Early 09' Mock Draft

[Blaze_1UP]

By Todd McShay from Scouts Inc.

1. Atlanta Falcons -- Fili Moala, DT, USC

Atlanta finally gets its playmaking interior defensive lineman. Moala has flown under the radar to this point but he should emerge from the shadow of 2008 No. 7 overall pick Sedrick Ellis and become one of the elite defenders in college football this fall.

2. Detroit Lions -- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Coach Rod Marinelli's defense is predicated on speed up front, and Johnson is blessed with plenty of that. Johnson was overlooked while playing in a rotation last season, but it won't take long for the rangy edge-rusher to make his mark in 2008.

3. Kansas City Chiefs -- Matt Stafford*, QB, Georgia

Another injury-plagued and disappointing season out of fragile QB Brodie Croyle will force the Chiefs to address the position with this high draft pick in 2009. If the supremely talented Stafford continues to progress as he did last fall, he could easily emerge as a top-five pick next April.

4. Miami Dolphins -- Al Woods, DT, LSU

At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Woods is a physically imposing defensive tackle with enough size and strength to anchor the middle of a 3-4 defense.

5. Cincinnati Bengals -- Sen'Derrick Marks*, DT, Auburn

The Bengals got shut out in their pursuit of an elite defensive tackle in this year's draft, but 2009 will be more kind. Marks is an undersized playmaker with the first-step quickness to disrupt as a 3-technique tackle, which is exactly what Marvin Lewis' defense needs along its front.

6. Oakland Raiders -- Andre Smith*, OT, Alabama

Smith stepped in immediately as the Tide's starting left tackle and continues to improve with more coaching and game experience. The Raiders could enlist a player with his kind of skills to take care of their most recent first-round investments in QB JaMarcus Russell and RB Darren McFadden.

7. Chicago Bears -- Tim Tebow*, QB, Florida

It's almost certain that the Bears will need a quarterback come next offseason. Unfortunately, next year's crop of signal-callers does not look promising at this point. Bears fans won't be thrilled if the team uses a high pick on another Gators quarterback following the failed Rex Grossman experiment, but Tebow's unique blend of skills and rare intangibles might be too good to pass up. Should Tebow elect to leave school early, however, his uncommon skill set could make him the most difficult prospect at any position to grade.

8. San Francisco 49ers -- Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

Oher, who possesses the size and athletic ability to develop into an upper-echelon starting tackle in the NFL, would make an ideal bookend opposite 2007 first-rounder Joe Staley.

9. St. Louis Rams -- Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

Maualuga is the top senior prospect on my 2009 draft board at this insanely early point in the process, although he wouldn't be the first senior off the board. I've never seen a defensive player take over a game the way Maualuga did versus Illinois in the Rose Bowl, and his recognition skills are clearly catching up with his rare physical tools.

10. New York Jets -- Knowshon Moreno*, RB, Georgia

Moreno burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2007 and he should build on that momentum as a first-year starter behind a more mature offensive line during the upcoming season. The Jets were not able to land McFadden in this year's draft but Moreno would be worth the wait if he's available in 2009.

11. Tennessee Titans -- Michael Crabtree*, WR, Texas Tech

Do not pigeonhole Crabtree; he's not just a product of coach Mike Leach's pass-crazy offense. The tall, long-armed receiver could be the go-to-target QB Vince Young so desperately needs.

12. Houston Texans -- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

Jenkins made a wise decision to return as a senior. He needs to improve his footwork and overall man-to-man cover skills to prove to scouts he's capable of playing corner in any scheme at the next level. Regardless, the Texans could use his ball-hawking skills in their secondary, no matter whether it's at cornerback or safety.

13. Denver Broncos -- James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State

Laurinaitis surprised many NFL scouts when he elected to return to Columbus for his senior season. Assuming he continues to make progress in 2008, there's no reason to believe he will fall out of the top 20 picks in next year's draft. The instinctive, high-motor inside linebacker would be a nice addition to a Denver defense in search of more stout defenders up the middle.

14. Baltimore Ravens -- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Ravens need an upgrade at corner and a young playmaker like Davis, who possesses rare athleticism for his size, would be an ideal fit.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR) -- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

The Eagles failed to land a go-to-receiver in the 2008 draft (no, DeSean Jackson does not qualify). Instead of going the free-agent route to land a weapon for veteran QB Donovan McNabb, they might as well use one of two first-round picks in '09 on a future primary target for future QB Kevin Kolb.

16. Arizona Cardinals -- LeSean McCoy*, RB, Pittsburgh

After Arizona failed to find a complement for Edgerrin James in this year's draft, the Cardinals' need at running back will be far more pressing in the spring of '09. McCoy is a supremely talented sophomore who is draft eligible after spending a year in prep school, and he is reportedly already eyeing the 2009 draft.

17. Buffalo Bills -- Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin

Beckum could emerge as a top-20 pick if he can add 10-15 pounds to his frame while maintaining his big-play ability as a receiver during his senior season.

18. Philadelphia Eagles -- Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma

After failing to land one of the record-setting seven offensive tackles selected in the first round of this year's draft, coach Andy Reid will be craving a big fella like Loadholt in 2009.

19. Washington Redskins -- Greg Hardy*, DE, Mississippi

Hardy is flying under the radar right now despite notching 10 solo sacks the past two seasons, and the Redskins will be looking for a young pass-rushing threat after failing to land one during the latest draft.

20. Minnesota Vikings -- Percy Harvin*, WR/RS, Florida

Staying healthy for a full season would all but guarantee Harvin a spot in the first round of the NFL draft, either next year or in 2010.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Ciron Black, OT, LSU

The Bucs will be looking to enlist the services of a talented left tackle prospect such as Black, who displays quick feet for a 6-5, 315-pounder.

22. Green Bay Packers -- Max Unger, OT, Oregon

Unger, who projects as a first-day pick in next year's draft, is the type of versatile lineman the Packers typically covet.

23. Cleveland Browns -- Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson

Sapp is an up-and-coming talent with outstanding speed and pass-rushing potential. He should fit perfectly as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme like the one employed in Cleveland.

24. Seattle Seahawks -- Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma

The Seahawks are still looking for a long-term solution at left guard, so why not use this pick on the player who is at this point the top prospect at that position.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Jackson is among the elite senior defensive prospects right now but that might not hold up for 12 full months, as he's simply not a great fit for every team's defensive scheme. At 6-5 and 290, Jackson is best suited to play defensive end in a three-man front like the one employed in Pittsburgh.

26. New Orleans Saints -- Gerald McRath, OLB, Southern Miss

The Saints will be looking for an injection of youth and athleticism at linebacker and the speedy, undersized McRath falls in line with that objective.

27. New York Giants -- Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida

The Giants could use a quick and powerful tackling machine like Spikes after failing to address that need early in the 2008 draft.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars -- William Moore, S, Missouri

Moore emerged as a playmaking machine in 2007, when he notched 114 tackles and eight interceptions. At 6-1 and 215 pounds he could be the versatile strong safety Jacksonville needs opposite FS Reggie Nelson.

29. Indianapolis Colts -- Vance Walker, DT/DE, Georgia Tech

Walker has the right blend of tools to provide depth along the interior of Indianapolis' quick-but-undersized defensive line.

30. San Diego Chargers -- Auston English, DE/OLB, Oklahoma

English is an instinctive, high-motor player with very good speed and fluid hips for a young defensive end. He already has experience dropping into coverage on zone-blitz looks within Oklahoma's complex defensive scheme.

31. Dallas Cowboys -- Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU

Wide receiver is the one area Dallas did not address during an otherwise promising 2008 draft. Byrd has a lot to prove as a senior but he certainly has the blend of size and deep speed it takes to emerge as a first-round draft pick.

32. New England Patriots -- Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

The Patriots continue a recent trend of drafting linebackers by using this selection on the versatile Cushing. The 6-5, 248-pounder has experience on the strong side and as a rush linebacker, which will be attractive to a New England coaching staff that likes versatility in its linebackers.

Patties/Cowgirls Superbowl LOL, Titans finally get a receiver , Stafford ahead of Knowshon and at #10 LMAO, and Bears get another Gator ROTFLMFAO.

[Who Dat?]

I would really be shocked if Tebow goes top 10. I would also be surprised if Malcolm Jenkins isn't a top 10 pick when it's all said and done. I find the draft order more interesting than the picks however.

[MesaRunner]

Originally Posted by Who Dat?

I would really be shocked if Tebow goes top 10. I would also be surprised if Malcolm Jenkins isn't a top 10 pick when it's all said and done. I find the draft order more interesting than the picks however.

Agreed. These things are stupid.....

I know this could go on for forever, but there is NO WAY in HELL we pick at #11 unless we trade up for Crabtree. Seriously, we have an ELITE defense and if our offense picks up we will be superbowl contenders.

I know I am a Titan fan, but it's the truth.

[Who Dat?]

I don't see the Chiefs finishing in the bottom 3 this season barring catastrophic injuries.

[hit_'em88]

Originally Posted by Blaze_1UP

26. New Orleans Saints -- Gerald McRath, OLB, Southern Miss

The Saints will be looking for an injection of youth and athleticism at linebacker and the speedy, undersized McRath falls in line with that objective.

if the saints do pick somewhere between 15-26 like it says here, mcgrath will be available and it would be the PERFECT pick. now i am a saints fan and a southern miss fan so i would love this but mcgrath is EASILY the best defensive player in C-USA and maybe the best overall player. the guy is fast, smart and a great tackler. i've seen him in person at a few games and he can take over a game on the defensive side of the ball

[The Legend Killer]

I'd just be happy with a Pats superbowl win..they have unfinished business to tend too.

I can't even begin to think about which direction they will go in the 09 draft.

If I had to may an earrrrly prediction, LB would be my choice given the fact that Bruschi, Vrabel, etc are getting long in the tooth.

[Blaze_1UP]

Heres another 1 from CFN

1. Chris Wells, RB Ohio State (Junior)
2. Tim Tebow, QB Florida (Junior)
3. Andre Smith, OT Alabama (Junior)
4. Sen’Derrick Marks, DT/DE Auburn (Junior)
5. Fili Moala, DT USC
6. Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State
7. Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss
8. Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia (3rd year sophomore)
9. LeSean McCoy, RB Pitt (3rd year sophomore)
10. Rey Maualuga, LB USC
11. Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech
12. Brandon Spikes, LB Florida (Junior)
13. Matthew Stafford, QB Georgia (Junior)
14. George “Duke” Robinson, OG Oklahoma
15. Percy Harvin, WR Florida (Junior)
16. Al Woods, DT LSU (Junior)
17. Ciron Black, OT LSU (Junior)
18. James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State
19. Brian Cushing, LB USC
20. Gerald McRath, LB Southern Miss (Junior)
21. Vance Walker, DT Georgia Tech
22. Maurice Evans, DE Penn State (Junior)
23. Herman Johnson, OG/OT LSU
24. Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss (Junior)
25. Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma (3rd Year Sophomore)
26. Tyson Jackson, DT/DE LSU
27. Ricky Sapp, DE Clemson (Junior)
28. Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech (3rd Year Sophomore)
29. Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma (Junior)
30. James Davis, RB Clemson
31. Mike Mickens, CB Cincinnati
32. Greg Middleton, DE Indiana (Junior)

[scarletbolt21]

Where are the teams?

[Pack Attack]

Heh... People who are already doing mock drafts for 2009 probably have too much time on their hands.

And I agree with whoever in this thread said that the proposed draft order is more interesting than the pick projections themselves.

[NateTheGreat13]

Nate Davis (Ball State qb) will go before Tebow if he comes out this year.

[K2 4MVP22]

Originally Posted by NateTheGreat13

Nate Davis (Ball State qb) will go before Tebow if he comes out this year.

Chase Daniel's back up will go before Nate Davis.

[Kaeotik]

No way Crabtree is still on the board when the Titans pick. I wish he would be. He's quite a beast!

[hit_'em88]

Originally Posted by K2 4MVP22

Chase Daniel's back up will go before Nate Davis.

come on now, nate davis is playin very good on an undefeated team. he's a little too small for the next level though, but i'm rootin for him

[Canadian Speed]

Both the Lions and Miami will be snatching up the top QBs... Both Crawford and Tebow are going to be the kind of guys you can build around... Though the Lions may just opt to draft Percey Harvin not that Williams is gone LOL!

[Browns17]

Originally Posted by Canadian Speed

Both the Lions and Miami will be snatching up the top QBs... Both Crawford and Tebow are going to be the kind of guys you can build around... Though the Lions may just opt to draft Percey Harvin not that Williams is gone LOL!

I think Miami won't select a QB at least in round one, mainly because of how highly rated they have Henne and Pennington is playing very good and will be there at least 2 more years. Despite the Thigpen's emergence, I would still say Chiefs will select a QB before the Dolphins do. Vikings also.