Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks needed help at linebacker and took Curry as the fourth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Expect him to eventually sign a deal worth around $30 million.

Andre Smith, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals haven’t been able to run the ball in recent years. Drafting Smith with the sixth pick was aimed at fixing that weakness.

Eugene Monroe, Jacksonville Jaguars
The 6-foot-5, 320 pounder out of Virginia is a big dude. But the Jaguars are having difficulties signing him.

B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers
When the Packers selected Raji, many were surprised that he landed in Green Bay with the ninth overall pick.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
Perhaps the most followed unsigned first rounder is Michael Crabtree. The Niners and Crabtree don’t sound too close to a deal.

Aaron Maybin, Buffalo Bills
To improve their defense, the Bills selected a defensive end with the 11th pick in the draft. So far, they haven’t agreed to a contract.

Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans Saints
The Saints have long needed a quality cornerback. They’ll have to wait a little bit longer because Jenkins remains unsigned.

Aaron Curry - Seattle Seahawks (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Unsigned NFL First Round Draft Picks

Obviously the Niners could really use Crabtree’s help this forthcoming season. Their offense is weak and without Crabtree’s playmaking, they appear to be destined for a difficult season.

At Texas Tech, Crabtree was one of the most explosive players in the nation. In his last season, he had 19 touchdowns and 1,165 receiving yards and 97 receptions. His play ended up being good enough for the Niners to draft him tenth overall.

What may be making these negotiations more difficult is the fact that Crabtree was expected by many to go higher in the draft. If his reps want him paid as a top five pick, this could become an ugly situation.

Stay tuned.

Michael Crabtree - San Francisco 49ers (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Michael Crabtree to Skip 2009 NFL Season?

Playing his college football with California, Mack was recognized as the top scholar-athlete in college football by winning the Draddy Trophy. He also was nominated for the Rimington Trophy, which honors the best center in college football.

If he is to join the starters on offense, he’ll likely have to beat out Hank Fraley. Although Fraley has been a good offensive lineman at times during his career, most scouts agree that he struggled last season.

The Browns also signed fellow rookie Kaluka Maiava recently. A linebacker out of USC, Maiava was drafted in the fourth round.

Cleveland Browns rookies will report to training camp on July 31st.

Alex Mack - Cleveland Browns (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Browns Sign Rookie Center Alex Mack

Matt Stafford, now a Detroit Lion. Image: Newscom

Arizona Cardinals

• Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
• Cody Brown, OLB, Connecticut
• Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama
• Gregory Toler, CB, St. Paul’s College
• Herman Johnson, OG, LSU
• Will Davis, DE, Illinois
• LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB, Pittsburgh
• Trevor Canfield, OG, Cincinnati

Atlanta Falcons

• Peria Jerr, DT, Ole Miss
• William More, S, Missouri
• Chris Owens, CB, San Jose State
• Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond
• William Middleton, CB Furman
• Garrett Reynolds, OT, UNC
• Spencer Adkins, ILB, Miami
• Vance Walker, DT Georgia Tech

Carolina Panthers

• Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
• Sherrod Martin, CB, Troy State
• Corvey Irvin, DT, Georgia
• Mike Goodson, RB, Texas A&M
• Tony Fiammetta, FB, Syracuse
• Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma
• Captain Munnerlyn, CB, South Carolina

Chicago Bears

• Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State
• Juanquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma
• Henry Melton, DE, Texas
• D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
• Johnny Knox, WR, Ab Christian
• Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State
• Al Afalava, S, Oregon State
• Lance Louis, OG, San Diego State
• Derek Kinder, WR, Pittsburgh

Dallas Cowboys

• Jason Williams, OLB, Western Illinois
• Robert Brewster, OT, Ball State
• Stephen McGee, QB, Texas A&M
• Victor Butler, OLB, Oregon State
• Brandon Williams, DE, Texas Tech
• DeAngelo Smith, CB, Cincinnatti
• Michael Hamlin, S, Clemson
• David Buehler, K, USC
• Stephen HOdge, OLB, TCU
• John Phillips, TE, Virginia
• Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnatti
• Manuel Johnson, WR, Oklahoma

Detroit Lions

• Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
• Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
• Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
• DeAndre Levy, OLB, Wisconsin
• Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
• Sammie Lee Hll, DT, Stillman
• Aaron Brown, RB, TCU
• Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska
• Zach Follett, OLB, California
• Dan Gronkowski, TE, Maryland

Green Bay Packers

• B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
• Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
• T.J. Lang, OT, Eastern Michigan
• Quinn Johnson, FB, LSU
• Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina
• Jarius Wynn, DE, Georgia
• Brandon Underwood, CB, Cincinnatti
• Brad Jones, OLB, Colorado

Minnesota Vikings

• Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
• Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
• Asher Allen, CB, Georgia
• Jasper Brnkley, ILB, South Carolina
• Jamarca Sanford, S, Ole Miss

New Orleans Saints

• Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
• Chip Vaughn, S, Wake Forest
• Stanley Arnoux, ILB, Wake Forest
• Thomas Morstead, P, Southern Methodist

New York Giants

• Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC
• Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
• William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
• Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
• Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin
• Andre Brown, RB, NC State
• Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston
• DeAndre Wright, CB, New Mexico
• Stoney Woodson, CB, South Carolina

Philadelphia Eagles

• Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
• LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh
• Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida
• Victor Harris, CB, Virgnia Tech
• Fenuki Tupou, OT, Oregon
• Brandon Gibson, WR, Washington State
• Paul Fanaika, OG, Arizona State
• Moise Fokou, OLB, Maryland

San Francisco 49ers

• Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
• Glen Coffee, RB, Alabama
• Scott McKillop, ILB, Pittsburg
• Nate Davis, QB, Ball State
• Bear Pascoe, TE, Fresno State
• Curts Taylor, S, LSU
• Ricky Jean-Francois, DT, LSU

Seattle Seahawks

• Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
• Max Unger, C, Oregon
• Deon Butler, WR, Penn State
• Mike Teel, QB, Rutgers
• Courtney Green, S, Rutgers
• Nick Reed, DE, Oregon
• Carmeron Morrah, TE, California

St. Louis Rams

• Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
• James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
• Bradley Fletcher, CB, Iowa
• Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson
• Brooks Foster, WR, UNC
• Keith Null, QB, Wst Texas A&M
• Chris Ogbonnaya, RB, Texas

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
• Roy Miller, DT, Texas
• Kyle Moore, DE, USC
• Xaver Fulton, OT, Illinois
• Edjuan Biggers, CB, Western Michigan
• Sammie Stroughter, WR, Oregon

Washington Redskins

• Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
• Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland
• Cody Glenn, OLB, Newbraska
• Robert Neson, ILB, TCU
• Eddie Williams, FB, Idaho
• Marko Mitchell, WR, Nevada

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 Draft by NFL Team (NFC)

1. Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Georgia to the Detroit Lions
2. Jason Smith, Offensive Tackle, Baylor to the St. Louis Rams
3. Tyson Jackson, Defensive Tackle, LSU to the Kansas City Chiefs
4. Aaron Curry, Linebacker, Wake Forest to the Seattle Seahawks
5. Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, USC to the New York Jets
6. Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle, Alabama to the Cincinnati Bengals
7. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Wide Receiver, Maryland to the Oakland Raiders
8. Eugene Monroe, Offensive Tackle, Virginia to the Jacksonville Jaguars
9. B.J. Raji, Defensive Tackle, Boston College to the Green Bay Packers
10. Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech to San Francisco

My thoughts on #6 through #10? Well, Andre Smith is a solid choice, but I definitely quest Darrius Heyward-Bey at #7. With Michael Crabtree still on the board? The Raiders are waaaaaay too concerned about 40 times. Actually, though, the Crabtree family seemed kind of relieved that he didn’t go to Oakland (I can’t blame them). San Francisco is a MUCH better place to play, though it stinks that he had to wait so long to be drafted. That’s gotta be nerve-wracking.

Monroe at eighth is good. I think he’ll fit in well at Jacksonville. And I’m glad that the whole drug thing didn’t hurt B.J. Raji. It stinks that someone made up that rumor. Crabtree at 10? That’s amazing value at #10. The stars didn’t align for him with needs and Oakland is stupid, but Crabtree really is a top three value.

I’m drafted-out for now. I love college football, but man, it starts to get boring after the top ten. I’m excited to see where Aaron Maybin ends up – he’s probably the best Penn State player up for draftin’ this year. That’s about it though. I’ll post the whole first round later today, so check back!

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 NFL Draft: Top Ten

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (Image: Newscom)

Out of the $72 million, about $42 million of the money is guaranteed. According to various reports, there is also $6 million in additional incentives over the life of the contract.

The selection of Stafford isn’t a surprise. Following the NFL’s first 0-16 season, the Lions needed a new face to the franchise. With the team also needing a quarterback, Stafford was a natural pick.

The only other players the Lions reportedly considered were Aaron Curry and Jason Smith. Curry is a linebacker out of Wake Forest, while Smith is a tackle out of Baylor.

The Lions will likely keep Stafford on the bench — at least to begin his rookie campaign. But most league experts expect him to get onto the field at some point during the 2009 NFL season.

Post from: EveryJoe

Detroit Lions to Select Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford (Image: Newscom)

1) Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, Georgia (Quarterback)
The Lions seem to be eyeing Stafford as their pick. However, they also want to agree to a contract with him before the draft. If that doesn’t happen, Detroit appears likely to move on.

2) St. Louis Rams – Jason Smith, Baylor (Offensive Tackle)
With Orlando Pace leaving the Rams for the Bears, the Rams need a new franchise level tackle. Smith has the size, strength and athleticism to be a great tackle for the next decade.

3) Kansas City Chiefs – Eugene Monroe, Virginia (Offensive Tackle)
This pick could very well be traded to a team that wants to draft Mark Sanchez. Although if the Chiefs keep the pick, expect them to select Monroe to upgrade their offensive line.

4) Seattle Seahawks – Mark Sanchez, USC (Quarterback)
Not long ago, Sanchez appeared to be going in the middle to the end of the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. However, after good workouts, the Seahawks are expected to draft him if he’s still on the board.

5) Cleveland Browns – Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech (Wide Receiver)
There are a lot of rumors that Braylon Edwards could be headed out of Cleveland. If that’s true, Crabtree would be a good replacement. He has a very high ceiling and his good hands could help the growth of the quarterbacks on the Browns.

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 NFL Draft – Mock Draft

Will Greg Paulus find that the NFL is easier than college basketball? (Flickr)

It’d be an extreme longshot for Paulus to be drafted by the NFL, but he does have a lot of football experience. Before deciding to go to Duke to play basketball, Paulus was a highly-recruited quarterback. According to reports, Paulus was offered football scholorships from schools including Miami and Notre Dame.

At Duke, Paulus was mostly a disappointment. He was regarded as a great teammate but he didn’t produce at a very high level. In his senior season, he lost his starting job and averaged only 4.9 points per game. His best season came his sophomore year when he averaged 11.8 points per game.

The news of Paulus’ Packers workout was scooped by ProFootballTalk.com and the Wisconsin State Journal.

Post from: EveryJoe

Duke’s Greg Paulus Works Out for Packers

Matthew Stafford, 2009 NFL Draft (Image: Newscom)

The number of players invited is an increase over previous seasons. Typically, the number of players invited is capped at around six. The NFL has decided to change its policy to bring more excitement to the 2009 NFL Draft, which will be held April 25th and April 26th.

Below is the an alphabetical list of players that have reportedly been invited to attend the 2009 NFL Draft:

Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Brian Cushing, USC
Josh Freeman, Kansas State
Eugene Monroe, Virginia
Michael Oher, Ole Miss
Brian Orakpo, Texas
Mark Sanchez, USC
Jason Smith, Baylor
Matthew Stafford, Georgia

Out of those ten players, only Mark Sanchez has indicated that he might pass on the invitation to attend the 2009 NFL Draft.

Post from: EveryJoe

Stafford Among Players Invited to NFL Draft