With the 2009 NFL Draft less than two hours away, the St. Louis Rams are on the clock. Everyone's gaining more information by the minute.
The Patriots, Eagles, Giants and others have a plethora of picks—not to mention inordinate number of players on the trading block—so there should be much to talk about by day's end.
With that in mind, here are the likely selections for today's first round:
No. 1 Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Just hours ago, Matthew Stafford officially became a Lion. With more than $41 million invested, the Lions can only hope he's this year's Matt Ryan, as well the new face of their franchise.
The consensus No. 1 pick on most draft boards, Stafford should develop into a very good quarterback in the mold of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.
No. 2 St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Although the Rams may be attempting to trade down from the second pick, it seems like will make a decision between the top left tackles in the draft. With both Eugene Monroe and Smith on the board, the Rams decide to go with the better pass protector.
Coming over from the Giants, new head coach Steve Spagnuolo knows what a dominant offensive line can do. With Jason Brown, Jacob Bell and Alex Barron in the fold, the Rams have the means to keep Marc Bulger off the ground and help Steven Jackson to improve upon last season's numbers.
No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
After trading for Matt Cassel, the Chiefs select Sanchez? It can't be. Well, that's exactly what they do. Scott Pioli knows how wheeling and dealing can improve a team in the long term.
As a result, unless Daniel Snyder changes his personality over the next 12 hours, the Redskins will trade up to this spot, offering their 2009 first-, second-, and third-rounders, and a 2010 second-rounder. Following this deal, Jason Campbell will be on his way out of Washington for a 2009 third-round pick (from the Vikings). If they stay here, the Chiefs select Tyson Jackson for their new 3-4 defense and that sends Sanchez to the #8 pick where the Redskins trade up.
No. 4 Seattle Seahawks: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Arguably the most "NFL-ready" player in the draft goes at No. 4 to a team in need of some playmakers. With a very unproven linebacker corps outside of Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill, the Seahawks must build their defense for any chance at the playoffs.
Although Michael Crabtree and Eugene Monroe are viable options, Curry is the better choice for next year. With T.J. "Hooz your momma" Houshmandzadeh signed in the offseason and Sean Locklear most likely staying at tackle opposite Walter Jones, Seattle decides to wait to find Jones' replacement and selects a bonafide future 13-year player with its first pick.
No. 5 Cleveland Browns: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
With Kellen Winslow traded to Tampa Bay, Donte' Stallworth counting the days until his lockup, Braylon Edwards popping up in every New York Giants rumor, and Joe Jurevicius not making a comeback anytime soon, Cleveland makes the decision to acquire a weapon for its struggling offense.
Whether next year's quarterback is Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson, Crabtree will give the Browns a receiver head and shoulders above any of his peers in this year's draft.
No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
What better place for a player who has been grabbing the wrong sort of headlines? There is no denying that Smith has top talent and likely will be a solid tackle, if not guard, at the next level. Yet with a very shoddy last few months and a new locker room full of teammates who will likely spend more time in handcuffs than on the field, Smith is going to have to work hard both on and off the field to rebuild his image.
With a new start ahead, I can only hope Smith can let his talent do the talking and make the Bengals look a little sharper next season.
No. 7 Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Although I toyed with Jeremy Maclin at this spot, Al Davis never fails to take speed and size over talent. Heyward-Bey has the potential to be a top receiver in the NFL, but also the potential to be nothing but a track star getting paid to play football.
Although the better pick for the Raiders would be Eugene Monroe or B.J. Raji, Oakland continues to try to provide weapons for former No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell.
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