Brady Quinn from the Browns, and if Maclin is still available it might do the trick. The Browns have been shopping Braylon Edwards to the Giants and getting another good receiver while solving their apparent need to move Quinn gives them a piece to solve other issues as well.

My prediction is that the Jets move this pick and a third round pick (or later) for Quinn and a low round pick in return. The Jets get their future quarterback (a good looking, New York-marketable one, too) and the Browns get the flexibility to move Edwards.

18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago): RB Beanie Wells

They have spent a lot of money on their defense and will address it earlier in the first round with one of the good defensive ends. While they have brought in three veteran running backs this winter and had seven start for them last year, having the top back in the draft available at 18 isn’t something any Denver coaching staff would pass on.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Josh Freeman

No Stafford. No Sanchez. So Freeman? The Bucs might have fired Jon Gruden, but that doesn’t mean they have a quarterback. While Freeman is probably a stretch here, he likely won’t be around when they make their next pick. They might get into the mix on a trade for Brady Quinn as well, or for Washington’s Jason Campbell.

20. Detroit Lions: OT Eben Britton

If they’re going to take a quarterback with the top overall pick to complement a good young receiver and running back, then wouldn’t it make sense to protect him? Britton’s the last true first round tackle on the board, but taking him with Staffordin the first round would make this the first good opening round since before Matt Millen.

They’ll be able to come back and look at help in their secondary or another linebacker to start the second round.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Trade pick to Arizona—Cardinals select RB

Knowshon Moreno

There will be arguments about whether or not trading away two first round picks is a good idea, but when was the last time a first round produced a Pro Bowl left tackle and a Pro Bowl wide receiver in the first year?

This deal would be completely dependent on Moreno being available to replace Edgerrin James and would have Donovan McNabb running through walls to get on the field this fall.

It’s being reported that the Cardinals have lowered their asking price from a first and third round picks to just a second, so the Eagles making a deal isn’t far fetched.

I predict the Eagles move just this pick to Arizona for Boldin, straight up.

22. Minnesota Vikings: TE Brandon Pettitgrew

They have arguably the best running back in the game and a good receiver outside in Bernard Berrian. Pettitgrew is the top tight end in this class and would give their offense versatility both in the pass and run games, opening up more opportunities for Berrian and Adrian Peterson.

I’m sure an honest Vikings fan would tell you they would prefer to see Denverpicking here and Cutler, not Sage Rosenfelds, under center in the purple this fall.

23. New England Patriots: LB Clay Matthews

They have always liked good playmaking linebackers, and with their Super Bowl group being broken up by trade and age, they’re now looking to rebuild the heart of their defense. Matthews’ ability to play inside and outside makes him a good pick for a Patriots team looking to replace Vrabel.

24. Atlanta Falcons: DT Evander Hood

They’ll be angry if they miss on Matthews as a replacement for Keith Brooking, but Hood’s stock is rising, and he could be an solid anchor inside their line that could take attention away from the end. This might also be where the third USC linebacker, Rey Maualuga, comes off the board. With the addition of Tony Gonzalez at tight end, there’s little questioning this pick will be a defensive player.

25. Miami Dolphins: CB Vontae Davis

They found themselves in a similar position to the Saints last year with a glaring weakness coming in pass defense. The difference was that the Fins had better linebacker play and need to add depth and skill to the corner position.

Davis is perhaps the best physical talent at corner in this draft, so getting him at 25 could be a steal.

26. Baltimore Ravens: LB Rey Maualuga

Maualuga was a good linebacker at USC, flanked by two players already off the board. With Bart Scott leaving for the Jets, the Ravens will look to replace him with a true inside linebacker. Maualuga is a better option than James Laurinaitis, the other true inside backer on the board at this point.

27. Indianapolis Colts: WR Kenny Britt

This pick will drive the crowd at the draft nuts, as many Giants fans are hoping the local receiver from Rutgers will help them forget about Plaxico Burress. But the Colts have always evaluated talent well, and Britt will be a wonderful replacement for Marvin Harrison opposite Reggie Wayne.

28. Buffalo Bills (from Philadelphia): RB Donald Brown

With Marshawn Lynch suspended for three games and having a history of not getting it, and with Brown being a popular back late in this round, he should serve as good insurance against future slip-ups from Lynch. The addition of Dominic Rhodes shouldn’t keep the Bills from taking an impact player to help their offense here.

It also should serve notice to Lynch (something lots of people are doing these days) to grow up or he’s expendable.

29.  New York Giants: WR Hakeem Nicks

The Giants figure to be aggressive the entire first round, looking to move up to score an impact receiver to replace Burress. But with the needs of teams in front of them, and with this year being a relatively weak receiver class, the Giants have appeared to be more focused on a veteran via trade than actually using this pick.

If Britt is off the board, the Giants will either take Nicks here or will try to move the pick to Cleveland for Edwards. If the Browns make the move with the Jets mentioned above for Brady Quinn, the likelihood of this pick being traded for Edwards isn’t likely (I doubt Cleveland wants to pay three 1st round picks this year).

30. Tennessee Titans: DT Peria Jerry

The Titans need to replace Haynesworth inside, and Jerry is the best tackle left on the board. They might look at a receiver like Percy Harvin here, but the biggest need is to rebuild their defensive interior.

31. Arizona Cardinals: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey

If the trade I project with the Eagles goes down and they add Moreno earlier in the round, they’ll need a receiver. If Morenoreplaces James, and they add Heyward-Bey opposite Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals continue to have one of the most talented offenses in the NFL.

32.  Pittsburgh Steelers: C Max Unger

Does it really matter who the Steelers take here? Not only do they have jewelry coming this fall from another Super Bowl victory, but there has been little movement off their roster.

There’s a strong possibility they trade out of this pick of someone has their eyes on Laurinaitis or Harvin, but Unger would help bring another young body into their offensive line to protect Big Ben and their stable of running backs.