2009 NFL Draft Tracker: Round 1

Round: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

NFL Draft FIrst-Round Picks

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Jason DeCrow, AP

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Paul Jasienski, Getty Images

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Doug Benc, Getty Images

4. Seattle Seahawks: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Paul Jasienski, Getty Images

5. New York Jets (From Cleveland): Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern Cal

Mark J. Terrill, AP

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Sportschrome / Getty Images

7. Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Matt Cilley, AP

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Paul Jasienski, Getty Images

9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Jim Rogash, WireImage

10. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Tony Gutierrez, AP

Round 1	Selection
1. Detroit Lions	Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Our Take: The Lions got their guy, but at a price. If Stafford's not starting by 2010, and the Lions aren't in the playoffs soon thereafter, this will be a huge letdown.
2. St. Louis Rams	Jason Smith, T, Baylor
Our Take: There was speculation that the Rams might trade out of the pick, but Smith will replace Orlando Pace at left tackle and should man the position for the next decade. Marc Bulger thanks you, Rams front office.
3. Kansas City Chiefs	Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Our Take: The Patriots were rumored to like Jackson as Richard Seymour's replacement, but he'll go a long way in solving the Chiefs' defensive line issues. Even if Glenn Dorsey is on the trading block.
4. Seattle Seahawks	Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Our Take: The Seahawks could have also used an offensive tackle to take over for the aging Walter Jones. Or even Mark Sanchez as Matt Hasselbeck's successor. But Curry might be the best player in the draft, and in Seattle he'll join Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill at linebacker.
5. New York Jets (from Browns)	Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Our Take: Sanchez flew from New York to California last night. And he'll be back in the Big Apple in a few hours. The Jets gave up a lot, but Kellen Clemens wasn't the answer. As for the Browns, they can stockpile picks and continue to rebuild.
6. Cincinnati Bengals	Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Our Take: After a rough start at the combine, Smith's draft stock didn't take a hit. The Bengals struggled to keep their quarterbacks upright last season, and he'll be a starter from Day 1.
7. Oakland Raiders	Darrius Heward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Our Take: As Mike Mayock says, Heyward-Bey is a "height/weight/speed guy," which translates to: Al Davis loves speed, and now JaMarcus Russell has someone to throw 80-yard bombs to. Now if they just had some pass blockers.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars	Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Our Take: With Michael Crabtree still on the board -- and a definite need to add some pass catchers -- the Jags go the safe route with Eugene Monroe. Jacksonville signed Tra Thomas this offseason, but he's in his mid-30s, and David Garrard spent too much time on his back last year.
9. Green Bay Packers	B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Our Take: Raji fell into the Packers' lap, he fills a huge need, and it puts to rest the scuttlebutt that the team had Michael Crabtree atop their draft board.
10. San Francisco 49ers	Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Our Take: Crabtree had a long wait in the green room, but he's certainly glad to finally hear his name called. Now all the 49ers need to figure out is who will throw him the ball.
11. Buffalo Bills	Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn St.
Our Take: Maybin's a great athlete, but he had a mediocre combine, and struggled in college against the run. More than that, the Bills need to replace left tackle Jason Peters.
12. Denver Broncos	Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Our Take: Wow. The Broncos played much of last season without a defense and new head coach Josh McDaniels' answer to that is to take a running back? Really?
13. Washington Redskins	Brian Orakpo, LB, Texas
Our Take: All the pre-draft bluster about the Redskins making a move for Mark Sanchez didn't play out. Not only that, but Dan Snyder takes a pass rusher and Jason Campbell won't demand a trade.
14. New Orleans Saints	Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.
Our Take: Mock drafts also had a running back as an option here, but, well, the Broncos possibly monkey-wrenched those plans. The Saints' secondary could use some help, but there are questions about whether Jenkins can play cornerback in the NFL. Worst case: he moves to safety and has a successful career.
15. Houston Texans	Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Our Take: In January, most people thought Rey Maualuga would be the first USC linebacker taken. Turns out, Cushing's the guy, and FanHouse's Stephanie Stradley has been calling it for a while. The Texans had the league's worst red-zone defense last season and Cushing shouldn't have any trouble cracking the starting lineup.
16. San Diego Chargers	Larry English, LB, Northern Illinois
Our Take: Adding a 3-4 rush linebacker was at the top of the to-do list, and English, while from a small school, is a solid selection. Don't forget: DeMarcus Ware was a 2004 first-rounder taken from Troy. He worked out okay.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Browns, via Jets)	Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas St.
Our Take: Probably the worst-kept secret leading up to the draft. New head coach Raheem Morris was the Kansas St. defensive coordinator in 2006, and he compared Freeman to Ben Roethlisberger. Ironically, a few months after Jon Gruden is canned, the Bucs finally get a franchise QB.
18. Denver Broncos (from Bears)	Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
Our Take: McDaniels said that when you have a great running back you have to take him. And now that the Broncos also got Ayers, it's more believable. Ayers can play anywhere along the defensive line in the 3-4, which should make new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's job a little easier.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (from Browns, Via Bucs)	Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Our Take: Earlier this offseason, Donovan McNabb said he'd hold off on talking about a contract extension until he saw what type of weapons the front office added to the offense. Maclin could be the best receiver McNabb's ever played with (at least one without keen locker-room-dividing powers).
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)	Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Okla. St.
Our Take: Hmm. Didn't see that coming. Pettigrew is the best tight end in the draft, but the Lions have a glaring need on the other side of the ball. Maybe Jim Scwhartz will make him a two-way player.
21. Cleveland Browns (from Eagles)	Alex Mack, C, California
Our Take: Eric Mangini wants to get bigger along the interior line. With Hank Fraley on the way out, this is a savvy move. Especially given that the Browns have accumulated so many pics today.
22. Minnesota Vikings	Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Our Take: The lesson? Failing a drug test when you know it's coming isn't a deal-breaker. Just as long as you don't do it on the Love Boat. Seriously, Harvin's a game-changer, and what he can do with the ball in his hands will make Sage Rosenfel's transition to full-time starter much easier.
23. Baltimore Ravens (from Patriots)	Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Our Take: Another first-round trade, and this time the Ravens get the next Jonathan Ogden. That Oher lasted this long is surprising, and it probably prompted Ozzie Newsome to make the move.
24. Atlanta Falcons	Peria, Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
Our Take: Jerry creates havoc in the backfield, particularly as a pass rusher. He'll bolster a defensive line that is still waiting for former first-round DE Jamaal Anderson to put it all together.
25. Miami Dolphins	Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Our Take: Davis is a top-10 pick if not for off-field concerns. He's a fast, physical corner and if anybody can keep him in line it's Bill Parcells. Breaking out the Draft Day Cliche Manual, this qualifies as a "value pick."
26. Green Bay Packers (from Pats, via Ravens)	Clay Matthews, LB, USC
Our Take: Last year's season was lost because of a suspect defense. General manager Ted Thompson plans to remedy that in Round 1. Green Bay got B.J. Raji with the ninth selection, and now work a deal with the Pats to get Matthews.
27. Indianapolis Colts	Donald Brown, RB, UConn
Our Take: Maualuga and Ziggy Hood are still on the board, but Bill Polian thinks enough of Brown to take him here. The former UConn star had a great Senior Bowl, and the Colts have a pretty good track record with first-round picks.
28. Buffalo Bills (from Eagles)	Eric Wood, C, Louisville
Our Take: Wood doesn't replace Jason Peters, but he can move into the starting lineup for since-released Derrick Dockery. Still, the gaping hole at left tackle can't make Trent Edwards -- or T.O,, for that matter -- feel much better.
29. New York Giants	Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC
Our Take: Nicks is a big, strong wideout and is often compared to Anquan Boldin. You know, the same guy the Giants were rumored to be interested in this offseason. The difference: Nicks is younger and cheaper, although he'll need some time to get acclimated to the NFL. Added bonus: he probably won't shoot himself in the thigh.
30. Tennessee Titans	Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
Our Take: The Titans haven't taken a WR in the first round in a while, but Britt possesses great physical skills, is an imposing presence, and has (cliche alert) plenty of upside. Plus, it gives the Kerry Collins somebody to throw to. (The Titans also signed Nate Washington this offseason, too.)
31. Arizona Cardinals	Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio St.
Our Take: FanHouse's Matt Snyder had the Cards taking Wells early in our mock drafts. He's similar to Tim Hightower, but with more explosiveness. There are injury concerns, but in a two-back system he could flourish.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers	Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
Our Take: The Steelers' defensive line is aging, and Hood can play three- or five-technique. He's inconsistent in the run game, but a tenacious pass rusher.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-25-2009 @ 7:03PM

wheresroom237 said...

Sanchez will do well for the Jets. Look for great things from him, if the O-line gives him some protection.

Stafford will be playing for the Georgia Force by 2012.

4-25-2009 @ 7:19PM

donamic1 said...

No news about The Pittsburgh Steelers? Why?

4-25-2009 @ 7:29PM

billyp01 said...

cause they havnt picked yet dummy

4-25-2009 @ 7:44PM

minimeclc said...

crabtree going to san fran. watch out for the niners this year....

4-25-2009 @ 7:51PM

Hatetexas4ever said...

fold NFL fold. after what the lions did with that nobody from Georgia, i hope the whole league goes under. that is just sickening to pay ANYONE that kind of money.

4-25-2009 @ 11:26PM

cblan13 said...

Way to go Percy !!!! Play for Minnesota like you did for THE FLORIDA GATORS !!!!!!!!

4-26-2009 @ 1:30AM

Wes said...

i think stafford will do well unlike matt leinhart who still can't get outta his usc days.

4-26-2009 @ 2:43PM

Doug said...

It's official. No one associated with professional football;ie scouts, coaches, writers, broadcasters, fans, concession vendors, etc. know a damn thing about the Broncos except Josh McDaniels! Next to last worst defense in all of football, and coach McPunkass drafts a running back as his first pick?? Runs off a Pro-Bowl quarterback??? Who is in control in Denver?
Drop the damn crack pipe already. Somehow one has to believe Mike Shanahan is somewhere laughing his ass off as he enjoys his 7 mil a year salary while playing golf...