Last pre-combine NFL MockDraft (updated February 17th, 2009).
| TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION(S) | COLLEGE |
1. Detroit Lions |
Matthew Stafford |
QG |
Georgia |
| Though rumors have been plentiful that the Lions are going in another direction, barring a trade for Matt Cassell or an arrest, Matt Stafford will be the guy. Stafford is a three year SEC starter that has a stronger arm than most NFL quarterbacks, possesses a quick release, and has the ability to fit the ball into tight windows a la Jay Cutler coming out of college. His footwork needs to be improved as well as his overall consistency and decision making, but make no mistake, the Lions need a new face for their franchise and Stafford has all the tools necessary to make it as an elite NFL quarterback. | |||
2. St. Louis Rams |
Jason Smith |
OT |
Baylor |
| For the second year in a row NFL teams in need of the second most important offensive position are blessed with a plethora of options at left tackle. Smith has risen up draft boards as of late and when all is said and done may be the best of the bunch. Smith is a converted tight end who has great footwork, room to grow, and tremendous upside. Eugene Monroe is the safer pick but I think when all is said and done the Rams fall for Smith and his upside. | |||
3. Kansas City Chiefs |
Mark Sanchez |
QB |
USC |
| To me this is the hardest pick to mock in this years draft and the entire mock really hinges on which way the Chiefs decide to go here. Personally, I view Mark Sanchez as a prima dona quarterback that is too in love with himself already. Every draftnik seems to forget the interception he threw in the last minute drive against Oregon State that cost USC the game. Instead, they highlight his bowl play against Penn State corners that might not even make the practice squad of certain NFL teams. My question is; if Mark Sanchez was the quarterback for Oregon, would he be rated as highly? All that being said, Sanchez does have considerable upside and the ability to be a starter at the next level. Though Aaron Curry could be the pick here, I cannot justify a linebacker going this high. New regimes mean new quarterbacks taken and after Sanchez there is a huge drop off in talent. However, I still believe that if this were last years draft Sanchez would be finishing a distant third to Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. | |||
4. Seattle Seahawks |
Eugene Monroe |
OT |
UVA |
| The cliché pick it seems is to have Michael Crabtree going to the Seahawks. Though wide receiver is a need, protecting the blind side of Matt Hasslesuck or his eventual predecessor is much more valuable (just ask David Carr, he had Andre Johnson to throw to yet no offensive line). Monroe is the most NFL ready of the left tackles in this years draft and can be the replacement for the oft-injured and ancient future hall-of-famer Walter Jones. | |||
5. Cleveland Browns |
Aaron Curry |
ILB |
Wake Forest |
| As Mike Mayock points out, Curry is an elite prospect that can play any linebacker position at the NFL level. However, I believe he will fit perfectly as an inside linebacker in the Browns 3-4 scheme. Curry is an absolute monster and an instant candidate for defensive rookie of the year. I cannot possibly see how the Browns could pass on him if he is available. | |||
6. Cincinnati Bengals |
Andre Smith |
OT |
Alabama |
| Willie Anderson is with the Baltimore Ravens and Stacey Andrews is coming off a torn ACL. If Andre Smith is available this pick should take all of about .5 seconds. Smith is a mauling run blocker who needs to work on his footwork and pass protection skills but still has the tools to be a pro bowler at the next level. However, this is the Bengals we’re talking about and they could decide to trade Chad Johnson, not retain TJ Houshamizillie and draft Michael Crabtree. That or draft a drug dealer. | |||
7. Oakland Raiders |
Michael Crabtree |
WR |
Texas Tech |
| Everyone knows how much Al Davis loves triangle numbers and due to this most mocks have the Raiders taking Jeremy Maclin. However, if Crabtree is available Al Davis will not be able to pass on the Russell-Crab combo. | |||
8. Jacksonville Jaguars |
Michael Oher |
OT |
Ole Miss |
| While Jack Del Rio’s ties to USC make Rey Maualuga a possibility, Michael Oher will be the pick. It’s no secret that the Jaguars had offensive line trouble throughout the season and this was one of the main contributors to their pitiful offensive play. David Garrard must be protected. | |||
9. Green Bay Packers |
Malcolm Jenkins |
CB |
Ohio State |
| Al Harris and Charles Woodson are both in their thirties and the Packers need to inject some youth into their aging secondary. Though many would argue that BJ Raji should be the choice, nose tackles can be found later in the draft and the Packers have already decided to start Ryan Pickett at nose tackle. Look for the Packers to target Ron Brace or Terrance Taylor later on. However, a huge corner that was a four year starter and has no injury or academic issues that can learn behind two of the better corners in the NFL is too hard to pass up. | |||
10. San Francisco 49ers |
Brian Orakpo |
DE/OLB |
Texas |
| Orakpo is the top DE/OLB in the draft and the 49ers would be lucky if he falls to them here. Though again, many would argue for Raji here, the 49ers desperately need to inject some sort of pass rush into their defense. Manny Lawson has been a bust so far and outside of Patrick Willis the 49ers really do not have much to get excited about with regard to their linebacking corps. Furthermore, a high end pass rush generated by Orakpo could free up high priced corner Nate Clements to make plays in the secondary. | |||
11. Buffalo Bills |
Michael Johnson |
DE |
Georgia Tech |
| I know, I know this is rather high for Michael Johnson. However, I believe he is going to have an absolutely disgusting combine and reestablish himself as one of the top tier 4-3 defensive ends in the draft. The Bills have never been afraid to reach for prospect that fit their system or their needs, why stop now? I want to give them BJ Raji here; however the trade for Marcus Stroud last season makes that less likely in my mind. | |||
12. Denver Broncos |
B.J. Raji |
NT |
Boston College |
| The defensive rebuilding has begun in Denver and what better way to begin a new 3-4 defense than with a 3-4 nose tackle? Though new GM Brian Xanders has discussed trading down and garnering more picks to fit the many defensive needs Josh McDaniels inherited, if B.J. Raji is available the Broncos will pounce. Raji is perfect for the nose tackle position and the only reason I believe he falls this far is due to his year of academic suspension. By draft day, he could be long gone at this point. | |||
13. Washington Redskins |
Peria Jerry |
DT |
Ole Miss |
| The Redskins number one need is right tackle. However, all the elite tackles are off the board at the moment. I was tempted to give the Redskins Rey Maualuga but London Fletcher is still with the team and has performed well. Brian Cushing is another option but strong side linebackers can be found later in the draft and Cushing is better suited in a 3-4 defense. However, after Jerry the drop off of talent with regard to defensive tackle is substantial. The Redskins front four is atrocious and Jerry can go a long way in helping Jason Taylor wreak havoc off the edge by taking up blockers and visa versa. | |||
14. New Orleans Saints |
Rey Maualuga |
ILB |
USC |
| If Maualuga is still on the board the Saints will jump all over him. In need of a stand out, vocal, sexual harass…err, I mean hard hitting linebacker Maualuga is a perfect fit. Maualuga could also come in as a potential defensive rookie of the year. | |||
15. Houston Texans |
Vontae Davis |
CB |
Illinois |
| The Texans secondary is atrocious and they are unlikely to retain Dunta Robinson. Their biggest need in my mind is safety but this is a bit too high for Rashad Johnson or Louis Delmas. Enter Vontae Davis. Though he has laziness issues, he still has the most upside of any corner on the board and has the potential to be similar to Darrelle Revis at the next level | |||
16. San Diego Chargers |
Tyson Jackson |
DE |
LSU |
| The cliché pick in most mocks has been Chris “Beanie” Wells. However, Igor Olshanky is a free agent and Louis Castillo’s play has dropped off. Legitimate 3-4 defensive ends are tough to come by in the draft and Tyson Jackson reminds many of a young Ty Warren or Andre Smith. AJ Smith is one of the best General Mangers in the NFL and has been able to strike gold in drafting running backs later in the draft (see Michael Turner and Darren Sproles). At 6’5 290 pounds, Jackson, this consummate leader, professional and hard worker will fit in perfectly. Bronco fans will groan collectively at this pick. | |||
17. New York Jets |
Sean Smith |
CB/S |
Utah |
| Every draft has its shock pick and I believe Sean Smith is it. This pick will either make me look like a moron or a genius and I’m ok with going out on a limb for Smith. Drawing comparisons to Nnamdi Asomugha, Smith’s stock is soaring. If you haven’t heard of him by now, you will by draft day. Look for him to vaunt his way into the first round. Beanie Wells could be a great pick here due to Thomas Jones’s age; however, secondary issues are the Jets’ biggest issue. | |||
18. Chicago Bears |
Eben Britton |
OT |
Arizona |
| Even though the Bears drafted Chris Williams last year, they need a book end to pair with him. John Tait just retired and the Bears offensively line is aging by the second. Jeremy Maclin or Larry English could also be looked at here, but at the end of the day, running the ball with Matt Forte is more important and the Bears have shown a knack for finding great defensive ends in the later rounds. | |||
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Josh Freeman |
QB |
Kansas State |
| New Regime, New Quarterback. Book it | |||
20. Detroit Lions |
William Beatty |
OT |
Uconn |
| Must…Protect…Quarterback. After the success of the Atlanta Falcons in drafting Matt Ryan first and then reaching for Sam Baker, look for the Lions to try to mirror this drafting strategy. | |||
21. Philadelphia Eagles |
Chris “Beanie” Wells |
RB |
Ohio State |
| The Eagles desperately need a large running back to take the pressure off of Brian Westbrook and more importantly for goal line carries. It seems every time the eagles entered the red zone they would hand the ball off to Westbrook and not convert. A huge back like Wells is a perfect fit. | |||
22. Minnesota Vikings |
Alex Mack |
C |
Cal |
| Matt Birk is 33 and an unrestricted free agent. Look for the Vikings to target Alex Mack or Max Unger as his replacement. | |||
23. New England Patriots |
Everrette Brown
|
DE/OLB |
FSU |
| For some reason every draftnik seems to be much higher on Everette Brown than I am. Maybe he will prove me wrong at the combine but he seems to lack the strength currently to start at the NFL level as a rookie and gets jammed at the line of scrimmage. That being said, Brown falling to the Patriots at 23 would be an absolute steal and his ability to get to the quarterback is quite evident with his 13 sacks this year. | |||
24. Atlanta Falcons |
Brandon Pettigrew |
TE |
Oklahoma State |
| There is not a bigger slam dunk in the draft than if Pettigrew is available when the Falcons are drafting. Matt Ryan needs a safety valve and the Falcons are essentially a tight end away from being one of the NFL’s elite offenses. Pettigrew is a throwback tight end that is an aggressive blocker and has great hands. | |||
25. Miami Dolphins |
Brian Cushing |
DE/OLB |
USC |
| Bill Parcells loves to draft linebackers. Cushing was born to play for guys like Tony Sparono and Bill Parcells. An overachiever that can play multiple positions, Cushing could do wonders in the schemes that Miami employs. | |||
26. Balitmore Ravens |
Jeremy Maclin |
WR |
Missiouri |
| Derek Mason is ageing and the other receivers on the Ravens are number three wide outs at best. Maclin can help in the return game and open the field with his speed. He will go a long way in helping Joe Flacco develop. | |||
27. Indianapolis Colts |
Knowshon Moreno |
RB |
Georgia |
| I am utterly shocked to see Moreno fall this far but this shows the lack of need when it comes to running backs in the NFL. Joseph Addai has been unable to stay healthy and Addai isn’t even in the same conversation as Moreno with regard to talent, speed, or pass catching ability. He is ranked as one of my top players in the draft and if he falls this far I foresee a team trading back up into the first round to get him. | |||
28. Philadelphia Eagles |
Max Unger |
OT/G/C |
Oregon |
| Unger has the ability to play any position on the offensive line. With all the offensive line troubles they currently have and the possible loss of acient Tra Thomas and/or Jon Runyan to free agency, Unger would be a wise choice. | |||
29. New York Giants |
James Laurinaitis |
ILB |
Ohio State |
| Antonio Pierce is falling off and the Giants need an eventual replacement for him at inside linebacker. Laurinaitis reminds me of the classic lunch pale linebacker. Much like a poor mans AJ Hawk but better than Paul Pousluzney | |||
30. Tennessee Titans |
D.J. Moore |
CB |
Vanderbilt |
| The Titans need a playmaking corner to play opposite Cortland Finnegan. Moore could step in and win the job against Nick Harper. | |||
31. Arizona Cardinals |
Larry English
|
DE/OLB |
Northern Illinois
|
| An absolutely perfect fit as an OLB in the 3-4 defense English would go a long way in injecting youth into an ageing linebacking corps and a lackluster defense that arguably cost the Cardinals the Superbowl. | |||
32. Pittsburgh Steelers |
Andy Levitre |
G |
Oregon State |
| The top guard prospect in the draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line needs all the help it can get in protecting Big Ben. | |||
Why no Mark Sanchez?!!
Are you saying that if the draft was today these teams would have these picks? Or are you saying that the Super Bowel will be Tennessee vs. New York
If the draft were today.
michael oher is a monster
Because Mark Sanchez sucks.
Stafford is not #1 worthy, they should go with off or def line build their awful team from the core
I agree one hundred percent with regards to Stafford not being the right pick. However, I’m just trying to predict (even though its very far off) what the lions will do.
Tim. I think every team that wants to draft you should take a look at the progression of Alex Smith. Same coach, same system. Lotsa luck, buddy.
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Can’t wait to tool all over you Sam.
you need to update…really
Packers have the 9th pick, not the 20th, or 29th.
Pencil in for the 9th pick: Aaron Maybin DE Penn St goes to the Packers.
taylor mays is staying ing school
Are you kidding me? The teams aren’t even in the correct draft order. LOL @ This Mock Draft. It’s a mockery.
wrong order
Are u kidding donald brown will be in the top 20
ya i no darious butler is goin 1st round and where the heck is will beatty and cody brown GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!
YA KEV CHIEFS PICK THIRD ARE YOU TRYING TO PREDICT MOCK TRADES AS WELL….LEMME GIVE U SOME ADVICE, SAVE YOU TIME WRITE ABOUT SOMETHING THAT MATTERS !!! GOOD LUCK TRYING TO BECOME MEL KIPER THE THIRD….TAKE IT EASY BRO
I’ll update soon. This mock is from November so its quite old.
I’m amazed that people are so stupid that they actually think this is the wrong order instead of an old mock draft. Look at the date of the post you ignorant fuck-tards. My god the NFL does not need fans that do not know how to read the US date format.
You are way off. You dont even have the right draft order and your very short sited on your picks.
Wow… Larry… wow…
[...] Posts Ashley Russell; rivals.com sports reporter, hotKickin’ it With Kevin- NFL Mock DraftAllen Iverson Cuts HairChris Cooley is just a normal broWho ya got: Keri Wiesen vs Bentley [...]
Animal, Jr. is a poor man’s Hawk? Ohhhh WHAT A RUSH!
Your mock is far superior to mine. Will you buy my site for $5?
michael johnson way too high. other than that, no shockers really. we’ll see.
Florio,
I’m sorry I don’t have Michael Crabtree going to the Broncos or Maclin and Nicks going in the top ten before him. I actually study players and tape, not randomly generate names on a sheet.
That being said.
I’ll offer you 4 dollars for your site.
do you even know who josh freeman is? nice analysis kid.
Percy Harvin allllll day.
Ain’t nobody who can man up on Crab.
Orakpo is the second coming of Ware
da raiders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
succckkkkkkkkkkkk
Apparently humor is lost on the “Anonymous” poster regarding Josh Freeman. By the way, I’m not a “kid” and I am in fact, your father…
Harrel and Crabtree together.
any team that drafts crabtree would be crazy to pass on harrell.
The woudl be heisman candidate 2 years running in the 5th or 6th round….
I dont think so.
yea Im sure the bengals are probably just gonna go get a drug dealer that makes alot of sense witht he sixth pick. They havent had any off the feild issues for over a year way to make yourself look stupid and original.
Chris Henry was actually arrested again April 2, 2008. Last year they also drafted Pat Simms
To Quote the Officer that arrested Andy Kennedy, “You think we’ve never arrested somebody that’s made national media? …We deal with the Bengals all the time.”
Also I just wanted to point out that the way you phrased your sentence, “that makes alot of sense witht [sic] pick” implies that you would be fine with the Bengals drafting a drug dealer with a later pick. Just putting it out there.
All that being said. The point of the mock was to analyze players, not the Bengals and their infamous arrest records.
Update coming soon…
phins to the Superbowl next year
phinssuck. fill your stadium.