My revised/updated personal version of 2009 Draft
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Here's my draft choices.....based off of who I think will be available, etc. Given new additions and trades..etc.
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit needs to solidify their lines. Its too high to take someone like BJ Raji, but an athletic and versatile lineman, or a sure bet linebacker makes all the sense in the world. That’s why Detroit wont do it. They’ll take the signal caller, over pay for him, and maybe he’ll survive his first season. Stafford affords the surest bet out of himself, Sanchez, and Freeman. There are rumblings that Jason Smith is making more sense now, but Im still suffering from the post Matt Millen taste, and I'll believe this new staff will do the right thing when I see it.
2. St. Louis – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor - With Chris Long, they grabbed a great D line prospect and have made solid moves along that front. But with the release of Orlando Pace, they need to get their LT of the future, especially if they want their cash investment in Marc Bulger to pay any dividends. Smith is a converted tight end but is extremely athletic and has all the makings of a 10 year All Pro.
3. Kansas City – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest - I believe Kansas City GM Scott Pioli is going to do alot of the same things we saw in New England. Which is build a solid defense and find that QB gem that can be manifested into leading this team. I dont know if Matt Cassel is the answer, but I think Pioli will be salivating at lining up Curry alongside Derrick Johnson and behind Hali and Dorsey to start.
4. Washington Redskins via trade with Seattle Seahawks – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC - I dont know what the Redskins do not see in Jason Campbell, but it seems that they really covet this kid. Dan Snyder and Co. are known for being unorthodox. I expect Washington to move up and take Sanchez and then address tackle.
5. Cleveland Browns – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech - I think that with Mangini stepping in, he will have a short leash. With all the off season acquisitions to attempt to solidify this D line, Now the Browns are shopping their best players? Quinn is quietly being shopped and its no secret that Braylon Edwards is being put on the market. I expect that even if they dont get rid of Edwards, teaming him up alongside Crabtree will be a formidable receiving duo, like Arizona. If they do trade Edwards, they've got his replacement.
6. Cincinnatti Bengals – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia– There is no way the Bengals pass on a stud OL now. Monroe can fill a glaring weakness in the Bengals O line and give them stability to help the offense. Something they desperately need in the ultra competitive AFC North. The Been To Jails need to hit a homerun.
7. Oakland Raiders – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri – While I wouldn’t be surprised is Al Davis actually helps his team by selecting a top OT, Maclin seems to be the best player running here. Davis loves the sexy offensive pick (see the last to years) and cant stop micromanaging his coaches. No way he’d let his former O line guru turned head coach take a lineman!
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – BJ Raji, DT, Boston College – The Jaguars are dying for help on the D line along John Henderson and they are looking to go younger and faster nearly every position. The addition of Tory Holt allows them to focus on other needs. They take the arguably the best defensive player in the draft. If Sanchez falls to #8, look for Jacksonville to trade out, likely to the Jets.
9. Green Bay Packers – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas – A lot of boards have O line here to aid an aging OT corps, but Orakpo, with Green Bay's young stable of LBs, could use a hybrid like Orakpo, they’ll be able to pressure a lot of QBs, aiding the secondary. Orakpo could come in and command double teams along side Kampman opening up holes for young stud LB AJ Hawk.
10. San Francisco 49ers – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama – This literally seems like a match made in heaven as well. Smith is a product of his own success. Now maturity issues seem to be the needs to keep him focused and with the most pressing need at right tackle, the Niners get a quality tackle to plug in at a less vulnerable spot. Mike Singletary will keep Smith focused and maybe get the most out of him, eventually shifting him to left tackle.
11. Buffalo Bills – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State – I initially thought the Bills would trade with the Falcons to get this kid, but now that Atlanta has Tony Gonzalez, I dont think Buffalo will trade at all. From what I've read and heard, the Bills love this kid and with the DE position so deep this year, they can pick one up at #28.
12. Denver Broncos – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State – The difference between DE dropoff and the remaining ILBs is too great to ignore. Denver’s defense cost them a playoff shot and McDaniels will have to bolster a pretty weak defense before turning his eyes to the offense. The Broncos defense is hideous and McDaniels has enough to worry about trying to keep Cutler on the team. Denver’s switch to a 3-4 defense will make DE a priority as this class has some decent LBs, but DE’s are a commodity.
13. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss – I think this is a slight reach for Oher, but given the need the Seahawks have to find the heir apparent to Walter Jones, he could come in and play RT for a spell and get accustomed to the speed of the NFL. The Seahawks will stockpile picks and in a move that only Arctic Dawgs could love, will continue to build the lines.
14. New Orleans Saints – Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State - The Saints need help at CB and although they have made some attempts to shore up the Jason David mess, they are still lacking. Jenkins is consistently the most technically sound CB in the draft and his speed is somewhat suspect. He’s better than anyone they’ve got right now.
15. Houston Texans – Rey Maulauga, LB, USC – The Texans just cant get solid pressure on the QB and William Moore is slipping. Maulauga is tough enough to thrive in Kubiak’s 3-4 and will be the beneficiary of a solid 08 season and will provide the Texans with what they desire most….Defensive Pressure. He’s got lingering issues regarding his hamstring injury from the combine, but he’s the top LB on the board and any safety is a reach at this point for Houston.
16. San Diego Chargers – Clay Matthews, LB, USC – With the franchise tag on Sproles, the Chargers jump on their biggest need with the best LB available and at a good value. Matthews is rated higher on some boards over Maulauga and some thing that Houston may take him instead. Matthews can come in and play alongside Merriman, giving the Chargers a very talented young combo of LBs to wreak havoc on opponent’s running games.
17. NY Jets – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida – This becomes a three way pick. Moreno, Harvin, or Wells. The Jets already have a speedster with return ability in Washington, Jones is still a question regarding his contract so I could see Wells here. Harvin will bear the “Bush” problem, too early to take someone without a clear definition of where they’ll play. Well’s speed question was answered when he ran a 4.31 at his pro day. But the versatility that Harvin brings will be too much to pass. I highly expect the Jets to move up should Sanchez slide to #8.
18. Denver Broncos – Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee - Denver got a lot for Jay Cutler and now have to begin building the 3-4 defense that they want to install. Ayers can come in and be the second bookend to this defensive scheme and likely could go higher. Ayers, alongside Jackson, give the Broncos two SEC productive defensive ends that will raise havoc on division quarterbacks.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss - Jerry is consistently sliding up draft boards, but not enough to land him in the top 15 picks. Tampa still needs help at QB, but Freeman is a huge reach here and getting the best value is here with a solid athlete that is finding his niche in Jerry. The Bucs desperetely need to shore up their D line, especially at tackle. The release of a lot of older defensive dead weight makes this a necessity.
20. Detroit Lions – Eben Britton, OT, Arizona – Detroit could go O line here, but they still have good picks left in which to grab an OT prospect. I think this could be a OT/DT battle. Jerry is a flyer on the boards and is a steal at #20. The Lions have the first pick of the 2nd round and can get a mid 1st round talent for a steal at OT, but Britton is the last of the first round worthy OTs and is too good to pass up to anchor the O line. Detroit could still get Jerry or Brace to aid a D line that just had Cory Redding traded for Julian Peterson.
21. Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia – The time for McNabb is now. I can see Philly attacking another WR in free agency. Again, OL could be a choice, but Moreno is a steal here and compliments Westbrook in a faster more powerful version of Correll Buckhalter. Not to mention that Moreno can hit the hole and get those yards for a first down. With Buckhalter and Westbrook gone, the Eagles have to take a RB here, but Andy Reid could very well stick to his guns and go with one of the lines first. If he does, McNabb and the Eagles will be on the sidelines come playoff time.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Alex Mack, OC, Cal – Yet another team that could push for an CB prospect, but I think they will solidify their O line first. Mack is the premiere center on the board and with the loss of Matt Birk, the Vikings need a stalwart on the line to keep AD and his running happy. Childress will address the secondary later and get great value. Some would see the Vikings taking a QB here, but I think they give the Rosenfels/Jackson situation time to develop. Besides, the QB crop in 2010 will be a lot better.
23. New England Patriots – Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia – Cushing will fall as speculation ensues that he used steroids in college. Belicheck will find himself in need of a LB only because of aging stars, but he will find himself in heaven. With an old ass LB corps that already had an upgrade last year with Jerod Mayo, Belichek adds another cog in his system with a solid LB prospect that could make Bruschi retire in a year. Sintim can play all over the field an is one of those interchangeable parts in the Patriots assembly line.
24. Atlanta Falcons – Evander Hood, DT, Missouri – The addition of Tony Gonzalez makes the Brandon Pettigrew pick non existent and sends him to the Bills at #11. But the Falcons have a pressing need at DT and fill it with a monster in Hood who will swallow up blockers.
25. Miami Dolphins – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois – Some will say this is a stupid pick, but Parcells will take a long look at CB with the nothing across from Will Allen. Harvin would instantly provide another weapon on the offensive side and the draw of the hometown hero will fill seats. He can still land quality OL talent in later picks but Davis makes the most sense, and I think Parcells can handle any motivational issue, if it still is one.
26. Baltimore Ravens - Darrius Heyward Bey, WR, Maryland – The Ravens need to give Flacco more options in the passing game and Bey is a speedy threat that can come in and give them a shot in the arm. Being from Maryland only adds to the flavor.
27. Indianapolis Colts – Ron Brace, DT, Boston College – With the release of Marvin Harrison, it seems a sure bet that the Colts take a WR but the holes in the D line cant be ignored. Hood is a massive being and instantly helps out the front four. The Colts can address WR later in the draft and get solid value. The only way Brace doesn’t get taken here is if he gets taken later because a higher rated DT isnt selected.
28. Buffalo Bills - Michael Jonson, DE, Georgia Tech – This athletic stud could be a steal here. The Bills have dire needs in the D line and other areas but they would be reaching for too much for any of the players they could use. Johnson fills the DE need at nearly a top ten talent, but will his work ethic and attitude thrive or fall in Buffalo. They already have to worry about another attitude in TO.
29. New York Giants – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina – Granted the Giants could likely fill other needs but with Burress facing legal troubles, and no true other WR prospect worthy other than Britt, Nicks ends up being it. Getting a blue collar WR, with speed and strength that can possibly replace Burress would be a find here for the G Men.
30. Tennessee Titans – Darius Butler, CB, UConn – The Titans love speed (see Chris Johnson) and with the balanced rushing attack they have, they could look WR here. But Nate Washington was signed and will be able to stretch defense as a decoy and as a WR. He also adds return ability. The big need right now is CB where the current starters are both aging and upgrades are needed soon.
31. Arizona Cardinals – Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State – If the NFL has taught us one thing it’s that RB can be found nearly anywhere. So Wells will slide, but rather than waste this pick and reach for any other position they do the smart thing and take the best RB available, and some say in the draft, to keep the offense moving. They are still trying to resign Boldin and getting a RB that could take the pressure off the offense could help.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest – The Steelers would love to have Mack fall to them, but with Minnesota stealing their thunder, they will take the best CB on the board. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a solid character, high integrity, blue collar player.
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Here's my draft choices.....based off of who I think will be available, etc. Given new additions and trades..etc.
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit needs to solidify their lines. Its too high to take someone like BJ Raji, but an athletic and versatile lineman, or a sure bet linebacker makes all the sense in the world. That’s why Detroit wont do it. They’ll take the signal caller, over pay for him, and maybe he’ll survive his first season. Stafford affords the surest bet out of himself, Sanchez, and Freeman. There are rumblings that Jason Smith is making more sense now, but Im still suffering from the post Matt Millen taste, and I'll believe this new staff will do the right thing when I see it.
2. St. Louis – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor - With Chris Long, they grabbed a great D line prospect and have made solid moves along that front. But with the release of Orlando Pace, they need to get their LT of the future, especially if they want their cash investment in Marc Bulger to pay any dividends. Smith is a converted tight end but is extremely athletic and has all the makings of a 10 year All Pro.
3. Kansas City – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest - I believe Kansas City GM Scott Pioli is going to do alot of the same things we saw in New England. Which is build a solid defense and find that QB gem that can be manifested into leading this team. I dont know if Matt Cassel is the answer, but I think Pioli will be salivating at lining up Curry alongside Derrick Johnson and behind Hali and Dorsey to start.
4. Washington Redskins via trade with Seattle Seahawks – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC - I dont know what the Redskins do not see in Jason Campbell, but it seems that they really covet this kid. Dan Snyder and Co. are known for being unorthodox. I expect Washington to move up and take Sanchez and then address tackle.
5. Cleveland Browns – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech - I think that with Mangini stepping in, he will have a short leash. With all the off season acquisitions to attempt to solidify this D line, Now the Browns are shopping their best players? Quinn is quietly being shopped and its no secret that Braylon Edwards is being put on the market. I expect that even if they dont get rid of Edwards, teaming him up alongside Crabtree will be a formidable receiving duo, like Arizona. If they do trade Edwards, they've got his replacement.
6. Cincinnatti Bengals – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia– There is no way the Bengals pass on a stud OL now. Monroe can fill a glaring weakness in the Bengals O line and give them stability to help the offense. Something they desperately need in the ultra competitive AFC North. The Been To Jails need to hit a homerun.
7. Oakland Raiders – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri – While I wouldn’t be surprised is Al Davis actually helps his team by selecting a top OT, Maclin seems to be the best player running here. Davis loves the sexy offensive pick (see the last to years) and cant stop micromanaging his coaches. No way he’d let his former O line guru turned head coach take a lineman!
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – BJ Raji, DT, Boston College – The Jaguars are dying for help on the D line along John Henderson and they are looking to go younger and faster nearly every position. The addition of Tory Holt allows them to focus on other needs. They take the arguably the best defensive player in the draft. If Sanchez falls to #8, look for Jacksonville to trade out, likely to the Jets.
9. Green Bay Packers – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas – A lot of boards have O line here to aid an aging OT corps, but Orakpo, with Green Bay's young stable of LBs, could use a hybrid like Orakpo, they’ll be able to pressure a lot of QBs, aiding the secondary. Orakpo could come in and command double teams along side Kampman opening up holes for young stud LB AJ Hawk.
10. San Francisco 49ers – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama – This literally seems like a match made in heaven as well. Smith is a product of his own success. Now maturity issues seem to be the needs to keep him focused and with the most pressing need at right tackle, the Niners get a quality tackle to plug in at a less vulnerable spot. Mike Singletary will keep Smith focused and maybe get the most out of him, eventually shifting him to left tackle.
11. Buffalo Bills – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State – I initially thought the Bills would trade with the Falcons to get this kid, but now that Atlanta has Tony Gonzalez, I dont think Buffalo will trade at all. From what I've read and heard, the Bills love this kid and with the DE position so deep this year, they can pick one up at #28.
12. Denver Broncos – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State – The difference between DE dropoff and the remaining ILBs is too great to ignore. Denver’s defense cost them a playoff shot and McDaniels will have to bolster a pretty weak defense before turning his eyes to the offense. The Broncos defense is hideous and McDaniels has enough to worry about trying to keep Cutler on the team. Denver’s switch to a 3-4 defense will make DE a priority as this class has some decent LBs, but DE’s are a commodity.
13. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss – I think this is a slight reach for Oher, but given the need the Seahawks have to find the heir apparent to Walter Jones, he could come in and play RT for a spell and get accustomed to the speed of the NFL. The Seahawks will stockpile picks and in a move that only Arctic Dawgs could love, will continue to build the lines.
14. New Orleans Saints – Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State - The Saints need help at CB and although they have made some attempts to shore up the Jason David mess, they are still lacking. Jenkins is consistently the most technically sound CB in the draft and his speed is somewhat suspect. He’s better than anyone they’ve got right now.
15. Houston Texans – Rey Maulauga, LB, USC – The Texans just cant get solid pressure on the QB and William Moore is slipping. Maulauga is tough enough to thrive in Kubiak’s 3-4 and will be the beneficiary of a solid 08 season and will provide the Texans with what they desire most….Defensive Pressure. He’s got lingering issues regarding his hamstring injury from the combine, but he’s the top LB on the board and any safety is a reach at this point for Houston.
16. San Diego Chargers – Clay Matthews, LB, USC – With the franchise tag on Sproles, the Chargers jump on their biggest need with the best LB available and at a good value. Matthews is rated higher on some boards over Maulauga and some thing that Houston may take him instead. Matthews can come in and play alongside Merriman, giving the Chargers a very talented young combo of LBs to wreak havoc on opponent’s running games.
17. NY Jets – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida – This becomes a three way pick. Moreno, Harvin, or Wells. The Jets already have a speedster with return ability in Washington, Jones is still a question regarding his contract so I could see Wells here. Harvin will bear the “Bush” problem, too early to take someone without a clear definition of where they’ll play. Well’s speed question was answered when he ran a 4.31 at his pro day. But the versatility that Harvin brings will be too much to pass. I highly expect the Jets to move up should Sanchez slide to #8.
18. Denver Broncos – Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee - Denver got a lot for Jay Cutler and now have to begin building the 3-4 defense that they want to install. Ayers can come in and be the second bookend to this defensive scheme and likely could go higher. Ayers, alongside Jackson, give the Broncos two SEC productive defensive ends that will raise havoc on division quarterbacks.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss - Jerry is consistently sliding up draft boards, but not enough to land him in the top 15 picks. Tampa still needs help at QB, but Freeman is a huge reach here and getting the best value is here with a solid athlete that is finding his niche in Jerry. The Bucs desperetely need to shore up their D line, especially at tackle. The release of a lot of older defensive dead weight makes this a necessity.
20. Detroit Lions – Eben Britton, OT, Arizona – Detroit could go O line here, but they still have good picks left in which to grab an OT prospect. I think this could be a OT/DT battle. Jerry is a flyer on the boards and is a steal at #20. The Lions have the first pick of the 2nd round and can get a mid 1st round talent for a steal at OT, but Britton is the last of the first round worthy OTs and is too good to pass up to anchor the O line. Detroit could still get Jerry or Brace to aid a D line that just had Cory Redding traded for Julian Peterson.
21. Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia – The time for McNabb is now. I can see Philly attacking another WR in free agency. Again, OL could be a choice, but Moreno is a steal here and compliments Westbrook in a faster more powerful version of Correll Buckhalter. Not to mention that Moreno can hit the hole and get those yards for a first down. With Buckhalter and Westbrook gone, the Eagles have to take a RB here, but Andy Reid could very well stick to his guns and go with one of the lines first. If he does, McNabb and the Eagles will be on the sidelines come playoff time.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Alex Mack, OC, Cal – Yet another team that could push for an CB prospect, but I think they will solidify their O line first. Mack is the premiere center on the board and with the loss of Matt Birk, the Vikings need a stalwart on the line to keep AD and his running happy. Childress will address the secondary later and get great value. Some would see the Vikings taking a QB here, but I think they give the Rosenfels/Jackson situation time to develop. Besides, the QB crop in 2010 will be a lot better.
23. New England Patriots – Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia – Cushing will fall as speculation ensues that he used steroids in college. Belicheck will find himself in need of a LB only because of aging stars, but he will find himself in heaven. With an old ass LB corps that already had an upgrade last year with Jerod Mayo, Belichek adds another cog in his system with a solid LB prospect that could make Bruschi retire in a year. Sintim can play all over the field an is one of those interchangeable parts in the Patriots assembly line.
24. Atlanta Falcons – Evander Hood, DT, Missouri – The addition of Tony Gonzalez makes the Brandon Pettigrew pick non existent and sends him to the Bills at #11. But the Falcons have a pressing need at DT and fill it with a monster in Hood who will swallow up blockers.
25. Miami Dolphins – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois – Some will say this is a stupid pick, but Parcells will take a long look at CB with the nothing across from Will Allen. Harvin would instantly provide another weapon on the offensive side and the draw of the hometown hero will fill seats. He can still land quality OL talent in later picks but Davis makes the most sense, and I think Parcells can handle any motivational issue, if it still is one.
26. Baltimore Ravens - Darrius Heyward Bey, WR, Maryland – The Ravens need to give Flacco more options in the passing game and Bey is a speedy threat that can come in and give them a shot in the arm. Being from Maryland only adds to the flavor.
27. Indianapolis Colts – Ron Brace, DT, Boston College – With the release of Marvin Harrison, it seems a sure bet that the Colts take a WR but the holes in the D line cant be ignored. Hood is a massive being and instantly helps out the front four. The Colts can address WR later in the draft and get solid value. The only way Brace doesn’t get taken here is if he gets taken later because a higher rated DT isnt selected.
28. Buffalo Bills - Michael Jonson, DE, Georgia Tech – This athletic stud could be a steal here. The Bills have dire needs in the D line and other areas but they would be reaching for too much for any of the players they could use. Johnson fills the DE need at nearly a top ten talent, but will his work ethic and attitude thrive or fall in Buffalo. They already have to worry about another attitude in TO.
29. New York Giants – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina – Granted the Giants could likely fill other needs but with Burress facing legal troubles, and no true other WR prospect worthy other than Britt, Nicks ends up being it. Getting a blue collar WR, with speed and strength that can possibly replace Burress would be a find here for the G Men.
30. Tennessee Titans – Darius Butler, CB, UConn – The Titans love speed (see Chris Johnson) and with the balanced rushing attack they have, they could look WR here. But Nate Washington was signed and will be able to stretch defense as a decoy and as a WR. He also adds return ability. The big need right now is CB where the current starters are both aging and upgrades are needed soon.
31. Arizona Cardinals – Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State – If the NFL has taught us one thing it’s that RB can be found nearly anywhere. So Wells will slide, but rather than waste this pick and reach for any other position they do the smart thing and take the best RB available, and some say in the draft, to keep the offense moving. They are still trying to resign Boldin and getting a RB that could take the pressure off the offense could help.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest – The Steelers would love to have Mack fall to them, but with Minnesota stealing their thunder, they will take the best CB on the board. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a solid character, high integrity, blue collar player.
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