Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
KFFL.com's 2009 NFL Mock Draft

2009 NFL Draft - Mocking After the Fact
by Gregory Cox
NFL Draft Director
4/26/09


#1 Detroit - QB Matthew Stafford (Georgia)
Could have? Taken anyone, obviously, including a middle linebacker like Curry, any of the elite left tackles or even a different quarterback in Sanchez.

My hindsight: I am on record as being a “Sanchez guy” for lack of a better way to say it. It’s close though. I can’t argue quarterback too much though.

#2 St. Louis - OT Jason Smith (Baylor)
Could have? Sanchez was never considered in my opinion. It was tackle all the way. Curry might have been a consideration if Pace hadn’t just been cut and Barron wasn’t in a contract year.

My hindsight: One year later this is the right decision.

#3 Kansas City - DE Tyson Jackson (LSU)
Could have? Trading down should have been an option, but perhaps Pioli wanted too much in a package of picks for the Jets (or Broncos) to bite. Only getting a 2010 second for Gonzalez might have pushed him to try for too much.

My hindsight: I was always on the defensive line for them, and never believed Curry was a fit. So I can see just taking Jackson who they see as their Richard Seymour.

#4 Seattle - LB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest)
Could have? Sanchez had to be considered, and he might have been. Monroe would have solidified their sad offensive line. Trading down was not really an option because they coveted Curry.

My hindsight: Now I see the logic. They never really wanted Leroy Hill, but they tagged him just in case Curry was not available to them in the draft. Their foresight on this worked out very well if you ignore the fact that they lose Hill. I couldn’t see them taking Curry because it would ruin the Hill negotiations, but obviously they weren’t concerned with that.

#5 New York (Jets) - QB Mark Sanchez (USC)
Could have? Stayed put at #17 and watched their season go into the tank.

My hindsight: This is brilliant. He is a perfect fit for the Big Apple spotlight and will quickly have this team in contention for the AFC East title.

#6 Cincinnati - OT Andre Smith (Alabama)
Could have? This is the guy they wanted and they got him. Monroe had to be at least in the conversation and has a clean sheet in the character department.

My hindsight: I like the move in terms of position, but if Smith’s NFL combine escapades rear their ugly head this is another troublesome player in a Bengal uniform. Monroe was a safer alternative.

#7 Oakland - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland)
Could have? Everyone wanted them to take Crabtree or Maclin. I argued weeks ago that if it was a receiver DHB would be the choice based on speed. People laughed. Now they’re laughing, but at the Raiders who likely should have traded down. Monroe was definitely another alternative as a young elite tackle for their offensive line.

My hindsight: I caught wind of this move in a flurry late from various sources telling me the team loved his film, flew to Maryland for him, etc, etc. There was chatter the Giants wanted to trade up from #29 and select him although how high they might have gone is unknown. I might have taken Monroe. Ultimately this move is an endorsement of Russell at quarterback because Garcia is not going to throw bombs for DHB to run under.

#8 Jacksonville - OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia)
Could have? Their need at receiver was only temporarily bandaged by signing Holt. Two top flight talents in Crabtree and Maclin were there for the taking.

My hindsight: For some reason the cliché is that “this pick is not sexy” whatever that means. I love the pick. He was good enough to keep Albert at guard when both were Cavaliers. That says a lot.

#9 Green Bay - DT B.J. Raji (Boston College)
Could have? Honestly, I see no other option for them. They are going to a 3-4 and needed that centerpiece.

My hindsight: Had I known for sure he would be on the board I 100% would have projected him to the Packers. 

#10 San Francisco - WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech)
Could have? Few, except maybe me since I had him to them here at #10, thought Crabtree would still be on the board for them. It shifted their focus from defense, but the value made it an easy choice.

My hindsight: This sets up a great debate for rival fans in the Bay Area. DHB vs. Crabtree will be heavily scrutinized even if both are playing on bad teams. The 49ers got a great value and a guy who can chew up receptions.

#11 Buffalo - DE Aaron Maybin (Penn State)
Could have? This had to be a pass rusher or offensive tackle. Oher should have been on their mind as the only top tackle prospect left and perhaps Orakpo or Ayers was considered at end.

My hindsight: I am not high on Maybin. He is a project. Their offensive line will take a big step back in its current form and perhaps the Bills should have looked at dialing up the Raiders at #7 to grab Monroe when he slipped down. Both teams in retrospect would have benefited from that deal.

#12 Denver - RB Knowshon Moreno (Georgia)
Could have? Defense was thought to be the main emphasis in this draft. Anyone, at any level should have been considered.

My hindsight: It is clear Josh McDaniels feels the cast of characters in the backfield are unable to get the job done for him. This is strange to me considering a group of castoffs did just fine for him in New England last year. The pressure is on his offense now, but Moreno is a good player who fantasy football players will love.

#13 Washington - DE/LB Brian Orakpo (Texas)
Could have? The ‘Skins sprinted to deliver this pick and it fills a need. Oher is perhaps the only guy they thought about taking, but if they did ponder that it was only for about three seconds.

My hindsight: Certainly on paper their defensive line looks stout. They will get high scores on Madden 2010 for sure. On the field I am not sure if Orakpo is going to follow in Gholston’s footsteps. Washington hopes he can keep getting tougher and attack bigger, stronger NFL tackles.

#14 New Orleans - CB Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State)
Could have? This pick was burned into their slot for weeks, but a USC linebacker or trading down might have been discussed in the war room.

My hindsight: I like the talent and it fills a desperate need. However, they will go over 100 picks without getting another player and for a team with defensive deficiencies I would have dealt down.

#15 Houston - LB Brian Cushing (USC)
Could have? It might have been a situation where they mulled over another Trojan ‘backer Matthews. Another thought would be Wells to share the backfield load with Slaton.

My hindsight: There are doubters in Cushing for various reasons, but paired with Ryans this was the right move.

#16 San Diego - DE/LB Larry English (Northern Illinois)
Could have? Gee, I don’t know, maybe taken Oher to immediately upgrade their right tackle spot?

My hindsight: This was an eye opening pick. It says to me that Merriman is not well physically. If he was there is no chance they do this.

#17 Tampa Bay - QB Josh Freeman (Kansas State)
Could have? The buzz was around Freeman and Michael Johnson, but apparently it was Freeman they wanted all along. It was just a matter of jumping ahead of Denver, who had a shot at Freeman at #12 but might have considered him again at #18.

My hindsight: The situation reminded me a bit of Washington falling in love for Jason Campbell a few years back. Tampa Bay “used” the Leftwich signing to throw teams off the scent and if they want him, well, they got him. Who am I to argue?

#18 Denver - DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee)
Could have? After going running back surprisingly at #12 it had to be defense.

My hindsight: I like Ayers more than most. He has drive. As they move to a 3-4 the Broncos obviously feel he can provide some much needed help on the line.

#19 Philadelphia (Eagles) - WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri)
Could have? Everyone wanted them to jump on Wells at running back. The need was addressed later with McCoy which makes this move look very solid.

My hindsight: There is no way Maclin should have lasted this long with his speed and return ability added onto his pure receiving talent. Perhaps the only question is which of their young stars, Maclin or DeSean Jackson, return punts? It’s a nice problem to have.

#20 Detroit - TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State)
Could have? The offensive line needed a boost and Oher slipped down the board into their laps. Many believed OT would be the play after Stafford was signed. A middle linebacker had to be considered as well, and the top two were on the board.

My hindsight: I like this pick. He’s really an extra offensive lineman because he can stay in and block for Stafford. Pettigrew is also a receiving threat and paired with Calvin Johnson provide big targets in the red zone.

#21 Cleveland - OC Alex Mack (California)
Could have? I don’t have space to list their options considering they traded down so much. If Sanchez is a better quarterback than whoever they stick in on opening day the moves will be criticized.

My hindsight: Their ex-line coach Marshall just took the same position at Cal. I have to wonder if he provided the Browns a little inside information from the Bear coaching staff which led to this being the pick. They seemed adamant about moving back, and back, and back. In the end they got a gem – and I keep my hair since I declared I would shave it if he made it out of round 1.

#22 Minnesota - WR Percy Harvin (Florida)
Could have? When Mack went off the board center lost value. Oher was an option at tackle, but they felt confident in their line enough to add a “toy” on offense.

My hindsight: I placed him here very early in the process, but backed off once his positive test became news. The team is rolling the dice he can stay clean. He will be a boom on the field if he can avoid getting busted off of it.

#23 Baltimore - OT Michael Oher (Mississippi)
Could have? Once this much value was on the board the Ravens were likely honed in on him. I’m sure Rey Maualuga was at least discussed as a possible middle linebacker successor to Ray Lewis.

My hindsight: I like Oher and I love the pick.

#24 Atlanta - DT Peria Jerry (Mississippi)
Could have? It was rumored they might deal for the guy they wanted at the position last year, Glenn Dorsey, but nothing happened. The other deal with Kansas City, for tight end Tony Gonzalez, pushed this need up their list of priorities and made this a logical choice.

My hindsight: They needed to address this position and he was the top player on the board.

#25 Miami - CB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
Could have? Once the value was there the only thing to consider was character. His talent is top 10, but questions have come up regarding his ability to take coaching. Bill Parcells has great instincts about stuff like this and must believe he can get in line.

My hindsight: It’s not often you can get arguably the top true corner at #25 overall which makes this a good move.

#26 Green Bay - LB Clay Matthews (USC)
Could have? They paid a price to jump back into the first round, but staying put would not have allowed them the ability to grab another impact player for their new front 7.

My hindsight: The Packers get another key cog for the switch to the 3-4 and that has to be a good thing.

#27 Indianapolis - RB Donald Brown (Connecticut)
Could have? I expected them to think about a receiver, but obviously none impressed them enough.

My hindsight: It’s the same as my foresight because I projected Brown. He is a nice fit for them and won’t shrivel up in the cold weather playoff games on the road.

#28 Buffalo - OC Eric Wood (Louisville)
Could have? After passing on Oher earlier I think they might have thought about trading up once he tumbled. The same can be said about going after Mack with a trade up. At the very least they did take someone on the line even if their bigger need was at tackle, but trading down should have been the play if Wood was the target.

My hindsight: I am not crazy about the value here. Wood never blocked for any big time rushers at Louisville, but he is a solid prospect.

#29 New York (Giants) - WR Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina)
Could have? Everyone thought Britt was a natural because of the Jersey thing. Trading for Cleveland’s Edwards was burning up the rumor mill leading up to the draft.

My hindsight: I wonder about Nicks because he gained weight after the season which is a huge red flag. It is a position of great need so the Giants better hope he can stay in shape and be ready to contribute as a rookie – no easy task to be sure.

#30 Tennessee - WR Kenny Britt (Rutgers)
Could have? The Titans usually wait until the middle rounds and wind up with a player who is unable to deliver at receiver. This time they decided not to wait.

My hindsight: It makes sense to get another threat on offense, but Hood to help them offset the loss of Haynseworth might have given them more immediate impact.

#31 Arizona - RB Chris Wells (Ohio State)
Could have? It is hard to imagine them passing on Wells considering their lingering hole at the position and his value.

My hindsight: This is a dream pick for the Cardinals. They can cut James and push Hightower to the bench. Wells might be a 300+ carry player for them.

#32 Pittsburgh - DT Evander Hood (Missouri)
Could have? The offensive line was a consideration, but the elite tackles were gone and so were two centers. That being the case their attention was turned to an aging defensive line.

My hindsight: I have no argument with this one. I never thought Mack would slide down to them at #32 and while a cornerback was a consideration this is where the Steelers are built – on the lines and at linebacker.