"With the first selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, University of Georgia". No excuses for the Commish getting it wrong now!
Ok, so maybe the draft hasn't officially begun, but all the suspense of the #1 pick is over after the Detroit Lions and Matt Stafford have agreed to terms on a fat rookie contract. Stafford was #1 on most pundits mock drafts and now it is done.
The Stafford selection is no surprise. Once the Cutler to the Bears deal was sealed, it was clear that Stafford would end up in Detroit. Despite the preliminary negotiations with Jason Smith and Aaron Curry, it was always Stafford. Owning the 20th pick in the draft, Detroit can tomorrow cap a great first round with an offensive tackle or linebacker.
Detroit will go through the official lodgement of selection card tomorrow in New York, but rest assured. the Rams will be busy negotiating with their prime target as we speak.
How does this early announcement impact the draft? Well for a start the NFL network will have some early analysis to talk through, but the suspense is lost. I am surprised that the NFL hasn't yet passed a rule dictating that any pre-draft deals be kept secret so as to ensure the integrity of the draft as a commercial property.
An offensive lineman is headed to St Louis. Monroe or Smith, no question. The Rams talk a good game in thinking they could bluff someone into trading with them by buying a plane ticket for Sanchez to STL. But we're not fooled.
St Louis is on the clock.
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