MOCK DRAFT EXTRAVAGANZA- Part 1

3 weeks to go until the 2009 NFL Draft. Over the next few days I will be bringing you my mock draft, which will be subject to change due to trades or free agent signings. We being, of course, at the beginning. The Detroit Lions have the #1 overall pick. They did not send it to Denver for Jay Cutler, so they still do not have a QB. We saw how effective some young signal callers can be with the success of Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan. However, we have also seen how young tackles can provide protection for quarterbacks and help turn teams around, such as Jake Long or Joe Thomas. What will the Lions do? And how will it effect the other teams in the top 5?

1. Detroit Lions- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
- They don't really have the money, but it sounds like they are in love with him. He has a big arm and is mobile. His accuracy is decent when on the move, and he played in an extremely difficult SEC. It wouldn't be my pick, but the Lions need to make a splash for their fans. A franchise QB is that splash.

2. St. Louis Rams- Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
- When the Lions don't take Smith, the Rams get the easiest selection in the Draft. After cutting ties with future HOF-er Orlando Pace, the Rams need a bookend tackle that will protect Bulger and their future QBs for years to come.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
- The Chiefs traded their second round pick for franchise QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel. While Vrabel is solid, he is also up there in years. Curry may be the safest pick in the Draft, with amazing speed and skill for his position. If Glenn Dorsey lives up to expectations, the Chiefs have the making of a talented young defense.

4. Seattle Seahawks- Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
- This pick could have been BJ Raji if he didn't fail a marijuana test at the Combine. The Seahawks need a solid tackle to help protect the aging Matt Hasselbeck, and scouts say Monroe is graded only slightly lower than Jason Smith.

5. Cleveland Browns- Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
- Set at QB, the Browns will look to help their anemic defense. Last year Eric Mangini fell in love with DE/OLB Vernon Gholston and drafted him at #6. Now in Cleveland, and without a solid pass rusher, he will do the same with the extremely talented Orakpo. He is versatile, in the mold of Baltimore's Terrel Suggs. He can pass rush from the sanding position or speed rush with his hand on the ground.

Soon to come- Picks 6- 10