The 2009 NFL Draft took place last weekend, April 25-26. The first round saw some of the best players in the draft find a home for the season. Some of the picks weren’t surprising: Michael Stafford going to the Detroit Lions, while others defied expectations: Michael Crabtree was a later than anticipated No. 10 pick.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from round one.
#1 – Quarterback and projected No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford met his expectations. The Detroit Lions had already signed the 21-year-old to a six-year deal with $41.7 million in guarantees. The Lions had a record season this year: 0-16, a losing feat no other team has accomplished in NFL history.
With a winless season forged by Matt Millen, the Lions look to Stafford to take over the franchise. At 6’3″ and 237 pounds, and with a strong, accurate throwing arm that has brought in 51 career touchdowns and 7,731 rushing yards, Stafford has the potential to become a franchise savior. Hopefully the new Lion he’ll do better than Detroit’s last leader pick quarterback Joey Harrington.
Stafford left school a year early, but is not expected to start the season. However, he is ready to start his professional career.
“I’m a competitive guy,” Stafford said. “I’m going to try to get ready as fast as I can.”
Stafford continues a trend in the NFL where quarterbacks make up the best overall picks in the draft; in fact, 9 of the last 12 major picks have been quarterbacks. Time will tell if Stafford continues to live up to expectations during the football season.
#4- Another potential for the Lions was taken in the top 5. Aaron Curry, a linebacker from Wake Forest, had discussed being the first overall pick with Detroit. Curry has an exceptional combination of height, weight and speed for a linebacker that, combined with his strong instincts, aggressiveness and overall effort, makes him an ideal player. Seattle was able to capture Curry at No. 4.
#5 – The No. 2 pick at quarterback, USC’s Mark Sanchez, was snapped up by the New York Jets after they traded Cleveland for fifth overall. Sánchez started at USC for just one season, leading the Trojans to a 12-1 season and a Rose Bowl win.
With the Jets, he will have to fill in for retiring quarterback Brett Favre. The 6’3″, 225-pound quarterback has a strong arm, smarts and leadership skills that make him a prize for the Jets’ West Coast offense. His limited experience makes him a moderate risk, but not discouraged.
“It’s a very exciting time, a special time in my life,” Sanchez explains, “so I’m excited to get things rolling.”
#7- Captivated by his speed, the Oakland Raiders snagged Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey at No. 7 overall. Although Heyward-Bey had the fastest 40-yard time in practice, his underdeveloped receiving skills make him a risk. Although he can take time to develop, with his incredible combination of speed and height-weight, Heyward-Bey exhibits real potential.
#10- Michael Crabtree, who was the highest-rated receiver before the draft, completed the top ten when he was drafted by the 49ers. He lost first place to Heyward-Bey, who was selected three places before him. Although Crabtree lacks top-tier speed, he’s still considered one of the best receivers in the draft, with the ability to catch just about anything thrown at him.
After just two seasons of football, Crabtree received the Biletnikoff Award. Now in San Francisco, Crabtree is aiming high: “I have some big shoes to fill when I go to the 49ers, you know, with Jerry Rice. I look forward to that. I love a challenge.”
#12 – Knowshon Moreno was number 12 to the Denver Broncos. Moreno rushed for 1,400 yards last season to lead the SEC and was on the second team of All-American players. Although Moreno lacks the breakaway speed that the best running backs in the NFL possess, he has great instincts and good vision that make him an excellent pick for the Broncos.
#19- The Eagles were able to pick wide receiver Jerry Maclin from Missouri at No. 19 after the Browns traded the pick for No. 21 and a second sixth-round pick. In 2008, Maclin was able to score 12 touchdowns, along with 1,260 receiving yards.
#27- The Indianapolis Colts drafted Dan Brown at No. 27. Brown was the 2008 Big East Offensive Player of the Year at Connecticut and, with over 2,000 rushing yards last year alone and 3,800 career rushing yards, leads the NCAA. He also has the distinction of being the first player from the University of Connecticut to be selected in the first round.
Overall, 19 offensive and 13 defensive players were selected in the first round, 15 of whom were freshmen, for a total of 32 players.
