1. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Oher OT (Ole Miss)

2008 Selection: Matt Ryan QB (Boston College)

Sam Baker was a great pick in 2008, however if the Falcons think that he’s their left tackle of the future, they’re kidding themselves. Baker could end up playing guard next year and will probably end up playing on the right side eventually. Oher would have been a top 15 pick if he came out this season, and would solidify Atlanta’s offensive line nicely, giving Matt Ryan some time to develop.

The Bengals failed to bring in a big time tackle in free agency in 2008, and were only able to pick up Pat Sims (Auburn) in the third round of the draft. Depending on how his rookie campaign goes they could still be searching for an elite defensive tackle to help their poor run defense come 2009.

3. Chicago Bears: Tim Tebow QB (Florida)

2008 Selection: Chris Williams OT (Vanderbilt)

The Bears picked up an offensive lineman, a running back and a receiver in the 2008 draft. That makes the missing peice on offense a solid quarterback. No one knows if Tim Tebow will declare for the draft next year, but if he does we expect him to be the first quarterback off the board.

Going offensive line again in round one is certainly an option here depending on how Braden Albert’s rookie campaign goes. Patrick Surtain is approaching retirement at corner however, and who knows if Brandon Flowers will end up being a solid NFL starter.

The Dolphins will again need help in alot of areas next season, despite the solid 2008 draft class that Bill Parcells pulled in. While there may be a few positions that take priority over linebacker, you can never have enough linebackers in the 34, and Maualuga is definitely the best of a strong class.

The Eagles could end up picking twice in the top 12-15 next season as a result of a trade with Carolina in 2008. Areas that will likely be adressed our obviously receiver and offensive tackle, but you have to wonder if Chris Gocong is the answer at OLB. Cushing is a tackling machine and should be a top ten pick next year along with team mate Rey Maualuga.

The Titans again failed to bring in a big time receiver for Vince Young in this year’s draft, and you have to wonder how long they can ignore this need. There’s alot of defensive talent on the board at this point, but they may have to pass all that up for a receiver like Heyward-Bey or Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech).

8. Denver Broncos: James Laurinaitis MLB (Ohio State)
2008 Selection: Ryan Clady OT (Boise State)

The Broncos could go a variety of ways here, linebacker, defensive line, receiver, and even safety. However Laurinaitis would be the best player availible at this point and definitely fills a need.

The Ravens have never properly adressed the need at outside linebacker caused by the departure of Adalius Thomas. two seasons ago With Terrell Suggs up for free agency in 2009, they may not be able to ignore that need any longer. Johnson is a physical freak and could be taken very high despite mediocre production.

Al Davis passed on Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis in favor of the flashy running back last year and there’s no garuntee that he wouldn’t do it again. For the sake of this mock we’ll assume that he realizes that defensive tackle is a big need with the retirement of Warren Sapp last year, and that Tommy Kelly would be best moving back outside.

Rumor has it that the Rams were very interested in Jake Long last season, and after the other Long fell to them they may still be looking to draft a replacement for Orlando Pace in 2009. Andre Smith is our top rated tackle left at this point but he may not even be availible at 11 if he has a good combine and junior campaign.

Let’s face it, Desean Jackson is probably not the receiving target that Donovan McNabb was hoping for. Sure he’ll be a big help in the return game and may turn out to be a great slot receiver, but he’s not the kind of target McNabb can be successful with. With with two first round picks this may be the year that Andy Reid finally picks up a big time receiver, unless he trades down…again.

The 49ers may still be shopping around for a receiver next season and depending on Alex Smith’s success may be looking for a quarterback as well. That makes Matt Stafford (Georgia) and Percy Harvin (Florida) strong options here but you have to love what the ‘niners are doing on defense. Selvie would fit well in the 34 and gives San Fransisco a solid pass rusher off the edge.

Jordan Dizon was a solid pick in 2008 at linebacker which may allow them to pass up Brandon Spikes (Florida) in favor a a quarterback of the future. Kitna may have another year or two left in him but Stafford probably has the ability to win the starting job earlier than that.

Depending on the success of Kellen Clemons and Chad Pennington in 2008, this could end up being a quarterback. If they’re picking at 15 next year however they may have a chance to pick up a back to compliment Thomas Jones. Spiller is an electric runner with big play capability.

The Redskins went offense with their first three picks in 2008, but can not afford to ignore glaring defensive needs in 2009. They’ll soon realize that Vernon Fox is not the answer at safety, and while defensive end is an option here, if the best safety on the board is still availible at 16 they’d be foolish to pass him up.

The Texans will probably go defense here depending on the ability of Ahman Green to come back from injury next season. However if Wells is on the board at 18 he may not be a bad pick, and the thought of Wells and Slaton sharing carries or perhaps getting on the feild of the same time should be a scary thought for AFC South defenses.

Patrick Lee may be just what the Packers need in a nickel back for the 2008 season, but that doesn’t negate the fact that Charles Woodson and Al Harris are getting up there in age and may need even more help. The brother of San Fransisco’s Vernon Davis, Vontae should also be a hot NFL commodity.

Many expected the Cardinals to draft a future replacement for Edgerrin James in 2008 which didn’t happen. With that being the case the Cardinals may look to upgrade their running game in the 2009 draft, and Moreno would compliment James very nicely in the backfeild.

The departure of Alen Faneca and others leaves some uncertainty at a few positions on the offensive line even after picking up Tony Hills in round four of the 2008 draft. Black is a monsterous left tackle and would probably end up starting as a rookie.

Beleive it or not the Bills are actually pretty set at most positions on both offense and defense, and may have a shot at a playoff birth next season. If there’s one position that could be upgraded as of right now it’s probably defensive end.

The departure of Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbot will be felt next season even after picking up Bryan Kehl and Jonathan Goff in the 2008 draft. If both those guys pan out as rookies this pick may change to defensive end, but Brandon Spikes would definitely improve the Giants’ linebacking core.

Percy Harvin should have a great junior year next season and may even end up being a Heisman finalist. If he does decide to come out the Bucs could certainly use some receiver help, despite picking up Dexter Jackson in round three of the 2008 draft.

Picking up Tracy Porter in the draft and Randall Gay in free agency should solidify the corner situation but the Saints still lack a big time playmaker at safety to bring the whole secondary together. Rolle will most likely be the second safety off the board in 2009.

The Seahawks are always looking to add young talent and depth to both the offensive and defensive lines. There’s a few defensive tackles on the board that may be options here, but if Julius Jones and TJ Duckett are going to have more success than Shaun Alexander, offensive line may be the way to go.

Jared Allen should be a fantastic addition at defensive end next year and if the secondary steps up as a result of an improved pass rush, tight end may be the way to go in 2009. Beckum is the frontrunner at tight end as of right now, but there are a few prospects that could challenge him next season.

The Browns will finally have a pick in the first three rounds of the draft next year, and despite taking a linebacker in round four last year, again you can never have enough linebackers when you play the 34. Sapp would be an excellent addition as an outside edge rusher for Cleveland.

We all know how the Jaguars love to have a solid presence in the middle of the defensive line. After taking two defensive tackles with their first two picks of 2008, they may look to bring in a young interior lineman in 2009. Marks is one of the last elite defensive tackles at this point and is porjected much higher in most other mocks.

After adressing needs at cornerback and linebacker in the 2008 draft, it will depend on rookie production on what needs the Patriots look to adress in 2009. One area that was not adressed last year was offensive line, and Loadholt is a great value pick at this point.

The Colts failed to bring in a solid nose tackle in last year’s draft which could be a problem for them on defense next season. At 325 pounds, Woods would have no problem clogging up the hole on the defensive line and should make an immediate impact as a rookie.

The Cowboys are the only team with out any true needs next season, sparring any injury or free agents. With that being the case they should look to add some youth to the receiver position, something they failed to do in 2008.

After benching Shane Olivea during the 2007 season the Chargers will probably still be having right tackle problems next season. Monroe and Max Unger (Oregon) are the only tackles left on the board at this point, but both could be worthy of a first round pick.