NFL Draft 2009: If TAB Ran the Detroit Lions

We're now 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and the rumors are flying about trade possibilities and who might end up going where tomorrow afternoon. It got me to thinking: What if I had the role of general manager in Detroit? What would TAB do?

1. Draft OT Jason Smith first overall

I know it's become a foregone conclusion that Matthew Stafford, the quarterback from Georgia, is probably going to go with the top pick. And, in the case of Detroit, you can't really blame them. They need a face for the franchise, and that's generally at quarterback. Stafford has the big arm to get the ball to Calvin Johnson 60 yards down field, so it makes sense.

But, if you look back at teams that have won Super Bowls with home grown talent, generally it's because there was a solid offensive line built through the draft in front of a good quarterback and running back that got the scoring going. The Lions have a good young running back, and one of the best receivers in the game, but their line is awful.

But by taking Smith with the top pick, the Lions take a big, 300-pound step toward protecting Daunte Culpepper this year, clearing holes for the running attack and protecting their offense in the future.

2. Trade the first pick of round two (33rd overall) to Cleveland for Brady Quinn.

Cleveland seems to have their heart set on Quinn being out of town by Monday morning, and there are plenty of suitors for him. If the Lions make this deal early enough, the Browns could potentially take USC's Mark Sanchez with the fifth pick and they would then have two of the first six picks in the second round to address their defense.

In Quinn, the Lions would be bringing in a local kid (from Notre Dame) with an equally big arm to Stafford and NFL game experience. Quinn, unlike Stafford, could actually compete for the starting job with Culpepper in 2009 and wouldn't have questions about his readiness entering 2010, when Culpepper's contract runs out.

If Quinn was in this draft, there's no reason to think he wouldn't be in the conversation with Stafford and Sanchez at the top of the board, and Cleveland would likely move him for the 33rd pick.

3. Draft OT Eben Britton with the 20th pick.

I know... two tackles in the same first round? It sounds like something Matt Millen would do, right?

But in Britton and Jason Smith, the Lions would have bookend tackles for a decade and, with the acquisition of Quinn, they would have an entirely new offense in place around good, young skill position players.

The Lions have spent a lot of money upgrading their defense this winter, acquiring Julian Peterson from Seattle and signing a couple corners.

Their offense has some significant holes, and by moving their second-round pick for a good, young quarterback who—and this is important—is ready to start today with two tackles, they would fix nearly all of the offense's problems within a matter of hours.