2009 NFL Draft: The 1st Round Was Bust City
By Jason McIntyre
With the news that Aaron Curry – the 4th pick in the 2009 NFL draft – is retiring, it’s definitely time to take a glimpse at just how bad the 1st round of that draft was. In the top 10 alone, three players have already changed teams. Prominent players from the first round have had injury problems (Stafford, Crabtree, Cushing, Britt). All three RBs taken were busts; one of them (Wells) is currently a free agent. If you’re re-selecting the 2009 draft, a second round pick – LeSean McCoy, 53rd overall – probably goes first overall.
Here’s a look at that laughable 1st round, with pithy thoughts on a few players:
1 Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford QB – Competed 59 percent of passes through 4 years.
2 St. Louis Rams Jason Smith OT – Major bust. Rams dumped him. Jets grabbed him.
3 Kansas City Chiefs Tyson Jackson DE – Forty-six NFL starts, five sacks.
4 Seattle Seahawks Aaron Curry LB
5 New York Jets Mark Sanchez QB – Good: Four playoff wins, all on the road. Bad: 68 TDs, 69 INTs.
6 Cincinnati Bengals Andre Smith OT
7 Oakland Raiders Darrius Heyward-Bey WR – Underwhelming four years in Oakland, now with Colts.
8 Jacksonville Jaguars Eugene Monroe OT
9 Green Bay Packers B. J. Raji DT – Would be a Top 5 pick if the ’09 draft were done again.
10 San Francisco 49ers Michael Crabtree WR – 2012 was his best season, but now he’s hurt.
11 Buffalo Bills Aaron Maybin DE – Cut by Bills, then Jets, most recently, Bengals.
12 Denver Broncos Knowshon Moreno RB – Such a letdown so far- just 16 TDs, nine fumbles.
13 Washington Redskins Brian Orakpo DE
14 New Orleans Saints Malcolm Jenkins CB
15 Houston Texans Brian Cushing LB – Hasn’t been able to duplicate strong rookie year.
16 San Diego Chargers Larry English DE – Currently listed as a reserve.
17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Josh Freeman QB – Woefully inconsistent; playing for his job this season.
18 Denver Broncos Robert Ayers DE – Just 6.5 sacks in four seasons.
19 Philadelphia Eagles Jeremy Maclin WR – Perpetually seems on the cusp of a major breakthrough.
20 Detroit Lions Brandon Pettigrew TE
21 Cleveland Browns Alex Mack C
22 Minnesota Vikings Percy Harvin WR – If he could only stay healthy …
23 Baltimore Ravens Michael Oher OT
24 Atlanta Falcons Peria Jerry DT
25 Miami Dolphins Vontae Davis CB – Traded to the Colts last preseason.
26 Green Bay Packers Clay Matthews LB – Definitely the steal of the 1st round. Already has 42.5 sacks, 4-time Pro Bowler.
27 Indianapolis Colts Donald Brown RB – Big swing and a miss.
28 Buffalo Bills Eric Wood C
29 New York Giants Hakeem Nicks WR – Injuries slowed him last year, but has 27 TDs, and is in the discussion as a Top 10 NFL receiver.
30 Tennessee Titans Kenny Britt WR – Talented, but can’t stay out of handcuffs.
31 Arizona Cardinals Chris “Beanie” Wells RB – Currently a free agent. Colossal bust.
32 Pittsburgh Steelers Evander “Ziggy” Hood DT
