2009 NFL mock draft

1. Detroit: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

The Lions’ roster has so many holes that they might as well start with the strong-armed Stafford on the road to respectability.

2. St. Louis: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The best of a deep offensive tackle class, the former tight end will replace longtime starter Orlando Pace at left tackle.

3. Kansas City: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

This is the first curveball because many have the Chiefs taking Aaron Curry. But coach Todd Haley envisions Crabtree and Dwayne Bowe as a dynamic duo.

4. Seattle: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

The Seahawks trade Julian Peterson to Detroit and then replace him with the player surest to start right away.

5. Cleveland: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

When the draft process began, most thought Orakpo would be available for the Redskins at No. 13. Instead, he will take his pass-rushing skills to the Browns.

6. Cincinnati: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Here is where we see how far Andre Smith has fallen because of his did-everything-wrong offseason. By taking Monroe, the Bengals go with safer pick.

7. Oakland: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Al Davis will shed a tear that Crabtree is not on the board, but he gets a big, athletic player who can help out Tommy Kelly on the interior.

8. Jacksonville: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State

The Jaguars used a two-back system with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew; they intend to use the same plan with the home run-hitting Wells.

9. Green Bay: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Packers were only 18th in rushing last year and have question marks at both tackle spots - Mark Tauscher is a free agent, and Chad Clifton is declining.

10. San Francisco: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

It will be hard for the 49ers to pass on Mark Sanchez, but Maybin is the right pick because they simply didn’t get enough pressure on the passer last year.

11. Buffalo: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

The Bills gave up on Robert Royal for monetary reasons and need a tight end who can stretch the middle of the field.

12. Denver: Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern Cal

The Broncos already ruined Dan Snyder’s offseason once this year when they traded Jay Cutler to Chicago. They do it again by snatching Sanchez.

13. Redskins: Brian Cushing, OLB, Southern Cal

With no starting strongside linebacker on the roster, the Redskins make the right move and draft for need instead of infatuation.

14. New Orleans: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The rebuilding of the Saints’ secondary started with the signing of safety Darren Sharper and continues with the addition of Jenkins.

15. Houston: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Texans are prime candidates to trade down since they like Southern Cal’s Clay Matthews (and he can be added later). If they stay put, they go with the D.C. native.

16. San Diego: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

The Chargers allowed Igor Olshansky to leave for Dallas in free agency, and Jackson is a player skilled enough to play either end or tackle.

17. N.Y. Jets: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

The Jets need and want a quarterback, so look for them to try to move up for Sanchez. But they also need receivers after releasing Laveranues Coles.

18. Denver: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

With a pick acquired in the Jay Cutler trade, the Broncos continue their transition to a 3-4 defense and tab Jerry to team with former Indianapolis defensive tackle Darrell Reid.

19. Tampa Bay: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

The Buccaneers could make a huge mistake and go with Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman, but they should start rebuilding their line with Oher.

20. Detroit: Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal

The dynamic playmaker will turn out to be one of the draft’s best players. The Lions shouldn’t wait until the third or fourth round to find a defensive anchor.

21. Philadelphia: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Brian Westbrook has taken years of wear and tear, and it’s time for the Eagles to start thinking about the future. Moreno would provide instant production.

22. Minnesota: Eben Britton, OT

The Vikings’ inept passing game cost them a playoff game against Philadelphia, and part of the problem was 2006 second-round pick Ryan Cook, a bust.

23. New England: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

Last year the Patriots drafted inside linebacker Jerod Mayo, and he started right away. Laurinaitis may be a slight reach, but he can team with Mayo for years.

24. Atlanta: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia

The Falcons parted ways with Keith Brooking and need immediate help on the weak side. Sintim played in a 3-4 defense but should be able to make the transition.

25. Miami: Alex Mack, C, California

The Dolphins added center Jake Grove in free agency, but Mack can play right guard while preparing to be the center of the future.

26. Baltimore: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Unless the Ravens trade this pick in a package for Anquan Boldin, taking Heyward-Bey is a no-brainer. He’s the fastest player in the draft.

27. Indianapolis: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

One of the late risers of the draft, the Colts hit with Ohio State’s Anthony Gonzalez two years ago. Taking Robiskie would allow Gonzalez to stay in the slot.

28. Buffalo: William Beatty, OL, Connecticut

The Bills acquired this pick in the Jason Peters deal with Philadelphia, and they need a new left tackle. Beatty is equally efficient as a run and pass blocker.

29. N.Y. Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

The Giants are trying to acquire Braylon Edwards from Cleveland, but the fallback to add size at receiver is Nicks, who averaged 18 yards a catch last year.

30. Tennessee: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Despite durability and character issues, Harvin’s production - 16.1 yards a catch last year - is too good for the passing-starved Titans to pass up.

31. Arizona: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

Edgerrin James is expected to be released, and the Cardinals had the worst running game in the league last year. Enter Brown, who rushed for 2,083 yards as a junior.

32. Pittsburgh: Duke Robinson, OL, Oklahoma

Kendall Simmons re-signed, but Robinson, a four-year starter for the Sooners, will challenge for the starting right guard spot in training camp.

- Ryan O’Halloran