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The Stafford 10: Matthew Stafford and the QBs of the 2009 NFL Draft

By Payne Schanski

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the Lions defeated the Browns 38-24 at Ford Field on November 12, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the Lions defeated the Browns 38-24 at Ford Field on November 12, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after throwing an incomplete pass in the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after throwing an incomplete pass in the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

2. Josh Freeman (1st round, 17th overall)

NFL career:

  • Early on, Freeman looked like a future star in the NFL, starting nine games as a rookie and then breaking out in 2010.
  • Similar to Sanchez, peaked in year two, with 25 TD passes and only 6 picks, a 96 QB rating, and a surprising 10-6 record on a weak Tampa Bay team.
  • Freeman led the league with five 4th quarter comebacks in 2010. However, it was a blown 4th quarter lead at home in week 15 that ultimately kept the Bucs out of the playoffs. A rallying Lions team, down to 3rd string QB Drew Stanton, drove late to force overtime and then pulled off their first road win in something like four years.
  • Issues with Greg Schiano and a few losing seasons effectively ended Freeman’s NFL career shortly after.
  • Has been out of the league since 2015, and only played in 5 NFL games after 2012.

Where is he now?

  • Recently signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

Next: The best Lions' draft picks of the past decade

Next time…

I’ll have to save the remaining eight “Stafford 10” quarterbacks for a future post. While the other first rounders from 2009, Sanchez and Freeman, had mediocre NFL careers, they look like Hall of Famers compared to some of the guys you’ll be hearing about next time.

Until then, go take a look at “The Brady 6” if you happen to be stuck indoors on a snow day.

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