2009
NFL Mock Draft |
by Alex Wiederspiel
- Apr 20, 2009 2:59 AM EST. Email
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33. Detroit Lions
- Laurinaitis, James, ILB Ohio State
Laurinaitis is a sideline to sideline guy with excellent size for his position. You almost always fill a need when picking for the Detroit Lions in this mock draft, and Laurinaitis has been very quiet this off-season. The important thing about Laurinaitis is the quickness of his hips will allow him to change direction and will be critical in his coverage skill. |
34. New England Patriots
- Gilbert, Jarron, DT San Jose State
Gilbert has a lot of raw ability, and he'd switch to defensive end in a 3-4 defense. The Patriots may be cutting ties with Ty Warren after this season, so Gilbert fills a very important need in New England. This fills a second need--adding some youth to this defense. |
35. St. Louis Rams
- Barwin, Connor, DE Cincinnati
Connor Barwin has had an impressive enough off-season to jump into the first round, and he very well could go as high as 23rd to New England or possibly 25th to Miami. An impressive athlete coming off an eleven sack year, Barwin has been skyrocketing up the boards in recent weeks. He's a good bet to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Barwin also played tight end in college. This multi-dimensional talent may not be the ideal styled player for St. Louis, but he and Chris Long could cause some serious havoc. |
36. Cleveland Browns
- Robiskie, Brian, WR Ohio State
Robiskie had impressive off-season work outs to make up for a mediocre season where he really wasn't in the best situation with a true freshamn quarterback. Robiskie is a coach's son and knows the game well. He's a disciplined player and should be a good #2 target in the NFL. |
37. Seattle Seahawks
- Chung, Patrick, S Oregon
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| The Seahawks have a lot of needs, and Chung is going to be one of the better safeties, if not the best safety from this class, so I felt it was best to grab a player with a better chance at success. |
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38. Cincinnati Bengals
- Robinson, Duke, OG Oklahoma
Robinson's stock has fallen a bit. It's been a long time since the days of him going 14th overall to New Orleans, and he could still fall further after getting roughed up in the National Championship game. Cincinnati needs to revamp their offensive line, and Monroe and Robinson compliment each other very well. |
39. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Williams, Derrick, WR Penn State
The Jaguars desperately need a speed receiver. Derrick Williams has seen his stock rise, fall, and rise once again so that he's at the point where early 2nd shouldn't be a surprise. |
40. Oakland Raiders
- English, Larry, DE Northern Illinois
For a while, English to the Falcons at 24th overall was one of the trendiest mock draft picks around. His stock has fallen a little, but English to Oakland could be very good. This well-rounded defensive end has the potential to re-ignite a dormant Oakland pass rush. Still, Oakland needs another tackle next to Tommy Kelly to really get things going. |
41. Green Bay Packers
- Matthews, Clay, OLB USC
Matthews may wind up moving inside in the 3-4, instead of staying outside, but he is capable of playing either position, and the Packers may prove to have a need on the inside. Initially it seemed that Barnett and Hawk were the natural candidates to shift inside in Green Bay's 3-4 defense, but there's a chance one if not both fail. Both are sideline-to-sideline linebackers who are going to be forced to play position and fill their gaps. If the transition doesn't go smoothly, Green Bay will need to find a guy who can play the spot. Matthews can start out outside and eventually move inside. |
42. Buffalo Bills
- Meredith, Jamon, OT South Carolina
Jamon Meredith is probably the top rated 2nd round tackle, and at one time was considered a first round tackle. South Carolina's offense was anemic, but Meredith was one of the few standouts. |
43. San Francisco 49ers
- Greene, Shonn, RB Iowa
Coach Mike Singletary has expressed an interest at adding a big, power runner to compliment and spell Frank Gore. Gore has been an injury liability in the past, so this isn't surprising. San Francisco has more needs then most teams entering this draft and they could go a lot of ways here, but the Niners want to emphasize the running game this year and they are going to need a back to spell Gore to do it. Greene may impact Gore's fantasy value, but if the 49ers add Andre Smith and Shonn Greene you can bet they'll not only be a better running team, but they'll want to run more with the talent they have. |
44. Miami Dolphins
- Brace, Ron, DT Boston College
The Dolphins still have a surprisingly long way to go to complete their full transition to the 3-4 defense. Jason Ferguson has proven to be an excellent stop-gap at nose tackle, but I'm not sure how much longer he can stay there before Miami starts getting gashed in the running game. Brace is pretty one dimensional and may fall a little farther on draft day, but he fits the role of 3-4 NT perfectly. As far as that position goes, he's very good at holding the point of attack and gets great leverage for his 6-foot-3 inch 330 pound frame. |
45. New York Giants
- Freeman, Marcus, OLB Ohio State
Once again we find an Ohio State linebacker flying under the radar. Freeman could be an all purpose linebacker for the Giants with that superb defensive line and Pierce and Kiwanuka filling out the front seven. Freeman is athletic and has quick hips making him an ideal candidate for a cover linebacker, but he's also a disciplined run defender. The Giants are getting a steal. |
46. Houston Texans
- Johnson, Rashad, S Alabama
Johnson is a very good cover safety, which Houston needs badly, and while he's often disciplined, he does at times take poor angles on tackles. Still, he's an effective wrap-up tackler with quick feet. |
47. New England Patriots
- Smith, Sean, CB Utah
Whether he plays corner or safety, the athletic Sean Smith fills a need for the Patriots, who brought in a load of veteran players this off-season in the secondary including Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs. The Patriots need to add some young legs here, especially after Terrance Wheatley's injury last season. |
48. Denver Broncos
- Butler, Darius, CB Connecticut
The Broncos could think about snagging nose tackle Chris Baker here, but he's a risky selection with his off-the-field issues and ambiguous position in the 3-4. Darius Butler may go in the first round, so the value is terrific here and the Broncos have needs just about everywhere on defense. Really there motto should be BPA who fits a 3-4. |
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