Draft Grades: Lions

The selection of Matthew Stafford came as no surprise, but I still don't like the pick. I gave Stafford a 1st-round grade, but not a grade worthy of the number-one overall selection. On top of that, the Lions have far too many other holes to fill to be targeting a quarterback early in the draft. On a team this bad Stafford is going to have to play early. He'll be a sacrificial lamb behind their patchwork line with little chance of success. In a different situation Stafford could develop into a solid quarterback, but I don't see it happening in Detroit.

I love Brandon Pettigrew, but the Lions had no business selecting a tight end in the 1st round. There isn't a less significant position on the football field. Passing on linemen such as Michael Oher was a terrible decision.

Again, I like Louis Delmas a lot, but tight ends and safties aren't going to help Detroit turn things around. A team as bad as the Lions needs to build from the lines on out - exactly the opposite of what they're doing.

DeAndre Levy was a reach in the 3rd round, and again, I'm shocked they passed over some quality offensive linemen.

Derrick Williams was a decent 3rd-round selection. Stafford is going to need some receivers, and Williams could help stretch the field. He'll compete for playing time opposite Calvin Johnson.

I like the selection of Sammie Lee Hill. He's a project, but he's a massive body to plug holes on the Lions defensive line. Given the Lions lack of depth at the position he could end up starting. They'll try to groom him into the next Shaun Rogers.

Aaron Brown was a great 6th-round selection. He'll compete for playing time behind Kevin Smith. They could have used more of a goal line back, but anyone will be an upgrade over what they had last year.

The Lions finally landed an offensive lineman in the 7th round. Unfortunately though, Lydon Murtha is a project and won't offer much immediate help.

Zack Follett and Dan Gronkowski are mediocre picks in the 7th round. Neither has much upside and they'll struggle to make the roster.

Overall, this was a very disappointing draft for the Lions. Those that like Stafford will see it differently but I don't think this was the kind of the draft the Lions needed to get back on track. The Lions desperately needed to upgrade their offensive line and they got absolutely no help at that position. Its going to be another long season in Detroit in 2009.

Grade: C-

Draft Visit Tracker: Mark Sanchez

Its been a busy offseason for Mark Sanchez . He's been all over the mock drafts, from 1st overall to 19th overall and everywhere in between.

As far as the real world goes, Sanchez has been checked out by the Broncos, Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, 49ers, Lions, Rams and Seahawks. It would appear that all of those are realistic landing spots for the USC quarterback, but we can rule out a few of them:

He's not going to Detroit (Stafford is all but locked in there).

He's probably not going to Jacksonville or San Francisco (they don't have the tools to trade up far enough to land him.

Despite this report, he's probably not going to Cleveland (Mangini would need the secret service to escort him around Cleveland if he added ANOTHER quarterback to the mix).

That leaves the Rams, Redskins, Broncos and Seahawks. So here's a look at what each team is likely thinking about Sanchez:

• The Rams need a new franchise quarterback, but it doesn't have to come from this draft. It doesn't sound as though they were wowed by Sanchez in his workout meaning they're likely to pass.
• The Redskins would love Sanchez and Daniel Snyder is just crazy enough to order his front office to fork over enough draft picks to move up to select him. It's a long shot, but you can't rule it out.
• The Broncos would like Sanchez and have more than enough ammunition to move up to select him. They won't be selecting him 12th overall, but if they package their draft picks they could move into the top five.
• The Seahawks reportedly love Sanchez and are prepared to select him with the 4th pick in the draft. Only the Rams and Chiefs stand in their way.
  

In my latest mock draft I have Sanchez going to the Seahawks and I will likely leave it that way in my final mock draft on Friday. The only way he doesn't land in Seattle is if the Redskins or Broncos move ahead of the Seahawks on draft day.

Visit Tracker: Jeremy Maclin

Ed Thompson of Scout.com is reporting that Jeremy Maclin has or will visit the Browns, Bengals, Lions, Jets, Rams and Raiders (his current destination in my latest mock draft ).

There aren't any real surprises on that list, except perhaps the Lions. However, if Maclin were to fall to No. 20 I don't think anyone would fault Detroit for selecting a wide receiver. The Jeremy Maclin-Calvin Johnson combo could be special.

There is one notable team missing from that list, however: the Jacksonville Jaguars. I have been harping on this all offseason, perhaps too much, but I am convinced that the Jaguars have no interest in taking yet another receiver in the 1st round. After watching Reggie Williams and Matt Jones flame-out, there simply isn't a desire to dip back into that well.

At this point, its looking like Oakland is the most likely destination for Maclin. Al Davis loves speed, and we know Maclin's got it. Don't count out the Bengals, however. Two of their top intersts, Andre Smith and B.J. Raji may have too mcuh baggage to bring into Cincinnati, thus making Maclin the safe choice.