Mock Draft v3.0
Written by RandolphC, Friday April 17 2009
With the futures of WRs Anquan Boldin (Arizona), Braylon Edwards (Cleveland), and Chad Ocho Cinco (Cincinnati) waiting in the balance, it's leading to a first round filled with tension as player movement will effect selections. Already almost a dozen players have been traded this off-season, most recently OT Jason Peters going from Buffalo to Philadelphia. The trend likely will continue through the draft.
1. Detroit Lions – QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia
Not everybody within the Lions organization is on board with this pick, but majority wins.
2. St. Louis Rams –OT Jason Smith, Baylor
It’s St. Louis’ good fortune to be able to land the top player at the position.
3. Kansas City Chiefs – LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forrest
Thanks to his versatility, KC takes arguably the best player in the draft and moves him wherever Curry is needed.
4. Seattle Seahawks – QB Mark Sanchez, USC
Some teams like Sanchez over Stafford. The Seahawks will be thrilled to land their next franchise quarterback.
5. Cleveland Browns – DT/NT B.J. Raji, Boston College
Top quality linemen are harder to find than OLBs that fit the 3-4 system.
6. Cincinnati Bengals –OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
Cincy addresses a need and they bring in a high character guy. The local police gives a sigh of relief.
7. Oakland Raiders – WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Tired of wasting money on free agent receivers (Javon Walker and Ashlie Lelie), Oakland tries a more inexpensive solution.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – OT Andre Smith, Alabama
Signing OT Tra Thomas is a short-term fix. Tra can mentor Smith for a year before stepping aside for the Alabama product.
9. Green Bay Packers – DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas
DE/OLBs will be going fast this year so the Packers don’t waste time nabbing one.
10. San Francisco 49ers – DE/OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn State
The Niners just made OLB Parys Haralson a rich man. Haralson proves he’s worth the raise with the help of an edge rusher to create havoc in the pocket.
11. Buffalo Bills – DE Everett Brown, Florida State
The added first round pick doesn’t change the Bills’ approach. Fixing 23 sacks is tougher than preventing 38.
12. Denver Broncos – ILB Rey Maualuga, USC
They added 30-year-old Andra Davis, but how many good years does he have left? Also, Can D.J. Williams play inside? These three will battle for two starting spots.
13.Washington Redskins – DE Larry English, Northern Illinois
DE Jason Taylor didn’t work out. The Redskins will welcome this English man.
14. New Orleans Saints – LB Brian Cushing, USC
Cushing gets the nod over a corner back because he can make a corner’s job easier with his ability to rush the passer.
15. Houston Texans – LB Clay Matthews, USC
It doesn’t matter that the Texans recently signed LBs Cato June and Buster Davis. They’re not full sized. Matthews is grown and can play DE in passing situations.
16. San Diego Chargers – RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
The future of the backfield is in question (Is LaDanian Tomlinson in decline? Can they sign Darren Sproles to a long term deal and how many productive years does he have left?). Moreno would be insurance.
17. New York Jets – RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
Thomas Jones is holding out for a new contract. Bad move for a ball carrier that will be 31 in August. New head coach Rex Ryan will run the ball with or without Jones.
18. Denver Broncos – CB Malcom Jenkins, Ohio State
They released Dre Bly and Champ Bailey isn’t getting younger. Jenkins gets to learn from one of the best.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee
By signing QB Byron Leftwich, they can develop Josh Johnson slowly and turn their attention towards a bookend to DE Gaines Adams.
20. Detroit Lions – ILB James Laurinitis, Ohio State
Goodbye Tampa-2 defense. The miniature ‘backers currently in the Motor City just won’t do for head coach Jim Schwartz.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Jeremy Macklin, Missouri
If Philly doesn’t trade the pick for a receiver, the Eagles use it on the best player available instead of a TE or reaching for a DE.
22. Minnesota Vikings – OT Eben Britton, Arizona
They will let QBs Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson compete for the starting job. Britton helps make it a fair fight in a secured pocket.
23. New England Patriots – LB Clint Sintim, Virginia
He’s projected as a better pro ILB, but the Pats want him for the 19 collegiate sacks in the last two years. Sintim will play outside.
24. Atlanta Falcons – DE/DT Tyson Jackson, LSU
Big enough to play tackle on run downs, athletic enough to play end in passing situations.
25. Miami Dolphins – DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
The coaching staff takes the chance on a player with all the tools because Joey Porter (32 years old) might run out of gas soon. In the meantime, Johnson can learn from the Pro Bowler.
26. Baltimore Ravens – WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
Besides providing QB Joe Flacco with a much needed target, Baltimore must score more following the losses on defense.
27. Indianapolis Colts – DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi
Speed and quickness enabled opponents to average 123 rushing yards per game. Head coach Jim Caldwell quickly shows he has his own way of doing things.
28. Buffalo Bills - OT William Beatty, Connecticut
If the Bills are going to get the most out of WR Terrell Owens, they need to keep QB Trent Edwards upright.
29. New York Giants – WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers
OK, now it’s about Plaxico Burress, not Amani Toomer.
30. Tennessee Titans – DT Evander Hood, Missouri
You don’t replace an Albert Haynesworth, but Tennessee can find a run stuffer.
31. Arizona Cardinals – RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
‘Zona could be out two RBs from last year if they grant Edgerrin James’ wish and trade/release their leading rusher.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
27-year-old QB Ben Roethlisberger felt 10 years older than his actual age after the beating he took last season (46 sacks) Pittsburgh takes measures to add years to Big Ben’s career.
Tags:
Leave a comment
Not So Fast! To publish your comment, you have to login
Not Registered? Register now as it only take 20 seconds!
Click here to browse
0 comments