No surprise: Stafford goes first overall

Lions pick QB Stafford, TE Pettigrew in NFL Draft's first round

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By ABC13

Sunday, April 26, 2009

NEW YORK The Lions found the centerpiece for one of the biggest rebuilding jobs in league history by taking Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the top overall selection Saturday. Detroit already had signed the 21-year-old Stafford to a six-year deal with $41.7 million in guarantees and a maximum value of $78 million.

Detroit had five of the first 82 picks to help the NFL's first 0-16 team bounce back to respectability.

Detroit hasn't had a quarterback play in the Pro Bowl since Greg Landry in 1971. Long-term stability at the position has been elusive since Bobby Layne starred for them in the 1950s.

Stafford, who left school a year early, is not expected to start immediately as a rookie.

The Lions, whose poor draft history this decade under Matt Millen eventually led to the winless season, have veteran Daunte Culpepper as the projected starter this year under new coach Jim Schwartz. That should give the 21-year-old Stafford a chance to watch and learn.

The Lions drafted tight end Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma State with the 20th pick overall, which they acquired from Dallas in the trade that sent wide receiver Roy Williams to the Cowboys.