FSH: ON THE TICKER

March 31st, 2009 10:07pm PST

25 DAYS TO THE NFL DRAFT

NFL Draft Preview:
On The Ticker

On the Board: Detroit Lions....
There has been so much talk surrounding the Lions and there number one draft pick. Recently there was speculation that the Lions could be looking to make a run at Cutler offering their top pick, but it seemed mostly talk, until now! With the breaking news coming from Denver announcing the Bronco's intent to trade quarterback Jay Cutler, the Lions could very well be back in business. The big question to ask is "Will the Broncos bite?"

With the top pick many folks were contemplating what the Lions might do, but if they make a deal and trade their number one pick to Denver, all bets are off. With Cutler under center and no pick in the first round, managements' focus will likely turn to build a defense through the draft while their new arm gets settled in.

If the Lions hold onto the number one pick, you would have to think since this team is in full-rebuild mode the obvious pick is going to be Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. Since following many draft sites that are now in full NFL draft mode, many so-called experts are projecting that this is exactly what Detroit will do. One thing I have not heard nor seen from anyone, sure Stafford is talented, but is anyone buying that he IS a franchise quarterback. If you select a quarterback number one overall, then he is a franchise quarterback.

(Photo by Ben Liebenberg/NFL.com)

Many think Stafford has the tools and enough talent to start, but very few have gone out on that limb to say he's going to turn a franchise around. Some are comparing his skill, play and arm strength to that of Cutler, while it may be a compliment in some ways, the Bronco or soon-to-be former Broncos still has a lot of progression left. Stafford will be a work in progress, but unfortunately for Detroit, he'll also be expensive.

One thing I keep being reminded of when I think of the Lions and draft day is their recent lack of success; Joey Harrington, Mike Williams, and Charles Rogers. Drafting a quarterback number one overall is going to demand a hefty pay-day to suit and will likely warrant starting right away out of necessity. While too many Stafford makes sense, it's still a tough decision no matter how you break it down.

At 0-16, there is so much to fix and even if Stafford is a hit, as a rookie he's not going to win you anymore than maybe five or six games. Another conceivable direction the team could chose to go is defense. Unquestionably the number one rated NFL prospect in this year's draft has to be Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry. Curry appears to be a dynamic athlete with tremendous ability and talent. There is little doubt that he will easily make the transition to the next level and be a star of the future. With so much hype surrounding Curry, he would be a safe pick for the Lions and one that the team could build on.

If I'm a betting man, because there's been so much talk lately about who the Lions will select, I would have to wager on Stafford being the popular choice. I guess the real question though folks should be asking at the moment, "Will the Lions have the overall number one pick in this year's draft?" It's very possible that with all that has taken place in the last 48-hours we could be talking about another team.

Check back every day for more "On the Ticker!" all the way up to the 2009 NFL Draft!!