The Top 10

Before we talk about the Top 10, I need to point out that Sports Network Associate NFL Editor Scott Garbarini nailed Darrius Heyward-Bey to the Raiders at No. 7. Scroll down for proof. Wow, amazing call Scott. Got tonight's lottery numbers?

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1. Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia (6-2, 225)

The Lions took the big gamble after all, staking their future, and in all likelihood the Jim Schwartz coaching era, to Matthew Stafford. He looks the part, but will have a lot to prove to a Detroit fan base that would have preferred the pick be used on a defender like Wake Forest's Aaron Curry.

2. Rams - Jason Smith, T, Baylor (6-5, 309)

Those murmurs about the Rams selecting Mark Sanchez turned out to be unfounded, as the team instead filled its most glaring void and selected the left tackle Smith. If he's as consistent as Orlando Pace was before injuries begin to rear their ugly heads, the development of the St. Louis offense should follow.

3. Chiefs - Tyson Jackson, DL, LSU (6-4, 296)

The first shocker of the first round was pulled off by Kansas City, which selected Jackson, a player many had projected below the Top 10, at No. 3 overall. The hope is that Jackson can become a Richard Seymour-like lynch pin in the Chiefs' new 3-4 scheme, though he certainly needs some polish.

4. Seahawks - Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest (6-2, 254)

The Seahawks brain trust of GM Tim Ruskell and head coach Jim Mora had to be doing cartwheels when the Chiefs passed up Curry at No. 3, as he fits an immediate need for a team that recently shipped Julian Peterson to Detroit. Many believed Curry was the best defensive player in the Draft.

5. Jets (from Browns) - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC (6-2, 227)

The Jets moved up from No. 17 to No. 5 in order to pick Sanchez, who will immediately be saddled with immense expectations. Sanchez, who had just 16 games of starting experience at USC, will not have a great number of first-rate weapons at his disposal if he plays in 2009.

6. Bengals - Andre Smith, T, Alabama (6-4, 325)

The Bengals had better hope Smith outplays Virginia tackle Eugene Monroe, who was widely evaluated to be more of a "sure thing" than the apparently immature Smith. Still, if he matures off the field and stays in shape on it, Smith should have opportunity to be a franchise left tackle.

7. Raiders - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland (6-2, 210)

For the second straight year, the first receiver taken was not the player predicted by anyone to fit into that role. Last year, Houston's Donnie Avery was that guy, selected by the Rams in the second round ahead of the likes of Devin Thomas, DeSean Jackson, and Malcolm Kelly. This year, the speedster Heyward-Bey, who scored just 13 touchdowns in his entire college career, was a shocking Top 10 pick. Raiders fans will be closely monitoring the production of not only Heyward-Bey, but also Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, and Percy Harvin, wideouts that Oakland passed over.

8. Jaguars - Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia (6-5, 309)

It was somewhat surprising that the Jaguars selected a tackle after ponying up free agent bucks for Tra Thomas earlier this offseason, but getting Monroe at No. 8 represented good value for Jacksonville. Whether Monroe orThomas starts at left tackle this year remains to be seen.

9. Packers - B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College (6-1, 337)

The Packers had several needs in moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defensively, and pass rusher and lineman were prominent among them. Raji projects as a space-eating nose tackle, though he may initially line up at end next to incumbent Ryan Pickett.

10. 49ers - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech (6-1, 215)

Crabtree may have been the steal of the Draft, falling all the way to No. 10, presumably because of injury and/or character issues. The 49ers still don't know exactly who's going to be pulling the trigger this year, but whoever it is has a bona fide No. 1 receiver at his disposal. Will be interesting to watch Crabtree compete with Darrius Heyward-Bey across the Bay in Oakland.