Who should the Lions select with the first overall pick? Want to know where Michael Crabtree will be the best fit? SportSims.net, an online dynasty football franchise simulation, used their simulation's intricate draft routines to determine what the Lions, and other top teams, should select this weekend in the 2009 NFL Draft.
SportSims.net’s draft routines analyzed each team's Roster and used other factors like what GamePlan the team is running in order to create each team's DraftPlan, a prioritized list of the team's draft needs. Because of the draft's “human element,” this Mock Draft is not a prediction of what each team will actually take, but a recommendation of what should be drafted based on each team’s current needs using the DraftPlan Generator used in SportSims.net’s Live Draft.
Pick 1: Detroit Lions - QB - Matthew Stafford, Georgia. The Lions need nearly everything, so the best place to start is QB. Stafford is as close to a ‘sure thing’ as any QB in this draft.
Pick 2: St. Louis Rams - OT - Jason Smith, Baylor. The Rams need to rebuild their offensive line and already have both an established QB and RB in place. Smith is best at the position.
Pick 3: Kansas City Chiefs - OT - Eugene Monroe, Virginia. The Chiefs need a second OL to finish the retooling up front. Why not select the Monroe? He was so good at Virginia that he kept Branden Albert at guard.
Pick 4: Seattle Seahawks - DT - B.J. Raji, Boston College. The Seahawks need a strong defensive front to keep players away from MLB Lofa Tatupa and Raji might be the best player in the draft.
Pick 5: Cleveland Browns - RB - Chris Wells, Ohio State. With young QBs in place, RB is next on the list for the Browns. Wells, if he can stay healthy, is the best franchise RB prospect to come out since Adrian Peterson (whom the Browns passed on).
Pick 6: Cincinnati Bengals - DE - Everette Brown, Florida State. The biggest need for the Bengals is someone -
anyone - that can rush the passer since they had only 17 sacks last year. Brown is the best pass rusher in draft.
Pick 7: Oakland Raiders - OT - Andre Smith, Alabama. While Smith is sliding down most draft boards because of off-field issues, his talent justifies this pick. The Raiders and Al Davis are all about drafting talent.
Pick 8: Jacksonville Jaguars - MLB - Rey Maualuga, USC. Most of the key pieces are in place, as long the players can stay healthy. MLB is the only thing missing for the Jaguars and Coach Jack Del Rio. Maualuga fills that need well.
Check back in with us on Wednesday for Picks 9 thru 16.
SportSims.net allows players to compete against other people in dynasty franchise football seasons using customized game plans, team management, trading and a state-of-the-art Live Draft. SportSims.net’s NFL draft selection determinations are for entertainment only and not for gambling purposes.
