The 2009 draft order is becoming more clear. Though the full list won’t be finalized until after the playoffs, several positions are already set.
Per Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the top nine picks are as follows:
1. Lions (0-16);
2. Rams (2-14);
3. Chiefs (2-14);
4. Seahawks (4-12);
5. Browns (4-12);
6. Bengals (4-11-1);
7. Raiders (5-11);
8. Jaguars (5-11);
9. Packers (6-10).
The 7-9 Niners and 7-9 Bills will be No. 10 and No. 11 -- we’re not presently sure of the order.
The next cut of non-playoff teams, at 8-8, includes the Saints, Redskins, Broncos, and Texans. Per the Washington Times, Redskins coach Jim Zorn said Monday that his team holds the 13th overall pick.
The team that helped itself the most in December was the Bengals. By closing out the year with three straight wins, Cincinnati moved from No. 2 to No. 6 in the pecking order. As pointed out in our latest SportingNews.com Ten-Pack, this means that the Bengals will spend far less money on an unproven rookie.
