To compensate for the time change from the previous year and in an effort to help shorten the draft, teams were no longer on the clock for 15 minutes in the first round and 10 minutes in the second round.

The Detroit Lions, who became the first team in NFL history to finish a season at 0–16, used the first selection in the draft to select University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

It was also the first time since the 1993 draft that a Miami Hurricanes player was not selected in the first round.

As of the end of the 2018 season, the 2009 draft has seen 11 of the 32 first-round selections make the Pro Bowl, and 27 (including three punters) in total for the entire class.

As of 2024, the only remaining active players in the NFL from the 2009 draft class are Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Jets punter Thomas Morstead.