2009 NFL Mock Draft (Pre-Season version)
The 2008 season has not even begun but the NFL Draft has grown to a nearly year round event, so as an NFL Draft website looks to occupy its readers prior to the upcoming season, here is my first shot at a 2009 mock draft. For realism sake we include underclassmen. Enjoy.
* Please note records are based on 2008 projections after predicting Win-Loss records for all 32 teams including making sure the total records equal 256-256.
1. Atlanta Falcons – DT Fili Moala, USC - It may have taken a year but the Falcons finally strengthen the interior of their defense.
2. Baltimore Ravens – OT Michael Oher, Mississippi – The Ravens hope Jared Gaither will work out but Oher is a better fit to replace Ogden. If they had been less optimistic about the 2008 season, they may have waited a year to draft their QB of the future.
3. Miami Dolphins – DE/LB Brian Cushing, USC - Taking a QB would be tempting but we have to assume Beck or Henne shows something in 2008. In 2008 they got tougher in the trenches. In 2009, they draft the outside pass rusher to make the 3-4 work.
4. San Francisco 49ers – QB Matthew Stafford*, Georgia – If the 49ers are drafting here, the coaching staff will be replaced and the Niners will be looking for someone to build their offense around. Stafford is the best pro style QB in college football and a possible early entry candidate.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Andre Smith*, Alabama – Quarterback will be a strong possibility for the Chiefs if Brodie Croyle does not assert himself, but could any QB excel behind their line. Branden Albert was a nice start but Andre Smith will give them another building block.
6. Tennessee Titans – WR Michael Crabtree*, Texas Tech – Proto-type size/speed ratio, Crabtree is the playmaking wideout the Titans offense needs.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Tim Tebow*, Florida – After accumulating quarterbacks the past 3-4 years the Bucs finally decide to invest in a franchise signal caller. Tebow’s Florida ties will be good PR as well.
8. Oakland Raiders – DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech – After considering wide receivers, defensive tackles and offensive linemen, the Raiders take the best pass rushing DE in the draft.
9. Chicago Bears – QB Curtis Painter, Purdue – After watching Grossman and Orton muddle through another season, the Bears will finally get over the ghost of Cade McNown and draft a quarterback. Painter is a bit of a reach at #9 but he has all the tools.
10. Washington Redskins – DE George Selvie*, South Florida – The pass rusher the Redskins defense needs. Would also consider defensive tackles as their D-line needs an upgrade.
11. Philadelphia Eagles – ILB James Laurinaitus, Ohio State - The Eagles fill a need for a playmaking linebacker.
12. Denver Broncos – RB Chris Wells*, Ohio State – If the Broncos are drafting here it means Mike Shanahan is on the hot seat or gone. In either case, if Wells is available it is time for the revolving door at running back to end with Wells.
13. New York Jets – RB Knowshon Moreno*, Georgia – Moreno is the playmaker the Jets offense desperately needs. Great breakaway speed and tremendous upside.
14. Detroit Lions – DE Greg Hardy*, Mississippi – Maualuga would be tempting but the Lions defense is desperate for a pass rusher. Hardy has excellent size, pass rushing skills and a good motor to boot.
15. Arizona Cardinals – RB Lesean McCoy*, Pittsburgh – A big back with a little burst would be an excellent fit in an offense likely needing to replace Edgerrin James.
16. Houston Texans – CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State – With the top running backs off the board, the Texans take the top corner in the draft. It would be a surprise to see Jenkins fall this far.
17. St. Louis Rams – ILB Rey Maualuga - Finding a future LT will be a top need but the Rams can’t afford to pass on one of the top linebackers in the draft.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) – OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma – The big, road grading offensive tackle Andy Reid craves.
19. Cleveland Browns – CB Vontae Davis*, Illinois – The Browns will consider themselves lucky if Davis were to still be on the board. An underclassman, Davis has excellent measureables including ideal size/speed ratio. With a good junior season he could challenge Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins for the top CB spot.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Alex Boone, Ohio State – An athletic left tackle prospect for an O-line in need of a talent infusion.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – ILB Brandon Spikes*, Florida – Dhani Jones can’t be the team’s answer at MLB for long. Spikes has good size, speed and the same last name as a former Bengal great. DT Sen’Derrick Marks would be a consideration if former teammate Pat Sims is unable to fill their need at DT.
22. Buffalo Bills – OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma – A big road grader to help solidify a questionable right side of the offensive line.
23. New York Giants – CB Mike Mickens, Cincinnati – Mickens has great size for a corner and could be one of the fastest rising corners with a strong senior year.
24. Green Bay Packers – OT Ciron Black*, LSU – The Packers begin to look for re-inforcements at tackle with an athletic underclassmen.
25. Seattle Seahawks – WR Jeremy Macklin*, Missouri – After waiting three years for Deion Branch to get healthy (not to mention Engram getting up in years), the Seahawks finally decide to draft a wide receiver early. Running back will also get a long look after the Julius Jones experiment.
26. Minnesota Vikings – TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State – The best thing for a young quarterback and a developing passing game is a quality tight end capable of stretching defenses. If Tarvaris Jackson fails in 2008 they will be drafting much sooner and looking for a QB.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Percy Harvin*, Florida – Jerry Porter is not the answer to their receiving woes. Harvin’s special team abilities will free Jones-Drew up to carry more of the rushing load.
28. New Orleans Saints – S William Moore, Missouri – The type of playmaking safety the Saints defense needs as they continue to look to improve their athleticism.
29. New England Patriots – DE Tyson Jackson, USC – Jackson may not slide this far but if he does he is an ideal fit for the Pats multiple fronts. Expect the Pats to draft either an O or D lineman in ’09 because of pending free agency along both fronts.
30. Indianapolis Colts – DT Sen’Derrick Marks*, Auburn – A quick penetrating tackle who would be an excellent fit for the Tampa 2 scheme.
31. Dallas Cowboys – WR Darrius Heyward-Bey*, Maryland – The Cowboys need to find a good young wide receiver to pair with Terrell Owens before the tread comes off his tires.
32. San Diego Chargers – DT Al Woods*, LSU – A massive defensive tackle to groom behind Jamal Williams.
Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com. He can be reached at cmaier@nfldraft101.com.
