Welcome to the 2009 Sparty & Friends NFL Mock Draft.  Pretty simple, each team(contributor) has 5 minutes to make a selection and the option to give reasons as to why they made their pick.  Note: These picks are what the teams are most likely to do, not what they should do.

So over the next couple hours, keep hitting refresh as we make our selections. Will their be any surprises? Most likely. This is Sparty & Friends,  we are not afraid to put things out there.

On the clock is the 0-16 Detroit Lions, and we have received word that they are ready announce the first pick in the 2009 Sparty & Friend Mock Draft…

1. Detroit Lions select: Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, University of Georgia – The Lions have been looking for a QB since Bobby Layne, and think they have found it in the talented Stafford. There will be no rush to start Stafford, as the Lions still have a healthy and in shape Daunte Culpepper playing under center to start the season. They can afford to have him learn the speed of the game as the Lions continue their 60 year rebuilding project. – Sparty
2. St. Louis Rams select: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor – Orlando Pace is gone and the Rams are without a stud OT, look for Jason Smith to try and fill the void.- GatorTrey
3. KC Chiefs select: Aaron Curry (DE/LB), Wake Forest. The safest pick on board and the best fit for the defense. Preseason Defensive ROY Favorite. – JP
4. Seattle Seahawks select: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC- Matt Hasselbeck is nearing the end, and is having trouble staying healthy.  They need to plan for the future. – Sparty for Big D
5. Cleveland Browns select: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech – Somewhat surprised with this pick, as they were unable to unload Braylon Edwards earlier in the week, and have needs at other positions. – Sparty
6. Cincinnati Bengals select: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College – They need something on that defense, this guy should at least give them somewhat of a run stopper. – GatorTrey
7. Oakland Raiders select: Jeremy Maclin (WR, Mizzou). Typical Al Davis pick. Will help JaMarcus Russell / Jeff Garcia. Speed. Speed. Speed. And yes, even if Crabtree had been available, Maclin would still be the choice. – JP
8. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama – Had the Jags not signed an elder Holt, I think Crabtree would have gone here had the Browns not swooped him up. Instead they shore up their O-Line – GatorTrey for Big D
9. Green Bay Packers select – Aaron Maybin, OLB, Penn State- The Packers are desperate for defensive help and a game changer.  They believe they have found it in Maybin – Sparty
10. San Francisco 49ers select: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi – Big Right Tackle will give them a offensive line large presence that is needed. – GatorTrey

11. Buffalo Bills select: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas – The Bills made the big offseason splash getting TO to help on offense, they look to bolster their pass-rush with this pic. JP
12. Denver Broncos select: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU – The defensive players are flying off the board now.  Josh McDaniels needs to improve this defense, and Jackson is the man to help. -BIG D
13. Washington Redskins select: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona.  They need someone to keep pressure off of Jason Campbell. – Sparty

We are hearing rumblings about a possible trade. Stay tuned.

14. New Orleans Saints select: Chris “Beanie” Wells,RB, Ohio State: New Orleans
needs a Deuce type runner to compliment Reggie Bush.  – GatorTrey
15. Houston Texans select: Clay Matthews, LB, USC- Oddly enough, he is the nephew of Bruce Matthews who works with the team.  Kinda surprised he jumped ahead of others.  – JP
16. San Diego Chargers select: Rey Maualuga, LB USC – Back to back go the LB’s from USC. This just helps bolster the Chargers corps with Shawne Merrimen returning from knee surgery. -GatorTrey
17. New York Jets select: Everette Brown DE/LB, Florida State – Rex Ryan plans on shutting down opposing offenses next year. – Sparty
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) select – Brian Cushing, LB, USC.  All the USC backers are off the board.  This give talent and depth to Josh McDaniels. – JP
19. Tampa Bay Bucs select: James Laurinitis, LB, Ohio State- gotta replace Derrick Brooks – GatorTrey
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) select: Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State- Detroit has their future player in Stafford,   but here is the one that is ready to start now.- Sparty
21. Philadelphia Iggles select: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia- Brian Westbrook keeps getting hurt, and even though he is electric, they need someone else to carry the heavy load. It is a 2 back league now – Sparty
22. Minnesota Vikings select: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss -  Too many upcoming suspensions on the D-Line. GatorTrey
23. New England Patriots select:Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois- Belichick shocks everyone with this pick.  -Sparty

Trade talks have picked up between the Browns and the Giants…

24. Atlanta Falcons select: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State. Matty Ice needs a safety blanket for those short and medium distance and first down-securing yards. They need one ever since Alge left for the Titans. – JP
25. Miami Dolphins select: Larry English, LB, Northern Illinois: A Parcells type guy – GatorTrey
26. Baltimore Ravens select: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland- The Ravens stay local and get a #1 for Joe Flacco – Sparty
27. Indianapolis  Colts select: Percy Harvey! WR, Florida – The Colts grab Marvin Harrison’s replacement – BIG D
28. Buffalo Bills select (from Carolina through Philadelphia) (12-4): Eugene Monroe, OT, Virgina – With Peters gone to Philly, this is a smart, safe move.  – JP

TRADE ALERT!!!! The Cleveland Browns trade WR Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants for the 29th pick in the draft,as well as the Giants 3rd  round selection.

29. Cleveland Browns (from the New York Giants) select: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee – the Browns make a big trade to upgrade their defense. – Sparty
30. Tennessee Titans select: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers (13-3) – The Titans get a huge red zone target in Britt. Something they lacked all of last year. -GatorTrey
31. Arizona Cardinals select: Donald Brown, RB, UConn- Edge is gone, and Brown might end up being the best back of this draft class – JP
32. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Max Unger, C, Oregon -Steelers are still about winning in the trenches, and stick to that. -BIG D

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