2009 Mock Draft Ver 2.0 Round 1

Round 1:

1. Detroit Lions – Brian Orakpo, DE Texas

With the first selection in the 2009 NFL Draft I think the Lions go with the most impact defensive player on the board in Texas DE Brian Orakpo who has been an absolute monster this season. The game that most sticks out in my mind was the game vs. Missouri where Texas would only use a 3 man front and Orakpo was constantly harassing Chase Daniel all game long. The Lions have a wealth of needs coming into this draft but somehow I think they pass on QB and OT to select a game breaking DE because I have a feeling the Lions will go after Josh McDaniels, OC from the Patriots and his QB Matt Cassel which would leave them in the position to take BPA and that is Orakpo.

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 two OTs left on the board at this point. I think Smith is the better fit of the two for the Rams since they 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.

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 reach on a pass rusher like Michael Johnson or Everette Brown.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State

With the fourth selection, the Seahawks nab the top corner back available since they're having such a hard time covering the pass this year. Josh Wilson and Kelly Jennings are both nickel corners at best and Malcolm Jenkins can come in immediately and start opposite Trufant, but he also has the versatility to be a great FS for the Seahawks so I think this is the best pick for them, this pick could also be an OT or a WR since those are also positions of weakness but with Walter Jones still in place and Sean Locklear back from injury, I think they can hold off and get the best pure cover corner in the draft in Jenkins.

5. Cleveland Browns – Chris Wells, RB Ohio State

With the fifth selection we welcome the Browns back to the first day after a brief hiatus last year and they go out and select the truck back from Ohio State, Mr. Chris Wells. 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 Wells they can team him up with Jerome Harrison and have the two-headed beast of a backfield that is becoming synonymous with NFL teams this season. Teaming up the speedy Harrison and bruising Wells in their division will do them some good, not to mention take some of the pressure off whoever is at QB.

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 Michael Crabtree, Taylor Mays or Darrius Heyward-Bey.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

With the eighth selection, the Jaguars go out and select the uber productive WR from Texas Tech, Mr. Crabtree, now, Jacksonville has had some really tough luck this season on both sides of the ball in regards to injuries, team disruptions and what have you, so this pick could also be traded down to the mid teens so that someone can come up and have a shot at Crabtree and Jacksonville can grab Brandon Spikes from Florida or Duke Robinson from Oklahoma. However, I think with the severe lack of production from the Jacksonville WRs and Matt Jones, their only productive WR sitting on possession charges, they'll need the skills of Crabtree in their offense to bail out David Garrard who has looked stunningly unimpressive this season.

9. Green Bay Packers – Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech

With the ninth selection, the Packers go out and pick the absolutely massive Yellow Jacket DE, Michael Johnson. Besides Aaron Kampman, the Packers could not get much of a pass rush this season and it really put a damper on their defence. 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, Michael Johnson fits both categories and should be able to be a nice addition to the Green Bay defence.

10. San Francisco 49ers – Taylor Mays, S USC

With the tenth selection, the 49ers go BPA and Mays is that player. What was potentially a top 5-7 talent has slid to the 49ers who could use Mays range and playmaking ability. This pick could also be OL, pass rusher or even a WR because the 49ers have been severely lacking on offense but I think the 49ers hold off on OL until the second and select the speedy safety from So Cal especially in light of hiring Mike Singletary as head coach, the 49ers are more than likely to build the defence first and foremost.

11. Buffalo Bills – Everette Brown, DE Florida State

With the eleventh selection, the frigid Bills select Everette Brown from FSU. 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 use this pick on the ridiculously fast and versatile DE from Florida St., Everette Brown who has all the potential to become a star and would give the Bills a very dangerous defensive line with Schobel, and tackles Stroud and Williams.

12. Denver Broncos – Brandon Spikes, LB Florida

With the twelfth selection, the Broncos select defensive playmaker and tackling machine extraordinaire, Brandon Spikes from Florida. Considering this season, the starters at MLB have been Nate Webster and Spencer Larsen with Niko Koutivides backing up. If you didn't just puke in your mouth a little bit then you have no idea how hard a time Denver has had filling the spot at MLB… almost as bad as RB. But they bring in Spikes and he makes that defence immensely better from day one as he is a big, bad and blazing fast. He'll go sideline to sideline and make plays in coverage, he's the total package.

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 defence 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 – Rey Maualuga, LB USC

With the seventeenth selection, the Jets select Rey Maualuga from USC. The Jets could use some youth inside where Eric Barton is aging and starting to lose a step. Now, pair Maualuga up with David Harris in the middle and you've got quite an impressive interior linebacking core for the Jets… that's if the keep the 3-4 defence going, if they bring in a new coach who changes to a 4-3 this pick could be Matt Stafford from Georgia, it could also be someone like Ciron Black or Eben Britton to replace Damien Woody at RT.

18. Chicago Bears – George Selvie, DE South Florida

With the eighteenth selection, Da Bears select pass rusher George Selvie. The Bears have really suffered from injuries and poor play in the secondary this season and is one of the main causes as to why they didn't win the division as they couldn't contain Andre Johnson in the final game of the season in order to make the playoffs, but it is not because they don't have the talent but because they couldn't pressure the QB and opposing teams could shred them. This pick could also be a WR like Percy Harvin or Hakeem Nicks, but I think Lovie Smith goes with what he knows and that's a strong running game and suffocating defence and in order to do that, he needs a guy who can get to the QB and Selvie fits that bill.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia

With the nineteenth selection, the Bucs sail out and return with the Georgia back Knowshon Moreno, 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 infuse some more youth and health into their backfield. I think Moreno 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 west coast passing game where Gruden likes to involve play action boots and what have you.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) – Ciron Black, OT LSU

With the twentieth selection and the best defensive player already selected, the Detroit Lions select their next most pressing need and that is OT where Jeff Backus is not holding his ground. This selection of Ciron Black could help the Lions immensely, especially if Gosder Cherilus can actually get on the field and do well next season, the Lions could move Backus in to guard and with Black at LT the offensive line might actually be a strength for the team, and with Kevin Smith running well the Lions might have an offense that they can hang their hat on. This pick could also be Matt Stafford if they don't get Matt Cassel or another QB via free agency.

21. Arizona Cardinals – Alex Mack, C California

With the twenty-first selection, the 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 defence 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.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Eben Britton, OT Arizona

With the twenty-second 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.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Stafford, QB Georgia

With the twenty-third selection the Vikings take the first 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.

24. New England Patriots – Vontae Davis, CB Illinois

With the twenty-fourth 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 Clint Sintim from Virginia. 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.

25. Atlanta Falcons – B.J. Raji, DT Boston College

With the twenty-fifth selection the resurgent Falcons select Raji from BC. 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 Raji is the best fit for what they need.

26. Miami Dolphins – Alphonso Smith, CB Wake Forest

With the twenty-sixth 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.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Hakeem Nicks, WR North Carolina

With the twenty-seventh 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.

28. Indianapolis Colts – Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss

With the twenty-eighth selection the Colts select the Ole Miss Monster, Mr. Jerry. The Colts have absolutely nothing at DT and if this pick isn't the top defensive tackle on their board than they might have a screw loose. Jerry is a big bodied DT who can also harass the QB and collapse the pocket along with play stout against the run and give Indy some size upfront where they are severely lacking any kind of presence.

29. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) – Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers

With the twenty-ninth selection, the Eagles grab the 6'4" Rutgers WR Kenny Britt. Britt is a solid receiver and a big target for McNabb to throw to. He has a little trouble getting the jump ball in the end zone but I think with the proper coaching he'll have no problems adjusting and becoming a number one target for McNabb considering all the other minuscule receivers on their roster. This pick could also be a TE, but with Celek playing well and L.J. Smith still on the roster, I don't think they use the pick on the TE right now.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyson Jackson, DE LSU

With the thirtieth selection, the Steelers select LSU DE Tyson Jackson to play 3-4 end alongside Aaron Smith who is aging and Casey Hampton in the middle. This pick will make the Steelers defence even stingier than it already is. The Steelers could reach on an offensive lineman like Herman Johnson from LSU or Russell Okung from Oklahoma State, but with Jackson's skill set, I think he needs to be the pick.

31. New York Giants – Brian Cushing, LB USC

With the thirty-first selection, the Giants select the beach built backer, Brian Cushing. This pick really is determined by what the Giants decide to do with Mathias Kiwanuka, if he remains a DE, the Giants will go LB because Danny Clark should not be a starter. But if they decide to move Kiwanuka back to SLB, this pick could be Greg Hardy from Ole Miss or Connor Barwin from Cincinnati, but I'm thinking the Giants leave Kiwanuka at DE and thus Cushing is the pick.

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

With the thirty-second selection, the Super Bowl champion 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 Clint Sintim from Virginia to infuse some youth into the linebacking core where Bulluck and Thornton are both aging veterans.

2009 Mock Draft Ver 2.0 Round 2

Round 2:

33. Detroit Lions – Clint Sintim, LB Virginia

With the thirty-third selection, the Detroit Lions take the best player available who just happened to slip all the way into the 2nd round and at this point, 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 ends Avril and Orakpo and should go the extra mile in strengthening that Lions defence that gave up too many points way too quickly. This pick could also be a QB like Josh Freeman if the Lions don't end up getting someone during free agency; but I'm just really not a fan of any of the QBs who are declaring for this draft.

34. Kansas City Chiefs – Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss

With the thirty-fourth selection the Kansas City Chiefs select their most pressing need in a defensive end who can get to the QB and that's Greg Hardy from Ole Miss. Greg Hardy has slipped a lot because of injuries and poor performance but he definitely had the skills to be a mid-late first rounder and him falling all the way here is a great thing for the Chiefs who need to add some pizzazz to their pass rush that was anaemic 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.

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 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 who 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 is a bit of a reach and the Rams could trade down, but I think he should be the pick here.

36. Cleveland Browns – Connor Barwin, DE/LB Cincinnati

With the thirty-sixth selection the Browns select Connor Barwin, the DE from Cincy who can also stand up and be the pass rusher the Browns have been looking for from Kamerion Wimbley since his rookie season and hasn't lived up to. The Browns need to put more pressure on the QB to take pressure off their secondary which can be good when they aren't being shredded. I think Connor Barwin is the best of the bunch and if a coach comes in that plays the 4-3, Barwin can also play LDE as well.

37. Seattle Seahawks – Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

With the thirty-seventh selection the Seattle Seahawks select the speedster from Missouri, Jeremy Maclin. The Seahawks have a dire need at WR considering the age, size and ability of the guys currently in place. Jeremy Maclin will provide a spark as he'll likely begin his career as a slot receiver and kick returner. He'll be a solid target for Hasselbeck or Wallace, whoever ends up under center. However, this pick could also be another defensive pick like Emmanuel Cook or Rashad Johnson at Safety or Russell Okung at Tackle.

38. Cincinnati Bengals – Max Unger, C Oregon

With the thirty-eighth selection, the Cincinnati Bengals select the versatile offensive lineman from Oregon, 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 Ghiaciuc 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.

39. Jacksonville Jaguars – Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State

With the thirty-ninth selection, the Jaguars select the big tackle from Ok State, Russell Okung. Jacksonville has been absolutely decimated with injuries along the offensive line this year, from the tragic case involving Richard Collier to losing Maurice Williams, Chris Naeole and Vince Manuwai to injury, the Jags have had a real rough time with injuries, but in light of the three injured lineman coming back, the Jags need to create some competition on the outside where Khalif Barnes is not pulling his weight, and by selecting Okung, the Jags will spark some competition in camp and make everyone better.

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. Due to his raw talent he slides all the way down to the Raiders in the second round but I think Al Davis values speed and potential 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.

41. Green Bay Packers – Sen'Derrick Marks, DT Auburn

With the forty-first selection in the draft the Packers bring in the penetrating defensive tackle from Auburn, Sen'Derrick Marks. I had Marks going in the 1st round previously but he has slid a bit, however, I can't imagine Ted Thompson passing him up as DT might be their next biggest need where they are lacking a penetrating tackle ever since Corey Williams left, they have enough space eaters and they need that up the field presence and Marks is definitely one player who is capable of doing that.

42. Buffalo Bills – Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma

With the forty-second selection the Bills gets incredibly lucky and get the best TE in the draft at 42, it is more likely that they'll have to trade up to get him since I can't imagine him lasting into the second round but at this point, the Bills get incredibly lucky. Gresham can spread the field and get deep along and 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, Gresham's an absolute steal here.

43. San Francisco 49ers – Shonn Greene, RB Iowa

With the forty-third selection the 49ers pick up the BPA and that's Shonn Greene from Iowa, he had an incredible bowl game and showed some real zip in getting to the end zone from the open field and due to the fact that Mike Singletary is now head coaching for the 49ers, I'm willing to bet he puts more emphasis on the running and defensive game and with Frank Gore not able to handle the workload all by himself and DeShaun Foster and Michael Robinson hardly worth being the spell back they 49ers grab Greene, however, this pick could also be a NT like Ron Brace or DE/LB like Larry English.

44. Miami Dolphins (from Washington) – Rashad Johnson, S Alabama

With the forty-fourth selection the Miami Dolphins select safety Rashad Johnson from Alabama. The Dolphins fixed one need with their first pick and that was a weakness at cornerback, now they need to solidify their safeties where Yeremiah Bell emerged as a big time playmaker and by pairing him up with the rangy safety Rashad Johnson will give the Dolphins an even better and more capable secondary that should have a better time against the pass and create more turnovers.

45. New York Giants (from New Orleans) – Emmanuel Cook, S South Carolina

With the forty-fifth selection the Giants select the versatile safety from South Carolina, Emmanuel Cook. The Giants found a great pickup in Kenny Phillips last year, but James Butler is more of situational player then a starter and so the Giants make Cook their selection, he's a player who could play FS or SS and having two big playmakers in the defensive backfield that can alternate positions and are both great against the run and against the pass the Giants will absolutely be psyched about getting him and giving them even more depth in the secondary.

46. Houston Texans – Matt Shaughnessy, DE Wisconsin

With the forty-sixth selection the Texans select the hard nosed DE from Wisconsin Matt Shaughnessy. 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. He's had some injury troubles so it may drop his stock a tad more but I think he would be a great player for the Texans. However, the Texans could also grab Ron Brace from Boston College to get Amobi Okoye one on one with guards and take some pressure off Mario Williams as well.

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 Belichek 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 – Kam Chancellor, S Virginia Tech

With the forty-eighth selection the Denver Broncos select the big, bruising safety from Virginia Tech in Kam Chancellor. He reminds me a lot of Aaron Rouse who came out of Virginia Tech a few years ago and went to the Green Bay Packers, he's a big solid safety who can play the run like a WLB and also has enough range to be a great center fielder in the passing game and considering the absolute abomination that is the Denver safety core, he would be an instant upgrade.

49. Chicago Bears – Louis Murphy, WR Florida

With the forty-ninth selection the Chicago Bears select Louis Murphy from Florida two picks after his teammate Percy Harvin was drafted. I actually think Louis Murphy will be the better pro of the two Florida receivers as he has great size and speed and if you pair him up with Devin Hester and if Earl Bennett is able to get on the field this year, combining them with Matt Forte and Greg Olsen and Kyle Orton has no excuse not to evolve into a gunslinger that Chicago has desperately needed for a long time. This pick could also be a safety like Louis Delmas considering Mike Brown's injury trouble; it could also be an OT like William Beatty from UConn to play opposite last years 1st rounder Chris Williams.

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 fit in Gruden's west coast offense as he can be the type of player they need to get the ball to the deep receiver and also wear defences out with bootlegs. Now, Gruden isn't a fan of young QBs but he always manages to draft one and considering his upside, I don't think he'll be able to turn Freeman down even with Josh Johnson on the roster.

51. Dallas Cowboys – Ron Brace, DT Boston College

With the fifty-first selection the Dallas Cowboys select the behemoth defensive tackle from Boston College, Ron Brace. Jay Ratliff was a great surprise for the Cowboys this season rewarding them with a pro bowl season, but after him there isn't much else, Tank Johnson hasn't done anything for them and I think if they grab Brace it'll go towards getting even more out of Ratliff as he won't be too tired and the Cowboys can have a nice rotation of young players at NT. This pick could also be an ILB like Scott McKillop or Jasper Brinkley to replace Zach Thomas.

52. Arizona Cardinals – Herman Johnson, OG LSU

With the fifty-second pick, low and behold the Arizona Cardinals go offensive line again. Deuce Lutui and Lyle Sendlein have been the absolute weak spots of the Cardinals offensive line, though the Cardinals could use an OLB who can get to the QB like Larry English, the value of Herman Johnson is too much to pass up and with Mack and Johnson replacing Sendlein and Lutui the Cardinals offense could become even more of a juggernaut than it already is and then they can focus on defence for the rest of the draft.

53. New York Jets – Mike Mickens, CB Cincinnati

With the fifty-third selection the Jets select cornerback Mike Mickens from Cincinnati. Ty Law, nuff' said.





54. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State

With the fifty-fourth selection the Eagles select what some have dubbed as the best TE in the Draft in Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew, 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, pair Pettigrew up with the previous pick of Britt and the other weapons the Eagles have and McNabb will be psyched at all the weapons he has to throw to.

55. Minnesota Vikings – William Beatty, OT Connecticut

With the fifty-fifth selection the Minnesota Vikings grab the next available offensive tackle in William Beatty from UConn. Ryan Cook has not been playing up to his potential and William Beatty could come in immediately and be competition for the RT spot and should Matt Birk leave during the offseason, Ryan Cook could slide back to the position he played during college at New Mexico which was center, which would give the Vikings continued continuity on the line, but the more likely scenario is that Beatty challenges for the RT spot. This pick could also be Tevard Lindley from Kentucky or Victor Harris from Virginia Tech.

56. Atlanta Falcons – Chase Coffman, TE Missouri

With the fifty-sixth selection the Atlanta Falcons select TE Chase Coffman from Mizzou, the only thing the Falcon offense is missing is a TE who can get vertical and give Matt Ryan an outlet when things break down in the pocket so he doesn't have to take off and take unnecessary hits. Coffman is a tad undersized but he's a threat underneath and can get vertical if need be, he's a decent blocker but nothing to write home about but he definitely has the career production and the frame to be a great TE for Atlanta and a solid target for Matt Ryan.

57. Miami Dolphins – Larry English, DE/LB Northern Illinois

With the fifty-seventh selection the Miami Dolphins select the hybrid defensive end outside linebacker from Northern Illinois, Larry English. Aside from Joey Porter, the Dolphins don't really have a supreme pass rush specialist, by bringing in Larry English they'll push Matt Roth to get better and give themselves some youth for Joey Porter to tutor. Larry English will be a core special teams player his first year and will probably find himself on the field in situational occasions where the Dolphins need their defenders to pin their ears back and rush, in a couple years I think he'll be a monster.

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

With the fifty-eighth selection the Baltimore Ravens select Fili Moala from USC. Moala is the perfect type of player for Rex Ryan's multiple defence 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 defence even more.

59. New England Patriots – Sam Young, OT Notre Dame

With the fifty-ninth selection the Patriots select the massive golden domed offensive tackle Sam Young. The Patriots have had a serious problem protecting their QB and it might have been their downfall, and if it weren't for Matt Cassel's escapability there would have been even more sacks against the Patriot's offensive line. Sam Young will come in and challenge Nick Kazur for the RT position immediately as well as provide adequate depth on game day should another offensive lineman go down.

60. Carolina Panthers – Evander Hood, DT Missouri

With the sixtieth selection the Panthers select the Missouri defensive tackle Ziggy Hood. With Kris Jenkins now playing for the Jets and basically only Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu on the roster at DT the Panthers could use a penetrating defensive tackle that can collapse the pocket, rush the QB and stuff the run. Ziggy is a solid player at this point in the draft and would be a nice addition to the Carolina defensive line.

61. Pittsburgh Steelers – Fenuki Tupou, OT Oregon

With the sixty-first selection the Steelers select the big bodied OT from Oregon in Fenuki Tupou. Fenuki 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 body that will mow down opposing defensive lineman. I also think he's athletic enough to pass block for the Steelers considering how Roethlisberger likes to roll around and keep the ball longer than he should, Fenuki should be able to use his athleticism that made him a solid tackle on interior linemen to keep Big Ben upright and out of the hospital.

62. Indianapolis Colts – Victor Harris, CB Virginia Tech

With the sixty-second pick the Colts select the bigger cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris from Virginia Tech. Kelvin Hayden is UFA this offseason and I'm unsure as to whether or not they'll bring him back as the Colts are not known for spending a whole lot of cash to keep their defensive players. In light of that fact, it is possible that the Colts go out and draft Macho Harris to play opposite Marlin Jackon, he's a bigger corner who can player the run and learn to cover in the defence that the Colts currently have set in place. I think he's more like Brandon Flowers who came out last year as opposed to Jimmy Williams from years prior and will fit well with the Colts, he also adds value as a returner.

63. New York Giants – Donald Brown, RB Connecticut

With the sixty-third 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 a WR like Brian Robiskie from Ohio State.

64. Tennessee Titans – Gerald McGrath, LB Southern Mississippi

With the sixty-fourth and final 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 and 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.

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Hello everyone and welcome to the special playoff wild card weekend edition of Matty's Rookie of the Week. Wild Card weekend was just like its namesake; wild, as all but 1 top seeded team was over taken and it was good to see how some of this years top rookies were able to handle the added pressure of playing in a playoff game so without further delay, lets get into the trenches and find out who I have as my rookie of the week!

Matty's Rookie of the Week:

Domininque Rodgers-Cromartie, CB
6'2" 182 lbs
Tennessee State
1st round pick, 16th overall
10 tackles, int

For the wild card weekend, my rookie of the week is DRC who has really come on in the latter half of the season. He's been a ball hawk and shown up in run support as well and was a reason as to why the Cardinals were able to surpass the Falcons this week in a stunning upset that very few can still fathom considering how Arizona limped into the playoffs. DRC was lined up against Roddy White and did a very good job with him considering he is Matt Ryan's favourite target and a superstar and DRC did a great job in keeping the other Atlanta receivers limited as well. Of all the corners drafted, he has shown that talent doesn't discriminate against small schools. Congrats DRC, a job well done.

Be sure to stay tuned next week for the divisional playoff round ROTW.

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Hello everyone and welcome back to Matty's Rookie of the Week, the week 17 and final week of the NFL regular season edition. The playoffs are upon us and there are some great rookie running backs and quarterbacks leading their teams into the post season. So without further delay, lets get into the trenches and find out who I have as my rookie of the week!

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Steve Slaton, RB
5'9" 203 lbs
West Virginia
3rd round pick, 89th overall
20 rushes, 92 yards and 1 TD and 5 receptions, 36 yards

Steve Slaton wins the final regular season rookie of the week award for his all around play against the hot streaking Bears. The Bears were on a two game winning streak in primetime games and would have made the playoffs had they beaten the Texans but behind Steve Slaton, the Texans were able to win and show off their versatile weapon for the future. I always heard about the RBs from WVU and the line went "Slaton is fine but Noel is Devine" however, considering the last week for these two players, I think Slaton has definitely proved to be a serious player for a young and imposing Texans offense.

Runner Ups:

Offense

Joe Flacco, QB
6'6" 230 lbs
Delaware
1st round pick, 18th overall
17/23 for 297 yards

Defense

Marcus Howard, DE
6'0", 237
Georgia
5th round pick, 161st overall
7 tackles, 1.5 sacks, FF

There you have it folks, week 17 ROTW, stay tuned for new updates to the mock draft and ROTW for the Wild Card weekend.