Round 2
33. Detroit Lions - James Laurinaits, ILB, Ohio State
After getting their franchise quarterback and tackle, it’s time to beef up their defense. Laurinaits brings the athleticism, intangibles, and leadership they thought they were getting when they drafted Tedy Lehman years ago.
Previous: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
34. New England Patriots (From Kansas City) - Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
It’s time for New England to find a quality replacement for Rodney Harrison. Delmas is the best safety in the draft, and it’s almost pure luck that he’s still available at this pick.
Previous: James Laurinaits, ILB, Ohio State
35. St.Louis Rams - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
They did the right thing by passing on Michael Crabtree and grabbing their franchise tackle. Now comes the time to inject some talent into their offense. Britt is arguably the best receiver available, and could probably challenge for a spot across from Donnie Avery from day one.
Previous: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
36. Cleveland Browns - Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
The Browns cannot exit the second round without either a receiver or a tight end. With Kellen Winslow gone, Donte Stallworth in legal trouble, and Braylon Edwards likely to be traded, adding talent to those positions is crucial. Wisconsin’s Travis Beckum is a reasonable possibility here, too.
Previous: Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina
37. Seattle Seahawks - Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
Seattle got their stud receiver in the first round, so now it’s either their linebackers or their offensive line. If they go for defense, it’s probably down to Sintim or Larry English. Sintim is polished and appears ready to step in right away.
Previous: Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina
38. Cincinnati Bengals - Alex Mack, C, California
While it’s never sexy to pick two offensive linemen with your first two picks, it’s the smartest thing the Bengals could do. Mack would be an upgrade at center, but if they try to please the fans, they could opt for a receiver-possibly Kenny Britt.
Previous: Same
39. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina
They’ve made the right moves to suggest their offensive line woes are behind them, but adding young depth to that shaky line is paramount to their 2009 success. With the departure of Fred Taylor, a running back is a real possibility, as well. The signing of Torry Holt allows them to put off getting a receiver until the third or fourth round.
Previous: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
40. Oakland Raiders - Darius Butler, CB, UConn
The Raiders need a safety, but they also could use another stout shutdown corner. If Butler is indeed here at this point, they’ll have to snatch him up.
Previous: William Moore, S, Missouri
41. Green Bay Packers - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
As much as Green Bay would love to get a solid tackle here, they simply cannot pass on Davis. Both of their corners are over 33 years old, and the depth behind them is only marginal.
Previous: William Beatty, OT, UConn
42. Buffalo Bills - Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois
This will make the Bills 3/3 on need-based picks, making them a candidate for the best draft grade. They probably would have been more content to land Paul Kruger (and may still pick him), but English is more athletic, versatile, and offers more potential.
Previous: Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
43. San Francisco 49ers - Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
They could go for Utah’s Paul Kruger, but Smith is a stellar corner prospect, and San Francisco desperately needs a fresh corner with elite potential.
Previous: Larry English, OLB/DE, Northern Illinois
44. Miami Dolphins (From Washington) - William Moore, S, Missouri
They would like a receiver, but upgrading either safety position with a versatile performer like Moore is essential. Yeremiah Bell is getting older, and as solid as he’s been, is not the answer.
Previous: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
45. New York Giants (From New Orleans) - Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina
The Giants did the right thing trading away Jeremy Shockey a year ago, but now they have to do it the other way around. Kevin Boss is decent, but he is too stiff and won’t change a game on his own. Cook has great speed and athleticism, and could potentially be a huge target for Eli Manning.
Previous: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
46. Houston Texans - Patrick Chung, S, Oregon
The Texans have an offense that can match just about anyone when all it’s components are healthy, so this draft is more about defense. With Chung, they get a reliable tackler who is solid in coverage.
Previous: Same
47. New England Patriots (From San Diego) - William Beatty, OT, UConn
Beatty’s fall has to stop somewhere, and why not in the land where offensive lineman go to flourish? New England has a fine group of offensive behemoths, but adding youth and talent to the position is a must for future success.
Previous: Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina
48. Denver Broncos - Sean Smith, CB/S, Utah
Champ Bailey is getting up there in age, and there really isn’t that much talent in their secondary, overall. They could improve their safety depth with Rashad Johnson, but Smith’s height, athleticism, and potential are too good to ignore.
Previous: Same
49. Chicago Bears - Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
They could add depth to their secondary, but keeping Jay Cutler happy with a new offensive weapon would probably be the best move. Williams doesn’t have great size, but his speed and athleticism are elite.
Previous: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
50. Cleveland Browns (From Tampa Bay) - LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh
Jamal Lewis might have 2-3 years left, but finding an elite runner to put behind him is a must. The Browns could opt for a tight end here, too, but can still get a quality option in the next round.
Previous: Donald Brown, RB, UConn
51. Dallas Cowboys - Pat White, WR/QB, West Virginia
The Cowboys need depth at receiver, could use another back-up quarterback, and the versatility White brings can only help. The Cowboys have been rumored to be interested in adding their own version of the Wildcat offense into their scheme, so White makes a lot of sense.
Previous: Same
52. New York Jets - Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa
Leon Washington can’t carry a full load, and Thomas Jones is 30. This is a no-brainer.
Previous: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh
53. Philadelphia Eagles - Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss
The Eagles let L.J. Smith walk (and for good reason), but now they don’t have many options at the position. Nelson is one of the most athletic tight ends in the draft, and has great size and speed. He’s a bit raw, but his potential is tempting.
Previous: Same
54. Minnesota Vikings - Paul Kruger, DE, Utah
They got their guy through a trade last year (Jared Allen), but establishing a force on the other side of the line should be their next move. They could draft a quarterback here, but no one really stands out. Kruger is a solid presence who never quits, making him close to being a poor man’s Allen.
Previous: Alex Magee, DT, Purdue
55. Atlanta Falcons - Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama
Safety is a glaring need for Atlanta. They already addressed defensive tackle in the first round, so nabbing a stud safety or linebacker would make the most sense. Connor Barwin is a strong possibility to replace the departed Keith Brooking, but the Falcons have almost no one at safety. This has to be the pick.
Previous: Jairus Byrd, S, Oregon
56. Miami Dolphins - Connor Barwin, OLB, Cincinnati
The Dolphins could use a stud corner, but they also need to address their pedestrian linebacker corps. Outside of Joey Porter, they don’t have much.
Previous: Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State
57. Baltimore Ravens - Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State
They would have loved Barwin, but Miami snatched him up, forcing them to reach for the next best linebacker, or address their aging secondary with a solid pick in Donald Washington.
Previous: Connor Barwin, OLB, Cincinnati
58. New England Patriots - Andy Levitre, G, Oregon State
Levitre adds depth to an already good offensive line, but one that has experienced inconsistent results in the past two years. Once your star quarterback goes down for the season, you might think about improving your offensive line. Levitre is the second rated guard, so this is a solid steal.
Previous: Same
59. Carolina Panthers - Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State
They would like to find an eventual replacement for Julius Peppers, but the last elite player (Kruger) is gone. Gilbert could very well be gone before the second round begins, but if Carolina lands him, they’ll be getting an inside presence they haven’t had since they were in the Super Bowl.
Previous: Same
60. New York Giants - Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
They need to replace Plaxico Burress, one way or another. Regardless of whether or not they land Braylon Edwards, passing on Nicks at this point would be a mistake.
Previous: Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
61. Indianapolis Colts - Jairus Byrd, S, Oregon
The Colts have a stout presence in Bob Sanders, but he can never stay healthy. Protecting their future by adding Byrd as depth or a potential starter is key. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Colts reach for a receiver here (maybe Austin Collie), but when they see Byrd is still available, they’ll flip.
Previous: Austin Collie, WR, BYU
62. Tennessee Titans - Alex Magee, DT, Purdue
The Titans could get some youth at tight end or receiver, as well as linebacker or defensive tackle. Alex Magee is no Albert Haynesworth, but he’ll go a long way in trying to fill up the space he vacated when he left for Washington.
Previous: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
63. Arizona Cardinals - Lawrence Sidbury, OLB/DE, Richmond
This fills an immediate need for Arizona, as their defense is better than average, but they could use some depth at linebacker. Sidbury played mostly defensive end in college, but is too short and way too athletic to resort to playing on the line.
Previous: Same
64. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
The Steelers have a great defense, and already addressed their offensive line in round one. They could either hit the o-line again, or go right to the cream filling and draft Brace. Sitting in the shadow of top-10 phenom B.J. Raji, Brace flew under the radar with underrated skills and athleticism
Previous: Same
Go to Round 3 of Kevin Roberts’ 2009 NFL Mock Draft
