You've read Mel Kiper's mock drafts, now see what his beautiful head of hair has to say about the '09 Draft Class. Remember, this is what the writers think the NFL GM's should do, not what they will do.
Stanley: So here the Lions are on the clock. The Lions basically need everything, so it is at least basically impossible to screw this up in terms of drafting the wrong position. They really need a quarterback, but there isn't a special one this year. If I'm the Lions, I make the safe pick and draft tackle Jason Smith from Baylor. He should anchor their line and won't be as big of a cap hit.
Scott: With the second overall pick, the Rams could literally go in any direction. If Stafford and/or Sanchez are there, St. Louis could plausibly grab one of them; however, I think it's unreasonable to go away from Marc Bulger after a few seasons with poor supporting casts. Anyway, similar to the Lions, the Rams are weak essentially everywhere. With the departure of Orlando Pace, expect the Rams to try and replace him with the second pick after giving up 45 sacks last year.
The Pick: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Mike: The Chiefs have the third pick in this years draft, and in my opinion, this pick is pretty simple. Aaron Curry is by far the best defensive player in this year's draft, and with new GM Scott Pioli hoping to bring over his 3-4 defense, Aaron Curry could be a great outside linebacker coming off the edge as a great pass rusher and run stopper.
The Pick: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Stanley: The Seahawks really are in great position to make a run in the NFC West this year. Although they had a down year last year, they don't really have too many holes. Right here, I like the Seahawks to draft an apprentice to Matt Hasslebeck. It comes down to Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez. I like Stafford more in this case just because he has better immediate value. With the right training from Hasslebeck he could become a very productive quarterback in the West Coast system.
The Pick: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Scott: At #5 the Brows will have plenty of options. Unlike most of the teams that picked before them, the Browns have pretty solid interior line play on both sides of the ball. The Browns have expressed interest in both Mark Sanchez and Michael Crabtree, and I agree that both would be nice fits for them. However, with Braylon Edwards expected to be dealt to the New York Giants, Michael Crabtree would be a great replacement. Unless the Browns think Sanchez is a really special player, they can give Brady Quinn or Derek Andersen another chance at proving themselves as liable starters. Crabtree, though, is a player that does not come along as often as a prospect like Sanchez does.
The Pick: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Mike: I don't think there can be a more obvious pick in NFL history than the Bengals selecting the often-criticized offensive lineman Andre Smith. The Bengals have always needed a good offensive line, and they can start to do so with this pick. Smith was harshly criticized when he produced a dismal workout at the Alabama pro-day. In my opinion, he will have success on the field, but more importantly he fits the Bengals scheme of having players who will get arrested and into trouble.
The Pick: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Stanley: Ahh, the best time of draft day. The Oakland Raiders are now on the clock, and nobody knows what Al Davis will do next. With Michael Crabtree off the board, the Raiders lose their number one target. However, they still need a playmaker, and here I think they take Jeremy Maclin. Maclin is a do-it-all receiver from Missouri who should greatly upgrade the Raiders' arsenal of offensive weapons. Maclin should greatly improve the Raiders' offense. Oakland gets a much needed playmaker here to help out JaMarcus Russell.
The Pick: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Scott: The Jags have a few options at number 8. After a dissapointing season on both sides of the ball and in the locker room, Jacksonville needs a fresh start. Jack del Rio will be on the hot seat, and in order to save his job, del Rio should go with Mark Sanchez. Sanchez successfully ran a pro-style offense at USC, and though his lack of starter-experience is cause for plenty of concern, his upside is huge. He's also a great fit for Jacksonville's run-first offense. The Jags could also look at Brian Orakpo here, but after drafting Quenton Groves and Derrick Harvey last year, there is too much money invested in the Front 7 to go there again.
The Pick: Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern Cal
Mike: The Pack have many different ways to go, but with Al Harris last year rupturing his spleen on an accidental collision with fellow teammate AJ Hawk, the Pack need to choose a new CB to replace him. No one knows how he can be coming back from such a serious injury. The Pack choose Malcolm Jenkins, probably the best defensive back on the board. Many claim that he isn't fast enough for the NFL after his mediocre combine, but these critics should just look at his tape from college. He is clearly very good and the Pack can not pass on such talent.
The Pick: Malcolm Jenkins, CB/FS, Ohio State
Stanley: The 49ers have a few interesting options here. Well basically they could take anyone. They have made almost no progress since their dismal 2004 season. Alex Smith really set them back, and they are still looking for a quarterback. Unfortunately there isn't a good quarterback really. The 49ers should probably solidify the lines with this pick, so either Michael Oher or B.J. Raji makes sense. I like them to take B.J. Raji. He will really help the 49ers apply pressure on the quarterback and stop the run, the former being absolutely necessary with the other teams in the NFC West.
The Pick: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Scott: The Bills solidified any offensive concerns with signing of T.O., and although Marshawn Lynch is suspended for the first 3 games of the regular season, don't expect Buffalo to target a running back until the mid-rounds. The Bills defense fell apart quickly and failed to apply solid pressure on the quarterback. If you can't get in the QB's face, you're not going to win a lot of games.
The Pick: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Mike: The Broncos basically need everything on defense, so in this pick, I think that they should take the best talent available, OLB Brian Orakpo from Texas. At least with Orakpo, they would have a solid linebacking core with DJ Williams and Andra Davis.
The Pick: Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas
Stanley: It's a miracle! The Redskins have a draft pick! The 'Skins badly need to upgrade their pass rush, and the perfect player to do this is Everette Brown from Florida State. Brown can play linebacker or defensive end, and would be a great fit for the 'Skins at defensive end. He should be able to generate a much needed.
The Pick: Everette Brown, DE/LB, Florida State
Scott: The Saints defense is terrible, and the secondary needs serious improvement for this team to become a serious contender. At 14, there aren't any defensive backs worthy, except for the possibility of Vontae Davis. However, questions about Davis' worth ethic and performance in big games is enough to scare the Saints away here. At this point, it becomes talent over need for New Orleans, a motto every team should draft by. New Orleans can get talent and need with Robert Ayers. The Saints were 22nd in the league in sacks last year, and with an aging D-Line, Ayers can step in right away and make some impact.
The Pick: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
Mike: The Texans are a very young team that could really use some help in many positions, but like I said earlier, sucess starts with the offensive line. Michael Oher is still on the board with this pick, and the Texans really need to revamp their line to give Matt Schaub some time to throw the ball to Andre Johnson. Steve Slaton could also use some better blocking to open up some larger holes so he can use his speed to kill the defenses. I respect Chester Pitts and Eric Salaam for their commercial two years ago, but Oher fills a desperate need for the Texans.
The Pick: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Stanley: With this pick, the Chargers need a defensive player. I like Brian Cushing out of USC. He is extremely versatile and can play any linebacker position. He should help the Chargers both in coverage and with stopping the run. Cushing should be a great fit for San Diego here.
The Pick: Brian Cushing, LB, Southern Cal
Scott: Even after seeing their season fall apart towards the end of 2008, the Jets have a few holes to fill in the draft. With Rex Ryan filling the Jets defense with pro-bowl talent, New York's defense is ready to put up a stone wall on any offense. As enticing as Josh Freeman is, remember, talent over need. The only other serious hole the Jets have also employs one of the best players left on the board. Darrius Heyward-Bey is built like a prototype NFL receiver and should take some stress off of whoever is calling signals for the Jets come September.
Mike: As I previously talked about, the Broncos could basically use help at every single position, but most of all their defensive line. Their starting NT is Ronald Fields who got only 19 tackles last year. They could also go for a defensive end like Aaron Maybin, but the best choice for them is to take DT Peria Jerry from Mississippi. He is a great passrusher and could definitely improve and mature as a good run stopper as well.
Stanley: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers do not have a quarterback. They are a very solid team, but they need a quarterback more than anything. Here, the Bucs make the obvious choice and scoop up Josh Freeman from Kansas State. Freeman is a big guy who has solid mobility, and knows coach Raheem Morris from their time together at Kansas State. Freeman has a great chance to develop into a solid quarterback with a good Bucs team.
Scott: The Lions are horrible. Their defense is even worse. Doesn't make sense, I know, but the Lions are that bad. With still a few bright defensive prospects remaining on the board, the Lions have their choice narrowed between Aaron Maybin and Rey Maualuga. Detroit already has an excellent young linebacker in Ernie Sims, and after making a trade for LB Julian Peterson earlier in the offseason, Aaron Mayin is the logical choice here. Maybin is a tremendous athlete and comes from 'Linebacker U', Penn State, who boast in an incredible alumni of NFL defensive prospects. And hey, the Lions can't get any worse, right?
Mike: The Eagles actually have a very interesting pick at No. 21. In fact, there are still many steals in the draft that can be picked. They can go for a RB to replace Correll Buckhalter and select Knowshon Moreno or Beanie Wells. Or they could even go WR and find another target for McNabb. Or they could surprise everyone and replace L J Smith by selecting Brandon Pettigrew. But there is one player left that the Eagles can just not pass on. That person is LB Rey Maualuga. He is just too valuable and will really help their slowly deteriorating linebacking core.
Stanley: Here, the Vikings could go after several positions, namely quarterback, offensive tackle, and receiver. Since basically all the good tackles are off the board, it comes down to quarterback and receiver. Since the Vikings just signed Sage Rosenfels, looks like that is out of the question. The Vikings badly need to upgrade their receiving corps. I can barely name one receiver on the roster. Here, I like Percy Harvin in order to give the Vikes some speed at the receiver position. Harvin should be an immediate upgrade, especially if the Vikings could attract a big receiver as a #1 and have Harvin work the slot.
Scott: The Patriots are poised to make yet another championship run. With minimal needs on the offensive side of the ball, the Pats can shape up their aging defense with the 23rd pick. It has been almost unanimous on the internet, and Clay Matthews seems like a no-brainer. Hailing from an NFL family, Matthews is a hard-nosed linebacker that will suit up, shut up, and play. He can grow alongside Jerod Mayo and establish another generation of great Patriot defenses.
The Pick: Clay Matthews, LB, Southern Cal
Mike: The Falcons basically lost their entire defense over the offseason. Bottom line is that they could give Matt Ryan a good TE, or they could boost their offensive line with someone like Eben Britton, but their secondary has just become abismal. The only reasonable player left is Chris Houston. In order to help their secondary, they can choose a decent player like Darius Butler from Connecticut. But, I think that they should take the ultimate risk and take Vontae Davis. Although he has no work ethic at all, his potential is just out of the roof.
Stanley: The Dolphins don't have too many holes, but could definitely use a few more players on defense. Some of their defenders are getting a bit old, and a fresh linebacker or defensive lineman would be nice. Here, I like the Fins to take James Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis is a versatile linebacker that could potentially play any of the linebacker positions. Even if he does not start immediately, he gives the Dolphins a potential leader on the defensive side of the football. Laurinaitis should be a great player for the Miami Dolphins.
Scott: After losing Bart Scott and with Ray Lewis coming up on the end of his career, the Ravens would love to upgrade their linebacking core. However, with most first round linebackers off the board, the Ravens address another need, WR. Baltimore's receiving core is experienced, but lacks explosiveness. Rutger's Kenny Britt is a little bit of everything; great size, great hands, and deceptive speed.
Mike: Everyone knows that the Colts defense is their achilles heal, but if they want to win, they need to give Peyton Manning options. Losing Marvin Harrison is huge, and they must replace him as soon as possible. As long as Bob Sanders is healthy, the Colts can survive with an atrocious defense. They could give Peyton a playmaker like Knowshon Moreno, Donald Brown, or they could go with Brandon Pettigrew for a very solid number 2 TE. Idealy, Percy Harvin would have been the nicest pick possible for them since his route running could sometime compare to Harrison's. But with him gone, they are going to have to go to a different type of WR. One that can go up and snag the ball when it is at its peak. Not having many choices to go, the Colts select WR Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina.
The Pick: Hakeem Nicks, WR
Stanley: The Bills could go in a ton of different directions with this one. Buffalo still has a ton of holes to fill, especially on the offensive line. However, it might be too difficult to pass on Brandon Pettigrew at this point, who could greatly upgrade the Bills passing game. The only reason that the Bills have to take Britton here is because of the loss of Peters. It will be painful to pass on a great player like Pettigrew, but the Bills will have to.
Scott: The Giants' boast what might be the best defense in the league. Their front 7 is terrifying and could set records this year. Offensively, the Giants are in dire need of a receiver. But, with all of the top-tier receiving prospects gone, the Giants go with the next best thing. Brandon Pettigrew. Pettigrew is by far the most talented tight end prospect in the draft and should make an immediate impact in the league. He possesses a combination of great size and more importantly great blocking skill.
Mike: The Titans definitely don't need any help with their Running Back duo. Their offensive line is one of the best in the league. They have solid TE in Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife. Their defense is very good, but they lost their monster, Albert Haynesworth. Of course, he will be unreplaceable, but they need to try to fill his gap. I'm not very interested in any of the DT available, but that is what they need to go for. I guess that Evander Hood is really their only way to go. I think that someone really athletic though could help their defense to add some speed, since they are mostly a straight up physical, in your face defense. Because of this, they will surprise everyone and go for freak athlete Michael Johnson from Georgia Tech. He could bulster either their DE or LB.
Stanley: The Cardinals have a few needs, but with no runningbacks selected yet, they really could use one here. It comes down to Beanie Wells from Ohio State or Knowshon Moreno of Georgia. Wells is a slower back, and isn't ultra powerful either. Moreno has better cutback moves and is quicker, probably a better fit for this Cardinals offense. The Cards would be delighted to get Moreno at this point.
The pick: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Scott: The defending champs ultimately have two areas of need in the draft: Cornerback and the offensive line. With such a thin class of corners, the Steelers go with the more pressing need, offensive line. Pittsburgh's line struggled to stay healthy last year, and adding some youth should improve their chances of staying healthy. Oregon's Max Unger has the size and the athleticism to succeed in the NFL.
The Pick: Max Unger, C, Oregon
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