JUST for the HECK of it - 2009 Mock Draft: Atlanta take Taylor Mays...

[doubletrouble21]

1. STL: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

The Rams are absolutely awful in all facets of the game, so they might as well start the overhaul up front just so Steven Jackson doesn't get killed. Oher, who would have easily been a first-rounder last year, is worthy of the No. 1 pick.

2. CIN: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Same goes for the Bengals, who have resorted back to their old, pathetic ways. Carson Palmer needs some protection if he is going to last much longer.

3. DET: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Detroit has innumerable holes on offense, but the defensive situation is truly atrocious. The team has not gotten pressure on opposing quarterbacks in years, and Johnson is a flat-out beast at defensive end.

4. CLE: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

Maualuga cemented his place as the cream of the linebacker crop with his performance--including an interception returned for a touchdown--against Ohio State. Fortunately for Buckeye fans, he will be pestering NFL offenses next season. The Browns are in a position where they just need to take the best defensive player available.

5. HOU: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Houston's defense is solid up front and could actually get good if the secondary receives some help. Davis has been awesome for Illinois this year and is establishing himself as the top cornerback.

6. OAK: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

A physical terror for opposing defenses, Crabtree's 2008 stats at Texas Tech are going to be off the charts. The Raiders' offense could actually become relevant with Crabtree, DeMarcus Russell, and Darren McFadden.

7. KC: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

The Chiefs offense is miserable and the quarterback position has been an absolute circus over the past few years. Stafford and his incredible arm strength will put an end to that once and for all.

8. ATL: Taylor Mays, S, USC

Lawyer Milloy is most likely gone after this year and Atlanta's secondary is already the weakness of an otherwise surprising team. A hard-hitting, play-making safety is what the Falcons need and Mays is just that.

9. MIA: George Selvie, DE, South Florida

Miami is playing itself out of contention for Matthew Stafford, but Selvie would not be a bad alternative. He has good size (6'4'', 240), but his athleticism and speed set him apart as a pass-rusher. This a good fit for the Dolphins in the post-Jason Taylor era.

10. SF: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

In a 2009 draft loaded with offensive tackles, Monroe should be the third one off the board. Part of the reason the 49ers have never found a serviceable quarterback in recent years is because the quarterbacks have never had any time to do anything.

11. ARI: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Edgerrin James is old, and even older in terms of wear and tear from life as a running back in the NFL. The heir apparent is needed as soon as possible, and Moreno in 2009 is a perfect solution. He is showing at Georgia that he is destined for stardom at the next level.

12. SEA: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

Seattle has other holes to fill but it would be hard to pass up Wells if he falls this far. The Seahawks could use a star at running back, anyway, since Shaun Alexander is still yet to be replaced by a real stud.

13. NYJ: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

Laurinaitis' attributes are speed, toughness, smarts, and an endless motor. That's what the Jets need at linebacker and everywhere else on defense, although linebacker is the main issue at the moment.

14. MIN: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Adrian Peterson and company are in need of help in order for this Minnesota offense to ever get off the ground. Heyward-Bey can stretch the field vertically as a home run threat.

15. BAL: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The Ravens are not getting any younger in the secondary and need to start thinking about the future. Getting a shutdown corner of this caliber at this point in the first round would be a steal.

16. CHI: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Chicago has need a quarterback who can make good decisions for over a decade now. Tebow does that both on and off the field. His ability to run the ball is undeniable, and he will continue to prove at Florida that he can get it done through the air as well.

17. TB: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Maclin, as expected, is putting up other-worldly numbers at Missouri. The Bucs have needed a threat to stretch the field vertically for a long time. Maclin is a perfect fit for the Tampa Bay offense.

18. WAS: William Moore, S, Missouri

Moore has all the tools to be a star at safety. He is a ball-hawk, hits hard, and can play blanket defense in pass coverage. The Redskins would have a terrific tandem at safety in Moore and LaRon Landry.

19. NO: Myron Rolle, S, Florida State

Rolle is typical first-round caliber safety in terms of being big, athletic, and fond of delivering massive hits. He is atypical in terms of being outstanding off the field and in the classroom. This would be a steal for the secondary-hungry Saints.

20. GB: Nic Harris, S, Oklahoma

A big run on safety's could come late in the first round if Harris' stellar season at Oklahoma continues. Green Bay's secondary is borderline ancient and it is the weak point of an otherwise solid ballclub.

21. NE: Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati

Asante Samuel bolted for Philadelphia and now cornerback simply has to be addressed. It's perhaps the Patriots' only flaw, but Mickens can help immediately. Mickens has the size, speed, and experience to earn this first-round selection.

22. PHI: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

McNabb now has the deep threat in DeSean Jackson and he will need a TD specialist once L.J. Smith departs Philadelphia. Pettigrew is a huge target and should be a red-zone fiend.

23. DEN: Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn

Denver's run defense floundered last year and the entire defense hasn't exactly been lights out early in 2008. Marks, an anchor of a dominant Auburn defense, will help solve those problems.

24. PHI: Brian Cushing, LB, USC

Linebacker has been an area of need in Philadelphia for a while now, and this should be a good year to solve that problem. Cushing is not even the best linebacker on his college team because USC is so stacked as usual, but his is extremely talented and should be a future Pro Bowler.

25. JAX: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Jacksonville has always loved to pound, pound, and pound the ball on the ground, but at some point David Garrard needs some weapons at his disposal. Harvin is exactly the kind of playmaker the Jaguars have been lacking

26. PIT: Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers still need help on the offensive line with Alan Faneca now a member of the New York Jets. Boone (6'6'') is a massive presence on the Buckeye front and he is back in Columbus for his senior season.

27. BUF: Greg Middleton, DE, Indiana

The Bills went cornerback with their first pick in 2008 and the defense is still what needs to be addressed. There is a lot of young talent behind the line, but not on the ends. Middleton is not Top 10 material like Michael Johnson--at least not right now--but he's a good option at this point in round one.

28. TEN: Fili Moala, DT, USC

Tennessee has always won because of its defense and stockpiling the tackle position would ensure the continuation of that trend for years to come. Moala is a huge presence, but off-the-field problems could be an issue.

29. IND: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Dwight Freeney needs some help on the defensive line and the Colts will want to upgrade against both the pass and the run. Jackson can help in either area and has experience at tackle and at end as part of the NFL-like LSU front.

30. NYG: Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin

Jeremy Shockey, who missed the end of the Giants' Super Bowl-winning season, packed his bags for New Orleans during the off-season. Eli Manning has no suitable replacement this year, but Beckum would fill the void in a major way. Beckum looks more like a wide receiver and he plays like one too. That will be just fine with Manning.

31. SD: Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma

Robinson has been huge for Oklahoma, and he could be equally important for LaDanian Tomlinson and co. in the coming years. San Diego does not have any glaring holes, so this is the best value pick at this point.

32. DAL: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

The Cowboys were thought to be targeting a wide receiver last season, and you never know how long T.O. will stick around. So now it is time to address the position. Robiskie, who found the endzone 11 times last year at Ohio State, will provide a great target at 6'3'' and 200 pounds.

>>> http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/2009/20...r=13&page=2

[direwolf]

Somehow I'm starting to think we might not have a top ten pick in the draft after all... Just a thought...

Direwolf

[Big Zee]

We are not going to be picking that high based on our record!

[FormerFan-RobertAP]

I'm hoping for a DE. Safety is certainly on the radar, but DE seems to be the most pressing need at this point. Drafting a DE would allow us to move Anderson over to DT, which is where I think this coaching staff wants to play him.

[The Don™]

That would be a bad move to pick Mays instead of Moore IMO. William Moore is by far the best S in this class. He has more than great measurables and is much more polished than Mays.

[Return-of-the-Falcon]

Moore>Mays.....If mays played at a school like mizzou, he wouldnt be getting nearly as much hype...William Moore is a better safety in every way

[A-TowN.-]

I like Mays, but I have a feeling Moore is more well-rounded. I want Eric Berry in a couple of years. Saw him when he played highschool ball as a QB. That dude is a monster.

If we could get Malcolm that would be awesome too.

[The Dirty Bird]

I like Mays, but I have a feeling Moore is more well-rounded. I want Eric Berry in a couple of years. Saw him when he played highschool ball as a QB. That dude is a monster.

If we could get Malcolm that would be awesome too.

Eric Berry is a great safety but I would rather have any of these guys: Taylor Mays, Myron Rolle, William Moore, Kam Chancellor...and maybe Nic Harris. I have watched either live or on replay all of Berry's interceptions - the vast majority are on overthrows where he is behind the WR or tipped balls where they bounce right to him uncontested - really none are him making a jump on the ball. NFL QBs are very accurate and he won't get the overthrow interceptions. He also doesn't deliver any hits while Mays, Rolle and Chancellor do and I like physical safeties for the Cover-2 defense. He is also small - 5'11 - compared to the rest of the aforementioned crew.

[Libid21]

I'd hate to see this happen... Mays in the Top 10 being drafted by us with William Moore still on the board?

[The Don™]

I'd hate to see this happen... Mays in the Top 10 being drafted by us with William Moore still on the board?

I second that

[Falcons 'til Death]

I second that

I third that. Mays is a workout warrior who's speed does'nt show up consistantly at game time. Would rather have Moore or Chung.

[BrasKilla]

i rather go with Chung in the 3rd round and address a bigger need in the first specially if Eugene Monroe or James Laurinaitis are still on the board