2009 NFL Draft
Mock Draft No. 2 - February 24 (Post Combine)
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By Pete Fiutak
- 2009 NFL Combine Numbers
Quarterbacks | Running Backs & Fullbacks | Receivers
Tight Ends | Centers & Guards | Off. Tackles
Def. Ends | Def. Tackles | Inside LBs | Outside LBs
Cornerbacks | Safeties
- 2009 NFL Draft Post-Workout Rankings
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Fullbacks | Receivers | Tight Ends
Centers | Guards | Off. Tackles | Def. Ends | Def. Tackles
Inside LBs | Outside LBs | Cornerbacks | Safeties
1. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB Georgia
Stafford or Sanchez? Sanchez or Stafford? The Lions might be thinking for a second or two about Aaron Curry, but they need the franchise quarterback and Stafford did nothing at the Combine to suggest that he'll be anything less than an ultra-safe star to build around.
2. St. Louis Rams - Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest
Offensive tackle is a must, but Curry has been the far and away best player in workouts. He's No. 1 worthy, and for a defense that could use as many leaders and playmakers as possible, this would be a great piece to the overall puzzle.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - Mark Sanchez, QB USC
Almost all the question marks about his desire, his character, and his desire to be anything but special were all answered in Indianapolis. He might not have the greatest arm of the prospects, but it's more than good enough. He'll need a year or two of seasoning, but Kansas City needs an upgrade at quarterback in a huge way.
4. Seattle Seahawks - Jason Smith, OT Baylor
Wide receiver is a must, but securing a top offensive tackle is also a priority. It'll be a battle between Smith and Eugene Monroe for the spot. Smith will get the nod after a fantastic Combine.
5. Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo, DE Texas
His workouts have been fantastic and he has done nothing to show that he's not going to be a beast at the next level. Even with a tweaked hamstring, he's been every bit as athletic and as strong as expected.
6. Cincinnati Bengals - Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia
The Bengals desperately need more help for the line and could use another offensive tackle to build around with Levi Jones having problems staying healthy. If it's not Monroe, it'll be Jason Smith if he slides.
7. Oakland Raiders - Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech
He's not going to run, and that'll do nothing but help him. With rumors swirling that he's more of a high 4.6 runner, and measuring smaller than expected, he'll slide. While he doesn't have the elite speed that Al Davis likes, he's a brand name player who fits the college all-star team he likes to assemble.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss
Left tackle is a need pick for the future, and Oher, issues and all, is still a safer pick at the moment than Andre Smith. However, don't be shocked if the Jaguars go with the best player available theory and go Malcolm Jenkins.
9. Green Bay Packers - B.J. Raji, DT Boston College
Raji was fast, athletic, and smooth at the Combine. He did nothing to diminish his status after a strong Senior Bowl.
10. San Francisco 49ers - Andre Smith, OT Alabama
The damage control will kick in over the next few weeks after the PR nightmare in Indy, but questions about his work ethic and character will cause him to slide. Mike Singletary is a true believer that he's a molder of men, and he's not going to let Smith slide.
11. Buffalo Bills - Everette Brown, DE Florida State
The Bills desperately need a steady pass rush, and it'll be between Brown, Brian Orakpo, and Aaron Maybin. The team likes Nittany Lions, but Brown is better than Maybin.
12. Denver Broncos - Aaron Maybin, DE Penn State
With the 3-4 defensive scheme, the Broncos need versatile players on the outside. Maybin is a strong tweener who can be the disruptive force the defense needs.
13. Washington Redskins - Rey Maualuga, LB USC
An offensive lineman would be nice, a pass rusher would be a plus, and a game-breaking receiver might be a need, but Maualuga, hamstring issue and all, is too good a player to fall any further.
14. New Orleans Saints - Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State
Jenkins didn't do enough at the Combine to show he deserves to be taken in the top ten, but he's still the top corner on the board for a team that needs as much defensive help as possible. A linebacker is also a need.
15. Houston Texans - Tyson Jackson, DE LSU
The Texans will look to continue to build up front on both sides of the line. A huge lineman like Jackson could flourish on the other side of Mario Williams, even if the former LSU star isn't an elite pass rusher. Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson could also be a good fit.
16. San Diego Chargers - Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia
The Chargers must come up with a plan as L.T. winds down. Moreno would be a steal here.
17. New York Jets - Beanie Wells, RB Ohio State
The Jet secondary was being picked clean late last year, but the cornerback value is in the second round and beyond. A top-shelf running back would do wonders for the offense, and if Beanie can combine carries with Thomas Jones, the Jets would suddenly have a tremendous ground attack.
18. Chicago Bears - Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri
A pass rush is a must and the secondary could use some work, but the league's worst receiving corps desperately needs a playmaker. Maclin is the all-around gamebreaker the Bears desperately need.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss
A running back is more of a must, but if Knowshon Moreno and Beanie Wells are off the board, the Bucs will need to beef up a decaying defensive front with an active anchor in Jerry.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) - Percy Harvin, WR Florida
An elite offensive tackle would be nice, but the Lions need playmakers. Lots of playmakers. While the idea of drafting yet another wide receiver in the first round might make Detroit fans wretch, the quarterback taken No. 1 overall (Stafford or Sanchez) and Daunte Culpepper will need targets. Harvin, on the other side of Calvin Johnson, and as an occasional runner, would be devastating.
21. Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Cushing, LB USC
The athleticism and versatility would make Cushing a nice fit for a variety of spots on the Eagle defense. The Eagles might go offensive line here, but the value will come in the second round.
22. Minnesota Vikings - Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State
Sage Rosenfels. Again, ladies and gentlemen, Sage Rosenfels. Don't be stunned if Freeman becomes a top ten-caliber prospect by the time draft day rolls around.
23. New England Patriots - James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State
Even after a mediocre Combine, Laurinaitis is still the sort of steady defender who'd be plugged into the New England defense for the next ten years. Combining with Jerod Mayo, last year's star first round pick, the Pats would suddenly have the makings of a tremendous linebacking corps.
24. Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State
The big OSU tight end didn't run all that well in Indianapolis, but he's still everyone's top prospect and would be an excellent weapon for Matt Ryan to work with.
25. Miami Dolphins - Larry English, DE Northern Illinois
More of a boost for the passing game would be nice, but the Dolphins are going to find ways to get to the quarterback. English is a pure pass rusher who could be unstoppable right away with everyone paying attention to Joey Porter.
26. Baltimore Ravens - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland
The Ravens have never had a game-breaking receiver who can hit the home run from anywhere on the field. The 4.3 torn off by Heyward-Bey is enough to make Joe Flacco drool.
27. Indianapolis Colts - Hakeem Nicks, WR North Carolina
With Marvin Harrison gone, the Colts will get younger and better with Hakeem Nicks. His hands and route running ability would be ideal for Peyton Manning to work with.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) - Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma
LeSean McCoy, or another running back, might be the pick, but the Eagles also like to build up the line whenever possible. Robinson would add more athleticism and size to the front five.
29. New York Giants - Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech
Pass rusher, pass rusher, pass rusher. The Giants love to get to the quarterback on a regular basis, that's how they won the Super Bowl, and Johnson would be a nice piece of the puzzle.
30. Tennessee Titans - Vonte Davis, CB Illinois
Doing something for the woeful passing game is job one, but Tennessee is notorious for not going after receivers in the draft. The secondary is hardly a need, but Davis and his speed would find somewhere in the secondary to play.
31. Arizona Cardinals - LeSean McCoy, RB Pitt
Tim Hightower was exposed for being Tim Hightower over the second half of last season, and Edgerrin James doesn't have it anymore. Arizona hit the jackpot with its other Pitt offensive star, and then Larry Fitzgerald would be even better with a talented all-around back like McCoy.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Mack, C California
Eventually, the Steelers are going to be tired of Ben Roethlisberger getting killed. They need an upgrade on the line in a big way.
