Exploring The First Round Of The 2009 NFL Draft (PART 1)

You can see picks 18-32 here

What a year it has been! The 2008-2009 NFL season proved once again to be exciting, surprising, and most of all: unpredictable.

Even before the season started many of us already predicted the Superbowl champs as a number of teams: the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, and Jacksonville Jaguars were favorites among many experts and analysts.

Since then, again, what a year it has been! Heck! Even teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and the Green Bay Packers were predicted to make a playoff push! 

The Dallas Cowboys are playing with a underachieving 9-6 record fighting for a wild-card playoff spot regardless of all the raw talent they have on their team.

The New England Patriots (10-5), clearly not the team that the NFL has seen last year, is suffering the loss of their quarterback Tom Brady. Since then, Matt Cassel has stepped up as the starting quarterback, and surprisingly has played phenomenally, leading the Patriots to hopefully, for the Patriots, another playoff berth.

The New York Giants (12-3), after that decisive victory over the Carolina Panthers, are having a great season under Tom Coughlin and still are favorites to many to win the Superbowl (even without Plaxico Burress!).

The Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) once again clinched the AFC North this year with their dominating defense.

The Indianapolis Colts (11-4): It took awhile for the starting weeks of the regular season for Peyton Manning to get hot, winning their last 8 contests and clinching a wild-card playoff spot in the process.

What happened to the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10)? Not even in the playoff picture!

Most surprisingly disappointing are the San Diego Chargers (7-8)! Where is the LT that we all know? As of right now, they control their own destiny by either beating the Denver Broncos (8-7)on Sunday or finishing the season without a spot in the playoffs. Who knew the Detroit Lions would go winless?

Teams that weren’t even in the discussion are now dominating the league. Teams such as the Tennessee Titans (13-2) is a powerhouse, Miami Dolphins (10-5), who was close to becoming the only winless team in the NFL last year is in the playoffs if they win against the Jets next week, the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) has become a factor compared to their woeful 5-11 record of last season, and the Atlanta Falcons (10-5) have totally turned their season around compared to last year.

One factor that played in the turning around of all those teams were the players they picked during the NFL Draft. Miami with Jake Long, Tennessee with Chris Johnson, Baltimorewith Joe Flacco, Atlantawith Matt Ryan, who all have turned out to be future stars of the league.

There are many more players who also have played big roles for their teams: Steve Slaton, Matt Forte, Jonathan Stewart, DeSean Jackson, John Carlson just to name a few. You can see how much of a difference a great draft pick can make in your team.

Here, I will be making my picks 1-32 for my 2009 NFL Draft Mock Draft based on what happened this season and which players might make the most impact for next season.

1. Detroit Lions: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Not just a losing season, try winlessseason! The Detroit Lions have accomplished one for the books this season: going 0-16! After injuries at the QB position and the signing of Daunte Culpepper in desperation and regardless of the season Calvin Johnson had, it’s evident that the Lions need a different signal-caller.

A quarterback who controlled the most explosive offense in NCAA this year, Sam Bradford – Heisman trophy winner and AP player of the year—is a guy they can rebuild their franchise around with, willing he enters the draft.

Because of what he has done at OU and the experience he has had with the offense he controlled at Oklahoma, he is the player that the Lions can rebuild around. Matthew Stafford of Georgia is another candidate for this pick.

2. St. Louis Rams: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

It was pretty evident that the Rams were chasing to pick Jake Long in last year’s draft, but picked up Chris Long after the Dolphins took Jake Long as their number one pick.

If you watched any college football this season, you know that the Rolling Tide of Alabama reached their national prominence this year because of their defense, and Andre Smith was a critical part of that defensive force.

As Orlando Pace is finally showing some effects of age, Smith can be an instant success with the Rams. A powerful run blocker who is also very versatile should defy many pass rushers going against him.

The Rams also need a cornerback, and could call on the services of Aaron Curry, who has had a phenomenal college career with Wake Forest.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

Aaron Curry has been the best LB in NCAA football this season, hands down. There isn’t anything that he can’t do in a defensive scheme. He can stop the run, cover the pass, and rush the passer.

Curry would be a nice addition to the Chiefs’ secondary as it was evident this season that their defense definitely needed an upgrade.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State

The Bengals have been just terrible this season, bottom line. It wasn’t just because of Carson Palmer’s injury. And with the exception of T.J Houshmandzadeh, their offensive scheme was a mess. Chad“Ocho-Cinco” Johnson was a non-factor this season and the running game was even worse.

Rudi Johnson, Chris Perry, and Cedric Benson have evidently not worked out for Cincinnati and Wells would make a positive addition to the Bengals backfield, given he enters the draft, and stays healthy.

5. Cleveland Browns: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

The most anticipated team became the most disappointing team this season as the Cleveland Browns faced many problems with coaching and within their locker room. As Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn both went down this season due to injuries, it’s no question that the Browns need support in their Offensive Line.

Having solid QBs under center and a pretty good receiver core and a decent tight end, the Browns can definitely use Oher. Oher is another OT that dominates the rush game and also is a terror to pass rushers.

6. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

It has been a long and sad season for the Seattle Seahawks in Mike Holmgren’s last season with the Hawks. Plagued with injuries to Matt Hasselbeck, wide receiver core, and O-Line, the Seattle Seahawks lost the NFC West Division for the first time in a nearly half-a-decade.

With Bobby Engram most likely retiring (if not, very soon), and Deion Branch showing effects of age, Michael Crabtree is a dangerous target that Hasselbeck can find. The Seahawks can also use a OT as we already see Walter Jones battling to stay healthy as he nears the age of 35.

7. Oakland Raiders: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The Oakland Raiders, regardless of having top ten picks in the last 4 years, still is looking hopeless. In my opinion, it’s time for Al Davis to hang it up! Anyone agree? Having drafted JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden, we still really haven’t seen either of them play to their fullest potential.

Wouldn’t it be most reasonable if they can bring a guy that can block for them? Smith’s strength and versatility would be a big support for Kwame Harris and would ultimately give the Raiders’ line more power for McFadden and Russell.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

Like I said earlier, the Jacksonville Jaguars were one team among the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season—dropping seven games out of their last 10. Out of all the problems the Jags had this season, it was pretty evident that they could use some help on defending the pass.

Jenkins not only has speed but also size—there is a reason why he is the No. 1 cornerback in the draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars will be very happy to take Jenkins at No. 8 as the Cleveland Browns might be a candidate who is looking to take Jenkins, also.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

The 49ers are probably hesitant to take another QB for their first pick because of how much of a bust Alex Smith has been for them and I don’t think Shaun Hill, even though he has looked good, is the guy that will lead them to where they want to go.

Stafford has been amazing during his career at Georgia Tech and looks like he has the skills to perform at the next level. The QB position is the position the 49ers need right now and he will fit perfectly.

10. Green BayPackers: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Green Bay Packers were a disappointment as to where they are now compared to where they were last year with Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers has been pretty good and it’s evident he will be a future star in the upcoming years. Green Bay’s defense has struggled most this year—especially pass rushing.

Orakpo has led the Texasdefense to being one of the most feared in the nation. Orakpo would be a great addition with Aaron Kampman in the D-Line, where they ranked almost near the bottom of the league in rush defense.

11. Buffalo Bills: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

The Buffalo Bills looked explosive coming off their first four wins of the season, but broke down as of then. Part of that reason was because of the lack of offensive weapons they had. Marshawn Lynch and Lee Evans looked phenomenal throughout the season, but they couldn’t take the load for every game.

Jermaine Gresham led the explosive Oklahoma offense in touchdown receptions and has the speed and hands of a wide receiver. Another thing Greshamis so valuable is because he can block almost as well as catch. The Bills are notorious for liking a tight end who blocks more than catch so they can also take Brandon Pettigrew of OSU here.

12. Houston Texans: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

The Texans’ picked Mario Williams for their number one draft pick in 2006 and he has worked out beautifully for them. The Texans never had any standout linebackers on their defense, but and Maualuga could work out for them beautifully.

A linebacker who is feared by offenses this year, Maualuga is the linebacker who can instantly make a difference in the Texans secondary. The Texans’ also can use a safety and could go after USC’s Taylor Mays.

13. Denver Broncos: Taylor Mays, S, USC

The Broncos defense has looked terrible once again this season, ranking near the bottom in both passing and rush defense. The Broncos can definitely use some help as they struggled especially in defending the pass.

A safety that has the size of a linebacker, he can also hit like one, too. Mays has all the abilities to steer this Broncos in the right direction.

14. New Orleans Saints: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Saints were one of teams who many people thought could go all the way this year—while their offense was stacked with guys like Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey, and guys that proved that they play including Pierre Thomas and Lance Moore, their defense was horrible.

The Saints can definitely use Vontae Davis, a cornerback who has the athleticism and versatility to do it all—this is if Davis is still on the board.

15. San Diego Chargers: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

If you’re a fantasy player, you know that LT has been one of the biggest disappointments of the year. The Chargers rush offense have ranked 28th in the league and the O-Line has been part of the reason why LT and the Chargers haven’t been able unleash their run game.

Eugene Monroe is dominant against stuffing the pass rush and is considered one of the best offensive linemen in the senior class—he will be a nice addition to the Chargers front line if they draft him.

16. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Philadelphia’s defense has once again been one of the leagues elite under Jim Johnson, but their some of their D-Line are showing some age. Michael Johnson has size and speed to become a dangerous pass rusher in the league and has the potential to eventually replace Darren Howard and Juqua Parker.

17. Arizona Cardinals: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Cardinals won the NFC West title this season for the first time in more than almost two decades and you can credit their wide receiver core—Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and Steve Breaston—for that feat.

One area the Cardinals did struggle in this year was the run. While Tim Hightower does have 10 TDs this year, the Cardinals still rank 32nd in the rush game. While Hightower did prove he can work in goal-line situations, he struggles in making noise in the Cardinals offense.

Knowshon Moreno, only a sophomore, has proved he has not just the speed and size, but also terrific vision. Moreno could be a terrific 1-2 punch alongside Hightower if the Cardinals land him.

See picks 18-32 here