Jonathan Stewart was taken 13th by the Panthers in 2008 and is quite possibly in the top 3 in size/speed among NFL RB. You couldn't pick 5 RB's with more talent than him. You want him from the Panthers? Give them AJ and they might consider it.

DeAngelo Williams is someone to consider if they're going to trade a RB. He only has one year left on his contract and Kubiak did try to trade up for him in the '06 draft, so if there's a match, that's it. But, given Stewart's injury concerns, I wouldn't bet on it.

Drafting a RB is still the best route to go.

Ok, the season is over. We had our best year W/L wise @ 9-7, but no cigar. Where, and what do we do now?

We definitely resign OD, and let dRob decide his own fate (stay or go). Make a decision on K - Kris Brown ( rehab, or the road). And the road for the other Chris Brown.
Sign one expensive FA at a position that needs strengthening, either secondary, DL, or OL, or maybe even a RB (but not a Chris Brown type).
In the Draft:
#1 - Fast CB with good hip flexibility, or a dominating DT
#2 - OG Perhaps Iupati or the like.
#3 - RB Love for Toby Gerheart to be here, but think not.
#4 - Whichever position we didn't take at #1.
#5 - FG Kicker to replace u-no-who.
#6 - Someone to develop for OL, or OLB
#7 - P

.......Or, this might finally be the year to tradeup for that mystical special player, who knows, but it will be fun to speculate anyway.

Toby reminds me of a guy that really liked by the name of Brian Leonard. Not a fast guy, but a versatile player who could be used like an H-Back, Fullback, Halfback, TE. Leonard is currently a Bengal after being drafted by the Rams. I'm not sure if that is an insult to Gerhart or if Leonard has simply not been used properly.

I believe we have another draft pick somewhere, but just for fun I thought I'd take a look at DraftTek's mock and put a little something together.

1 LB Sean Weatherspoon Missouri
2 CB Ras-I Dowling Virginia
3 RG Mike Johnson Alabama
4 FS DeAndre McDaniel Clemson
5 RB Ben Tate Auburn
6 DT Corey Peters Kentuky
7 CB Walter McFadden Auburn

We have alot of positives going for us heading into 2010. The Frank Bush led defense was much improved. Of course, Antonio Smith, Cush and Pollard had alot to do with that. We still need more pressure from the interior DL in pass rush situations and I would love to see that person be able to be a run stuffer.

We do have a favorable cap situation, although some of that money will be used on the Schaub bonus, OD, Demeco, Pollard and our key people. Our rookies on D this year will only get better. Think about all the young guys playing this year.. Barwin, Quinn, McCain, Cush. They will only get better. Figure out how to keep Moulden healthy, and we get Eugene back and healthy.

We are set-up to really take BPA at a few spots, (RB, DL, OL, CB) and get the players we need. The 2009 draft looks like it was very good.