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The Pro side: Stafford should go first to Lions in April NFL draft
Mike Mauro
Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: Sports
As college football signing day came and passed yesterday, collegiate programs hoped they added key pieces that will lead them to a national or conference championship. With the NFL season now over, it's time to take a look at the teams at the top of the NFL draft to see what and how they can fill the glaring needs that each clearly has.
Here's a look an early look at who's picking in the Top-3 and their projected selection:
Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
The Lions have a ton of holes to fill on both sides of the ball but they need a new face of the franchise and a quarterback who has the amazing physical tools to make every NFL throw. As much as UConn fans would like to see former Husky quarterback Dan Orlovsky keep his starting job there, Detroit is most likely looking to start fresh after being the first 0-16 team in NFL history. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is another possibility, but Stafford has three years of proven experience in the fast-paced SEC.
St. Louis Rams, Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
After missing out on Michigan OT Jake Long in last year's draft, St. Louis can make up for this year by picking Smith. With Orlando Pace basically finished and former first-rounder Alex Barron not living up to his potential, Smith can come in right away and be a force in both the run and pass game. A mountainous figure, Smith can solidify the right tackle spot early in his career then slide over and protect the quarterback's blindside for the next decade. Other options for the Rams along the offensive line are other elite tackles Jason Smith from Baylor, Eugene Monroe from Virginia or perhaps St. Louis goes takes a shot with Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree who reminds everybody of Larry Fitzgerald coming out of college.
Here's a look an early look at who's picking in the Top-3 and their projected selection:
Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
The Lions have a ton of holes to fill on both sides of the ball but they need a new face of the franchise and a quarterback who has the amazing physical tools to make every NFL throw. As much as UConn fans would like to see former Husky quarterback Dan Orlovsky keep his starting job there, Detroit is most likely looking to start fresh after being the first 0-16 team in NFL history. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is another possibility, but Stafford has three years of proven experience in the fast-paced SEC.
St. Louis Rams, Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
After missing out on Michigan OT Jake Long in last year's draft, St. Louis can make up for this year by picking Smith. With Orlando Pace basically finished and former first-rounder Alex Barron not living up to his potential, Smith can come in right away and be a force in both the run and pass game. A mountainous figure, Smith can solidify the right tackle spot early in his career then slide over and protect the quarterback's blindside for the next decade. Other options for the Rams along the offensive line are other elite tackles Jason Smith from Baylor, Eugene Monroe from Virginia or perhaps St. Louis goes takes a shot with Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree who reminds everybody of Larry Fitzgerald coming out of college.
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Aaron
posted 2/05/09 @ 6:27 PM EST
That sucks for Strafford! Maybe he'll at do something for that team, and I guess there up is the only way to go when you're in Detroit.
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