Final 2009 Mock Draft With Analysis

1. Detroit - Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. St. Louis - Jason Smith, LT, Baylor
3. Kansas City - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

These picks shouldn't have to be explained. The only ones I disagree with are Michael Crabtree and Jason Smith because I think Seattle are going to create issues with their roster by putting too much money in the WR positon. I don't like Jason Smith because he is a very raw LT who has questionable lower body strength.

5. Cleveland - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

OK, I don't know when this prospect got hot. I looked at Georgia vs. LSU for the 50th time and maybe I did underrate his pass rush and motor a little. Expect to see his production be more like his junior season than senior season. Shaun Rogers collapsing the middle will give him better matchups.

6. Cincinnati - Andre Smith, LT, Alabama

A bit of a surprise because Jason Smith is still available. Well, this is the Bengals. They have the least amount of scouts in the league, don't really mind character issues and want to run the football better. Andre Smith will do a good job of protecting Carson Palmer with his long arms in his first year, then it will all go downhill from there.

7. Oakland - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

It's tough to doubt Michael Lombardi. He was right there when the Raiders were making these picks and he's certain the Raiders are drafting the guy with the best 40 time/size combination.

8. [TRADE SCENARIO] Washington - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

Believe in now. That seems to be Dan Snyder's motto. Except believing in now makes the future look bleak in this case.

9. [TRADE SCENARIO] Buffalo - Eugene Monroe, LT, Virginia

It is a bit of a surprise that Eugene Monroe could last this long, but teams in the top 10 are just lacking in a need for a LT.

10. San Francisco - Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas

Every head coach says that they want to build in the trenches. Mike Singletary is really the only one I believe. Orakpo will either have trouble making the transition, struggle with injuries throughout his career or become a special pass rusher that can make everyone around him either. Don't rule out B.J. Raji, but he does have some character issues.

11. [TRADE SCENARIO] Green Bay - Michael Oher, RT, Ole Miss

Green Bay has reported interest in him and he'll likely be the highest on their big board. Oher can help shore up the offensive line at RT for a year until he's ready to make the transition to be their franchise LT for many years to come. This pick is a lot like Denver picking Ryan Clady, they ignore some defensive needs for a LT who is far too good to pass up.

12. Denver - B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College

Let the record show that I hate putting B.J. Raji at NT. He played the 3-technique at Boston College with limited experience at 2 gap. It basically wastes his pass rushing talent because he uses his athleticism and athleticism is wasted when you're being double teamed.

13. [TRADE SCENARIO] Jacksonville - Darius Butler, CB, UConn

A little bit of a surprise, only because he wouldn't have been here a month ago. But he totally deserves this spot because he is the best CB in this draft. This guy is physical and has feet ideal for keeping up with guys like Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson.

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

Malcolm Jenkins would just be too obvious. The Saints need a guy who can close out games for them. Pierre Thomas is serviceable but he is not that guy. Saints have made picks like this in the past.

15. [TRADE SCENARIO] New England -  Malcolm Jenkins, FS, Ohio State

New England has too few needs and too many picks. Their ultra high powered offense should be making a return next season, so they should be looking at their pass defense. Malcolm Jenkins is probably not a CB with his questionable long speed and stiff hips, but his ballhawk skills and size should make him a good pairing with Merriweather.

16. San Diego - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

I see this guy dropping to Arizona in mocks a lot. I'm not buying it. He's far too talented. LT is at the end of his rope, Darren Sproles can't be the guy for them and both of these guys are probably working on a 1 year deal. Moreno is an elite talent at RB who can be your future.
 17. New York Jets - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

This is a bit of a trade scenario, because I expect Jason Campbell to be traded to the Jets. With this pick, they give him another weapon in a raw receiver with high upside who can also contribute on special teams.

18. Denver - Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois

Prototypical strong side linebacker for the 3-4. Elvis Dumervil should not be replaced on the weak side. I expect him to have a huge season next year. Larry English can take the attention that he'll receive and get favorable matchups much like Lamarr Woodley.

19. Tampa Bay - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

There is speculation that Josh Freeman will make a Brady Quinn fall. This is the farthest he will fall. Tampa has been looking for that franchise QB for decades and Freeman has connections to Raheem Morris

20. Detroit - Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC

If the Lions were smart, they would take William Beatty here, but this mock draft is about what "will" happen and not what should happen.

21. Philadelphia - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

I know Celek did his thing in the playoffs, but where was he during the regular season? He feels more like a vertical threat TE, where Pettigrew can work the middle and open up the offense for Desean Jackson.

22. Minnesota - Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

Minnesota's interest in TJ Houshmanzadeh shows that the Vikings are looking at becoming 3 deep at the WR position.

23. [TRADE SCENARIO] Houston - Clay Matthews, OLB, USC

This is an interesting pick because the Texans are deep at OLB, but only have Zach Diles as a clear starter. Matthews is too good too pass up with his elite work talent and work ethics.

24. Atlanta - Robert Ayers, LE, Tennessee

This offense is going to score points. That means that the opposing team will be forced into playing catchup a lot. Falcons need another pass rusher opposite Jon Abraham to take advantage of this.

25. Miami - Aaron Maybin, OLB, Penn State

Joey Porter is getting up there in age. He had a great year, but regressed at the end of the season  and the whole defense suffered.

26.  [TRADE SCENARIO] Arizona - Michael Johnson, OLB, Georgia Tech

I'm not trying to mislead anyone and make it seem like Baltimore won the Anquan Boldin sweepstakes, they just value quantity when it comes to picks and only have 6 at this time. Arizona has already made this pick twice already, Alan Branch and Calais Campbell, two underachieving defensive linemen.

27. Indianapolis - Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

This pick makes far too much sense. He's an NFL ready WR who excels at technique and route running. While he's probably not going to have Marvin Harrison's career, he'll still be very productive as the #2 receiver for the Colts.

28. Buffalo - Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

This is tough to swallow, because he's vastly undersized for a DE, but he does have great pass rushing talent. Buffalo can't afford to keep letting their pass rush get worse and bite the bullet here.

29. New York - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

He can come in and play the Plaxico Burress role that the Giants are missing. If I'm incorrect about the Raiders taking DHB, expect the Giants to move up and select Kenny Britt.

30. Tennessee - Sean Smith, CB, Utah

Not a big fan of him as a CB because he's got slow feet, but he does fit the Titans because he is a great blitzing corner and he can matchup with some of the larger receivers in their division.

31. [TRADE SCENARIO] Baltimore - Evander Hood, DE, Missouri

Everyone agrees that the Ravens have a great defense, but if you look at them more closely, they are lacking in the pass rush. Hood can come in and rotate in the Marques Douglas role and then replace Trevor Pryce in 2010.

32. Pittsburgh - Alex Mack, C, California

Justin Hartwig gave up the most sacks at the center position last year. Combine that with the fact that he got little to no push in the running game and this team needs an upgrade. But the pick itself feels far too redundant.