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In the months following the crowning of a new Super Bowl champion, attentions turn to the approaching annual draft. Each team dreams of fortune smiling upon them on those fateful days when a potential superstar (or failure) is realised.

College quarterbacks Matthew Stafford (Georgia) and Mark Sanchez (Southern Cal) both entered the 2009 NFL Draft with high expectations of being picked early in the first round. The first 0-16 team in NFL history, the Detroit Lions, picked Stafford as the No.1 overall pick (signing him to the biggest rookie contract ever seen, six-years worth $78 million with $41.7 guaranteed).

Sanchez didn't have to wait too long after as the New York Jets - hungry for a legitimate starting QB following the departure of Brett Favre after just one season - took him with the 5th overall pick (after trading with the Cleveland Browns, sending them QB Brett Ratliff, DE Kenyon Coleman, DB Abram Elam and the 17th and 52nd overall picks).

With both players' futures financially secured; questions now turn to how well they'll adapt to the speed and ferocity of the NFL game - not forgetting their fantasy football value. Both have been drafted to be the eventual team-leaders of their teams but history has shown that not all draftees (regardless of draft-position) go on to achieve greatness.

Stafford has the weight of expectation upon his shoulders - to lead the Lions organisation back to winning a football game, let-alone aspirations of playoffs or championship. Detroit's offense has the potential to do some good things - a young RB in Kevin Smith running behind an experienced offensive line and the deep-threat of WR Calvin Johnson. Fellow-draftee TE Brandon Pettigrew may blossom into a monster target down the years for Stafford.

Incumbent veterans QB Daunte Culpepper and Jon Kitna (injured for most of the '08 season) have the obvious experience but couldn't muster up a win for the franchise in '08. Stafford should have youth and energy on his side to beat out both if a fair training camp battle is allowed to happen.

Jets' Sanchez only had one-year at the helm in College but showed more than enough to the New York organisation as their QB of the future. QB Kellen Clemens has had few chances as a backup to really show much as a starter in New York so Sanchez may be able to slot in as the No.1 immediately.

Fantasy Football is all about points - quarterbacks aren't usually the primary focus in this game - all fantasy coaches want the best QB they can get for their prospective teams. Stafford joins a team that ranked 30th in total yards scoring just 16.8 points a game. He has all the right pieces around him to achieve a respectable points tally from week-to-week in fantasy (if he finds the chemistry with his receivers and backs early in camp).

Sanchez joins a Jets team that like to run first and pass later - this may help his development in the long run but could limit fantasy appeal initially. New York's passing game doesn't feature a true No.1 receiver as such so Sanchez will find his own favourite target in the offense through time. It will be difficult for the Jets to repeat the 25.3 points a game average with a rookie on board.

Matthew Stafford has to be the fantasy football choice as it stands now - the potential of the Lions offense that has been slowly re-enthused with sprightly youth at key positions could erupt into the surprise of the '09 season.

Learn more about this author, Wayne Reeves.
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