NFL draft: 2009 re-do
9. Green Bay Packers
Brian Cushing, LB, Southern California
Actual pick: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Clay Matthews was taken by the Chiefs, but Cushing is available. Despite his recent unfortunate injury troubles, Cushing has been a very good linebacker when on the field. B.J. Raji was a good player for the Packers, but Green Bay can get a defensive tackle with its next pick in the first round at 26th overall.
10. San Francisco 49ers
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Actual pick: same
Crabtree looked as if he would be another draft bust, but he broke out with Colin Kaepernick as his quarterback. He was playing well last year coming off a torn Achilles tendon, and he’s really not as “sorry” as Richard Sherman says he is.
11. Buffalo Bills
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Actual pick: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Maybin isn’t even in the NFL anymore. He plays for the CFL’s Argonauts. Instead, the Bills will get a playmaker next to Stevie Johnson. Maclin had the torn ACL last year, but his 2009 to 2012 were excellent seasons in Philadelphia. He’s been arguably the most consistent receiver in this draft class.
12. Denver Broncos
Louis Vasquez, G, Texas Tech
Actual pick: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Vasquez was picked in the third round by San Diego, but ended up with Denver and was the Broncos’ best offensive lineman in 2013. It’s hard to imagine that Vasquez will last that long in a re-mock, so I have the Broncos taking him here. While Moreno had the best season of his career in 2013, he has been inconsistent throughout his career.
13. Washington Redskins
Lardarius Webb, CB, Nicholls State
Actual pick: Brian Orakpo, RB, Texas
The Redskins need serious cornerback help, and they needed it after 2009 as well. Besides 2012, when he tore his ACL, Webb has been the best cornerback on the Ravens. He was tied for the league lead (with Alterraun Verner) in passes defensed last season, with 22 – Verner is some pretty good company.
14. New Orleans Saints
Jason McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Actual pick: Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State
Jenkins played well for a bit as a safety, but his career has dwindled after his early years with New Orleans. Jason McCourty is one of those underrated players who doesn’t get much publicity with the so-so Titans, and he would round out a Saints secondary which would include Jairus Byrd (as of now), Kenny Vaccaro, and Keenan Lewis.
15. Houston Texans
Terrance Knighton, DT, Temple
Actual pick: Brian Cushing, LB, Southern California
Since Cushing was taken a few picks earlier, I’ll give the Texans the best front seven player available. J.J. Watt, Knighton, and potentially Jadeveon Clowney – that’s a damn pass rush and run defense.
16. San Diego Chargers
Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Actual pick: Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois
The Chargers need serious cornerback help right now. I think Davis is a premier cover cornerback – and Ryan Grigson would agree, as Davis got paid. English wasn’t a bad player, but Davis has more value for his position and he would fill a big need for San Diego.