The 2009 BTSC Community Mock Draft keeps trucking along. Thanks again to steelerark, for pulling double duty for the Detroit Lions and providing another solid pick with quality analysis. Quarterback is certainly a need for the Lions and since they didn't address it with their first pick, it makes sense that they would try with their other first round pick. With only 10 days left until the draft the quicker the remaining picks come in the better; especially since we still have 12 picks left to wrap up the BTSC Mock Draft. Up next is a great contributor to the site, SteelerBuddha, who is picking for the Philadelphia Eagles.-DYM-
The Lions step up to the plate again in the first round. With two picks in the top twenty, I imagine Lions fans must be salivating at all the possibilities. If this were the real draft, I would have traded my picks in an effort to move down in the draft. There are just too many holes for this team to fill. It's going to be a long time before this team is able to overcome the Millen years and be competitive. Since the dawn of the Millen era, the Lions have never finished above 7 wins in a season and only managing to climb out of the NFC North cellar three times(finishing next to last all three times). During his tenure, the Lions were 31-84! I couldn't imagine what that must be like as a fan. So, back to the grind stone.
Preparing for this pick was a bit trickier than the first pick, which was easy for me. I just went safe. This pick, I wasn't sure who to go with until I saw that Sanchez was still available. Well, the Broncos ended that hope for me, so my choice for the 20th pick of the 2009 NFL draft is Josh Freeman.
I chronicled the success rate of 1st round quarterbacks in the last ten years, and it wasn't good, less than a 50% chance to washout. I wasn't prepared to take that risk with the number one overall; I am prepared to take that risk at number 20. Josh is a fantastic athlete who has crazy size to go with a great arm. He checks in at 6'6" and 248 pounds. In three years as a starter, he has thrown for 8078 yards and 44 TDs. His positives and negatives from nfl.com's draft page:
Positives: Tall frame with a solid build. Arm strength allows him to make all of the NFL throws and attack the deep half. Stands tall, will step up in the pocket, keep his eyes downfield and deliver the ball to secondary target. Good, not great, quickness on release. Keeps the ball low over the middle, away from defenders. Can be accurate on fades and corner routes, although he needs a bit more air under the ball. Good straight-ahead runner with long strides and deceptive speed, can shed arm tackles and uses his tall frame to get extra yards after contact. Dropped some weight to better his footwork and speed. Works under center and in the shotgun.
Negatives: Must improve his footwork. His height makes him take long strides in his drop. Fails to step into his throws or square his shoulders at times, relies on his arm strength too often. Inconsistent accuracy from the pocket and throwing on the run. Needs to anticipate downfield throws better, sometimes getting the ball to his receiver a second early or late. Prone to turnovers, makes poor decisions trying to make plays that aren't there. Does not feel backside pressure. Lacks touch on shorter throws. Ball comes out of his hands poorly at times, negating his arm strength. Sometimes pats the ball before the throws. Loose with the ball in the pocket and as a runner. Doesn't move the pile as you'd expect in short-yardage situations, but his height allows him to be effective.
BTSC 2009 Community Mock Draft Team Selections
#1) Detroit Lions - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
#2) St. Louis Rams - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
#3) Kansas City Chiefs - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
#4) Seattle Seahawks - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
#5) Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
#6) Cincinnati Bengals - Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR, Missouri
#7) Oakland Raiders - B.J. Rahi, DT, Boston College
#8) Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
#9) Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
#10) San Francisco 49ers - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
#11) Buffalo Bills- Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
#12) Denver Broncos- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
#13) Washington Redskins - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
#14) New Orleans Saints - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
#15) Houston Texans - Rey Mualuaga, LB, USC
#16) San Diego Chargers - Evander 'Ziggy' Wolf, DE, Missouri
#17) New York Jets - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
#18) Denver Broncos - Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern Cal
#19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Brian Cushing, LB, Southern Cal