2009 Draft Surprises

As usual, things didn't go according to the experts' plans on Draft Weekend, but there were several things that surprised me. It started from the first pick, and followed through to the end of the second day. Some were based on preconceived draft notions, others were shockers as they happened.

1. Matthew Stafford going #1 overall
-While this wasn't a surprise to most, I am still not on the Stafford bandwagon. Scouts love his "live arm" and plethora of starts at the collegiate level, but I still don't see how that alone translates to NFL success. When Stafford was off his game at Georgia, the team's offense was anemic, even with first-round pick Knowshon Moreno in the backfield. In fact, during his three years at Georgia, Stafford played with current and future NFL talents at wide receiver, running back, tight end and offensive line, but still couldn't take his team to an SEC East title. Forget a national or conference championship, is a division title too much to ask for?

While the move to draft Stafford is a view for the future, it could also be a political tactic. By drafting a quarterback, that gives the Lions organization at least three years of more excuses, because you can always say, "Stafford hasn't developed yet." If they drafted a lineman, fans could still demand more wins next year. Now they can only say their number one overall pick needs more time.

2. The Chiefs taking Tyson Jackson at #3
-While Kansas City is switching to a 3-4 defense, I still see this as a reach. Jackson will play the five-technique, which is the defensive end on the line, part defensive tackle, part pass rusher. Jackson might be a good fit for the position at 300 lbs., but I would also make the argument that it is the least important position in the defensive scheme. A 3-4 needs a huge, space-eating defensive tackle in the middle, and fast, outside linebackers to get to the quarterback. Five-technique defensive ends essentially need to be 300+ lbs., and able to occupy offensive tackles or guards so the linebackers can get around the edge. The Chiefs need personnel at both defensive tackle and outside linebacker, and were in a position to take Aaron Curry or B.J. Raji, but passed. I was surprised the Chiefs didn't take either of those players, with a view to take a five-technique end later, which can typically be found in the second day of the draft.

3. The Jets trading up to #5 for Mark Sanchez
-I am again going against the grain of the experts by not being a huge fan of Sanchez. While he was a good quarterback at USC for one season, I still don't see how that warrants a top-five selection. I think far too much credit is given to USC's "pro-style" offense. Sure he takes snaps from under center instead of in the shotgun, but that still doesn't mean the offense was good last year.

When Sanchez first declared for the draft, he was blasted by both his coach, Pete Carroll, and draft pundits who said he needed to go back for his senior year because quarterbacks who leave school early are not ready to start in the NFL. He was pegged as the clear second-ranked quarterback in the class, with no chance to beat out Stafford for top billing. He was projected to be a top-25 pick, at best, and would likely need to sit a year before seeing regular season action.

Being a junior, he was not eligible for post-season all-star games or organized activities, and needed to rely solely on the combine and his Pro Day workout at USC. By not playing in a single game between January and April, Sanchez moved himself from a late first-round pick, to a top-five selection. How?

Sanchez was a redshirt junior, who sat behind Matt Leinart, who had a much better resume for scouts to examine. Leinart won two national championships, a Heisman trophy, and stayed for his senior year.

After Leinart, Sanchez still couldn't beat out John David Booty, a one-and-done starter for the Trojans, who was a fifth-round pick in last year's draft, and has not seen NFL action since.

I still fail to see how a one-year college starter, who could not beat out a future NFL also-ran, declares for the draft, doesn't play for three months, but then skyrockets up draft boards, to the point where a team will trade first- and second-round draft picks, as well as three other players, to go get him at pick number five.

Sanchez talks a great game, and marketed himself very well, I just don't see the same thing everyone else does. I think he will be good, not great, and will need more than a year to develop, especially if he starts right away. As for USC's "pro-style" offense that prepares quarterbacks for the NFL so well? Leinart is a backup for the Cardinals and Booty is fourth on the depth chart after the Vikings traded for Sage Rosenfels in the offseason.

4. Oakland passing on Michael Crabtree for Darrius Heyward-Bey at #7
-Crabtree was widely considered the top receiver in this draft, and although he had a stress fracture in his foot, he was expected to be the first pass catcher off the board. While it is known that Raiders owner Al Davis loves speed and combine measurables, many thought he would take an offensive tackle or a wide receiver, either Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin. Heyward-Bey was considered the fourth- or fifth-best receiver in this draft, projecting him as a late first-round pick. Instead, Davis fell in love with Heyward-Bey's 4.30 40-yard dash time, the fastest of anyone at this year's combine. Crabtree landed nearby, falling to San Francisco at #10. Ay bay bay.

5. Brian Orakpo falling to the Redskins at #13
-After his impressive workouts, Orakpo was thought by many, myself included, to be a sure-fire top-10 pick. While the Mark Sanchez trade re-shuffled the deck, I still expected Orakpo to be the first pass rusher off the board. However, with Tyson Jackson gone with the third pick and Buffalo selecting Aaron Maybin at #11, the possibility loomed that Orakpo would be around at #13. With the Broncos needing 3-4 personnel, I thought Orakpo could be gone at #12, but Denver went with Knowshon Moreno instead. With Orakpo still shockingly on the board, Washington wasted no time, using about 45 seconds of their alotted 10 minutes to make its selection.

6. Rey Maualuga falling to the 2nd round
-I made a prediction before the draft that there was no chance Brian Cushing would be taken ahead of Rey Maualuga. It turns out Maualuga was the last picked of the three USC linebackers expected to be taken in the first round, with Maualuga slipping out of the first round altogether. Cushing went 15th to the Texans, while Clay Matthews went 26th to the Packers. Maualuga went to the Bengals in the second round, 38th overall.

There was speculation, but no confirmation, that Maualuga has a torn hamstring, which could have hurt his draft stock. Regardless, Maualuga was projected to be a top-15 pick, and to see him available in the second round baffled me.