Matt Stafford: 5-Year Mistake for Lions?

Everyone thinks the Detroit Lions are going to select Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first pick in next month's NFL draft. But is that the right move?

NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock says, emphatically, no. According to Mayock, there are too many questions about Stafford to make him the top overall pick, and if Stafford goes bust, the pick would haunt the franchise for years.

From an article on Mayock's recent appearance on a Detroit radio show:

Mayock said that if the Lions make a mistake at quarterback with that pick, "they won't recover for five years.''

Mayock spoke very highly of Stafford, saying he has great arm strength and is a good athlete, but also said "There are some things about him that bother me. If I was the Lions, I'd take (Aaron) Curry or one of those left tackles (Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe).

"If you have any doubts about the kid, in my opinion, you have to pass. I told everybody last year that Matt Ryan was the guy. I have questions about the guy this year.''

I think Mayock makes a lot of good points here. The Lions have such a talent-starved roster from top to bottom that putting any rookie quarterback in there is just setting him up for failure. Curry, Smith and Monroe, on the other hand, are guys who can grow with the franchise and not get destroyed behind a godawful offensive line.

On the other hand, someone has to be the Lions' quarterback, and if they're ever going to be a good team again, it's not going to be with 30-something Daunte Culpepper. If the Lions' personnel department thinks Stafford is the best player in the draft, don't they have to take him?

It's a tough call, but cleaning up the mess of an 0-16 season is a tough job. I think the Lions are going to end up biting the bullet, drafting Stafford and hoping that he's Peyton Manning.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-10-2009 @ 1:18PM

A. J. said...

It's fair to say that no one can be quite sure how a player is going to turn out in the NFL. There are players like Ryan Leaf that clearly didn't cut it in the big leagues and players like Ben Roethlisberger that basically came out of no where and is very successful behind a mediocre offensive line. Only time can tell and taking chances is what the draft is all about. If you're the Detroit Lions what can you possibly lose by taking Matt Stafford. It would be better than trying to build a team behind an aging Culpepper.

3-10-2009 @ 1:32PM

steel wheel said...

I'm with Mayock on this one completely. Stafford has great ability but the Lions are on a multi-year plan. You can't expect Stafford to deliver when there is nothing to protect him or complement his ability with. If Stafford was all that sure maybe he would fit with the Detroit future but he's only the prettiest thing in the window this year...doesn't make him the second coming of Peyton Manning. Go with Curry or Monroe and with that second pick get a defensive lineman. I'm tired of this sieve like defense!!

3-10-2009 @ 1:46PM

globalsetback said...

if im the lions im drafting sanchez or lauranatis

3-10-2009 @ 1:57PM

mnorris149 said...

I think it's a joke to compare Matt Stafford to Matt Ryan when Matt Ryan was a 5th year senior so that made him, what, 23 or 24? Matt Stafford hasn't turned 21 yet. Just something to think about. I believe he will be a great NFL quarterback. If the Lions don't take him, it's their loss and someone else's gain.

3-10-2009 @ 2:41PM

mikeskirox said...

Ok, Stafford is good. He may be great in the college game. However, to spend that much of guaranteed money on someone who will most likel not start in 2009 can be a poor move. This team did not get blown out every game. {I know everyone will have a comment because they watched so many of the games, like the Lion's game was your first choice on the Dish} They have some young talent on offense. Build the defense. This was the bigger let down. Build a strong D like Baltimore did. The Ravens D kept the O in decent field position. This allowed a young QB to not shoulder all of the game. So, build the D as they have been doing with 2 new CBs in free agency and trade of Kitna and the DT Grady I think. Then, build the O line, just acquired an OT yesterday from Titans. A couple more strong linemen on both sides would be great. Pick up Curry, he is a stud and will be. We have 2 good LBs now. That core can be good with those hard hitters. We cannot expect to be #1 next year. In 2010 there will be more QBs coming out and the foundation will be built. OR get one further down the road with the additional draft picks (2 in first, 1 in second, three in third). Non-college starters are actuallys showing more proficiency in the pros due to their back role and additional need of study for the game. Stafford could be the man, but are we ready for that? We do not have the team to protect him while he throw to phenom receiver Calvin Johnson (I am calling it, future Hall of Famer). It is a great amount of money to pay for a stud when you do not have any other horsed that can keep up. You could spend simlar amounts on several guys and get a lot mroe production. I am hoping this mgt team has turned the corner. They seem to be moving in the right direction....BUT I have said that for the past umm 15 years.

Or they can do what they have in the past, go after the hype or the hometown boy. It really worked out for us with Charles Rogers and Michael Williams.

Go Lions!! Please!

3-10-2009 @ 3:46PM

Dr Huxtable said...

Stafford would be a disaster, but I don't think the Lions are going to take him. His agent wants him signed before the draft, and the Lions have no plans on signing the number 1 beforehand.

3-10-2009 @ 8:10PM

sblank5822 said...

I think the Lions should trade down for more picks...the curse of the number 1 draft pick is that Stafford will command at least a 60 million dollar contract like Jamarcus Russell did last year. Do the Lions really want to take that much of a financial risk on someone that might not pan out?

3-10-2009 @ 9:16PM

Redskins0492 said...

As a bears fan, I hope they take Stafford. He's overrated, and personally, I think Mark Sanchez is the better QB.

3-10-2009 @ 10:41PM

adam said...

Everyone is always hyping on parody in the NFL. "Its a copy cat league" claims almost everyone on the ESPN NFL coverage. While it absolutely pains me to agree, look at what it takes to win. This may be overstate and obvious at this point, but draft a defensive monster, get the qb later. Bring them along without the expectations of making everything happen. I'm a diehard lions fan, and in efforts to make things better in the long haul, look at currently wins and do the same damn thing.

3-11-2009 @ 12:40AM

houchens said...

Pick a player who can dominate in the trenches; either an offensive lineman who can open holes for the runners and also protect the QB. Or a dominating defensive lineman who can shut down the run and also rush passers. Leave the glamor picks for next year.

3-11-2009 @ 10:51AM

taj696897 said...

i think sanchez is better also but with the front line of the lions no qb is going to do well and i dont think he is going to beat out pepper anyway because the offensive guy for the lions was pepper coordinator with the vikes id go with pepper get some line help and defensive help add a running back and reiver and tight end pepper is moblie and a strong arm with the right personnel around him he will do well look at cassell with mosss ryan with his running game with the falcons and the qb with the raven look at the line and backs and defense he got if u take anyone of these guy i named put them on the lion and they would still be 0-16 go pepper lions be smart