Mocking the 2009 NFL Draft - Part 1 Mar 30, 2009 | More

With the draft about a month away, I thought now would be an appropriate time to put together a mock draft. Listed below are my picks for Round 1, picks 1-16.

1. Detroit Lions – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Analysis: Even though a franchise quarterback is staring them down, the Lions decide to go the Miami route and not only play it safe, but fill a major need at the same time. After the Titans’ 2008 run, new head coach Jim Schwartz knows how important solid play in the trenches is to winning each and every week. Smith is the best offensive tackle in the draft and will be a great addition to a Lions offensive line that needs serious help. Look for the Lions to trade up or hope one of the top three quarterbacks falls to them with their second pick in round one, number 20 overall. 

2. St Louis Rams – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Analysis:Yes, with only three receivers on the Rams roster Michael Crabtree seems to be the easy choice here. However, with Marc Bulger aging, and no real franchise quarterback behind him, Stafford is the better option at number two, especially with the dollar value that comes with this pick. Crabtree is option number two, but the Georgia signal caller is just too strong and smart (38 on the Wonderlic) to pass up for a team in need of a new identity --- think Matt Ryan part deux.

3. Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Analysis: According to the Kansas City Star the Chiefs may employ the 3-4 defense. This means with Derrick Johnson, Demorrio Williams and Mike Vrabel occupying just three spots, a fourth linebacker is needed. Curry has been labeled as the “safest pick” by some scouts due to his NFL ready body and natural instincts, and the Chiefs will waste no time taking him off the board as they continue to revamp their Achilles heel --- the defense. Look for them to grab an offensive lineman in round two.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Analysis: Is Ted Thompson in house? No, seriously, the Seahawks filled their need for a big play wide receiver earlier this offseason with the signing of T.J. Housmandzadeh, and with Curry going off the board just a pick ahead of them Seattle is left with no choice but to draft the next best available player that could also fill a need. Yes, Walter Jones and Sean Locklear, two perfectly capable offensive tackles, seemed to be locked in as starters, but Jones is 35 and Locklear has the strength to move to the right guard spot if necessary. Monroe

5. Cleveland Browns – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Analysis: The Browns do have major needs to fill, but with trade rumors swirling around Braylon Edwards and Donte’ Stallworth in trouble with the law, this pick makes sense. Plus, injury aside, Crabtree is the best player on the board at this point in the draft. He’s just too good for the Brownies to pass up. Brian Orakpo was also considered here as he would fill a gap in their defensive pass rush.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Analysis: With Monroe and Crabtree off the board, the Bengals take their next best available player who fills a huge void --- their biggest void of any position. Smith may have had a poor combine, but, according to CincyJungle.com, an NFL source claimed that the Bengals have Smith high on their draft board. He should become an immediate starter.

7. Oakland Raiders – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Analysis: The Raiders have been built on speed and 4.3-40 speed is what they’ll get with the selection of Maclin. In desperate need of a true playmaking wide receiver, the Raiders waste not a second in drafting the wideout they wanted all along.   JaMarcus Russell may finally get a receiver who will catch more than Johnnie Lee Higgins’ 22, 2008 team-high receptions. And did I mention that Maclin could be the best return man in this draft?

8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Malcolm Jenkins, CB-S , Ohio State
Analysis: With a major gap at wide receiver, the Jaguars were hoping that Maclin or Crabtree would fall, but because they didn’t they’re left with no choice but to fill a need in their secondary with the selection of Jenkins. The former Ohio State product was a shutdown corner in college collecting 11 interceptions to go along with 196 tackles. He is versatile and has the ability to move to safety if need be. He may not be the most athletic, but he certainly seems to be the most pro ready defensive back in this draft.

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