AA Reader Mock: Detroit Lions On The Clock!

Detroit has sucked for so long they should forfeit their first overall pick and stand with their noses in the corner until St. Louis has finished making their pick!

Detroit takes their OT in round 1...Eugene Monroe

No one player is going to fix this team. But with the money a first rounder commands, nothing is sure thing. But a projected 10-year stud protecting your QB's ass is the closest to one. There is a decent chance Detroit will be selecting high in the draft next season. My suggestion would be to grab a QB from the second tier this season and see how he progresses. Could probably get Bomar. They build inside out and give a promising young back in K. Smith a key component to a successful running game. They address their woeful D later with the addition of one of the many talented linebackers in the late first round. Sintim, Mal's, Cushing, Laurinitus? Or possibly look to solidify the interior of their D-line with a run stopper like Peria Jerry.

God I love the draft!

Woody, I understand where you and Maine Chief are coming from and yes it worked out well for the Falcons and it makes sense, but can the Lions really afford to take a risk on a QB like Stafford? He's not Matt Ryan. I hope you guys are right though, more options for us! Then again, if Stafford pans out and the Lions don't take him... jokes on them!

"With the uhhhh first selection of the 2009 NFL Draft....The Detroit Lions select....

Quarterback Matt Stafford, Georgia...."

With the success the Falcons had last year with their new face of the franchise and with this being the most important position in all of sports... I take him...

I do, however, leverage the contracts against eachother to get a great deal (lower than JaMarcus' deal)....

When culpepper is your best option, the pick becomes quite clear.

Matt Stafford.

Detroit fans claim they don't want to go through another Harrington, but they also didn't want another top ten pick to be a WR. How does Calvin Johnson look now?

they should take curry, but they will take stafford

culpepper was a pro bowl quarterback at one point.

i think right now they have at least 4 QBs, so it doesnt make sense that they go that route, but they have to be happy that stafford said he wanted to go there, who else can say they wanna be a Detroit Lion?!

i agree with most they will take an ot with the first for a couple of reasons, one they dont want to pay the money for a qb taken with the number one pick. two the only two qbs that will go in the 1st round should be sanchez or stafford so if one falls to 20 which they probably wont so they go with an lb there and take the best qb with #33

#1 Detroit - Matt Stafford, O-line is deep in this draft and they still have the #20 pick. There are only 2 Qb worth mentioning and they can't pass it up with the #1 pick. They will try to follow Atlanta, not Miami, pick QB and get a LT later in 1st rd.

#2 St Louis - Jason Smith LT , they released Orlando Pace earlier this week and know what a good LT means.

#3 KC - Aaron Curry LB this is the most glaring hole on the KC - D. Secondary is solid but needs depth, O-line is coming together and has a few pieces in place. Upgrades at LB will help the abysmal pass rush.

As a Michigan Resident and Lions fan by default (after my Chiefs of course), I think I have a unique perspective.

They will draft Stafford and it will curse them for years. I agree that they could do much better waiting to get one at pick 20, but that is not their style. They reach at all times and I don't see that changing just because there is a new head coach.

On the brighter side, that pretty much makes the Chiefs pick 3 pick number 2 because I think that Stafford is far from a top 10 QB when compared to past years. I coach QB's and good ones at that and he has some holes.

Anyway that is my pick. I am excited to be part of this forum.

Stafford

Doc,

I agree. I watched every Lions game with my best friend, who is from Detroit and when given time, he looked pretty solid. I couldn't believe it when they kept putting in washed up Culpepper. Don't like him or his attitude.

I'm going to say Eugene Monroe

I think he is more experienced than Smith. LT is a pretty safe pick, and although Curry might be considered the "safest pick" in the draft I would argue that taking a LB that I could be considered a serious risk especially with the number of decent LB in the draft. Look all the LT in the first round did great last year and I think the management there has to have a good pick and looking back on success of their recent drafts or lack there of, OT is the surest thing.

I don't think the Lions have given up on Drew Stanton either. He was there second rounder last year correct? They have Dante for at least another year and they will let Stanton continue to learn. So I think they will pass on Stafford.

I believe it will be Stafford because Detroit is in desperate need of a "face of the franchise" in order to sell tickets and to change the culture of the team. A limebacker or an OT would not give that kind of impact.

Ok, without reading anyone's posts I would select.....Jason Smith, OT Baylor. Here is why. The Lions have committed to Daunte Culpepper as their starter for at least the next couple of years. Behind him they have Drew Stanton and he could be their future QB. What they REALLY need is OL help to keep the QB upright. Not to mention they have another 1st round pick to get a QB if needed. Jason Smith is a beast that could combine with Detroits 1st round OL from last year to anchor their line for years to come. Also, look how this same type of move last year for Miami worked out!

It also puts them in a better fiscal position taking a LT first overall. And whoever is thinking that 4 QB's will be taken in the first round is crazy.

The game is won in the trenches. Always have and always will be. I think it will be Monroe. I know everyone is big on Smith but he is not a prototypical LT. Monroe will lock that down for years. This will help the running game and in turn the QB that they will take with #20. If they sign Crowell, take them out of the Curry sweepstakes. I'm not sold they take a QB in the first round I'm just not sold on any of them period. So I have the Lions taking Monroe with the first and looking at D with #20.

Jason Smith. They'll take a Left Tackle.

Detroit is a team in transition and hasn't had any stability for over a decade now. The problem with this franchise is not it's players or coaches, it's the complete and utter failures of ownership and upper management. This franchise can really only be compared to the demoralized Atlanta Falcons of last year. They need to completely restructure this franchise…only Blank, who went outside the organization, got lucky, hired Dimitroff, had Matt Ryan fall to him. So, what does Ford, owner of the Lions, hires Tom Lewand as team president and Martin Mayhew as GM, which is a double dose of disaster.
Detroit gave up 517 points last season, second worst in NFL history, 533 points allowed is the record for ineptitude….they almost made it. The bad thing is they only put up 268 points. They can't continue with their current defensive situation and can't continue with their current QB situation. So, I guess, Lions fans should just close their eyes and charge into futility for another year.
On the positive for Stafford, he did come in and start as a true Freshman. There were some questions on whether he has the mental capabilities to be a pro QB in the NFL. I believe Stafford to not only be athletically gifted, but have excellent football smarts to play QB as a true freshman. I really enjoyed his performance in the Capital One Bowl. This guy was absolutely terrible in the first half, missing every throw anyone could miss. In fact, I was wondering why I ever thought I liked the way he threw the ball in the first place. However, in the second half he dominated….his throws were all suddenly decisive and accurate. I personally like to judge QBs on how they react to adversity. In the NFL, QBs face constant pressure, and have to overcome adversity every week. The great ones are one's that can mentally prepare each week and persevere through those tough times. I liked how he overcame adversity in that game.
A complete retool of a franchise doesn't start until the franchise QB does, therefore, Detroit should select Matt Stafford with the number one overall choice.

If they were smart they would go Jason Smith or Monroe, but they are the lions and they take Stafford, setting their franchise back yet another five years.

Stafford. Not enough qb's and too many o-linemen. Unless they find a legit qb before the draft, I don't see how they can pick anyone besides Stafford or Sanchez.

I don't think Palmer's going to get traded after he convinced Coles to join the team. And I really doubt Nate Davis will go in the first.

Im going to have to go with Stafford. I mean who do they have left at QB besides Culpepper? They will bring Stafford in to learn under Culpepper because in his prime he was a darn good QB. There is no question that they need depth at QB so they bring in their rookie who they hope will be their franchise QB and let him learn under DC and eventually come in and take over.

Stafford. End of story.

Double D and others who advocate the Lions taking a QB with their second first round pick (from Dallas), who do you think will be available at that point?

San Fran is obviously taking one. I've heard that the Bungles may trade Palmer to a contender and take Stafford or Sanchez with their high pick. Chicago and the Jets need a signal caller too. My guess is that Stafford, Sanchez, Freeman and maybe even Davis are gone by that pick.

Too risky not to take one of those guys at #1 when you can easily take a very good OL with one of your subsequent early picks. How about Stafford, Maulaluga and Duke Robinson with their first 3 picks?

Sorry, to go with my earlier post they should also sign Byron Leftwich.

Detroit should take the top rated OT on their board whether it be a Smith or Monroe. They should follow the blueprint of the St. Louis Rams when they selected Orlando Pace. Build from inside out.

Lions choose OT Andre Smith...

bhallrms and others,

I believe the challenge being put forth here is not what we think Detroit will do but rather what we think Detroit should do. In other words, we get to play GM for the Lions.

Adam, am I off base on this?

The Lions will take curry. He is the best bet in the draft. They will be too scared to take a QB. There are so many OT in the draft they can get one or two of them later.

Two words: Atlanta Falcons. Every bad team in the NFL will now think that the blue print is to get a quarteback and let him be the "face of the franchise." The Lions will not build with an O-Lineman because that is not how they operate. Their new GM was the assistant to the old GM and we can expect more of the same: Build from the outside in. Stafford will get drafted #1 and get lit up because of a bad line, bad defense and bad front office. Stamp it.

Stafford at #1.

Although the Lions would be inclined to get the safest pick in Curry. The Lions must get someone that can throw to last year's first round pick, Calvin Johnson. Stafford has a strong arm, shown that he's consistent, and may only take a year of development before he can start in the league.\

I believe that the Lions work on one side of the football instead of the other, and their offense seems to be the easier to fix. They're not going to be a playoff team next year, but they need to pick up a couple wins, put some butts in the seats, and the offense does that the best.

I also think the lions will take an OT with the #1 pick. I think they can get the same caliber QB at #20 as they could at #1. With that being said:

With the 1st pick of the 2009 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions select, Jason Smith, OT, from Baylor.

Smith from Baylor. Which means both top OTs will be gone when Chiefs pick, making me sad sad sad.

I meant Jason Smith from Baylor.

I see Detroit going 1 of 3 ways in the first round: LT, LB, or QB.

They've already addressed their biggest need, CB, through FA.
Their second biggest need, LT, is a major hole begging to be filled. Given that Eugene Monroe beat out Branden Albert for the starting role in college, I have to put him at the top of my board for OTs.

Detroit is short at LB and in fact need to fill 2 slots there: MLB and SLB. Curry is the "safe" pick as SLB here and is likely to bring the leadership, versatility, and agressive style of play that Gunther relishes.

Their last big need, QB, I think will probably be addressed with either their #20 or #33 pick. Whoever they select, whether it be with the #1, #20, or the #33 pick, will most likely ride the pine for at least a year while being groomed behind Kitna. Because this draft lacks a QB of Matt Ryan's caliber, I believe the Lions will go in another direction with the #1 pick.

Bottom line - this year's class of quality LBs is fairly deep but the same cannot be said about its LTs. Detroit makes Eugene Monroe the top pick of the 2009 draft.

ANDRE SMITH OT

He is a physically gifted tackle. They could anchor the line for years. Once they pick OT then Stafford, Sanchez, or Josh Freeman would fall substantially and be available to pick up at # 20. Beleive it !!!!!

IT makes perfect sense!!!!!

Adam:

How about a 'no trade' disclaimer? The Detroit pick seems to come down to a QB or an OT. With a 50% bust rate for QB's, I would take Jason Smith, OT from Baylor at #1.

detroit is sniffing around Cutler, but it will probably be the #20 pick.

Detroit than takes Jason Smith to start building their line. I agree that they will definately be looking at Curry, but the safe pick even though not sexy is a franchise LT.

IISaintII
I agree with you that Gun would love to have Curry... They may also go for either Raji or Orakpo if they end up avoiding Stafford and think Defense.
I would disagree, however, with the idea that Curry is going to be a DJ and that Rey or James would be a better pick.
DJ, Rey and James all play(ed) for strong teams where strong play next to you will make you look like a better player. Think Sims and and Peppers for an exaggeration of what my thoughts are.

Denver, of course, would pick up Stafford. Not Cutler. Though I wouldn't put it past him.

Trade the pick to Denver for Cutler, who picks up Stafford #1. Even if this does happen, the new Donkeys look to be horrifically mismanaged already, which causes me great glee.

Aaron Curry -
With the influx of defensive minded people, I think they'll go that way over a QB or OL. Gun loves LB's and with Curry being "the safest pick," I think that's what they'll choose.

Plus, that keeps the Chiefs from drafting him at #3, which I would hate. I think he's going to be another DJ. Would much rather draft Rey or James, but I don't think we'll be getting either one of them either.

This team absolutely has to take a quarterback. That position is a mess and they just released the only player who had some semblance of a career within the past couple seasons in Jon Kitna. The Lions (believe it or not) have the buildings of a young, core offensive group in Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith. Add in either Sanchez or Stafford and you have 3 young, promising skill guys that you can build on. I think that Stafford's increased game experience along with his higher upside makes him a must for the Lions over Sanchez. Is Stafford a lock? Hell no! But Detroit doesn't need him to be Peyton Manning, just Eli Manning.