The 2009 NFL draft took place last weekend, on April 25 and 26. The first round saw some of the draft’s top players finding a home for the season. Some of the picks were hardly surprising – Michael Stafford going to the Detroit Lions – while others defied expectations – Michael Crabtree was a later-than-anticipated number ten pick.

Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of the first round.

#1 -Quarterback and projected top pick overall Matthew Stafford fulfilled his expectations. The Detroit Lions had already signed the 21-year-old to a six year contract with $41.7 million in guarantees. The Lions had a record-breaking season this year: 0-16, a losing feat no other team has accomplished in NFL history.

With a winless season wrought by Matt Millen, the Lions are looking to Stafford to pick up the franchise. At 6’3” and 237 lbs, and with a strong and accurate throwing arm that has brought 51 career touchdowns and 7,731 career yards, Stafford has the potential to become a franchise savior. Hopefully the new Lion will do better than Detroit’s last top-pick quarterback, Joey Harrington.

Stafford left school a year early but is not expected to start the season. Nevertheless, he is ready to begin his career as a professional.

“I’m a competitive guy,” Stafford said. “I’m going to try to get ready as quick as I can.”

Stafford continues a trend in the NFL in which quarterbacks constitute top overall picks in the draft; in fact, 9 of the last 12 top picks have been quarterbacks. Time will tell whether Stafford continues to satisfy expectations during football season.

#4- Another potential for the Lions was taken in the top 5. Aaron Curry, a linebacker from Wake Forest, had discussed being the top overall pick with Detroit. Curry has an exceptional combination of height, weight, and speed for a linebacker, which, blended with his strong instincts, aggression, and overall effort, makes him an ideal player. Seattle was able to capture Curry at number 4.

#5 - The second quarterback to be chosen, Mark Sanchez of USC, was snatched by the New York Jets after they traded Cleveland for the 5th overall spot. Sanchez started at USC for just one season, leading the Trojans to a 12-1 season and a Rose Bowl win.

With the Jets, he will have to fill the shoes of retiring quarterback Brett Favre. The 6’3”, 225 lb quarterback has a strong arm, intelligence, and leadership skills that make him a prize for the Jets West Coast Offense. His limited experience makes him a moderate risk, but he is undaunted.

“It's a very exciting time, a special time in my life,” Sanchez explains, “so I'm excited to get things going."
#7- Captivated by his speed, the Oakland Raiders snagged Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey at number 7 overall. Although Heyward-Bey had the fastest 40-yard time in workouts, his undeveloped receiving skills make him something of a risk. Though he may take time to develop, with his incredible speed and height-weight combination, Heyward-Bey exhibits real potential.

#10- Michael Crabtree, who was the highest-rated receiver before the draft, completed the top ten when he was chosen by the 49ers. He lost the top ranking to Heyward-Bey, who was selected three spots before him. Although Crabtree lacks top-notch speed, he is still considered one of the best receivers in the draft, with an ability to catch almost anything thrown at him.

After only two seasons of football, Crabtree received the Biletnikoff Award. Now, in San Francisco, Crabtree aims high: “I got some big shoes to fill when I go to the 49ers, you know, with Jerry Rice. I am looking forward to that. I love challenges."

#12- Knowshon Moreno went number 12 to the Denver Broncos. Moreno rushed 1,400 yards last season to lead the SEC and was in the second-team for the All-American players. Although Moreno lacks the breakaway speed possessed by topnotch backs in the NFL, he has great instincts and good vision that make him an excellent top pick for the Broncos.

#19- The Eagles were able to choose receiver Jerry Maclin from Missouri at number 19 after the Browns traded the pick for number 21 and a second 6th round pick. In 2008, Maclin was able to score 12 touchdowns, along with 1,260 receiving yards.

#27- The Indianapolis Colts selected Dan Brown at number 27. Brown was the 2008 Big East offensive player of the year at Connecticut, and, with over 2000 rushing yards last year alone and 3,800 career rushing yards, leads the NCAA. He also holds the distinction of being the University of Connecticut’s first player to be drafted in the first round.

Overall, the first round saw 19 offensive and 13 defensive players drafted - 15 of whom were underclassmen - for a grand total of 32 players.