2009 Mock Draft
by Luke Paul Chandler
Luke Chandler takes an early look at how 2009’s First Round could play out.
By Luke Paul Chandler
All picks were based on either current needs for teams, or needs that may arise in the next season, be it due to injury, retirement, or free agency. The order was done based on the current flow of a team’s direction, current roster status, and stability of the franchise. The declared juniors in here are predictions based on how they fared during the previous season, and their current draft stock.
1. Carolina Panthers - Michael Oher OT Ole Miss - The Panthers slow slide from yearly Super Bowl contender to disappointment starts up front. Due to injury and shuffling, the offensive line is never healthy. Expect Travelle Wharton to eventually be moved inside to left guard. Oher is a powerful tackle with great size and wingspan. Most importantly, he has the quickness to succeed in their zone blocking scheme.
2. Baltimore Ravens - Hunter Cantwell QB Louisville - The meteoric rise from backup to a legacy to number two pick overall would not be a shock. Cantwell has great talent and poise. With Brohm gone, look for Cantwell to blow up in 2008, much like Carson Palmer did in his senior year. His big arm and vertical passing ability will be attractive to head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
3. Tennessee Titans - Tyson Jackson DE Louisiana State - The Titans are used to losing defensive linemen, but the loss of Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy leave them nearly empty. Jevon Kearse is a sentimental signing, but youth is a must. Jackson is a powerful bull-rushing strong-side end who could be moved inside on passing downs.
4. Kansas City Chiefs - Fili Moala DT Southern California - The Chiefs lack of talent at the defensive tackle position has been an on going problem. Mola could step in right away and be a solid run stuffing force. He’s a bull at the point of attack and very aggressive.
5. Minnesota Vikings - Malcom Jenkins CB Ohio State - Coach Brad Childress’ defense has been suspect against the pass the last two seasons. Opposite Antoine Winfield is Cedric Griffin, who played well as a rookie, but appeared stagnant at times in 2007. At the very least, Jenkins could step in and be an asset in nickel and dime formations. He’s a physical, press man corner who’s ball skills have improved each year.
6. Denver Broncos - James Laurinaitis MLB Ohio State - After cutting the heart and soul of their defense, middle linebacker Al Wilson, after the 2006 season, the Broncos struggled to find a combination of linebackers in 2007. The experiment of having D.J. Williams play the middle was ended this year, by signing Niko Koutvides away from Seattle. While Koutivides has talent, grabbing an impact linebacker like Laurinaitis is a must. He has great athleticism and is a three down linebacker.
7. Chicago Bears - C.J. Spiller RB Clemson* - While maybe a bit of a reach here, Spiller has shown ability to take it to the house on every play. His quick feet, cutback skills, and hands are reminiscent of Reggie Bush coming out of college. Spiller doubles as a big play return specialist, which would easily give the Bears the best return game in the league.
8. Philadelphia Eagles - Andre Smith OT Alabama* - The makeover of the Eagles line was supposed to include Winston Justice taking over for William Thomas either in 2007 or 2008, but the audition went horribly. Justice was abused in an early audition this year against the Giants, and looked lost playing the left side, and has a better shot at playing right tackle. Smith is a quick tackle with the footwork and athleticism needed to be an elite left tackle.
9. Miami Dolphins - George Selvie DE/OLB South Florida* - Bill Parcells makeover of the Dolphins will take time, and he needs his trademark pass rushing linebacker. Selvie has great quickness off the snap, and plays with more power than his frame would indicate. With Jason Taylor not a lock to play for Parcells’ Dolphins, grabbing Selvie to add to their stable of rush linebackers is a huge boost.
10. New York Jets - Rey Maualuga ILB Southern California - The Jets have a pressing need at quarterback, but they will give Kellen Clemens a chance at proving himself. The Jets still have a need at linebacker during head coach Eric Mangini’s painful transition to a 3-4 defense. Pairing David Harris with Maualuga would give the Jets a pair of thumpers in the middle, and would fix a terrible run support unit. Maualuga is not as quick as Laurinaitis, but he he is a better hitter and run supporter.
11. Atlanta Falcons - Myron Rolle SS Florida State* - The terrible play of the Falcons safeties over the past two seasons has resulted in their defense being helpless. Erik Coleman is an upgrade, but work is still needed. Rolle has good instincts and is a solid run supporter. He could be a nice 8th man in the box.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers - Duke Robinson OG Oklahoma - While grabbing a guard this high would be frowned upon by most teams, the Steelers can’t pass up Robinson here. He is a massive, mauling guard who could walk into the hole left by the departure of Alan Faneca. For a team that focuses on the run so heavily, having a player like Robinson available is a must.
13. Oakland Raiders - Marlon Lucky RB Nebraska - Head coach Lane Kiffin knows the value of having a versatile running back in the backfield from his time at Southern California with Reggie Bush. Lucky, a Bush clone, has taken more time to develop, but he has grown into his own at Nebraska. If paired with a bigger back, he could be an impact player.
14. San Francisco 49ers - Derrious Heyward-Bey WR Maryland* - Since the departure of Terrell Owens, the 49ers have lacked a threat in the passing game. They have gone through veterans, but rarely added youth. Bringing on Heyward-Bey, a physical threat who is not afraid to run over the middle, would give them an Owens clone. His quickness out of his cuts is also a must for new offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s offense.
15. Detroit Lions - Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech - Head coach Rod Marinelli has been putting together the pieces of an faster, more athletic front four, but he lacks a weak-side rush end. Michael Johnson has long arms and shows good awareness as a pass rusher. He could be everything to the Lions that they hoped Kalimba Edwards would be.
16. Houston Texans - Antoine Caldwell C Alabama - A reach by some standards, but the Texans need a smarter, versatile center. Veteran Mike Flanagan has only so much left at 34 years old. Caldwell could be a huge upgrade to a line that lacks an identity. He has the awareness needed to be a center in Assistant head coach Alex Gibbs famed blocking scheme.
17. Arizona Cardinals - Chris Wells RB Ohio State* - Head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s transformation of the Cardinals into Steelers West needs a bell-cow running back, and Wells fits the mold. Current starter Edgerrin James has only a few more seasons left, and is not the pounding power back that Whisenhunt needs to run his offense effectively. Wells is a patient and powerful runner, and will move the chains.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Brian Cushing OLB Southern California - The Bengals linebackers have been devastated by injuries over the past two years. Cushing fits the mold of a Peter Boulware-style strong-side linebacker who can stand over the tight end on first and second down, then move to defensive end on passing downs.
19. Buffalo Bills - William Moore FS Missouri - The biggest problem facing the Bills is their young roster gaining experience. Current starting free safety Ko Simpson has had his career slowed by injuries, and some competition from the ball-hawk Moore could be a plus.
20. Washington Redskins - Sean Lee OLB Penn State - Even with the departure of Gregg Williams, the Redskins plan on keeping their aggressive zone blitz style of defense. Adding Lee would allow the team to transition away from the aging Marcus Washington, whose career has been slowed by injuries.
21. New Orleans Saints - James Davis RB Clemson - When Reggie Bush took over as the feature back for New Orleans after Deuce McAllister in Week 5, due to McAllister’s second torn ACL in three seasons, it became clear he would always need a power back to compliment him. James Davis is like a young McAllister, a powerback with great breakaway ability once he reaches the second level.
22. St. Louis Rams - Sen’Derrick Marks DT Auburn* - The Rams have found a solid nose tackle, in Adam Carriker, but need someone to run with him. Marks is lighting quick, and could play effectively as a three technique. He lacks height and wingspan, but could be a greatpenetrator.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vontae Davis CB Illinois* - The Buccaneers will soon have to explore the idea of life after Ronde Barber, and grabbing Davis here is good way to start that. Davis is a thick, well built corner whose quick reactions would make him a good fit in Tampa’s style of defense.
24. Indianapolis Colts - Derry Beckwith MLB Lousiana State - The Colts frequently will use late round picks or undrafted free agents to fill out their linebackers, but the well has started to run dry. In the middle Gary Brackett has played sound football, but he is not a playmaker. Beckwith has the ball skills and speed to be an effective middle linebacker in Tony Dungy and Ron Meeks’ system.
25. New York Giants - Phil Loadholt OT Oklahoma - The Giants are a team that usually picks for best value, and Loadholt represents that here, despite the presenced of starter Kareem McKenzie. The massive Loadholt’s best position in the NFL likely is right tackle. He lacks the technique and quick feet to be a left tackle, and could use a year on the bench to learn.
26. Cleveland Browns - Arian Foster RB Tennessee - The Browns know that life after Jamal Lewis is coming, even with the signing of a three year contract this offseason. Foster is a similar style runner to Lewis, with great second effort and escapability.
27. Seattle Seahawks - Cullen Harper QB Clemson - In Seattle, it is a reality that Matt Hasselbeck only has a few more seasons to go, so a replacement is needed. Harper will be a two year starter by the time the 2009 Draft comes, and could use a few seasons to learn on the sidelines. Harper impressed in 2007 with his quick release and accuracy in his first year as a starter.
28. New England Patriots - Percy Harvin WR Florida* - Josh McDaniels took a great deal of plays from Florida head coach Urban Meyer, and integrated spread philosophies into his playbook this season, with record setting results. Selecting Harvin here, who may not fall this far, would be a plus for the Patriots as they integrate Harvin into the offense. Harvin has great vertical speed and yards after catch ability, plus doubling as a return man.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars - Patrick Chung SS Oregon - The Jaguars need help at the strong safety position, which has been hit with injuries and then the loss of Sammy Knight in free agency. Chung is highly versatile, having played the rover and free safety spots while at Oregon. He could step in as a strong safety for Gregg Williams, and be a intimidator in the middle.
30. Green Bay Packers - Chase Coffman TE Missouri - General manager Ted Thompson has helped the Packers ease into life without Brett Favre over the past two years. They lack weakness overall, but selecting Coffman here is smart. He’s a great pass catcher, and has improved as a blocker. While Donald Lee has good hands, he brings little to the table as a blocker.
31. San Diego Chargers - Al Woods NT Louisiana State* - Jamal Williams has slowed in recent years, and is no longer the feared force he once was. His backup, Rion Bingham is a role player. Selecting Woods, built similar to Williams and with nearly the same skill set, makes the most sense. The rest of the Chargers defense is young and emerging.
32. Dallas Cowboys - Mike Mickens CB Cincinnati - While not a household name, Mickens has quietly earned All Big East honors twice. Mickens has great wingspan and ball skills. The Cowboys lack depth and youth in the secondary, and Mickens could be the answer.
Email Luke at luke@newerascouting.com.