Detroit make Stafford top draft

Top pick Stafford 'excited' by Lions chance

By Tim Love
BBC Sport in New York City

The Detroit Lions have made Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford the top pick of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Stafford, 21, secured a six-year deal worth $78m (£53m) - with $41.7m (£28.4m) of it guaranteed.

The St Louis Rams selected Jason Smith, the Baylor offensive tackle, with the second pick of the draft.

Kansas City then selected defensive end Tyson Jackson, Seattle took highly rated linebacker Aaron Curry and QB Matt Sanchez went to the New York Jets.

The draft, featuring the best college football players, is the primary way NFL teams are stocked with talent as clubs pick in inverse order of the standings to promote parity.

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The Lions became the worst team in NFL history with a 0-16 record in 2008, but that mark gave them the first choice in the two-day NFL college draft in New York.

Stafford became the seventh quarterback in the last 10 years to be taken with the first selection of the draft.

He played 38 games at the University of Georgia, throwing for 48 touchdowns and 7,481 yards.

The seven-round draft, in which 256 collegiate players are selected, is held over two days at the Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.