2009 Packerrats Mock Draft

[mission]

The Buccaneers hoped and prayed that Sanchez would fall to them at #19 but their search for a franchise QB will have to continue (Josh Freeman was also heavily looked at). After strongly considering Cushing to replace Brooks, concerns of past steroid use in addition to the return of LB Angelo Crowell (who had a strong 07 season with the Bills) from injury have them putting this pick off for later in the draft.

Their only other unmentioned glaring need is the defensive line. Ole Miss' First team All-American, Peria Jerry, completely wowed scouts at his pro day with a 4.98 40, running faster than any other man at his size (Indy). Considered a reach by many, comparisons to Warren Sapp are just the nudge it takes to put this pick over the top in Jim Bates' new defensive scheme.

[Lurker64]

And the Lions are on the clock!

[Partial]

Dig the write up Mission. Can everybody start doing that from here on out? It makes it more entertaining to have a little back story and theory behind the pick.

[packrulz]

Please note: from now on there will be a 12 hour time limit to make your draft picks, we only have 10 days until the draft, so we need to step it up. Detroit lions are on the clock.

[packrulz]

This guy has a very plausible 7 round mock draft with links to other good mock sites, he does have the packers taking a punter in the 6th, but they do need a punter so I don't have a problem with it, I would like this draft. http://thefootballexpert.com/mockdraft.html

[ND72]

Detroit could go one of 2 ways here in my opinion. They could look Offensive Tackle to protect their new #1 QB, but they could probably get the same guy they want at pick #33 in the 2nd round. So Detroit gets Defensive, and takes Vontae Davis, CB - Illionis.



Philly is on the clock.

[DonHutson]

The Philadelphia Eagles are linked with every WR in the draft every year, because other than the T.O. experiment they've never given McNabb a top flight target. So do they take one here? I say no. They also have needs on the OL, and like most teams they could use more playmakers on D.

When Brian Westbrook is on the field, the Eagles are as good as anyone. When he's hurt, they typically suck. Therefore, to me, the key to continued success for the Eagles is to either keep Westbrook healthy (and he's not getting any younger) or find a supplementary RB.

Beenie Wells would offer the old thunder and lightning cliche, but I think the Eagles go with Knowshon Moreno here. He can do a lot of the same things Westbrook can, with far fewer miles on the odometer.

Pick #21 - EAGLES - KNOWSHON MORENO (RB) GEORGIA

Next Bretsky will try to find some poor bastard who looks good in purple...

[Guiness]

Detroit could go one of 2 ways here in my opinion. They could look Offensive Tackle to protect their new #1 QB, but they could probably get the same guy they want at pick #33 in the 2nd round. So Detroit gets Defensive, and takes Vontae Davis, CB - Illionis.



Philly is on the clock.

So, the guy who almost went #9 finally comes off the board. Since Detroit took him, it is now settled that it would've been a bad idea for the Pack to draft him! Maturity and coachability questions make him a bad fit for the Lions, IMO.

[ND72]

I was considering Cushing to the Lions...But he will play an OLB position, and they need MLB help. Then I was considering OL for them, but nobody really that fits the #20 pick in round 1. So then I was playing the BPA option, of which they didn't need a QB (Freeman), and don't really need another RB (Wells/Moreno). So it was either DL, or DB, and Davis is the only "top" guy left IMO.

[Partial]

The Philadelphia Eagles are linked with every WR in the draft every year, because other than the T.O. experiment they've never given McNabb a top flight target. So do they take one here? I say no. They also have needs on the OL, and like most teams they could use more playmakers on D.

When Brian Westbrook is on the field, the Eagles are as good as anyone. When he's hurt, they typically suck. Therefore, to me, the key to continued success for the Eagles is to either keep Westbrook healthy (and he's not getting any younger) or find a supplementary RB.

Beenie Wells would offer the old thunder and lightning cliche, but I think the Eagles go with Knowshon Moreno here. He can do a lot of the same things Westbrook can, with far fewer miles on the odometer.

Pick #21 - EAGLES - KNOWSHON MORENO (RB) GEORGIA

Next Bretsky will try to find some poor bastard who looks good in purple...

I think this might be the pick of the draft at this point. There system will really benefit Moreno imo.

[KYPack]

Bretsky on the clock with the purple.

[Lurker64]

Bretsky on the clock with the purple.

If he doesn't show up soon, can I assume he's passing on the spot and pick for the Patriots? It wouldn't be the first time this happened, perhaps it's intentional!

[Bretsky]

The Minnesota Vikings, who consider GB their biggest rival, seriously considered going the route of OT, mainly in Eben Britton. But blocking Justine Harrell and the subpar cast of DL Green Bay currently has would stunt his growth anyways.

Instead, they go with a dynamic all around player that could fly by Al Harris with ease if he ditches the jam. And last year we saw that Bernard Berrion wasn't a ringer so the Vikes need help here.

The Minnesota Vikings select, WR Percy Harvin. Enjoy seeing him in your tracks Packer fans

[Fritz]

Detroit could go one of 2 ways here in my opinion. They could look Offensive Tackle to protect their new #1 QB, but they could probably get the same guy they want at pick #33 in the 2nd round. So Detroit gets Defensive, and takes Vontae Davis, CB - Illionis.



Philly is on the clock.

Partial was asking for the backstory, ND, and you forgot that your new bosses, Tom Lewan & Martin Mayhew, called their old boss, Matt Millen:

L&M: Matt, Matt, we're on the clock. Who should we take?

Millen: Any wide receivers available?

L&M: Well, yes, but you already got us a good one in Calvin Johnson.

Millen: I always did have an eye for a good wideout (chuckles). Well, are there any impressive-looking but immature guys at any other positions?

L&M: There is that Illinois guy. Vontage Davis, something like that.

Millen: Is he ripped?

L&M: Yup.

Millen: Is he immature and cocky? Maybe not considered coachable?

L&M: Yup.

Millen: Well, take that guy, and tell Marinelli to coach 'em up. You can pair Davis up with that guy I got last year, Bodden. You'll be set for years.

L&M: Uh, Marinelli's not the coach any more. And Bodden's gone, too.

Millen: Sounds like you need a cornerback, then. Better take that guy.

L&M: Thanks, Matt.

[Lurker64]

All of the New England Patriots championships were based on defense. Clutch, swarming, well-coached, and well-executed defense with some exceptional play in their Linebacker corps. Their failure to reach 19-0 had a lot to do with their defense being very, very old (they brought Junior Seau out of retirement, for goodness sakes). And despite hitting a home-run with Jerrod Mayo last year, they haven't gotten substantively younger.

Somewhat worrying is that the entire starting defensive line for the Pats will be a free agent next year, but most of those guys are worth paying for to retain, and there's not a lot here. Brief consideration was put towards Jarron Gilbert or Ziggy Hood to play DE, but Seymour is the best player in the league at that position, and so drafting one of those two would basically signal the departure of probably the best player on the defense.

The cornerback position is also weak, and Vontae Davis might be a Bill Bellichick pick as he has a habit of turning around reprobates (how much of a ruckus has Randy Moss made in NE?), but Detroit took him, so good luck. There's not much else here, so they can look to pick up somebody in a later round.

The thing that really needs addressing is the linebacker corps that New England built their championship team on. Mike Vrabel is a Chief, it's a miracle that Teddy Bruschi is still playing, Adalius Thomas has been somewhat disappointing, and Pierre Woods (the current replacement for Vrable) was undrafted 3 years ago and is nothing special. If Maualuga had fallen here, the Pats would have taken him as Mayo and Maualuga would be the best ILB corps in the NFL, bar none, but he's not. So the Pats look to find a younger, cheaper, replacement for Vrable or Bruschi here by drafting USC Linebacker Brian Cushing, a tough, intense, versatile and athletic linebacker who will can quickly step in to play ILB (in Bruschi's spot) or OLB (in Vrabel's old spot). Cushing is versatile and athletic, has textbook size, and is good in coverage against tight ends and running backs.

The Pats briefly considered a pass rusher like Larry English, Connor Barwin, Clay Matthews, and Clint Sintim. But considering that the Pats pick again in ten picks, it's unlikely that half of those teams are going to pick a pass rusher, so they'll just grab the best of who's left, and go for the guy with star potential here.