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. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
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. Aaron Curry or Jason Smith would be nice, sure, but the Lions cannot pass on a potential franchise quarterback.
Previous: Same
2. St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Going for Mark Sanchez or Michael Crabtree 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 Orlando Pace.
Previous: Same
3. Kansas City Chiefs - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
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, Texas 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. Cleveland Browns - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
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, Wake Forest
6. Cincinnati Bengals - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
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 Ryan Fitzpatrick fumbling around behind that porous line, you’d know exactly why they have to make this pick.
Previous: Same
7. Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
The Raiders could opt for Curry here, but passing on a star receiver like Maclin just doesn’t make sense, considering Al Davis’s history.
Previous: Same
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
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. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
Until Curry fell all the way to this spot, it was likely a toss-up between Tyson Jackson and Brian Orakpo. 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 Ted Thompson trades down for some extra picks.
Previous: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
10. San Francisco 49ers - 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. Buffalo Bills - Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
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. Denver Broncos - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Josh McDaniels 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. Washington Redskins - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
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 - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
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 Chris Wells 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. Houston Texans - Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
Brown brings a ton of athleticism and versatility to an improving defense. The Texans could pull the trigger on Bruce Matthews’ nephew, Clay Matthews, 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. San Diego Chargers - 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: Robert Ayers, DE/OLB, Tennessee
17. New York Jets - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
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 Baltimore Ravens, so adding depth to the defense can wait.
Previous: Same
18. Denver Broncos (From Chicago) - Robert Ayers, DE/OLB, Tennessee
If Ayers doesn’t fall here, Brian Cushing 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. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
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 Dallas) - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
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. Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno, 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 Brandon Pettigrew, but if anyone thinks they’re passing on Moreno, they’re kidding themselves. They need to find their replacement for 30-year old Brian Westbrook.
Previous: Same
22. Minnesota Vikings - Percy Harvin, 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. Darrius Heyward-Bey is a real possibility, but the open field havoc Harvin can create may be too tempting to pass up.
Previous: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
23. New England Patriots - 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. Atlanta Falcons - Brian Cushing, ILB, USC
It may seem like a stretch for Atlanta to pass on Peria Jerry 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. Indianapolis Colts - 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, Oklahoma 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. New York Giants - 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. Tennessee Titans - Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri
He may never be the space-eater that Albert Haynesworth is, but the Titans have to start somewhere.
Previous: Darius Butler, CB, UConn
31. Arizona Cardinals - 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. Pittsburgh Steelers - Phil Loadholt, 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 Louis Delmas 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
