Seattle Sportsnet

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree made a bold decision yesterday, opting to declare himself eligible for this year’s NFL Draft knowing full well that the Detroit Lions have the first overall selection. Uh oh. Crabtree, one of the Draft’s biggest names, is a surefire Top 10 selection and will probably garner the interest of the Lions, whether he (and Detroit fans, for that matter) likes it or not.

• 2007: Calvin Johnson, WR, #2 overall pick




• 2005: Mike Williams, WR, #10 overall pick




• 2004: Roy Williams, WR, #7 overall pick




• 2003: Charles Rogers, WR, #2 overall pick
  

Of that quartet, only Johnson is still with the team, and he’ll remain in a Lions uniform (barring trade or release) until 2013 thanks to his six-year, $64-million rookie contract. Roy Williams was traded during the ’08 season to Dallas, and Mike Williams and Charles Rogers are currently out of the NFL.

So what’s to stop Detroit from picking Crabtree? Well, nothing really, save for the fact that the NFL’s worst franchise is currently under new management. Embattled general manager Matt Millen was canned midseason, and without his iron grip on the team’s personnel decisions, the Lions may actually stand a chance at having a good draft this year (meaning no Crabtree, if you’re scoring along with us at home). Somewhere, you can picture poor Millen being held back by two bouncers in a bar, sobbing uncontrollably as he learns of Crabtree’s decision to turn pro. We know you want it, Millen, but it’s time to move on.