Friday, January 23, 2009

2009 Mock Draft ver 4.0 Round 1

Round 1:

1. Detroit Lions – Mark Sanchez, QB USC

With the first selection, the Detroit Lions select their QB to resurrect this dismal franchise in USC signal caller Mark Sanchez. With Mark Sanchez declaring it easily makes this QB class that much better. I don't believe Matt Stafford is worth the #1 overall pick, however, were Sam Bradford to come out here, he might be the pick. Nonetheless, Sanchez has all the intangibles one looks for from a starting signal caller in the NFL, he has enough arm to throw the long bomb with the best of them, and he has good accuracy and very good mobility and he comes from a winning program known for turning their prospects into great NFL QBs. Though the Lions have a wealth of needs and a couple young QBs on roster Mark Sanchez is still an instant upgrade and franchise QBs are much harder to come by so he must be the pick here so Coach Schwartz can start the turn around process.

Previous selection: Brian Orakpo, DE Texas

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

With the second selection, the Rams select the massive tackle from Saban's resurgent Alabama squad. Andre Smith is a massive and imposing human being and considering the Rams were likely to pounce on Jake Long had he slipped to number 2 last year there is no way they don't go out and grab one of the top OTs on the board at this point. I think Smith is the better fit for what the Rams plan to do with Coach Spags now in place as the Rams would like to feature Jackson heavily and take some of the pressure of Bulger who has been an absolute catastrophe this year. Bringing in Smith would immediately help out the Rams ailing offense, especially in the red zone. I believe Smith will start his career off as a RT for the inconsistent Alex Barron and when Orlando Pace is ready to move on he'll probably be shifted over there. Unless he proves to be more than just a road grating tackle and wins the starting LT job out right in training camp. Either way, I think he's the pick the Rams make unless they go defense with Curry.

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

With the third selection, the Chiefs grab Aaron Curry from Wake Forest. The Chiefs don't really have much at linebacker besides Derrick Johnson and since Curry may be one of if not the best player in the draft the Chiefs would be ecstatic to have him. I'm not entirely sure where he would end up, my guess would be that he would player either strongside backer and maybe DJ would move to weakside or vice versa then they would just have to find an ILB later in the draft or in free agency. This pick could also be an OT if the Chiefs aren't entirely set on drafting Curry, it could also be a on a pass rusher like Brian Orakpo or Everette Brown.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

With the fourth selection, the Seahawks select the super productive wide receiver from Texas Tech in Michael Crabtree. With Jim Mora now the head coach, he'll probably be looking to infuse some youth and talent into an aging receiving corps that has not held their weight and probably lead to the downfall of the Seahawks this past season. Mora has a history of using first rounders on WRs as two of his previous first round selections were Michael Jenkins and Roddy White in Atlanta. Now, considering Crabtree's talent, the need at WR and Mora, I can't imagine Crabtree is not the selection. This pick could also be Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State or Michael Oher/Eugene Monroe to take over for Walter Jones when he eventually retires.

Previous selection: Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State

5. Cleveland Browns – Everette Brown, DE/LB Florida State

With the fifth selection, the Browns select the hybrid pass rusher from Florida State, the dangerous Everette Brown. The Browns have a wealth of different needs and could go a couple of other routes, they could select Chris Wells to be the dominant and punishing RB as is custom in the AFC North. They could also select an impact player like Malcolm Jenkins, but considering their depth at CB I think they go with the speedy DE/OLB from Florida State, Everette Brown. He has shown a real knack for getting to the QB and it wouldn't be the first time that the Browns have gone to Florida State to spice up their pass rush, though Kamerion Wimbley has been marginal in his last two seasons, adding some added pressure opposite him with guidance from the sagely Willie McGinest will go a long way to helping out the Browns defense, both in stuffing the run and shutting down opposing QBs.

Previous selection: Chris Wells, RB Ohio State

6. Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss

With the sixth selection, the Bengals take the big tackle from Mississippi, Michael may be slipping in people's eyes but I still think he's one of the best of the bunch and fits the style of offense that Cincinnati uses, he's an athletic tackle that can protect Palmer's backside while they move incumbent veteran Levi Jones over to RT and hopefully let Stacy Andrews go or move him to guard as he has been a disappointment this season after getting the franchise tag. Oher will go a long way in helping out the struggling Cincy offense.

7. Oakland Raiders – Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia

With the seventh selection, the Crypt Keeper selects someone that didn't run a blazing 40 and that's the third OT in Eugene Monroe, the Raiders have big money invested in their QB and RB but the guys protecting them are hardly anything to write home about. Kwame Harris? Really? Eugene Monroe is drafted and starts from day one on the left side of the line where Robert Gallery is actually playing decent and gives JaMarcus Russell some time to throw the ball so he can complete his 15-20 passes a game while the running game takes over. However, we all know Al Davis and how he gets all hot and bothered when he sees a fast 40, so this pick could also be Jeremy Maclin or Aaron Maybin.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State

With the eighth selection, the once stout Jacksonville Jaguars select cornerback Malcolm Jenkins to boost the credibility of their secondary that became quite a liability this season. Next to defensive tackle, cornerback is their most pressing need and considering how anemic their pass defense was the Jaguars would do well to select the best pure cover corner in this draft class in Malcolm Jenkins, he has a big body and is good in press, he has great cover and ball skills to track and make plays on the long ball and he'll play the run. Putting Jenkins on one side and Mathis on the other will give the Jaguars an incredibly intimidating pass defense that faces the Colts and Texans twice a year.

Previous selection: Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

9. Green Bay Packers – Brian Orakpo, DE Texas

With the ninth selection, the Packers go out and pick the Longhorn pass rush machine, Brian Orakpo. A poor bowl performance has dropped Orakpo from the number one overall pick but his skills are just too great to leave the top 10 and considering besides Aaron Kampman the Packers could not get much of a pass rush this season, it really put a damper on their defense. With losing Cullen Jenkins to injury and cutting Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilia the Packers would be well served to make sure they get the best DE available, luckily for GM Ted Thompson, a guy who likes to take BPA, Brian Orakpo fits both categories and should be able to be a nice addition to the Green Bay defense. This pick also fits the news that the Packers will be moving to a 3-4 defense considering Orakpo has the frame and abilities to stand up and be the OLB pass rush threat.

Previous selection: Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech

10. San Francisco 49ers – Aaron Maybin, DE/LB Penn State

With the tenth selection, the 49ers select the dangerous and talented defensive end from Penn State in Aaron Maybin. Maybin would play as a down lineman in a cover 2 scheme like Dwight Freeney, I also think he has enough spatial awareness and ability to be the pass rushing OLB that San Francisco has been looking for from Manny Lawson. Maybin is a tad undersized and may need to put on some weight to be stout against the run, but considering his upside and limitless potential, I think he has to be the pick here, he gets to the QB, he wreaks havoc in the backfield and Mike Singletary will love his intensity. This pick could also be B.J. Raji from Boston College to play NT for the 49ers.

11. Buffalo Bills – Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech

With the eleventh selection, the frigid Bills select the absolutely massive Yellow Jacket DE, Michael Johnson. For years, the Bills have had nothing opposite DE Aaron Schobel and they were able to get by because he was a relentless machine but as soon as he went down, the Bills lost all pass rush which leads me to believe they'll make the ridiculously gigantic and versatile DE from Georgia Tech, Michael Johnson who has all the potential in the world to become a star and would give the Bills a very dangerous defensive line with Schobel back from injury, and tackles Stroud and Williams clogging the middle.

Previous selection: Everette Brown, DE/LB Florida State

12. Denver Broncos – B.J. Raji, DT Boston College

With the twelfth selection, the Broncos select the smaller of the two big tackles from Boston College in Raji, Taylor Mays from Southern Cal would have been this pick he has decided to head back to SC for his Senior season. Now, considering new head coach Josh McDaniels and his experience with the Patriots, it makes me wonder if they'll switch up to a 3-4, perhaps moving Elvis Dumervil to a rush LB and so forth. So, I would imagine that their pick should be a player who can help ease the transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and it all starts up front and I think B.J. Raji will fit right in. But I think regardless, Denver needs to go BDPA, best defensive player available, so this could also be another player like William Moore or James Laurinaitis. However, they could potentially select Chris Wells as well who has fallen a tad.

Previous selection: Taylor Mays, S USC

13. Washington Redskins – Jason Smith, OT Baylor

With the thirteenth selection and Coach Jim Zorn still on board it's likely he continues to upgrade the offense because it really slowed the Skins down to the point where they played themselves out of the playoffs. Clinton Portis has had no running room and the pass protection was breaking down. Considering the age of the offensive line currently in place and the value of Jason Smith rising, I can't imagine the Redskins passing him up. This pick could also be Tyson Jackson from LSU as a DE who can run stop and potentially move in on certain situations to play DT like division rival Justin Tuck.

14. New Orleans Saints – James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State

With the fourteenth selection, the New Orleans Saints do not select a cornerback. I think with Mike Mackenzie and Tracy Porter on IR, the Saints got a bit of a raw deal in the secondary and I don't think they were as terrible as they were in years prior, but the Saints still need to go defense regardless. Enter Animal Jr. from the Buckeye State, he's a big, mean and fast linebacker and would do well to play SLB with Vilma or replace him at ILB in order to help the Saints stop the run, and not to mention baby Animal is pretty decent in coverage too.

15. Houston Texans – William Moore, S Missouri

With the fifteenth selection, the Texans select William Moore from Mizzou, this versatile safety has had somewhat of a down year with injuries causing some problems with his play, but he is still an elite talent and I don't see him falling past Denver and Houston. He can do it all in a secondary that really has never had an elite safety to hang their hat on, they've gotten by on vagrants and journeymen but now the Texans will have a monster and if Dominique Barber pans out as well, the Texans could have a very talented and young safety duo.

16. San Diego Chargers – Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma

With the sixteenth selection, the San Diego Chargers select the Duke! Chargers could benefit from a number of other positions, like a DE like Tyson Jackson or maybe an ILB like Rey Maualuga or even an offensive weapon for Norv Turner, but I think they need to take a look at Duke Robinson. Mike Goff is still a great NFL guard, but he probably doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank and I think that the Chargers need to keep the offensive line strong in order to make some serious noise during the season, so, I think they grab the big guard who will fit the San Diego system well.

17. New York Jets – Chris Wells, RB Ohio State

With the seventeenth selection, the New York Jets select the bruising back from Ohio State in Chris "Beanie" Wells. The Jets got an All Pro season from Thomas Jones this year, but he has some serious wear and tear on his treads and it's not likely he'll be re-signed and considering the wealth of talent that Wells possesses, I can't imagine the Jets passing him up so they could have their future smash and dash backfield with Wells and Washington. This pick could also be a defensive playmaker like Rey Maualuga, but I think he's slipping a bit and Wells is too valuable to pass at this junction.

Previous selection: Rey Maualuga, LB USC

18. Chicago Bears – Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

With the eighteenth selection, Da Bears select the elusive and versatile receiver from Missouri in Jeremy Maclin. This pick was difficult to make because George Selvie and Greg Hardy have both decided to go back to school, leaving the lower tier of defensive ends to be an incredible reach at this point in the draft. However, Jeremy Maclin is still on the board and I think he is too much of a threat to pass up as he is liable to go yard every time he touches the ball. Teaming him with Devin Hester makes for a very interesting and dynamic receiving corps, not to mention gives them some serious threats to return kickoffs and punts for touchdowns. This pick could also be an OT like Britton to play opposite last year's number one pick in Chris Williams or instead of Maclin, perhaps a big receiver like Kenny Britt or Hakeem Nicks.

Previous selection: George Selvie, DE South Florida

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LeSean McCoy, RB Pittsburgh

With the nineteenth selection, the Bucs make the shifty Pittsburgh back LeSean "Shady" McCoy a new fixture in the offense in Tampa. The Bucs had a heaping big mess in their backfield this year. With Graham going down to injury, Cadillac injuring his good leg and Warrick Dunn reaching the end of his career, the Bucs are going to need to introduce some more youth and especially some more health into their backfield. I think Shady is the kind of back that will be able to help the offense even more, he's a solid back who can break the long run and his talents will go a long way to setting up the passing game where I believe Raheem Morris will find his stride as I think after years of watching the west coast offense operate and show a severe lack of explosion I think he would like to involve play action and boots and what have you to set up the big play, this pick could also be Matt Stafford to set up a new regime for the Bucs.

Previous selection: Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) – Clint Sintim, LB Virginia

With the twentieth, the Detroit Lions take the best defensive player available in my opinion, Detroit needs players everywhere so they may as well go BPA and grab a great LB like Sintim who will start immediately at SLB for the Lions, he has great ability to get to the QB, he's decent in pass coverage and he should be stout against the run behind undersized defensive end Cliff Avril and should go the extra mile in strengthening that Lions defense that gave up too many points way too quickly. This pick could also be an OT like Eben Britton or William Beatty.

Previous selection: Ciron Black, OT LSU

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Eben Britton, OT Arizona

With the twenty-first selection, the Eagles select Eben Britton from Arizona. Britton is rising up draft boards quickly and it looks as if he'll find a home in Philly. I think he'll play RT for the Eagles, and since the Eagles are supposedly moving Herremans out to LT, they can have Shawn Andrews and Max Jean-Gilles inside, Britton will be a nice addition to the right side of the line. He's not as mean as Jon Runyan but he's far more athletic and since Andy Reid loves to take offensive linemen in the 1st round, Britton seems to be the right choice.

22. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Stafford, QB Georgia

With the twenty-second selection the Vikings take the second QB off the board in the Georgia gunslinger Stafford. Tavaris Jackson will be a perennial back up with playing expertise because he proved he can't get it done in the clutch. Gus Ferotte throws too many picks and is far too brittle to be anyone's starting QB and a solid QB is the only thing keeping the Vikings from a deep playoff run. Queue the QB from Georgia who should fit nicely into Childress' system, he can move in the pocket, he can make all the throws and has a knack for winning, he'll be the face of the franchise along with AP for a long time.

23. New England Patriots – Vontae Davis, CB Illinois

With the twenty-third selection, the Patriots select cornerback Vontae Davis from Illinois, the Patriots have had a really tough time covering the pass this year, this could also be because they haven't had the same kind of pass rush they usually get so this pick could also be Rey Maualuga or Brian Cushing from USC. But with the makeshift secondary the Patriots currently have, getting Davis from Zook's resurgent Illini team, the pick will go a long way to bringing the Patriots secondary back up to snuff as Ellis Hobbs is a great corner and Wilhite is an emerging talent, but someone with Davis' talent falling this far is too much to pass up.

24. Atlanta Falcons – Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss

With the twenty-fourth selection the resurgent Falcons select the Ole Miss Monster, Mr. Peria Jerry. The Falcons have been an incredible surprise this season and I give credit to Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff for turning the franchise around so quickly. The team has very few needs at this point but they could definitely stand to upgrade their defensive line, especially the nose tackle. Babineaux has been a standout this season but he needs a big body next to him to occupy blockers and I think Jerry is the best fit for what they need. They could also select a TE like Brandon Pettigrew who has slipped a tad to give Matt Ryan another weapon.

Previous selection: B.J. Raji, DT Boston College

25. Miami Dolphins – Alphonso Smith, CB Wake Forest

With the twenty-fifth selection, the Dolphins grab my favourite cornerback in the draft in Alphonso Smith from Wake Forest. The Dolphins have been one of the better stories this year and with this selection they get a player to help out their ailing secondary which has undoubtedly been their Achilles heel all season. The only thing that might limit him is his ability to play the run but I think Coach Sporano will make sure he sticks his nose in there and makes some noise and after that, he has all the tools to be an elite cover corner in a division where he has to face Randy Moss and Lee Evans twice a year.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Hakeem Nicks, WR North Carolina

With the twenty-sixth selection the Ravens go out and select the talented WR from UNC. The Ravens have had a great season, their run game is amazingly successful, and the offensive line has put up great protection for Joe Flacco, not to mention the Flaccinator has been an absolute stud at QB. Now, he just needs a new target to throw to as Derrick Mason, though talented is aging and they need a youthful and spry WR who can make all the tough catches and then some. Enter Nicks from UNC who is rocketing up draft boards and will give Flacco another talented receiver to get the ball to and Cam Cameron another weapon on offense.

27. Indianapolis Colts – Sean Smith, CB/S Utah

With the twenty-seventh selection the Colts select the versatile corner/safety, Sean Smith from the mighty Utah Utes. Although the Colts have absolutely nothing at DT there really isn't a defensive tackle worth taking this high, they could reach on Marks but I think the Colts grab Smith who can do everything in the secondary for them. Smith is a jack of all trades who can play corner or safety, I think he'll play corner for the Colts and he could move into a safety spot considering the injury woes for Bob Sanders. However, knowing the Colts front office as we do, they could also make the decision to select a WR to take over for Marvin Harrison or a RB like Knowshon Moreno to help spell their current backfield.

Previous selection: Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) – Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State

With the twenty-eighth selection the Eagles select what some have dubbed as the best TE in the Draft in Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew and they get him all the way at the end of the 1st round. As far as Eagles TE's go right now, L.J. Smith is a toss up on whether or not he'll be back, Brent Celek is a solid player but hardly a starter, so the Eagles grab Pettigrew and give themselves a great target for the middle of the field. Now, the Eagles just need to find themselves a big WR in round two to pair up with Pettigrew and current receiving corps and that'll help get McNabb psyched for he'll have all these new weapons to throw to alongside classic favourites.

Previous selection: Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers

29. New York Giants – Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers

With the twenty-ninth selection, the once defending Super Bowl champions select the tall and athletic wide receiver out of Rutgers in Kenny Britt. The selection of Britt seems incredibly likely based on his body type and Eli Manning sorely missing a big target to get the ball to down field. He plays just up the turnpike at Rutgers and will be a pick adored by the Giant faithful. He has a big frame at 6'4" but still requires some coaching to help him with route running and high pointing the ball. Luckily, he has two great route runners to learn from in Steve Smith and Amani Toomer and I think he'll be the big play threat the Giants missed down the stretch this past season. This selection could also be a DE or LB, depending on what they decide to do with Kiwanuka.

Previous selection: Brian Cushing, LB USC

30. Tennessee Titans – D.J. Moore, CB Vanderbilt

With the thirtieth selection, the once top seeded Titans select CB D.J. Moore from in-state Vanderbilt. Tennessee's front office knows what to draft to win and with their secondary aging and #2 corner looking to be the only weak spot I think they go out and draft Moore. Moore is a solid all around corner back that will be a nickel back at first and then eventually move into a starting role when Tennessee lets Nick Harper go. However, this pick could also be Brian Cushing from USC to infuse some youth into the linebacking core where Bulluck and Thornton are aging veterans.

31. Arizona Cardinals – Alex Mack, C California

With the thirty-first selection, the Super Bowl bound Cardinals select one of my personal favourite players in this year's draft, the man beast with a mean streak a mile long, Alex Mack. The Cardinals are proving to have very few weaknesses on offense, but establishing the running game is definitely one, if the Cardinals can balance their offense, dominate the clock and keep their defense off the field it will do wonders for them and I think Alex Mack may be the key component in doing that and he'll start from day one as well. He has the versatility to play center or guard for many years; he finishes blocks and blocks great in space. He is without a doubt the top center in the draft and even though Lyle Sendlein has played well in the playoffs, Mack is an upgrade at any of the interior positions save for maybe Reggie Wells.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyson Jackson, DE LSU

With the thirty-second selection, the Super Bowl champion Steelers select LSU DE Tyson Jackson to play 3-4 end alongside Aaron Smith who is aging and the big bodied Casey Hampton in the middle. This pick will make the Steelers defense even stingier than it already is. The Steelers could reach on an offensive lineman like Herman Johnson from LSU or Troy Kropog from Tulane, but with Jackson's skill set, I think he needs to be the pick. He's strong enough to play the run as a base end and he has enough zip and skill to be a credible pass rush specialist on passing downs giving the Steelers another defensive player who can get to the QB.

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