Draft Day 2009

I have been accused of looking at Draft day like it was Christmas. But I’m not going to say I’m sorry. I love it. The NFL Draft is one of my favorite days of the year. I get to watch every team in the league pick who they think will be the next face of their franchise. I get to see who trades up, who trades down, and who just stays put.

Watching the prospective players gather in New York, waiting for their name to be called, and then going up on stage to get the jersey and cap… I love it. The New York fans gather, both Giants and Jets (they are geographically closest to the venue), and usually boo rather loudly, regardless of who is picked.

Speaking of the NY Giants, they pick 29th in the first round this year, but rumor is they are looking to trade up so they can get a certain wide receiver. Darius Heyward-Bey is the supposed target, and he is currently projected to go somewhere between 13 and 19.

The Detroit Lions made it official last night, signing Georgia QB Matthew Stafford to a six year deal worth a reported $72 million, $41.7 million of which is guaranteed.

So here’s the Right Wing 2009 Mock Draft Top 10:

1 Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB Georgia
Stafford is a playmaker with an Elway-like arm and poise under pressure. He gives Detroit a franchise QB to build around. And with a weapon like Calvin Johnson, I doubt you’ll hear Stafford complain.

2 St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT Baylor
Smith is one of the better pure athletes in the draft this year, and recently offensive tackles have become regular first round selections. Just last season OT Jake Long went first overall.
Alternate possibility: Aaron Curry

3 Kansas City Chiefs: Tyson Jackson, DE LSU
Jackson’s stock has soared recently, and this originally projected late first rounder has climbed the board steadily. The Chiefs need a strong central piece to their defense, and Jackson could just be it.
Alternate possibilities: Aaron Curry, Jason Smith

4 Seattle Seahawks: Mark Sanchez, QB USC
ESPN has single handedly raised the draft value of Mark Sanchez through their man-crush on any and all things USC. Sanchez started only 16 collegiate games, but is apparently worth a very high first round pick. Seatttle’s choice here now essentially hinges the whole draft. If they go a different route than Sanchez, the fun will start around pick 8.
Alternate possibilities: Michael Crabtree, Aaron Curry

5 Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest
Curry is probably the best pure athlete in this draft class. He brings speed to a defense, but he’s mostly an inside linebacker, so he’s more of a run stopper than anything.
Alternate possibilities: BJ Raji

6 Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, OT Alabama
Smith is a logical choice for the Bengals, who need to better protect Carson Palmer. Smith, though, has raised questions about his desire, and a weak showing at the Combine gave cause to pause.
Alternate Possibilities: Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin

7 Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech
Oakland on Draft Day is about like watching a demolition derby, it’s not gonna be pretty, but it will be exciting. The Raiders need a top WR and Crabtree just might be their guy.
Atlernate possibilities: Jeremy Maclin

8 Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri
Maclin is a double threat at least, as a receiver and kick returner. Jacksonville likely will hope that Mark Sanchez falls to this spot so they can trade the pick, gather more selections later on.
Alternate Possibilities: Eugene Monroe, BJ Raji

9 Green Bay Packers: Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss
The Pack needs to protect Aaron Rodgers, and an SEC O-lineman is as good a choice as any.
Alternate possibilities: Eugene Monroe, BJ Raji

10 San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Maybin, LB Penn State
The 49ers might try going after a QB, but Maybin makes sense here. The Niners will need a strong central figure for their defense.
Alternate Possibilities: Eugene Monroe, BJ Raji

Now obviously we didn’t discuss the possible trades that could take place. A few teams are inquiring about Jacksonville’s eight spot pick, especially Washington and the NY Jets. Both teams are interested in moving up to acquire Mark Sanchez.

The Broncos are a team to watch, as they have the #12 and #18 picks. The Eagles also have two late first round picks, one of which they are projected to use on Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno.

The Atlanta Falcons sit at #24, and were originally projected to select TE Brandon Pettigrew out of Oklahoma State. But two days ago the Falcons trade and 2010 2nd Round pick to KC for TE Tony Gonzalez, effectively ending the Pettigrew projection. The Falcons will likely bolster their defense now. LB Clay Matthews (USC) or DT Peria Jerry (Ole Miss) would both be great additions.