Pelletier's Perspective 4.23.09: Fourth Annual NFL Draft Spectacular

Posted by Justin Pelletier on 04.23.2009

The Perspective has been away for a while but our creative juices have begun flowing once again as the most wonderful time of the year is, once again, upon us. It's NFL Draft time and now that the combine is long gone and the annual player arrest is out of the way it's time to look toward the future. Join 411's Justin Pelletier as he looks at the game's top prospects in Part One of his annual NFL Draft Spectacular.

The Perspective may have been away for a while but WE ARE RECESSION PROOF and we're back baby! What better way to make our triumph return than with our favorite column of the year; The Perspective's Annual Draft SPEC-TAC-U-LAR?

This year's crop of rooks offers a ton of intriguing subplots. Questions range from Matthew Stafford's ability to be franchise-level quarter back, to where Mark Sanchez will ply his craft, to Michael Crabtree's health, to Andre Smith's sanity.

Today, we'll take a look at the top half of the draft, with picks 1-16. Join me as we take a look at possible future Tony Mandarichs, Heath Shulers and Ryan Leafs, and maybe we'll find a Peyton Manning or two as well.

1. DETROIT LIONS – MATTHEW STAFFORD, QB, GEORGIA: Nothing can be worse than 0-16, except for missing out on an All-Pro passer. Stafford may never (read: probably won't) live up to that moniker but Detroit can't take that chance. Jason Smith may be the better pro and play a position Detroit needs just as much as QB. However, the fact is that the Lions need to wash the stink of 2008 off of themselves and a new franchise quarterback is the best way to do it.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS – JASON SMITH, OT, BAYLOR: The no-brainer of no-brainers. Orlando Pace is gone, leaving a huge hole at left tackle. What better way to fill that hole than with the moutainesque Smith. Eugene Monroe will be in the mix but Smith is just too gifted to pass up. With Torry Holt in Jacksonville, Michael Crabtree will be in the mix but St. Louie missed out on the chance to draft a tackle last year (Jake Long, who went #1 to Miami). They won't pass up that chance this year.

3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – AARON CURRY, LB, WAKE FOREST: Curry is projected as one of the two or three best players in the draft and what the Chiefs need now is a sure thing. With Matt Cassell in the fold, quarterback is out of the question and teaming Cassell with a returning Tony Gonzalez and Larry Johnson gives KC some offensive weapons. It not enough weapons to out gun anybody, however, and that's where the defense comes in. Curry will provide a Pro Bowl ‘backer for the next decade.

4. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – EUGENE MONROE, OT, VIRGINIA: Recent rumors have Seattle targeting Mark Sanchez. Despite a piss-poor 2008, however, the Seahawks have a chance of competing in 2009 and drafting a player to sit on the bench doesn't make much sense. Monroe is considered to be 1A to Jason Smith's 1. He is a possible offensive line center piece and comes from a program that has already produced D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Albert Branden. Monroe is the same type of mauler who can open up both the ground game and the passing attack for a possible run at the playoffs.

5. CLEVELAND BROWNS - MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR, TEXAS TECH: Crabtree is the top prospect in the draft. And now that Braylon Edwards is on the trading block and Donte' Stallworth has proven himself the lowest human life form possible, Crabtree is a must. Crabtree will be what Edwards never was. He has equal (if not better) physical gifts and has twice the determination. The Brady Quinn Project/Quarterback controversy will be the top story in Cleveland but the organization seems to be doing everything possible to undermine both passers. Crabtree is the only player in the draft that can do anything about that.

6. CINCINNATI BENGALS - ANDRE SMITH, OT, ALABAMA: So Andre Smith is lazy, out of shape and, at least a little, crazy but he's still a 330 pound beast who can anchor an offensive line. What was once a place where defense went to die, Cincinnati is now in dire need of some offensive help. Carson Palmer is an elite quarterback and a successful season from him is the only way Cincy will be competitive in '09. Smith will be critical in accomplishing that goal.

7. OAKLAND RAIDERS - JEREMY MACLIN, WR, MISSOURI: Everyone on the planet regards Crabtree as the best wideout in the draft and would be, at least slightly, disappointed if forced to settle for Maclin. Everyone except Al Davis, that is. Davis' man-love for speed has led to a bro-mance with the Mizzu product which has led some experts to believe that he would actually draft Maclin OVER Crabtree, if given the choice. Maclin is a solid pass catcher (which Oakland desperately needs) and is the best choice should Crabtree be off the boards. Davis' belief that Maclin is the best choice, however, is just another indication of his senility.

8. JACKSONVILLE JAGURARS - MARK SANCHEZ, QB, USC: This pick WILL be Sanchez, it just might not be Jacksonville making the pick. Washington, San Francisco, Denver and the Jets are all possible suitors for Sanchez. The biggest knock on Sanchez is that he started only 16 games at USC. His limited experience might be a good sign, however. It makes him more Matt Cassell and less Matt Leinhart.

9. GREEN BAY PACKERS - BRIAN ORAKPO, OLB, TEXAS: The Brett Favre fiasco turned out a lot better than most would have thought, thanks to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers maturation is the primary reason the Pack doesn't need to look at offense and can focus its attention on the freak that is Brian Orakpo. Orakpo has been called a workout warrior and dazzled at the combine. That doesn't always ensure professional success (see: Mamula, Mike) but Orakpo supplemented that fact with a tremendous career at Texas.

10. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – JOSH FREEMAN, QB, KANSAS ST.: The first (and biggest) reach of the first round. Freeman shot onto the scene late this year but his combination of size (6'6" 250 lbs.) and physical gifts (a rocket for a right arm) will be too much for a franchise which has had to suffer through the Alex Smith years to pass up.

11. BUFFALO BILLS – MICHAEL OHER, OT, OLE MISS: The second consecutive reach will be made by the Bills who are in need of a tackle now that Jason Peters has flown off to Philadelphia. Oher makes four tackles drafted in the top 11 and chances are that one of them will greatly disappoint, one will surprise with how productive he is (even with this lofty draft position) and two will be right about on par. Oher has a chance to be in that second category. He has the prototypical size of a blind-side tackle, plus he's as agile as any lineman in the draft. The question is if he's got the drive to be elite. Somebody will take a gamble that they can tap that potential.

12. DENVER BRONCOS – B.J. RAJI, DT, BOSTON COLLEGE: Despite his penchant for causing havoc in college, Raji is projected as a 3-4 nose tackle. That's perfect for Josh McDaniels, who is bringing that defensive scheme with him from New England. Snagging Raji at 12 is a steal, as he's probably a top five talent. All that said, this is all moot if Denver can move up and select Sanchez because Jay Cutler crying himself out of town makes quarterback a necessity and the USC signal caller is the man they covet.

13.WASHINGTON REDSKINS – AARON MAYBIN, DE, PENN ST.: Goodbye aging under-producing defensive end, hello project defensive end. With Jason Taylor out of town, the Skins are in the market for a defensive end and Maybin has the potential to be a good one. The issue is that he's undersized for the position and could take a few years to gain the requisite strength to play the defensive line. He's better suited to play a hybrid backer/end in a 3-4 but Washington will have to hope he can fill out to play in its 4-3.

14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - MALCOLM JENKINS, CB-S, OHIO ST.: The Saints could really use a back to replace Deuce McAllister but they need defensive help more. The secondary has been a mess since Sean Payton has been there and they just can't seem to get the ship righted.

15. HOUSTON TEXANS - BRIAN CUSHING, ILB, USC: Houston would LOVE to find Jenkins here and convert him to safety as its safety play could gag a maggot. But without him available, the Texans will settle on the best inside ‘back in the draft. Cushing has been a star at USC for years and possesses great strength and good speed. Playing alongside the human vacuum that is Dameco Ryans will always help too.

16. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – TYSON JACKSON, DE, LSU: The Chargers have very few holes and prior to the resigning of LT, Knowshon Moreno seemed like a real possibility. With LT back in the fold, however, SD will turn towards Jackson to replace the departed Igor Olshansky. Jackson is a tremendous value as some mocks have him going as high as THREE to Kansas City.

2009 has already been the year of the tackle. Stafford, Sanchez and Freeman will look to have more success than the class of '06 which saw quarterbacks Vince Young, Matt Leinhart and Jay Cutler go in the top half of the draft. And Jeremy Maclin and Michael Crabtree will duel out for top receiver honors.

Check back tomorrow to see when the first running back comes off the board and if Brandon Pettigrew will continue to free fall as we look at picks 17-32 in our Fourth Annual Draft Spectacular!