Here is my EARLY 2009 Mock Draft.
1. Detroit Lions - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma I think this kid has loads of talent, and even though the Lions severely need to address the Offensive line, I think this is a deep enough draft at lineman that they can wait and still get solid lineman. In all honesty, the pick is between Bradford and Stafford, and it's personal opinion on who you think is better. Whoever it is should sit for a year behind Kitna, and
possibly start in his second year.
2. St. Louis Rams - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama Ideally, they can play Smith on the Right side until Pace hangs 'em up, and then have Smith transition over to the the left. They could pick up Oher here as well, but again I think that's more personal preference, and I prefer Smith ability over Ohers inconsistency. They could also go with Aaron Curry here, but if they want him, I think they'd trade down, and find a team that either really wants Sam Bradford/Matt Stafford/Michael Crabtree whomever the Lions don't take.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas They might go after Bradford/Stafford if available, because the new front office might not be sold on Tyler Thigpen. However even if you're not sold on him, I think he's a good stop gap QB at least for now. The Chiefs pass rush this past year was awful, and Tamba Hali lost effectiveness now that he was the main threat. With Orakpo, Hali and Dorsey on the line, they
should get more pressure on the QB, which can only help a defense.
4. Seattle Seahawks - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech The people in Seattle must be salivating at this, after surviving perhaps the worst sports year in history, the Seattle fans will get a big play receiver for years to come. There really isn't much NOT to like about Crabtree, and aside from the overall age of the Seahawks there's not much that needs immediate replacing to be competitive in the abysmal NFC West.
5. Cleveland Browns - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest Another true toss up for me. I can't decide if they should go Aaron Curry or Malcolm Jenkins, all I know is that is one defense that needs help. I don't think they can go wrong with either pick as Curry would be an immediate upgrade and Jenkins would easily start over Eric Wright or Brandon McDonald. I can also see them trading the pick as some of the teams below them aren't in need of immediate defensive help and they could pick up more picks along the way.
6. Cincinnati Bengals - Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss The offensive line of the Bengals allowed 51 sacks. I don't think this needs and further discussion.
7. Oakland Raiders - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia Obviously this is the best pick in terms of need for the Raiders, as I think Russell can be a solid QB if he's given the means of doing it. However knowing Al Davis this pick could be spent on WR Jeremy Maclin of Missouri or S Taylor Mays of USC. Al Davis has a penchant for drafting DBs in the first round.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida With Mike Peterson on the outs in Jacksonville, they'll need a replacement at LB, with Spikes, you get a high energy guy who can provide leadership to a defense, and centerpiece of a defense. I've seen some mock drafts with an Offensive Lineman, but seeing as how their line was in overall disarray due to injuries, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt... for now.
9. Green Bay Packers - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State The Packers desperately need an upgrade at CB, and I really think Thompson botched last year in not picking up Brandon Flowers whom was a perfect fit for the Packers. Instead they got Patrick Lee, who didn't even see the playing field. With Woodson and Harris on the decline, it's time to revamp, and reload at CB.
10. San Fransisco 49ers - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia The Niners are pretty lucky here, seeing as how I don't have trades in my draft, Stafford falls right into their lap, and they get an immediate replacement for the abysmal Alex Smith. They could use upgrades a few other places, but if I have a chance to get a potential franchise QB, when I need one, I think I'll take my chances there.
11. Buffalo Bills - Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State With Buffalo's non-existent pass rush, they need an upgrade, and badly at that. Even though Aaron Schobel was out for most of the year, They can still improve on it. If Orakpo falls here, he could be the pick as well.
12. Denver Broncos - Taylor Mays, S, USC They need defense, period. Taylor Mays is the best player left on defense, and nothing else matters. If there's someone higher on your draft board, insert them here, but as long as it's a defensive player, there's no reason it shouldn't be the pick here.
13. Washington Redskins - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor They could probably use some more WRs as well right? Their offensive line is only getting older, and although it's pretty solid, it's going to need replacing soon. They don't need much else, except to be in the NFC West.
14. New Orleans Saints - William Moore, S, Missouri The 23rd ranked pass defense is need of help, but so is that entire defense. The offense did it's part for the season, and the Saints would have won more games if it wasn't for an entirely lackluster defense. This pick could go to any number of players, James Laurinaitis, Ray Maualuga, Taylor Mays, Vontae Davis, whomever falls to them, but they need to beef up that defense if they want to win the NFC South next year.
15. Houston Texans - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech They could try an upgrade their secondary here, but sometimes upgrading your pass rush is just as good as upgrading your secondary. With another speed rusher coming off the end Mario Williams and Michael Johnson have the opportunity to terrorize QBs for years to come. Vontae Davis or William Moore could go here if they choose to go secondary though.
16. San Diego Chargers - Ray Maualuga, LB, USC Or Duke Robinson, or Eben Britton, but I think offensive line is
somewhat coming together late in the season, but Maualuga would be a huge centerpiece to the Chargers defense between Shawn Merriman and Shaun Phillips.
17. New York Jets - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State They could go Harvin or Maclin here to upgrade the receiving corps, but I think finding an inside partner for David Harris would be more appropriate.
18. Chicago Bears - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri Either him or Harvin, take your pick of the litter. Giving Orton someone who can stretch the field can only do good things, I don't know what else they'd need drastically to make a run at the playoffs next year
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Knowshon Moreno, HB, Georgia With Cadillac now questionable on ever returning, Graham being injured, and Dunn getting older, I think the Bucs will go with the BPA pick. Whether you Wells or Moreno is up to you.
20. Detroit Lions - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona Shabam, you've got your OT to protect Bradford/Stafford. And if Britton is gone there's still Ciron Black of LSU and Duke Robinson of Oklahoma. Neither pick would really be a tremendously bad one.
21. Arizona Cardinals - Chris Wells, HB, Ohio State A virtual no-brainer if he's available, With Edge on his way out, and Hightower average at best, Wells can bring a solid running game to Arizona. Moreno would be the pick here if Wells is gone.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Ciron Black, OT, LSU Another offensive line that isn't necessarily horrendous, but is in need of a youth infusion. They'll really luck out if Ciron is still available here.
23. Minnesota Vikings - DJ Moore, CB, Vanderbilt The key word here is inconsistency. The Vikings have only one consistent player in the Defensive backfield and that's Antoine Winfield, and of course he's gotten older and lost a step or two. I don't think he's ready to retire just yet, but Cedric Griffin is at best solid, and at worst a liability, So in the meantime Moore can take over the second QB spot and Moore will fill in nicely on the other side. He can also bring more explosion to a Special Teams that severely lacked it.
24. New England Patriots - Brian Cushing, OLB, USC In my opinion, the best cerebral LB in this draft, and that's what Belichick loves, Vrable turns 34 and they really have needed upgrades at LB for the past two years, I don't know how much longer they can last.
25. Atlanta Falcons - BJ Raji, DT, Boston College Since Cody didn't declare, Raji is the best run-stuffer in the class and should help out a team that let Edge run all over them.
26. Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
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27. Baltimore Ravens - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida Gives Joe Flacco someone to stretch the field, and someone to replace Derrick Mason once he's gone, If Maclin is available I think they'd take him over Harvin, but either way, they don't have many glaring needs other than WR.
28. Indianapolis Colts - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss Colts STILL need help stopping the run, and Jerry should help alleviate some of the pressure on Freeney and Mathis as well.
29. Philadelphia Eagles - Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma The Eagles immediately upgrade their line for the present(Possibly Donovan) and the immediate future(Kevin Kolb) With Robinson and Black they have two solid lineman to work with. And both can start right away.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Mack, C, California Whatever they take in the first round, it needs to be an offensive lineman, and I don't care who it is. Someone needs to protect Roethlisberger.
31. New York Giants - Clint Sitim, OLB/DE, Virginia Gives the Giants tremendous flexibility on defense with both Mathias Kiwanuka and Sitim being able to go between DE and OLB. The Giants don't need much help, and aren't noticeably old or thin at any position really.
32. Tennessee Titans - Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati If he puts on a few pounds of muscle, he may be a steal here. Perhaps the best CB available, and the Titans aren't horribly lacking anywhere really. But Nick Harper definitely isn't going to be there for the long haul, and there's no such thing as too much depth.
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