Welcome to my 2009 NFL Mock Draft first round picks, check by here in the future for my entire draft closer to the big day. But for now this 2009 mock draft will cover the first round of college football players headed for the NFL. As of this writing the Super Bowl between Arizona and Pittsburgh has not been played, so I don’t have the last two spots in exact order. If you want more 2009 NFL mock drafts check out dcprosportsreport.com for hundreds of them!
1 Detroit Lions- Andre Smith OT Alabama
I think the Lions will take a shot at drafting a quarterback to develop in the later rounds if the 2009 NFL draft. Andre Smith is probably the best offensive tackle in the draft and will help the Lions faster than a rookie quarterback. Lion’s fans will be expecting results after the team went 0-16 in 2008.
2 St. Louis Rams- Matthew Stafford QB Georgia
Mark Bulger struggled along with the rest of the Rams this season and is getting old quick. I think Matthew Stafford makes the most sense here. Bulger probably has a season left in him and can groom the rookie.
3 Kansas City Chiefs- Jason Smith OT Baylor
As of this writing the Chiefs do not have a head coach with the firing of Herm Edwards. But new general manger Scott Pioli comes from the Patriots, where two guys named Brady and Cassel did ok as non first round draft picks. Jason Smith does possibly have some injury concerns but I think the Chiefs will take him here.
4 Seattle Seahawks- Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech
Seattle went through hell in 2008 trying to field two healthy wide receivers. Michael Crabtree will provide an immediate upgrade to the Seahawks offense. Look for them to select another wide receiver by the 4th round in the 2009 NFL draft.
5 Cleveland Browns- Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia
The Browns need a young strong back to help in those cold weather games. I think Knowshon Moreno would be a perfect fit in Cleveland. Look for Moreno’s stock to rise after the NFL scouting combine.
6 Cincinnati Bengals- Mark Sanchez QB USC
The Bengals still have Carson Palmer but he is coming off an injury and is a year older. Sanchez can sit the pine for a year or two while Carson Palmer plays mentor.
7 Oakland Raiders- Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri
The Raiders have the running backs but the jury is still out on quarterback JaMarcus Russell, but having a weapon like Jeremy Maclin wouldn’t hurt. Maclin caught 102 passes for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns for Missouri in 2008.
8 Jacksonville Jaguars- Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest
If one of the elite tackles falls this far the Jaguars will draft him but I don’t see that happening. Aaron Curry is probably the best linebacker in the 2009 NFL draft and Jack Del Rio is a defensive minded coach.
9 Green Bay Packers- Aaron Maybin LB Penn State
Maybin could play defensive end or linebacker and Green Bay is running a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Dom Capers. Aaron Maybin would be a good fit and you never have enough pass rushers.
10 San Francisco 49ers- Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State
Mike Singletary knows defense wins championships more than anyone. Jenkins could play corner or safety and is a good tackler with decent speed.
11 Buffalo Bills- Eugene Monroe OT Virginia
At 6ft 5 and a half, weighing 310 pounds Monroe has a little room to pick up even more bulk. He has had some injury problems but Buffalo needs more linemen and Monroe has experience at both guard and tackle at Virginia.
12 Denver Broncos- Brian Orakpo DE Texas
The Broncos need defense and ends are popular picks these days to start building a defense around. Orakpo would be an upgrade on the line and a nice pick at this spot by the Broncos.
13 Washington Redskins- Everette Brown DE Florida State
Defensive Ends will start falling off the board here at this point and the Skins need help on the D line. Coach Jim Zorn needs immediate results and I think Brown will be a good fit as a rookie.
14 New Orleans Saints- Vontae Davis CB Illinois
Davis will fill a need for the Saints whose pass defense was pretty bad at times in 2008. However if Knowshon Marino falls this far the Saints may bite. Reggie Bush is injured often, Aaron Stecker is a free agent and the thought is that Deuce McAllister won’t be with the team next season.
15 Houston Texans- B.J. Raji DT Boston College
Raji would make a great addition to Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye in what could be a great young D line rotation. Raji is a wide body at 6’1′ and 325 pounds and will be a good run stopper in the NFL.
16 San Diego Chargers- Chris “Beanie” Wells RB Ohio State
Ladainian Tomlinson will probably be traded on or before draft day. So my 2009 NFL Mock Draft calls for the best running back on the board to go to the Chargers. Wells is a big back with speed and could compliment Darren Sproles if he is resigned.
17 New York Jets- Tyson Jackson DL LSU
Jackson will bring some youth to the defensive line and can play end in the Jets 3-4 defense under new coach Rex Ryan.
18 Chicago Bears- Michael Oher OT Ole Miss
Oher can help an already good Bears rushing game and provide some pop at a key position for years to come.
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Josh Freeman QB Kansas State
Taking Freeman here does two things. He gives Tampa Bay a 6 ft 6 249 pound quarterback to groom and keeps him from falling to the Vikes who will be looking for a QB.
20 Detroit Lions (From Dallas) – Duke Robinson G Oklahoma
The Lions add the best guard in the 2009 NFL draft to their number one pick of Andre Smith. If these two picks pan out then the Lions could be set for the next 10 years at two needed positions.
21 Philadelphia Eagles- Eben Britton OT Arizona
The Eagles made it known they are looking for offensive linemen in free agency and the draft. Britton really has the size at 6-6 and over 300 pounds to be a good offensive lineman. His play improved when he was switched to left tackle at Arizona.
22 Minnesota Vikings- Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech
Since a top tier quarterback is no longer available in my 2009 NFL Mock draft the Vikings pick defense. Adding a 6-7 guy who can gain weight to an already stellar defensive line makes sense here.
23 New England Patriots- Rey Maualuga LB USC
The Patriots got old at linebacker in 2008 and adding perhaps the draft’s best inside “backer” will be a great move here. Rey Maualuga was a key part of that great USC defense during his college football career.
24 Atlanta Falcons- Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State
The Falcons will remember how much Michael Vick loved Algie Crumpler in his prime. Matt Ryan will love throwing to the best tight end in the 2009 NFL draft.
25 Miami Dolphins- Clint Sintim LB Virginia
Sintim could play linebacker or end for the Dolphins and can really get to the passer. I wouldn’t be shocked however to see the Dolphins go offensive line or receiver here.
26 Baltimore Ravens- Brian Cushing LB USC
The Ravens will need to fill spots on that awesome defense. It is unlikely that Terrell Suggs and or Ray Lewis will be back next season. Cushing has played several positions in his college career and should flourish in Baltimore.
27 Indianapolis Colts- Peria Jerry DT Ole Miss
Peria Jerry is 6ft 1 and weighs just under 300 pounds and runs a sub 5.0 40 yard dash. He could help shore up bad Colts defensive line.
28 Philadelphia Eagles (From Carolina) – William Moore S Missouri
Brian Dawkins may be gone and they will need a replacement. Moore is a good tackler and can also pick off passes from the safety position.
29 New York Giants- Kenny Britt WR Rutgers
Right there in the Giants backyard at Rutgers will be their possible replacement for Plaxico Burress. Kenny Britt is big at 6-4 and 215 pounds, he should be able to block as well as act as a possession wide receiver.
30 Tennessee Titans- Ron Brace DT Boston College
With Albert Haynesworth probably leaving as a free agent, DT becomes a need for the Tennessee Titans. Brace is big enough to plug holes and athletic enough to get the occasional sack.
31 Arizona Cardinals (remember this is written before the Super Bowl) – LaSean McCoy RB Pittsburgh.
With Edgerrin James probably gone and Hightower possibly not the answer, look for Arizona to add another running back to the mix. McCoy is a solid back who can also catch the ball which is needed in this offense.
32 Pittsburgh Steelers- Phil Loadholt ( I bet Chris Berman can’t wait to announce this name) OT Oklahoma
6ft 8 inches tall and weighing 343 pounds he is made for the Steelers offensive line. Off the field problems may prevent them taking him. But I think they will go O line for sure and he makes sense.
