By Tim Smalligan

CU student, guest writer

 

2009 NFL Mock Draft

 

(Round One)

 

1) Lions — Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

With the uncertainty about Stafford being successful in the NFL, the Lions look to improve their porous offensive line. This follows the recent trend of OTs going in the first few picks and those teams having success.

 

2) Rams — Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Orlando Pace was sent away so there is a hole in the offensive line. Monroe should be able to step in and improve the pass protection to keep Mark Bulger on his feet.

 

3) Chiefs — Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Kansas City got their QB of the future in Matt Cassel and addresses their defense that is switching to a 3-4 system. Curry should be able to provide a sure tackler with pass rush and coverage skills.

 

4) Seahawks — Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia

With Stafford dropping a little from where he was expected to go, Seattle jumps at the chance to snag their QB of the future. Stafford will sit for a year as Matt Hasslebeck teaches his replacement. Holmgren retired as head coach so Jim Mora Jr. wants his own QB.

 

5) Browns — Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

Malcolm Jenkins’ draft stock has slipped some, but Cleveland will look at the film and see a tough, physical corner. Mangini gets a solid CB to fit his 3-4 scheme, while taking a local product for an instant fan favorite.

 

6) Bengals — BJ Raji, DT, Boston College

The Bengals have struggled to stop offenses the past couple years, so they plug in the top-rated DT who should provide a spark in the run defense and pass rush.

 

7) Raiders — Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Al Davis loves speed. Orakpo, with his speed, will fit in and help generate a pass rush that the Raiders defense has been lacking. With a better pass rush, the Raiders could catapult their defense back to the top 10 in  the NFL.

 

Jaguars — Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

The Jaguars just released Matt Jones and have yet to draft a WR in the first round in the last decade that has been successful. Here they get arguably one of the best players in the draft and a surefire stud at WR in Crabtree. Crabtree will make whoever plays QB look good.

 

9) Packers — Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

The Packers are transitioning to a 3-4 defense and need a pass rusher opposite of Aaron Kampman. The Packers were hoping Raji would fall to them to fill the middle, but instead they get a pass rush specialist in Brown.

 

10) 49ers — Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

San Francisco says they are good with Shaun Hill at QB, but who are they kidding? Sanchez has improved his draft stock in the offseason and should be able to step in mid-season for the 49ers after catching up to NFL speed.

 

11) Bills — Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Andre Smith’s stock slipped in the offseason, but he shouldn’t fall too far. When his game tape is put on, all you can see is a dominant OT. The Bills got a go-to receiver in Terrell Owens for Trent Edwards, and now they pick up a bookend tackle.

 

12) Broncos — Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

The Broncos still are struggling defensively. Maualuga will fit in nicely in the middle of the 3-4 system. He is a tackling machine who will help the Broncos finally stop the run.

 

13) Redskins — Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

The Redskins tried to go after Cutler, but will be content with Jason Campbell under center. They fix their aging line that has not been able to get a push in the second half of the season. Oher is a mauler in the run game and has nimble feet in the pass game.

 

14) Saints — Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Saints have struggled in their pass defense, and they finally fix it by drafting Davis. His character is a concern, but he is a playmaker and potentially the best talent at CB in the draft.

 

15) Texans — Brian Cushing, LB, USC

The Texans have spent first round picks on the defensive line the past couple years and now move to the second level. Cushing is a dominant LB who is extremely versatile. Tyson Jackson was an option here but they opt to improve the linebacking core.

 

16) Chargers — Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

The Chargers have one of the most talented teams, but have not put it all together yet. They decide to go with Tyson Jackson to fill in a need at DE in their 3-4 set. Jackson should do well as he is a run-stuffer, allowing Merriman to be unleashed once again. Jackson can also occasionally get to the QB.

 

17) Jets — Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Thomas Jones is starting to wear down, so the Jets get the most complete RB in the draft. Moreno should help keep the defense guessing as he is in the mold of Brian Westbrook.

 

18) Broncos — Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

The Broncos get this pick from the trade of Cutler. Once again, the Broncos work on their defense. Jerry is a little small for the NT position in the 3-4 system, but he can play DE as he is a good pass rusher while going against double teams.

 

19) Buccaneers — Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Tampa Bay signed Byron Leftwich at QB so Josh Freeman is not on their radar as they look elsewhere for their team. Jeremy Maclin is a fast receiver who should help the Buccaneers since their receiving core could stand for an upgrade.

 

20) Lions — James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

The Lions addressed the offense with the top pick, so now the defense gets addressed. CB got addressed in the offseason, and with no DT worthy of the No. 20 pick they snatch Laurinaitis to help in the second level. With the addition of Julian Peterson and Ernie Sims on the team already, the Lions go from one of the worst linebacking cores to one of the top ones.

 

21) Eagles — Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Donovan McNabb has wanted a big fast WR to throw the ball to ever since TO left. Finally, the Eagles agree with McNabb and give him a big target to pair with last year’s DeSean Jackson providing McNabb with a couple options. They got their need at OT filled with Jason Peters.

 

22) Vikings — Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

The Vikings have a dominant run defense, but still struggle against the pass. Josh Freeman was an option along with Percy Harvin, but it seems they have not given up on Tarvaris Jackson and spent big money last year getting Bernard Berrian. Thus, they get the top CB on the board to try to help the pass defense.

 

23) Patriots — Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

The Patriots have an all-around good team, but Maroney can’t seem to stay healthy during an entire season. Wells will give the Patriots another weapon on offense with a big back that has the ability to break away for the home run when he touches the ball.

 

24) Falcons — Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Okla. State

The falcons will continue to give Matt Ryan weapons to help in his development. Pettigrew should be a perfect safety outlet for a young QB. Pettigrew slipped a little due to his slow 40-yard dash time, but his catching and blocking skills can’t be denied.

 

25) Dolphins — Clay Matthews, LB, USC

The Dolphins had a surprise turn around last year. It seems that WR could be an option, but they are young at that position. It might be a little early for Matthews, and you can never have enough LBs in the 3-4 system, especially one that could provide some pass rush.

 

26) Ravens — Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

The Ravens got a solid QB last year, and like the Falcons, the Ravens will try to give Flacco weapons to work with. Britt is a big,  quick player that can be used to fill the primary receiver option. He will soon become Flaccos favorite target.

 

27) Colts — Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

The Colts have yet to find a DT to plug the running lanes. Evander Hood is the guy to do it. He is big and should be able to plug a hole on the defensive line improving the Colts defense.

 

28) Bills — Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

The Bills started strong last year but faded down the stretch. A lot of this had to deal with the defense struggling. Ayers adds a force at DE to provide a little more pass rush and is also stout in the run defense.

 

29) Giants — Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

The Giants are looking for a replacement for Plaxico Burress. Darius Heyward-Bey is the guy to do it. At 6’2” and 4.3 speed, Heyward-Bey has big play ability to stretch the field for Eli Manning and the Giants.

 

30) Titans — Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC

The Titans have had a hole in the defensive line since  Haynesworth left, but teams also knew there were not many receiving threats allowing them to key in on the run. Nicks provides an option to help alleviate the pressure on the run game.

 

31) Cardinals — Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

The Cardinals were a surprise team last year making it to the super bowl. Their defense needs help, but if they hope to repeat a solid year, they need to make sure Kurt Warner stays clean. Britton is a solid lineman that should start relatively early.

 

32) Steelers — Sean Smith, CB, Utah

The Steelers do not have many holes. Some think he may do better at safety, but either way he will keep the Steelers physicality.

 

 

(Round Two)

 

33) Lions — Ron Brace, DT, Boston College

The Lions need to fix their defense and add size to the defense. Brace fits both of these categories and will take some double teams to free up the linebackers to make plays.