Detroit Lions: Re-Drafting the Martin Mayhew Era
By Mike Payton
2009
Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
<em><strong>Original Pick: Matthew Stafford</strong></em>. Quarterback. Georgia. Matthew Stafford. 1. player. 50
A little controversy right out of the gate. The most scrutinized quarterback in the NFL still finds his way to the Motor City. I know some fans strongly dislike Stafford, and some think he can do know wrong. The fact of the matter is, he was the right choice. The Lions needed a quarterback and took by far the best one available in the 2009 NFL Draft.
The other options were Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman, Pat White, Stephen McGee, Rhett Bomar, Nate Davis, Tom Brandstater, Mike Teel, Keith Null and Curtis Painter. Only two of those guys are still in the NFL and they are both back ups. Mayhew made the right choice here.
Oct 18, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs with the ball as Cincinnati the nxt rBengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) defends during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bengals beat the Bills 34-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
player. 50. <em><strong>Original pick: Brandon Pettigrew</strong></em>. Running Back. Pittsburgh. LeSean McCoy. 2
It’s clear to this day that the Lions need a quality running back. In fact they’ve drafted five since 2009. None of them have worked out. The Lions would trade up for a concussion prone Jahvid Best the next year. No need to do that anymore now that the Lions have used their second first round pick on Shady Mccoy instead of a blocking tight end.
The crazy thing is the Lions still would have been able to get McCoy in the second round if they wanted to wait.
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Safety. Oregon. Jairus Byrd. 3. player. 50. <em><strong>Origianl pick: Louis Delmas</strong></em>
It’s clear the Lions wanted a safety in this draft. At first glance the selection of Delmas wasn’t all that bad at the time. when Delmas was on and healthy, he was pretty nice little safety. But Lions clearly missed on the three-time Pro Bowler Jarius Byrd who was selected just nine picks later. Byrd has fallen off in recent years, but is still a much better option than Delmas.
Other notable players Lions missed: Vontae Davis, Clay Matthews, Glover Quin, Arian Foster.
Next: 2010