| Published:
Apr 24, 2009 8:45 PM EST |
Untitled Document
|
2009
NFL Mock Draft by Matt Chase |
|
| This mock draft has a total score of
2760 from
522 users for an average of
5.3
|
| Picks 1-16
| 17-32
| 33-48
| 49-64
| 65-96
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| After going 0-16 the Lions “earned” this year’s top selection. Detroit cleaned house hiring a new GM, new head coach and have gutted half of their roster. With their winless season in the books there are a lot of areas of need and I think a case can be made that they need to bring in the best player in this draft. So for me that player is Aaron Curry, who I think can play ILB in a 4-3. I will get to Curry more as I have him going to KC at #3, but there is no chance the Lions bring him in. I don’t think many experts would kill the Lions if they did make that pick, but it is likely not to happen. If you look at the history of the Draft LB’s never go #1, as the economics around the #1 pick prices the LB’s out of the market. As bad as Detroit’s Defense was, I don’t think they break the bank for an ILB, especially since they have Ernie Simms and now Julian Peterson. Since October I have had Matthew Stafford here and now 2 days before the Draft nothing has changed, and I bet they get a deal done before they officially go on the clock. When it comes down to brass tacks teams have shown time and time again that when you don’t have a Franchise QB in the fold, and you have a high draft pick; more often than not that team will always take a QB. We all know how bad the Lions are at QB, and it’s not just this year, they have been bad to average at QB for a very long time, making this pick even more dire for this Franchise. There is a lot to like about Stafford. He has a rifle of an arm, very similar to Jay Cutler; and can make all NFL throws. He has good (not great) height and intangibles. But what has me slating him here also is that he was a 3 year starter for a very good Georgia team in a Pro style Offense. Unlike Mark Sanchez, Stafford has a lot of tape to look at and there is less uncertainty with him because of his experience. However, with that being said I do have some concerns with Stafford. He played erratic at times at Georgia (sometimes versus inferior competition), his accuracy is not ideal and at times he gets into funks where he struggles. If taken by Detroit he will likely start on Opening Day, and unlike Matt Ryan, I don’t think he is as ready as one would like. Because of the economics surrounding this pick; and because of the high need at QB for Detroit, I think they will select him first. For Detroit’s sake I hope he isn’t another cautionary tale of a Junior QB who can’t live up to the #1 pick hype as they really need strike gold in this years Draft to be respectable. |
|
|
|
|
| The Rams made it clear last year when they vested so much interest in Jake Long that they wanted to get better and younger at OT. Now that they have finally released Orlando Pace it is almost a certainty that they will be drafting an OT with their #2 pick. Because I have Stafford going #1 the question is who do they take: Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe? Part of me says it is better to take Monroe because he has a lower floor and will at worst be a highly productive L OT. However, Jason Smith has a real special upside and I think a team like the Rams will fall in love with it. The former TE has a great 6’5 frame, long arms and tremendous athleticism. He plays very light on his feet and moves very well laterally. His ceiling is much higher than Eugene Monroe’s and he projects to be a very talented L OT in the NFL. With all of that being said he isn’t as safe as a pick as Monroe or OLB Aaron Curry. However, I think St Louis is in a position to grab their highest rated player, and I think that player will be Jason Smith. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Although I have Curry as the highest rated player in this class I have a hard time penciling him in here at #3, and it’s not because the Chiefs added veteran Zach Thomas. It’s because the money surrounding the #3 pick is huge and Curry would become one of the highest paid ILB in the league without ever playing a down. I think the Chiefs are going to try and find a way to get out of this spot and hope that some team is so desperate for Mark Sanchez that they give KC the farm. If KC stays put this pick is a close three way race between Eugene Monroe, Tyson Jackson and Curry. Curry gets the nod because he is the best prospect. Many are calling Curry the “safest pick” this year, and for good reason, he is in my opinion the very best player in this entire class. He has everything you could want in a football player. He is big, strong, competitive, a good tackler/big hitter and a smart player. Hands down the best LB prospect we have seen in many years, Curry projects to be a very solid Pro Prospect. Curry offers very good versatility as he can play inside and outside linebacker in both the 4-3 and the 3-4. If Pioli cant trade out of this spot look for him to take the best player available in Aaron Curry. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Sanchez is the one player who is really going to have the most affect on this draft. He is definitely the player with the most buzz, and although some of it is probably manufactured, I am willing to bet a lot of teams have fallen in love with Mark Sanchez. First off, I have long been on record as saying that I (just slightly) like Sanchez better than Matt Stafford. I think he is a natural leader who has under-rated arm strength and a knack for making plays. He is much more of an athlete than Stafford and I can see him improvising on the run and excelling against the blitz. I think that both QB’s are solid prospects; it’s just that I think Sanchez has less of a bust potential. He has real nice accuracy, and although he lacks the arm strength of Stafford, I think he makes up for it with intangibles and a real quick release. Mark Sanchez has a certain “it” factor that I don’t see with Stafford and I think that if he were to have stayed for his Senior year he would have definitely been the front runner as the #1 pick in 2010. What scares teams about Sanchez is that he didn’t have a lot of starting experience at USC and is still a bit raw. He needs to sit a year and be groomed to be a Franchise signal caller; this works out perfectly for Seattle. Matt Hasselbeck is a nice Pro but he is 34 and coming off of back problems. Sanchez could sit behind him for a year or two (Carson Palmer, Aaron Rodgers) and the transition of finding a QB doesn’t become a huge burden for the Seahawks in 2010 or 2011. Two other factors have me leaning towards Sanchez for the Seahawks. #1) The Seahawks are loaded with talent. Injuries, not their personnel caused their collapse last season. They don’t have huge glaring holes to fill and need is not a big cause for concern, lending themselves well toward investing in their future. #2) It’s all about the money. When you are paying top 5-10 money it is always better to invest it into a premium position, and there is no bigger premium than on QB’s. Eugene Monroe and Michael Crabtree are also options, but the Seahawks really should take Sanchez here. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Cleveland is intriguing at #5. They are all over the map, and with Braylon Edwards and apparently Brady Quinn both on the trading block, this pick is a real Wild Card. I think that Cleveland should look to fix it’s Defense and the best Defensive player available. With Curry gone that player is BJ Raji. Raji is hands down the # 1 Defensive Lineman in this class, and in my opinion the second best Defender behind Aaron Curry. He is large at 6’1, 330 lbs but don’t confuse him as a sheer space eater. Raji is highly athletic, blessed with great feet and quickness. He can play multiple shades as a DT and has a good amount of upside as he is not one dimensional. Basically he can stuff the run and get to the passer. He would be put in at the Nose for the Browns, where they can bounce Shaun Rodgers to DE, which in turn would make for a very fortified D Line. If the Browns have a done deal with the Giants or Eagles in place prior to this pick (for Edwards), I could possibly see Crabtree here. With Edwards out, Kellen Winslow traded and Donte Stallworth likely in jail next season playmakers will be needed for the Browns. However, until that trade goes down, I have to go with my gut instinct which is having the Browns improving their Defense with BJ Raji. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| The ideal situation for Cincinnati would be if some how Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe fell to them. My Mock bestows a real gift to the Bengals who were the worst at protecting the QB last season. Anthony Collins is an OK player, but the Bengals need to find a book end opposite Levi Jones to protect their best player in Carson Palmer. Monroe is a gifted L OT who has great frame, strength and experience (he is the reason Branden Albert played OG at Virginia). But what I like about him most is his feet. He has true L OT feet. He is deceptively quick, strong at the point of attack and has all of the tools to excel at the next level; and will likely be force at his position for a decade. Virginia Offensive Lineman have become very dependable in recent drafts and I think Monroe compares very favorably to former top 5 pick D’Brickashaw Ferguson. It was painfully obvious last season that this team is nothing without Carson Palmer and finding away to keep him upright is going to pivotal the Bengals success this year. If by chance (and a good one at that) Eugene Monroe is gone look for the Bengals to reach for Andre Smith or grab the best Defensive player in Aaron Curry or BJ Raji. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Two months ago this would have been considered Al Davis’s dream scenario, and many thought that the chances of Michael Crabtree falling to him were very slim.
However, that was then and this is now, and from all indications the Raiders are looking like they wont roll the dice on Crabtree because they don’t have a solid 40 time on him, which apparently (according to the well informed Mike Lombardi) is a deal breaker for Al Davis. With that in play the Raiders are rumored to have a lot of interest in the second best WR in this class in Jeremy Maclin. The Silver & Black have invested top picks in both JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden, but will not see any dividends if they don’t have a player to stretch the field. The Raiders were arguably have the worst WR group in the NFL and need a playmaker opposite up and coming speedster Johnnie Lee Higgins for Russell’s big arm. . I have written in the past and still contend that Jeremy Maclin is not far behind Michael Crabtree as the best WR in this draft. Maclin has real nice speed at 4.4, but what separates him from other burners his ability to make plays and get yards after the catch. A natural with the ball in his hands, Maclin is dynamic with a knack for finding the End Zone. Grabbing a WR at #7 is problematic from a financial standpoint, as recent history has shown us that there is a big washout factor on WR’s drafted early. However, I don’t think that will scare off Al Davis one bit as he isn’t one to shy away from grabbing the guy he covets. An OT like Andre Smith is a real possibility as is a DE like Brian Orakpo. However, the need for speed wins out in Oakland.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Jacksonville has made it clear they don’t want to be picking in the top 10 and if Sanchez gets past Seattle they will likely have a decision to make on whether they want to draft him (and start a huge QB controversy) or trade down. I have Sanchez as being gone and regardless I think that Jacksonville needs to address the huge holes they have at WR rather than trade down. Although they have struck out horribly with 1st round WR’s in the past, I think they should go back to the well once again if Crabtree were to fall to #8. Not since the Jimmy Smith have the Jaguars had a quality #1 wideout and Crabtree’s ability is too much to pass on. Crabtree stock was way down, but now it is creeping back up. I understand the concerns on him as I have my own doubts on Crabtree. First off, he played in a gimmicky Pass happy Offense at Texas Tech, which certainly inflated his stats. Secondly, Crabtree measured in at 6’1, not the 6’3 he was billed at when playing in Lubbock. Thirdly, I have always doubted Crabtree’s speed. When you watch him on tape, he seems to get chased down from behind more often than one would like. Rumor is he would probably post a 4.6 40, which to me is dangerous if you want to draft a guy in the top 10. And lastly, and this is the least of my concerns, he is coming off of an injury. Now with all of that negativity I just threw out, why do I have him here? He is just too good for a lot of the above to matter. He has amazing hands and catches everything thrown in his direction. He uses body like no one else I have seen in College and can separate from CB’s. He is physical enough to get off the press and also is very accomplished at running routes. I think teams have reservations about drafting WR’s in the top 10 because of the financial commitment involved, but since the top two OT’s are off the board I can’t see the Jags going in a different direction. I think Jack Del Rio is coaching for his job this year and could use an immediate impact player like Crabtree. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Green Bay could go in multiple directions with this pick, but you have to believe that getting pieces for Dom Capers 3-4 scheme is going to have a major influence on their Draft philosophy. Tyson Jackson is this years prototypical 3-4 DE/T. At 6’4, 295 lbs, Jackson can hold his own at the point of attack and is underrated for his ability to apply pressure. Jackson offers some versatility here, as he could slide inside to DT in 4-3 formations. Tyson Jackson did not get a lot of love early in the Draft process but people are finally coming around as he is a solid player. There are rumors he can go as early as #3, but because he is not a sack artist I doubt that will transpire. Ted Thompson likes to draft D Linemen early and the bust factor for Jackson is significantly lower than any of the 3-4 tweener pass rushers that are available. If they did want to go for a pass rusher Brian Orakpo could be intriguing. Another option could be Andre Smith as the OT’s in Green Bay are in their 30’s. Lastly, BJ Raji would be the pick here should he fall, but how the board plays out I think Jackson is their guy. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| The Niners will likely do whatever they can to trade up and grab Mark Sanchez, who would be the perfect fit for their Offense and fill a major need where Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are not the long term solution for the 49ers. However, the Niners have made it pretty clear that they are looking to improve their OT rotation and are in sore need for a R OT opposite former first rounder Joe Staley. Andre Smith has tons of caution tape surrounding him. He has absolutely sabotaged his stock since December as he got suspended for his Bowl Game, went AWOL at the Combine and had the gall to take his shirt off at his workout and show his man boobs and jelly like physique. With all of that being said, if you watch him on tape, Andre Smith looks like a quality L OT, and at worst will be a very dependable R OT. Andre Smith at worst is a high quality starting R OT, and has the ability to be an All Pro L OT. His strength and weight issues are a bit of a concern, but his ceiling is high. As we get closer to Draft Day Andre Smith will rise to top 10 consideration once again for two simple reasons: 1) When a player has undeniable natural talent (see his tape, his feet and his arm length) their questionable character is often overlooked; 2) the economics of a top10 draft pick money warrants the pick to lend toward a premium position like OT. If Crabtree somehow fell I think the Niners would go in that direction here as WR is a major area of need. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Many people are calling Brian Orakpo the next Vernon Gholston, which I think is ludicrous. Orakpo and Gholston share one thing in common: both are absolute specimens. Orakpo is an absolute beast of a man, with the type of speed, strength, size and ability that screams DeMarcus Ware type of potential. However, the difference between Orakpo and Gholston is that Orakpo has proven on the College level that he is a consistent player with a track record for success. I like Orakpo here as I think he is better suited to play the 4-3 with his hand in the dirt like he did at Texas. Buffalo needs to get deeper at the DE position opposite Aaron Schobel as the sack production of the unit has declined. Another option for Buffalo would be to grab Michael Oher now that they have traded away Jason Peters to Philly. I would not disagree with that move, but I think the need to upgrade the DE spot is still their top priority. With their late 1st or 2nd round pick the Bills will likely have a couple of intriguing options for their O Line woes, and I think that the run on 4-3 DE’s will leave little to be desired if they wait to grab one at that point. Another option for Buffalo could be to trade down and target a guy like Brandon Pettigrew or Oher. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| With Jay Cutler being shipped to Chi Town the Broncos have to be thinking about replacing about their future at QB. Sanchez fits the Josh McDaniels philosophy, which relies on multiple reads and a quick release, and no one does that better than Sanchez. However, I think unless the Broncos trade up (#8 w/ Jacksonville?) they will miss out on Sanchez. SO if the Sanchez derby is a moot point the next game plan will be revolved around Defense early this year, and probably often. The Broncos have spent a lot of money this Off Season, yet I don’t know that they have added very many pieces that translate well into the 3-4 that Mike Nolan likes to deploy. To be truthful, I am not high on Maybin. I think he is highly overrated and undersized. He lacks a true position as he is not fluid enough for the 3-4 and I also believe that his lack of size (240 lbs) doesn’t lend itself well to the Pro Game as a fist in the ground 4-3 DE. He bulked up for the Combine a bit and looked out of place. However, Scouts love this guy because his initial burst and quickness is really special. Personally I don’t think Penn St DE’s are safe bets, but believe me there are teams that love this guy and he appears destined for a top 15 pick. With that in mind I can see a team like Denver investing in his talent and grooming him here. A player like Rey Maualuga makes sense here as well, but there is a premium in adding a sack artist so Maybin gets the nod. This is definitely a gamble, buyer beware… |
|
|
|
|
| |
| A lot of buzz is circling around Washington wanting to trade up and grab (who else) Mark Sanchez. Although it isn’t prudent to put anything past Daniel Snyder that is just not going to happen. The Redskins don’t have the ammo to pull that off, and they already have a signal caller in place in Jason Campbell. Robert Ayers is a fast riser on many boards as he has done nothing but add to his stock this year. A bit of a one year wonder, Ayers blew up at the Senior Bowl as the most dominating Pass Rusher at the contest. But where he caught his buzz this year was when Tennessee played Alabama and the film doesn’t lie, he completely outplayed Andre Smith. He has an excellent burst off of the line and can be handful at 6’3, 280 lbs. He is extremely quick for his size and some teams are even flirting with him as an OLB in a 3-4. An explosive and also a strong player, Ayers will go higher than most think as he is a real nice prospect at a position of high value. Andre Carter is not a spring chicken and Phillip Daniels may not be the same player coming off of his injury, making DE a very big need for the Skins. Mike Mayock made the statement that Robert Ayers has the potential to be the very best player to come out of this draft. If that is even remotely close then the Redskins would benefit greatly from this selection. A wild card here is Michael Oher as the R OT position is one of major need for the Skins. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Beanie Wells is a top 15 talent and although there isn’t a whole lot of need for RB’s this Draft I think teams will be lobbying for him in the teens because of his value as a big back who can grind out yards. Wells is a North-South runner who can hit the hole fast and drag defenders with him. He is a strong RB at 235 lbs and is also very fast for that type of size. He probably would be drafted much higher if he didn’t have a history with injuries. Very similar in a lot of ways to Jamal Lewis when he first came out of school, I can see Beanie Wells being a starter in the NFL whose value is even bigger in Red Zone situations. He would be a terrific compliment to Reggie Bush and would give Sean Payton that power RB they need in the absence of Deuce McCallister. The Saints don’t have many early picks this year and one could argue that they need Defensive help badly, namely at OLB and Safety. So players like Brian Cushing and Malcolm Jenkins are definitely big possibilities here. I think Wells grades out better and offers the Saints a whole new dynamic in the Red Zone and on 3rd down. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Malcolm Jenkins has fallen a bit this Draft off-season, most notably because his 40 time has been in the 4.5-4.6 range. Apparently that makes him less of a talent in many eyes and will push him out of the top 15. However, I have watched Jenkins play football for several years and I think he is a real nice player who is a sure fire 1st rounder, and likely would have been last year as well had he declared. He has great size, terrific technique and he will play faster than he times. He isn’t a burner, but he is smart and a good cover man. Like many Buckeye CB’s before him, I see his game translating well into the NFL. Houston franchised Dunta Robinson, and for good reason, they have only one decent player outside of him in Fred Bennett. Jenkins could be a long term solution at CB for the Texans secondary, and if CB isn’t an option many feel he could potentially play Free Safety. While I think that is an overreaction, if Houston wanted to they could plug him there as well as all they have is Domonique Barber in place currently. Regardless, Malcolm Jenkins is a nice value here and his versatility fills at least one, if not two, voids for the Texans. The popular pick here is Brian Cushing or for nepotism purposes Clay Matthews, and either can very well happen on Draft Day, as the OLB group in Houston is not very solid. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Rey Maualuga, outside of Curry, is the best ILB in this class. He hits like a ton of bricks and plays with a high motor from sideline to sideline. Far better against the run than versus the pass, Maualuga is another decorated Trojan LB who is a tackling machine. Physically he has all of the measurables you would want, but what I love about him is that he plays with a nasty demeanor and is also highly instinctive. One downside on Maualuga is that he is a bit of a liability on 3rd down, but I think in the box he is major upgrade and well worth the #16 pick. Adding a guy like this exponentially improves your Run D, which was a major issue for San Diego last season. The Chargers were constantly on the field last year and teams were running the ball on them with much more ease than Charger Defenses of the past. Maualuga is ideal for the 3-4 Defense as he will be responsible for less space and can do what he does best, which is stuff the run. San Diego is a team that is poised to trade down to try and acquire more picks. They could look for a partner who would want to trade up fro Josh Freeman and likely would still have a chance of grabbing Maualuga a little later. |
|
|
|
| |
Picks 1-16
| 17-32
| 33-48
| 49-64
| 65-96
|
Untitled Document
|
| |
|
|
| |
This mock draft has a total score of
2760 from
522 users for an average of
5.3 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
