UPDATE!!!  OF COURSE, THE RUMOR THAT THIS WAS A LOCK HAS TURNED OUT TO BE FALSE.  THE LIONS ARE NEGOTIATING WITH ALL OF THE TOP PROSPECTS (STAFFORD, CURRY, SMITH) AND ARE LIKELY JUST TRYING TO DRIVE STAFFORD’S PRICE DOWN OR ENTICE A TRADE TO THE TOP WITH A TEAM THAT REALLY WANTS SMITH.

This just in.  KFFL is reporting that the Lions are drafting Baylor OT Jason Smith.  Holy Crap.  I can’t believe this.  I know that the Dolphins had a great year after passing on the top QB and going the O line route, and the Browns had a big season after gobbling up Joe Thomas before Brady Quinn, but I really was pretty certain Stafford would be the pick.

The Lions were present at UGA’s pro day, and apparently they weren’t impressed enough with Stafford’s footwork and consistency to make him the overall number one pick.  There will almost certainly be a trade into the top 5-7 picks to nab Stafford now.  Unless St Louis decides to scrap Marc Bulger sooner than expected, there aren’t many teams at the top looking to spend their first pick on a passer.

This rumor comes on the heels of numerous reports that the Lions were in talks with their guy in order to sign him before the draft, a la Miami 2008.  Apparenty, that guy is Smith.  Detroit spent first round dollars on OT Godser Cherilus last year, and still have a good bit of money tied up in Jeff Backus’ contract.  They also just re-signed Damion Cook and Stephen Peterman.  Plus, they brought in ex-Titan Daniel Loper.  That’s a lot of dough to spend on one O line.  Of course, the fact that this O line has been notoriously awful might have influenced the decision.

Smith, in my mind, is the top O lineman in the draft, and he should immediately help the Lions keep whoever their quarterback is upright.  There’s still a chance that the Lions think Josh Freeman will be available at the 20th pick, or they could trade that one along with one of their second or third rounders to move back up and select Stafford, Mark Sanchez, or Freeman.  Also, this could mean the Lions are getting closer to reaching a deal with Denver that would bring Jay Cutler to Detroit.  That would likely mean that the 20th pick would the Broncos’ along with another, later, selection.  Still THIS IS JUST A RUMOR RIGHT NOW!!! If I hear anything more substantial, I’ll let you know.  For now…wow to the Lions and deepest regrets to Jason Smith.