Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2009 Mock Draft Among Blogs presented by NoLogoNeeded.com, your daily sources for Browns news, notes an analysis.
With the first pick, the Detroit Lions' blog The Wayne Fontes Experience selects:
***Matthew Stafford, QB, University of Georgia***
The St. Louis Rams are on the clock.
Click "Read More" for an explanation on why the Lions' blog selected Stafford.
Why Stafford? The Lions current quarterback depth chart reads as follows:
1. Daunte Culpepper (Hasn't had a good season in 5 years, played at a weight close to 3 bills in '08)
2. Drew Stanton (Not good enough to outplay Dan "Ran out of the end
zone" Orlovsky for the number 2 in '08, is on the cusp of "BUST" status)
3. Drew Henson (Seriously?)
That's why the Lions pick Stafford.
They have needs all over the field, on both sides of the ball. I
was tempted to make a "safe" pick, such as an OT like Baylor's Jason
Smith or Virginia's Eugene Monroe, or Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry. All
project to be first line players, long-time starters. But the need for
a quality QB, something the Lions haven't had since the glory days of
Bobby Layne, is just too glaring. Stafford is the highest rated
quarterback in the draft, and has the skill set to become an impact
player.
The fact the Lions have drafted outright 1st round disasters at
quarterback like Joey Harrington, Andre Ware and Chuck Long over the
past 20 years, and Matt Millen went on a drunken skill player binge
during his tenure (only Calvin Johnson remains in Detroit), cannot
deter GM Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Schwartz from addressing
their greatest need, that being a franchise player under center.
Plus, the Lions do have the 20th pick of the 1st round, and the 1st
pick of the 2nd, so other needs can be easily addressed later in the
draft.
Comments
I think they should pass on Stafford if only to hold out and draft Dan LeFevour #1 next year, thus completely filling their QB depth chart with former/has been state of Michigan products. Hooray for home grown talent!