Are the Lions making a mistake taking the QB?

In today's NFL, teams are getting so caught up with finding a great Quarterback that they are willing to shell out ridiculous money year in and year out just for a shot at getting the second coming of Peyton Manning. But have they taken the need for a great Quarterback and turned it into a debilitating, franchise-crippling disease?

The simple answer, is yes.

Now I'll be the first to admit that I think history in sports relating to future events is greatly overblown, just because the Timberwolves have gone 0-3 all-time against the Clippers on January 3rds doesn't mean they won't beat them the next time they play on that date, but with the progression of players and performance, its different.

In the 15 drafts prior to 2006 (1991-2005)-I'm not going to 2008, 2007, or 2006 because those palyers aren't fully developed- 35 Quarterbacks have been taken in the 1st round. Out of those 35, only 13 went on to become quality starters in the NFL.

So while the Lions do have a small chance of drafting a productive player at QB, why wouldn't they invest their money in a player with a much higher liklihood of success like an Aaron Curry? 1st round linebackers (especially outside) are one of, if not the safest position to draft high. And, if the Lions can really improve their team over the next few years, starting with lineman and linebackers, when they do finally draft a quarterback, he won't be thrown in right away and be asked to be the savior. He'll just have to manage games, much like Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco did last year.

NFL Draft-Lions

Ah Detroit...where should we start with you?



You have no Quarterback

You only have 1 reliable reciever

You have no offensive line

You have no Tight Ends

Your D-Line is terrible

Your Linebackers are just as bad

You don't have a return threat

And...you released the player you traded one of the best DTs in the game for (Leigh Bodden) and now you hardly have a secondary.



They do however have a (very) small group of youngs players that they can build around in RB-Kevin Smith(22), WR-Calvin Johnson (23), OT-Gosder Cherilus (24), and LB-Ernie Sims (24). Everyone else on the team, in my opinion, is expendable. Also, they have signed a handful of mediocre free agents, including DT Grady Jackson-who is far past his prime, and LB Julian Peterson who is also on the downside of his career.

In the draft with the 1st overall pick, expect the Lions to take Georgia product Matthew Stafford. I'm not sold on him, but barring some unforeseen circumstances he will be the pick.

With their 2nd pick, the 20th overall selection, look for the Lions to draft either an offensive or defensive tackle or conerback-players like Michael Oher, Eben Britton, Peria Jerry, and Vontae Davis are likely choices.

The first pick of the 2nd round, the Lions will probably be looking at those same positions minus the one they drafted and MLB too. James Laurinaitis, Michael Johnson, and William Beatty are possibilities.

From their on out, the Lions have 8 more draft picks (65, 82, 101, 137, 174, 192, 210, and 255). For each of those picks, I see them picking either a very versatile player who can backup multiple spots, or simply the best available player regardless of position seeing how they have so many holes to fill.

Tomorrow I'll post my view on what the Rams should do and will give my top 5 players by position for the draft plus possible sleepers and busts.

THE PICK(s): 1/1: Matthew Stafford-QB, Georgia 1/20: Michael Oher-OT, Ole Miss