With the first weekend since July without pro football on the horizon and all but two teams eliminated from the fray, it’s understandable that minds will wander. And what better place to wander towards than the NFL’s player dispersal meeting in April?
Plenty will change between now and Roger Goodell reading the name of the player the Lions tab to turn their franchise around: free agency, the Combine, Mel Kiper Jr.’s hair emerging from hibernation while throngs gather to await word whether it sees its shadow and projects six more underclassmen going in the first round. So consider this a first stab at what might go down in Round One of the 2009 NFL Draft.
1. Detroit Lions — Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
With this class only two-deep at quarterback the smart move would be to take Stafford here and then go with defense or o-line help with the Cowboys’ pick later on. This changes to Andre Smith only if the Lions fall in love with one of the next-tier quarterbacks they could get at 20 or 33.
2. St. Louis Rams — Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
There doesn’t figure to be much suspense here, either, unless the Lions throw St. Louis a curveball and take Smith ahead of them. Then things will get interesting.
3. Kansas City Chiefs — Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
With so many holes to fill the Chiefs would love to sell this pick for multiple Day One selections, but that’s not all that likely. Unless Scott Pioli is really sold on Matt Sanchez, expect him to address the defense with a pass rusher who can help a Chiefs defense that set an NFL record for fewest sacks last season. Brown, Brian Orakpo, and Aaron Maybin are all options here.
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