# The 2009 NFL draft thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 8, 2009, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914 "2009-02-08T10:43:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/61 "2009-03-06T21:54:21Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Kinda like Heyward-Bey going at 18. I’d love for the Bears to get Troy Williamson… I mean Yamon Figurs … umm, I mean Heyward Bey, there. Figurs? :rolleyes: If he’s Williamson minus being a complete and total headcase he might be OK. Truth be told I’d be even more excited if the Bears got Britt with their 2nd pick instead of Heyward-Bey with their first but Britt probably won’t last that long. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/62 "2009-03-12T14:13:26Z")
Well, Andre Smith managed to \*show up \*for his pro day. From what I have heard from the various scouting sites the consensus seems to be that he did really well on position drills and bombed the workout drills. Guess he could not bother to prep for the second most important job interview of his career, either. How does this affect his stock? Is he still the #3 OT or will Oher overtake him? He has the skills, but if I were a GM the character he is showing would definately make me shy away from anything above about a #16 pick contract. This is a guy who comes across to me as a player who will sit out off-seasons and take a few games a season to get up to speed. If Oher, Britton and Beatty do well at their pro days he could be hurting even more. Beatty probably cannot overtake him, but Oher can and Britton might. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/63 "2009-03-12T20:14:30Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Is he still the #3 OT or will Oher overtake him? He has the skills, but if I were a GM the character he is showing would definately make me shy away from anything above about a #16 pick contract. This is a guy who comes across to me as a player who will sit out off-seasons and take a few games a season to get up to speed. If Oher, Britton and Beatty do well at their pro days he could be hurting even more. Beatty probably cannot overtake him, but Oher can and Britton might. ESPN has posted an [updated Mock Draft](http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/insider/columns/story?id=3972427) for both McShay and Kiper. > [@](#): > > 1. Detroit Lions (Record: 0-16) > > Kiper pick: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia – Stafford is worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick > McShay pick: Stafford – It appears the No. 1 pick is Stafford’s to lose. > > 1. St. Louis Rams (2-14) > > Kiper pick: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor – The OT spot is strong at the top with Smith, a former tight end who is supremely athletic and exactly what you want in a left tackle > McShay pick: Smith – Smith has emerged as the top offensive lineman in the 2009 class. > > 1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) > > Kiper pick: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest – He’s a complete OLB with great character and work ethic > McShay pick: Curry – The Chiefs choosing to beef up the defensive or offensive line isn’t out of the question here, but Curry is the best defensive player in this year’s draft > > 1. Seattle Seahawks (4-12) > > Kiper pick: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia – Monroe is just a shade below Jason Smith in my opinion > McShay pick: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College – The Seahawks taking an offensive tackle is a strong possibility here, especially with their recent addition of free-agent DT Colin Cole. However, Raji is the only elite defensive tackle in this class > > 1. Cleveland Browns (4-12) > > Kiper pick: B.J. Raji – Raji is the top defensive tackle in this draft. > McShay pick: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas – Orakpo left the combine as the top hybrid DE/OLB in the 2009 class. > > 1. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) > > Kiper pick: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech – The stress fracture in his left foot shouldn’t affect his draft status. > McShay pick: Eugene Monroe – Crabtree certainly is a possibility here, but the Bengals need to solidify their offensive line, and Monroe clearly is the next-best option at offensive tackle. > > 1. Oakland Raiders (5-11) > > Kiper pick: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri – Maclin will have to adjust to an NFL offense, but I really like his big-play capability > McShay pick: Maclin – Speed will rule in the Oakland draft room as long as owner Al Davis is calling the shots. > > 1. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) > > Kiper pick: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC – Sanchez definitely is one of the top five-to-eight players available in this draft, and getting him here would be a bit of a steal > McShay pick: Michael Crabtree – The team has pressed all the wrong buttons at wide receiver for years now, but taking Crabtree would be a no-brainer. > > 1. Green Bay Packers (6-10) > > Kiper pick: Brian Orakpo – I view Orakpo as a 4-3 end with the ability to also play on his feet in a 3-4 as an attacking outside linebacker. > McShay pick: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State – The Packers could use a young pass-rusher like Maybin > > 1. San Francisco 49ers (7-9) > > Kiper pick: Aaron Maybin – Maybin is another combo type who is explosive out of the blocks and relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback. > McShay pick: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama – Smith’s underwhelming pro day performance hardly shifted his negative momentum, but you can’t overlook his combination of size and feet. > > 1. Buffalo Bills (7-9) > > Kiper pick: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State – Pettigrew remains the No. 1 tight end on the board and would be a boost to the Buffalo passing attack. > McShay pick: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State – Brown is undersized and might fit best as a strongside linebacker, which could work for the Bills. > > 1. Denver Broncos (8-8) > > Kiper pick: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU – Jackson would be ideal in a 3-4, thanks to his ability to shift inside in passing situations. > McShay pick: Jackson – The Broncos need to bulk up along the defensive front in order to make a smooth transition to the 3-4 scheme. > > 1. Washington Redskins (8-8) > > Kiper pick: Andre Smith – Smith has to manage his weight in order to remain on the left side. If he doesn’t, he’s a mauler at right tackle who could really assist the running game and do the job at that spot in pass protection. Hopefully, he’ll maximize his skills in the NFL by paying more attention to detail. If he doesn’t, you are looking at a major bust. > McShay pick: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi – The Redskins’ offensive line is aging in a hurry, and offensive tackles who move like Oher do not last long on draft day > > 1. New Orleans Saints (8-8) > > Kiper pick: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia – There isn’t anything remotely close to the talent and depth at running back available in the draft last year, but Moreno is a good fit for the Saints at this spot. > McShay pick: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State – Jenkins could fall out of the top 10 following his subpar showing at the combine. > > 1. Houston Texans (8-8) > > Kiper pick: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC – Cushing’s ability to fit both inside and outside is the reason I’ve always viewed him as a surefire first-rounder. > McShay pick: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee – Many think Knowshon Moreno or Chris “Beanie” Wells could be the choice here, but will coach Gary Kubiak really spend the 15th overall pick on a running back? > > 1. San Diego Chargers (8-8) > > Kiper pick: Malcolm Jenkins – Jenkins has all the qualities you look for, with the exception of top-flight recovery speed, which is an obvious concern. > McShay pick: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC – Maualuga’s draft stock could hinge on the severity of the hamstring injury he suffered at the combine and how it affects his individual workouts. > > 1. New York Jets (9-7) > > Kiper pick: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida – Harvin reminds me of the Reggie Bush we now see with the Saints. > McShay pick: Mark Sanchez – Sanchez should come off the board earlier than this, but it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact spot right now. > > 1. Chicago Bears (9-7) > > Kiper pick: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland – Heyward-Bey’s awesome size-speed ratio should win out here and give the Bears the kind of wideout they need to open up the passing game. > McShay pick: Heyward-Bey – The Bears need a receiver capable of stretching the field vertically. Heyward-Bey’s combine-best 40 time (4.30 seconds) is all you need to know right here. > > 1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) > > Kiper pick: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State – Freeman is an interesting prospect because he throws a great ball and has imposing size at nearly 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds. > McShay pick: Freeman – New coach Raheem Morris has a first-hand perspective on Freeman’s enormous potential, having coached him at Kansas State in 2006. > > 1. Detroit Lions (from 9-7 DAL) (0-16) > > Kiper pick: Robert Ayers – Ayers enjoyed a solid season in the SEC and then was one of the standouts during Senior Bowl week. > McShay pick: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi – Jerry has the quick first step and upper-body power > > 1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) > > Kiper pick: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut – Brown could end up being one of the more productive rookie backs in 2009 because of his all-around skills and tremendous character. > McShay pick: Knowshon Moreno – Chris Wells would be a better complement to Brian Westbrook in the short term, but Moreno’s versatility makes him a better fit to ultimately succeed Westbrook in the Eagles’ pass-happy system. > > 1. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) > > Kiper pick: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina – Nicks won’t wow you in a workout, but on game day, he makes the tough catches > McShay pick: Percy Harvin – The Vikings have proved they will take the best available athlete. > > 1. New England Patriots (11-5) > > Kiper pick: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC – Matthews has enjoyed a monumental rise up the draft board since August. > McShay pick: Matthews – Matthews has a non-stop motor, exceptional versatility and an NFL pedigree. > > 1. Atlanta Falcons (11-5) > > Kiper pick: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech – Johnson is an enigma. He’s blessed with a ton of ability and huge pass-rush potential, but he didn’t come through with anything close to the dominating senior season most expected. > McShay pick: Brandon Pettigrew – Pettigrew isn’t a burner, which is why he could slip. However, he is the most complete tight end in this class and would be a big, reliable target over the middle for QB Matt Ryan. > > 1. Miami Dolphins (11-5) > > Kiper pick: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois – Davis is an impressive physical specimen, but he lacked consistency with the Illini > McShay pick: Brian Cushing – Miami has more pressing needs at cornerback and wide receiver, but Cushing is a steal this late in the first round > > 1. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) > > Kiper pick: Rey Maualuga – Maualuga is capable of becoming a quality “Mike” linebacker in the NFL but needs to use his hands better > McShay pick: Vontae Davis – Davis hasn’t won over many scouts with his footwork or his attention to detail. > > 1. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) > > Kiper pick: Peria Jerry – Jerry is a very underrated prospect and would be a good fit in the Indianapolis scheme. > McShay pick: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri – Hood is a classic 3-technique with the quickness and athleticism to disrupt plays in the backfield. > > 1. Philadelphia Eagles (from 12-4 CAR) (9-6-1) > > Kiper pick: Michael Oher – Oher is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. > McShay pick: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona – Britton has surprisingly quick feet for his size (6-foot-6, 309 pounds) and ultimately could develop into a better option than Winston Justice at the left tackle position vacated by Tre Thomas > > 1. New York Giants (12-4) > > Kiper pick: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers – Britt has a ton of talent and is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. > McShay pick: James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State – Laurinaitis has too many physical limitations to go in the first half of the first round > > 1. Tennessee Titans (13-3) > > Kiper pick: Everette Brown – Brown should do well in the Tennessee defensive rotation because of his strong skill set. > McShay pick: Hakeem Nicks – I think Nicks ultimately will emerge as the second- or third-best receiver from the 2009 class. > > 1. Arizona Cardinals (9-7) > > Kiper pick: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State – Wells is the second-best back in this draft behind Knowshon Moreno and could be a nice pickup for the Cardinals > McShay pick: Wells – The Cardinals will be targeting a pass-rusher with this pick, but they won’t be able to pass on the most naturally gifted back in the 2009 class. > > 1. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) > > Kiper pick: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut – Butler might not be as good as Vontae Davis or Malcolm Jenkins, but he should be a good fit for the defending champs. > McShay pick: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest – Offensive line no longer is the pressing need it once was for the Steelers, so they can address other needs. I edited out much of the commentary to keep it fair use since this is an ESPN Insider article but you can see that Kiper and McShay both still have Andre Smith as the 3rd OT coming off the board no later than the 13th pick. I think that’s insane personally, I would bet good money that he drops much further than that and that both Oher and Britton go before he does. Some interesting stuff in those Mocks though. They seem to be dovetailing on some of their projections. Both have Stafford going first, which I doubt, I think Curry ends up going first. As a Bears fan I hope I’m wrong, I don’t want to face Curry twice a year, I have no worries about Stafford. McShay has Maclin leapfrogging Crabtree which just doesn’t make any sense at all, though with the Raiders anything is possible. They agree on Tyson Jackson going to the Broncos at 12, Heyward-Bey going to the Bears at 18 and Josh Freeman going to the Bucs at 19. All logical picks that I would bet play out exactly that way. The Bears might wait until their 2nd rounder to take a WR and the Bucs might look to trade back and still land Freeman near the end of the first round, but this is probably the most likely scenario for both teams. Kiper has Donald Brown leapfrogging ahead of Beanie Wells which I agree with. Kenny Britt and Michael Johnson are much, much higher on Kiper’s board than McShay’s. Since both are guys I covet for the Bears in the 2nd round I hope McShay is correct. The Bears are particularly interested in Johnson to help their pass rush, if they draft him I hope it’s in some combo of Heyward-Bey/Johnson or Johnson/Britt. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/64 "2009-03-12T20:59:48Z")
The Lions have a horrible history with QBs. I do not want another one. We have a couple left and we can wait a year. I feel sorry for the beating they have to take. Wide receivers are not hard to pick up. The really good ones are nuts and put the team through all kinds of problems. The Lions should build a line. We have been without one for years. Our Oline has been a career destroyer. QBs have paid a terrible price here. We now have a 300 lber at QB that might survive a year. That gives us a window to build at other spots that are easier to fill. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/65 "2009-03-12T21:12:35Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > The Bears might wait until their 2nd rounder to take a WR and the Bucs might look to trade back and still land Freeman near the end of the first round, but this is probably the most likely scenario for both teams. The Bucs will _not_ draft a quarterback in the first round. They might sign or trade for a veteran, or draft a guy in the later rounds… but Freeman isn’t worth a first-round pick, and we don’t need a rookie quarterback anyway. First-round possibilities are DE, (under) DT, OT, WR and CB, in that order. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/66 "2009-03-12T21:34:15Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The Bucs will _not_ draft a quarterback in the first round. They might sign or trade for a veteran, or draft a guy in the later rounds… but Freeman isn’t worth a first-round pick, and we don’t need a rookie quarterback anyway. > > First-round possibilities are DE, (under) DT, OT, WR and CB, in that order. I agree that #19 is too high for him, maybe somewhere in the #30-40 range would be better. The pundits seem to love the Morris-Freeman connection. I know the Bucs wanted Cutler but what veteran are they going to get? QBs are hella scarce and it seems like they dumped Gruden for his inability to find a QB after signing mediocre aging FAs year after year. If Morris thinks Josh Johnson is a bust he almost has to get a guy to develop soon. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/67 "2009-03-12T21:44:21Z")
I will be one sad panda if they take Stafford at number 1. I know I’ve said this, but I need to keep repeating it. It’s my mantra. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/68 "2009-03-12T21:46:36Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I agree that #19 is too high for him, maybe somewhere in the #30-40 range would be better. The pundits seem to love the Morris-Freeman connection. I know the Bucs wanted Cutler but what veteran are they going to get? QBs are hella scarce and it seems like they dumped Gruden for his inability to find a QB after signing mediocre aging FAs year after year. If Morris thinks Josh Johnson is a bust he almost has to get a guy to develop soon. I don’t understand why they’re all up in the Morris-Freeman connection area; Morris was K-State’s defensive coordinator, and only for one year. He probably didn’t say more than a dozen words to Freeman in any given week. I highly doubt he’s passed any judgment on Johnson yet. He hasn’t taken a regular season snap yet, and word is he looks good in practice. The team will go into the season with Luke McCown as the starter, and I’m fine with that. He hasn’t had much opportunity for the last few years but he was absolutely spectacular when allowed to play. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/69 "2009-03-12T22:06:13Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I highly doubt he’s passed any judgment on Johnson yet. He hasn’t taken a regular season snap yet, and word is he looks good in practice. As the DB Coach he probably had Johnson running scout team against the starters every single practice last season. He might know him better than anyone. It’ll be interesting to see what the dynamic with him and McCown is in preseason. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/70 "2009-03-13T13:43:48Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > As the DB Coach he probably had Johnson running scout team against the starters every single practice last season. He might know him better than anyone. It’ll be interesting to see what the dynamic with him and McCown is in preseason. McCown ran the scout team offense nearly all the time last season. Johnson only played scout team QB before the Raiders, Broncos and Chiefs games. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/71 "2009-03-13T18:56:18Z")
Supposedly the Bears [were scouting](http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/03/rounding_up_thursdays_pro_day.html#more) Nebraska QB Joe Ganz today. I know almost nothing about him. Did anyone watch him play? Does he have late round potential? His numbers in 08 look pretty nice but the Big 12 had, shall we say, interesting season defensively. In other news John Tait officially retired today. Freeing up cap room for the Bears and officially ending any chance of luring him back, or more practically using that possibility as negotiating leverage with St. Clair. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/72 "2009-03-14T20:19:51Z")
Projected 2009 compensatory picks [here](http://adamjt13.blogspot.com/), by “AdamJT13.” Looks like New England will be the biggest winner, projected here to receive extra picks in the 3rd, 5th, and 6th rounds (for Asante Samuel, Donte Stallworth, and Randall Gay, respectively). If nothing else, it’s an interesting read for its insights into the secret formula used by the NFL to award compensatory picks. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/73 "2009-03-14T21:40:30Z")
Why are they getting a compensatory pick for Stallworth? I thought you only got them for players you drafted _yourself_ who leave via free agency. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/74 "2009-03-14T21:56:01Z")
Nope, that’s not the case. I’ve certainly never heard that, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/75 "2009-03-15T05:51:02Z")
It’ll be interesting to see what they do for Brendon Ayanbadejo. That site has him projected as a 7th round compensatory pick, but as a Pro Bowl special teams specialist his numbers don’t really fit with normal formula. You’d think that a Pro Bowler would warrant more than a 7th rounder, even if he is a special teamer. The fact that a special teamer was signed as a RFA for $1.5M is pretty unique in itself. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/76 "2009-04-03T13:55:31Z")
Some interesting stuff going on regarding the draft in the last couple weeks. 1. Bears give up #18, #84, and next years’ first rounder, but get #140. Oh, and Jay Cutler. 2. Word has it BJ Raji, Vontae Davis, and Percy Harvin all tested positive for marijuana at the combine. In addition, there are reports that USC linebackers Cushing and Matthews tested positive for steroids. Whether that will effect their draft positions, who knows. Personally, I was hoping the Pack would target Raji at 9, but I’m now wondering if that is wise. 3. Both Stafford and Sanchez supposedly had very good pro days and individual workouts, and are both now looking like top 10 picks. This may make for some interesting trades to move up. 4. We’ve passed the 8 million mark on number of mock NFL drafts done. And all of them are going to be wrong. All of them. 5. I’ve fine tuned a list of “My Guys” in the draft who I think will be good value at the Packers picks: First Round: Aaron Curry/Justin Smith/Eugene Monroe (They’ll all be gone I’m sure). And Raji until failing the drug test. Second Round Clint Sintim, DE/OLB, Virginia Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU Third Round Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Diego State. Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina Brian Robiskie, WR, THE Ohio State University Fourth Round Myron Pryor, NT, Kentucky Alex Magee, DT/DE, Purdue Mitch King, DT/DE, Iowa David Veikune, DE, Hawaii Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina State Later Round Sleepers Sebastian Vollmer, OT, Houston Marlon Lucky, RB, Nebraska Roy Miller, DT, Texas Victor Butler, OLB, Oregon State Quan Cosby, WR, Texas Tyronne Green, OG, Auburn Kraig Urbik, OG, Wisconsin Not many of these guys will fall to the Packers, but I like their potential to succeed in the NFL. As you can see, I think (unless Sintim or English fall to the second round), the Pack can wait on a pass rush specialist OLB (a guy like Victor Butler will fit the bill very well) and a 3-4 DE until the later rounds. Which makes me wary of picking someone like Everette Brown or Brian Orakpo at #9. I also don’t like the depth in the defensive secondary in the draft, so I wouldn’t mind Malcom Jenkins in the first round. I think that the way this draft may work out, the Packers may trade down from #9 depending on who is still available. I’m fine with that as long as there is some good compensation. And, of course, some good picks. 1. I’ve also fine tuned my list of “Your Guys”, who I think are overrated and will be taken well before they should. Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State Sean Smith, DB, Utah Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri Derrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland T minus 22 days and counting. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/77 "2009-04-03T14:14:06Z")
I don’t think you’ll see Robiskie fall to the third round. I am crossing every available body part in the hope that the Buccaneers will not draft Josh Freeman. I didn’t like him much when I looked at his numbers and record. I like him even less after hearing a couple of interviews. Guy’s a complete moron. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/78 "2009-04-03T14:24:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I don’t think you’ll see Robiskie fall to the third round. That’s one of the things I always go through during the draft. I always look at it from a Packer’s perspective, so much of who I like is based on where they become good value for the Pack. This year, the Pack are at 9, so all those guys who would be good value at the middle or end of a round, I have to hope fall to the next round. Robiskie, to me, is a solid pick late in the second, but is clearly not worth the Packers pick at the top of the second, so I have to hope he falls to the third round. But, in reality, I think he’s clearly a mid to late second round pick. The same goes for guys like Sintim, Jackson, Meredith, and Gilbert. I have them all being good picks in a late round, but a reach early in that same round. So I have to hope they fall a round. So, if they’re picked late in the round before I have them listed, that’s a good pick for that team. But I really want them to fall to the Packers. > [@RNATB](#): > > I am crossing every available body part in the hope that the Buccaneers will not draft Josh Freeman. I didn’t like him much when I looked at his numbers and record. I like him even less after hearing a couple of interviews. Guy’s a complete moron. Someone will take a chance on him. Now that the Bucs no longer have a shot at Cutler (I saw Kiper say that the Bucs could have him for a first and a later pick), they may take that chance. But, for your sake, I hope they don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/79 "2009-04-03T14:33:40Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Someone will take a chance on him. Now that the Bucs no longer have a shot at Cutler (I saw Kiper say that the Bucs could have him for a first and a later pick), they may take that chance. But, for your sake, I hope they don’t. I was pretty steamed at the team for not taking the plunge on Cutler after 33 years of poor-to-mediocre quarterback play. Still, I have high hopes for Luke McCown, and Cutler seemed to become less of a no-brainer as the trade saga went on. Now he’s looking like a total whiny bitch- he actually had the temerity to suggest that “this wasn’t him”, and that he “didn’t want to be traded” yesterday. I don’t know that I want that guy on my team even if he throws for 4500 yards again. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914/80 "2009-04-08T15:56:12Z")
Does anyone have a perspective on OG Herman Johnson, LSU? I have seen him in the combine and I know the guy is a beast size-wise, but can he actually play? Looking at his drills in the combine I would call him a safe third or early fourth-round pick, but was he an important part of the strenghth of LSU’s line? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-draft-thread/484914.md?page=5)