2009 NFL Mock Draft v6

This draft will be based on the expectation of Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow opting to remain in college another year.

Detroit - Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi - I'm of the mind that the Lions can make a play for one of the many young free agent QB's that will be available this off-season, that Stafford or Bradford wouldn't be enough to turn the Lions around while dodging incoming pro defensive pass rushers, and upgrades on the offensive and defensive lines would be the wisest move.

However, with two picks in the first round the Lions would have to bankroll both of those #1 signings - especially prior to the start of training camp - and also sign any potential free agent at QB. Though the Lions likely have enough cap space to do it, the most likely scenario would be for Detroit to try and trade out of this pick and move down to accumulate more picks. If not, the Lions will go with the safe pick and take Andre Smith of Alabama.

St. Louis - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia- The Rams need to bolster the line (among so many other things) and are awaiting word on who will lead this team in 2009 from the sidelines. Until the coaching philosophy is decided upon, I'll take the safe pick here as well. However, Michael Crabtree could be the selection although the Rams have so many needs on defense.

Kansas City - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest - Much will depend on which direction the post-Peterson era GM will want this team to move in. Personally, I think Thigpen halts the need for an absolute 1st round QB selection (but maybe not another QB pick later in the day) and the Chiefs get an offensive tackle, pass rusher or LB, and they need all of those in this draft. The Chiefs defense has the makings of a young, up and coming force, and Curry could be one of new guys to help solidify that potential. Another OT pick wouldn't be stunning.

Seattle - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech - Once again, the decisions and direction of new coach - Mora Jr. - will determine the overall strategy of the Seahawk draft. There is no question the Hawks need to enhance their running game and it is imperative that a wideout is selected soon. The obvious pick is Crabtree, but the Hawks could go running back with Wells or snatch Taylor Mays here if available.

Cleveland - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas. - If Wells isn't taken by this point, the Browns might try and steal him with their first pick. Otherwise the Browns go unconventional and will try and use Orakpo as an OLB/DE in their 3-4 in order to get more pressure on opposing QB's. He's the best available for this type of utilization, with more speed than either Laurinaitis or Maulauga. If Curry is still here at this pick, Aaron Curry will get the nod.

Cincinnati - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama - The Bengals begin the turnaround at the ground level on offensive line. Without better pass protection or run blocking, the Bengals offense cannot sustain drives...and a repeatedly injured Carson Palmer on the sidelines does this team no good at all.

Oakland - Taylor Mays, S, USC - The Black Hole and Al Davis gobble up another potential Pro Bowler and suck the life out of him. You all know Al's penchant for athletic, hard-hitting secondary types, but this guy could be Jack Tatum reincarnate. Then again, Al may want Crabtree or Maclin. Who knows.

Jacksonville - Rey Maualuga, LB, USC - WIth Mike Peterson heading for the exits, the Jags need to regain an anchor at LB. Maualuga fits the bill. The Jags could decide Laurinitis is the better fit, or go with an OT or WR here.

Green Bay - Everette Brown, DE, Florida St. - With the Packer defense floundering at critical times this season, Green Bay will start a guy who could help the Packers put some sizzle in the pass rush while helping the run defense. Could decide to go CB Jenkins here instead.

San Francisco - Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida - Much will be determined by Mike Singletary now that he is head coach. One wonders if he'll focus on his defensive philosophy learned while part of the vaunted Bears Super Bowl defense of 1986, or whether he'll add some additional parts to the offense. I can't see Samurai Mike passing up a linebacker like Spikes.

Buffalo - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma St. - The Bills need a big target that can also act as a safety valve for Edwards/Losman in the redzone AND make the needed blocks in short yardage/running game.

Denver - Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio St. - With needs at DE, DT, CB,S, LB, OT & RB - pretty much all over the defense - the Broncos could go in any direction. Hard to imagine their defense not being the prime focus for any new coach, so look for a DE or DT pick with the Broncos first selection. However, the secondary is a big issue as well and with Malcom Jenkins still on the board, he's the pick.


Washington - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech - A tall, quick and disruptive force on the edge is just what the Skins need for their defense. The combine and pro day workouts will be very interesting to see if Johnson is the actual pick or if another DE might emerge.

New Orleans - Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College - With Pierre Thomas showing he can run the rock, the name of the game in the Cresent City better be defense in the '09 draft. How about a huge, fast OLB to help out for starters? Would have gone Safety with Mays if still available here, or CB with Malcom Jenkins. Free agency moves in the off-season will impact this selection.

Houston - Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi - Other than LB,SS and maybe another DE, this is the biggest need facing the Texans in the off-season. Jerry should provide a huge clog in the center of the defensive line and help pull a little of the attention away from Mario Williams. A bookend DE would help too.

San Diego - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona - The Chargers could go OT, DT, DE, S or ILB with this pick, and with Rivers coming into his own, the franchise QB might try improving the pass protection with Duke Robinson or Eben Britton. But if Everette Brown is still here at this selection, the Chargers will almost be stealing and would take him first.

NY Jets - Brian Cushing, LB, USC - Doubtful the Jets would go QB here unless Favre calls it quits (for real this time) and take a shot on a rookie. The Jets can use another offensive weapon like Heyward-Bey, Percy Harvin or Jeremy Maclin, but need a presence in the middle.

Chicago - George Selvie, DE, South Florida - Toss-up here for me, as the Bears seriously need some help at wideout and a guy like Percy Harvin, Heyward-Bey or even Kenny Britt would be tremendously helpful . If not a wideout here, Chicago goes DE or OL. (Much of this will deend on the FA season and if McNab is plucked off of FA and given the gig in Chicago.

Tampa Bay - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland - The Bucs add a weapon they desperately need on offense. If Bey doesn't "wow 'em" at the combines, then watch for Percy Harvin or Kenny Britt to go here.

Detroit(from Dallas) - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida - The Lions begin putting together an electric offense that will create frustration for opposing defenses. With CJ and Kevin Smith already deadly weapons, imagine putting a rocket like Harvin on the opposite side, with either Furrey or McDonald in the slot (trade the other one). Defense and another offensive linemen the rest of the way.

Arizona - Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma - If there's any doubt the Cardinals interior run blocking and running game in general needs a boost, just go back to the snowy game against New England. Forced to pass in a snowstorm, the Cards get blasted. Of course, the defense wasn't all that magnificent in that game either. However, Hightower and Arrington need some better blocking up front and get a solid boost with the additon of "The Duke". Chance for them to go CB or DE here as well.

Philadelphia - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona - Even if the Eagles dump McNabb and Coach Reid, the offensive line needs an upgrade - to say the least. Britton helps with that portion of the ballclub, but the Eagles could go TE with Jermaine Gresham.

Minnesota - Matt Stafford, QB. Georgia - The Vikes could go in any direction here, but after seeing Tavaris Jackson crumble in the playoffs, I doubt Minnesota can afford to wait around any longer - thought I think a QB in FA would be a better way to go. That said, if Stafford is available and if it weren't for the sizeable amount of FA quarterbacks in the off-season, he certainly could've been higer. Minnesota is "there" and on the threshold of going to a Super Bowl, and will be willing to risk trying with a young talent like Stafford IF they can't make a deal in free agency.

New England - Jermaine Gresham - I'm pretty sure CB and LB are higher on the "need" list, but Gresham might be too good a prospective weapon to pass up. Imagine Gresham in the lineup along with Moss and Welker, giving Brady ( or Cassel?) another option.

Atlanta - B.J. Raiji, DT, Boston College - Filling a need in the middle of the interior defensive line. The Falcons need help at CB too, but are much better off taking Raiji here and waiting till the next few rounds to add at CB. As a bonus, QB Matt Ryan is reunited with a former teammate at BC.

Miami - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri If he's really, truly available at this particular position, I would be very surprised. But I have selected the players for this mock strictly by need and Maclin just didn't fit the top needs of the previous teams....but that also ignores the teams who pick best available at the time of their selection. So if he's not here, Miami may go with DJ Moore or Alphonso Smith at corner.

Baltimore - William Moore, FS, Missouri - The Ravens might try to go wideout here, but Moore might be the more imperative position to fill OR take one of the two corners mentioned above.

Philadelphia (from Carolina) - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma St. - The Eagles get another big guy up front to bolster their offensive line and have coach Reid all giddy at the prospect of running the ball more. Could also select a TE Jermaine Gresham here.

Indianapolis - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia - The Colts MUST get a DT to plug that middle defense which allows teams to gash Indy with the run. However, after the debacle in San Diego the Colts stun everyone and pick up a running back to pair up with Addai and/or Rhodes. OR, the Colts use this pick on DE Tyson Jackson and convert him to a hybrid DT with rotational depth capabilities at DE in case of injuries.

Pittsburgh - Herman Johnson, G, LSU - Secondary help is needed but the Steelers will make a slight reach here for a much-needed offensive lineman for their offense. Vontae Davis might be too good to pass on, so don't be surprised if he's the pick here.

NY Giants - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois - A Big, quick wideout to replace Plaxico would be a tremendous "get" for the G-men, so they could be lured into taking a chance on Kenny Britt. Otherwise the Giants get a top corner who rates highest on the big board at this time.

Tennessee - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraksa - Big determining factor here will be the ability to re-sign Albert Haynesworth. If the Titans fail, they'll need a big body to replace him. If they retain Haynesworth with a multiple year contract, they probably opt to target defensive end or find a wideout.