Last updated: April 25, 2009.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for …

The Hazean’s 3rd annual reader/blogger NFL mock draft!

This has become one of the better things we do around here. I really enjoy getting 32 guys together to have this huge first round mock. We get fans, bloggers, friends, readers, all types to participate, and I think I speak for everyone who has ever participated when I say that this mock is a pretty enjoyable experience all around.

So I want to say a big THANKS to everyone who participated again this year. We had several carry-overs from past mocks and more than a few newcomers. I hope all, or at least most, of you consider participating again next year for our fourth annual NFL mock draft.

Now, to the results. We had a do a little maneuvering after the Bills-Eagles trade last weekend, but that transition went swimmingly. So no problems so far, other than the news now that the Lions are either negotiating with Matt Stafford or Aaron Curry. Hopefully this mock gets posted before any decision is made in Detroit.

And with that, I give you the first 16 picks of The Hazean’s reader/blogger mock draft. Enjoy after the jump.

1.01 The Detroit Lions, represented by GM Peter Schrager, select Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia: To say the Lions have needs everywhere on the field is like saying “This LeBron James kid has some future.” Duh. Let the talking heads scream about this all they want, Stafford’s the pick and he has been for weeks. The Georgia Junior is the best quarterback in this draft, has had some fantastic workouts, and can serve as the major cornerstone building block of the post-Matt Millen era. With the 20th and 33rd overall picks still to go, Detroit should grab the quarterback of their future at No. 1.

1.02 The St. Louis Rams, represented by GM Matt Campbell, select Jason Smith, OT, Baylor: The Rams are in complete rebuild mode getting rid of a number of veterans this year.  Success in football starts with the offensive line.  They will need a big body to replace Orlando Pace to protect Marc Bulger.  Jason Smith has outstanding athleticism, is very nimble, and light on the feet.  He has good size and a frame that can accommodate more weight to bulk up.  He plays with a nasty demeanor.  He must get stronger to succeed at the NFL level but has a ton of upside to improve.

1.03 The Kansas City Chiefs, represented by GM Ed Tajchman, select Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest: Bringing in an immediate contributing force at linebacker like Curry could obviously really help the Chiefs defense, which broke the NFL record for fewest sacks in a season last year. Not that Curry will be a great pass rusher necessarily, but his presence would take some pressure off of fellow linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Tamba Hali. The right side of the Chiefs offensive line could really use Eugene Monroe out of Virginia, and if the Chiefs don’t trade down or take Curry, Monroe will be their choice.

1.04 The Seattle Seahawks, represented by GM Brian Jacques, select Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia: Seattle might think long and hard about selecting Michael Crabtree at this pick, but the pickup of TJ Houshmandzadeh makes the selection of a wide receiver a bit less pressing of a need.  Offenses are built around the offensive line and Monroe has quickly sprinted up the draft board so much so that many people consider him the first or second best offensive lineman in this class.  This pick helps ensure protection for Matt Hasselbeck next year and provides some insurance should Walter Jones return slower than expected from offseason surgery.

1.05 The Cleveland Browns, represented by GM Steve Conti, select Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech: With the possibility of trading Braylon Edwards becoming more and more likely and Michael Crabtree still on the board, I find it hard to believe they would pass on a new No. 1 receiver.  Ideally the Browns would like to move out of this pick and acquire additional picks to bolster their lackluster defense.  However, since moving down is probably unlikely, Crabtree would probably have the biggest impact of any available player this high up.  I would not sleep on them perhaps going after Michael Oher though to cement the right side of the line.

1.06 The Cincinnati Bengals, represented by GM Gabe Vigorito, select Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: Even though Carson Palmer was injured I don’t think Cincinnati expected to struggle as much as they did last year.  After being dead last in yards and points, I think the Bengals are looking to draft an offensive player in the first round.  If Crabtree would of fallen this far, he would have been a no-brainer.

1.07 The Oakland Raiders, represented by GM Sara from Fantasy Football Librarian, select Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri: Michael Crabtree would have been a clear pick here had he still been available at this point, but since the Raiders are desperate for a receiver that can help JaMarcus Russell be a better play-maker, the Raiders select Jeremy Maclin with the 7th overall pick. Maclin is considered one of the top receivers in the draft and he’s got the speed the Raiders are looking for — not to mention some nice return skills.

1.08 The Jacksonville Jaguars, represented by GM Andrew Hutchins, select B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College: It would be easy for the Jags to take Brian Orakpo here; They haven’t had a lot of luck with their 2008 draftees at defensive end, Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves. And it would be easy for them to reach for Florida’s Percy Harvin to give their pedestrian offense some firepower on the outside and make it three straight Gators grabbed in the first round. (Harvey in 2008 and safety Reggie Nelson in 2007 are the others.) But the Jags were a much better team when John Henderson and Marcus Stroud manned the middle, and pairing Henderson with Raji would give their defense, which regressed in 2008, another stout body in the middle.

1.09 The Green Bay Packers, represented by GM Tom Van Wyhe from Sports Data Hub, select Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU: . This pick really came down to Malcolm Jenkins and the defensive end slot and, in the end, I decided to use the pick here because Jackson is the only defensive end in this draft with the bulk and ability to step into the 3-4 and make an impact. The Packers are making a radical transition and they need the personnel to move things along smoothly - they’ll start by adding a big piece in Jackson.

1.10 The San Francisco 49ers, represented by GM Brad Norman, select Mark Sanchez, QB, USC: San Francisco has needs on the defensive side of the ball and at the wide receiver position but can’t pass up the local product. Sanchez is an instant upgrade over Shaun Hill and wash-out Alex Smith and could be a signature pick to start the Mike Singletery era.

1.11 The Buffalo Bills, represented by Oskie from 3rd Saturday in Blogtober, select Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee: Defensive end and tight end are the two positions the Bills need to upgrade in this year’s draft.  They’ll be able to snag a top tight end like Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State) a bit later, so then it comes down to Robert Ayers and Aaron Maybin (Penn State).  Being a Tennessee Volunteers guy who knows the success of Volunteer defensive guys in the NFL, I give the nod to Ayers, who is a complete monster-beast in person.  He’ll be able to bring that play-making, pass-rushing ability off the edge that the Bills have needed for some time.

1.12 The Denver Broncos, represented by GM Andrew Rosin, select Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State: Let’s be honest, the Broncos needs are beautiful in their simplicity. And there are plenty of ways I could go here, but I chose Malcolm Jenkins because if you have a defensive coordinator who is in love with the blitz like Mike Nolan then you need two shutdown corners. Sometimes it’s just that simple.

1.13 The Washington Redskins, represented by GM Justin Vogt, select Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss: Entering the offseason, the clear targets for the ‘Skins front office were in the trenches. With the DL improved with free agency, the OL is currently the primary concern. Oher may be a bit of a project, but with the current OL aging and becoming ineffective this is an obvious pick. Partner that with Synder’s want to make a splash with the offense and you have a pick that makes sense. If either Stafford or Sanchez fall here, the ‘Skins would be tempted to bite with Campbell entering his final contract year and still leaving much to be desired. Help on the OL this year combined with WR help last year in the draft gives Jason one last chance to stake a permanent claim to the QB spot in DC. Oher will need to get some polish, but will be a starter at some point this season.

1.14 The New Orleans Saints, represent by GM Michael from The Hazean, select Brian Cushing, LB, USC: Personally, I want the Saints to grab Malcolm Jenkins here at 14. But he is gone in this mock, so the next best move would be, also, on the defensive side of the ball. Jonathan Vilma is a rock in the middle of the Saints’ 4-3 defense and Scott Fujita is a serviceable outside linebacker, but Scott Shanle is nothing more than a role player as a starter. The timing is right for New Orleans to grab another play-maker on defense at the linebacker position, and Cushing is one that could start from day one next season.

1.15 The Houston Texas, represented by GM Tom Waller, select Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells, RB, Ohio State: Chris provides the Texans with the thunder to go along with Steve Slaton’s lightning.  He has the size to be a power back in the NFL.  His durability issues are lessened by the RBBC situation.  Moreno was tempting but not a good fit in the Texans’ backfield.

1.16 The San Diego Chargers, represented by GM Larry Duffy, select Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State: Shawne Merriman should be back and ready for 2009 and boy do the Chargers need him to play. They allowed 250 passing yards a game, 31st in the NFL, but only allowed 102 on the ground and ranked 10th in the AFC in sacks with 28. Losing a DE like Igor Olshansky, I’m looking for a DE to come off the end and create sacks and put pressure on quarterbacks. That is why the San Diego Chargers will take Aaron Maybin with San Diego taking a LB as insurance with their 3rd round pick.

1.17 The New York Jets, represented by GM The EndZoneView, select Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: Not exactly sure why Orakpo slipped in this mock, but the Jets will gladly draft him at 17.  Can the Jets afford a luxury pick here in the first round with so many offensive needs?  If this is how the real draft played out, then they will have no choice but to put Orakpo in the ivory and green.  If Vernon Gholston develops like he should under Rex Ryan, he and Orakpo will be the future of the Gang Green defense.

1.18 The Denver Broncos, represented by GM Matt Gottesman, select Everette Brown, DE, Florida State: I chose him because of Denver’s need at defensive end.  When looking at the rest of the board, there is no one else who really stands out and has slipped to the point where they are worth taking.  And even though they are 3-4 team, there are no good LBs left here that are worth taking and the Broncos need to come away with at least one defensive lineman after the first round.

1.19 The Tampa Bay Buccaneeers, represented by GM Adam Lewis, select Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois: I have seen tons of mocks saying the Bucs will go with Josh Freeman here, but that will not happen.  The Bucs signed Byron Leftwich and addressed the offense through free agency.  The Bucs plan on building the defense through the draft.  Many see the Bucs going DT with this pick, but Jim Bates has never drafted a DT higher than the 5th round as a defensive coordinator.  The needs for the Bucs in the new defensive scheme is a pass rusher to help Gaines Adams and a corner that can play man.  With Everette Brown gone I think they go with Larry English.  The other possibility would be Vontae Davis to play opposite of Aqib Talib.

1.20 The Detroit Lions, represented by GM Joe Strahl, select Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois: The starting pair of DBs to end the season last year were really, really bad (Leigh Bodden and Travis Fisher), so the top corner and top player left — who should have been taken before future SS Malcolm Jenkins — makes sense.

1.21 The Philadelphia Eagles, represented by GM Brent Bergeron, select Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia: With the foundation of their offense — Brian Westbrook — aging, the Eagles will turn to who I believe is the best RB prospect in this year’s draft. The departure of Correll Buckhalter will force the Eagles to shore up the RB position here in the first round.

1.22 The Minnesota Vikings, represented by GM Kellen Boerger, select Rey Maualuga, LB, USC: With all of the first-round options at OT & CB already taken, the Vikings look at taking the best player possible and go with Maualuga. He is insurance in case E.J. Henderson doesn’t bounce right back and is flexible enough to take over for Ben Leber and make the LB corp even stronger. Another option would be Josh Freeman, but they gave up a pick for a QB already and aren’t totally sold on a flyer like Freeman. Maualuga is the safest pick as a versatile LB who adds to an already solid front seven.

1.23 The New England Patriots, represented by GM Brandon Marshall from The Fantasy Football Geek Blog, select Clay Matthews, LB, USC: Although the team still needs some help at CB, they can’t pass up on Matthews, who is one of the strongest LB in the draft and could end up having the most upside of any player at the position in this year’s draft. With veteran Tedy Bruschi getting up there in age, the Patriots can hide the fact that he’s lost a step or two with the solid supporting cast of Adalius Thomas, Jerod Mayo and Clay Matthews.

1.24 The Atlanta Falcons, represented by GM T Ford, select James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State: Falcons Nation just finished their collective cringe as the Patriots call the name of the guy they really wanted to slip just one more pick. The Falcons need to restore some strength to their badly depleted LB corps. Long-time veteran Keith Brooking is now a Cowboy and former standout Michael Boley is now a Giant. Left on the team are second-year Mike Curtis Lofton, last year’s surprise Coy Wire and special teams ace Stephen Nicholas. Wire is a bit of a tweener who has seen some safety time in his career and Nicholas is not a starting caliber player.

1.25 The Miami Dolphins, represented by GM Max Shapiro, select Percy Harvin, WR, Florida: Harvin is a Reggie Bush type player that will make an immediate impact on the Dolphins offense in the 2009 season. Harvin can line-up in the backfield and slot and will allow for the expansion of an already rather large playbook in Miami. We are a little concerned with Harvin’s activity off the field, but insure it won’t be a problem come game time.

1.26 The Baltimore Ravens, represented by GM Oskie from 3rd Saturday in Blogtober, select Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland: The Ravens have their quarterback for the foreseeable future, now he needs some guys to throw to, right?  The best two receivers in the draft, Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, are off the board in addition to Percy Harvin. The selection now falls to the next best guys: Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey and North Carolina’s Hakeem Nicks.  Nicks is going to be a solid receiver in the NFL, but Hey-Bey has a huge upside.  He is big and fast, and I’d compare him to a slightly smaller Terrell Owens who runs a 4.3 (the fastest at the NFL Combine).  You’re welcome, Joe Flacco.

1.27 The Indianapolis Colts, represented by GM John Ross, select Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss: This was an easy pick here. He’s the best player left on the board at this point in my opinion and defensive tackle is easily the Colts biggest need going into the draft. If Darrius Heyward-Bey was still available this would have been a little tougher of a decision but I think I still would have had to go with Jerry. Heyward-Bey would be a sexier pick but Jerry is definitely the smartest pick.

1.28 The Buffalo Bills, represented by GM Lee from NFL Draft Hub, select Eben Britton, OT, Arizona: This pick comes from the Eagles after trading OT Jason Peters away. Some locals feel that Langston Walker and Demetrius Bell can hold the tackle spots down.  This GM is dancing in the war room seeing the tackle that is still on the board.  The Bills shuffle up the aisle like Danny Zucko in Grease to submit the card reading Britton’s name.

1.29 The New York Giants, represented by GM Michael from The Hazean select Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina: The Giants have not traded for Braylon Edwards as of this moment (three hours before the draft) which means a big, tall, redzone threat is still a need for a team that just lost Plaxico Burress. Nicks fits the mold, although his technique may require some fine tuning at the next level.

1.30 The Tennessee Titans, represented by GM Blaine from The Hazean, select Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia: Sintim is sleeping his way into the first round courtesy of a steady career and a quiet spring. But the Titans would shore up the linebacking corps, especially on the outside, with the addition of Sintim.

1.31 The Arizona Cardinals, represented by Jacob from the Fantasy Football Fools, select Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech: Though they could use a running back, none of the top-tier backs have fallen to the Cardinals, and they have a great need at OLB and DE since three of their four linebackers are over 30 entering 2009. Johnson has the size to become the next Julius Peppers and an impressive Combine performance that makes him too good to pass up a this point in the draft.

1.32 The Pittsburgh Steelers, represented by GM Marc from The Hazean, select Max Unger, C, Oregon: The Steelers always seem to do so well in the draft, and this could be no exception. Unger could play either center or guard, giving Pittsburgh plenty of versatility on the O-line.

If you would like to comment on this mock draft, please visit the original post. We always welcome feedback from fans of these NFL teams, who often can provide a unique perspective into each’s needs. Thanks!

Resources

Bone up on your NFL Draft knowledge by visiting this handy map provided by USA Today. Combining my two favorite things — maps and football — into a fantastic resource, USA Today has compiled a database of all the players drafted into the NFL since 1988 and organized them by state.

How does your state stack up against the 240 players taken from my home state of Louisiana? That number reminds me of a story I read a while back regarding Louisiana’s propensity for developing NFL-level football talent.

Mock Draft Info

The Archives

This is where old mock drafts come to die. If you are feeling a little nostalgic, check up on some of our mock drafts from previous seasons. Probably pretty amusing reading at this point.

2009 NFL mock drafts
January 13, 2009 (#1 - 15)
January 20, 2009 (#1 - 15)
February 19, 2009 (#1 - 32)
March 3, 2009 (#1 - 32)
April 15, 2009 (#1 - 32)
April 20, 2009 (#1 - 32)
April 23, 2009 (#1 - 16)
April 25, 2009 (#17 - 32)

2008 TH NFL mock draft
April 21, 2008 (#1 - 5)
April 22, 2008 (#6 - 10)
April 23, 2008 (#11 - 15)
April 24, 2008 (#16 - 20)
April 25, 2008 (#21 - 25)
April 26, 2008 (#26 - 31)