HH Community Mock Draft: Pick #1 - Detroit Lions Select...

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 24, 2009 2:34 PM EDT in Mock Draft

With the first pick, the Detroit Lions select QB Matthew Stafford from Georgia.

skinsymets: Everyone knows that QB's are bigger hit and misses than say for example line picks. But Stafford has seperated himself from the rest of the pack somewhat IMO. He clearly has the arm strength and confidence to mature into a great NFL quarterback and with 2 out of the next 32 picks then can already begin to build around him. For me the question is what kind of mentoring will he get with the Detroit.

On the clock (sugar): STL Rams

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Do you agree with the pick ?

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No

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Comments

Cannot complain about that selection...

I can see them taking Jason Smith or Monroe at LT. Curry maybe, but they did sign Peterson at LB, so maybe not. An LT would be safer for them given they drafted Harrington, Mike Williams, and Charles Rogers, all huge first round busts. It could be a bad PR move for them if Stafford misses. An LT could also be cheaper for them too…not sure about their funding situation…prob not that good coming off 0-16.

by liger99 on Mar 24, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions

I think that Liger

may be on to something here.
If the Lions have hopefully learned anything, its that not studying their history… makes them doomed to repeat it.
The best decision they could make, IMO (since they are essentially starting over), is to start building the front line with Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe. Even if Stafford is the real deal, why bother picking him up if you can’t protect him? If it doesn’t work out with Culpepper, then draft Colt McCoy next year.

by VA_Skin on Mar 24, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

If you were a Lions fan...

living in DET, would you go to the games to see your brand new LT on an otherwise 0-16 team?

They need a “face” for the franchise. They need someone to give the fans hope. And they need someone to get the damn ball to #81. They almost HAVE to go QB here… and Stafford’s the easy choice. Then pick up a T from the next tier with their 2nd pick.

by TexSkins on Mar 25, 2009 3:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, a new QB

is more exciting for the fans. Stafford just aced the Wonderlic test also.

by VA_Skin on Mar 25, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

But constantly being sacked and pummelled

can ruin a QB also (i.e. Patrick Ramsey).

by VA_Skin on Mar 25, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Well...

True, Spurrier did ruin Ramsey having an O-line consisting of 3 guys. I’m still not sold Ramsey would have been good if he was drafted elsewhere. He just did 2 years under Cutler and Shanahan…so that means he should be an ace now then, right?

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 26, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly,

I’d be willing to bring him back into the fold as a backup to Colt. He should be more familiar with the WCO than Collins. Todd Collins is a pure Al Saunders prodigy “system” QB (and he’s got to be somebody’s grandpa).

Lets have Colt, Todd, and Patrick duke it out for the 2nd and 3rd strings.

by VA_Skin on Mar 26, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point

But I kind of thought of that situation opposite of what you did.

Sure they can start with a much safer pick like a Smith or Monroe. However, say Detroit ends up with a half descent record this year and they pick somewhere in the 10 – 15 range next year. There is a much better chance of still picking up a very good all pro tackle compared to getting the best QB next year which is always IMO more of a chance. At least this way they know they have the consensus best QB this year where they might no be able to get that guy next year.

Not to mention it will most likely take a year or longer for Stafford to adjust to the NFL where a lineman can usually adjust much quicker.

Lets not also forget that Detroit has 2 of the next 32 picks and it’s not inconceivable that they could still end up with a great lineman.

Again, this was my train of though here and only my opinion but I do admit it could backfire.

by skinsymets on Mar 24, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

I diasgree

It could be a bad PR move

All these bad moves are pinned on Matt Millen, so they’re in the clear there. They need to trust their scouts on Stafford. If he’s not #1 overall material, then they need to draft a better player and then maybe trade up w/ their later pick to get Stafford, or sign Jeff George.

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 25, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

'if Stafford misses'

You forgot that part. We won’t know for a few years is he is Alex Smith/Joey Harringon/David Carr or a Carson Plamer. My gut tells me he will be a Carson Palmer type QB, so should be a fine pick. I read that DET is negotiating with several of the top picks, which indicates they are weighing their options and may not go with Stafford. I’m sure they are discussing the fallout if he ends up a bust after a few years. I’m not convinced that Millen is taking all the blame either, it took the younger Ford going to the media to get the rest of the family to oust Millen. They stayed with Millen 2-3 years too long and I would think the DET fan base knows this?

by liger99 on Mar 25, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions