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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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NFL Mock Draft 2009 By Ron Jumper It is finally time for my Mock Draft, as I have taken time to thoroughly evaluate each team’s needs along with the ability of the individual prospects. This has been the hardest draft I’ve covered to get a solid feel for what is going on at the top of the draft. It seems like everyday a new name makes his way into or out of the top 10. This is my one and only mock that I will post and, hopefully, it can be as accurate as last year when I outpicked both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. Actually, I was one of only three Mock Drafts (out of almost 200) that had the top 6 picks in exact order. There are several key factors that can change the landscape of the first round drastically, starting at quarterback. If Stafford doesn’t go first, how far does he slide? Seattle has hinted they might go QB, then Jacksonville at 8, and San Francisco at 10. The earlier Sanchez is off the board, the sooner Josh Freeman gets off the board. If Stafford goes 1st and Sanchez goes 4th, then you have to wonder what teams that need a QB will do. The Broncos at 12, Redskins at 13, Jets at 17, and the Bucs at 19 would all be looking hard at Freeman. Another key variable is wide receiver, Crabtree could go anywhere from 3 to 8 in my opinion. Many would say that both Crabtree and Maclin will be off the board by the time the Jags pick at 8. After that, there is much uncertainty because the Browns are looking to trade Braylon Edward, the Bengals are looking to trade Chad Ocho Cinco, and the Cardinals are “entertaining” offers for Anquan Boldin. The Bears, Bucs, Eagles, Giants, and Ravens are known to be coveting a wide receiver, either via the draft, free agency, or trade. Depending on who unloads their top wideout to what team, that could drastically change when the second tier of wide receiver prospects get drafted. Guys like Percy Harvin, Darrius Heyward-Bay, Kenny Brit, and Hakeem Nicks could slide up and down draft boards as teams decide whether or not to trade picks for proven yet disgruntled wide receivers. There are a handful of players who are just all over the board, depending on what source you look at. CB/FS Malcom Jenkins has been projected anywhere from 5 by Cleveland to 15 by Houston. DE Tyson Jackson has been seen going to the Packers at 9 and then all way back to end of the first round. Some really feel the Bills will grab TE Brandon Pettigrew at 11, then others could see him falling all the way to either the Falcons at 24 or the Bills again at 28. The last guy that leaves me puzzled is Ole Miss LT Michael Oher, as he is starting to climb the boards into the top 10 after being projected around pick 20 to the Lions. Mock Draft 2009: 1. Detroit Lions: QB Mathew Stafford, Georgia This isn’t what I would do, but the Lions are feeling the pressure to generate excitement and put butts in the seats. Stafford is no Matt Ryan but, if the fans will be patient, he does have the arm strength and mechanics to excel in the NFL. 2. St. Louis Rams: OT Jason Smith, Baylor The Rams are getting one of the safer picks in this draft. Granted, I don’t think Smith has the same upside that Jake Long has last year but he is talented just the same. Just in case you haven’t heard, Smith was a former tight end that grew into an athletic left tackle. 3. Kansas City Chiefs: LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest This is the guy I would take first overall. Curry is a can’t-miss linebacker prospect and, truthfully, the only elite prospect in this draft that would have been the top guy at his position in the last couple of drafts. Keep in mind, I was one of the few people who raved endlessly about Jerod Mayo. 4. Seattle Seahawks: OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia The Seahawks have been rumored to be flirting with the idea of taking Mark Sanchez. I think they take the safest pick on the board here in Monroe. The Seahawks had a rough year in 2008 due to injuries, but I don’t think they are that far away from being back to relevance in 2009. 5. Cleveland Browns: DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas Some aren’t as high on Orakpo and call him a “Workout Warrior” and such. I beg to differ, he was very productive at Texas and should have no problem providing the Browns with a much needed pass rush. 6. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Andre Smith, Alabama Smith is the biggest risk/reward in the draft. I wouldn’t touch him, but it appears the Bengals will take him off the board here. Reaching for Oher is possible here because they are desperate for help on the offensive line. 7. Oakland Raiders: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri Maclin is a speedster and is exactly what Al Davis wants. Is Crabtree better? Absolutely, but I am very confident the Raiders go Maclin here. 8. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech The Jags did just sign Tory Holt, but if a franchise wide receiver falls into your lap can you really pass it up? Holt is in his 30’s and is certainly on the down side of his career. The Jags won’t pass on Crabtree if he is here. 9. Green Bay Packers: DE Tyson Jackson, LSU This is our first reach of the night, but I think it has a great shot at happening. The Packers are switching to the 3-4 and need the right kind of DE’s and OLB’s to fit that scheme. Jackson should fit in nicely. 10. San Francisco 49ers: QB Mark Sanchez, USC The 49ers had better make this pick if he falls this far. They are desperate for a QB and Sanchez is a pretty solid value at this point. It is also much more economical to get a QB at 11 then in the top 5. 11. Buffalo Bills: DE/OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn State 12. Denver Broncos: DT B.J. Raji, Boston College 13. Washington Redskins: DE Everette Brown, Florida State 14. New Orleans Saints: RB Chris Wells, Ohio State 15. Houston Texans: CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State 16. San Diego Chargers: ILB Brian Cushing, USC 17. New York Jets: QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State 18. Denver Broncos: DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss 20. Detroit Lions: OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss 21. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia 22. Minnesota Vikings: CB Vontae Davis, Illinois 23. New England Patriots: OLB Clay Mathews, USC 24. Atlanta Falcons TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State 25. Miami Dolphins: WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers 26. Baltimore Ravens: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland 27. Indianapolis Colts: WR Percy Harvin, Florida 28. Buffalo Bills: OT Eben Britten, Arizona 29. New York Giants: ILB Rey Maualuga, USC 30. Tennessee Titans: DT Evander “Ziggy” Hood 31. Arizona Cardinals: RB Donald Brown, UConn 32. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Sean Smith, Utah April 21, 2009 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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