Mr. Krab
03-30-2009, 11:30 AM
hehe, read all the updates they are funny. He is sort of backtracking about the lions #1 pick. ROFL
2009 NFL Mock Draft: Round One
Last update: Saturday, March 28, 2009. -
Order now based on the real 2009 NFL Draft Order (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftorder2009.php). Click here for Round 2 (http://walterfootball.com/draft2009_2.php) and here for Round 3 (http://walterfootball.com/draft2009_3.php).
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/lionsb_logo.gif Detroit Lions: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
MARCH 24 UPDATE: I guess we can dispel all speculation that Matt Stafford is some dumb kid who likes to take pictures with hot girls and kegs. Stafford scored a 38 on his Wonderlic, which goes along with how impressed NFL personnel were with his boardroom sessions. Stafford also looked great at Georgia's Pro Day, so barring contract negotiations, there is absolutely no reason for the Lions to pass on him in favor of an offensive tackle, despite what some uninformed Detroit beat writers may think.
MARCH 17 UPDATE: With Josh McDaniels single-handedly debacling the Denver Broncos organization, there is a possibility that the Lions could acquire Jay Cutler, who has demanded a trade. Financial issues aside, Detroit would have to deal this selection for Jay Cutler (other things would have to be involved). The Broncos would then take Matt Stafford, while the Lions could pursue a left tackle with its top choice to protect their new quarterback.
However, I'm not sure Denver wants the No. 1 overall pick, despite the fact that Cutler's value commands it. In this economy, owners simply don't want to shell out a ridiculous amount of money for unproven commodities. This is why the NFL desperately needs a rookie pay scale.
So, until further notice, this will still be Stafford. Note that Aaron Curry is out of the running in the wake of the Julian Peterson trade.
MARCH 6 UPDATE: If I were a Lions fan, I probably would have been scared of drafting a quarterback as well (see link below)... until I read this NFL Draft Quarterback Busts (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftquarterbackbusts.php) article. It looks at all of the quarterback busts in NFL history and explains why each of them didn't pan out. It also delves into why Stafford, in all likelihood, won't fail.
FEB. 17 UPDATE: Like it or not, the pick will be Matt Stafford. I've received countless e-mails from Lions fans telling me why their team won't take Stafford. In honor of this, I created a thread with all of those e-mails and my responses to them. So, if you haven't seen it yet, check out the Lions Fans Don't Want Matt Stafford Thread (http://walterfootball.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8051).
Also, if you register and you don't get a confirmation e-mail, shoot me an e-mail and I'll manually register you so you can participate in the forums.
PREVIOUS UPDATES: I'm not saying a left tackle isn't a possibility, but like the Falcons last year, the Lions need a face for their franchise. Right now, that face is Matt Millen, even though he was fired a few months ago. When people think about the Detroit franchise, they think about how Millen helped ruin it.
The Lions can get a quality tackle with Dallas' choice or in the No. 33 slot. Assuming most of the junior quarterbacks remain in school, they won't have the chance to secure a top-rated signal-caller in the 2009 NFL Draft.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/ramsb_logo.gif St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
MARCH 28 UPDATE: This pick is still going to come down to Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe, so I'd like to use this space to point out that I'm once again running an NFL Draft Contest. It's free to enter and first prize is $350. So, make sure you register for the WalterFootball.com 2009 NFL Draft Contest (http://walterfootball.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=19).
PREVIOUS UPDATES: I'm starting to see a good amount of 2009 NFL Mock Drafts have Aaron Curry here. Hey, you never know with an organization that needs to go mini-golfing to determine its draft pick, but Curry going second overall is highly unlikely.
A franchise left tackle holds way more positional value than a linebacker. For more on this, check out the History of Linebackers in the NFL Draft (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftlinebackers.php) and the Top-Three NFL Draft Pick Trends (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftpicks.php).
I know the Rams have been talking about moving Alex Barron to left tackle. Don't pay any attention to that. It's just a smoke screen. That move would make no sense; Barron is already a sieve at right tackle. All of Marc Bulger's limbs would be broken by Week 6 with Barron protecting his blind side.
Close call between Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe, but Steve Spagnuolo has been saying all offseason that he wants to center the offense around Steven Jackson. While both Smith and Monroe are elite pass protectors, the former offers more in the run-blocking department. As he said, "I like to debacle people." Hmm... maybe I'm confusing him with another man whose last name is Smith.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/chiefsb_logo.gif Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, ILB, Wake Forest
MARCH 24 UPDATE: Nothing really new to say here. This pick is pretty much a lock. Aaron Curry will be here, for reasons I listed in the Rams write-up.
PREVIOUS UPDATES: I had two reasons for putting Mark Sanchez No. 3 in many of my previous updates. First, quarterbacks hold much more positional value than linebackers. That's just how the draft works.
And second, new regimes mean new quarterbacks. I was confident Clark Hunt, Scott Pioli and Todd Haley would be searching for "their guy." I just thought it would be Sanchez. Apparently, they liked Matt Cassel better, though I wouldn't exactly consider him much of an upgrade over Tyler Thigpen. Both Thigpen and Cassel are shotgun spread quarterbacks with limited arm strength and an inability to play under center. Put Thigpen on the Patriots last year, and he would have put up the same numbers as Cassel. For more on this, check out this particular NFL Draft Mailbag (http://walterfootball.com/draftmailbag2009_cassel.php) entry.
At any rate, the Chiefs can now focus on finding help for their new 3-4 defense. The best defensive player in this draft is Aaron Curry, and he'd fill a big need at inside linebacker.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/seahawksb_logo.gif Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
I've seen Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez, B.J. Raji and Brian Orakpo penciled into this slot. I don't agree with any of those choices.
The Seahawks have a lot of money tied into Matt Hasselbeck and they're not in a new regime. No way they take a quarterback this high. They also signed Colin Cole and traded for Cory Redding, so Raji is out of the picture. And people tend to forget that they drafted Lawrence Jackson in the first round last year. They're not going to give up on him that quickly, especially considering the learning curve defensive ends have to go through.
So, it comes down to Michael Crabtree and Eugene Monroe/Jason Smith (whomever the Rams don't take at No. 2). My money's on Crabtree.
The Seahawks spent a lot of money on T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who turns 32 in September. They wouldn't have made that signing if they didn't think they could win right now. They clearly know that their window is closing; Hasselbeck, Houshmandzadeh and Walter Jones have only a few highly productive seasons remaining.
With that in mind, Seattle will be looking for a player to help them immediately. Crabtree provides that sort of upside over Monroe. Drafting Crabtree would allow the Seahawks to cut the unreliable Deion Branch, who is always hurt.
This selection is being discussed in the forum: 2009 NFL Draft: Seahawks No. 4 Pick (http://walterfootball.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8948).
<center> <script style="display: none;" src="http://tag.contextweb.com/TagPublish/getjs.aspx?action=VIEWAD&cwrun=200&cwadformat=300X250&cwpid=505600&cwwidth=300&cwheight=250&cwpnet=1&cwtagid=23985"></script> </center>
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/brownsb_logo.gif Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
MARCH 24 UPDATE: I really considered Mark Sanchez here. I know what you're thinking. "Mark Sanchez? Is this guy on crack? The Browns have Brady Quinn!"
If something of that nature really entered your head, you're forgetting one thing. Eric Mangini makes dumb decisions.
Rumor has it that Mangini isn't pleased with Quinn and is currently trying to trade the young signal-caller. Remember, new regimes mean new quarterbacks, and that's what's happening here. Mangini apparently wants his own guy.
As stupid as it sounds, Cleveland could trade Quinn and then take a quarterback at this selection. Maybe I'll have the balls to mock Sanchez to the Browns in a future update.
PREVIOUS UPDATES: So, let's see... Not only did the ridiculous Chiefs-Patriots trade sour Josh McDaniels' relationship with Jay Cutler, it also screwed over Eric Mangini and the Browns, who are now probably out of the running for Aaron Curry. Bill Belichick killed two former coordinators with one stone. The man is a genius.
With Curry off the board, this pick has to be Brian Orakpo. I really don't see another option. Cleveland simply couldn't get to the quarterback in 2008. The team managed 17 sacks, and no player had more than four. This really needs to change quickly.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/bengalsb_logo.gif Cincinnati Bengals: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
The way I have the 2009 NFL Draft going down, this selection comes down to Eugene Monroe or B.J. Raji.
While Matt McGuire makes a great case for Raji in his 2009 Mock Draft (http://walterfootball.com/draft2009matt.php), particularly about Marvin Lewis coaching Raji at the Senior Bowl, I still feel as though the Bengals will take Monroe.
Per the Chicago Sun Times and RotoWorld, the Bengals are "actively" shopping current left tackle Levi Jones. The Rams were also "actively" seeking trade partners for Orlando Pace and Torry Holt, but subsequently cut the aging veterans. The rapidly declining Jones will likely suffer a similar fate.
With no proven left tackle on the roster, the Bengals almost have to select Eugene Monroe.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/raidersb_logo.gif Oakland Raiders: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Surprise! I've had B.J. Raji going here for a number of updates, but in the wake of Michael Johnson's Pro Day, I'm penciling in the athletic Georgia Tech defensive end into the No. 7 slot.
Look, it's no secret that Al Davis loves 40 times. Johnson ran an unofficial 4.49 at his Pro Day. A giddy Davis probably had him at 3.39. Undead Al is obsessed with athleticism, and that's one of the reasons I've changed this selection, despite Johnson's work ethic.
The other reason? Al Davis' draft history. I reviewed all the selections he has made in the past 30 years. In that span, Davis has taken a defensive tackle in the first round only twice - Darrell Russell in 1997, and he ran a 4.8 at 320 pounds. Meanwhile, he has chosen defensive ends four times in the opening round, the most recent being Tyler Brayton, who had the third-fastest 40 time among the players at his position in 2003. Terrell Suggs and Jerome McDougle were quicker, but were both off the board by the time Oakland picked at No. 31.
Going even further, Davis has taken just four defensive tackles in the top three rounds in the past 30 years! That's nothing compared to the 13 defensive ends he selected in the top three rounds in that span.
With Michael Crabtree off the board and right tackle addressed (Khalif Barnes), this pick will probably come down to Raji and Johnson. And based on Davis' draft history and Johnson's 40, the Raiders may select their next "great player." If Raji happened to be an athletic defensive tackle like Darrell Russell (at 320 pounds, Russell ran a 4.8 40), I'd mock him to Oakland. But Raji lacks the elite athleticism that Crazy Al loves.
Click here for a more detailed breakdown of Al Davis, Oakland Raiders NFL Draft History (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftraiders.php).
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/jaguarsb_logo.gif Jacksonville Jaguars: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The Jaguars will be in a tough position if B.J. Raji is off the board; they'll either have to reach for a player or trade down, which will be difficult to do because no owner wants to shell out top-10 money to an unproven commodity in this economy.
But thanks to Al Davis' foolish drafting methods, Raji is available. Jacksonville will be thrilled; the team really missed Marcus Stroud last season.
I know Matt McGuire will hate this pick, and he'll probably send me a computer virus for going against the inside information he has, but I really see no favorable alternative for Jacksonville here.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/packersb_logo.gif Green Bay Packers: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
I've never had Aaron Maybin higher than No. 23 in any of my 2009 NFL Mock Drafts. I've had my reasons - he was too small, too raw... his 40 was too slow... he was a one-year wonder...
Well, Maybin blew away scouts and general managers at Penn State's Pro Day. Maybin continued to put on weight - he measured in at 253 - and he managed to run a 4.59, which was 0.3 faster than his time at the Combine. Maybin also had a 40.5-inch vertical and a 10-10 broad jump.
Maybin's improved numbers may have the Packers convinced that he could start right away, but his upside is really ridiculous. Maybin is turning 21 in April, so he's only going to get quicker and stronger.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/49ersb_logo.gif San Francisco 49ers: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
MARCH 17 UPDATE: Hooray for more anti-Mark Sanchez e-mails. As you may have expected, I put together a 49ers Fans Don't Want Mark Sanchez Thread (http://walterfootball.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8604). (I did the same thing for Lions-Matt Stafford).
Check it out if you get the chance and post your thoughts. If you register and you don't get a confirmation e-mail, shoot me an e-mail and I'll manually register you so you can participate in the forums.
PREVIOUS UPDATES: OK, I've finally received a few e-mails from 49er fans who don't like the Mark Sanchez pick. Almost every e-mail argued that Andre Smith or Michael Oher would be the better choice. Some thought Aaron Maybin was the way to go.
Well, I can't see the pick being Maybin. He put on some weight but clearly couldn't carry it.
As for going right tackle, that's more of a possibility. However, I still say Sanchez is the favorite. Right tackle simply doesn't offer the positional value that a franchise quarterback does. And the 49ers do consider quarterback a need - otherwise, they wouldn't have offered Kurt Warner close to $15 million a year.
New regimes mean new quarterbacks. Think about the Falcons drafting Matt Ryan last year. And the Ravens taking Joe Flacco. And the Chiefs trading for Matt Cassel. And even the Broncos attempting to deal for Cassel as well...
Mike Singletary is entering his first full season as the head coach. General manager Scot McCloughan will be in his second year. I believe that they will want "their guy."
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/billsb_logo.gif Buffalo Bills: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
One team that was thrilled to see Aaron Maybin light it up at Penn State's Pro Day was Buffalo. With Maybin likely to enter the top 10, the likelihood of one of the top defensive ends dropping to No. 11 has risen tremendously.
This team really needs pass-rushing help. Buffalo mustered a laughable 24 sacks in 2008, and no player had more than four. Aaron Schobel missed most of the season, but the Bills had similar problems even when he was in the lineup.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/broncosb_logo.gif Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Who knows what the Broncos are going to do here? Common sense says they'll find a cog for their new 3-4 scheme, but this is the same team that actually tried to downgrade its quarterback position from Jay Cutler to Matt Cassel. If I were friends with Josh McDaniels, I'd constantly offer him $20 bills for $100 bills of his. I'd be rich in no time!
In all seriousness, the Broncos have a number of options here. The best choice could be Tyson Jackson, who could immediately help out a front seven that could neither get to the quarterback nor stop the run. Jackson would be a perfect fit on Denver's new three-man line.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/redskinsb_logo.gif Washington Redskins: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
This is a typical Daniel Snyder pick. Snyder often likes to go for the big name, and that would definitely be Andre Smith.
I personally wouldn't touch Smith because of his work-ethic issues, but we have to remember who Washington's owner is. Snyder will find Smith's talent level too appealing to pass up. Combine that with the fact that right tackle is an enormous need for the Redskins, and you have what seems to be a draft pick that makes a lot of sense.
http://walterfootball.com/draft2009.php
2009 NFL Mock Draft: Round One
Last update: Saturday, March 28, 2009. -
Order now based on the real 2009 NFL Draft Order (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftorder2009.php). Click here for Round 2 (http://walterfootball.com/draft2009_2.php) and here for Round 3 (http://walterfootball.com/draft2009_3.php).
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/lionsb_logo.gif Detroit Lions: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
MARCH 24 UPDATE: I guess we can dispel all speculation that Matt Stafford is some dumb kid who likes to take pictures with hot girls and kegs. Stafford scored a 38 on his Wonderlic, which goes along with how impressed NFL personnel were with his boardroom sessions. Stafford also looked great at Georgia's Pro Day, so barring contract negotiations, there is absolutely no reason for the Lions to pass on him in favor of an offensive tackle, despite what some uninformed Detroit beat writers may think.
MARCH 17 UPDATE: With Josh McDaniels single-handedly debacling the Denver Broncos organization, there is a possibility that the Lions could acquire Jay Cutler, who has demanded a trade. Financial issues aside, Detroit would have to deal this selection for Jay Cutler (other things would have to be involved). The Broncos would then take Matt Stafford, while the Lions could pursue a left tackle with its top choice to protect their new quarterback.
However, I'm not sure Denver wants the No. 1 overall pick, despite the fact that Cutler's value commands it. In this economy, owners simply don't want to shell out a ridiculous amount of money for unproven commodities. This is why the NFL desperately needs a rookie pay scale.
So, until further notice, this will still be Stafford. Note that Aaron Curry is out of the running in the wake of the Julian Peterson trade.
MARCH 6 UPDATE: If I were a Lions fan, I probably would have been scared of drafting a quarterback as well (see link below)... until I read this NFL Draft Quarterback Busts (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftquarterbackbusts.php) article. It looks at all of the quarterback busts in NFL history and explains why each of them didn't pan out. It also delves into why Stafford, in all likelihood, won't fail.
FEB. 17 UPDATE: Like it or not, the pick will be Matt Stafford. I've received countless e-mails from Lions fans telling me why their team won't take Stafford. In honor of this, I created a thread with all of those e-mails and my responses to them. So, if you haven't seen it yet, check out the Lions Fans Don't Want Matt Stafford Thread (http://walterfootball.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8051).
Also, if you register and you don't get a confirmation e-mail, shoot me an e-mail and I'll manually register you so you can participate in the forums.
PREVIOUS UPDATES: I'm not saying a left tackle isn't a possibility, but like the Falcons last year, the Lions need a face for their franchise. Right now, that face is Matt Millen, even though he was fired a few months ago. When people think about the Detroit franchise, they think about how Millen helped ruin it.
The Lions can get a quality tackle with Dallas' choice or in the No. 33 slot. Assuming most of the junior quarterbacks remain in school, they won't have the chance to secure a top-rated signal-caller in the 2009 NFL Draft.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/ramsb_logo.gif St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
MARCH 28 UPDATE: This pick is still going to come down to Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe, so I'd like to use this space to point out that I'm once again running an NFL Draft Contest. It's free to enter and first prize is $350. So, make sure you register for the WalterFootball.com 2009 NFL Draft Contest (http://walterfootball.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=19).
PREVIOUS UPDATES: I'm starting to see a good amount of 2009 NFL Mock Drafts have Aaron Curry here. Hey, you never know with an organization that needs to go mini-golfing to determine its draft pick, but Curry going second overall is highly unlikely.
A franchise left tackle holds way more positional value than a linebacker. For more on this, check out the History of Linebackers in the NFL Draft (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftlinebackers.php) and the Top-Three NFL Draft Pick Trends (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftpicks.php).
I know the Rams have been talking about moving Alex Barron to left tackle. Don't pay any attention to that. It's just a smoke screen. That move would make no sense; Barron is already a sieve at right tackle. All of Marc Bulger's limbs would be broken by Week 6 with Barron protecting his blind side.
Close call between Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe, but Steve Spagnuolo has been saying all offseason that he wants to center the offense around Steven Jackson. While both Smith and Monroe are elite pass protectors, the former offers more in the run-blocking department. As he said, "I like to debacle people." Hmm... maybe I'm confusing him with another man whose last name is Smith.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/chiefsb_logo.gif Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, ILB, Wake Forest
MARCH 24 UPDATE: Nothing really new to say here. This pick is pretty much a lock. Aaron Curry will be here, for reasons I listed in the Rams write-up.
PREVIOUS UPDATES: I had two reasons for putting Mark Sanchez No. 3 in many of my previous updates. First, quarterbacks hold much more positional value than linebackers. That's just how the draft works.
And second, new regimes mean new quarterbacks. I was confident Clark Hunt, Scott Pioli and Todd Haley would be searching for "their guy." I just thought it would be Sanchez. Apparently, they liked Matt Cassel better, though I wouldn't exactly consider him much of an upgrade over Tyler Thigpen. Both Thigpen and Cassel are shotgun spread quarterbacks with limited arm strength and an inability to play under center. Put Thigpen on the Patriots last year, and he would have put up the same numbers as Cassel. For more on this, check out this particular NFL Draft Mailbag (http://walterfootball.com/draftmailbag2009_cassel.php) entry.
At any rate, the Chiefs can now focus on finding help for their new 3-4 defense. The best defensive player in this draft is Aaron Curry, and he'd fill a big need at inside linebacker.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/seahawksb_logo.gif Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
I've seen Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez, B.J. Raji and Brian Orakpo penciled into this slot. I don't agree with any of those choices.
The Seahawks have a lot of money tied into Matt Hasselbeck and they're not in a new regime. No way they take a quarterback this high. They also signed Colin Cole and traded for Cory Redding, so Raji is out of the picture. And people tend to forget that they drafted Lawrence Jackson in the first round last year. They're not going to give up on him that quickly, especially considering the learning curve defensive ends have to go through.
So, it comes down to Michael Crabtree and Eugene Monroe/Jason Smith (whomever the Rams don't take at No. 2). My money's on Crabtree.
The Seahawks spent a lot of money on T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who turns 32 in September. They wouldn't have made that signing if they didn't think they could win right now. They clearly know that their window is closing; Hasselbeck, Houshmandzadeh and Walter Jones have only a few highly productive seasons remaining.
With that in mind, Seattle will be looking for a player to help them immediately. Crabtree provides that sort of upside over Monroe. Drafting Crabtree would allow the Seahawks to cut the unreliable Deion Branch, who is always hurt.
This selection is being discussed in the forum: 2009 NFL Draft: Seahawks No. 4 Pick (http://walterfootball.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8948).
<center> <script style="display: none;" src="http://tag.contextweb.com/TagPublish/getjs.aspx?action=VIEWAD&cwrun=200&cwadformat=300X250&cwpid=505600&cwwidth=300&cwheight=250&cwpnet=1&cwtagid=23985"></script> </center>
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/brownsb_logo.gif Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
MARCH 24 UPDATE: I really considered Mark Sanchez here. I know what you're thinking. "Mark Sanchez? Is this guy on crack? The Browns have Brady Quinn!"
If something of that nature really entered your head, you're forgetting one thing. Eric Mangini makes dumb decisions.
Rumor has it that Mangini isn't pleased with Quinn and is currently trying to trade the young signal-caller. Remember, new regimes mean new quarterbacks, and that's what's happening here. Mangini apparently wants his own guy.
As stupid as it sounds, Cleveland could trade Quinn and then take a quarterback at this selection. Maybe I'll have the balls to mock Sanchez to the Browns in a future update.
PREVIOUS UPDATES: So, let's see... Not only did the ridiculous Chiefs-Patriots trade sour Josh McDaniels' relationship with Jay Cutler, it also screwed over Eric Mangini and the Browns, who are now probably out of the running for Aaron Curry. Bill Belichick killed two former coordinators with one stone. The man is a genius.
With Curry off the board, this pick has to be Brian Orakpo. I really don't see another option. Cleveland simply couldn't get to the quarterback in 2008. The team managed 17 sacks, and no player had more than four. This really needs to change quickly.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/bengalsb_logo.gif Cincinnati Bengals: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
The way I have the 2009 NFL Draft going down, this selection comes down to Eugene Monroe or B.J. Raji.
While Matt McGuire makes a great case for Raji in his 2009 Mock Draft (http://walterfootball.com/draft2009matt.php), particularly about Marvin Lewis coaching Raji at the Senior Bowl, I still feel as though the Bengals will take Monroe.
Per the Chicago Sun Times and RotoWorld, the Bengals are "actively" shopping current left tackle Levi Jones. The Rams were also "actively" seeking trade partners for Orlando Pace and Torry Holt, but subsequently cut the aging veterans. The rapidly declining Jones will likely suffer a similar fate.
With no proven left tackle on the roster, the Bengals almost have to select Eugene Monroe.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/raidersb_logo.gif Oakland Raiders: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Surprise! I've had B.J. Raji going here for a number of updates, but in the wake of Michael Johnson's Pro Day, I'm penciling in the athletic Georgia Tech defensive end into the No. 7 slot.
Look, it's no secret that Al Davis loves 40 times. Johnson ran an unofficial 4.49 at his Pro Day. A giddy Davis probably had him at 3.39. Undead Al is obsessed with athleticism, and that's one of the reasons I've changed this selection, despite Johnson's work ethic.
The other reason? Al Davis' draft history. I reviewed all the selections he has made in the past 30 years. In that span, Davis has taken a defensive tackle in the first round only twice - Darrell Russell in 1997, and he ran a 4.8 at 320 pounds. Meanwhile, he has chosen defensive ends four times in the opening round, the most recent being Tyler Brayton, who had the third-fastest 40 time among the players at his position in 2003. Terrell Suggs and Jerome McDougle were quicker, but were both off the board by the time Oakland picked at No. 31.
Going even further, Davis has taken just four defensive tackles in the top three rounds in the past 30 years! That's nothing compared to the 13 defensive ends he selected in the top three rounds in that span.
With Michael Crabtree off the board and right tackle addressed (Khalif Barnes), this pick will probably come down to Raji and Johnson. And based on Davis' draft history and Johnson's 40, the Raiders may select their next "great player." If Raji happened to be an athletic defensive tackle like Darrell Russell (at 320 pounds, Russell ran a 4.8 40), I'd mock him to Oakland. But Raji lacks the elite athleticism that Crazy Al loves.
Click here for a more detailed breakdown of Al Davis, Oakland Raiders NFL Draft History (http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftraiders.php).
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/jaguarsb_logo.gif Jacksonville Jaguars: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The Jaguars will be in a tough position if B.J. Raji is off the board; they'll either have to reach for a player or trade down, which will be difficult to do because no owner wants to shell out top-10 money to an unproven commodity in this economy.
But thanks to Al Davis' foolish drafting methods, Raji is available. Jacksonville will be thrilled; the team really missed Marcus Stroud last season.
I know Matt McGuire will hate this pick, and he'll probably send me a computer virus for going against the inside information he has, but I really see no favorable alternative for Jacksonville here.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/packersb_logo.gif Green Bay Packers: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
I've never had Aaron Maybin higher than No. 23 in any of my 2009 NFL Mock Drafts. I've had my reasons - he was too small, too raw... his 40 was too slow... he was a one-year wonder...
Well, Maybin blew away scouts and general managers at Penn State's Pro Day. Maybin continued to put on weight - he measured in at 253 - and he managed to run a 4.59, which was 0.3 faster than his time at the Combine. Maybin also had a 40.5-inch vertical and a 10-10 broad jump.
Maybin's improved numbers may have the Packers convinced that he could start right away, but his upside is really ridiculous. Maybin is turning 21 in April, so he's only going to get quicker and stronger.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/49ersb_logo.gif San Francisco 49ers: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
MARCH 17 UPDATE: Hooray for more anti-Mark Sanchez e-mails. As you may have expected, I put together a 49ers Fans Don't Want Mark Sanchez Thread (http://walterfootball.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8604). (I did the same thing for Lions-Matt Stafford).
Check it out if you get the chance and post your thoughts. If you register and you don't get a confirmation e-mail, shoot me an e-mail and I'll manually register you so you can participate in the forums.
PREVIOUS UPDATES: OK, I've finally received a few e-mails from 49er fans who don't like the Mark Sanchez pick. Almost every e-mail argued that Andre Smith or Michael Oher would be the better choice. Some thought Aaron Maybin was the way to go.
Well, I can't see the pick being Maybin. He put on some weight but clearly couldn't carry it.
As for going right tackle, that's more of a possibility. However, I still say Sanchez is the favorite. Right tackle simply doesn't offer the positional value that a franchise quarterback does. And the 49ers do consider quarterback a need - otherwise, they wouldn't have offered Kurt Warner close to $15 million a year.
New regimes mean new quarterbacks. Think about the Falcons drafting Matt Ryan last year. And the Ravens taking Joe Flacco. And the Chiefs trading for Matt Cassel. And even the Broncos attempting to deal for Cassel as well...
Mike Singletary is entering his first full season as the head coach. General manager Scot McCloughan will be in his second year. I believe that they will want "their guy."
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/billsb_logo.gif Buffalo Bills: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
One team that was thrilled to see Aaron Maybin light it up at Penn State's Pro Day was Buffalo. With Maybin likely to enter the top 10, the likelihood of one of the top defensive ends dropping to No. 11 has risen tremendously.
This team really needs pass-rushing help. Buffalo mustered a laughable 24 sacks in 2008, and no player had more than four. Aaron Schobel missed most of the season, but the Bills had similar problems even when he was in the lineup.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/broncosb_logo.gif Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Who knows what the Broncos are going to do here? Common sense says they'll find a cog for their new 3-4 scheme, but this is the same team that actually tried to downgrade its quarterback position from Jay Cutler to Matt Cassel. If I were friends with Josh McDaniels, I'd constantly offer him $20 bills for $100 bills of his. I'd be rich in no time!
In all seriousness, the Broncos have a number of options here. The best choice could be Tyson Jackson, who could immediately help out a front seven that could neither get to the quarterback nor stop the run. Jackson would be a perfect fit on Denver's new three-man line.
http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/redskinsb_logo.gif Washington Redskins: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
This is a typical Daniel Snyder pick. Snyder often likes to go for the big name, and that would definitely be Andre Smith.
I personally wouldn't touch Smith because of his work-ethic issues, but we have to remember who Washington's owner is. Snyder will find Smith's talent level too appealing to pass up. Combine that with the fact that right tackle is an enormous need for the Redskins, and you have what seems to be a draft pick that makes a lot of sense.
http://walterfootball.com/draft2009.php