Sideline Scouting is nearing the end of the road for the 2009 NFL Mock Draft. Still, less than three weeks away, we will have more and more updates to suit your needs. With some rumors and whispers surrounding several players, the mock draft is starting to settle down.
With the first pick of the 2009 NFL Draft…
1. Detroit Lions - QB Matt Stafford (Georgia)
The only thing that could possibly stand in the way of this selection would be problems negotiating a contract.
2. St. Louis Rams - OT Jason Smith (Baylor)
The departure of OT Orlando Pace seals the deal here for this former Baylor Bear.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - I/OLB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest)
A lock to land here, Curry is probably the most pro-ready LB since Patrick Willis.
4. Seattle Seahawks - OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia)
Seattle insists that Walter Jones and Sean Locklear are cemented in at the tackle positions. I doubt it.
5. Cleveland Browns - OLB/DE Brian Orakpo (Texas)
The addition of a pass rusher is needed in Cleveland.
6. Cincinnati Bengals - DT B.J. Raji (Boston College)
A source has insisted that Marvin Lewis fell in love with Raji while coaching him at the Senior Bowl and unless Eugene Monroe slides here, this pick will be Raji.
7. Oakland Raiders - DE/OLB Aaron Maybin (Penn State)
Al Davis loves athletically gifted defensive linemen. Maybin added muscle and improved his forty time at his pro day.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - CB/S Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State)
By no stretch of the imagination is this a reach for the Jaguars. But, look for them to trade out and avoid paying top ten money to anyone. Highest bidder for Mark Sanchez will get the eighth pick overall.
9. Green Bay Packers - OLB Clay Matthews (USC)
Matthews never tested positive for steroids. He drew a ton of praise at his pro day and will be the first Trojan linebacker drafted.
10. San Francisco 49ers - OLB/DE Everette Brown (Florida State)
HC Mike Singletary can breathe a sigh of relief since his top pass rusher is still available.
11. Buffalo Bills - DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee)
In the first serious reach of the draft, the Bills do what they must to acquire someone that can fill their most pressing need.
12. Denver Broncos - QB Mark Sanchez (USC)
We all know that HC Josh McDaniels wants his own QB. We also know that Kyle Orton & Chris Simms can not be the long-term solution in Denver.
13. Washington Redskins - OT Andre Smith (Alabama)
In a gruesome turn of events, Andre Smith somehow gets drafted off of the basis that he used to be a “top five” prospect.
14. New Orleans Saints - WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech)
Wide receivers have a tendency to slide on draft day. This is not a need whatsoever for Crabtree but HC Sean Payton probably would not pass up on this opportunity. Imagine QB Drew Brees throwing the ball to Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, Lance Moore… and Michael Crabtree.
15. Houston Texans - OLB Brian Cushing (USC)
Houston adds another weapon to their defense, one which will be very exciting to watch in 2009.
16. San Diego Chargers - DE Tyson Jackson (LSU)
They will put a premium on the best pass rusher remaining in this draft. He will automatically replace Igor Olshansky.
17. New York Jets - RB Chris “Beanie” Wells (Ohio State)
This pick would help the Jets win now instead of waiting for QB Josh Freeman to develop. Add in the fact that Thomas Jones may be heading for a holdout.
18. Denver Broncos (From Chicago) - OLB/DE Larry English (Northern Illinois)
The first thing Denver has done right since firing HC Mike Shanahan. Add a player that would fit in well with the new 3-4.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB Josh Freeman (Kansas State)
No franchise is hungrier for a QB than the Bucs.
20. Detroit Lions (From Dallas) - OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss)
Things work out just fine for Detroit as they get a very under appreciated left tackle.
21. Philadelphia Eagles - OT William Beatty (Connecticut)
This pick would allow Todd Herremans to stay at guard but do you really think the Eagles will keep two first rounders?
22. Minnesota Vikings - CB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
A right tackle or cornerback fills a need here. Davis has better value than Eben Britton.
23. New England Patriots - ILB Rey Maualuga (USC)
Tedy Bruschi turns 35 soon so drafting Maualuga to pair up with Jerod Mayo only makes sense.
24. Atlanta Falcons - TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State)
The Falcons’ TEs caught only a small percentage of the passes thrown by Matt Ryan a year ago.
25. Miami Dolphins - CB Darius Butler (Connecticut)
Andre Goodman’s departure leaves a lot to be desired at cornerback for the Tuna.
26. Baltimore Ravens - WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri)
They desperately need a WR. In a year or two, Maclin will be Roddy White-good.
27. Indianapolis Colts - DT Peria Jerry (Ole Miss)
The Colts would love for Jerry to land in their laps. If this happens, you have to pencil Jerry in as the early favorite for defensive rookie of the year.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (From Carolina) - DE Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech)
Andy Reid has never drafted a running back in the first two rounds of a draft. Only once has he drafted a wide receiver in the first round. Andy Reid has also drafted just one tight end in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.
29. New York Giants - WR Percy Harvin (Florida)
Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are gone. Harvin isn’t as tall as Burress but the G-Men brass will hope he has the same effect on the football field.
30. Tennessee Titans - DE Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. (Richmond)
By no stretch of the imagination is this a reach. Sidbury seen 24 NFL teams flock to his pro day. HC Jeff Fisher doesn’t hesitate to grab the player he desires most.
31. Arizona Cardinals - RB Knowshon Moreno (Georgia)
Moreno has done nothing but run a multitude of 4.60-forty times. Still, he would add another element to the offense in Arizona.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB/S Sean Smith (Utah)
Smith is the type of athlete Steeler fans covet. He fills a void in the secondary too.
by Pete Dymeck
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