2009 Mock Draft: Version 3.0

#	Team	Pick
1		Detroit Lions (0-16)	QB Matt Stafford, Georgia

It’s time to bite the bullet and give Stafford to Detroit. We’ve resisted doing this for the last few months, but it looks like it’s going down this way. If not: we almost told you so.

St. Louis Rams

Top tackle available in a very good OT draft class. Should be able to fill the void left by Orlando Pace pretty nicely, even though those are huge shoes to fill.

Kansas City Chiefs

LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest

Curry is probably the highest rated player in the draft, he just happens to play the wrong position to go first. There are rumors that the Redskins and Jets are interested in Sanchez, and if one of those teams were to offer a package Scott Pioli couldn’t refuse, expect the Chiefs to move down.

Seattle Seahawks

QB Mark Sanchez

,

USC

Seattle has made it known that they really like Sanchez, and Hasselback certainly isn’t getting any younger. They wouldn’t have to throw him into the fire right away.

Cleveland Browns

WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

His foot seems to be getting better by the day, and his draft status has remained pretty consistent regardless of how little he’s shown in the last few months. It doesn’t hurt that Braylon Edwards might not be around Cleveland for much longer.

Cincinnati Bengals

OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia

Monroe is an outstanding pass blocker, and Cincinnati would be very happy if he falls to them at six.

Oakland Raiders

WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Maclin has great potential, and he would complete the offensive trifecta with fellow first rounders, JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden. Al Davis loves his speed. It’s interesting to know that anyone still cares what Davis thinks.

Jacksonville Jaguars

DT B.J. Raji, Boston College

Jacksonville misses out on Sanchez, and one of the top WR’s in the draft, so don’t be amazed if they try to trade down here. If they keep the pick, they add the top DT in the draft to the two ends they drafted in the first round last year.

Green Bay Packers

DE Brian Orakpo, Texas

Orakpo will help Dom Capers as he trasitions this defense to a 3-4. Orakpo would give the Packers an effective pass rusher on the line now with Aaron Kampman moving to linebacker.

San Francisco 49ers

CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

Jenkins has fallen slightly in the months leading up to the draft. This could be a steal for the 49’ers, and he could play right away at CB or FS.

Buffalo Bills

DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State

Maybin is another incredibly versatile player that can play DE or OLB. Buffalo has had trouble getting to the QB, and Maybin is probably the quickest in a talented group of DE’s this year.

Denver Broncos

DE Everette Brown, Florida State

Brown is a pure speed rusher at the end position, who could use some seasoning at stopping the run. He could develop into that while getting some nice sack numbers.

Washington Redskins

DE Tyson Jackson, LSU

This is assuming that Dan Syder doesn’t give up all of his picks and go after Sanchez with KC’s pick. Jackson is another versatile DE, the biggest difference is that he’s the only interior DE in this group.

New Orleans Saints

RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

Moreno is the top RB on the board, and has elite talent. He would certainly help out a Saints rushing attack that has seen Deuce McAllister hurt (and now gone) and Reggie Bush unable to handle the wear and tear of being an every down back.

Houston Texans

LB Brian Cushing, USC

Cushing, DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams should be able to anchor a defense that has been the weak link of a Texans team still trying to get over the hump.

San Diego Chargers

OT Andre Smith

, Alabama

Andre Smith’s gone from potential #1 overall to late first round pick in the course of a few months. We say he falls somewhere in the between. The knock on Smith has been his poor conditioning and toughness. A little bit more work in the weight room and a mean streak could make the Chargers very happy for years to come.

New York Jets

WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

Heyward-Bey had the best 40 time at the combine, and showed some flashes of brilliance for a Maryland team that had some “less than dominating” quarterbacks.

Denver Broncos

DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee

Another fast riser. There are questions if last season was a flash in the pan, or if the light came on for Ayers. If he has indeed turned the corner he’s a great value here.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State

Freeman is probably a bit of a reach here, but the Bucs like his upside, and Leftwich is probably not the long term answer.

Detroit Lions

DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss

Jerry gives Jim Schwartz a huge interior lineman in the mold of Albert Haynesworth. That worked out pretty well in Tennessee.

Philadelphia Eagles

RB Chris Wells, Ohio State

The Eagles would probably love to move up to get Moreno (a Brian Westbrook-type back), but they’ve already given up a couple picks to Buffalo, and would have to give up more if they make a move at a wideout like Boldin or Edwards. There’s a decent chance that Wells is still available here, and he would certainly fill a need at a good value.

Minnesota Vikings

WR Percy Harvin, Florida

Harvin is super-duper fast. Like Black Rob “Whoa!” fast. Combined with Bernard Berrian on the quick Minnesota turf, and you have a potential top flight tandem. Harvin could fall this far because of the recent news of a failed drug test at the combine. With that said, he could also fall a lot further…

New England Patriots

LB Clay Matthews, USC

Matthews fits the “brainy,” caucasian linebacker mold that Belichick seems to love so much. We’re not saying he’s a racist, but…

Atlanta Falcons

TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State

Pettigrew is hands down the best blocking and receiving TE in the draft. He would instantly improve the running and passing game in Hotlanta, while giving Matt Ryan a solid target over the middle.

Miami Dolphins

CB Darius Butler, Connecticut

Bill Parcells loves drafting defensive players. Butler has been a steady riser in this draft class and would fill a need for the Dolphins in the secondary. Butler doesn’t have the upside of some of the CBs, but he has no glaring weakness in his game either.

Baltimore Ravens

LB Rey Maualuga, USC

Maualuga would bolster the Ravens linebacking depth, while learning from one of the best to every play the position.

Indianapolis Colts

DT Evander “Ziggy” Hood, Missouri

The Colts have had outstanding DE’s in Sweeney and Mathis for years, but that hasn’t helped them come close to stopping the run. It may be a bit early for Hood, but he could bring some much needed disruption to an, at times, overpowered Indy D-Line.

Buffalo Bills

OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss

Buffalo uses the first round pick they got from Philly to replace Jason Peters, who had a surprisingly underwhelming season last year.

New York Giants

WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers

Plaxico Burress is gone and Steve Smith, Dominik Hixon and Amani Toomer aren’t the answer. Britt is another big leaper in this year’s class and could step in and help Eli out immediately.

Tennessee Titans

CB Vontae Davis, Illinois

Davis falls here because of lackluster workouts, and some ‘tude problems. Tennessee has been burned by someone at this position in recent years (what was dude’s name again?), but the upside at #30 is too great to pass on here.

Arizona Cardinals

OT Eben Britton, Arizona

In case you haven’t noticed, this is a great year to be in the market for a OT or DE. Arizona would probably like a RB here, but Britton is a better value at this point than Donald Brown, and OT is a position they could still use some help. Doesn’t hurt that he’s an Arizona kid.

Pittsburgh Steelers

C Alex Mack, California

We know that the Steelers won the Super Bowl last year, but did you see their offensive line? Mack will likely take over for the aging Justin Hartwig after his contract ends next season.