2009 NFL Draft Preview
By Patrick Trouve- Staff Writer and Tim Callahan- News Editor
With the 2009 NFL Draft approaching, it is only fair that the Observer offers a preview of the historic and exciting event. NFL fanatics know very well that football is a year-round sport, and the NFL Draft is a testament to that. Every year, fans obsess over what their favorite teams will do in the draft and create mock drafts to project what will happen. So, with the draft approaching, we have compiled our very own mock draft. Enjoy!
1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Although the Lions have many needs after a winless season, expect them to take Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick, as he will be able to mature with the likes of Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson on offense.
2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
The loss of Orlando Pace almost necessitates the selection of a young tackle to solidify the offensive line. Smith would fill that hole nicely, and he is skilled enough to become a dominant left tackle.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
Curry is an absolute freak of an athlete that has a tendency for making big plays. With Scott Pioli running the show, the Chiefs will continue to bolster their defense with this selection.
4. Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
A close second to Jason Smith for offensive tackle prospects, Monroe will likely be the replacement for an aging Walter Jones and pave the way for Julius Jones and company.
5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Orakpo is incredibly powerful and athletic and can fit in 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes. There are questions about his durability, but he could serve as a formidable pass rusher for the Browns.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The most dominant defensive tackle in this draft class, Raji's stock soared after his impressive performance at the Senior Bowl. Raji is an elite run-stuffer that can anchor the entire defensive line.
7. Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Maclin is an explosive playmaker who can affect a game on every down for the Raiders. He will provide a legitimate target for JaMarcus Russell, but needs to work on his route-running ability.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
If Crabtree does indeed fall this far in the draft, the Jaguars would be crazy not to take him. With disappointing production from Reggie Williams and Matt Jones, Crabtree is as close to complete as possible.
9. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Maybin would give the Packers an explosive pass-rush opposite Aaron Kampman on the defensive line, or he could be converted to an OLB. A little bit small to start as a DE right away, but he has the frame to put on the needed bulk.
10. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Smith would have been the top OT in the draft had it not been for poor decision making off the field. Still, Smith would provide a massive boost to the 49ers offensive line.
11. Buffalo Bills: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Pettigrew provides both a sure-handed security blanket for the offense and a very good blocking TE. His natural athleticism is also an added bonus that separates him from the rest of the draft class.
12. Denver Broncos: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
It would be a dream come true for the Broncos if Sanchez fell to them after the Jay Cutler saga. Sanchez has the physical ability and intelligence to easily adapt to Josh McDaniel’s offense.
13. Washington Redskins: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
Brown is another DE that could be converted to an OLB. He has all the physical tools to be a capable pass rusher, although he too needs to add more bulk.
14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Offense is not the problem in New Orleans, and the Saints need to address their sub par secondary. Arguably the best CB in the draft, Jenkins is very consistent and experienced coming out of college, although his 40-yard dash time (4.54) was underwhelming.
15. Houston Texans: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Davis is a physical specimen for his position much like his brother, Vernon, is at TE. If he can live up to his potential, then Davis will be a lockdown defender in the NFL.
16. San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
A punishing hitter, Maualuga has the instincts necessary for an ILB. He also fills a need for the defense with no legitimate run-stuffing LB.
17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
With the supposed retirement of Brett Favre in the off-season, the Jets will be looking to bring in another strong armed quarterback to compete with Kellen Clemens for the top spot on the depth chart.
18. Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
With Mark Sanchez predicted to strengthen the offense and alleviate the loss of Jay Cutler, Denver will look to revamp their defense with their second pick of the first round. The 6-4, 296 lb. Jackson will prove to be a formidable foe for most OTs in the league.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
The strange release of several defensive personnel in the past few months, including veterans Cato Juno and Derrick Brooks, leaves the Bucs in desperate need for the strength and intensity that Cushing can bring to the once feared Buccaneers' defense.
20. Detroit Lions: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
With the Lions expected by most experts to select QB Matt Stafford first overall in this year's draft, picking Michael Oher at No. 20 gives them a monster of a man to defend Stafford from the pass rush.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Brian Westbrook will not always be there to bail out the often inconsistent Donovan McNabb. The Eagles will likely take the agile Moreno at No. 21 to remedy the aging Westbrook and the lackluster depth Philly has at RB.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Some say that the Vikings were a quarterback short of a Super Bowl appearance. However, with that void supposedly filled with NFL journeyman Sage Rosenfels, Minnesota will look towards the speedy Harvin at wide-out to take some pressure off Adrian Peterson.
23. New England Patriots: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
With the Patriots losing Mike Vrabel in a trade to the Chiefs, a hole in the linebacker core is apparent. This hole can potentially be filled by the 6-4, 244 lb. Matthews, who should be a nice fit with Tedy Bruschi, Jerod Mayo, and Adalius Thomas in their 3-4 defensive set.
24. Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
Finishing first in the SEC for tackles for loss this past collegiate season, Jerry is bound to be a threatening defensive presence – one that the Falcons will not be able to pass up at No. 24.
25. Miami Dolphins: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
The Dolphins' receiving core leaves much to be desired and the addition of Nicks on the outside, with his speed and touchdown catching ability, will be able to alleviate pressure off the strong defense.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Baltimore's defense is undoubtedly one of the most elite in the NFL. This is why the Ravens will focus on their offense in the upcoming draft, selecting Heyward-Bey at WR to accompany the veteran Derrick Mason in supporting their young QB, Joe Flacco.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
The uninspiring Colts defense struggled against the run again last season. Picking the 6-3, 300 lb. Hood will add a big man in the middle to plug holes and stop the opposing running game
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
With question marks in Philly's offensive line, the Eagles will most likely select Britton as their second pick in the top 32. Britton will take the spot of Tra Thomas in defending McNabb's blind side at left tackle with his huge 6-6, 310 lb. frame.
29. New York Giants: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
The release of Plaxico Burress leaves huge shoes to fill at WR for the Giants. Picking Britt at No. 29 will give the Giants a tall wide receiver that Eli Manning can target downfield.
30. Tennessee Titans: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
With injury problems last year at DE, specifically with Kyle Vanden Bosch, Ayers will not only give the Titans serious depth at the position, but will also be the best available defensive pick at this point in the draft.
31. Arizona Cardinals: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State
Wells' athleticism and strength will be a valuable addition to the Arizona offense. Although the Cardinal's running game is seemingly efficient, if Wells falls all the way to No. 31, the Cards will not be able to pass him up.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
Despite needed depth in the defensive secondary for the Steelers, Pittsburgh will likely go with Beatty to fix their lacking offensive tackles. The 6-6, 310 lb. Beatty will prove an important asset in defending Ben Roethlisberger from the opposing pass rush.
The 2009 NFL Draft will certainly be an exciting one and will most likely consist of some unforeseen trades and surprise picks. Regardless of where these NFL hopefuls are selected, the event should serve as another memorable, historic moment in sports history, with every team starting from the ground up in constructing a championship caliber team set on a quest for an appearance in Super Bowl XLIV.