NFL Draft

The NFL draft is the single biggest sporting event on the planet that does not actually involve the athletes to perform, with most of the 250 players hoping to be drafted not even being present at the event.

I will start by analysing the first round of the 2009 draft;

#1 Detroit Lions- Matthew Stafford (QB) Stafford was signed before the draft to a lucrative 6 year deal with $41.7m in guaranteed money that could earn the Georgia star $78 million dollars over its entirety. Stafford had a stellar college career and the Lions will be hoping he lives up to the pick and the money.

#2 St Louis Rams- Jason Smith (OT) Smith will bolster the Rams line and could form a tandem with Alex Barron for years to come, can play both sides on line and should slot in on the right side from day one.

#3 Kansas City Chiefs- Tyson Jackson (DE) The 1st mini surprise of the draft with the Chiefs passing up on higher rated players but Jackson is the best pure 3-4 defensive end in the draft, at 6'4 and 295lbs he has the size to be a force in the league.

#4 Seattle Seahawks- Aaron Curry (LB) Thought of by many as the best athlete if not the best player in the whole draft. Has great size and speed and could play across the LB positions, will be an ideal replacement for Julian Peterson and will form a dominating line backing group with Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill.

#5 New York Jets- Mark Sanchez (QB) With a blockbuster trade that caused the locals to nearly blow the roof off Radio City Music Hall, the Jets traded two picks and three players for the USC play maker. Both teams will be happy with the deal, the Jets may have a franchise QB and the Cleveland Browns (under former Jets head coach Eric Mangini) getting picks and players.

#6 Cincinnati Bengals- Andre Smith (OT) The Bengals may have got an elite pass protector but many will be quite surprised with the pick as Eugene Monroe was available and Smith had plenty of red flags on his character, he missed his teams bowl game and walked out of the combine. The Bengals have had player character issues before and this could add to a troubled team.

#7 Oakland Raiders- Darrius Hayward-Bay (WR) Al Davis (Raiders owner) does it again and passes up on plenty of talent for the most intriguing pick of the draft. Hayward-Bay amazed scouts with his blistering speed but did not have a consistent college career, Davis falls in love with speed and big armed QB's and now has a three pronged attack of Jamarcus Russell, Darren McFadden and Hayward-Bay, the potential is there but the bust factor is huge.

#8 Jacksonville Jaguars- Eugene Monroe (OT) The Jaguars get a premier tackle that most would have expected to be long gone by this spot. Monroe will be a major upgrade to the Jaguars in both the run and pass games, with some commentators believing he is the best tackle in the draft.

#9 Green Bay Packers- B.J.Raji (DT) A pick that will send a shiver down the spines of NFC North players and fans (like this one). Raji is a physical monster at 337lbs (24 stone) he is a dominating force that could ease the Packers transition to a 3-4 defense.

#10 San Francisco 49ers- Michael Crabtree (WR) Crabtree would have been the highest rated receiver on most boards and was projected as a top 5 pick until injury caused the Texas Tech stand out to require surgery in the build up to the draft. If he returns to fitness the 49ers may have a play maker to partner veteran Isaac Bruce and relieve pressure from the running game.

#11 Buffalo Bills- Aaron Maybin (DE) Maybin may be the ideal fit to bolster a poor Bill's pass rush, while only starting one year at Penn State he was able to rack up 12 sacks. He may need to add a few pounds but has top end speed that will trouble opposing linemen.

#12 Denver Broncos- Knowshon Moreno (RB) The Broncos surprised everyone by adding yet another running back and passing up the opportunity to improve there anemic defense. Moreno is however a telent that has all the skills required to play the position along with elite hands for a running back that could fit in well with new head coach Josh McDaniels' scheme.

#13 Washington Redskins- Brian Orakpo (DE) Orakpo could be one of the stars of the draft or its biggest bust as its difficult to asses hybrid pass rushers. This could be a blessing in disguise that he fell to the Skins as big Albert Hayneworth will take uo a double team inside allowing Orakpo some one-on-one match ups, this could be a real draft success.

#14 New Orleans Saints- Malcolm Jenkins (CB) Jenkins is believed to be the best defensive back in the draft though it is not sure which position he will fill in the NFL. A corner in college he may be better suited at safety, but which ever position the Ohio State Buckeye ends up at he will upgrade the Saints horrible secondary.

#15 Houston Texans- Brian Cushing (LB) The first of USC impressive line backing core to be selected, the Texans have landed a versitile player that can line up at either outside spot and be able to scheme an blitz heavy defense.

#16 San Diego Chargers- Larry English (DE) With the Chargers ability to get to the Quarterback taking sever hit after losing Shawn Merriman, English with give another option to improve the pass rush. Whether playing as a DE or as the outside linebacker in pass situations English with provide versatility and a high motor.

#17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Josh Freeman (QB) Even a change in head coach did not stop the Bucs from hoarding QB's. They traded up for Freeman who has a big arm and while he may be a project who wont play in 09 could turn out to be the best QB in the draft. Is sure to draw comparisson to Ben Roethlisburger and other larger QB's.

#18 Denver Broncos- Robert Ayers (DE) With there second 1st round pick, acquired in the Jay Cutler trade, Denver got an edge rusher to bolster a weak defensive line. Another player with 'Hybrid' stats, Ayers got better and better through out his college career. May be used across the defense giving the Broncos ability to create miss matches.

#19 Philadelphia Eagles- Jeremy Maclin (WR) The Eagles trade up a couple of spots to land, possibly, the biggest play maker in the draft. Maclin is an explosive talent that has the ability to score from anywhere and in tandem with DeSean Jackson could give McNabb a dynamic duo to throw to.

#20 Detroit Lions- Brandon Pettigrew (TE) The Lions shock the league by signing a Tight End and passing up on other glaring needs. No one, however, will deny Pettigrew is the premier player at his position with excellent hands and will serve as a great compliment to Calvin Johnson and #1 pick Matthew Stafford.

#21 Cleveland Browns- Alex Mack (C) After moving down several times in the first round, the Browns take Mack as their pivot of the future. Mack may not be a concensus 1st round pick but has outstanding overall skills and should man the middle of the Browns' line for years, he will fortify the interior line and should improve its dismal running game.

#22 Minnesota Vikings- Percy Harvin (WR) Harvin may have the best all round skill set at the reciever position but character issues and the recent news of a failed drugs test have seen him slide down most draft boards. The Vikings have taken a huge risk but if it pans out, the Harvin, Berrian tandem along with Adrian Peterson would scare teams into submission.

#23 Baltimore Ravens- Michael Oher (OT) The Ravens flew up a couple of places to land the massive Oher and bolster their offensive line. Oher is a wonderfull success story who may benefit from slotting in to a veteran Ravens line. While he may not start from day one this is an impressive young man who could emerge as an elite player.

#24 Atlanta Falcons- Peria Jerry (DT) The Falcons may have found the rock to build there defense around, after making huge leaps last season, mainly due to the improved offense, Atlanta address a glaring need with an aggressive gap shooting DT.

#25 Miami Dolphins- Vontae Davis (DB) Another impressive athlete with some slight issues. The word is that Davis has a poor work ethic but like his brother Vernon (49ers TE) he can play both cover and man defense systems with wonderfull natural ability and can match up one-on-one against the best recievers.

#26 Green Bay Packers- Clay Matthews (LB) The Pack trade back into the 1st round and select the second USC line backer. Matthews is a versitile pass rusher that has adequate cover skills. Will help the Packers with their move to a 3-4 scheme and will be a good compliment to Aaron Kampman.

#27 Indianapolis Colts- Donald Brown (RB) While many will be a little surprised by the pick the Colts get a running back that can split time with Joseph Addai and fit the scheme better than other runners. Has the ability to change direction well and is a good option in the passing game.

#28 Buffalo Bills- Eric Wood (C) With the Philadelphia pick acquired from the Jason Peters trade, the Bills look to add a versatile lineman that can play across the interior line. Has the size and ability to be a centre for years to come but its his high football IQ that saw him shoot up draft boards.

#29 New York Giants- Hakeem Nicks (WR) A top class receiver that should help to fill the void left by Plexico Burress. Nicks is a big, strong player with great hands, who may not have the top end speed but can make plays all across the field.

#30 Tennessee Titans- Kenny Brit (WR) Brit will give the Titans a possession receiver that could develop into a favourite target for Kerry Collins straight away. At 6'3" Brit has ideal size and great route running ability with a high work ethic.

#31 Arizona Cardinals- Chris Wells (RB) After their first Superbowl appearance things just keep getting better for the Cardinals, Wells a players who could of been a top ten pick if the draft was straight after the season will give a power running game that Arizona has been searching for. While durability has been an issue he could be a productive runner in a pass first system.

#32 Pittsburgh Steelers- Evander Hood (DT) Steelers continue to draft in an intellegent way with a DT that will upgrade depth along the defensive line. Hood is a high energy player with a great burst of speed that will slot into the rotation and be starting in a couple of years.