NFL Mock Draft: | 1.0 |

Ending (January 22/09)

Total Pro Sports – Introducing the Total Pro Sports Mock Draft, version 1.0!  It is our intention to add more, more, MORE to this section each week, making TPS your one stop shop for draft analysis.  Rounds two and three are coming soon!

We will also be adding detailed and completely independent scouting reports on each first round prospect, in the coming weeks, giving you a better understanding of what NFL scouts are looking for while detailing the factors involved in player selection.  Changing team needs, player workout results, in-depth film study, character assessments, and all the other ”measurable” play significant roles in where players are drafted.  As new information becomes available, watch as players move up or down the draft board, possibly landing on your favorite team’s roster.

Leave your comments or questions below and share your thoughts with us, as well as other NFL fans around the globe.  Let’s talk talent!

Best Case – Refers to a player’s “up-side”.  My view of what a player is likely to become in the NFL, in terms of production or equivalent talent, assuming that he reaches his full potential.

Worst Case - Refers to a player’s “down-side” or “bust” potential.  If you find a great NFL player’s name used to describe a draftee’s worst case scenario, then I am not concerned about a bust possibility, as is the case with Michael Crabtree.

Lets take a look at the 2009 Mock NFL Draft: 1.0

Pos	Team	Player	Comments	Best Case/Worst Case
1		Andre Smith,  Alabama, OT	A stout left tackle at 6’4′, 330.  He is equally good as a run blocker or in pass protection.  Stafford is the popular pick here, but poses a risk that Detroit cannot afford to take.  Smith is safe, and will be a force for the next decade.	B- Walter Jones W- Leonard Davis
2		Michael Oher, Ole Miss, OT	Orlando Pace is done, but Oher will provide the protection needed for the down field passing attack that St. Louis loves so much.  Will enter camp at 6’6′, 320–prototype dimensions.	B-Orlando Pace W-D’Brickeshaw Furgeson
3		Matt Stafford, Georgia, QB	Filling a desperate need, the Chiefs make a desperate decision in taking the biggest arm of the draft.  They have their work cut out for them though, as he needs a lot of work from the neck up.  Boom or bust.	B-Jay Cutler W-Kyle Boller
4		Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech, WR	The slam dunk of the draft.  This guy has it all, and Seattle has nothing.  Great place to start.	B-Michael Irvin W-Larry Fitzgerald
5		Aaron Curry, Wake Forrest, OLB	A one man army!  Curry will be a beast pass rusher from jump in Cleveland’s 3-4.  Another no brainer for a team that needs a lot of help.	B-Demarcus Ware W-Julian Peterson
6		Jason Smith, Baylor, OT	Smith’s stock has not yet matured.  He is turning a lot of heads quickly, and could end up in the top three.  The Bengals need to keep Carson Palmer healthy to have any shot.  This player is special, and is not done growing!  Huge upside, but needs strength.	B-Tony Boselli W-Joe Staley
7		Eugene Monroe, Virginia, OT	Al Davis will think about taking speedster Jeremy Maclin here, but will get better value with Monroe, who will protect Jamarcus Russell as he learns to read NFL defenses.	B-Chris Samuels W-Jeff Backus
8		Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State, CB	The best corner in the draft–period.  Jacksonville has to deal with Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson twice a year.  With all the value tackles gone, this is the logical choice.	B-Champ Baily W-Antoine Winfield
9		BJ Raji, Boston College, DT	With the hiring of Dom Capers as the new DC, Green Bay needs a monster nose tackle to anchor its new 3-4 scheme.  Look no further at 330 plus pounds.  Raji’s play during Senior Bowl week has made him a virtual top ten lock.	B-Kris Jenkins W-Barry Cofield
10		Mark Sanchez, USC, QB	Huge upside, but needs some polishing.  Sanchez poses excellent value here, but will need to sit for a while as he develops his skills.  As we approach the draft, it is becoming less likely that he’ll be at ten.	B-Carson Palmer W-Trent Edwards
11		Brian Orakpo, Texas, DE	The best pure DE in the draft with enormous ability, Orakpo may not slide to eleven, but he will not get past the Bills.  Buffalo desperately needs a pass rusher, and this guy is explosinve.	B-Julis Peppers W-Justin Tuck
12		Chris Wells, Ohio State, RB	Denver hasn’t spent a first round pick on a running back since 1989.  The need has never been greater though.  There are two that they will have to choose from.  Denver doesn’t throw to their backs often, so Wells’ better power makes him their guy.	B-Larry Johnson W-Jamal Lewis
13		Everett Brown, Florida State, DE	A need pick here.  An aging group of ends has caused diminished productivity at that position.  The Redskins will be considering the future with this decision.	B-Mario Williams W-Jamaal Anderson
14		Vontae Davis, Illinois, CB	In a weak draft for DB’s, New Orleans takes the best one still on the board to sure up that porous pass defense.	B-Nnamdi Asomugha W-Will Allen
15		Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, WR	Finally, another threat to take pressure off of Andre Johnson.  They are not the same team when he’s hurt, which he often is.  This pick could change all that.  Huge threat in the return game, as an added bonus.	B-Santana Moss W-Devin Hester
16		Ray Maualuga, USC, ILB	His potential has no ceiling.  He slides to 16 due to character and work ethic concerns.  San Diego finally replaces legend Junior Seau with a guy who might be even better.	B-Junior Seau W-Lavar Arrington
17		James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, ILB	The Jets need some speed in the middle of that defense.  Laurinaitis is the best player available that fits that description.  A pick based on up-side.  Laurinaitis is not the most physical backer in the world, and will need that to change to be successful.	B-Brian Urlacher W-Andy Katzenmoyer
18		Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech, DE	Pure speed and agility!  A sack specialist, which the Bears have a great need for.  Best player available considering the needs they have.	B-Javon Kearse W-Gaines Adams
19		Knowshon Moreno, Georgia, RB	It would be a shocker for Moreno to slide this far, considering his insane skill set.  The depth of this draft could make this a reality, though.  Tampa would be thrilled.	B-LaDainian Tomlinson W-Brian Westbrook
20		Duke Robinson, Oklahoma, G	First, Detroit selected the best left tackle in the draft.  They now have the chance to select the best guard, making that O-line one of the most talented young groups in football.	B-Shawn Andrews W-Derrick Dockery
21		Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State, TE	McNabb needs this for Philly to stay in the hunt.  There are no wideouts available at 21 that pose good enough value to pass up the best TE in this draft.	B-Tony Gonzalez W-Jason Witten
22		DJ Moore, Vanderbilt, CB	Three glaring needs for the Viks: QB, WR, and DB.  Moore is the best player available at those positions.	B-Asante Samuel W-Kelvin Hayden
23		Brian Cushing, USC, OLB	A fierce hitter with excellent speed from the edge.  The Pats OLB’s aren’t the youngest group in the league.  Cushing will fit well in the New England 3-4, and produce some much needed sacks.	B-Shawn Merriman W-Manny Lawson
24		Chase Coffman, Missouri, TE	Could be considered a “reach”, but Coffman is the best receiving tight end in this draft, and Matt Ryan needs a security blanket on third downs.  He will be huge in the red zone.	B-Antonio Gates W-Dallas Clark
25		William Moore, Missouri, S	Miami fills a need here rather than taking undersized pass rusher Aaron Maybin.  Moore is a big kid and a big hitter, and will improve the secondary immediately.	B-LaRon Landry W-Josh Bullocks
26		Percy Harvin, Florida, WR	Baltimore has a few options at WR here, but elects to take the biggest big play threat of the bunch.  Harvin has abundant speed, and will help out in the return game as well.	B-Steve Smith W-Sinorice Moss
27		Peria Jerry, Ole Miss, DT	The Colts have to get stronger at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.  Best player available on either line.	B-Tommie Harris W-Brodrick Bunkley
28		Alex Mack, California, C	The Eagles draft for the future here, but also immediately improves the O-line.  Mack is one of the best center prospects ever, and the Eagles can’t resist taking him at 28.	B-Andre Gurode W-Matt Birk
29		Kenny Britt, Rutgers, WR	Britt is 6’4″ and highly athletic.  If he runs in the 4.4 area at the combine, he could go higher.  Britt will begin filling the void left by Plaxico Burress.	B-Plaxico Burress W-Reggie Williams
30		Derrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland, WR	Tennesse needs a deep threat receiver to complete their offense.  Heyward-Bey is tall and fast, but raw.  Boom or bust pick.	B-Santonio Holmes W-Charles Rodgers
31		LeSean McCoy, Pittsburg, RB	In Arizona’s offense, this makes perfect sense.  Edge James probably won’t be coming back, leaving a big hole to fill.  This becomes a two back system, with McCoy as “Dash”.	B-Chris Johnson W-Kevin Faulk
32		Ebon Britton, Arizona, OT	Pittsburg is thrilled that Britton has slid to them.  Since Roethlisburger won’t get rid of the ball on time, they need guys to protect longer.  Could be Phil Loadholt here if Britton goes sooner.	B-Jordan Gross W-Ryan Diem