[The Franchise]

FWIW.....here is the 1st round.

Detroit Lions: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
JAN. 28 UPDATE: Matt McGuire said it best on one of his radio appearances this weekend: "Pre-order your Stafford jerseys, Lions fans." With no consensus No. 1 tackle and a new regime in town, this will be a quarterback.

How about trading down? I've received a few e-mails about this, but it's not happening. First of all, it takes way too many resources to move up to the top selection. And second, given the economy we're in, no owner wants to pay an obscene amount of money to an unproven player.

JAN. 22 UPDATE: No surprise, but I still have Matt Stafford No. 1. I received an e-mail or two asking why I don't have Mark Sanchez going first. Matt McGuire did a great job explaining this in his blog. Stafford's arm is much more powerful than Sanchez's, so he presents the Lions with more upside. Also, Stafford has much more starting experience than Sanchez. After going 0-16, the Lions can't afford to whiff here, and taking a signal caller with one real year of starting experience is really risky.

JAN. 15 UPDATE: With Sam Bradford electing to come back for his redshirt junior season at Oklahoma, the Lions might as well begin printing up Matt Stafford jerseys. Stafford's a near-lock to be chosen first overall.

DEC. 25 UPDATE: Despite numerous e-mails from Lions fans insisting that the correct course of action would be drafting an offensive tackle, I'm still calling for a quarterback. Detroit needs a face for their franchise. They can't get a quarterback with Dallas' selection, but they'll be able to grab a tackle with that pick.

Also, Lions owner William Darth Clay Sidious Ford doesn't really care about winning. He just wants money. What brings in more money than a rookie signal caller? Everyone in Detroit will be lining up to buy the new Matt Stafford jersey, especially if he appears to be as promising as Matt Ryan.

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.


St. Louis Rams: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
This pick could be Eugene Monroe. But I'd like to make the case for Michael Crabtree.

There is no consensus No. 1 tackle. A few months ago, Michael Oher was the guy. Questions arose about his consistency in pass blocking, and he fell off. Next, Andre Smith was the top tackle. When concerns about his weight and pass blocking came to light, his stock dropped as well. Now, despite not doing anything and sitting out the Senior Bowl, Monroe has somehow elevated up to No. 2 overall status? Sounds a bit fishy to me. For all we know, people might starting finding things wrong with him pretty soon. Jason Smith, Mike Mayock's top-rated tackle, could then move into this slot.

I don't think there is any offensive tackle in this class worthy of being drafted second overall. If any of these four were in the 2008 NFL Draft class, would they be behind Jake Long and Ryan Clady? Maybe.

Michael Crabtree is the top prospect in this class. Not only is he a dynamic and physically gifted receiver, he also fills a need.

Now, I know the Rams are in more of a dire need of an upgrade at tackle, but they really could use a No. 1 receiver. Torry Holt's play really fell off in 2008, and there's a very good chance the regressing former Pro Bowler, who turns 33 in June, could be cut or traded. Donnie Avery had a very good rookie season, but at 5-11, 190, he can't be the top wideout.

Furthermore, financial concerns also have to be an issue. Our economy is worse than it's been in about three-quarters of a century. NFL tickets are being slashed by at least 10 percent. The Rams, who are still relatively new to St. Louis, need a hot ticket.

That would be Crabtree. He'd fill the seats. He would sell jerseys much better than any offensive lineman. And he would bring some excitement to a city that just watched its football team finish a depressing 2-14.

Pick change; previously Andre Smith, OT


Kansas City Chiefs: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
JAN. 28 UPDATE: I've gotten a few e-mails asking me why I don't think Aaron Curry will be the guy here. Check out the top-three NFL Draft pick trends since 1998 for the answer. I'm not saying there's no chance that Curry won't be taken - the NFL Draft is known for being wildly unpredictable - but Sanchez is more than likely the choice here.

JAN. 22 UPDATE: This isn't as much of a lock as Matt Stafford going first or the Seahawks taking Michael Crabtree, but I think there's a pretty good chance that the Chiefs select Mark Sanchez. A new regime usually means a new quarterback, and Sanchez is way too talented to pass up.

Some may argue that new general manager Scott Pioli has never taken a quarterback this high. That may be true, but it's fairly obvious why - he had Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady in New England. Why would he use a first-rounder on a signal caller? I doubt Pioli read Andy Reid's NFL Drafting for Dummies.

All the talk regarding New England's pick last season was that Pioli and Bill Belichick never spent a top-10 choice on a linebacker. Well, they drafted Jerod Mayo, didn't they?

PREVIOUS UPDATES: With Sam Bradford going back to school, this selection has become a lot more difficult to predict.

I have a feeling that a lot of mocks in the 2009 NFL Mock Draft Database will have Aaron Curry going here. I don't see that happening. The last time a player who wasn't a quarterback, running back, receiver, offensive tackle, defensive end or under tackle was chosen in the top three selections was LaVar Arrington (Redskins, 2000). I think Scott Pioli is a slightly better drafter than Daniel Snyder, don't you think?

Assuming the Chiefs go to a 3-4 with Pioli, Curry would be an inside linebacker for them. With trading down nearly impossible at No. 3 (no owner will want to trade up and pay tons of money to an unproven player in this economy), it's safe to say Curry won't be chosen.

So, that leaves us with the following options:

Best offensive tackle available
Michael Crabtree
Chris Wells/Knowshon Moreno
Brian Orakpo/Everette Brown
Mark Sanchez

With Larry Johnson still on the books, I think you can eliminate Wells and Moreno. Wide receiver isn't a prime need, so the Crabtree selection becomes unlikely. A left tackle could happen - the Chiefs would move Branden Albert inside.

Orakpo is probably out because he struggled against Alex Boone in the Doritos Fiesta Bowl. Brown is a stronger possibility if he has a great performance at the Combine. The Chiefs are likely to switch to the 3-4, and Brown, a nasty pass rusher coming off a huge year, would fit in perfectly.

However, I'm going with Sanchez. A new regime almost always equals a new quarterback. Sanchez is a hot commodity, coming off a brilliant performance at the Rose Bowl, sponsored by Kraft. The knock on him is the lack of experience, but going 28-of-35 for 413 yards and four touchdowns against Penn State pretty much quelled those concerns.

By the way, I'd like to say that this 2009 NFL Mock Draft is based on what I think will happen; not on what should happen.

If I were running the Chiefs, I'd continue to go with Tyler Thigpen. Thigpen did a remarkable job as the full-time quarterback, commanding Kansas City's offense to 21.6 points per game since Oct. 26. I know he was guilty of a lot of turnovers, but this was essentially his rookie year. He also had a weak running game and a pedestrian offensive line. He'll continue to get better.


Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
The Seahawks will take Michael Crabtree if he's available here. Bobby Engram, 36, will be hitting free agency. Deion Branch, who is always hurt, could be a cap casualty. Nate Burleson stinks and is coming off a torn ACL. The rest of the wideouts are terrible. If the Seahawks don't address the position, they can have fun struggling offensively next year.

However, I have Crabtree going to the Rams for all the reasons I listed above. If Crabtree isn't available, it's fairly obvious that the Seahawks will take the top left tackle available to eventually supplant the 35-year-old Walter Jones.

Pick change; previously Michael Crabtree, WR






Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry, ILB, Wake Forest
With the hiring of Eric Mangini and the continued use of the 3-4 defense, it looks like this selection will come down to one of three players: Brian Orakpo, Aaron Curry or Everette Brown.

The Browns need help throughout their linebacking corps, so either one of the three would make sense.

I'm saying it'll be Curry, who will be an instant upgrade in the middle of the 3-4. Orakpo didn't play well in the Doritos Fiesta Bowl, while Brown at No. 5 will be a bit of a reach unless he blows everyone away at the Combine.


Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
I have trouble seeing this selection as anything but a left tackle. The oft-injured Levi Jones, Cincinnati's current player at the position, hasn't played well in two years and could be cut this spring. Stacy Andrews, meanwhile, is a free agent and could be replaced by Anthony Collins.

With Eugene Monroe off the board, it looks like this selection will be between Michael Oher and Jason Smith. Either makes sense, but I feel as though Oher is more talented. Regardless, the Bengals' front needs help; it surrendered 51 sacks in 2008.

Pick change; previously Eugene Monroe, OT


Oakland Raiders: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
If Michael Crabtree somehow makes it past St. Louis, Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland and Cincinnati, which is very unlikely, the Raiders will draft him. Unfortunately for the Silver and Black faithful, that's not very realistic.

Oakland needs to improve its offensive line. Mario Henderson played well at the end of the year, so Andre Smith will fit in nicely as a punishing run-blocker on the right side.

One guy I'm keeping a watch on is Everette Brown. I know Brown is strictly 3-4, but since when have Al Davis' draft picks made sense? If Brown dazzles with a great 40 at the Combine, Undead Al might go with the Florida State defensive end.

Pick change; previously Michael Oher, OT


Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
David Garrard's interception total has soared from three to 13 in just one year. But don't blame him. He was knocked down more than any other quarterback this season. And according to the sacks totals allowed by NFL left tackles, Khalif Barnes was one of the league's worst, surrendering 7.5 sacks.

Jacksonville must take care of its franchise quarterback. The team desperately needs to upgrade Garrard's blind side. Jason Smith, Mike Mayock's No. 1 offensive tackle, makes too much sense at this spot.


Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College
With the hiring of Dom Capers, the Packers will be switching to a 3-4. The centerpiece to any 3-4 is a monstrous, run-stuffing nose tackle - something Green Bay currently lacks.

Matt McGuire has done an excellent job with his 2009 Senior Bowl Updates. In them, you can read all about how B.J. Raji has debacled opposing offensive linemen all week. In the actual Senior Bowl, Raji proved to be unblockable. Raji has really risen his stock, and I really don't see him making it past No. 9. He could actually go higher than this. If he's not here, an alternative would be Everette Brown.


San Francisco 49ers: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
Manny Lawson has been a bust in terms of his ability to get to the quarterback. While Parys Haralson evolved into a dependable pass-rusher, Lawson has compiled six career sacks in 32 games. Terrible.

It's time for the 49ers to move on in terms of finding a dynamic sack artist. Everette Brown would be a nice solution; he fits the scheme and he finished the year with 21.5 TFL and 13.5 sacks.


Buffalo Bills: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
One of the reasons Buffalo collapsed from a 5-1 record and maintained the same draft position it had in April 2008 is its lacking pass rush. The team finished with 24 sacks on the year, and no player had more than four. I know Aaron Schobel missed most of the season, but the Bills had similar problems even when he was in the lineup.

Though he somewhat struggled in the Doritos Fiesta Bowl, Brian Orakpo had a brilliant senior campaign, finishing with 15.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks in 11 games.


Denver Broncos: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
Josh McDaniels was just hired as the head coach, and he brought on Mike Nolan as his defensive coordinator. Nolan will implement his 3-4 defense, meaning the Broncos will be busy scouring for the right personnel to fit that scheme in the next two drafts.

They can start by selecting Rey Maualuga, the top pure 3-4 inside linebacker on the board. Maybe he can help the team rank outside the bottom five in defense for the first time in ages.


Washington Redskins: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
The Redskins have major problems at right tackle. Jon Jansen, who turns 33 in January, is playing on his last legs. Jansen will be back with the team, but it's clear that Washington will be looking for a major upgrade at the position.

Eben Britton would fit in well on the right side, and could potentially slide over to the blind side once Samuels' time is up. I'm aware that Britton is a bit of a reach here, and there is a chance Washington could trade down. However, teams have reached for offensive tackles recently. Look at Sam Baker and Duane Brown last year. The position is in such high demand that some of the teams are just that desperate.


New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Cornerback isn't New Orleans' greatest need, especially with Tracy Porter coming back to the lineup. However, it's still a need that has to be addressed, and Malcolm Jenkins, a definite top-10 prospect, is the best player on the board. James Laurinaitis is also an option, but his stock has slipped a bit.

Pick change; previously James Laurinaitis, ILB


Houston Texans: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
This could be a spot where the Texans trade down. Their greatest needs this offseason are strong safety, guard, nose tackle and a 4-3 end to complement Mario Williams. Taking the best player at each of those four positions would be reaching.

If Houston can't find a trading partner, they may look at Vontae Davis. You can never have enough talented corners, and it's not like the Texans couldn't use an upgrade at the position. Davis is probably the top player available anyway, so I think this is Houston's best option considering the circumstances.

Pick change; previously William Moore, SS