2009 NFL Draft

1st Pick - Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions

Position - Quarterback | College - Georgia Bulldogs

The Detroit Lions found their franchise quarterback in Matt Stafford. Detroit fans had mixed emotions over the selection, but the front office was unanimous on the selection and are confident in Staffords ability. The Lions agreed to terms with Stafford before the draft negotiating a six-year, $78 million contract, with $41.7 million guaranteed. Stafford is known for his arm strength, an ability to throw on the run, and for having good character and a winning attitude.

2nd Pick - Jason Smith - St. Louis Rams

Position- Offensive Tackle | College - Baylor

The St. Louis Rams found their replacement for Orlando Pace at left tackle in the athletic Jason Smith who is known for having great feet and excellent movement skills. His presence will be felt both protecting quarterback Marc Bulger's blind side as well as giving the line a push on run blocking. Smith provides an anchor to rebuild a St Louis offensive line around.

3rd Pick - Tyson Jackson - Kansas City Chiefs

Position - Defensive End | College - LSU

Kansas City surprised many with this pick, but Jackson was the best 3-4 defensive end in the draft. Tyson Jackson is a hustler, his motor never stops. He can take on a double team and still make a play on the quarterback or snuff out the run.

4th Pick - Aaron Curry - Seattle Seahawks

Position- Outside Linebacker | College - Wake Forest

The Seattle Seahawks added to one of the finest linebacker corps in the NFL (Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill) when they selected Aaron Curry who many considered to be the best all around player in the draft.

5th Pick - Mark Sanchez - New York Jets (from Cleveland)

Position - Quarterback | College - USC

The Jets made a bold move to trade up for who they believe is the quarterback of their future. While this former USC quarterback has only started in 16 games in college, he is highly rated for having a strong, accurate arm and is a great team leader. His experience with the West Coast offense will help him adjust quickly to the similar offense ran by the Jets.

6th Pick- Andre Smith - Cincinnati Bengals

Position - Offensive Tackle | College - Alabama

Coach Marvin Lewis wants to get back to running the football and the addition of Andre Smith is a beast of a run blocker.

7th Pick - Darrius Heyward-Bey - Oackland Raiders

Position - Wide Receiver | College - Maryland

In a bit of a head-scratcher, the Raiders bypass Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin to select Heyward-Bey. Although the former Maryland speedster recorded the best 40 time (4.30) at the combine, he is raw and unrefined as a receiver. He may eventually develop into a big-time weapon in the Raiders' offense, but he is a bit of a reach as a potential No. 1 receiver.

The Raiders had the first shocker pick passing on higher rated receivers Michal Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin to pick Heyward-Bey. He is a bit raw at receiver but has blazing speed. Coach Tom Cable plans on Heyward-Bey to be able to make quarterback Jamarcus Russell and running back Darren McFadden more complete players.

8th Pick - Eugene Monroe - Jacksonville Jaguars

Position - Offensive Tackle | College - Virginia

The Jaguars go for the most polished tackle prospect on the board. Though Monroe is highly regarded as a pass blocker, he is equally adept at creating a push in the running game. With the Jaguars hoping to return to their power running attack, Monroe gives them another pile-pusher in the lineup.

Jacksonville has the goal of returning to a power running team and Eugene Monroe can help with that. He is an excellent pass blocker, but he is just as good at pushing the defensive line back supporting the running game.

9th Pick - B.J. Raji - Green Bay Packers

Position - Defensive Tackle | College - Boston College

The addition of B.J. Raji will give the Packers the dominating nose tackle they are going to need to anchor their 3-4 defense. He should occupy offensive lineman to keep linebackers A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett free to make plays.

10th Pick - MIchael Crabtree - San Francisco 49ers

Position - Wide Receiver | College - Texas Tech

Michael Crabtree is a two time Biletinikoff Award winner and is the drafts biggest playmaker which thrilled San Francisco when they found him still available for their tenth pick in the draft. He will be the best receiver in San Francisco since Terrell Owens.

11th Pick - Aaron Maybin - Buffalo Bills

Position - Defensive End | College - Penn State

Aaron Maybin comes to Buffalo as an immediate playmaker as a pass rusher.

12th Pick - Knowshon Moreno - Denver Broncos

Position - Running Back | College Georgia

Denver went for the gold with the best running back in the draft in Knowshon Moreno. He is an elusive runner, good receiver, and an excellent blocker.

13th Pick -Brian Orakpo - Washington Redskins

Position - Defensive End | College - Texas

Orakpo unexpectedly falls to the Redskins at No. 13. Though he was projected by many as a hybrid rusher, Orakpo will play as a conventional edge rusher alongside Pro Bowler Albert Haynesworth. With the big man occupying double teams inside, Orakpo has an opportunity to record double-digit sacks in his first season due to a high number of man-on-man blocks off the edge.
Many picked Orakpo to go higher in the draft which pleased the Redskins to find him still there for the 13th pick. He is a beast in the weight room and it pays off in his pass rushing and he should be a three down defensive player.

14th Pick - Malcolm Jenkins - New Orleans Saints

Position - Cornerback | College - Ohio State

The Saints made a big upgrade in picking up Malcolm Jenkins. This versatile defender has excellent cover skills, but is big and tough enough to make the big hit.

15th Pick - Brian Cushing - Houstan Texans

Position - Outside Linebacker | College - USC

The tough and versatile Brian Cushing will be joining the Texans where he can come in and start at either outside linebacker position. With his addition to the team, they have many new powerful blitzing options.

16th Pick - Larry English - San Diego Chargers

Position - Defensive End | College - Northern Illinois

The Chargers needed a powerful pass rusher and they found in in English. Now the team has Shaun Phillips, Shawne Merriman, and Larry English.

17th Pick | Josh Freeman | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Position - Quarterback | College - Kansas State

The Buccaneers gamble on the gifted quarterback out of Kansas State. Blessed with prototypical size and arm strength, Freeman gives the Bucs a deep-ball thrower to complement their power running game. Though he may not be ready for action in 2009, he gives the team a potential franchise quarterback to groom.

Tampa Bay was looking for their future quarterback and they found it in Josh Freeman. He has excellent size, arm strength and he can run. While he may not be ready to start in 2009, this young quarterback has huge upside.

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