We’re only a week removed from the 2008 NFL Draft, and the 2008 college football season is still a little less than four months away, but it’s never too early to get a start on 2009 draft coverage - starting with my first 2009 mock draft.

The draft order is a rough estimate of where I think teams will finish in the 2008 season, though if you ask me a few months from now, there’s a fair chance this order won’t be the same.

1. Atlanta Falcons - Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

The Falcons did trade up to draft Sam Baker in the first round, but their offensive line still has holes. Oher declared for the 2008 NFL Draft, but changed his mind at the last minute, and barring injury or a subpar senior season, it should prove to be a great decision.

2. - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Not a lot sticks out to me when it comes to the targets that JaMarcus Russell will have in 2008. There is Javon Walker, who could still be good for a big year if he can stay healthy, and Ronald Curry is pretty good, but if you have a chance to get Michael Crabtree, you don’t pass on it.

3. Miami Dolphins - George Selvie, DE/OLB, South Florida

Selvie’s home is in the backfield - out of his 59 tackles as a sophomore, 31.5 were for loss, and 14.5 were sacks. It doesn’t seem like Jason Taylor will be in Miami much longer, and Selvie could take his spot at right end or slot in at outside linebacker. And then, in 10 years, he’ll be on Dancing With the Stars, showing off that fancy footwork that will have helped him make plenty of plays in the NFL.

4. - Michael Johnson, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech

This is a position where the 49ers have a need, but didn’t address it until the late rounds this year. Johnson hasn’t been an every-down guy yet, but he’s a game-changer when he’s in there, with the ultimate combination of size (6′7, 250) and speed.

5. New York Jets - Chris Wells, RB, Ohio St.

They missed out on Darren McFadden, but they shouldn’t miss on the top back in the 2009 class in Wells, who has the size and speed to be a star in the NFL.

6. - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Alex Barron hasn’t quite panned out as the Rams would have hoped thus far, and if that remains the case, then getting a tackle early will be imperative. If Smith comes out after his junior season, he could easily be a top-10 pick.

7. - William Moore, S, Missouri

Strong safety is a position where the Lions could use an upgrade, and Moore is an all-around playmaker - 117 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 8 interceptions, 6 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles in an All-American season in 2007. Could he go this high? Another season like that and the chances are pretty good. I was tempted to put Michael Crabtree here, seeing as how Roy Williams has been part of trade rumors throughout the off-season, but I’ll refrain for now.

8. - Max Unger, OT, Oregon

The Chiefs addressed offensive line in the first round this year by taking Branden Albert, but they still need to add more along the line to give Brodie Croyle the best chance to succeed - and to stay healthy.

9. Baltimore Ravens - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.

The Ravens are getting older at cornerback, and Jenkins is undoubtedly the top-rated corner in the 2009 class.

10. - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Unless Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton get the job done in ‘08, the Bears will need to be in the market for a QB with their first-round pick in 2009. Bradford completed nearly 70% of his passes, tossed 36 touchdowns, and threw for more than 3,000 yards in 2007 - as a freshman. Like Crabtree, he’ll be a draft-eligible redshirt sophomore.

11. - Taylor Mays, S, USC

John Lynch will be 37 shortly after the season starts, and the Broncos need to look to the future and nab a guy who could nail down the free safety position for years to come.

12. - Myron Rolle, S, Florida St.

Sean Considine is a good player, but Rolle can be a great player. He’s starred for FSU since he stepped on campus, and he’s got both the brawn and the brains to be a star in the NFL.

13. - Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

The Bengals added Keith Rivers, but they need a new middle linebacker, and Maualuga would fit the bill. His tackle numbers aren’t huge in a defense full of playmakers, but he certainly makes his fair share of plays.

14. - Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri

The Bills had a solid draft, making new additions at multiple positions, but they could use a big upgrade at tight end. This could be a bit high for Coffman at this point, but he’ll have a chance to rack up the catches and nail down a place in the first round as a senior.

15. - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Defensive end was a position that I thought the Redskins would address sometime in the 2008 draft, but they didn’t. Jackson’s sack numbers dipped in 2007, but he’s capable of putting up big numbers like he did in 2006, when he had 8.5 sacks.

16. - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Houston’s offense suffered quite a bit when Andre Johnson got injured early last season, and adding a dynamic threat like Harvin would help prevent such a dropoff in the future.

17. - Cullen Harper, QB, Clemson

Tampa Bay picked up Josh Johnson in the late rounds, and he has potential, but Jon Gruden can’t have enough quarterbacks. Harper could be the first QB off the board, depending on what the likes of Bradford, Tebow, and Stafford do.

18. - Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma

Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are both getting up in age, and Winston Justice didn’t exactly light the world on fire when he had a chance last season. Loadholt is a load to handle at 6′8, 350.

19. - Al Woods, DT, LSU

Are they going to sign Albert Haynesworth to a long-term deal? If they were going to, they would have already. Woods will step into the spotlight with Glenn Dorsey off to the NFL, and a big junior season in 2008 could make him enter the draft a season early.

20. - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

The Seahawks didn’t pick up a receiver in the draft, which didn’t make much sense. Maclin has good size at 6′1, 200 pounds, and has blazing speed. If he doesn’t suffer a sophomore slump, he could land in the top 20.

21. Minnesota Vikings - Curtis Painter, QB, Purdue

I think Tarvaris Jackson could very well work out, and he may be set for a breakout 2008 season, but it doesn’t hurt to have a little competition. Painter has a quick release, and his accuracy and decision-making greatly improved in 2007. A few big-time performances against the Big Ten’s elite could really show his mettle as a top-tier QB.

22. - Alex Boone, OT, Ohio St.

The Steelers have the skill pieces on offense, but they don’t have a skilled offensive line. If Boone can stay healthy, he’s a top-20/25 guy.

23. Arizona Cardinals - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Cardinals still need to look for Edgerrin James’ successor, and I don’t think fifth-round pick Tim Hightower or anyone else currently on the Cardinals’ roster is it. Moreno established himself as one of the best backs in the nation and a Heisman candidate in the second half of last season.

24. - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Browns traded away Leigh Bodden in order to get Shaun Rogers, and Kenny Wright (31 in September) and Gary Baxter (30 in December) aren’t spring chickens. Davis, the brother of San Francisco tight end Vernon, had 76 tackles, 4 interceptions, and two blocked kicks in 2007.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio St.

Mike Peterson has had injury issues over the last couple of seasons, and he’s turning 32 in June. Laurinaitis would be a natural fit here.

26. New York Giants - Victor ‘Macho’ Harris, CB, Virginia Tech

The Giants weathered injuries at cornerback to make their amazing Super Bowl run, but didn’t take a corner in the draft. Along with that, Sam Madison just turned 34, so it might be time to start looking to the future. Harris

27. New Orleans Saints - Derek Pegues, S, Mississippi St.

Pegues made the move from corner to safety last season, and was a big part of MSU’s resurgent season. He might need to add a little bulk, but this guy is a playmaker, both in defense and as a return man.

28. New England Patriots - Kam Chancellor, SS, Virginia Tech

Rodney Harrison will be 36 by the end of the 2008 season, and it’s time for the Patriots to nab a successor. Chancellor, a former quarterback and cornerback, is another safety prospect with excellent size at 6′3, 220, and while he’s pretty new to the safety position, he showed playmaking ability in his first year as a starter in 2007 (79 tackles and an interception). If he elects to come out as a junior, hopefully EA Sports corrects this by the time he’s in Madden 2010.

29. Green Bay Packers - Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky

They picked up Patrick Lee in the second round in this year’s draft, but they could add another corner early on next year, with both Al Harris and Charles Woodson getting older. Lindley could add some bulk to his 6′0 frame (he’s listed at 175), but he’s a proven playmaker in a conference full of playmakers.

30. San Diego Chargers - Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma

The Chargers don’t have a lot of needs, but guard is an area where they will likely look to upgrade in 2009, and Robinson is the top guard in the 2009 class.

31. Indianapolis Colts - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Marvin Harrison is getting older, and last year’s playoff loss to San Diego showed that they need to add quality depth at receiver. Anthony Gonzalez is a great slot receiver, and sixth-round pick Pierre Garcon has potential to be a big-time steal, but Heyward-Bey could be a future star. If he gets the least bit of separation, he’s a good bet to take it to the house.

32. Dallas Cowboys - Ian Campbell, DE, Kansas St.

The 6′5 Campbell is listed at 232 on his bio on K-State’s official site, but he’s reportedly up to 260 now, and he’ll need to be about that size or a little bigger to stay at end. Marcus Spears has been okay in his first few seasons, but he hasn’t really lived up to his first-round status.

The Cowboys don’t have a lot of needs, and it wouldn’t hurt to add a pass-rushing stud like Campbell to give them yet another sack threat along with DeMarcus Ware, Greg Ellis, and promising talent Anthony Spencer. His numbers dropped from 11.5 sacks as a sophomore to 4.5 sacks as a junior, but being back at defensive end full-time will bring those numbers back up.

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