SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick #1
by Mocking Dan on Mar 25, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
in SB Nation Writers Mock Draft
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 No. 1 |
DETROIT |
Welcome to the official 2009 SB Nation mock draft! Starting things off is Sean Yuille, head man at Detroit Lions blog Pride of Detroit.
The phrase "Defense Wins Championships" has never been reflective of the Lions' strategy in building a team in the modern era of football. Jim Schwartz, a former defensive coordinator, is going to try and change that. Free agency filled many positions of need (as did a trade with the Seahawks), but there is still a gaping hole at middle linebacker, which is perhaps the most important position on defense. With that in mind, Pride of Detroit decided to draft linebacker Aaron Curry, who will be able to come in and immediately start in the middle for the Lions. Although he is an OLB, Lions GM Martin Mayhew has said that Curry can be a starter at MLB from day one. He has unbelievable talent and is someone the Lions could build their defense around. There is a risk with moving a player to a new position, but if he didn't make as much of an impact as hoped in the middle, down the road he could be moved back outside to take over for Julian Peterson, who isn't exactly all that young.
I'm sure many will wonder why Matthew Stafford wasn't picked, especially since nearly every expert out there thinks he will be taken by the Lions with the top overall pick. It's pretty simple, though. To the majority of Lions fans, Stafford isn't viewed as someone that is guaranteed to be a great franchise quarterback. Even if that opinion turns out to be wrong, Stafford isn't the right pick at this point in the rebuilding process. It is probably unlikely he would start very much in year one with the Lions, and even if he did, Detroit doesn't have enough talent on the offensive line to protect Stafford. The Lions could help the o-line with their other first-round or the 33rd overall pick, but by that time all of the elite tackles will be gone.
For Detroit, it is wiser to spend the top overall pick on someone that can immediately have an impact and make this team better. Stafford simply wouldn't do that, and although the Lions will have to find a franchise QB someday, it is not necessary to do that right now. The ideal scenario would be to turn the Lions into a respectable team in 2009, a winning team in 2010, and a team that can make noise in the playoffs by 2011. Like I already said, the Lions will have to find a franchise QB at some point in this process, but right now it is more important to start winning some games. Drafting Matthew Stafford won't accomplish that goal and will only delay the rebuilding process.
MTD thoughts: What is most concerning about taking Curry first overall is moving him to the middle. He absolutely has the intelligence and athleticism to play the position, but does that best suit his talents? The Lions' current starting linebackers, Ernie Sims and Julian Peterson, are at their best when they can flow around the field making plays. That will leave the middle linebacker to make plays up the middle. And if he's just plugging gaps, why not see if Rey Maualuga is there with pick 20, or even take Jasper Brinkley later in the draft?
Still, Curry has the talent to be a star, even in Detroit. If he is indeed the team's choice, Detroit will immediately have one of the best linebacking trios in the NFL.
Mocking the Draft's Top Five Remaining Prospects - WR Michael Crabtree, QB Matt Stafford, CB Malcolm Jenkins, OT Michael Oher, OT Jason Smith
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I’m sure many will wonder why Matthew Stafford wasn’t picked
I certainly do, but I think I’m even more perplexed with the passing on two blue-chip OT prospects thing. Passing on a potential franchise QB is never a good idea for a re-building team, IMO, but I can at least understand the worry behind Stafford in particular. However, Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe are solid and dependable – and, unlike Curry, they wouldn’t be playing out of position on Daunte Culpepper’s blind side.
Basically, it boils down to this for me: I wouldn’t pass on Stafford if I were Detroit. I can understand why some would, but the second choice should be an OT, not a LB that you’re forcing to make a position change. That could be nearly as disastrous as drafting Stafford himself.
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by Brian Galliford on Mar 25, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Defense wins championships...
The one thing I hate about cliches is that they’re cliches. There is another one I would use here and it’s you win in the trenches. Unlike Brian or Pride of Detroit, I think the Lions should pick an OT to begin building the line that PoD says is lacking. That way when they do get a franchise QB, either in this draft or later, they have someone in place to protect that QB. My two cents.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Mar 25, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would go Stafford here, QB position is so important. But Curry is a phenomenal talent.
by math_geek on Mar 25, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m not a fan of the Dolphins, but look at the turn around they had by taking a stud tackle to start the draft last year. Maybe this should be more of a blueprint for teams barely winning any games (or none at all) the year before. Sure worked for them.
Curry is probably the best player available in a lot of peoples opinions (including mine), but Detroit is the #1 pick for a reason. You don’t have the luxury of taking the best talent, especially when that talent happens to be one of the few positions on your team that already has entrenched starters.
Where else would you rather be...
by Slick Shifty on Mar 25, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would have taken the LT
and then hope one of the USC LB’s are still there at #20. Besides, next year there are better franchise QB’s coming out of the draft (Bradford, McCoy) and believe me, Detroit will still pick in the top five!
Rexx
by Rexx on Mar 25, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yea they have a chance at winning two games but an LB doesnt win games
by BradyQuinnisBeast on Mar 25, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tell that to James Harrison
and his Super Bowl performance.
Though I agree, I’d rather go with Stafford or Smith. Curry does have almost zero risk, but I think a draft of Stafford, Britton, Duke with the Lions’ first three picks would really help them out for the future. Let’s be honest, the Lions aren’t making the playoffs next year, so a guy who helps them out now shouldn’t really be their highest priority.
by LantermanC on Mar 25, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tell that to Ben Roethlesberger
and his Super Bowl performance. :)
I kid, somewhat… I agree with Sean that I don’t really Matt Stafford as a #1 overall pick, but I don’t see Aaron Curry as one either. I would have gone LT as well. I think it’s harder to find a franchise LT than it is a good middle linebacker.
That said, the #1 pick isn’t something you should roll the dice with. A QB is really rolling the dice. A good LB is less so.
by JasonB on Mar 25, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My problem with this...
is the idea that the pick has to be made for the biggest “immediate impact,” regardless of whether or not Curry really provides that (moreso than Monroe or Smith). The roster is absolutely in shambles after 8 years of horrid draft and free agent decisions. It is not going to be rebuilt in one draft, so if a QB is truly elite, there’s no reason that he should not be the pick. A linebacker or even an offensive lineman are not going to turn the team around in one year.
So basically what Orwell was saying was, "it's not perfect, but I'll take it."
by Mogwai on Mar 28, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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