What about Bob?

1. Lions. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia. The Lions haven’t had much luck with quarterbacks since, oh, say Bobby Layne in the ‘50s. And the Joey Harrington nightmare is still fresh in their memories. But it’s tough for them to pass up the strong-armed Stafford, who can at least sit behind Daunte Culpepper for a year or two while he learns the NFL ropes. Stafford is coming off a year in which he threw for 3,459 yards, 25 TDs and 10 INTs. Stafford comes into the NFL with a year of NCAA eligibility remaining, so inexperience is a potential risk. But if the Lions do take him, they insist they’ll bring him along slowly and not rush the process, thereby creating yet another chapter of misery in a woebegone franchise coming off an 0-16 season.

2. Rams. Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia. The Rams are making noises about having interest in USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. And while there is concern about incumbent QB Marc Bulger’s durability and long-term prospects, most NFL executives believe new head coach Steve Spagnuolo and newly appointed GM Billy Devaney will opt for a lineman to fill in for the loss of Orlando Pace, who was released after suffering injury problems in recent years. Monroe is generally regarded as the best all-around blocker in the draft, although the Rams are also considering Baylor’s Jason Smith, who isn’t far behind in terms of being polished and ready to play immediately. Monroe, who grew up in Plainfield, NJ, grew up in a family that had enough members to form its own football team; he’s one of 16 children. Monroe had a terrific senior season, producing 16 blocks that led to touchdowns on an offense that produced only 23 TDs all season.

3. Chiefs. Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. Curry is likely the Lions’ fallback candidate in the event they feel that Stafford will be too difficult to sign. And with the Chiefs actively looking to trade down and acquire more picks – and also avoid having to pay a huge signing bonus at No. 3 overall – they’ll consider other options. But Curry looks like a solid choice, especially for a team that is moving to a 3-4 defense and can use Curry either on the inside or the outside. Curry received the 2008 Dick Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker. He got it on the merits of his strong tackling ability (he had 105 in 2008). Curry can play strongside or weakside linebacker, although he wasn’t asked to rush the passer on a consistent basis in college, finishing with a combined 8 ½ sacks over his last three seasons. He finished 2008 with 16 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and recovered three fumbles.

4. Seahawks. Jason Smith, T, Baylor. There has been some talk of the Seahawks having an interest in Sanchez, but GM Tim Ruskell says the team is satisfied with 33-year-old Matt Hasselbeck. But Hasselbeck is coming off a back injury that kept him out most of last season, although he is said to be fully healed. If Ruskell stays true to his word – and how often have we seen GMs say one thing and do another on draft day? – then all indications are he’ll draft one of the remaining blue chip tackles left on the board. Why a tackle? Because perennial Pro Bowler Walter Jones is 35 years old and coming off knee surgery, that’s why. The Seahawks need to re-stock the position, and Smith certainly fills the need. A converted tight end, Smith started his last three seasons at left tackle, and displayed excellence in both pass and run blocking. The team generated more than 65 percent of their rushing yards on the left side, as the Bears averaged 195.8 rushing yards per game.

5. Browns. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri. The Browns are all over the map as to what they might do. Take a receiver. Take a quarterback. Trade down. Trade up. Take a defensive tackle. Take a cornerback. New coach/GM combo Eric Mangini/George Kokinis aren’t giving anything away, and everything is on the table. If they take a receiver, they’ll likely deal Braylon Edwards, perhaps to the Giants. There’s talk of them taking Sanchez. Or B.J. Raji of Boston College. But if they settle on receiver, it comes down to Maclin or Michael Crabtree. And with reports out of Cleveland suggesting that the Browns weren’t enamored with Crabtree’s cocky demeanor, Maclin appears to be the safer pick. Maclin is the complete package as a receiver and a kick returner. Last year, he had 102 catches for 1,260 yards and 13 TDs. He had an 11.7-yard punt return average (including one TD) and a 24.1-yard kickoff return (including two TDs).

6. Bengals. Andre Smith, T, Alabama. Bengals also like Crabtree, but they need to re-tool the offensive line. Smith’s weight an issue, but his talent is unquestioned.

7. Raiders. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. What’s the one thing Al Davis likes above all else? Speed. And Crabtree has it. If he’s on the board, he’s a Raider.

8. Jaguars: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College. Jags talking trade, and Mark Sanchez is a possibility. But they also need help along the defensive line, and Raji looks like the goods.

9. Packers: Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas. Packers switching to a 3-4 defense, so Orakpo would be a solid addition. Pack also thinking about offensive line help, so a tackle is not out of the question.

10. 49ers: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC. Sanchez is rumored to be going to any number of teams, but it’ll be hard for the Niners to pass him up if he falls into their laps. Sanchez is an intriguing choice, but does not come without risk. The inexperience factor is mentioned most often, since he’s had only one full season as a starter. It was a great season in 2008 with 3,207 yards, 34 TDs and 10 INTs, but coach Pete Carroll thought Sanchez needed another year before entering the draft.

11. Bills: Michael Oher, T, Mississippi. Bills dealt Jason Peters to the Eagles.

12. Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU. Broncos’ defense hasn’t been good in years. At 6-4, 296 and wish pass-rushing ability, Jackson hard to pass up here.

13. Redskins: Rey Maualaga, LB, USC. Redskins actively seeking to trade up to get Sanchez. Barring a deal, hard-hitting Maualaga fills a need at middle linebacker.

14. Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State. Saints have had one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses the last several years. Jenkins the best of a thin group of elite corners.

15. Texans: Brian Cushing, LB, USC. An excellent strong-side linebacker, Cushing combines speed and strength like few others. Finished second on the team with 73 tackles last season. Played on a unit that also included Rey Maualaga and Clay Matthews Jr.

16. Chargers: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State. Yes, the Chargers have LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles. But Tomlinson has been injured the last two years, and Sproles is undersized.

17. Jets: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida. Yes, they’re interested in Josh Freeman. Yes, they’re exploring a trade for Mark Sanchez. But if the Jets are convinced that Harvin’s positive test for marijuana at the Combine doesn’t send up the kind of red flag that might have other teams dropping him out of the first round, then he makes a lot of sense here. Harvin is a game-breaking type receiver who can stretch the field and help any quarterback – even Kellen Clemens or Brett Ratliff – look better. He played a unique role at Florida, both catching passes and rushing the football. In just 36 games for the Gators, he scored 32 times. His per-rush average was 9.6 yards, and his 19 TD runs rank 10th in Florida history.

18. Broncos: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi. Jerry had a monster year in 2008, establishing Ole Miss as the nation’s fourth best run defense. The Broncos could use a run-stuffer to shore up their chronically weak defense.

19. Buccaneers: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State. Bucs need help on defense, and they signed QB Byron Leftwich as a stopgap. But Freeman offers long-term upside.

20. Lions: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee. Lions’ rush defense last year was awful. Ayers could go a ways toward addressing the problem.

21. Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia. Brian Westbrook is 30 years old and coming off knee surgery.

22. Vikings: Eben Britton, T, Arizona. A solid performer among a class of elite tackles.

23. Patriots: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut. Bill Belichick personally attended Butler’s workout and came away impressed.

24. Falcons: Clay Matthews Jr., LB, USC. Falcons said goodbye to Keith Brooking. Time to say hello to his replacement.

25. Dolphins: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State. Bill Parcells knows the value of a quality tight end – see: Jason Witten in Dallas.

26. Ravens: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State. A solid replacement for Bart Scott.

27. Colts. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland. Goodbye Marvin Harrison, hello Heyward-Bey … if he lasts this long.

28. Bills: Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri. Bills’ defensive line has been awful.

29. Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina. The Giants need a big-time target in the absence of Plaxico Burress, who has been released amid continuing legal problems. The pickings are slim at this point in the draft, but Nicks certainly has solid upside and is a big enough target at 6-0, 212 pounds. He’d gained some weight during the off-season and scared off some teams, but he’s down to his playing weight and has been the last few weeks. The Giants are still interested in the idea of trading for Braylon Edwards, but only if the price is right. They simply won’t overpay. A deal is certainly possible, and that would mean they’d most likely surrender this pick. But if they can’t swing a deal, then Nicks makes sense. Another alternative if offensive tackle, which is a good value here. One possibility: Will Beatty of UConn.

30. Titans: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers. Tennessee desperately needs quality receivers, although Britt will need some time to develop after taking the leap to the big time.

31. Cardinals: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut. Brown has risen up the charts in the off-season, and Arizona could certainly use a quality back. If he’s taken, then they’ll say goodbye to Edgerrin James.

32. Steelers, Alex Mack, C, California. Incumbent center Justin Hartwig has consistency problems.