With the 2009 NFL Draft looming, I figured I’d hop on the bandwagon and do my own mock draft…take a look below… Part I includes picks 1 through 10…
#1 Pick – Detroit Lions
And with the #1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions choose……Matthew Stafford out of the University of Georgia. Stafford is a QB with tremendous arm strength and football saavy. He and Calvin Johnson, Megatron, should get along just fine. With some quick development, Stafford can make a Matt Ryan-esque impact in Detroit in the next two years. As long as Detroit focuses on the defensive end of the ball, the Lions should see quick improvement. They may not win 6 or 8 games, but anything’s better than 0-16 right?!? A deal should be in place for Stafford by Saturday’s draft starting time…
#2 Pick – St. Louis Rams
And with the #2 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams choose……Jason Smith out of Baylor University. Smith is a stud Left Tackle that fits perfectly into St. Louis’ current void (it is enormous) on the left side of their offensive line with the recent absence of Orlando Pace. This pick makes perfect sense. The Rams should do anything to help out Steven Jackson who has taken a beating over the past few years with no run blocking in the trenches. Save the man some body parts St. Louis…
#3 Pick – Kansas City Chiefs
And with the #3 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs choose……Aaron Curry out of Wake Forest University. Curry is a highly touted Outside Linebacker out of a much improved 2008 ACC. Dominant in the middle of the field, Curry will help bolster the lack of defensive skill that K.C. currently has. That way, the Chiefs can keep Matt Cassel on the field…
#4 Pick – Seattle Seahawks
And with the #4 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks choose……Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, out of USC. There is tons of speculation as to what Seattle will do with this pick, but there shouldn’t be. Though they have some holes on the defensive end, Seattle needs somehow who can stay healthy and provide a future for Bobby Ingram, TJ Whosyourmomma and company. Yes, Hassleback has some left in him, but he’s getting older and has been recently injury prone. Having Seneca Wallace as your backup isn’t the brightest spot a team could have. Take a shot on Sanchez and let him at least learn for a year or two before taking the reigns from Hassleback. No reason not to here…
#5 Pick – Cleveland Browns
And with the #5 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns choose……Michael Crabtree out of Texas Tech University. The highest praised WR in the ’09 draft, Crabtree can fill Donte Stallworth’s role in the receiving core alongside Braylon Edwards and hopefully a Brady Quinn-led offense this year. If the Browns are smart, they can take some pressure off of Joshua Cribbs to be a go-to-all-the-time offensive weapon. Worst case scenario, if the Browns pull the trigger and actually get the guts to trade Edwards, Crabtree can quickly step into the #1 role and make an immediate impact. DeShean Jackson prototype anyone?!?…
#6 Pick – Cincinnati Bengals
And with the #6 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals choose……Andre Smith out of the University of Alabama. This Offensive Tackle is one of the missing links in protecting Carson Palmer’s life in Cincy. With so much talent, Palmer’s ability gets erased having only a second or two every down to get rid of the ball, let alone accurately and effectively down the field to Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson. It’s about time Cincy decided to help out the Palmer-Johnson connection. This addition has been a long time coming and has lots of upside…
#7 Pick – Oakland Raiders
And with the #7 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders choose……Eugune Monroe out of the Grape, the University of Virginia. Monroe is an excellent OT with great footwork and suprising speed off the line. With DMac, Darren McFadden, in the backfield, anything to open up holes in the running lanes is a plus for ‘Da Raidazzzzzz…..
#8 Pick – Jacksonville Jaguars
And with the #8 and most intriguing pick in the First Round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars choose……Jeremy Maclin out of Missouri. This Tiger set all kinds of Conference Records as only a freshman and provides an addition to a much needed hole alongside newly-acquired Torry Holt at the WR position. Many say that the Jags will take Sanchez, if he were still here, but that makes no sense. If they were smart, the Jags would fit in Maclin here and then draft Sam Bradford next year in the 2010 draft. They have too much invested in David Garrard already. WR works here…
#9 Pick – Green Bay Packers
And with the #9 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers choose……Brian Orakpo, a monster out of the Hook’em Horns University of Texas. Orakpo is an explosive pass rusher that will tag team with Aaron Kampman in Lambeau for a dangerous sack combination. Orakpo has lots of upside and scouts absolutely love his footwork, strength, and ball hawking ability. He’s addicted to the gym and seemingly gets bigger by the day. All this is great news for an ineffective Packer defense…
#10 Pick – San Francisco 49ers
And with the #10 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers choose……Clay Matthews out of USC. Matthews would be a surprise to go this early but like many other teams, the 49ers need a better pass rush. Who better here than Matthews who can also cover ground against the passing game? Considered gritty and field-smart, Matthews will get playing time right away and could also fill in at the Defensive End position if necessary…
Lebron, let me tell you, whether you win a title or not, you’re still the face and soul of the Cleveland sports community. The Indians are horrible, nobody even roots for the Browns anymore, and you’re just as pretty as Poster Boy Brady Quinn. James poured in 27 points, did whatever he wanted when he wanted, and reaped benefits of large contributions from his role player teammates. Delonte West added 21 points with Big Z and Mojo Williams adding over 10 a piece. Nice to have help, huh Lebron? You’ll say so when you have a big trophy in your hands in a few weeks….
Even still, the Nuggets are hot, led by their superstar scorer ‘Melo Anthony who dropped 40+ points last night. Anthony and company have finally come into their own as a true playoff and title contender after dismantling my New Orleans Hornets in the first round and now putting up a show against the Mavs. As for the KMart-Mark Cuban incident…keep reading…I’ll let you know my feelings in a bit…
Why? Because though he’s a crying baby, he still has an absolute rifle for an arm and is 13-1 when his defense gives up 21 points or less. That’s not too much to ask now is it defense? He’ll be a winner (and a pain in the locker room) if he goes to anyone who faintly knows how to defend an opponent.
I’m sorry Redskins fans, but unfortunately your “boss in the booth” has this reputation and just simply isn’t that bright. Be honest…all he is cash and he’s ready and willing to throw it around…whether it makes sense or not. If Snyder has any inklin he can give up his franchise to go get Denver’s QB, he’ll do it without thinking twice…until he realizes in two years that it hasn’t worked out and that he sacrificied the organization to do so. Sound familiar Mr. Snyder?
The Outside Looking In 