2009 NFL Draft: 32 Teams, 32 Questions To Answer

With Christmas in April almost here, I considered updating my mock draft for the umpteenth time but realized there would probably be a trade before I completed it, making it moot for the second time this week. 

Instead, let's take a different track and look at a key question each team will need to answer on draft day.

1. Detroit Lions—All indications are Stafford is the guy, but will they make protecting him a priority?

2. St. Louis Rams—After taking a tackle in round one, how will they go about adding toys for Steve Spagnuolos' aggressive pressure-based defense?

3. Kansas City Chiefs—I have to admit, I think the Chiefs will set the tone in this draft as Scott Pioli is forced to draft outside of his comfort zone.  Will he play it safe and take Aaron Curry or he follow the Patriot Way and build up the trenches? 

More than anything, Pioli wants to trade down, and no matter what he does, the ripples will be felt throughout the entire draft.

4. Seattle Seahawks—Are they reloading (linebacker or tackle) or rebuilding (Mark Sanchez)?

5. Cleveland Browns—A year ago they were everyone's breakout team, now just one year later, will Eric Mangini blow it all up and start over?

6. Cincinnati Bengals—Will the Bengals front office have the patience to re-stock the offensive line in rounds one or two, or will Mike Brown's hear the siren song of skill position guys (Beanie Wells, Michael Crabtree) once again?  Also, will they actually make a trade? (They have moved up or down just once in the last five years.)

7. Oakland Raiders—What type of crazy move(s) will Al Davis make this year? Also, will Tom Cable get his wish and get some trench warriors?

8. Jacksonville Jaguars—Can they get a quality wide receiver for their passing game while still filling their needs for a offensive and defensive tackle?

9. Green Bay Packers—How does Ted Thompson go about finding 3-4 personnel while keeping an eye on finding an offensive tackle or two?

10. San Francisco 49ers—How much sway will Mike Singletary have in the draft room?  (i.e.: Will physical, character guys be a focus?)

11. Buffalo Bills—After trading Jason Peters and cutting Derrick Dockery, how will the Bills go about rebuilding their offensive line?

12. Denver Broncos—Are the Broncos really content with Kyle Orton, or will they bypass their defensive needs to trade up for Mark Sanchez? The quarterback decision will likely make or break Josh McDaniels, not to mention the Broncos' season.

13. Washington Redskins—How much is Daniel Snyder willing to give up to get Mark Sanchez? And will he have a line to protect him?

14. New Orleans Saints—With just one pick in the top 100, will they really entertain the idea of drafting a running back before adding a much needed defensive player?

15. Houston Texans—Can they find the pieces (especially on defense) they need to finally get this team over .500?

16. San Diego Chargers—Do they draft for an immediate need at RT, DE or LB or prepare for life after LaDainian Tomlinson at running back?

17. New York Jets—What, if anything, will the Jets do to shore up the quarterback position?

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—How do they go about re-configuring the vaunted Tampa defense after the departure of defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin?

19. Philadelphia Eagles—Can they find Brian Westbrook's eventual replacement, and can Andy Reid go through three rounds without drafting a lineman?

20. Minnesota Vikings—Will they focus on fixing the pass defense or adding balance to their offense as they look to build around Adrian Peterson?

21. New England Patriots—Free agency will hit this team hard after the 2009 season.  How well will Bill Belichick play his cards with four day one picks in his first draft without Scott Pioli?

How well they take advantage of these picks could determine whether or not the Patriots' mini-dynasty continues or begins to fade.

22. Atlanta Falcons—After trading for Tony Gonzalez, can they find the pieces on defense to make this team a bona fide contender?

23. Miami Dolphins—Will Bill Parcells actually draft a wide receiver in the first round, or will his defensive tendencies keep the focus on the secondary or finding a pass rusher?

24. Baltimore Ravens—In 2008, Joe Flacco learned how to manage a game. With a year under his belt, what weapons will they add to help him take the next step in his development?

25. Indianapolis Colts—Will the Colts reach to fill a major need at defensive tackle or look to add more weapons at wide receiver and running back?

26. New York Giants—Do they trade for a veteran wide receiver or take their chances with a rookie wide receiver in the post-Plaxico era?

27. Tennessee Titans—With a deep wide receiver class, is this the year the Titans look to upgrade their receiver position, or will they stick to their bread and butter on defense?

28. Arizona Cardinals—Will they actually trade Anquan Boldin?

29. Pittsburgh Steelers—Can they rebuild their porous offensive line, or do they take their chances with Big Ben surviving another year under tremendous pressure?

30. Chicago Bears—They gave up a lot to get QB Jay Cutler, now can they provide him with the weapons he needs to excel in Chicago?

31. Dallas Cowboys—How satisfied are the Cowboys with their wide receivers in the post-TO era? We're about to find out.

32. Carolina Panthers—Can the Panthers find a taker for Julius Peppers, and with or without Peppers, can they upgrade their defensive line?

Chris Maier is senior editor for nfldraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Be sure to join NFL Draft 101 for live coverage of the 2009 NFL Draft April 25-26 including a live chat and pick by pick analysis.