RSS 2009 DRAFT
Pick Team Player Pos Ht Wt School/Country
Round 1 1 (1) Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford QB 6′3 237 Georgia
Matthew Stafford
Analysis: The Lions get their guy with the first pick and Stafford gives them the building block they need for the future. His big arm and ability to get the ball down the field in the passing game makes him an ideal fit for what Detroit wants to do on offense.
Round 1 2 (2) St. Louis Rams Jason Smith T 6′6 305 Baylor
Jason Smith
Analysis: The Rams fill their big void at left tackle by getting one of the most athletic lineman in this year’s draft. Smith, a former tight end, possesses rare feet for the position and should be able to anchor the St. Louis offensive line for the next 10 years.
Round 1 3 (3) Kansas City Chiefs Tyson Jackson DE 6′5 290 LSU
Tyson Jackson
Analysis: Jackson might be a bit of a reach here, but he is one of the few “pure” five-technique defensive ends in this year’s draft and should make an immediate impact on the Chiefs defensive line. He is a long, stout lineman who knows how to set the edge and make plays vs. the run.
Round 1 4 (4) Seattle Seahawks Aaron Curry LB 6′3 247 Wake Forest
Aaron Curry
Analysis: Seattle does have a void at linebacker and Curry certainly should be able to instantly come in and contribute from day one.
Round 1 5 (5) New York Jets Mark Sanchez QB 6′3 225 USC
Mark Sanchez
Analysis: The Jets make the move all the way up from pick 17 in order to get their franchise quarterback. Sanchez is a smart, accurate quarterback who should be an ideal fit in the Jets’ West Coast offense. Finally, Jet fans have something to cheer about on draft day.
Note: (from Cleveland)
Round 1 6 (6) Cincinnati Bengals Andre Smith OL 6′4 330 Alabama
Andre Smith
Analysis: Even with the character concerns, the tape doesn’t lie and Alabama OT Andre Smith is one of the most talented prospects in this year’s draft. He is a physical, long-armed lineman who can play both tackle spots and reminds me a bit of Eagles OT Jason Peters.
Round 1 7 (7) Oakland Raiders Darrius Heyward-Bey WR 6′3 206 Maryland
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Analysis: A major reach here as the Raiders take the fastest wideout in the draft. Heyward-Bey is an explosive vertical threat; however, he is very raw as a route-runner, lacks great hands and might end up being one of the worst values in the 2009 draft.
Round 1 8 (8) Jacksonville Jaguars Eugene Monroe T 6′6 315 Virginia
Eugene Monroe
Analysis: The Jaguars needed to find a young body for the left tackle position and Eugene Monroe is a great value here. Monroe has smooth feet, polished technique and he has the ability to develop into one of the NFL’s best offensive lineman.
Round 1 9 (9) Green Bay Packers B.J. Raji DT 6′1 323 Boston College
B.J. Raji
Analysis: The Packers get a great value at pick nine as they find the anchor needed for their new 3-4 defense. Raji is a thick, stout nose tackle who should be able to eat up blockers and clog run lanes next season in Green Bay.
Round 1 10 (10) San Francisco 49ers Michael Crabtree WR 6′3 214 Texas Tech
Michael Crabtree
Analysis: Crabtree’s stock has fallen in recent days because of character concerns. However, he is one of the draft’s true “elite” prospects and gives the 49ers the type of No. 1-caliber wideout they need. He should instantly upgrade the San Francisco receiving core.
Round 1 11 (11) Buffalo Bills Aaron Maybin DE 6′4 245 Penn St.
Analysis: The Bills needed to find an explosive pass rusher off the edge and Maybin fits the bill. He is a gifted pass rusher who has the first step to consistently reach the corner and close on the quarterback. Maybin should become a real factor this year on third down as he continues to add weight and develop physically.
Round 1 12 (12) Denver Broncos Knowshon Moreno TB 5′11 207 Georgia
Knowshon Moreno
Analysis: A bit of a surprise here as Denver gets one of the most instinctive runners to come along in years. However, with all the concerns about the defensive front seven, this pick makes little sense for the defense-starved Broncos.
Round 1 13 (13) Washington Redskins Brian Orakpo DE 6′4 260 Texas
Brian Orakpo
Analysis: The Redskins get one of the most physically gifted athletes in this year’s draft as Orakpo should be able to instantly improve the Washington pass rush. He can get a bit lazy at times, but he possesses all the tools to develop into a very good every-down defensive end.
Round 1 14 (14) New Orleans Saints Malcolm Jenkins DB 6′1 201 Ohio St.
Malcolm Jenkins
Analysis: Jenkins is the type of instinctive defensive back the Saints need for Gregg Williams’ aggressive defense. I think Jenkins will be best served to make the move the free safety as he has the skill set to develop into a real ball hawk.
Round 1 15 (15) Houston Texans Brian Cushing LB 6′3 255 USC
Brian Cushing
Analysis: The Texans have holes all over their defense, but getting a versatile linebacker like Brian Cushing should give Houston plenty of options in their front seven. However, we don’t think Cushing is a good fit in a 4-3 scheme and expect him to really struggle vs. the pass game at the next level.
Round 1 16 (16) San Diego Chargers Larry English DE 6′3 254 Northern Illinois
Analysis: A bit of a surprise here, but English is an explosive pass rusher who is an ideal fit in the Chargers’ 3-4 defense. He has a tendency to get a bit high and will struggle if asked to play in space vs. the pass, but English knows how to get after the quarterback and rush off the edge.
Round 1 17 (17) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Josh Freeman QB 6′6 250 Kansas St.
Josh Freeman
Analysis: Josh Freeman is as talented as any quarterback in this draft and gives the Buccaneers a player who they can build their team around. However, Freeman needs time to develop and is one of the biggest “boom” or “bust” picks in this year’s draft.
Note: (from N.Y. Jets through Cleveland)
Round 1 18 (18) Denver Broncos Robert Ayers DE 6′3 270 Tennessee
Robert Ayers
Analysis: The Broncos finally addressed their defensive front seven and got one of the draft’s best D-linman in the form of DE Robert Ayers. Ayers gives defensive coordinator Mike Nolan a lot of options as he has the ability to be very productive vs. both the run and pass at the next level.
Round 1 19 (19) Philadelphia Eagles Jeremy Maclin WR 6′1 200 Missouri
Jeremy Maclin
Analysis: The Eagles moved up in the draft from pick 21 to finally get QB Donovan McNabb a big-time weapon in the pass game. Maclin is as explosive as any wideout in this year’s draft and should be able to not only create plays down the field, but also help out in the return game.
Note: (from Tampa Bay through Cleveland)
Round 1 20 (20) Detroit Lions Brandon Pettigrew TE 6′6 255 Oklahoma St.
Brandon Pettigrew
Analysis: The Lions have holes at OT and on the D-line, but instead opt for Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew. Pettigrew is a physical run blocker who can also make plays in the underneath pass game. However, I don’t think he offers the type of explosion to warrant a selection at pick 20.
Note: (from Dallas)
Round 1 21 (21) Cleveland Browns Alex Mack C 6′4 316 California
Analysis: After some wheeling and dealing on draft day, the Browns finally made a selection at pick 21 and brought in center Alex Mack. I think this a bit high for Mack, however, he has the power and toughness to start from day one and should anchor the Browns offensive line for the next 10 years.
Note: (from Philadelphia)
Round 1 22 (22) Minnesota Vikings Percy Harvin WR 5′11 195 Florida
Percy Harvin
Analysis: Harvin is an explosive playmaker who knows how to create with the ball in his hands. He gives the Vikings a lot of options on offense and I would compare his potential impact on the Vikings to the one Chris Johnson had last year for the Titans.
Round 1 23 (23) Baltimore Ravens Michael Oher OT 6′5 318 Mississippi
Michael Oher
Analysis: The Ravens get great value at the 23rd pick finding a potential left tackle in the form of Michael Oher. Oher possesses all the physical and athletic skills to become a starting left tackle in the NFL. However, I worry about his instincts as he might be best suited to play on the right side.
Note: (from New England)
Round 1 24 (24) Atlanta Falcons Peria Jerry DT 6′2 290 Mississippi
Peria Jerry
Analysis: Jerry is a tough, explosive interior lineman who will instantly improve the Falcons’ pass rush inside. He is a bit older then most prospects. However, he possesses a real love for the game and is a great value at pick 24.
Round 1 25 (25) Miami Dolphins Vontae Davis DB 6′0 204 Illinois
Vontae Davis
Analysis: The Dolphins needed to address their defensive secondary and they get possibly the draft’s most gifted corner. However, I worry about Davis’ immaturity, raw technique and willingness to work. I think he might struggle once he finds out everyone is just as talented as he is at the next level.
Round 1 26 (26) Green Bay Packers Clay Matthews DE 6′3 240 USC
Clay Matthews
Analysis: The Packers needed to add another edge rusher to their new 3-4 scheme and Matthews should fit in nicely. He is a gifted athlete who plays with a good motor and has a nose for the ball. This is a nice value at the end of the first round and Matthews should be able to play on all three downs in Green Bay.
Note: (from New England)
Round 1 27 (27) Indianapolis Colts Donald Brown RB 5′10 208 Connecticut
Donald Brown
Analysis: Colts RB Joseph Addai has struggled staying healthy of late and Brown makes some sense here. Brown does a nice job attacking the line of scrimmage and catching the ball out of the backfield. However, I still think the Colts would have been better served going with a DT like Ziggy Hood.
Round 1 28 (28) Buffalo Bills Eric Wood C 6′4 309 Louisville
Eric Wood
Analysis: This pick won’t make the fans happy, but Wood is a tough mauler inside who immediately upgrades the interior of the Bills’ offensive line. Wood does struggle playing in space, but when he gets his hands on you, the battle is over. He should be starting very early on in his career.
Note: (from Philadelphia via Carolina)
Round 1 29 (29) New York Giants Hakeem Nicks WR 6′1 210 North Carolina
Hakeem Nicks
Analysis: Hakeem Nicks fills the Giants’ biggest need and should be able to contribute right away. He is as polished as any receiver in this year’s draft and is a bear to bring down after the catch. I expect him to become Eli Manning’s go-to guy in the coming years.
Round 1 30 (30) Tennessee Titans Kenny Britt WR 6′4 215 Rutgers
Analysis: Britt is a big, physical wideout who should add balance to the Titans’ passing game and take some pressure off the run game. He has the ability to beat press coverage, work the middle of the field and will block in the run game, a characteristic that is vital for Tennessee wideouts.
Round 1 31 (31) Arizona Cardinals Chris Wells RB 6′1 237 Ohio St.
Chris Wells
Analysis: The Cardinals got one of the best values in this year’s draft; however, I don’t think Wells is a great fit in the Arizona offense. Wells is at his best wearing down opposing front sevens and pounding the rock 25 times a game. He does catch the ball better then he is given credit for, but I don’t know how effective he will be in the Cardinals’ spread offense.
Round 1 32 (32) Pittsburgh Steelers Ziggy Hood DT 6′4 295 Missouri
Ziggy Hood
Analysis: The Steelers needed to add some youth to their defensive front three. However, I don’t know if Hood is an ideal fit in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense and think he is better suited to play the three-technique in a 4-3.
