#1 Overall Draft Pick in 2010?

[racosun]

Sure, it looks like I was dead wrong on my attitude towards the Lions taking Matthew Stafford with the top pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He's got a cannon for an arm and with a little experience and a better O-line, he can be a star someday in this league. But at present moment, the Lions are once again (and as usual) sitting in a prime position to snag yet another top-10 pick, and quite possibly even the top pick for a second year in a row.

There are currently five teams in the league with a 1-7 record, including the Lions. Another 1-7 team, the Browns, have a game against us, with also looks to be our best chance for a second win this season. If we lose against Cleveland, we are certainly locked into a top-3 pick, and looking at our remaining opponents outside of Cleveland we could easily lose out the rest of the way.

Now "if" it were to happen, how is the draft looking for next season as far as top-pick guys go? We're obviously in dire need of a monster O-lineman to help Stafford find enough time to chuck it long to Calvin Johnson. We've stolen a future All-Pro TE in Brandon Pettigrew, so we're set at most of the skill positions on offense. Perhaps a strong MLB or DE/DT would be prudent if one strong enough to merit that kind of moolah is an option as well. And that's another thing: can the Lions afford to be paying the kind of money that they would be committed to with two #1 overall picks and a #2 pick? That'll hurt us deeply at other positions, which could make the talent we have in those players moot. Hmmmmm........

[football junkie]

C'mon, you know the team would just take Dez Bryant with that pick :disbelief: .

[racosun]

C'mon, you know the team would just take Dez Bryant with that pick :disbelief: .

They seem to be dumb enough to take Sam Bradford or one of the three armed-robbers from the U of Tennessee.

[racosun]

The Lions did major damage to their chances for the #1 overall next year by beating the Browns today. On the other hand, it was nice to see our current #1 become the first rookie QB in history to throw 5 TD's in a game. Stafford seemed to injure his left shoulder two plays before his TD pass to win the game with no time left, but at least we got another win. The pressure for the #1 will fall onto the other cellar-dwellars, though, because the Lions will be extremely lucky to win one of their final six games.

[ATLFalcons]

Gutsy performance by Stafford.

Listen to him mic'd up: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8147c551/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-mic-d-up

[football junkie]

That win against the Browns really hurt the Lions' chances of scoring the top overall pick in the draft -- which probably is a good thing.

With a likely 2-14 record on the season, Detroit should draft in the top five and I see no better candidate to acquire than the Offensive Tackle from Oklahoma State, Russell Okung.

Drafting Okung, likely an immediate starter at left tackle in the NFL, would allow the Lions to move Jeff Backus back to left guard, letting Backus do what he does best, opening running lanes for Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris.

The combination of LT Okung and RT Gosder Cherilus will allow young QB Matthew Stafford significantly more time in the pocket to read progressions, free of pass rushers.

Detroit will also benefit from paying for the No. 4 overall pick, and at the lineman rate -- instead of being saddled with the top pick and the huge contract that goes along with it.

With bookend tackles Okung and Cherilus protecting QB Stafford, there should be plenty of time to get the ball out to stand-out wide out Calvin Johnson and promising tight end Brandon Pettigrew. I'm concerned about the running game. Smith and Morris are not the answer. Perhaps a factor back can be found in a middle rounds of the 2010 draft.

One thing is for sure, Detroit is headed in the right direction for the first time in a long while.

[racosun]

With all the promise that #1's Stafford and Pettigrew have shown this season, the player that seems to be the sure bet to become an NFL star is safety Louis Delmas, the #1 overall pick in the second round. He's already gaining respect around the league for his hustle, game smarts, and hitting prowess, even though he plays in the league's worst secondary.

I agree, though, that the Lions are seemingly on the way up...finally! Not sure if I'll ever NOT feel nauseous when I see Matt Millen's face on TV, especially when the words "football" and "expert" are so closely grouped together under his name. If only someone would hand Millen the keys to the Ohio State football program.....

[football junkie]

Not sure if I'll ever NOT feel nauseous when I see Matt Millen's face on TV, especially when the words "football" and "expert" are so closely grouped together under his name. If only someone would hand Millen the keys to the Ohio State football program.....

As a Penn State fan, I'm all for that!

And since Detroit wrapped up another loss to Cincinnati this week, they're well on the way back to the top of the draft. Only a late season winning streak could cause problems now! :laughing:

[Seattle1]

Gutsy performance by Stafford.

Listen to him mic'd up: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8147c551/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-mic-d-up

That was pretty cool. The beginning of the Legend of Stafford?

[football junkie]

So close and yet so far, the St. Louis Rams own the first overall pick in the 2010 draft -- although Detroit won't be far behind.

I still think Russell Okung should be the primary target. :twocents: