How do the draft’s top prospects grade out by position? Check out our 2009 NFL Draft prospect rankings. Of course, wait until after you’re finished checking out Kevin’s updated mock.

Updated: 4/24/09

Round 1

1. – , QB,

When you calculate the value of the position, the quarterbacks Detroit has, and the money involved, Stafford is the only player that makes sense here. or would be nice, sure, but the Lions cannot pass on a potential franchise quarterback.

Previous: Same

2. – Jason Smith, OT,

Going for or would not surprise me in the least, but St. Louis has more sense than their past two seasons would have you think. Smith is easily the best tackle in the draft, and the Rams need a replacement for the departed .

Previous: Same

3. – , OT,

Now that Tony Gonzalez is gone, they will be looking for an upgrade at tight end, but definitely not here. Scott Pioli has been doing nothing but good things since he arrived in Kansas City, so there is no reason to suspect he’ll pass on the mammoth tackle, Monroe.

Previous: Same

4. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Crabtree, WR, Tech

I’ve seen way too many mocks that over-hype Seattle’s quarterback situation. They will eventually need a new quarterback, but not necessarily this year. What they need is a stud receiver that can ensure last year’s offensive debacle doesn’t occur again.

Previous: Same

5. – Mark Sanchez, QB,

Eric Mangini and co. appear to be absolutely gushing over the potential of Raji. At least that’s what they want you to think. If you look closer, you’ll be able to see exactly what Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn being on the trading block means. Sanchez is their guy.

Previous: Aaron Curry, OLB,

6. – , OT,

As strange as it is to see Aaron Curry’s fall continue, it’s unlikely the Bengals pass up a stud offensive lineman at this spot. If you saw tape of fumbling around behind that porous line, you’d know exactly why they have to make this pick.

Previous: Same

7. – , WR,

The Raiders could opt for Curry here, but passing on a star receiver like Maclin just doesn’t make sense, considering ’s history.

Previous: Same

8. – , DT,

The Mark Sanchez debate will be over by the fourth pick, so all Jacksonville has to do is decide whether they even want to stay in this spot. Once they see Raji has fallen to them, they’ll be glad they didn’t trade down.

Previous: Same

9. – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

Until Curry fell all the way to this spot, it was likely a toss-up between and . But when the best linebacker drops this far, you don’t even think about it; you draft him. Of course, there is still always the possibility trades down for some extra picks.

Previous: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

10. – Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

If they’re smart, they’ll sit at this spot and take the best available defensive player. It might be a tie between Orakpo and Tyson Jackson, but Orakpo should get the nod due to his versatility and overwhelming athleticism.

Previous: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

11. – , OT,

It may be difficult for the Bills to ignore Brian Orakpo here, but they just traded away a stud tackle. Replacing him is an absolute must. If he’s still available, Utah’s Paul Kruger would be a fine addition in the second round.

Previous: Same

12. – Tyson Jackson, DE,

won’t get Mark Sanchez or B.J. Raji, but he’ll have to pull the trigger on Jackson after he falls to this spot. Jackson is the second-best defensive end in the draft, and would go a long way in shoring up Denver’s soft defense.

Previous: Same

13. – , DE/OLB,

Washington doesn’t have many options as far as a replacement for Jason Campbell, and they’re pretty set at their skill positions. What they need is a stout offensive lineman, or an elite defensive presence. Maybin has the talent to go in the top ten, but should be here for the taking.

Previous: Same

14. New Orleans Saints – , CB,

Mike McKenzie is gone, and cornerback is the number one concern for the Saints. They could mess up the rest of the first round by nabbing if they’re not content with Pierre Thomas, but they’d just be crippling themselves. Jenkins is an elite corner prospect, and he could be the missing link to an improving defense.

Previous: Same

15. – , DE/OLB, State

Brown brings a ton of athleticism and versatility to an improving defense. The Texans could pull the trigger on Bruce Matthews’ nephew, , but Brown is the more proven player, and gives Houston either a complement to Mario Williams, or a rusher from the outside.

Previous: Same

16. – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State

People tend to forget that the Chargers had a good defense before Shawne Merriman went down, so defense isn’t necessarily their biggest need. However, with LT getting older, it may be time to get a guy who can carry the load full-time when he’s gone.

Previous: , DE/OLB,

17. – , QB,

They may make a push for Jason Campbell, but with the uncertainty of a trade, this remains the most logical pick at this spot. Rex Ryan has done a magnificent job molding an already solid defense into an AFC East version of the , so adding depth to the defense can wait.

Previous: Same

18. Denver Broncos (From ) – Robert Ayers, DE/OLB, Tennessee

If Ayers doesn’t fall here, would still be a nice addition. Regardless, the need at defense is too great for Denver to ignore a stud like Ayers. Unless they make a move for Mark Sanchez or B.J. Raji, this is their guy.

Previous: Brian Cushing, ILB, USC

19. – , DE,

Johnson needs to get bigger and stronger, but there’s no defensive end with more potential or athleticism. He’s extremely thin and raw for the position, but defensive end is a need, and the Bucs are trying to get younger.

Previous: Same

20. Detroit Lions (From ) – , OT,

They more than likely preferred to land Michael Oher, but that was just wishful thinking. Britton is strong and powerful, and is a solid all-around prospect. He’s smart and gifted enough to step in and start immediately.

Previous: Same

21. – , RB, Georgia

They traded for a stud offensive tackle, so running back, safety, and tight end seem to be the most likely choices. They could try to grab , but if anyone thinks they’re passing on Moreno, they’re kidding themselves. They need to find their replacement for 30-year old .

Previous: Same

22. Vikings – , WR, Florida

They haven’t addressed receiver in free agency, so it makes sense they’ll try to get one here, especially since Eben Britton and Michael Oher are off the board. is a real possibility, but the open field havoc Harvin can create may be too tempting to pass up.

Previous: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR,

23. – Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

The Patriots need to inject some youth on the inside of their 3-4, and Maualuga is the best middle linebacker in this class. Tedy
Bruschi can still get it done, but it’s time to find his future replacement to pair with last year’s pick, Jerod Mayo.

Previous: Same

24. – Brian Cushing, ILB, USC

It may seem like a stretch for Atlanta to pass on here, but with Keith Brooking gone, they need a guy to man the middle. Cushing is an elite linebacker prospect who shouldn’t still be on the board. Atlanta has to take him.

Previous: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

25. Miami Dolphins – Clay Matthews Jr., OLB, USC

Bill Parcells says he won’t draft a receiver in the first round, and I believe him. Clay Matthews should be available, and his stock has never been higher. Miami will go with the pedigree and hope Clay is half the player his father and uncle were.

Previous: Same

26. Baltimore Ravens – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

They would have liked one of the top five linebackers to drop to them, but improving their offense is probably a more pressing need. They should try stealing Connor Barwin in the second round, but for now, no receiver left on the board touches Heyward-Bey’s speed and potential.

Previous: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

27. – Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

They would have liked an elite receiver to drop to them, but may have to settle for a second-tier option in the second round. While they’re here, though, grabbing the best defensive tackle on the board sounds like solid retribution.

Previous: Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri

28. Buffalo Bills (From Carolina, through Philadelphia)- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, State

It’s a mystery how these things work out, but Pettigrew falling here is almost too good to be true. The Bills desperately need a tight end that can block and is capable of stretching the field.

Previous: Same

29. – Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma

The Giants would love for Percy Harvin to fall to them, but will have to settle for the best guard in the nation. Robinson has tremendous size and outstanding strength, and has a ton of experience against elite competition.

Previous: Same

30. – Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri

He may never be the space-eater that is, but the Titans have to start somewhere.
Previous: , CB, UConn

31. – Donald Brown, RB, UConn

No one knows exactly what is going on with Edgerrin James, and we’re still uncertain if Tim Hightower is their guy for the future. Regardless, adding a stud running back adds depth at worst, while ensures they won’t have to worry about the position for the next 5-10 years.

Previous: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State

32. – , OT, Oklahoma

Despite winning the Super Bowl, the Steelers had some rough patches, mainly on the offensive line. Just ask Ben Roethlisberger. Loadholt lives up to his name (he’s a load), and could step in immediately and protect either side for “Big Ben”. Vontae Davis or are two other options that are possible if the Steelers opt to draft for defense.

Previous: Same

Go to Round 2 of Kevin Roberts’ 2009 NFL Mock Draft

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