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Doctor Football's 2009 First Round Mock Draft

For those of you who are new to the site, I'd like to explain how I approach a mock draft. Many people put their ear to the street or simply go off of their personal rankings. I try to mix it up in the best way possible, combining my own player evaluations, team needs and draft history, how a player would fit in with a particular coach's style, whispers along the grapevine, etc. Also, I don't factor in trades. I like to keep it simple, and with the rumors and misinformation floating around, it's just too easy to misread the tea leaves.

However, I'm not totally oblivious to the pre-draft gossip. Here are some of the things I've heard that may have legs:

1. The Patriots are rumored to want to move into the top-10. They have the ammunition (11 picks overall and three in the second round). Supposedly, the targets would be Brian Cushing or Michael Crabtree.
2. The Jets and Redskins would love to be in position to select Mark Sanchez. However, he would have to slide to the number eight spot for either of them to have a chance. The Redskins basically pulled themselves out of the race when Daniel Snyder announced earlier today that Washington's 2010 first-round pick is not for sale. 
3. Do not believe the story that the Broncos are trying to maneuver their way into contention for Sanchez. They like where they're at and need the picks to rebuild their woeful defense.

Obviously, if I hear anything else, I'll make sure to update this page immediately. Also, make sure to check back on Saturday for the blog I'll be running during the draft.
 
1 Matthew Stafford
Georgia		 QB By early Friday evening, this one was signed, sealed, and delivered. The Lions are putting an awful lot of pressure on a young quarterback with no offensive line.
2 Jason Smith
Baylor		 OT The Rams bought a plane ticket for Mark Sanchez to St. Louis. The humorous part of the story is that if they did, they may get their wrists slapped by the league.
3 Tyson Jackson
Louisiana State		 DE For most people, including me, this is way too early for Jackson. However, he's the only true 5 technique in the draft, which makes him invaluable to 3-4 teams.
4 Mark Sanchez
Southern California		 QB In the end, I think they choose their quarterback of the future over the best defensive player in the draft.
5 Aaron Curry
Wake Forest		 OLB Eric Mangini gets the playmaking outside linebacker, and the safest player in the draft, that he needs to put his stamp on the defense.
6 Andre Smith
Alabama		 OT There's no doubt that the Bengals need a tackle, but taking Smith is a big risk for a team that just got rid of some character problems.
7 Jeremy Maclin
Missouri		 WR There are a lot of people who think that Darrius Heyward-Bay will be the pick, but in the end, Oakland goes with the more proven commodity.
8 Michael Crabtree
Texas Tech		 WR Jacksonville becomes one of the luckiest teams in draft history when the most prolific, and NFL-ready, player in this draft falls into their lap.
9 Eugene Monroe
Virginia		 OT With the Packers changing to a 3-4 defensive scheme, B.J. Raji is a possibility. But, the opportunity to land a franchise left tackle is too tempting.
10 Brian Orakpo
Texas		 DE Mike Singletary likes running multiple fronts (3-4 and 4-3), and Orakpo's versatility will give him a pass-rushing weapon that will make it happen.
11 Michael Oher
Mississippi		 OT After trading Jason Peters, the Bills are praying that they get one of the top four tackles. In this case, they run up to the podium and announce the pick themselves.
12 B.J. Raji
Boston College		 DT Denver is another team switching to the 3-4, and this prototypical nose tackle will be the anchor of the revamped defense.
13 Robert Ayers
Tennessee		 DE The Redskins have been searching for a consistent pass rusher for over 20 years (see weak pickup of Jason Taylor last year). Ayers fits the bill.
14 Malcolm Jenkins
Ohio State		 CB I know that the Saints have been putting the full court press on Brian Cushing, but there's no way they'll be able to turn down the top corner in the draft.
15 Brian Cushing
Southern California		 OLB The Texans are going to try and trade out of this pick. Either way, they'll end up with one of the USC outside linebackers.
16 Knowshon Moreno
Georgia		 RB I don't really understand this one, but I'm told that the Bolts will take Moreno if he's there. Don't be surprised if Eben Britton's name is called, though.
17 Josh Freeman
Kansas State		 QB It's not the quarterback that Jets' fans were hoping for, but anything would be better than Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff.
18 Rey Maualuga
Southern California		 ILB The Broncos continue rebuilding their defense with another of the top 10 defensive players in this year's crop.
19 Everette Brown
Florida State		 DE There are two things that the Bucs love: small, fast defensive ends and guys who played their college ball in Florida.
20 Peria Jerry
Mississippi		 DT The Lions would love it if Maualuga were to fall to number 20. The second-best defensive tackle in the draft isn't a horrible consolation prize, though.
21 Brandon Pettigrew
Oklahoma State		 TE Normally, the Eagles go for the best offensive or defensive lineman on the board. In this case, they get a great tight end who blocks like a left tackle.
22 Percy Harvin
Florida		 WR There seems to be an endless supply of bad stories emanating from he direction of Harvin. However, I've heard that the Vikings just don't care.
23 Clay Matthews III
Southern California		 OLB As I stated above, the Pats want to move up, but the presence of Matthews at this point gives Bill Belichick another versatile defender to use.
24 Vontae Davis
Illinois		 CB With a lack of an elite pass-rusher at number 24, the Falcons take the second-best corner off the board.
25 Darius Butler
Connecticut		 CB The Dolphins could go wide receiver as well. Let's remember though, this is Bill Parcells we're talking about here. Defense! Defense! Defense!
26 Kenny Britt
Rutgers		 WR I think the Ravens' receiving corps is one of the more underrated in the league, but they're too small. Britt provides a big target for Flacco to rely on.
27 Evander "Ziggy" Hood
Missouri		 DT Even though Tony Dungy's gone, the philosophy will stay the same under Jim Caldwell. Of course, that means more undersized, cat-quick defensive tackles.
28 Aaron Maybin
Penn State		 DE Another woefully inept pass-rushing team gets a boost with a pure speed rusher still available.
29 Hakeem Nicks
North Carolina		 WR He doesn't have the height to replace Plaxico Burress, but his overall size and great hands are good enough.
30 Darrius Heyward-Bey
Maryland		 CB This will finally be the year where the Titans break down and spend a top pick on a first-rate wide receiver....I think.
31 Chris "Beanie" Wells
Ohio State		 RB Most people think I'm crazy to believe that he'll still be available, but I know there are a lot of legitimate concerns in league circles about his health.
32 Alex Mack
California		 C/G The Steelers need lineman. Period. At this point, Mack is the best of the bunch and versatile enough to play three positions.

Make sure to catch Jimmy Neil every Friday from 12:30 to 2:00 PM, Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and Sunday at 4:30, only on 1560 AM or www.1560thegame.com