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Updated: April 13, 2009
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Pick
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Team
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Selection
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1
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Detroit Lions
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Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
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Draft History | Forum
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The Lions, who also own the 20th overall pick, could choose an OT (Baylor’s Jason Smith or Virginia’s Eugene
Monroe) here. Considering the depth of tackles in this year’s draft, the Lions will have the opportunity to draft a
tackle with their second pick. However, a franchise QB won't be available at 20. With Stafford's big arm and
Calvin Johnson's explosiveness, the Stafford-Johnson duo will bring hope to the Motor City.
Interesting fact: Stafford is an alum of Highland Park High School (Dallas) as was Bobby Layne. When the
Lions traded Layne (Hall of Fame Class of 1966) to Pittsburgh, he reportedly said the Lions wouldn't win for 50
years, known as the Curse of Bobby Layne. The Lions' 0-16 season in 2008 was the 50th anniversary of the
trade. Should the Lions tempt fate?
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2
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St. Louis Rams
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Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
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Draft History | Forum
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The Rams released Orlando Pace, who was the anchor of their offensive line for the past decade. While the
Rams are looking to trade down, they have the opportunity to select a tackle that can protect the blind side for
the next decade. The question is for how long will it be Marc Bulger's blind side.
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3
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Kansas City Chiefs
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Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
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Draft History | Forum
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The Chiefs have a lot of needs, but one of their most glaring needs is linebacker. Veterans Zach Thomas and
Mike Vrabel, both 30-something LBs acquired this off-season, project as starters. Curry is the best LB in the
draft and arguably the best player.
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4
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Seattle Seahawks
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Eugene Monroe, LT, Virginia
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Draft History | Forum
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Walter Jones, once the most dominant tackle in the NFL, is 35 years old and recovering from microfracture
surgery. Despite the Mark Sanchez smoke screen, the Seahawks will select Jones' heir apparent.
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5
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Cleveland Browns
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Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
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Draft History | Forum
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The Browns could go in a number of ways here. I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns go with Michael Crabtree,
the two-time Fred Biletnikoff Award winner. However, the Browns need to improve their pass rush, which tied
for 30th in the NFL with only 17 sacks in 2008.
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6
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Cincinnati Bengals
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Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
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Draft History | Forum
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No tackle in this year's draft has more upside than Smith. However, he's the same guy that decided at the last
minute to not work out at the NFL combine and then pulled a disappearing act. But on film, there's not much to
dislike about last year's Outland Trophy winner.
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7
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Oakland Raiders
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Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
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Draft History | Forum
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Raiders' owner Al Davis loves speedy receivers, which leads me to believe he prefers Maclin over Crabtree.
The Raiders lack weapons in the passing game for JaMarcus Russell, the number one overall pick in the 2007
draft. If the Raiders go defense, someone like Boston College DT B.J. Raji would make sense. The Raiders
ranked 31st in the NFL against the run (159.7 ypg) last year.
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8
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Jacksonville Jaguars
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Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
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Draft History | Forum
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Over the past two seasons, no receiver has been more prolific. In 26 games in college, he had 231 receptions
for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns. 'Nuff said.
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9
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Green Bay Packers
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B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
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Draft History | Forum
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Making the transition from a 4-3 scheme last year, the Packers could use a big nose tackle to eat up space and
blockers. If they don't go with Raji, look for them to go with someone like Florida State's Everette Brown or Penn
State's Aaron Maybin to play OLB in their new 3-4 scheme.
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10
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San Francisco 49ers
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Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
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Draft History | Forum
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Coach Mike Singletary could certainly go defense with this pick. And the 49ers have the recent bust of Alex
Smith mired in a QB competition to remind them of the risk in selecting a first-round QB. But can Shaun Hill or
Smith really be the long-term answer?
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11
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Buffalo Bills
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Everette Brown, OLB, Florida State
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Draft History | Forum
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In 2008, the Bills finished tied for 28th in the NFL in sacks (28). Brown is one of the best pass rushers in this
year's draft. Last year, he finished with 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
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12
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Denver Broncos
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Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
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Draft History | Forum
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Jackson provides the Broncos with versatility of the defensive line, where he can play inside or outside. He is
big (6'4" - 290 pounds) and has good quickness although he isn't a great pass rusher. The wildcard is
whether or not Sanchez slips to Denver although Josh McDaniels seems to feel comfortable with Kyle Orton as
his QB.
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13
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Washington Redskins
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Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
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Draft History | Forum
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The Redskins released Jason Taylor in the off-season. They also were in on the Jay Cutler bidding war (and
lost). The 'Skins will likely take Taylor's replacement here, but may be tempting by Sanchez if he's available
here. Ayers' stock has been on the ascent.
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14
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New Orleans Saints
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Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
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Draft History | Forum
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I'm fairly comfortable that the Saints will select an Ohio State Buckeye. The debate is between Wells and CB
Malcolm Jenkins. Although Reggie Bush thinks he's "the man" in New Orleans with Deuce McAllister gone, the
Saints could use a power back. Jenkins' lack of top speed has hurt his draft stock.
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15
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Houston Texans
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Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
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Draft History | Forum
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The Texans added Antonio Smith this off-season to help with their pass rush. I see the Texans going LB or DB
with this pick. Considering the unhappiness of Dunta Robinson about being franchised, I see the Texans
using this pick on the draft's top-rated corner.
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16
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San Diego Chargers
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Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
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Draft History | Forum
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The Chargers don't have any glaring weaknesses and might take a hard look at Georgia's Knowshon Moreno
or Beanie Wells (if available) here. Darren Sproles, who was franchised, isn't an every-down back. And L.T.
was almost a salary-cap casualty before accepting a paycut. Maualuga is a hard-hitting, athletic 'backer with
great instincts.
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17
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New York Jets
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Brian Cushing, LB, USC
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Draft History | Forum
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Cushing will be making a home-coming (Park Ridge, NJ). He's instinctive and a hard hitter. The Jets might
consider QB Josh Freeman from Kansas State, but he's raw. With Thomas Jones on the wrong side of 30 and
unhappy about his contract, the Jets might also look hard at a RB here.
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18
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Denver Broncos
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Aaron Maybin, OLB, Penn State
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Draft History | Forum
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Maybin, who played DE in college, lacks the size to be a DE in the NFL. However, his explosiveness and
quickness would make him a great pass-rushing, 3-4 outside linebacker. There's a good chance that Maybin
will be off the board when the Broncos pick.
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19
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
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Draft History | Forum
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The Bucs signed QB Byron Leftwich to a two-year contract. Considering they have Josh McCown, Josh
Johnson and Brian Griese on the roster, they are unlikely to draft a third "Josh." However, new coach Raheem
Morris, coached for a year at Kansas State, with QB Josh Freeman. With the QB situation as such, I expect the
Bucs to go with defense here.
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20
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Detroit Lions
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Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
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Draft History | Forum
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The Lions used their first-round pick last year to draft tackle Gosder Cherilus. The Lions' starting left tackle Jeff
Backus turns 32 this season. Oher, who's a better pass blocker than run blocker, is one of the better stories in
this year's draft, which was detailed in the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.
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21
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Philadelphia Eagles
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William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
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Draft History | Forum
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Some speculation points to the Eagles as being the most likely trade partner if the Buffalo Bills deal Pro Bowl
tackle Jason Peters. If rumor becomes reality, they either won't have this (or their second pick - #28) and/or
they won't select an OT in the first round. But, as of now, the Eagles will look to replace the loss of Tra Thomas
via free agency to Jacksonville.
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22
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Minnesota Vikings
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Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
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Draft History | Forum
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Heyward-Bey was the fastest receiver at this year's NFL combine posting a 4.3 40 and has good size (6'2" and
206 pounds). The Vikings put on the full-court press in their free-agency flirtation with T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Adding Heyward-Bey will help the Vikes keep defenses honest. If the Vikings go in a different direction, they will
take an offensive tackle or defensive back.
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23
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New England Patriots
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Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
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Draft History | Forum
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Butler is a very athletic cornerback. At the NFL combine, Butler posted the highest vertical jump (43"). At the
UConn Pro Day, Patriots coach Bill Belichick spent the majority of his time with the DBs. Coincidence?
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24
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Atlanta Falcons
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Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
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Draft History | Forum
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As the top TE prospect in this year's draft, Pettigrew disappointed with his performance in the 40 (4.83) at the
combine. However, he's a big, physical TE with strong blocking skills and great hands.
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25
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Miami Dolphins
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Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
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Draft History | Forum
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The younger brother of 49ers TE Vernon Davis, Vontae is a big (6'0" and 204 pounds), athletic and physical
corner. The question surrounds his attitude and maturity level. But Davis fills a void as the Dolphins lost CB
Andre Goodman to Denver via free agency.
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26
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Baltimore Ravens
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Clay Matthews, LB, USC
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Draft History | Forum
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The Ravens lost Bart Scott via free agency as Scott followed Rex Ryan, his former defensive coordinator, to the
Jets. Matthews is a versatile and instinctive linebacker. Football is in his family. His father Clay was a
four-time Pro Bowler and his uncle Bruce was a fourteen-time Pro Bowler.
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27
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Indianapolis Colts
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Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
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Draft History | Forum
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Hood has good size and a high motor. He has good quickness off the ball. At his pro day, Hood benched 225
pounds for 35 reps.
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28
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Philadelphia Eagles
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Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
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Draft History | Forum
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Brian Westbrook isn't getting any younger and the Eagles lost Correll Buckhalter, his back-up last year, to
Denver. Like Westbrook, Moreno is a good receiver and can be split out wide.
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29
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New York Giants
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Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
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Draft History | Forum
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The Giants released Plaxico Burress and they may orchestrate a trade involving a big-time receiver. It's been
confirmed that they talked with the Browns about Braylon Edwards. However, if they don't pull off a deal before
the draft, I expect them to take a receiver in the first round.
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30
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Tennessee Titans
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Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State
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Draft History | Forum
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Gilbert, who became a You Tube hit with this trick, ran a 4.76 40 at his pro day. With the departure of Albert
Haynesworth via free agency, the Titans will look for his replacement with this pick.
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31
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Arizona Cardinals
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Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
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Draft History | Forum
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In the year that Miami ends its streak of 14 straight years with a first-round pick, Connecticut has its first,
second and third first-rounder ever. Edgerrin James has reiterated his desire to be released. Brown, who led
college football in rushing, has a good combination of speed (4.51 40 at the combine) and power.
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32
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Pittsburgh Steelers
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Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
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Draft History | Forum
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Britton possesses great size (6'6" and 310 pounds), long arms and good balance. However, he doesn't have
the quickest feet.
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