....the Pittsburgh Steelers (represented by awjackso) select....

Alex Mack, C, California

With this being the last pick in the first round one would think there would be a limited amount of first round talent left but with the selection of Alex Mack the Steelers are able to pick up a future pro bowler who will be able to provide protection for Big Ben the rest of his career. At 6-4 310 he provides perfect size for the center position but also has the added benefit of being an excellent scholar athlete who has won countless academic honors which supports the assumption that he will be able to adapt to the pro game. Whenever you can take a flier at the end of the first round out on someone who scouts have called, "the best center prospect in the last decade" that's a solid pick.

Thus concludes the 2009 MCM Mock Draft.  Thanks to all who participated.

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....the Tennessee Titans (represented by BBB) select....

Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

The Titans pretty much always draft best available... Pretty surprised a player that has been ranked top 10-15 on most boards hasn't been picked yet, they have to be excited about this pick. I've seen him in the top 10 on a lot of boards including Kiper at #8 and Scouts inc. at #6.

While I would loved to have picked Kenny Britt right here for the simple fact I want a WR more than anyone, I don't really see how the Titans could pass on a guy with this value this late in the 1st rd. KVB is only signed through this season, Kearse isn't getting younger and guys like William Hayes and Jacob Ford have really only proved to be a situational players. I think the Titans make us happy and fill our need for a WR with Torry Holt through Free Agency.

More on Maybin...

They are saying he could add 15-20 Lbs to his frame athletic frame, He's always in great condition 4% body fat, and has great speed he displayed by running a 4.59 40 at his pro day. He's a natural leader with a great motor... Best first step of any of this years pass rushers, shows strong hands, and a strong enough upper body to keep blockers off 19 TFL. He's aggressive and loves a physical battle. Still in the learning stages, tons of upside. He's a natural playmaker.

The Arizona Cardinals are now on the clock..

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....the New York Giants (represented by kazukirecords) select....

James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

With this pick, the New York Giants will add a punishing playmaker at the linebacker position and good value at pick 29. This pick is really easy for the Giants frront office because they are interested in adding depth at several positions throughout the draft. The Giants would consider drafting an OT at this position, but I think they'd prefer to pick up an every down player on defense. Laurinaitis is a hard hitting, intelligent blitzer who could adjust to the outside position if needed. The Giants will use the rest of the draft to address depth at running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line, but a playmaker like Laurinaitis is a great pick this late in round one. 

Your Tennessee Titans are now on the clock..

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....the Philadelphia Eagles (represented by awjackso) select....

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

At this point in the draft I really don't feel like there is an offensive tackle that grades out at the first round, so even though this is one of the most glaring needs they will have to look to later rounds to fill the position rather than reaching for a Eben Britton, William Beatty, or Phil Loadholt. This left me to choose from the best players available in Aaron Maybin and Brandon Pettigrew or attempt to fill the hole left by Brian Dawkins defection to the Broncos. From here I decided to choose against Maybin because I didn't feel like he fits the scheme that the Eagles run and also against a safety replacement because I don't feel as strongly about Louis Delmas as a first round pick as those individuals at ESPN do. With the selection of Pettigrew and Beanie the Eagles fill the two positions hardest hit by free agency and actually in my eyes improved in both spots. The only problem I had with the selection of Pettigrew was that Brent Celek is a rising star and for the most part was a go to option for Donovan even when L. J. Smith was still on the team. So even though I chose a TE the Eagles could possibly go out of character and draft an OT 10 - 15 picks early, trade down for more picks, trade up for a star WR (Crabtree), or trade for a future number one pick as they have done previously.

He's not a burner but his size and blocking ability will provide Donovan with a huge target across the middle and one of the more reliable blockers on the outside than he has ever had as a pro.

The New York Giants are now on the clock..

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....the Indianapolis Colts (represented by Hal) select....

Evander "Ziggy" Hood, DT, Missouri

Though the Colts will undoubtedly be devastated that the rule changes at the recent owners' meetings did not include a provision to allow them to draft players off of the Titans practice squad, Hood will have to do. The Colts are notoriously weak at DT and he would bring some much needed bulk to their puny interior D-line.  Hood possesses a rare combination of strength and speed.  At 300 pounds, he still ran a 4.89 40 (tied for fastest among DTs) and threw up 34 reps on the bench press (one more than the 337 pound BJ Raji), giving him the most impressive all around performance of any DT at the combine this year.  The Colts, who value speed on defense above all else, will love the fact that they can get a guy with some beef who still has pretty quick feet for his size.

The Colts will probably be hoping that Peria Jerry falls to them, but with him off the board, as well as all of the 1st round quality WRs, Hood is really the only player that makes since for them here.  Hood is a heck of an athlete by the numbers.  The only question that remains is whether or not they can get anything out of a player at this position without Washburn doing all of the dirty work and coaching him up.

The Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock..

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....the Baltimore Ravens (represented by Titansfan_559) select....

Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

Hakeem Nicks really showed NFL scouts what he could do at the Mineke Car Bowl against West Virginia and has continued to impress this off season. The Ravens are in need of a number one receiver for Joe Flacco as Derrick Mason turns 35 this year and Mark Clayton has never been anything above mediocre. Nicks has some of the best hands of anyone in this draft class and has the playmaking ability that the Ravens will be looking for. Also considered at this pick was CB's Alphonso Smith and Darius Butler, and LB James Laurinaitis but I feel like Baltimore really wants to improve it's anemic offense first. Plus, if their defense struggles during the year they can just have Ed Reed bend the opposing team's best player's back in half, as was their philosophy this last season.

The Indianapolis Colts are now on the clock..

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....the Miami Dolphins (represented by Pinoy) select...

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

The Dolphin's significant needs are at the cornerback and wide receiver positions. They have addressed their need at the cornerback position by acquiring Eric Green from the Cardinals to replace Andre Goodman who departed via free agency and they still have their no. 44 pick to get a solid second rounder CB. Also, in terms of getting the best player available in their position needs, Darrius Heyward-Bey stands out.

At 6'2" 210 lbs. and having the fastest 40 yard dash in the combine at 4.30 seconds, no other receiver in the 2009 draft can match Heyward-Bey's combination of size and speed. The Dolphins are hoping that this combination will translate into Heyward-Bey becoming a Pro Bowl-caliber playmaker in the future.

The Dolphins are looking at Heyward-Bey to be the No. 1 wideout in a mediocre receiving corps last season which featured Ted Ginn Jr. who is more of a specialty player and a bunch of slot type WRs. The Dolphins didn't have a go-to-threat last year and they might find it in speedster Heyward-Bey.This pick maybe un-Tuna-like but it will be very hard for the Dolphins to pass on Heyward-Bey.    

The Baltimore Ravens are now on the clock..

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....the Atlanta Falcons (represented by Kayne) select....

Connor Barwin, LB/DE, Cincinnati

This might be a stretch of a pick for the Falcons here, but I like Barwin a lot. The Falcons need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball after some key free agent losses. They also need to improve their pass rush dramatically. I went back and forth with numerous players---DT Ziggy Hood, DE/OLB Larry English, TE Brandon Pettigrew, S Louis Delmas, CB Alphonso Smith....and even some more guys beyond that. This pick would have been a lot easier had Matthews or Cushing still been available.

Barwin (6-4, 256 lbs) played DE this past season for Cincinnati, but played TE before that. He is very athletic, having even played one season of basketball for the Bearcats. He should be able to make the transition to OLB in the NFL. He recorded a 40 time of 4.5 at Cincinnati's Pro Day, so he has very good speed. He also had a 40.5 inch vertical leap. He can play OLB, DE, and even some TE if it truly comes down to it. He is a hard worker and very coachable, he would be a very good fit for the Falcons.    

The Miami Dolphins are on the clock..

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