Overrated/Underrated (cont.)

Overrated

Matthew Stafford had a difficult time against the Gators during his career, going 1-2. AP Andy Staples's Mailbag Have questions or feedback? E-mail Andy Staples. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Andy Staples on Twitter

Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Stafford has the best physical tools of any quarterback in the draft, but he may not be the best choice for the Lions, who need a complete franchise reboot. At Georgia, Stafford made throws no one else could make, but a lot of those throws went to the other team.

He threw double-digit interceptions in each of his three seasons, including six in three years against Florida, the Bulldogs' biggest opponent every year. Stafford's undeniable skills make him an obvious high first-round pick, but he probably shouldn't be the No. 1 overall pick. The Lions need to build with a cornerstone left tackle, not a quarterback.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Maclin is an excellent player and a surefire first-rounder, but is he really 15-20 picks better than Florida's Percy Harvin? Harvin has obvious durability issues, but so does Maclin. A knee injury forced him to miss his entire freshman season. Maclin is a proven kick return threat, but Harvin averaged more yards per catch and more yards per rush. Even if Harvin tested positive for pot at the combine -- which is more like failing an intelligence test -- is it worth it to take Maclin at No. 8 or trade down, take Harvin at No. 25 and get another draft pick or two?

Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

With the exception of a 478-yard explosion that came on a day when Oklahoma raced to a 28-7 first-quarter lead, Freeman put up awful numbers against the Wildcats' best opponents. Freeman has all the physical tools, but he never made his team that much better. Compare that to a Matt Ryan, who obviously made his Boston College teams better and then did the same thing for the Atlanta Falcons.

Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The Washington Post's Mark Maske wrote an interesting story about NFL coaches' lack of enthusiasm for the cornerbacks in this draft. Knowing that, why use a mid-first round pick on Jenkins when you can save money and take Wake Forest's Alphonso Smith or Vanderbilt's D.J. Moore? If the talent gap isn't huge, why not save a few million?

Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

It has been suggested that Oher might wind up as a right tackle. If that's the case, why not take a right tackle in a lower round and avoid paying the premium Oher will command in the middle of the first round? Or, if you're just building depth on the offensive line, grab Oregon center Max Unger, who also could play guard or right tackle in the NFL.