APFootball's Early 2009 Mock Draft

[Tribal Warfare]

http://www.freewebs.com/apfootball/2009nflmockdraft.htm


Last Updated: 5/20/08 - Draft Updated

1st Round

1. Atlanta Falcons – Michael Oher OT, Ole Miss

The Falcons easily look like they'll be the worst team in the NFL next year. They are just way too inexperienced and don't have all the pieces yet. They had a goo draft this year, but they need to expound on that. That being said, Sam Baker may have been chosen already with the 21st pick of the 2008 draft, but Michael Oher is just WAY too good of a prospect to give up. Also, none of the other picks are truly worthy of holding this spot. Oher is talented and can play either tackle position for them.

2. Oakland Raiders – James Laurinaitis ILB, Ohio State

We all know that Al Davis loves his playmakers. What better playmaker is there than James Laurinaitis. While Michael Crabtree actually wouldn't be a bad choice at this position, they signed Javon walker this offseason so they aren't in desparate need of a wide receiver. Laurinaitis is easily the top linebacker, himself at least being as good as his former Ohio State linebacker, AJ Hawk. The Raiders really need someone to wreak havoc in their linebacking corp as their front four and back four are pretty solid.

3. Miami Dolphins – Michael Crabtree WR, Texas Tech

The Dolphins drafted Ted Ginn 2 years ago, however his production has been very poor since coming to Miami. Some of that can be attributed to poor quarterbacking, but the Dolphins need another receiver. Although there are many other needs other than wide receiver, Crabtree is too good of a prospect and has too much potential to pass on him.

4. Chicago Bears – Tim Tebow QB, Florida

This may be a slight reach, however the Bears really need a quarterback. It’s surprising that they didn’t draft a quarterback this last draft because Rex Grossman and Brian Griese are entering the final years of their contract. I doubt that the Bears will resign Grossman, because they just signed him to a 1-year deal. I thought this was because they wanted to draft a quarterback to groom for a year, but apparently not.

5. San Francisco 49ers – Tyson Jackson DE, LSU

The Giants proved that in order to win a championship you need a pass-rush, something that the 49ers do not have. The two starters going into training camp had a mere 3.5 sacks last year. Most defensive ends have double that… individually.

6. New York Jets – Chris Wells RB, Ohio State

The Jets stole Jones from the Bears last year, but it ended up not being much of a steal. He was not productive and he’s getting old. They missed out on McFadden this draft, but Wells should easily fall to them. He’s a great running back who can seriously help a deprived franchise.

7. Detroit Lions – Fili Moala DT, USC

The Lions traded Shaun Rodgers to the Browns without getting anyone of significance in return. The Lions will probably finish close to last in defense again this season meaning they’ll get a high draft pick. Hopefully they’ll use this draft pick to get a defensive player. They keep on drafting offense with their 1st rounder and it just doesn’t make sense because of their poor defense.

8. Kansas City Chiefs – Rey Maualuga MLB, USC

Even without Keith Rivers, the USC linebackers are one solid group. Maualuga is a great middle linebacker who always seems to be where the ball is. He’s a solid tackler who can really help a Chiefs team who has a really solid young nucleus that will be productive. Branden Albert and Brandon Flowers are solid role players who will help this team. Maualuga can step in and add to their youth and help the Chiefs improve.

9. Houston Texans – Malcolm Jenkins CB, Ohio State

Jenkins would have probably been the top cornerback selected in this year’s draft. Although the need for a cornerback isn’t that large, Jenkins would be too much of a steal at this point. He’s close to a top-5 prospect if he isn’t already.

10. St. Louis Rams – Andre Smith OT, Alabama

The Dolphins picked Jake Long first overall making the Rams have to wait another year for their offensive line to gain a great young prospect. Even with Michael Oher off the board, Smith is a special player. Apparently he lost 30 pounds in the offseason at his coach’s request. For anyone to be so disciplined to lose 30 pounds is amazing.

11. Baltimore Ravens – Al Woods DT, LSU

The Ravens are probably shocked that the top defensive tackle fell out of the top 10. He isn’t the quickest defensive tackle but he certainly anchors the middle of that line. He draws comparison to his former teammate Sedrick Ellis.

12. Denver Broncos – Michael Johnson DE, Georgia Tech

The Broncos have one of the best cornerback tandems in the league in Champ Bailey and Dre Bly. However they have no defensive line. If Fili Moala drops this low, I think the Broncos would pick him, but since the next best defensive linemen is Johnson, I think he gets picked here.

13. Cincinnati Bengals – Sen’Derrick Marks DT, Auburn

After getting robbed of Sedrick Ellis by the Saints, the Bengals have a huge void at defensive tackle. They have a huge void in defense in general, but after the Shaun Rodgers trade falling through, and Sedrick Ellis taken right before them, the Bengals really need a defensive tackle.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sam Bradford QB, Oklahoma
Jeff Garcia is 38, and like Favre, he’ll probably retire soon despite the fact that he can still play at a high level. Football requires not only physical skill, but the mental concentration to sustain a starting job for 17 weeks (or more if you make the playoffs). Despite their insane number of quarterbacks on their roster (7), none are good enough to take the starting job once Garcia leaves.

15. Washington Redskins – George Selvie DE, USF

The Redskins failed to address their need of a pass-rushing defensive end in this previous draft. Granted they got great offensive players, a defensive end is still needed. For Selvie to drop out of the top 15 is crazy, which makes me have to have the Redskins pick him here.

16. Green Bay Packers – Eugene Monroe OT, Virginia
The Packers are pretty much set on defense with the addition of Patrick Lee at cornerback. Maybe another cornerback should be added, but there’s no question that they need some offensive line depth. 4th round picks do not count. The Packers need genuine talent to protect Aaron Rodgers.

17. New York Giants – Brian Cushing OLB, USC

It might be too soon to say Kiwanuka is a bust at linebacker, but I’ll say it anyways. He’s averaging 40 tackles and 4 sacks in his two years in New York. The 4 sacks is a good number, but I think it’s best for him and the Giants if they bring him in during pass-rushing situations. Cushing however is a great run-stopper and would excel in running situations.

18. Buffalo Bills – Taylor Mays SS, USC

As the top strong safety prospect in the draft, he’ll help a very thin secondary in Buffalo. The secondary looks promising with all starters being 28 and under, but depth could still be added.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (From Carolina Panthers) – William Moore FS, Missouri
Brian Dawkins is going to turn 35 this coming season. He’s a great safety, but he was injured for 6 games last season and their defense wasn’t the same. He’s entering the final year of his contract, and if the Eagles do resign him, it won’t be to a long-term deal. The Eagles need to look for his replacement.

20. Seattle Seahawks – Percy Harvin WR, Florida

The receivers in Seattle were injured for most of the year, and their passing game struggled because of it. No receiver was drafted this year, so hopefully they’ll address the problem in ’09.

21. Minnesota Vikings – Vontae Davis CB, Illinois

The Vikings have the best run defense and offense in the league. The only problem is their pass defense and offense. Lucky for the Vikings, the secondary is much easier to fix than their passing game. Davis can be inserted as a starter or a player in the nickel defense.

22. Indianapolis Colts – Duke Robinson OG, Oklahoma

Injuries killed the Colts last year, and they still managed to get a 13-3 record. One problem was their offensive line, and Robinson is the best offensive lineman left.

23. Arizona Cardinals – Knowshon Moreno RB, Georgia

With Edgerrin James getting old, the Cardinals need a running back. Moreno is a workhorse who will complement the Cards’ passing game well.

24. New Orleans Saints – Alex Mack C, California

It’s a bit surprising to see a center go in the first round, but Mack is that good. The Saints’ starting center, Jonathan Goodwin, is inconsistent and old. Mack is much better of a blocker and snapper and could help immediately.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Phil Loadholt OT, Oklahoma

Another huge offensive lineman to help that physical running game. With Mendenhall drafted, it’s hard to not focus on the running game. A 1-2 punch of Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall is scary to imagine because of how their running styles complement each other.

26. Philadelphia Eagles – Myron Rolle SS, Florida State

With one of the most improved secondaries in the league, the Eagles could use some help at safety. Brian Dawkins spent most of his time at the starting free safety position, but he’s much of a better fit at cornerback.

27. Cleveland Browns – Greg Hardy DE, Ole Miss
Now that the Browns have two amazing defensive tackles, they need to add some defensive ends. They’ll probably move Williams to the outside, but they’ll need someone opposite of him. I can tell you Robaire Smith is definitely not that person.

28. Tennessee Titans – Jeremy Maclin WR, Missouri

Lavelle Hawkins? Are you kidding me? The Titans need to learn how to draft. Maclin is a wide receiver, and it doesn’t really matter who they pick, as long as it’s not in the 4th round. Their receivers are that bad.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travis Beckum TE, Wisconsin

In a lot of 2008 mocks Davis was going to the Jaguars. However due to his slip it would have been a reach to draft him in the 1st round. He was gone by the 2nd, so the Jaguars didn’t have a chance to get him. Beckum could be a great tight end. He’s big and will provide Garrard a consistent receiver.

30. San Diego Chargers – Brandon Spikes MLB, Florida
I wrote last year that the Chargers should draft Dan Connor because of their horrible middle linebackers. It still remains the same this year with Jerod Mayo being drafted by the Patriots and Dan Connor’s draft stock fall, with the Chargers having phenomenal outside linebackers but their inside linebackers could use some work.

31. Dallas Cowboys – Aaron Kelly WR, Clemson

The Cowboys desperately need a #2 receiver. Crayton couldn’t do it last season, and I doubt that one will emerge this coming season.

32. New England Patriots – Maurice Evans DE, Penn State

As a good 3-4 rush linebacker, the Patriots could really use Evans. He could eventually replace Vrabel, without having the pressure to contribute immediately.

[milkman]

Sedrick Ellis played for LSU?

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by milkman

Sedrick Ellis played for LSU?

He mentioned Ellis three times so it was slip

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

He mentioned Ellis three times so it was slip

Well...........duh....