The NFL is a couple weeks removed from its 2009 Draft, and people are still abuzz over the selections and surprises that surrounded the stage. For weeks the sports world builds up the ambience of the NFL Draft. Reporters and analysts spend every article breaking down the details of each individual college player, giving their opinion as to which team should draft them, and why. Teams spend the offseason scrambling to find the best addition for their program, and end up forking over big bucks to get the best player.
The Detroit Lions went with the analysts and picked up Georgia quarterback, Matthew Stafford as the no. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. For days, the two parties had been discussing possible contracts and compensation, hoping to get a deal done with the QB before the draft began on April 24. Stafford signed a six year, $78 million contract the night before the draft. His salary is $14.25 million more than last season's no. 1 pick, offensive tackle, Jake Long, who received a five year $57.75 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.
One of the more surprising stories of the draft was the New York Jets as they traded up to take USC quarterback, Mark Sanchez no. 5 overall in the 2009 Draft. Sanchez had been criticized by analysts because he had only started one full season at USC. However, after having a practice session for teams to come watch him throw, Sanchez built chatter around the league, and began to interest more and more teams. Teams like the Washington Redskins, the Seattle Seahawks and possibly even the Denver Broncos were showing interest in the QB. But in the end the Jets pulled a shocker on the NFL and landed the star quarterback to fill the shoes of newly retired QB, Brett Favre. Sanchez's impact should be interesting to watch because he will probably be thrown into the fold rather quickly as the Jets don't have a strong starting QB going into the 2009 NFL season.
It's up for debate as to who will come out on top after the 2009 Draft, but one thing is for certain, the San Francisco 49ers got a steal with the tenth pick in the draft as they picked up wide receiver Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech. Crabtree had 3,127 receiving yards in the 2008 NCAA season and ranks sixth in NCAA history with 41 touchdowns. As long as San Francisco can get a strong, consistent performance from its yet-to-be announced starting quarterback, look for Crabtree to be a big difference-maker in tight games.
On the other side of the Bay is the Oakland Raiders who surprised the NFL by choosing wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bay from Maryland as the seventh overall pick. Heyward-Bay ranked second in Maryland history with 2,089 career receiving yards and ranked third in touchdown catches (13) for the school. The Raiders never cease to amaze NFL fans, and it is yet to be seen as to how this draft will impact their 2009 season.
As always, the NFL Draft left fans both excited and confused by their team's selections. It will probably take a few seasons for everyone to see the full impact of players like Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Michael Crabtree, and Darrius Heyward-Bay. It's not every season that a player has as big an impact as the 2008 no.3 pick, Matt Ryan did on the Atlanta Falcons. But who knows-a couple teams just might surprise fans once again. It all waits to be seen, and until then, fans will itch for more.
Be the first to comment on this article!