2009 NFL Draft
Mock Draft No. 2 - February 24 (Post Combine)
Ma
By
Pete Fiutak
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2009 NFL Combine Numbers
Quarterbacks
| Running Backs & Fullbacks
| Receivers
Tight
Ends | Centers & Guards
|
Off. Tackles
Def. Ends |
Def. Tackles
|
Inside LBs
|
Outside LBs
Cornerbacks |
Safeties
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2009 NFL Draft Post-Workout
Rankings
Quarterbacks |
Running Backs |
Fullbacks |
Receivers |
Tight Ends
Centers |
Guards |
Off. Tackles |
Def. Ends |
Def. Tackles
Inside LBs |
Outside LBs |
Cornerbacks |
Safeties
1. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB
Georgia
Stafford or Sanchez? Sanchez or Stafford? The Lions might be thinking
for a second or two about Aaron Curry, but they need the franchise
quarterback and Stafford did nothing at the Combine to suggest that
he'll be anything less than an ultra-safe star to build around.
2. St. Louis Rams - Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest
Offensive tackle is a must, but Curry has been the far and away best
player in workouts. He's No. 1 worthy, and for a defense that could use
as many leaders and playmakers as possible, this would be a great piece
to the overall puzzle.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - Mark Sanchez, QB USC
Almost all the question marks about his desire, his character, and his
desire to be anything but special were all answered in Indianapolis. He
might not have the greatest arm of the prospects, but it's more than
good enough. He'll need a year or two of seasoning, but Kansas City
needs an upgrade at quarterback in a huge way.
4. Seattle Seahawks - Jason Smith, OT Baylor
Wide receiver is a must, but securing a top offensive tackle is also a
priority. It'll be a battle between Smith and Eugene Monroe for the
spot. Smith will get the nod after a fantastic Combine.
5. Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo, DE Texas
His workouts have been fantastic and he has done nothing to show that
he's not going to be a beast at the next level. Even with a tweaked
hamstring, he's been every bit as athletic and as strong as expected.
6. Cincinnati Bengals - Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia
The Bengals desperately need more help for the line and could use
another offensive tackle to build around with Levi Jones having problems
staying healthy. If it's not Monroe, it'll be Jason Smith if he slides.
7. Oakland Raiders - Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech
He's not going to run, and that'll do nothing but help him. With
rumors swirling that he's more of a high 4.6 runner, and measuring
smaller than expected, he'll slide. While he doesn't have the elite
speed that Al Davis likes, he's a brand name player who fits the college
all-star team he likes to assemble.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss
Left tackle is a need pick for the future, and Oher, issues and all, is
still a safer pick at the moment than Andre Smith. However, don't be
shocked if the Jaguars go with the best player available theory and go
Malcolm Jenkins.
9. Green Bay Packers - B.J. Raji, DT Boston College
Raji was fast, athletic, and smooth at the Combine. He did nothing
to diminish his status after a strong Senior Bowl.
10. San Francisco 49ers - Andre Smith, OT Alabama
The damage control will kick in over the next few weeks after the PR
nightmare in Indy, but questions about his work ethic and character will
cause him to slide. Mike Singletary is a true believer that he's a
molder of men, and he's not going to let Smith slide.
11. Buffalo Bills - Everette Brown, DE Florida State
The Bills desperately need a steady pass rush, and it'll be between
Brown, Brian Orakpo, and Aaron Maybin. The team likes Nittany Lions, but
Brown is better than Maybin.
12. Denver Broncos - Aaron Maybin, DE Penn State
With the 3-4 defensive scheme, the Broncos need versatile players on
the outside. Maybin is a strong tweener who can be the disruptive force
the defense needs.
13. Washington Redskins - Rey Maualuga, LB USC
An offensive lineman would be nice, a pass rusher would be a plus,
and a game-breaking receiver might be a need, but Maualuga, hamstring
issue and all, is too good a player to fall any further.
14. New Orleans Saints - Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State
Jenkins didn't do enough at the Combine to show he deserves to be taken
in the top ten, but he's still the top corner on the board for a team
that needs as much defensive help as possible. A linebacker is also a
need.
15. Houston Texans - Tyson Jackson, DE LSU
The Texans will look to continue to build up front on both sides of
the line. A huge lineman like Jackson could flourish on the other side
of Mario Williams, even if the former LSU star isn't an elite pass
rusher. Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson could also be a good fit.
16. San Diego Chargers - Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia
The Chargers must come up with a plan as L.T. winds down. Moreno
would be a steal here.
17. New York Jets - Beanie Wells, RB Ohio State
The Jet secondary was being picked clean late last year, but the
cornerback value is in the second round and beyond. A top-shelf running
back would do wonders for the offense, and if Beanie can combine carries
with Thomas Jones, the Jets would suddenly have a tremendous ground
attack.
18. Chicago Bears - Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri
A pass rush is a must and the secondary could use some work, but the
league's worst receiving corps desperately needs a playmaker. Maclin is
the all-around gamebreaker the Bears desperately need.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss
A running back is more of a must, but if Knowshon Moreno and Beanie
Wells are off the board, the Bucs will need to beef up a decaying
defensive front with an active anchor in Jerry.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)
- Percy Harvin, WR Florida
An elite offensive tackle would be nice, but the Lions need
playmakers. Lots of playmakers. While the idea of drafting yet another
wide receiver in the first round might make Detroit fans wretch, the
quarterback taken No. 1 overall (Stafford or Sanchez) and Daunte
Culpepper will need targets. Harvin, on the other side of Calvin
Johnson, and as an occasional runner, would be devastating.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
- Brian Cushing, LB USC
The athleticism and versatility would make Cushing a nice fit for a
variety of spots on the Eagle defense. The Eagles might go offensive
line here, but the value will come in the second round.
22. Minnesota Vikings - Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State
Sage Rosenfels. Again, ladies and gentlemen, Sage Rosenfels. Don't
be stunned if Freeman becomes a top ten-caliber prospect by the time
draft day rolls around.
23. New England Patriots - James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State
Even after a mediocre Combine, Laurinaitis is still the sort of
steady defender who'd be plugged into the New England defense for the
next ten years. Combining with Jerod Mayo, last year's star first round
pick, the Pats would suddenly have the makings of a tremendous
linebacking corps.
24. Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State
The big OSU tight end didn't run all that well in Indianapolis, but
he's still everyone's top prospect and would be an excellent weapon for
Matt Ryan to work with.
25. Miami Dolphins - Larry English, DE Northern Illinois
More of a boost for the passing game would be nice, but the Dolphins
are going to find ways to get to the quarterback. English is a pure pass
rusher who could be unstoppable right away with everyone paying
attention to Joey Porter.
26. Baltimore Ravens - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland
The Ravens have never had a game-breaking receiver who can hit the
home run from anywhere on the field. The 4.3 torn off by Heyward-Bey is
enough to make Joe Flacco drool.
27. Indianapolis Colts - Hakeem Nicks, WR North Carolina
With Marvin Harrison gone, the Colts will get younger and better
with Hakeem Nicks. His hands and route running ability would be ideal
for Peyton Manning to work with.
28. Philadelphia Eagles
(from Carolina) - Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma
LeSean McCoy, or another running back, might be the pick, but the
Eagles also like to build up the line whenever possible. Robinson would
add more athleticism and size to the front five.
29. New York Giants - Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech
Pass rusher, pass rusher, pass rusher. The Giants love to get to the
quarterback on a regular basis, that's how they won the Super Bowl, and
Johnson would be a nice piece of the puzzle.
30. Tennessee Titans - Vonte Davis, CB Illinois
Doing something for the woeful passing game is job one, but
Tennessee is notorious for not going after receivers in the draft.
The secondary is hardly a need, but Davis and his speed would find
somewhere in the secondary to play.
31. Arizona Cardinals - LeSean McCoy, RB Pitt
Tim Hightower was exposed for being Tim Hightower over the second half
of last season, and Edgerrin James doesn't have it anymore. Arizona hit
the jackpot with its other Pitt offensive star, and then Larry
Fitzgerald would be even better with a talented all-around back like
McCoy.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Mack, C California
Eventually, the Steelers are going to be tired of Ben Roethlisberger
getting killed. They need an upgrade on the line in a big way.