Big Changes In 2009 Draft If Matt Stafford Is Not Chosen At Number 1

Published on March 27, 2009 by

How much of a shake-up would it be to the top 10 picks of 2009 draft if Detroit opted not to take Georgia QB Matthew Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick?

It took only a few minutes of shuffling players around to realize how significant the difference would be. Here’s how the top 10 unfolded:

1. Detroit Lions — Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
2. St. Louis Rams — Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
3. Kansas City Chiefs — Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle Seahawks — Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
5. Cleveland Browns — Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
6. Cincinnati Bengals — Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
7. Oakland Raiders — B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
8. Jacksonville Jaguars — Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
9. Green Bay Packers — Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
10. San Francisco 49ers — Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

But why stop at the top 10? Below is Scouts Inc.’s projection of how things will unfold over the first two rounds in such a scenario, but before we get to the rest of the picks here are a few quick notes explaining some of the key differences: • With Jason Smith going No. 1 overall in this scenario Crabtree becomes the better value pick at No. 2 for St. Louis, which needs a wide receiver as badly as it needs an offensive tackle.

• Seattle has greater needs, such as outside linebacker, safety and offensive tackle, but using the fourth overall pick on Stafford makes sense considering Matt Hasselbeck’s age (33) and durability concerns.

• Raji is falling a bit right now because of some off-the-field concerns (weight issues, discipline, 2007 academic suspension) but a few teams will still be willing to take a chance on him in the top 15, including the Raiders at No. 7.

• I’m still not convinced the Jaguars will draft Sanchez at No. 8, but it would be much easier to pull the trigger if Crabtree is off the board.

• Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin is a victim of circumstance in this scenario, falling all the way to the Chargers at pick No. 16. San Diego has several bigger needs to fill, but Maclin is too good a value to pass up, and he could add a vertical element to that offense from the slot position. The run on wide receivers clearly will occur in the middle of the first round.

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Tags: Aaron Maybin, Academic Suspension, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Georgia Qb, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jason Smith, Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs, Mark Sanchez, Matt Hasselbeck, Oakland Raiders, Olb, Raji, San Francisco 49ers, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, St. Louis Rams, Victim Of Circumstance

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