Yes, the 2008 draft just happened LAST WEEKEND, but OSU fans can get excited about the possibilities of some of their Buckeyes playing on Sundays in the future, right? Here’s a look at how the 2009 draft’s first may turn out (order based on prediction of finish in 2008-2009 season):
1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia- with Brody Croyle not proving to anyone that he is the franchise quarter back for the Chiefs, Herm Edwards and co. select the best QB prospect on the board in early entry Matt Stafford. Stafford has progressed nicely in his two seasons at Georgia and may be poised to take the Bull Dogs on a run to the National Championship in Miami this season.
2. ST. LOUIS RAMS- Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss- After missing out on a franchise left tackle in this year’s draft, the Rams finally fill the void that will be left by Orlando Pace with Oher, a big lineman who projects to be a top 5 pick next season.
3. ATLANTA FALCONS- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech- Some people feel Crabtree is a product of Coach Mike Leach’s system, but this kid has skills. He’s tall, long, and athletic and is capable of making the big play happen. The Falcons drafted Matt Ryan and signed Michael Turner, and now, all they need is a big play threat at receiver to complete their offense.
4. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Fili Moala, DT, USC- The dolphins started their rebuilding plan on offense this year and with a slight improvement in 2008-2009 will need to build up their defense. Moala is a guy who was over-shadowed by Sedrick Ellis last season, but will certainly make his impact felt for the Trojans this year.
5. CHICAGO BEARS- Tim Tebow, QB, Florida- The Bears luck did not turn out so well with former Gator Rex Grossman, so they turn their attention to a new Gator in Tebow. The Heisman Trophy winner could play right away in Chicago and will make plays with his legs and his arm in the Windy City.
6. DENVER BRONCOS- James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State- The Broncos are looking to solidify their defense and a MLB spot that has been left vacant by Al Wilson. The “Little Animal” fits perfectly into what Shannahan is trying to do and would be a solid addition in Mile High.
7. DETROIT LIONS- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech- This speedy pass rusher will give the Lions something to be excited about on the defensive front as thier only pass rusher last season,Shaun Rogers, was recently traded to the Browns. Johnson is a bit under-sized but his fundamental skills as an end and raw athleticism should be enough for him to make the transition to the pro game.
8. SAN FRANCISCO 49ers- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama- Smith and Joe Staley would make up the best young offensive line book-ends in the league and would help Frank Gore and Alex Smith tremendously. The Niners could go QB here in a guy like Sam Bradford or Hunter Cantwell (if his stock rises this season), but they have more pressing needs.
9. OAKLAND RAIDERS- Al Woods, DT, LSU- Woods is an ideal fit for the Raiders and would step right into Warren Sapp’s place. A tackle who can raise havoc in the opponents back-field is hard to find and Woods is that type of player. Just like Moala at USC, Woods was overshadowed by Glenn Dorsey this past season, but should break out into his own this year.
10. CINCINNATI BENGALS- Sen’Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn- The Bengals lost out on Sedrick Ellis in this year’s draft and have not filled their biggest defensive need up the middle. A linebacker could be a pick here if Laurinaitis is on the board, but Marks teaming up with college teammate Pat Sims in “the jungle” could be a nice future in the front for the Bengals.
11. NEW YORK JETS- Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State- The Jets continue to add Buckeyes to their roster (Gholston, Mangold, Nugent) with Beanie. Thomas Jones is on the wrong side of 30 after next year and Leon Washington is a good spell back. Beanie can carry the ball 25 times a game for Gang Green and would be the bruiser Eric Mangini is looking for.
12. BALTIMORE RAVENS- Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State- Two Buckeyes in a row as the Ravens go with the best defensive back in the draft. Jenkins can play either safety or corner back in the NFL and could be the heir-apparent to Chris Mcallister.
13. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from Carolina)- Ray Maualuga, LB, USC- The eagles linebacking corps is aging and they did not make any significant additions to the unit in the off-season. This is a value pick at 13th overall, as Maualuga could very well go in the top 10. Wide receiver is the other area of need for the Eagles.
14. BUFFALO BILLS- Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin- The Bills have been looking for a play-making tight end since Jay Riemersma was playing in Orchard Park and Courtney Anderson certainly is not the answer. Beckum is athletic and has good hands, but needs to improve his blocking. The former defensive end made a wise decision to return to Madison for another season.
15. TENNESEE TITANS- Darrius Heyward-Bay, WR, Maryland-After not taking a WR in this year’s draft, the Titans realize Vince Young needs a target other than Roydell Williams. They reach a little here, but get a position of need.
16. ARIZONA CARDINALS-Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia-After Beanie Wells, Moreno is the second best running back in this class. The Cardinals went defense in the ‘08 draft and will need to address a need at running back next year.
17. GREEN BAY PACKERS-Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma- The Packers need to improve on their offensive line, and Robinson is the best available lineman, interior or outside, left at this point.
18. HOUSTON TEXANS- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois- The Texans selected Antwaun Molden from EKU this year, but he needs time to develop. Davis give the Texans a player who can step in right away and fill the opposite CB slot across from Dunta Robinson.
19. MINNESOTA VIKINGS-William Moore, S, Missouri- Moore is an outstanding athlete that got his name out this year in Missouri’s rise to the Big 12 elite. Expect Moore to have another big season and see his stock rise to middle-late first round. He has the potential to replace Darren Sharper in the Vikings secondary.
20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS-Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma- The Buccaneers need help on their line and take the gigantic Loadholt, who can step in as a rookie and have an immediate impact.
21. WASHINGTON REDSKINS-Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU- Jackson slips a little in our ‘09 Mock Draft, but the Redskins take the LSU pass-rusher, as he is the best player on the board. Jackson took a step backwards in the minds of scouts last season, and a big year can put him in the top 10.
22. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS-Brian Cushing, LB, USC- The Saints improved their defensive line in this year’s draft and traded for Jonathan Vilma, but still need to sure up the linebacking unit. Cushing is pro-ready and gives the Trojan’s yet another first rounder.
23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES-Percy Harvin, WR, Florida- The Eagles need a wide out who can make plays and Harvin is the best one on the board. Although a bigger receiver would be ideal, Harvin is too good to pass up at pick #23.
24. CLEVELAND BROWNS-George Selvie, DE/LB, USF- Selvie could be the perfect fit for Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 scheme and has the potential to be everything Willie McGinest has not been for the Brownies.
25. PITTSBURGH STEELERS-Max Unger, OT, Oregon- The Steelers failed to address offensive line needs in 2008 and will take the #1 lineman on the board with their first round selection.
26. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS-Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State- Boone’s 6′8″ and 300+ lbs. frame is enough to warrant him being selected in the first round, but he is extremely mobile and athletic for his size. His skill as a blocker in both the pass and run has improved each year and he is a strong candidate to be a first-team All-Big Ten and All-American selection this year.
27. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS-Myron Rolle, SS, Florida State- The Jags take local favorite Rolle who, along with Reggie Nelson, makes up the hardest hitting and most exciting young secondary in the league. More trouble for Peyton Manning, Vince Young, and Matt Schaub.
28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS- Alex Mack, C, California- Mack is possibly the only center worth drafting on day one next year, and is certainly worth first round value. People thought he would be an early entry in the 2008 draft and the Chargers get a need and nice value pick at #28.
29. NEW YORK GIANTS-Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida- The Giants can use another linebacker and Spikes plays the hard-nosed, high-energy style of football that Tom Coughlin loves. Antonio Pierce is not getting any younger and Spikes could move him to the outside or make him expendable.
30. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS-Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson- Sapp can play either OLB in a 3-4 or line up with a hand down as a DE in a 4-3. The Colts tend to like under-sized linemen and Sapp could be very effective opposite of Dwight Freeney.
31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS-Taylor Mays, SS, USC- Mays could fit in well in a Patriot’s secondary that has taken a hit through free agency the last few years. Rodney Harrison may only have one or two years left in him, so Mays makes sense here.
32. DALLAS COWBOYS- Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU- Everyone waited for the Cowboys to take a wide receiver in the 2008 draft and it just never happened. With Terry Glenn aging and continually being banged up, The Cowboys have to go WR here, don’t they?
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Follow-up comment rss or Leave a Trackback[…] Dotting The "I" wrote an interesting post today on A Look Ahead: DTI’s 2009 NFL Mock DraftHere’s a quick excerptJenkins can play either safety or corner back in the NFL and could be the heir-apparent to Chris Mcallister. 13…. […]
Very good article except I think the order is mixed up. Aren’t the Bengals suppose to be the last pick of the round?
GO BROWNIES!!!
In addition (as of their stock now) I would have Robiskie and Lawrence Wilson (if he leaves) going in the early second round, Marcus Freeman going in round 3, Boeckman going in round 4, Rory Nicol going in round 6, and possibly AJ Trepasso going in round 7, but most likely being an undrafted signee. Ben Person, Steve Rehring, Nader Abdallah, and others all go undrafted but have a chance to sign and with a good year could end up in the latter rounds.
Beanie only at 11? Don’t be modest Alex, teams 1,3,5,6, and 7 all hypothetically could use new life at tailback. It’s also worth mentioning that Oher has struggled every level he’s played at assimilating offenses (ie he may be a bit of a risk that absolutely high in the draft, even given his absurd natural ability), Al Woods isn’t even projected by many to be a starter for the Tigers this year, and Percy Harven not only will be coming off a major surgery this season, but is also a bit undersized to have any designs on being a first rounder. While the draft has a bit of a McShay’ian flair (with corrections aptly made), nicely done. Keep up the great work overall. Y’all have been consistently breaking it for touchdowns non-stop as of late.
thanks for the input worstfan….i did this draft as of their stock now and what many critics across multiple sources were saying and my own thoughts….Beanie could be a top 5 pick but it depends what teams fall in those slots….thanks for the props and reading
I think you are missing a top 5 pick in this draft. Have you seen Lesean Mccoy play he is better than Beanie Wells and is going to be the number 1 pick in the draft.
I have taken McCoy into consideration and watched 4 Pitt games last year so I know what he can do…he will be a sophomore but is eligible for the draft because he played a year at prep school (see: Larry Fitzgerald)….This draft was done with the players current stock and right now both Beanie Wells (Heisman frontrunner) and Knowshon Moreno (heisman candidate) are both higher on draft boards than McCoy….Another good year (although it is against the Big Least) could vault McCoy into the mid-late first round
you are just biased towards beanie wells because you go to ohio state and biased towards knowshon moreno because you are from central jersey. pittsburgh national champs in basketball and football this year. SAM YOUNG and LESEAN MCCOY for Heisman and Naismith
I like your mock but must agree with worstfan that you seem a little modest when it comes to where many of your buckeyes are going. The bigger thing though is where you see many of the NFL teams finishing. For one I disagree with your pick of the Browns finishing behind the Steelers yet again. I think this really will be the year that the Browns finally break through, even with their tough schedule they will most likely go 4-2 or 5-1 in the division and will probably finish ahead of the Steelers. All around solid mock though.
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if the bears draft tim tebow.i’m not a bears fan no more because he’s hot garbage and curtis painter fits the job better better.PLEASE RELEASE REX GROSSMAN AND KYLE ORTAN AND DRAFT CURTIS PAINTER FROM PURDUE HE’S JUST BETTER
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