2009 NFL Draft: 1st Day Surprises
- NY Jets
Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan having the fortitude to jump all the other Mark Sanchez lovers and strike a deal with Cleveland to slide into the number 5 slot and select their quarterback of the future which happens to be right now. The move cost the Jets their #17 pick, #52 (Round 2) and three players on their current roster. The best player being (S) Abram Elam.
- Cleveland Browns
First trading out of the #5 slot with players like BJ Raji and Michael Crabtree available. Then moving two more times eventually landing at #21 and selecting (C) Alex Mack. The 2nd round where they drafted two receivers; Brian Robiskie (Ohio State) at #36 and Mohammed Massaqoui (Georgia) at #50. Does this mark the end of Braylon Edwards in Cleveland?
- Oakland Raiders
Selecting (WR) Darius Heyward-Bey at the #7 selection with players like Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) and Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) still available. I've said repeatedly how Al Davis loves speed and he chose that over anything else. The Raiders 2nd round selection was even more puzzling. Actually moving up in the round to take a player that quite possibly could have been picked up as a free agent. The selection was Ohio University (S) Michael Mitchell.
- Cincinnati Bengals
Selecting troubled Alabama (OT) Andre Smith. The Bengals just love to have as much turmoil on the team as possible. They could have selected Virginia (OT) Eugene Monroe, but I guess you select what you are comfortable with, malcontents. Sorry Carson, you always seem to get stuck with the riff-raff. They did pick-up one of the biggest fallers in my eyes in the second round in USC (LB) Rey Maualuga, but he also has had character issue questions raised recently.
- Denver Broncos
Why do you pick up not 1, not 2, but 3 running backs in free agency. One might think so you don't have to cover that position in the draft and you can concentrate on a porous defense. With the #12 pick they select Georgia (RB) Knowshon Moreno, which in itself is not a bad selection. He is one of my favorite players in the draft, but an absolute not need for a team that could have had players like Brian Orakpo or Brain Cushing. The 2nd round was even more curious when they moved into Seattle #37 selection to take Wake Forest (CB) Alphonso Smith. The player isn't a bad selection in my eyes, but what they gave up for him is what has me puzzled. They gave the Seahawks a #1 selection in the 2010 draft for a player that may have been there at their original selection of #48. Then with that selection at #48 they pick up another decent talent, but seemed to reach again for Texas Tech (S) Darcel McBath who may have been their in the third round at Denver's #79 selection.
- Philadelphia Eagles
Moving up a couple selection to #19 from #21 to select Missouri (WR) Jeremy Maclin. Isn't he a little bit bigger version of DeSean Jackson? Playmakers and speed are at a premium, but their is only one ball to play with. If they were going to jump up why not get McNabb a nice big safety outlet like Oklahoma State (TE) Brandon Pettigrew who was selected #20. He also could have added to a much improved run blocking scheme.
- New England Patriots
Far be it from me to question the "football genius" of Bill Belichek, but how many draft picks can you really stock pile for one draft. Already coming into this year's draft with the most selections of any team he chose to trade out of the first round and pick-up more selections. Which is all well and good, I don't have an issue with the players he selected in the 2nd round, but the placement of his first #34, in Oregon (S) Patrick Chung who could have been had in the 3rd round in all likely hood.
- Buffalo Bills
Skipping over Ole Miss (OT) Michael Oher at #12 for Penn State (D-Hybrid) Aaron Maybin wasn't a huge question mark for me, but selecting Louisville (C) Eric Wood at #28 and Oregon (S) Jarius Byrd at #42 was. It looks like "Sleepy" Dick Jauron was driving again.
- Green Bay Packers
Having the fortune of (DT) BJ Raji fall to them at #9 and then moving back into the 1st round and picking up USC (LB) Clay Matthews at #26. Looks like the 3-4 in Green Bay will be in full effect this season.
McSpazz's Sky Risers (Surprises)
- Darius Heyward-Bey (WR) Maryland (Oakland #7)
- Eric Wood (C) Louisville (Buffalo #28)
- Alex Mack (C) Cal (Cleveland #21)
- Kenny Britt (WR) Rutgers (Tennessee #30)
- Larry English (D-Hybrid) Northern Illinois (San Diego #16)
- Knowshon Moreno (RB) Georgia (Denver #12)
McSpazz Farthest Fallers (Surprises)
- Michael Oher (OT) Ole Miss (Baltimore #23)
- Rey Maualuga (LB) USC (Cincinnati #38)
- Everette Brown (D-Hybrid) Florida State (Carolina #43)
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