2009 Mock Draft ver 5.0 Round 2

Round 2:

33. Detroit Lions – Clay Matthews, LB USC

With the thirty-third selection, the Detroit Lions take the best defensive player available in my opinion in Clay Matthews who has also seen his stock rise tremendously because of a great performance at the Senior Bowl where he showed he can dominate elite OTs and cover, play the run and do pretty much anything else asked of a talented linebacker. Now, considering Detroit needs players everywhere so they may as well go BPA and grab a great LB like Matthews who will start immediately at SLB for the Lions, like I said, he has great ability to get to the QB as he proved when he ran right through Michael Oher at the Senior Bowl, he's deceptively good in pass coverage and he should be stout against the run behind undersized defensive end Cliff Avril. Selecting Matthews should go the extra mile in strengthening that Lions defense that gave up too many points way too quickly and not to mention give them an on the field leader.

Previous selection: William Beatty, OT Connecticut

34. Kansas City Chiefs – Paul Kruger, DE Utah

With the thirty-fifth selection the Kansas City Chiefs select their most pressing need in a defensive end who can get to the QB and that's Paul Kruger from Utah. Kruger has been rising on a lot of boards since he decided to declare and he could very easily end up in the latter half of the first round but luckily for the Chiefs, he's still available at this point in the draft as the Chiefs need to add some pizzazz to their pass rush that was anemic at best. Pairing him up with Dorsey, Tyler and Hali will give the Chiefs a solid defensive line and add Curry with Derrick Johnson and the Chiefs are an ILB away from solid. This pick could also be the Chiefs top rated offensive linemen but since new GM Scott Pioli comes from the Patriot's front office, this is the kind of player the Chiefs should be coveting since he could fit in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense, depending on what the new Chiefs head coach will be running.

Previous selection: Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss

35. St. Louis Rams – Patrick Chung, S Oregon

With the thirty-fifth selection the Rams select one of my favourite players in this years draft in the hard hitting safety, Patrick Chung. The Rams have had two incredibly subpar players at the strong safety position in Todd Johnson and Corey Chavous and the Rams need a young and talented safety that can support against the run and make the plays in coverage so that Atogwe is free to ball hawk and his mistakes won't be so obvious and catastrophic. At this point, Chung might be considered a bit of a reach and the Rams could trade down, but I think he should be the pick here as he can bring some leadership, stability and athleticism to the strong safety position that the Rams haven't had since Adam Archuleta left town.

36. Cleveland Browns – Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia

With the thirty-sixth selection, the struggling Browns select the versatile back from Georgia, Mr. Knowshon Moreno. In all likelihood, Jamal Lewis has played his last season with the Browns, he's lost all his get up and go and is looking more like a slug coming through the hole than a truck. If the Browns get Moreno they can team him up with Jerome Harrison and have the two-headed beast of a backfield that is becoming the norm with NFL teams nowadays. For the Browns, teaming up the speedy Harrison and bruising Moreno do them some good, not to mention take some of the pressure off whoever is at QB as they pound the rock against division opponents who enjoy milking the clock with their beast running games as well.

Previous selection: Connor Barwin, DE/LB Cincinnati

37. Seattle Seahawks – William Moore, S Missouri

With the thirty-seventh selection, the Seattle Seahawks select the versatile safety from Missouri in William Moore. The Seahawks need some serious retooling in their secondary I think it begins with getting rid of Brian Russell and moving Deon Grant to SS as he is better served as an in the box safety. William Moore has seen his stock plummet after a terrible Senior Bowl outing but he is still too good for the Seahawks to pass up at this point in the draft, during his time at school he was a solid player who was good in coverage and can play on the line and stop the run if need be, he will be an integral part of the Seahawks secondary that seemed to slip last year after usually being a solid and productive unit. However, this selection could also be a tackle like Troy Kropog or a cornerback like Mike Mickens but I think William Moore should be the pick as he has a wealth of potential and the Seahawks have three decent cornerbacks with starting experience and Moore who had the potential to be top 15 falls all the way down to the Seahawks at 37.

Previous selection: Rashad Johnson, S Alabama

38. Cincinnati Bengals – Max Unger, C Oregon

With the thirty-eighth selection, the Cincinnati Bengals select the versatile offensive lineman from Oregon in Max Unger. Unger is a solid offensive lineman who can play any position on the line, so not only being tremendous value at this point in the draft he is a great pick up because he can challenge Ghauicic at C as well as any other offensive linemen for playing time as he is too good to keep off the field and his versatility will save a roster spot on game day as well. Unger can stand to get stronger at the point of attack as he has a tendency to lose control of some of the bigger defensive tackles and get pushed around, and if he wants to play in the AFC North, he's going to be dealing with some big mothers in Haloti Ngata, Casey Hampton and Shaun Rogers. His pass set is fine even though he could stand to play lower, but he really needs to work on his run blocking and making sure he can seal blocks at the second level.

39. Jacksonville Jaguars – Evander Hood, DT Missouri

With the thirty-ninth selection, the Jaguars select the disruptive force from the Missouri Tigers program in Evander "Ziggy" Hood. John Henderson has looked lonely without his buddy Marcus Stroud next to him, not to mention the defense has managed to become a liability as opposed to strength, so they could definitely use a penetrating defensive tackle to put next to the gargantuan Henderson. Hood himself is a big fella at 6'5" and pushing 300 pounds and he knows how to get into the backfield as he had 7 tackles for a loss to go along with 5 sacks from his defensive tackle position. I think pairing him with Henderson will bring the Jags defensive line back to respectability especially if Groves and Harvey come on strong after not producing too much their rookie seasons.

Previous selection: Troy Kropog, OT Tulane

40. Oakland Raiders – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland

With the fortieth selection, the Raiders select a guy they could have very well selected in the first round in the speedster from Maryland. But due to his raw talent and lack of experience I think he slides all the way down to the Raiders in the second round and I think we all know how much Al Davis values speed and DHB's potential is too much for him not to make this pick and give the Raiders a young and dynamic trio of cornerstone pieces in DHB, McFadden and Russell, combine that with a new LT and some solid pieces already in place and the Raiders might soon have an incredibly dynamic offense that isn't purely a running game.

Previous selection: Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

41. Green Bay Packers – William Beatty, OT Connecticut

With the forty-first selection, the Green Bay Packers use this selection on the athletic UConn tackle William Beatty. The Packers are probably going to let Mark Tauscher test the waters in free agency, he's an older tackle with some serious years on him and the Packers and Ted Thompson seem to be all about getting younger. William Beatty is another talent that has been rocketing up draft boards as of late, especially after the dominating performance in the International Bowl against MAC Champions Buffalo and a stellar performance at the Senior Bowl. He has great pass blocking ability and showed he can also be a dominant run blocker despite his slender build and he is the pick Green Bay needs to make to protect Aaron Rodgers blindside for the next decade as he'll probably start at LT since he's far more athletic and the Packers can move Clifton to RT.

Previous selection: Sen'Derrick Marks, DT Auburn

42. Buffalo Bills – Chase Coffman, TE Missouri

With the forty-second selection the Bills gets incredibly lucky and get the second best TE in the draft at 42, they would have loved to have had Gresham but he has decided to stay at Oklahoma another year but at this point, the Bills are able to draft Chase Coffman from Missouri. Coffman can spread the field and get deep along in between the hashes and allow more opportunities for Evans down the field. Not to mention he can be a great safety blanket for Trent Edwards when things start to get dicey in the pocket, Coffman is a solid pick here. This pick could also be an OLB to replace Angelo Crowell if he's let go.

Previous selection: Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma

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

With the forty-third 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 is an absolute steal because I had Maybin going to the 49ers at ten in my last update and now with all the other OLB hybrids moving up, Maybin slides all the way down here to the 49ers who are psyched to get him.

Previous selection: Louis Delmas, S Western Michigan

44. Miami Dolphins (from Washington) – Ron Brace, DT Boston College

With the forty-fourth selection, the Miami Dolphins the big bruiser from Boston College in defensive tackle Ron Brace. The Dolphins found some great young talent on the defensive line in last years draft in Philip Merling and Kendall Langford, now they just need young and fresh legs at the NT position where Jason Ferguson is on his last legs despite some success this season. Ron Brace has made it obvious that he nothing else other than a NT in a 3-4, he has one pass rush move and that's a bulrush, but he is a massive human being who is strong enough to anchor and take on multiple blockers giving Akin Ayodele some room in the secondary to roam around. Now, this pick could be a MLB like Rey Maualuga, but I'm not high on him like I used to be and I don't think Parcells and Sporano turn down the opportunity to sure up their defensive front for the next little while.

Previous selection: Larry English, DE/LB Northern Illinois

45. New York Giants (from New Orleans) – Rashad Johnson, S Alabama

With the forty-fifth selection, the Giants select the talented and versatile safety from Alabama in Rashad Johnson. The Giants caught lightning in a bottle last year with being able to land Kenny Phillips at the end of the first and they need someone to play across from him who compliment his style of play, Michael Johnson and James Butler are both good safeties but I think they are more rotation and special teams players than anything and not to mention James Butler is a free agent this offseason and with the wealth of talent at safety in this draft they may not bring him back, so for the Giants, bringing in Johnson to play alongside Phillips will give the Giants an even younger and talented secondary as Johnson is a defensive playmaker with 11 career picks. This pick could also be a defensive end but considering the players available, grabbing Rashad Johnson is definitely the best route to go.

Previous selection: Brian Cushing, LB USC

46. Houston Texans – Connor Barwin, DE Cincinnati

With the forty-sixth selection the Texans select the highly talented but raw DE from Cincinnati in Connor Barwin. He's a high motor player who can be a solid LDE opposite Mario Williams giving the Texans a chance to get some more sacks from a player without a 90 on their jersey. Like I said, he's a tad raw but ultimately has all the skills to be a solid DE in the NFL, the Texans could use a NT opposite Okoye but I think Barwin is too valuable to pass up to reach on a NT at forty-six and I think he would be a great player for the Texans. However, like I said, it is still very possible for the Texans to put tabs on a big defensive tackle like Jarron Gilbert to get some one on one battles on the inside and outside and to keep the offensive lineman off of DeMeco Ryans.

47. New England Patriots (from San Diego) – Percy Harvin, WR Florida

With the forty-seventh selection in the NFL draft the Patriots select WR Percy Harvin. Bill Belichick is a big fan of drafting Florida WRs and Percy Harvin is probably the best one to come out in a long time, more consistent and explosive than Chad Jackson and aims to be a better athlete and receiver then Jabar Gaffney. The Patriots could use another weapon in the slot while Welker and Moss get double covered and considering Gaffney's mental lapses in missing catches and the Patriots offense lacking a pure slot receiver I think they go WR and Percy Harvin fits right into what the Patriots want to do with their offense and provides who ever starts at QB with another weapon.

48. Denver Broncos – Rey Maualuga, LB USC

With the forty-eighth selection the Denver Broncos continue to move towards the 3-4 defense by selecting the big and nasty middle linebacker from SC, Rey Maualuga. If you're going to have a solid 3-4 defense you need an anchor to occupy multiple blockers and they got that in B.J. Raji, now they need an interior linebacker who can play sideline to sideline, blitz the QB and cover in the pass game. With Raji keeping blockers off him, Rey Maualuga should be able to step his game up and become the interior force that Denver has been looking for. They have had a revolving door at MLB and now they'll hopefully have a stalwart there in Rey Maualuga.

49. Chicago Bears – Phil Loadholt, OT Oklahoma

With the forty-ninth selection, the Chicago Bears select the towering man beast from Oklahoma in Phil Loadholt. Big Phil has seen his stock rise with some great play at the Senior Bowl and has even proved that he might be able to be a left tackle in the NFL, however, the Bears selected their franchise left tackle in the draft last year with Chris Williams, now it is time to book end him with the massive Loadholt who will take over for the aging John Tait and give the Bears a younger and more dominant offensive line to open holes in the running game for Matt Forte and to protect Kyle Orton so he can get the ball down field to Hester and new weapon Jeremy Maclin. This pick could also be a pass rusher, but the Bears would have to really reach on Ayers at this point.

Previous selection: Philip Hunt, DE Houston

50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State

With the fiftieth selection the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select the big QB from Kansas State, Josh Freeman. Freeman has immense potential, he's 6'6" and 240 pounds and he runs very well and has a great arm, he needs to work on his accuracy, but that's not unlike most rookie QBs coming out of the college ranks. I think he'd be a great talent for Raheem Morris to grab to usher in a new era for the Tampa Bay Bucs as he can be the type of player they need to get the ball to the deep receiver and also wear defenses out with bootlegs and play action. Now, Gruden wasn't a fan of young QBs but Morris may be a different kind of coach and I don't think he'll be able to turn Freeman down considering his potential even with Josh Johnson on the roster as Freeman has all the tools to become an elite QB and give the Bucs some consistency at the franchise position.

51. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Hamlin, S Clemson

With the fifty-first selection, the Cowboys select what seems to be their most pressing need in a game changing safety who can be a presence in the run game and ball hawk in the secondary and Michael Hamlin fills the void where Roy Williams and Michael Hamlin (no relation) are not holding their weight. The Cowboys season can be summed up by their Saturday night late season battle with the Ravens, good until the end. The Cowboys played well until it mattered and then imploded as Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain ran over and through their safeties. Bringing in Michael Hamlin should be able to help them as he is a solid safety who can play the run and is a ball hawk as is evidence by his 14 career picks in the ACC. This pick could potentially be a NT to spell Jay Ratliff or an ILB to replace Zach Thomas.

Previous selection: Ron Brace, DT Boston College

52. Philadelphia Eagles – Shonn Greene, RB Iowa

With the fifty-second selection in the second round, the Eagles select the big, bruising back from Iowa in Shonn Greene. The playoff game against the Giants proved that Westbrook is a solid weapon but when it comes to the goal line he has absolutely no value unless he's catching passes out of the backfield. The Eagles proved to me that they need a big back who can put his head down and move the pile and lucky for them, Greene is still on the board and is too valuable to pass up. He's built sort of in the mould of Jonathan Stewart or even a smaller Brandon Jacobs, he can make the first tackler pay with a well placed shoulder, but he also has enough get up to be able to go the distance when he gets into the second level.

Previous selection: Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State

53. New York Jets – Victor Harris, CB Virginia Tech

With the fifty-third selection the Jets select cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris from Virginia Tech. Ty Law, nuff' said.

Previous selection: Mike Mickens, CB Cincinnati



54. Minnesota Vikings – Antoine Caldwell, C Alabama

With the fifty-fourth selection, the Minnesota Vikings select the hard nosed and versatile center from Alabama in Antoine Caldwell. Caldwell is a very good prospect and still projects as a quality center in the NFL. He was a man of many talents for Nick Saban's Crimson Tide squad as he spent time out at tackle as well as center and that kind of versatility provides the Vikings with some great options on game day as it can save a roster spot when their center can kick out to guard or tackle if need be. He's a solid run blocker and pass blocker, he has good feet and a great punch, he could stand to sink his hips more in protection but I think at this point, his versatility and with the Vikings likely to be needing a center when they eventually let Matt Birk test free agency, Caldwell should be the pick.

Previous selection: Phil Loadholt, OT Oklahoma

55. Atlanta Falcons – Marcus Freeman, LB Ohio State

With the fifty-fifth selection, the Atlanta Falcons grab the big and nasty outside linebacker from the Buckeye State in Marcus Freeman. Freeman has seen his stock rise after playing incredibly well in the Senior Bowl and showing he can lay the wood and drop back in coverage as well. The Falcons have some good linebackers, Curtis Lofton will be a stud but Brooking is aging and losing a step, while Boley was unable to beat Coy Wire for a starting spot. Marcus Freeman gives them the ability to lose one of those underachievers and replace em' with a playmaker who can go sideline to sideline as Freeman is big enough to play strongside backer, but he is loose in the hips enough to play weakside as well.

Previous selection: Clay Matthews, LB USC

56. Miami Dolphins – Louis Murphy, WR Florida

With the fifty-sixth selection the Miami Dolphins select the talented but slightly rawer receiver from Florida in Louis Murphy. Murphy is an immense talent and it seems like the Dolphins have become a team that like to take receivers with potential but raw abilities and turn them into big game players. Ginn, Bess and Camarillio come to mind, but the Dolphins need a big target and Murphy provides that with a 6'3", 200+ lb. frame, he'll take a few years to gain the route running ability and awareness to be a big time game breaker, but until then, he can play the slot and is always a threat to take a short slant to the house. This pick could also be a safety, but considering the value and potential of Murphy, they can't pass him up.

Previous selection: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland

57. Baltimore Ravens – Fili Moala, DE/DT USC

With the fifty-seventh selection the Baltimore Ravens select Fili Moala from USC. Moala is the perfect type of player for Baltimore's multiple defense system. He can be a DE in a 3-4; he can be an UT in a 4-3 and can play NT in the 46. Using his versatility and natural abilities along side Haloti Ngata and Trevor Pryce and being an upgrade over Justin Bannan, the pick of Moala will go a long way to strengthening the Raven's defense even more. Moala improved his stock with a good Senior Bowl performance and has likely put himself into first day talks, I think he can be a solid contributor his first year if he's part of a rotation and that's something the Ravens like to employ.

58. New England Patriots – LeSean McCoy, RB Pittsburgh

With the fifty-eighth selection, the Patriots select the talented running back from Pittsburgh in LeSean "Shady" McCoy. The Patriots are purely picking best available player here as they have a wealth of running backs, but none with the potential of Shady. Jordan, Morris and Green-Ellis are nothing more than a running back by committee, Maroney has had some real durability issues and Evans is more apt to be a fullback. So, they bring in McCoy who has seen his stock drop because of some flip flopping on whether to decide to declare or not, the Patriots are ecstatic to bring him in to spell their current backs and give them a new dynamic on offense once Brady comes back from injury.

Previous selection: Brandon Williams, DE/LB Texas Tech

59. Carolina Panthers – Sen'Derrick Marks, DT Auburn

With the fifty-ninth selection the Panthers select the Auburn defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks. With Kris Jenkins now stuffing gaps for the Jets and the Panthers basically having only Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu on the roster at DT they sure could use a penetrating defensive tackle that can collapse the pocket, rush the QB and stuff the run. Marks is a solid player at this point in the draft and would be a nice addition to the Carolina defensive line. Marks has seen his stock drop a tad with the rise of other tackles like Hood but Marks is still a first day prospect and will definitely give the Panthers something inside that isn't just a big bodied run stuffer.

Previous selection: Evander Hood, DT Missouri

60. New York Giants – Donald Brown, RB Connecticut

With the sixtieth selection the Giants select the all-purpose running back from UConn in Donald Brown. It is likely that the Giants let Derrick Ward test the market in free agency in order to lock up Brandon Jacobs so they'll need a smaller, speedy back that can catch out of the backfield and be a compliment to Jacobs bruising running style and I think Donald Brown fits that bill perfectly. This pick could also be Javon Ringer from Michigan State or S like Emmanuel Cook from South Carolina.

61. Indianapolis Colts – Jarron Gilbert, DT San Jose State

With the sixty-first selection, the Colts select the disruptive force from the Spartan army in Jarron Gilbert. The Colts have sorely missed Quinn Pitcock and Ed Johnson in the interior of their defensive line where they currently have absolutely no one, the Colts should definitely look to grab the top DT available so that teams aren't double teaming Freeney and Mathis, more so than they already are and this is where Jarron Gilbert comes in. Gilbert himself is a big fella at 6'5" and pushing 300 pounds and he knows how to get into the backfield as he had 22 tackles for a loss to go along with 9.5 sacks from his defensive tackle position. That is production from a defensive tackle and by putting him alongside Freeney and Mathis, someone is definitely going to be harassing the opposing quarterback every time they drop back to pass.

Previous selection: Dorell Scott, DT Clemson

62. Tennessee Titans – Gerald McGrath, LB Southern Mississippi

With the sixty-second pick in the second round, the Tennessee Titans select the middle linebacker from Southern Miss in Gerald McGrath. McGrath is likely to play WLB in the NFL and will probably need to put some weight on but I think he has a tremendous upside. Now, the Tennessee Titans like to groom their own players so I imagine they draft McGrath get him used to the system while using him in the special teams and when Bulluck and/or Thornton is ready to move on, he'll be waiting in the wings to step in and contribute. McGrath is an aggressive defender who knows how to play in opposing teams backfields as he amassed 8 sacks and 32.5 tackles for a loss during his tenure at Southern Miss. I think he'll be a playmaker much in the way Bulluck is currently for the Titans, he has speed, toughness and intensity and can make big plays when it counts.

63. Arizona Cardinals – Coye Francies, CB San Jose State

With the sixty-third selection, the Arizona Cardinals select Coye Francies, the second soldier from the Spartan army to be selected in the 2nd round. The Cardinals magical run to the Super Bowl was improbable but the more you watched them, the more they looked like they belonged. However, the Cardinals could not stop the pass when it counted and considering Roderick Hood may as well change his name to Toast, the Cards could use another young talented corner to pair up with DRC who looked really good even in the big time spotlight. This pick could also be a center like Jonathan Luigs from Arkansas or Eric Wood from Louisville to replace the inconsistent Lyle Sendlein, but considering the depth at center in this draft, they will wait to address it later.

Previous selection: Herman Johnson, OG LSU

64. Pittsburgh Steelers – Troy Kropog, OT Tulane

With the sixty-fourth and final selection in the second round the Steelers select the big body and athletic OT from Tulane in Troy Kropog. Kropog is the kind of player that the Steelers would absolutely love having on their team, he's versatile enough to play guard or tackle and he's the kind of big bodied offensive tackle that has the potential to mow down opposing defensive lineman once he understands the basics of leverage. I also think he's more than athletic enough to pass block for the Steelers considering how Roethlisberger likes to roll around and keep the ball longer than he should, Kropog should be able to use his athleticism that made him a solid tackle at Tulane and he should be able to keep Big Ben upright and out of the hospital.

Previous selection: Fenuki Tupou, OT Oregon