Pelletier's Perspective 4.25.09: NFL Draft Spectacular (Part 2)
Posted by Justin Pelletier on 04.25.2009
On Thursday, The Perspective revealed the first half of its 2009 NFL Mock Draft. Join 411's Justin Pelletier as he looks at the remainder of the first-round in the lattest edition of Pelletier's Perspective.
So The Perspective has been averaging one column a month and now we bring to you two 1,500+ word columns in as many days. The first-half of the draft was tackle city while all three quarterback prospects are already off the board. Interested in what the rest of the draft will bring? Well then read on as The Perspective proudly brings to you picks 17-32.
17. YORK JETS - DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY, WR, MARYLAND: New York would stab its mother to land Sanchez, but that ain't gonna happen. Fortunately for Jets fans, they have a lot of other holes to fill too. That is where Heyward-Bey comes in. Laveranues Coles is now in Cincinnati so New York needs to land a WR too. Heyward-Bey is a burner who ran a 4.3 40 at the combine! That kind of speed is electrifying but the problem is that he'll never see the ball thanks to the black hole at quarterback.
18. DENVER BRONCOS - KNOWSHON MORENO, RB, GEORGIA: The number one running back will finally come off the board when the Broncos hand their card to Roger Goddell. Moreno is an outstanding back who has the skill set to come off the board much sooner. His slip is Denver's gain as Moreno will help take way some of the sting of losing Cutler. The Broncos have a history of shining shit at the running back position but a real stud is what is needed if they want to take the pressure off of Chris Simms or Kyle Orton.
19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - PERIA JERRY, DT, OLE MISS: Tampa has long prided itself on its defense and during its hay day in the ‘90s Warren Sapp epitomized that pride. Jerry could do the same for the Bucs defense in the new millennium. Like Sapp, he's the type of tackle who never stops and will cause havoc in the opposing backfield. His mere presence will make DE Gaines Adams a better player.
20. DETROIT LIONS - EBEN BRITTON, OT, ARIZONA: Detroit will follow the model of Atlanta in 2008 and (after taking the quarterback early) will snag his protection here. Britton won't be anybodies first pick for a tackle in this draft but what he lacks in physical gifts, he makes up for in football IQ. While he may not be the cornerstone left tackle the Lions need, he'll find a home on the line and help protect Stafford for years to come.
21. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - BRANDON PETTIGREW, TE, OKLAHOMA ST.: If Philly doesn't take a still player in the first round, Birds fans will riot. Philly has a long history of taking offensive lineman in the first-round but trading for Jason Peters has to put the squash on that this year. Doesn't it? You never know in Philly but Pettigrew will probably be too good to pass up. He's a top 10 talent and fills a huge void in Philly. Fans would probably prefer Beenie Wells here but Eagles management will see Pettigrew as a better value.
22. MINNESOTA VIKINGS – PHIL LOADHOLT, OT, OKLAHOMA: Every mock this side of Saturn has Minnesota taking a tackle. The Viks will be forced to settle for the fifth tackle in the draft. Loadholt is a giant at 6'8", 330. If he can work on his foot speed and begin handling the edge rusher better he could dominate. If you're Minnesota and you can't have a legit signal caller, you might-as-well get a guy who can keep Tavaraus Jackson on his feet.
23. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - REY MAUALUGA, ILB, USC: Do you want to know why New England is consistently so good? It's because players like Rey Maualuga seem to fall into the Patriots laps. A few months ago, Maualuga was a top 10 pick, without a doubt. A poor 40 time and the way the draft shook out has changed that, though. Maualuga is in the Ray Lewis mold of intimidating linebackers. Getting him will make the Pats look like geniuses for trading Mike Vrabel. Mauluga often-times looks for the big hit and misses the sure tackle. New England culture won't let him get away with that.
24. ATLANTA FALCONS - EVANDER HOOD, DT, MISSOURI: Atlanta will thank its lucky stars when Hood is still at the board at 24. The Falcons are in such desperate need of a d-tackle that they almost took Glenn Dorsey over Matt Ryan a year ago (guess that turned out OK). The need got even worse when Grady Jackson left town. Hood is a good all-around tackle. He might not be a perennial Pro Bowler, but he'll be a solid starter.
25. MIAMI DOLPHINS – ROBERT AYERS, OLB, TENNESSEE: Miami has a foundation set at quarterback, tackle and running back; so it's time to address the defense. Ayers has seen his stock soar since his Senior Bowl performance and there is a chance he'll be off the board already. If he happens to still be available, the Fins will pounce. He'll be lucky to be able to study under the ultra-intense Joey Porter.
26. BALTIMORE RAVENS – PERCY HARVIN, WR, FLORIDA: Joe Flacco should be considered a miracle worker for the success he had as a rookie with the skill players he had surrounding him. Harvin will be the first step in rectifying that situation. Baltimore has had terrible luck at wide receiver but even if Harvin turns out to be a let down, at least, his elite speed will stretch the defense.
27. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – SEN'DERRICK MARKS, DT, AUBURN: The window on another Peyton Manning championship is rapidly closing and, despite the departure of Marvin Harrison, the offense isn't what holding that back. That is why the Colts will have no problem reaching for Marks. Indy is in such desperate need of a d-tackle that it makes a 30-year smokers need for a lung transplant look trivial. Marks may not be an elite talent at his position, but he'll be a huge upgrade for Indy.
28. BUFFALO BILLS – EVERETTE BROWN, OLB, FLORIDA ST. With tackle in check, and Terrell Owens in the fold, Buffalo will have the luxury of drafting the best player available. Some mocks have Brown going in the top 10, meaning he's a STEAL at 28. The TO show will likely derail any chance for success, but if Owens keeps his head straight, Brown could be the type of impact edge rusher which puts the Bills in the playoffs.
29. NEW YORK GIANTS – BRIAN ROBISKIE, WR, OHIO ST. Plaxico Burress is proof positive that even the most talented players can, eventually, wear out their welcomes. As soon as NY cut ties with Burress, wideout became its biggest need. Robiskie may not be a sure fire number one option but he's big (6'3", 200 pounds) and will fill (some of) the void that Burress leaves behind. He won't come close to Plax's game changing ability but he's better than nothing.
30. TENNESSEE TITANS – MICHAEL JOHNSON, DE, GEORGIA TECH: Despite being a dominate unit, there is cracks in Tennessee defense. Those cracks are most glaring at defensive end. Jevon Kearse is no where near the freak he was his first go around in Nashville and Kyle Vanden Bosch's sack total fell nearly 75% from is 12 in 2007. That is where Johnson comes in. Johnson has the ability to spell the two vets for a year while he gets ready to become the squads primary pass rusher in two years.
31. ARIZONA CARDINALS – CHRIS "BEENIE" WELLS, RB, OHIO ST.: During the Cards run to the Super Bowl, their one glaring weakness was at running back. Edgerrian James is on his last leg and, although he showed some signs, Tim Hightower needs a guy to share the load. Well is the perfect fit, as his size (230 pounds) will allow him to dish out punishment and wear down defenses so that Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald can give the knock out blow late.
32. PITTSBURGH STEELERS – VONTAE DAVIS, CB, ILLINOIS: As Super Bowl champions, the Steelers needs are few. The departure of Bryant McFadden leaves a hole at corner and Davis will be called upon to fill the abyss. Davis is a big corner (6'0") which Pittsburgh can use to combat the game's biggest wide receivers. The Steelers really have only one big need and will be fortunate that they can draft Davis to address it.
There you have it, all 32 picks accounted for. While making a mock draft can be an extremely difficult endeavor, the hardest part will be deciding if it's Chris Berman's idiocy or Roger Godell's smugness which irritates me more.
