By Kyle Smith
February 5, 2009 10:28am CST

1) Detroit Lions: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia. Only the 49ers gave up more sacks (55) last year than the Lions (52). They need a quarterback, but their history in drafting them is less than stellar. Here are the draft picks they've made at the position since the AFL-NFL merger (1970) who have ever taken a snap in the NFL: Drew Stanton (2007), Dan Orlovsky (2005), Joey Harrington (2002), Mike McMahon (2001), Charlie Batch (1998), Andre Ware (1990), Rodney Peete (1989), Chuck Long (1986), John Witkowski (1984), Mike Machurek (1982), Eric Hipple (1980), Jeff Komlo (1979).

2) St. Louis Rams: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. Yes, the Rams need major help on defense, and new head coach Steve Spagnuolo was a defensive coordinator. But Torry Holt is getting long in the tooth, and Crabtree might be the best player in the draft, regardless of position.

3) KC Chiefs: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia. I'm not nearly as bullish on Stafford as so many others are, but the Chiefs won't pass on him just because of the emergence of Tyler Thigpen last season. It's true that new GM Scott Pioli's history is one that says he'll take a lineman, but passing on a potential franchise QB doesn't seem likely.

4) Seattle Seahawks: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama. It wouldn't be completely surprising to see them take Stafford if he happens to fall this far, but the 'Hawks need help on the offensive line. Walter Jones is 35 years old, and though Ray Willis was solid at right tackle last season, he doesn't seem to be the heir apparent on the left side.

5) Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. Curry is versatile, and would be a nice fit in the middle of the Browns' 3-4 scheme. Aside from Crabtree, Curry may be the best pure football player in the draft.

6) Cincinnati Bengals: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College. Defensive tackle is a huge area of need for the Bengals, and they would be thrilled if Raji falls to them here. It would be yet another first-round pick on defense for Cincy, who have taken a player on that side of the ball for the last four seasons.

7) Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri. It's more difficult to predict what the Raiders will do than any other team in the NFL. They could use this pick on offensive tackle Jason Smith considering coach Tom Cable's offensive line background, but owner Al Davis makes the calls, and he loves speed, which Maclin possesses in abundance.

8) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor. There isn't much the Jags don't need, especially on offense, but it's clear the offensive line needs a serious upgrade. They went almost exclusively defense in last year's draft, and now need to beef up the offense. In the past two drafts, covering 16 picks, only four have been offensive players.

9) Green Bay Packers: Everette Brown, DE/LB, Florida State. The Packers are making the switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, and despite a fairly solid linebacking corps, you can never have too many pass rushers.

10) San Francisco 49ers: Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State. Help in the secondary is needed by the 49ers, and Jenkins can offer immediate assistance. There has been some question about whether he will play corner or safety, but he should find his way into the lineup somewhere.

11) Buffalo Bills: Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas. The Bills are tough to figure out, as they have a bunch of different ways they can go here. They need help at defensive tackle, but Peria Jerry is a bit of a stretch at eleven. It wouldn't be surprising to see them trade out of this spot.

12) Denver Broncos: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC. There isn't a more natural fit in the draft than Maualuga going to Denver. They desperately need help stopping the run, and that's what he does best.

13) Washington Redskins: Aaron Maybin, DE/LB, Penn State. The Redskins have an aging defensive front seven, and new blood is necessary. Phillip Daniels is 35, Jayson Taylor is 34, London Fletcher is 33, and Marcus Washington is 31, so Maybin would be a welcome addition.

14) New Orleans Saints: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt. When looking at the Saints' roster, it's no secret that they need secondary help. Moore is one option, but they can also look at Illinois' Vontae Davis or Wake Forest's Alphonso Smith.

15) Houston Texans: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois. Only six teams had fewer than Houston's 12 interceptions. Vontae is the younger brother of 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, and some believe he is the best pure cover corner in the draft.

16) San Diego Chargers: James Laurinitis, LB, Ohio State. Looking at the Chargers' roster, there does not seem to be an immense number of holes, but their 8-8 record says otherwise. Laurinitis would be a great fit in the middle of their 3-4 defense.

17) New York Jets: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia. This selection depends a lot on what Brett Favre does. Even if he chooses to retire, I'm still not sure they'd spend their top pick on a quarterback. Thomas Jones will be 31 years old next season, and Leon Washington seems best suited as a change-of-pace back. Also, new coach Rex Ryan saw firsthand what a trio of running backs could do this season in Baltimore.

18) Chicago Bears: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC. It's already a given that Rex Grossman will be giving some other team's fans heart attacks next season, much to the relief of millions in the greater Chicago area. If Sanchez falls to them, he would be difficult to pass on, unless they truly believe Grizzly Adams - who is also known as Kyle Orton - is ready to lead them to the Promised Land. Which he's not.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina. The Bucs need playmakers at the wideout position, especially if free agent Antonio Bryant does not re-sign with them. Joey Galloway is 37 and was injured last season and Michael Clayton has been a first-round bust. They drafted Dexter Jackson in the second round last season, and he caught as many passes for them as I did. When Ike Hilliard is the best player at the position, it may be wise to upgrade.

20) Detroit Lions (from DAL): Percy Harvin, WR, Florida. When you play as the Lions on Madden '09 with the settings on "Rookie" and still have a hard time winning, you know the roster is bad. Thus, selecting Harvin here should not be viewed as a stretch. Yes, they need defense. Badly. But it's not like they were offensive juggernauts either, coming in at 30th in the league with 268.3 yards per game. Harvin could take some of the pressure off Calvin Johnson, making Megatron an even more formidable weapon.

21) Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi. Some teams just have a formula and stick to it. The Eagles have taken an offensive or defensive lineman with five of their last six top choices. It's what they do, and considering tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are a combined 69 years old, this is an easy call. They drafted Winston Justice in the second round in 2006, but the last time he got extensive action, Osi Umenyiora abused him without mercy.

22) Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State. Visanthe Shiancoe is okay. But he's ... Visanthe Shiancoe. And Visanthe Shiancoe isn't going to be the reason the Vikings don't draft the best tight end prospect in the draft.

23) New England Patriots: Brian Cushing, LB, USC. New England will continue to beef up their linebacking corps. They started off with Jerod Mayo, and Cushing should fit right in.

24) Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi. Grady Jackson is a 345 lb. beast, but he's a 36-year-old beast. The team needs to keep building their defensive line in order to get better against the run, in which they were 25th last season.

25) Miami Dolphins: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest. Miami was just 25th against the pass last season, and in a division that should get Tom Brady back, they'll need more help. Despite being a bit short at 5-9, Smith is a dynamic playmaker.

26) Baltimore Ravens: Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois. English should step in and take the place of Terrell Suggs, who very well could be moving on after the year. He, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott are all free agents, and the team won't be able to re-sign each of them.

27) Indianapolis Colts: Clay Matthews, LB, USC. The third USC linebacker to go in the first round, Matthews is easily the most unheralded. Still, he's becoming a sure-fire first rounder, and fits in well on a team that needs players at the position.

28) Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR): Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU. It's possible the Eagles go a different route considering they already took one lineman in the first round. The most realistic possibility would see them trade out of this spot for multiple picks later.

29) New York Giants: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers. Britt, at 6-4, 215, isn't quite as big as Plaxico Burress, but he's close. In time, Britt has the potential to become the playmaker that Burress was.

30) Tennessee Titans: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College. It seems apparent that the Titans are going to lose Albert Haynesworth, and Brace has the size, at 330 lbs, to play nose guard. I think the Titans have pretty much cornered the market on running backs the last few drafts, so I'm confident they'll be passing on one here.

31) Arizona Cardinals: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State. Edgerrin James seems like he's as good as gone, and the team simply cannot rely on Tim Hightower at this point. This becomes especially true if Kurt Warner decides to retire. They won't completely change their ways if Matt Leinart becomes their starting quarterback, but he'll be well-served by getting a legitimate running threat to support him.

32) Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Mack, C, California. Mack is the best center in the draft, by far, and Justin Hartwig is nothing that should stand in his way. If the Steelers hadn't come back to win the Super Bowl, Pittsburgh fans would still be talking about his hold on third down in the end zone that cost the Steelers two points and a first down.