2009 NFL Mock Draft (Updated 3/6/09)

The 2009 NFL Draft will be held April 25^th and 26^th in New York City. Detroit, you're on the clock...

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

So I have finally come to the conclusions that the Lions must draft Matthew Stafford. I originally thought they should trade there other first round pick (20^th overall) for a QB, but with Cassel already taken and the Browns claiming they'll keep Anderson the Lions must make a move here. Stafford has a lot of potential with his rocket arm, but probably will need time to develop understanding defenses. Let's hope Detroit can finally get something right here.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The Rams need help protecting QB Marc Bulger. Smith has a lot of upside with his great athletic ability. He started his career at Baylor as a tight end, but has shown incredible blocking skills since moving to OT. The possibilities with this guy are endless.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Last week I had the Chiefs taking Stafford, but with the trade for Cassel I look for them to get someone to protect him. Monroe has great size and skills and should fit in well for years to come. They may also go with Curry here as he can instantly improve their line-backing core.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

With the signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh the Seahawks will no longer be looking at WR Crabtree. Curry is the best defensive player in the draft and Seattle will be ecstatic if he falls to the fourth spot.

5. Cleveland Browns: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Sorry Brown's fans, but Curry will not last to the number 5 spot. With Cleveland trading away Winslow Jr. the Browns need another receiving threat for whomever they choose to be their QB. They have serious defensive needs all around; however, I see no defender other than Curry worthy of the fifth overall pick and he will be long gone.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

I like the Bengals to go safe here with OT Oher. They need a sure thing and with Andre Smith moving down in the draft Oher is the best available OT on the board. They should also be looking into drafting Florida State DE/OLB if they choose to go defense.

7. Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Maclin is a flat out game-breaker. He'll provide incredible kick/punt return ability and give young QB Russell some help in the passing game. As long as the Raiders don't do something crazy like signing T.O., Maclin will fit in nicely with the 7^th overall pick.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State

With the top OTs off the board look for the Jaguars to sure up their already physical defense. Brown is an explosive defender off the edge and can put pressure on the QB as well as help shut down the running game.

9. Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

Look for the Packers to snatch the top DB in the draft here with the 9^th overall pick. Jenkins can be a shut-down corner as well as move to safety if the Packers need him to. He is a reliable tackler and can help with the Packer's poor run defense.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Andre Smith is the most skilled and NFL ready OT in the draft. He clearly has some issues that need to be worked on, but with the no bull attitude of the 49ers coaching staff they should get that taken care of. San Francisco would like to take QB Mark Sanchez with this pick, but they cannot afford another first round QB bust.

11. Buffalo Bills: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Orakpo is a freak of nature. I would like the Bills to get more offensive power here, but with no wide receivers worth taking at number 11 and TE Pettigrew falling off the boards the Bills should just go with the best overall player available.

12. Denver Broncos: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

With serious defensive issues, the Broncos must go defense with their first pick and Raji is the best available at this point. Denver would love if Raji fell this far to them. He was very impressive at this year's NFL combine.

13. Washington Redskins: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn St.

With the release of Taylor, the Redskins need to fill that void. Redskin fans should hope Orakpo falls to him, but if he doesn't Maybin will fit in nicely. He is very athletic and can come off the edge or drop back in coverage.

14. New Orleans Saints: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

A very athletic DB with a nose for the ball, Davis will instantly improve the Saints poor secondary.

15. Houston Texans: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

Britton is a very athletic OT. The Texans have been very smart with their draft picks of late and Britton is a safe pick that can play immediately.

16. San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

Maualuga is the best ILB in the draft and will fit in great with the Chargers attacking defense.

17. New York Jets: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

With his lack of experience in college I think Sanchez will fall to the Jets and they will be happy to snatch him up after QB Favre's retirement, for now.

18. Chicago Bears: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

I think the Bears want to get younger on defense and Johnson is a great defensive player with a lot of upside. He has all the tools needed to rush off the edge and has the athletic ability to drop in coverage if needed.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Moreno is a quick versatile RB that can hit the hole hard as well as come out of the backfield for some big receptions. Chris "Beanie" Wells actually had a much better combine than Moreno, but I feel that Moreno is the better fit for the Bucs offense.

20. Detroit Lions: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma St.

With the Lions taking Stafford number one overall they need some weapons for him. The combo of Calvin Johnson on the outside and a great receiving TE in Pettigrew will give Stafford some great options his rookie year.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

The Eagles need a power RB to go with Westbrook and Wells is just that with a great stiff arm and great speed and footwork for a man his size. Wells looked great at the combine and showed that he will one day be the Eagles number one running back.

22. Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

With the thought process being that the Vikings will go after QB Jeff Garcia, I think they will look to give him a weapon to work with. Harvin is a speed-demon that can be moved all around the field and score any time he touches the ball.

23. New England Patriots: James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State

The Patriots love drafting skilled defensive players and if Laurinaitis falls to them they will surely grab him in a heartbeat.

24. Atlanta Falcons: William Beatty, OT, Connecticut

The Falcons have a tough choice with the 24^th pick, but I think they'll go OT to help protect franchise QB Matt Ryan for years to come instead of opting for a DB.

25. Miami Dolphins: Sean Smith, S/CB, Utah

I think the Dolphins will trust QB Chad Pennington for a couple more years and opt to get a versatile DB with this pick.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

Cushing is a very reliable OLB and will fit in as a great replacement in the Raven's line-backing core.

27. Indianapolis Colts: D.J. Moore, CB Vanderbilt

With no good offensive player at this spot in the draft the Colts should sure up their secondary with an exciting player in Moore.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: Clay Matthew, OLB, USC

Again no offensive player to take here, the Eagles will want to add youth and more speed to their defensive attack.

29. New York Giants: Max Unger, Offensive Line, Oregon

Unger is a very versatile lineman who can play any position on the line. This is a nice safe pick for the Giants who have no serious weakness and can probably find a WR and RB in later rounds.

30. Tennessee Titans: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

With Pro Bowl DT Albert Haynesworth on his way to Washington, the Titans will need a replacement to fit in right away. Jerry has all the tools necessary to fit in with the Titans physical defensive attack.

31. Arizona Cardinals: Alex Mack, C, California

With Warner deciding to stay with Arizona, I think they'll look for someone to offer some added protection. Mack is a great offensive lineman and can play any position on the line. They could go defensive line here if they can't get their other players signed.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Larry English, OLB/DE, Northern Illinois

The Pittsburgh Steelers showed us last year that defense wins championships and once again they'll draft defense here. English will strive in their system as he can move all around the field and is very versatile.

Check out my list of guaranteed first round superstars.