2009 NFL Draft: First Round Picks (washingtonpost.com)
Publish date: 2024-07-21
| Team | Player | About the Pick |
|---|
|
1. Detroit |  Matthew Stafford
Quarterback
Georgia
6-2, 225
| Those who wonder if Stafford can have the same rookie success as Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco need to keep in mind that with the Lions, he won't have the same help from the running game. Full story |
2. Rams |  Jason Smith
Tackle
Baylor
6-5, 309
| The converted tight end excels at pass blocking. |
3. Chiefs |  Tyson Jackson
Defensive End
LSU
6-4, 295
| Could be a defensive tackle for a 4-3 team or an end for a 3-4 defense. |
4. Seahawks |  Aaron Curry
Linebacker
Wake Forest
6-2, 254
| Overcame off-field family struggles to become one of the top available players. Considered entering the draft after his junior season but decided against it after being given a third-round grade by the advisory committee. |
5. Jets |  Mark Sanchez
Quarterback
Southern Cal
6-2, 227
| Jets traded with the Browns to move up to the fifth pick. Sanchez doesn't have Stafford's physical skills, but some in the league consider Sanchez the top passer available. Passed up his senior season. Only 16 collegiate starts. |
6. Bengals |  Andre Smith
Tackle
Alabama
6-4, 332 | Outland Trophy winner raised questions when he left the scouting combine early but still should go in the top 10. Smith was suspended for the Sugar Bowl against Utah this year for violating team rules. |
7. Raiders |  Darrius
Heyward-Bey
WR, Maryland
6-2, 210 | He can run, but is he consistent enough? Full Story |
8. Jaguars |  Eugene Monroe
Tackle
Virginia
6-5, 316 | Monroe was the second tackle taken and the latest from Virginia. The Chiefs picked Branden Albert No. 15 last year, and the Jets chose D'Brickashaw Ferguson No. 4 in 2006. Full story |
9. Packers |  B.J. Raji
Defensive Tackle
Boston College
6-2, 337 | An effective pass rusher, with eight sacks last season, as well as a run-stuffer. |
10. Niners |  Michael Crabtree
Wide Receiver
Texas Tech
6-2, 215 | Had 231 catches for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns in only two collegiate seasons after a redshirt season, but his draft stock dropped a bit after he underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot. |
11. Bills |  Aaron Maybin
DE/LB
Penn State
6-4, 249 | The question about the Ellicott City product is whether he's big enough to play defensive end for a 4-3 team. |
12. Broncos |  Knowshon Moreno
Running Back, Georgia
5-11, 217 | Joined Herschel Walker as the only Georgia running backs to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The first running back selected after declaring early for the draft. |
13. Redskins |  Brian Orakpo
DE/LB
Texas
6-4, 260 | Widely regarded as the draft's top pass-rushing prospect. Full Story |
14. Saints |  Malcolm Jenkins
Cornerback/Safety
Ohio State
6-0, 204 | Acclaimed as the top corner available, but some in the NFL wonder if he should be moved to free safety. |
15. Texans |  Brian Cushing
Linebacker
Southern Cal
6-3, 243 | The second pure linebacker taken. |
16. Chargers |  Larry English
DE/LB
Northern Illinois
6-2, 255 | Sack total dipped to eight last season after getting 12 as a sophomore and 10 as a junior. |
17. Bucs |  Josh Freeman
Quarterback
Kansas State
6-6, 248 | Bucs traded up from 19. Freeman has been in the shadows of Stafford and Sanchez during the predraft buildup. Running threat had 20 rushing touchdowns in three seasons. |
18. Broncos |  Robert Ayers
Defensive End
Tennessee
6-3, 272 | Not a big-time pass rusher, with only nine sacks in four college seasons, but had 31½ other tackles for losses. |
19. Eagles |  Jeremy Maclin
Wide Receiver
Missouri
6-0, 198 | Eagles traded up from 21. Maclin had 102 catches last season, and many expect him to join Crabtree in coming off the board in the top 10. |
20. Lions |  Brandon Pettigrew
Tight End
Oklahoma State
6-5, 263 | Widely regarded as the most complete tight end in the draft. Excelled both as a pass catcher and blocker. Second tight end in Oklahoma State history to be drafted in the first round. |
21. Browns |  Alex Mack
Center
California
6-4, 316 | Browns traded down three times, picking up a 2nd and two 6ths in the process. Mack was Cal's co-offensive MVP and a two-time Pac-10 first-team pick and a third-team all-American. |
22. Vikings |  Percy Harvin
Wide Receiver
Florida
5-11, 192 | Questions about size and whether he has a true position or is a mix between wide receiver and running back. Fox reported this week Harvin tested positive for marijuana at the NFL scouting combine. |
23. Ravens |  Michael Oher
Tackle
Mississippi
6-5, 309 | Ravens traded up from 26th. Key cog in the Rebels' offensive line. Oher was a starter for Mississippi since the second game of his freshman season. He was converted to left tackle as a sophomore. |
24. Falcons |  Peria Jerry
Defensive Tackle
Mississippi
6-2, 299 | Recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery in August to lead SEC defensive tackles in tackles for loss (18). Had 10½ sacks over the past two seasons. |
25. Dolphins |  Vontae Davis
Cornerback
Illinois
5-11, 203 | D.C. native and All-Met at Dunbar is the younger brother of 49ers TE Vernon Davis. Passed up his final year of eligibility at Illinois to enter the draft. |
26. Packers |  Clay Matthews
Linebacker
Southern Cal
6-3, 240 | Packers traded with Patriots to get a second first-round pick. The son of former NFL linebacker Clay Matthews walked on for the Trojans after having no big-school scholarship offers out of high school. |
27. Colts |  Donald Brown
Running Back
Connecticut
5-10, 210 | Explosive player who ran for 2,083 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Became the first player in history of the program to lead the country in rushing. |
28. Bills |  Eric Wood
Center
Louisville
6-4, 10 | Started 49 consecutive games Lousiville, the second longest streak in school history. Named first-team all-Big East and third-team all-American. |
29. Giants |  Hakeem Nicks
Wide Receiver
North Carolina
6-1, 212 | He and Britt, who went to the Titans with the next pick, were considered the most borderline of the possible first-round wide receivers. |
30. Titans |  Kenny Britt
Wide Receiver
Rutgers
6-3, 218 | Big target excels at running after the catch and fills a huge need for the Titans. Finished as the Big East Conference's all-time receiving leader with 3,043 yards in 34 games. |
31. Cardinals |  Chris (Beanie) Wells
Running Back
Ohio State
6-1, 235 | Averaged just under 5.8 yards per carry in his college career. Injuries throughout college career may be a concern. |
32. Steelers |  Ziggy Hood
Defensive Tackle
Missouri
6-3, 300 | League-wide opinion was divided about whether he was a first-rounder. The Steelers obviously thought he was. |
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