NFL Mock Draft: | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0

Updated (April 24, 2009)

Total Pro Sports – Introducing the Total Pro Sports Mock Draft, version 8.0, the “Final Version” before draft day.  Many changes have occurred in the first three rounds as a result of the recent scouting combine, pro days, free agency, and other off-season transactions.   Leave your comments or questions below and share your thoughts with us, as well as other NFL fans around the globe. I will respond to as many questions and comments as I can.  Thanks to all you crazy fanatics for making this a memorable blog.  For the last time in 2009, 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 Knowshon Moreno.

(Best Case/Worst Case are used only in the first round)

Lets take a look at the 2009 Mock NFL Draft: 8.0

Round 1

Pos	Team	Player	Comments	Best Case/Worst Case	Change
1		Matthew Stafford, Georgia, QB	Supposedly, contract negotiations are underway.  It now appears that the Lions will take Stafford if they can sign him before draft day…unfortunately.	B- Jay Cutler W- Kyle Boller	-
2		Jason Smith, Baylor, OT	A top heavy class of tackles allows the Rams to select the franchise left tackle to replace Orlando Pace.	B- Walter Jones W- D’Brickeshaw Furgeson	2
3		Aaron Curry, Wake Forrest, OLB/ILB	Curry is the best player available here, and will be a versatile addition to the Chiefs revamped D. This might become Denver’s pick, who may trade up to take Sanchez.	B- Demarcus Ware W- Julian Peterson	1
4		Mark Sanchez, USC, QB	Seattle never picks in the top ten. Matt Hasselbeck has two years left–TOPS. Sanchez will take that long before he’s ready. This is the only pick that makes sense, and is the best one for the long term future of the franchise.	B- Carson Palmer W- Trent Edwards	6
5		Brian Orakpo, Texas, OLB	It looks like Mangini will be going defense with this pick. Orakpo is a risk for me, in the 3-4, but has all the tools to get it done.	B- Julius Peppers W- Adawale Ogunleye	1
6		Eugene Monroe, Virginia, OT	What a gift for the Bengals! Cinci badly needs a left tackle and Monroe is the top one in the draft, by some accounts.	B- Tony Boselli W- Chris Samuels	4
7		Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech, WR	I’ve gone back and forth on this one.  If no one slides, it’s either OT or WR. DHB was in this spot in my last mock, but Crabtree is a better overall value with his collegiate production. I don’t buy them taking another WR over Crab.	B- Michael Irvin W- Keyshawn Johnson	4
8		Vontae Davis, Illinois, CB	Jacksonville will be trying desperately to trade back.  If they stay at eight, it’s either Davis or reach on an OT.	B- Nnamdi Asomugha W- Will Allen	-
9		Tyson Jackson, LSU, DT	Jackson’s stock has been on the rise since January. He fills a bigger need than the other possibility here, BJ Raji.	B- Richard Seymore W- Philip Merling	-
10		Michael Oher, Ole Miss, OT	If the Niners don’t trade up to take Sanchez, they should take the top LT on the board: Oher or Andre Smith. Oher has a better shot to start at left tackle than Smith.	B- Orlando Pace W- Levi Brown	10
11		Andre Smith, Alabama, OT	With the Williams trade complete, Buffalo should take the top tackle on the board. Smith is it.	B- Jeff Otah W- Tony Mandarich	2
12		BJ Raji, Boston College, DT	The ideal nose tackle, filling a huge need for this 3-4 conversion team. They may also trade up to select QB Mark Sanchez. We’ll see.	B- Kris Jenkins W- Barry Coefield	-
13		Robert Ayers, Tennessee, DE	Two pressing needs: Pass rusher, OT. Ayers has been rocketing up draft boards. Mike Mayock recently stated that Ayers would be the best defensive player coming out of this draft.	B- Mario Williams W- Jamal Anderson	19
14		Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State, CB	In a weak draft for DB’s, New Orleans takes arguably the best one in the draft. There is a strong possibility that he will play free safety for the Saints. A need either way.	B- Champ Bailey W- Marlon Jackson	-
15		Clay Matthews, USC, OLB	Recent off-season acquisitions have all but eliminated D-line as a possibility here. With both value corners gone, a versatile OLB, like the fast-rising Trojan, is a likely choice.	B- Kevin Green W- Manny Lawson	-
16		Rey Maualuga, USC, ILB	Rey’s stock has yo-yo’d for much of the evaluation period. If he falls to San Diego, I can’t see them passing.	B- Junior Seau W- Antonio Pierce	-
17		Josh Freeman, Kansas State, QB	Huge arm and huge upside. The Jets QB situation is sad, to say the least. With all the value corners off the board, Freeman is their guy. Maclin is another possibility here.	B- Ben Roethlisburger W- Jim Druckenmiller	-
18		Larry English, Northern Illinois, OLB	Trade From Chicago: The Broncos add the top pass rusher on the board to help form their new 3-4.  They’d better be looking to trade up to take Sanchez.  This selection should be considered a consolation prize if they cannot.	B- Joey Porter W- Karlos Dansby	-
19		Peria Jerry, Ole Miss, DT	Should’ve been Percy Harvin here, but his positive drug test will cause him to slide. Jerry fills a big hole in the Tampa defensive front.	B- Kevin Williams W- Broderick Bunkley	11
20		William Beatty, Connecticut, OT	Trade From Dallas: Taking Stafford number one demands the selection of a left tackle here. Beatty is the best LT prospect on the board, NOT EBEN BRITTON.	B- Matt Light W- Levi Brown	1
21		Knowshon Moreno, Georgia, RB	After locking up their left tackle in the Williams trade, the Eagles should target either a receiver or a future replacement for aging Brian Westbrook. Moreno was better than Westbrook as a teenager! All teams that pass on him will regret it.	B- Ladainian Tomlinson W- Brian Westbrook	10
22		Eben Britton, Arizona, OT	Minnesota has had a weakness at right tackle for some time. Britton is the solution.	B- Jordan Gross W- Ryan Diem	-
23		Aaron Maybin, Penn State, OLB	The Pats OLB’s aren’t the youngest group in the league. Maybin will bring youth, athleticism, and versatility.	B- Shawn Merriman W- Manny Lawson	-
24		Brian Cushing, USC, OLB	After trading for Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons can focus on the defense.	B- Keith Brooking W- Scott Fujita	5
25		Everette Brown, Florida State, DE	Everette Brown slides to Miami, in a bit of a surprise. They could take Darius Butler here, but Brown provides the most upside and impact.	B- Mario Williams W- Jamal Anderson	14
26		Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, WR	Baltimore needs a speed receiver badly and are thrilled that Maclin slides to 26. If he’s available here, this is as close to a “lock” as it gets.	B- Chad Johnson W- Devin Hester	-
27		Brian Robiskie, Ohio State, WR	With Marvin Harrison’s release, the Colts must fill a huge hole. Robiskie is a high character guy, highly intelligent, and is an excellent route runner. Could be a DT here, but Bill Polian’s draft history indicates that he’ll fix the offense first.	B- Braylon Edwards W- Amani Toomer	12
28		Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State, TE	Trade From Philadelphia: This trade pays off big for Buffalo. They get a young left tackle early and their TE late. They’d like a DE, but none have any value at 28.	B- Jason Witten W- Algae Crumpler	4
29		Kenny Britt, Rutgers, WR	Unless the Giants pull off a trade for Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, Britt should be their guy at 29.	B- Plaxico Burress W- Reggie Williams	8
30		Darius Butler, Connecticut, CB	If Butler slides, Tennessee will take him here. There is now a chance that he could be the first corner off the board, since the rumors about Vontae Davis’s character surfaced.	B- Asante Samuel W- Nick Harper	5
31		Chris Wells, Ohio State, RB	I just want to go on record as saying this will not happen. Someone will take Wells earlier, probably via trade. Wells would carry the load for AZ in ’09 were he to fall to 31.	B- Larry Johnson W- Lendale White	3
32		Alex Mack, California, C	Mack is the logical choice with no value OT on the board. He will upgrade the interior line, improve the running game, and keep Big Ben upright more often.	B- Andre Gurode W- Matt Birk	-

Round 2

Pos	Team	Player	Comments	Change
33		James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, ILB	Value is the key for Detroit in this draft. Laurinaitis poses the best value, defensively, at 33 overall.	1
34		Sean Smith, Utah, S	Trade From KC: Smith is a versatile DB with excellent size. He should be able to start opposite Brandon Merriweather immediately.	9
35		Max Unger, Oregon, C/G	So many needs, so few draft choices. Unger is the answer to their prayers at center or guard. Newly signed Jason Brown could stay put but will likely kick out to guard. WR is a possibility here, but I get the feeling that the Rams are happy with their young group of WR’s.	-
36		Percy Harvin, Florida, WR	Harvin’s positive drug test has him sliding a long way. Cleveland badly needs receiver help. Harvin is one of the fastest receivers off the ball in the sport.	17
37		Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland, WR	Passing on Crabtree in round one paid off big for the Seahawks. They have come away with two starters with their first two picks. DHB should be able to play opposite TJ by mid-season at worst. He should provide a deep threat to open up everything underneath.	30
38		Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech, DE	Johnson is a freakish athlete with explosive speed at the snap. He struggles with his consistency and in the run game, but will add a much needed pass rush for the porous Cincinatti defense.	2
39		Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina, WR	Jacksonville signed aging Torry Holt. Who better to mentor one of the most complete receivers in this draft? Drug test asside, Nicks is a man and should be awesome from day one.	12
40		Jamon Meredith, South Carolina, OT	Meredith is a solid tackle who had an excellent combine. He should start at right tackle for Oakland out of training camp, protecting a quarterback who loves to hold the football.	2
41		Ron Brace, Boston College, DT	Passing on Raji in round one wasn’t such a bad idea if this actually pans out. Brace should eventually anchor this defense.	-
42		Paul Kruger, Utah, DE	The Bills fill a glaring hole with this pick. Kruger will provide a pass rush which ranked last in the NFL in sacks in 2008.	7
43		Clint Sintim, Virginia, OLB	Sintim could go higher, but will not go lower than San Fran at 43. He is the pass rushing OLB that Singletary has been salivating over.	5
44		Duke Robinson, Oklahoma, G	Trade From Washington: It is unlikely that Robinson will slide to 44 but if he does, Parcels will be all over this. They badly need a left guard along side Jake Long. Look no further than the best one in the draft.	-
45		Donald Brown, Connecticut, RB	Trade From New Orleans: Brown will replace departed Derrick Ward, adding even more big play ability. The Giants’ biggest need is WR, but value dictates this as it did in in the first.	-
46		William Moore, Missouri, S	Filling another hole in the secondary, Houston takes Moore to upgrade the strong safety position.  Moore will be excellent in the box or in coverage.  Huge upside.	-
47		LeSean McCoy, Pittsburg, RB	Trade From San Diego: McCoy will bring youth and speed to the Pats’ backfield. Best case, he eventually shares the load with Lawrence Maroney. Worst case, he eventually replaces Kevin Faulk as the third down back.	-
48		Jarron Gilbert, San Diego St., DE/DT	Gilbert is an amazing physical speciman. He will be converted from DT to DE in the Denver 3-4. He could be as good as Tyson Jackson by the time it’s all said and done.	-
49		Ramses Bardon, Cal Poly, WR	A wildly talented, though raw, wide receiver. Bardon will need some work, but could develop into Chicago’s version of Brandon Marshall.	11
50		Jared Cook, South Carolina, TE	Trade from Tampa Bay: With Winslow now gone, there is a glaring hole at TE. Cleveland nabs the tight end with the biggest upside in the draft. Cook is a blazing fast receiving tight end and should be able to fill Winslow’s shoes quickly.	-
51		Louis Delmas, Western Michigan, S	Dallas has more needs than in recent history to fill.  No better place to start than by replacing hard hitting Roy Williams.  Delmas is also a hard hitter and excellent in run support. He reminds me a lot of Bob Sanders; another undersized thumper. Hopefully he can stay healthier than Bob has.	13
52		Victor Harris, Virginia Tech, CB	A physical corner in press coverage and a sure tackler, ”Macho Harris” improved his stock greatly by running a sub 4.5 at his pro day, moving back into round two.	5
53		Herman Johnson, LSU, G	Another o-lineman who could alleviate the very strange Shawn Andrews situation. Johnson can start at either guard spot if needed. This move would allow left guard, Todd Heremans, to move to tackle at worst. Need pick, in any case.	-
54		Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest, CB	The Vikings defense lacks corners with ball skills. Smith is probably the best “ball hawk” in the draft. Undersized at 5’8″, but so is starter Antoine Winfield. Need pick.	-
55		Chris Baker, Hampton, DT	Atlanta’s run defense needs a stout force in the middle. With Ron Brace long gone, Baker is the next best option at 55.	-
56		Louis Murphy, Florida, WR	At 6’2″, Murphy runs a consistent 4.4. He could become the possession receiver the Dolphins badly need accross from Ted Ginn. His speed will be an added bonus.	17
57		DJ Moore, Vanderbilt, CB	Slightly undersized, like Zo Smith, but great ball skills in zone or man. Could go higher, but will not slide past the Ravens at 57.	5
58		Andy Levitre, Oregon State, G	NE’s interior line is beginning to slip and age. Depth is a major concern. Levitre is arguably the best guard in the draft and will be perfect for NE’s offense.	11
59		Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn, DT	Carolina’s run defense badly needs a solid D-tackle who can contribute immediately. With Jarron Gilbert off the board, Marks is the best fit for their scheme.	3
60		Darry Beckwith, LSU, ILB	A fierce linebacker, out of the Antonio Pierce mold. He will add some much needed youth to the Giants LB Corps.	5
61		Evander Hood, Missouri, DT	The Colts have to get stronger at the point of attack on both sides of the ball. Hood is always in the backfield, and will improve that porous run defense while providing some added pressure on the passer. Gap perpetrator who is perfect for Indy’s scheme.	-
62		Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma, WR	A solid wide receiver who runs precise routes and has consistent hands. Iglesias is an excellent open field runner and should be able to start at WR2 by mid season.	10
63		Connor Barwin, Cincinnati, OLB	Barwin is a highly athletic and versatile player who lit up the scouting combine. A DE in college, Barwin could play both DE and rush linebacker in Arizona’s highly diverse scheme. Perfect fit for this team!	-
64		Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma, OT	A mammoth tackle who protected Sam Bradford’s blind side in college, Loadholt should be able to step in right away at right tackle for the world champs. With the o-line fixed, it should be “best player available” going forward.	-

Round 3

Pos	Team	Player	Comments	Change
65		Rashad Johnson, Alabama, S	A steal atop round three. Johnson is a very intelligent player who is always in the right place on the field. He will improve one of the worst secondaries in football history immediately.	5
66		Patrick Chung, Oregon, S	The Rams have many defensive needs. A starting strong safety is chief among them. Chung poses excellent value at 66 overall. He should be able to crack the starting lineup right away.	-
67		Eric Wood, Louisville, C	A very deep center class bears fruit in round three for KC. This has been a need for some time and is a step in the right direction to rebuild that O-line.	25
68		Keenan Lewis, Oregon State, CB	Lewis has excellent size at 6’0″, 208 lbs. Seattle will be targeting a tall physical corner with speed. Lewis pumped out 20 reps on the bench, and ran a sub 4.5 at his pro day. He will fit the bill perfectly. He could easily go in round two.	-
69		Derrick Williams, Penn State, WR	Trade from Cleveland: With T.O. shoveling snow in Buffalo, Williams is a need pick who will add speed from the slot for Romo and the Cowboys’ offense.	24
70		Shonn Greene, Iowa, RB	There is no way that Cedric Benson miraculously becomes a player. He has never been an effective featured back in the NFL. Greene will compete with Benson for carries and should win that battle outright by mid-season.	-
71		Kevin Barnes, Maryland, CB	Barnes is a fast riser recovering from shoulder surgery. His 6’0″, 190 lb frame and 4.45 speed are just what the Raiders are looking for to improve the secondary.	5
72		Troy Kropog, Tulane, OT	Kropog will add depth at tackle, and should compete to start on the right side immediately. He blocked for Matt Forte in college and is highly underrated.	1
73		Gerald Cadogan, Penn State, OT	The Pack cannot get enough Big Ten smash-mouthers. Cadogan has propelled himself into the third round, and may stil be rising. Green Bay needs depth and youth at tackle.	-
74		Asher Allen, Georgia, CB	San Francisco has too many needs to count, but corner is one of them. Allen is a guy they like a lot and should be able to start at nickel in ’09.	23
75		Trevor Canfield, Cincinatti, G	Canfield is a nasty phisically dominant run blocker who will fit right in with the Bills’ smashmouth offense, adding depth inside.	22
76		Mike Wallace, Ole Miss, WR	Trade from N.O.: Wallace runs a consistent 4.35 with good size. He is a little raw, technically, but should contribute.	21
77		Rashad Jennings, Liberty, RB	Jennings is a beast, as he demonstrated at the Senior Bowl. This is the power back Houston needs to compliment elusive Steve Slaton. Steal at 77.	-
78		Fili Moala, USC, DE	San Diego takes another USC talent on defense. Moala will convert to 3-4 end permanently in this defense replacing Igor Olshansky.	-
79		Danell Ellerbe, Georgia, ILB	An excellent tackler who will provide athleticism and versatility. Injury concerns have him sliding, but lack of quality inside backers keep him in round three.	-
80		Fenuki Tupou, Oregon, OT	Solid tackle. Decent pass blocker. Excellent run blocker. He is the top tackle on the board. Washington needs one badly, simply put.	6
81		Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond, DE	Sidbury is an explosive pass rusher, but a very raw talent. His upside should be enough to put some pressure on Gaines Adams to improve.	1
82		Cornelius Ingram, Florida, TE	Trade from Dallas: Gifted athlete who missed ’08 with an injury. He was a first round talent before his injury and has been impressive in off-season workouts. Ingram’s upside has no ceiling and Detroit could use another reliable target.	-
83		Mike Mickens, Cincinatti, CB	Trade from NYJ: Mickens is another tall corner, at 6’0″, just like the NFL likes them. He is a bit of a question mark, having not worked out much for scouts. The one forty time he ran was over 4.5. That shouldn’t be a problem on the “frozen tundra”.	-
84		Jairus Byrd, Oregon, CB	Trade from Chicago: Excellent zone corner with tremendous ball skills. He will be an ideal nickel back in his rookie season and could become the number two corner by season’s end.	-
85		Chase Coffman, Missouri, TE	Donovan McNabb needs a reliable third down target outside of Brian Westbrook. Coffman would be an excellent fit if the Eagles pass on Brandon Pettigrew in round one.	10
86		Dorell Scott, Clemson, DT	Excellent height/weight/speed ratio guy.  Will add depth to an aging Minnesota defensive front.	-
87		Travis Beckum, Wisconsin, TE	A throwback player with speed. Beckum should compete with Fasano for playing time in ’09 but should become the starter by 2010.	2
88		Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida, OLB	McKenzie is a ferocious and intense player who is very versatile. The Ravens need depth at LB and McKenzie can play three different roles in their scheme.	-
89		James Casey, Rice, TE	Casey has huge upside and could start in 2010. This has been an exceptional draft for the Patriots. Combined with all the moves NE has made in free agency, they should be making a run at 16-0 again!	8
90		Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest, S	A very gifted athlete who was nothing but a play maker in college. At over 220 lbs, Vaughn will replace future HOFer Lawyer Milloy. I actually have Vaughn rated as a second round pick unlike most. Great value here, if you asked me.	-
91		Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina, CB	The Giants need depth at corner. Munnerlyn could be the nickelback by mid-season.	-
92		Andre Brown, NC State, RB	I think this is a steal at 92, though some have Brown going later. If you watched the Senior Bowl, you know what I’m talking about. He is a 224 lb running back who can catch, block, and run. Had he played at Georgia, he’d easily be a first round back. Colts need a big back to close out games. Brown is that guy.	-
93		Pat White, West Virginia, QB/WR	An excellent pick for a team that badly needs receiver help and could use a developmental quarterback prospect. White is both but should play immediately in the slot.	21
94		Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas, C	Luigs is a brute who faired extremely well blocking for the likes of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. He will soon replace Kevin Mawae and block for Johnson and White in Tennessee.	27
95		Antoine Caldwell, Alabama, C	All American over the likes of Mack, Unger, Wood, and Luigs. Caldwell will immediately upgrade Arizona’s sub-par interior line.	-
96		Sherrod Martin, Troy State, S	Pittsburgh needs to upgrade the free safety spot. Martin will develop in the complex scheme in ’09 but could start in 2010. Current 30 year old starter, Ryan Clark, is entering the final year of his contract.	-