2009 NFL Mock Draft: Mid-Season Edition
The NFL and College seasons giving us an opportunity to take an early look at the draft. While fans would prefer to focus on this season the draft always brings intrique and for teams whose seasons are lost already it brings hope for the future. The Lions, Bengals, Chiefs and Seahawks (?) are battling for the pole position but has someone stepped up to be worthy of the $$$ and expectations.
(Draft Order based on current number of wins and playoff projections.) (* denotes underclassman)
1. Detroit Lions – QB Matthew Stafford*, Georgia – In a weak year for quarterbacks, Stafford is the cream of the crop. His stock is more about potential than production thus far but he has all the measureables teams look for. Kansas City and Detroit both need a quarterback but Stafford looks to be the only franchise type signal caller in this draft.
2. Cincinnati Bengals – OT Michael Oher, Mississippi – Selecting Ohio State RB Beanie Wells would be a fan favorite but anyone who has watched the Bengals this year knows the team’s biggest problem is on the offensive line where Levi Jones has lost his way. Oher has prototypical size to go along with excellent athleticism and power.
3. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia – Last year the Chiefs began to reconstruct their offensive line by selecting Branden Albert. This year they look to continue to rebuild its offensive line by adding Albert’s former teammate Monroe. Whether they would play them at LG and LT to be the 2nd coming of Will Shields and Willie Roaf or play opposite tackles would be a question for the coach but with no quarterbacks on the board fixing the line is the priority. Heck, even if there was a quarterback available the Chiefs should still consider taking a tackle. No young quarterback will survive behind their line.
4. Seattle Seahawks – OT Andre Smith*, Alabama – Has there been a more disappointing team in the NFL than Seattle? While no one expects the Seahawks to be drafting this high, if the season ended today this is where they would pick. Seattle’s holes are not as big as the team picking ahead of them but they will consider their options at RB, WR, DT and OT. If they were drafting lower RB or WR would be their likely direction but if one of the top three offensive tackles is on the board they will take them because Walter Jones is not getting any younger. Smith is a mountain of a man and a tremendous run blocker. The question he will need to answer is whether he has the athleticism to play left tackle.
5. Oakland – DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech – The Raiders will consider adding targets for JaMarcus Russell but their defense has also proved it does not matter who is playing CB if you don’t have a pass rush. Johnson is the top pass rushing prospect in the draft and is the type of raw athlete Al Davis loves.
6. San Francisco – OLB/DE George Selvie – With the OTs off the board the 49ers look to fill their other void, a pass rushing outside linebacker with Selvie. Selvie is undersized but is arguably the best pure pass rusher in the draft.
7. Cleveland – RB Beanie Wells*, Ohio State – The Browns drafting a CB early in the 2009 NFL Draft is one of the biggest no brainers in the history of earth (unless they sign a free agent), the question is whether it is in round 1 or 2. If Wells is available, CB will wait until round 2. Jamal Lewis will not last much longer on his bad knees and Wells is an elite back who will be able to get the tough yards.
8. Miami – ILB Rey Maualuga, USC – Last year the Dolphins made a concerted effort to improve in the trenches, this year they move back to add a physical enforcer for the middle of the defense. Maualuga is a tad slow but there is not a more physical linebacker in the college game. An intimidator.
9. Houston – CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State – Despite having some of the best young defensive talent in the league in Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans and Amobi Okoye, the Texans defense still has holes at DE, OLB, CB and S. Aside from pass rusher, cornerback is the hardest defensive position to fill and the Texans take the top corner in the draft to shore up their secondary.
10. St. Louis – OT Jason Smith, Baylor – Jason Smith is not as well known as Michael Oher, Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe but his athleticism and ability to play left tackle has him moving up draft boards. The Rams need at OT makes this pick a bit of a reach but can they afford to wait any longer to find a replacement for Orlando Pace. If Smith isn’t the pick look for them to look at LBs Aaron Curry and James Laurinaitus.
11. Baltimore – LB James Laurinaitus, Ohio State – The Ravens have a bigger need CB but Laurinaitus is considered a top 5 prospect by some. He is physical intimidator inside and could be the team’s replacement for Ray Lewis.
12. New York Jets – RB Knowshon Moreno*, Georgia – If Moreno is on the board he is a perfect fit a Jets offense looking to find balance. One question to ask however is whether Moreno come out if he is not considered a top 10 pick?
13. Minnesota Vikings – DE Greg Hardy*, Mississippi – Even after adding Jared Allen, the Vikings defensive line is still struggling to bring pressure. Hardy will need time to develop but he is an excellent pass rusher and has the size to hold up well against the run. Offensive tackle and tight end will also get a long look but does either position have a player worthy of the 13th overall slot.
14. San Diego Chargers – LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest – The Chargers defense is predicated on the play of its linebackers and Curry gives them a big guy to anchor the middle or slide outside. He is not an ideal 3-4 OLB but he is a top talent whom the Chargers will put out there to make plays be it inside or out.
15. Philadelphia Eagles – S William Moore, Missouri – Moore is the top safety in the draft and a playmaker who can support the run and blow up receivers coming across the middle. Offensive line is also a consideration but they will look to fill that need with their 2nd first rounder.
16. Indianapolis Colts – WR Jeremy Maclin*, Missouri - The Colts won’t know what to do with themselves if they are picking this high but Marvin Harrison is not getting any younger and Maclin’s return ability will allow him to be a factor as a returner before emerging as a #3 receiver. Defensive tackle is their top need, but the DTs are more of the 2nd round variety this year.
17. New Orleans Saints – S Taylor Mays*, USC – The Saints continue to look for playmakers on the defensive side of the ball and Mays has stellar measureables. He runs like a safety but hits like a linebacker. His coverage skills have caused his stock to drop a little but his potential makes him an excellent fit for New Orleans. The only question could be whether they use him a safety or weakside linebacker.
18. Atlanta Falcons – DT Vance Walker, Georgia Tech – Phil Dimitroff proved last year he is not afraid to reach to fill a need. Concerned there will be a DT run in round 2 he grabs Walker. Michael Johnson gets the attention at with the Ramblin Wreck but when you watch the Yellow Jackets, Walker is the one that stands out for his ability to push the pocket and stop the run.
19. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) – DE Brian Orakpo, Texas – The Lions defense is in dire need of a pass rusher and the fast rising Orakpo would be just what the doctor ordered.
20. Chicago Bears – WR Michael Crabtree*, Texas Tech – Hard to believe Crabtree falls this far but playing in the spread and the hit and miss nature of wide receivers could cause Crabtree to slide a bit.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars – OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma – The Jags used last year’s draft to fill improve their pass rush, this year they will look to replenish their injury riddled offensive line. Tackle is a possibility but Robinson is the top guard in the draft and a mauler in the ground game making him an excellent fit for the Jags.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland – The Bucs need to add skill guys and Heyward-Bey has the best combination of size and speed among the receivers in this year’s draft. His ability to make plays despite poor quarterback play only enhances his stock.
23. New England Patriots – OT Jamon Meredith, South Carolina – New England dynasty has been built on play in the trenches on both sides of the ball every bit as much as QB Tom Brady. Those linemen are due for free agency in the next two years so don’t be surprised if the Pats go against the grain and look to rebuild their offensive line. The shaky play of the unit this season only increases the chances of an O-line pick.
24. Washington Redskins – DE/DT Tyson Jackson – The Redskins need help at both DT and DE and Jackson could help them at both spots. His best position is likely as a 4-3 defensive end where he can stop the run while providing a solid pass rush. Jackson’s ability to swing inside on passing downs makes him an even better fit.
25. Denver Broncos – LB Darryl Beckwith, LSU – The Broncos defense has become a major Achilles heel and a once talented LB corp has been relegated to DJ Williams and a bunch of cast-offs. Beckwith is undersized but his ability to play sideline to sideline will help stem the tide on a lackluster defense.
26. Green Bay Packers – CB Vontae Davis*, Illinois – The Packers could use offensive line help but if Davis is still on the board he will be hard to pass up for a team with aging corners.
27. Arizona Cardinals – OLB Brian Cushing, USC – Cushing is a perfect fit for the 3-4 defense the Cardinals play and his ability to get to the quarterback is just what ‘Zona’s 3-4 defense needs.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers – C Alex Mack, California – The Steelers offensive line needs help and selecting the top center in the draft is as good a place to start as any.
29. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) – OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma – Loadholt will fall because he is more of a right tackle than a left but he is the massive mauling type Andy Reid loves.
30. Buffalo Bills – TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State – Pettigrew slides due to so-so speed and some off-field issues but he is a tremendous value at 30th and will give Trent Edwards a nice target underneath and in the red zone.
31. New York Giants – CB Mike Mickens, Cincinnati – The Giants could go in a variety of directions including O-line, DT, LB or CB but the depth at CB is the best at this point. Another intriquing option could be CB/KR Darius Butler. Mickens is the safer pick but Butler has the higher ceiling.
32. Tennessee Titans – WR Derrick Williams, Penn State – The Titans desperately need to add a threat at wide receiver and Williams has burst back onto the scene this year and has the combination of size, speed and playmaking ability to fit the Titans scheme.
Chris Maier is Senior Editor at Draft101.com. He can be reached at cmaier@nfldraft101.com
