It's that time of year again where NFL teams switch from the regular season mode to the off-season. Well, many teams were forced to make the switch at the end of week 17. However, it's just now starting to sink in for all of us fans that we won't see another meaningful football game again for almost 6 months. The good news is the NFL Draft is scheduled to take place April 26-27, meaning we've got at least one event to tide us over until then. Now let's continue breaking down this year's NFL Draft with picks 11-21 below:
![]() | #11 - Buffalo Bills WR - Malcolm Kelly - Oklahoma | With the selection of wide receiver Malcolm Kelly (6'4, 218) the Buffalo Bills will certainly give users something to cheer about. The Bills have had great speed out wide for some time now, but they clearly lacked a big receiver that can go up and catch passes in traffic. Kelly's 4.54 40-yard dash time won't provide him with a great deal of speed in the game, but that's okay because Evans and Parrish bring more than enough to the table. |
![]() | #12 - Denver BroncosS - Kenny Phillips | The Denver Broncos will look to pick up safety Kenny Phillips when their pick arrives at #12. Phillips would be a great addition to the Broncos not only because they will need to replace current safety John Lynch very soon, but also because of Phillips' abilities. Phillips stands 6'2, 208 lb and his 40-yard dash time was registered at 4.46. With these kind of numbers it's safe to assume that Phillips will be a monster in his very first season on Madden 09. |
![]() | #13 - Carolina PanthersOT - Ryan Clady - Boise State | It's not what Carolina users want to hear, but the Panthers need help on the offensive line. Drafting OT Ryan Clady certainly isn't an exciting decision when it comes to Madden. However, Clady's speed and size make him an attractive selection at this slot in the draft. This is a good move for the Panthers in real life, but Madden users will have to wait another year before seeing another big-time skill position player taken in Carolina. |
![]() | #14 - Chicago BearsOT - Jeffrey Otah - Pitt | I wouldn't be extremely surprised to see Chicago select a running back at this position. However, I think the offensive line is an area that deserves more attention right now. The Bears allowed almost 3 sacks per game, while only averaging 3.1 yard per rush this season. Also, two of the five members on the line are over the age of 33, making Pittsburgh OT Jeffry Otah a wise selection. Otah's not going to give Bears' users anything to celebrate in Madden 09, but fans of the team should come to appreciate the decision on Sundays in due time. |
![]() | #15 - Detroit LionsCB - Aqib Talib | Many NFL mock draft's have Aqib Talib selected as the first cornerback taken in the draft. However, Talib's 40-yard dash time of 4.52 isn't anything to get too excited about. Still, Talib is said to have great size (6'2. 202) and instincts around the football. We all know that the weak Lions' secondary could use all the help they can get based on last season's performance. Hopefully, Talib will be just the help that the Lions and Lions' users in Madden 09 can use. |
![]() | #16 - Arizona CardinalsRB - Jonathan Stewart - Oregon | The Arizona Cardinals will be looking for either a cornerback or a running back on selection day. In this scenario, running back Jonathan Stewart is the player that the Cardinals will take. Arizona would love to be able to place a capable back beside current starting running back Edgerrin James to help him split some carries and extend his career. However, ultimately the Cardinals will be hoping that Stewart is the starter for years to come. Stewart's 5'11, 235 lb frame gives him plenty of size and speed (4.48 40-yard dash) to not only take on defenders, but also to run past them. Stewart won't have blazing speed in Madden 09, but I think it will be enough to make some defenders miss. |
![]() | #17 - Minnesota VikingsWR - DeSean Jackson - California | Wide receiver DeSean Jackson is a player that has a Devin Hester type of feel to him. Selecting Jackson at this spot will now provide Minnesota with two crazy threats on offense. First, teams will have to worry about running back Adrian Peterson out of the backfield. Then, they'll have to account for Jackson on screen passes and deep bombs downfield. Lastly, they'll also have to worry about Jackson on punt returns because of his incredible speed (4.32 40-yard dash) and vision on the field. The only downside to Jackson is his lack of height and size (6'0, 178). Regardless, Jackson will force both NFL teams and Madden gamer's defenses alike to constantly worry about him every time they play him. |
![]() | #18 - Houston TexansCB - Antoine Cason - ARZ | Current Texans' cornerback Dunta Robinson suffered a season ending torn ACL and hamstring last season. Rumors are swirling that Robinson may be forced to miss this upcoming season as well. For this reason, Houston will look to take cornerback Antoine Cason to try to cover up the glaring hole left on defense. A running back would also make for a smart pick here, but on offense the Texans are already decent and they are going to have to learn how to stop the Colts' at some point. Unfortunately for Madden gamers, Cason's 40-yard dash time of 4.54 won't provide him with crazy speed. However, his 6'0, 190 lb size should help offset some of that. |
![]() | #19 - Philadelphia EaglesDE - Derrick Harvey - Florida | The Philadelphia Eagles are on the verge of releasing both Jevon Kearse and Darren Howard before the start of next season. Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey would be a nice quick fix for any weakness that the Eagles may suffer on the line. Plus, I'm sure the Eagles have watched closely at what the Giants were able to do this season and they're eager to do the same. Harvey's consistent play and 40-yard dash time of 4.73 will make him a decent pass-rushing threat in Madden 09. |
![]() | #20 - Tampa Bay BuccaneersLB - Keith Rivers - USC | USC linebacker Keith Rivers will find himself wearing a Buccaneers uniform next season. Current Bucs' middle linebacker Derrick Brooks is finally starting to show his age, so the selection of Rivers here makes sense. Rivers has been described as explosive, with great run-stuffing ability. These two traits would make one think that Rivers should have great awareness and acceleration as he heads into Madden 09 next season. Also, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.63 he should have decent overall speed to go along with it. |
| #21 - Washington RedskinsDE - Calais Campbell - Miami | The Washington Redskins are ridiculously weak at the defensive end position. The death of safety Sean Taylor this past season would make some believe that the Redskins will be looking to replace that position first. However, the lack of pass rush from the end position is basically non-existent. Miami defensive end Calais Campbell should help start turning that around next season. Campbell's 40-yard dash time of 4.73 is just as good as a couple of the ends taken before him, so the Redskins can't be that disappointed with the selection. Washington has always been decent in Madden, but a big-time pass rusher would certainly make them more attractive next season. |












