Nationalfootballpost.com is reporting that KFFL.com has learned that the Detroit Lions will select Jason Smith first overall. This is a pick that has been debated quite a bit here, or at least in the Club Level IIRC. I know many, like myself, like Jason Smith quite a bit. He's got great feet, plays mean, nasty and to the end of the whistle. He's got little technique though (partly because he hasn't played the position long) and from what I've seen on him, he will get caught lunging. With that said, I like him as the first overall pick but I wonder if Detroit should have gone the safe route. Aaron Curry is arguably the best player in the draft, if not top two, and he's also the 'safest pick'. Some will say that there is no safe pick in the draft and that's fine but you don't get much closer than Curry. He can do it all and while the Lions have acquired Julian Peterson to play outside linebacker for them, Curry can play middle linebacker. I believe he slid into the inside linebacker spot in college at times and did it well. I think Detroit could have gone with Oher at twenty, a guy who I think could be there but may not. There's also another guy that I like in William Beatty of UCONN who I think will be at twenty. However, I think the guy with the highest ceiling is Baylor's Jason Smith and that's the reason they likely selected him. Not saying its the wrong decision but I wonder if they could have gone Curry and say Beatty or Oher instead of Jason Smith and X. Another note is that only one team showed up to Nate Davis' pro day. Apparently only Indianapolis went, a team that is set at his Quarterback position with future hall of fame inductee Peyton Manning. Ouch. I'm not sure why only one team showed up though, partly because I think Davis' is a good QB in a weak class IMO.
No problem. I probably should have mentioned that they are also currently negotiating a deal with Jason Smith but I figured you all knew that already.
It's a good idea for the team with the first overall pick to start negotiating early....you don't want to have a guy like JaMarcus Russell dangling out there for months like what the Raiders went through. I am happy we locked up Jake Long early on last year.
Could it be? The Lions got an idea of who it is they want? Could there be a little hitchy at the beginning of Stafford's delivery maybe?
I'm actually surprised because I believe they can get Beatty or Meredith at 20. The QB class as weak as it is you would think getting one of the top QB's would override the decision for a OT. But thats just my opinion.
Usually, one would assume that but when a class is weak, even at the top IMO, then you don't want to take a guy that your not comfortable and I think that's what it came down to (assuming they do take Smith).
Yes, now how often does a Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco come? They are exceptions. I think that's something that teams have to realize. Some teams will think about getting their own Matt Ryan and will take the QB, hoping for success. Not that easy.
Listen I'm not saying they will I'm just saying how a GM might think. Other players success often clouds someones judgement. Its why I believe WR's have taken such a hit as of late.
And Ball State is in Indiana so they might've just made the trip since it was convenient for them. Makes me wonder what kind of turnout UCLA's going to have considering Harwell's the only prospect worth talking about.
Hey, the same scenario worked for us as we passed on the top QB to select Long and grab a vet to help lead us. I'm not a fan of grabbing a young QB without first having the protection of a good line to ensure his development. In Detroit's stage of the game right now, I almost feel a QB is a luxury at this point. If they want to turn their franchise around, this #1 pick needs to be an immediate impact... not a potential project. I would have preferred the immediate impact of Curry for the leadership/face/future captain of the D, and then grabbed Beaty later.
Don't forget though that they just traded for Julian Peterson, which probably influenced the decision regarding a linebacker.
