With the #23 pick in the 2009 MHR Community Mock Draft, the New England Patriots select.... LB, JAMES LAURINAITIS, OSU

New England Patriots Round 1, Pick #23 overall GM bronco-Maine-iac

Details of the pick after the jump...

Linebacker nobility

From GM bronco-Maine-iac:   With the Patriots getting old at the linebacker position, (Bruschi, Seau, and Vrabel(before he was traded)) this pick makes alot of sense. Teaming Laurinaitis up with last year's DROY, Jerrod Mayo, will give the Patriots a young linebacking corp for years to come. 
(Trying to read Belichick's mind is next to impossible!)

Commish's Thoughts:  I think this is darn close to where Laurinaitis is going to go in the drat, and ultimately, the Pats make a lot of sense.  He is smart, has an intense work ethic, and is a great tackler who doesn't make many mistakes.  Is he better suited for a 4-3?  Yes.  Maybe.  I don't think it matters that much.  That might be the deciding factor between two guys that are equal talents, but James is far and away the best backer on the board at this point, and the Patriots will be able to get him int he right spot at the right time to make plays and help.  I worry a little about James' "bustability" in terms of what I don't see as a hardcore desire to be nothing but a football player, but I don't put a lot of stock in my worry.  James will probably be fine,a nd the Pats will be fine choosing him.

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ON THE CLOCK Atlanta Falcons are up next. The deadline for this pick is MIDNIGHT MST, April 7th..  As long as I receive the pick by that time it will be valid.  To send me the pick, just email me at the address shown in my profile.

Atlanta Falcons Round 1, Pick #24 Overall GM Stovie47

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Round One

1. Detroit Lions:  McDah               OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
   
2. St.Louis Rams:  53guys          OT Jason Smith, Baylor
   
3. Kansas City Chiefs:  Papisan        DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas  
4. Seattle Seahawks:  Denver_Native         OT, Eugene Monroe, Virginia
5. Cleveland Browns:  Zappa               WR, Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
6. Cincinnati Bengals:  DukeTC                    OT, Michael Oher, Ole Miss
   
7. Oakland Raiders:  V. Money                          DT/NT, BJ Raji, Boston College
8. Jacksonville Jaguars:  gunnermc               QB, Matt Stafford, Georgia
9. Green Bay Packers:  Broncosorbust          OLB, Clay Matthews, USC
10. San Francisco 49ers:  Elway's Ghost         DE/OLB, Everette Brown, Florida St.
11. Buffalo Bills:  Rep56                        TE, Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma St.
12. Denver Broncos:  broncofan91                            OLB, Brian Cushing, USC
13. Washington Redskins:  Chawkins06                    DE Aaron Maybin, Penn St.
14. New Orleans Saints:   gnarlybroncodude             DB, Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio St.
15. Houston Texans:  PredominantlyOrange            WR, Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
16. San Diego Chargers:  Sadaraine                         ILB, Rey Maualuga, USC
17. New York Jets:  danelama                                    QB, Mark Sanchez, USC
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago):  Combat Chuk            RB, Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  OrangeCrush4082              QB, Josh Freeman, Kansas St.
20. (Dallas Cowboys) Lions:  BDAWKisaBRONC          OT, Andre Smith, Alabama
21. Philadelphia Eagles:  ejruiz                        WR, Hakeem Nicks, UNC
22. Minnesota Vikings:  War Eagle Aubie                WR, Percy Harvin, Florida
23. New England Patriots  bronco-Maine-iac          LB, James Laurinaitis, OSU
24. Atlanta Falcons:  Stovie47                                  ON THE CLOCK
25. Miami Dolphins:  adamriggs                       ON DECK
26. Baltimore Ravens  mla2131
27. Indianapolis Colts:  chikndnnr
28. (Carolina Panthers) Eagles:   bcfunk
29. New York Giants:  Russ
30. Tennessee Titans:   Broncoman
31. Arizona Cardinals:  Calibroncoboy
32. Pittsburgh Steelers:  PABroncofan