Carmine Vetrano / Special to The Recorder

When the clock strikes zero on the scoreboard to end the Super Bowl, football fans close out their thoughts and feelings of the regular season, look past the Pro Bowl, and focus on the next big football event. The NFL Draft held in New York City. Each April, student-athletes from NCAA football try their luck in the draft to hopefully become the next big star for a franchise. Each year there seems to be a clear-cut number one and there is nothing different about this year’s draft as well. Here are my top 10 picks for this 2009 NFL Draft along with the Jets, Giants and Patriots (subject to change).

1. Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford QB (Georgia)- After going 0-16 and having a carousel of quarterbacks, it was apparent what the Lions needed: another quarterback. Stafford has the tools to become a star but its up to the Lions offense and defense to help him out.

2. St. Loius Rams- Andre Smith OT (Alabama)- Holding the number two pick again this year, St. Louis already addressed their defense needs with selecting Chris Long in ‘08. They need an offensive lineman to protect running back Stephen Jackson and their QB. Oh yeah, he is 6-4 and weighs 340 lbs.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Curry OLB (Wake Forest)- Kansas City got what they needed in trading for quarterback Matt Cassel. They also gained stock in their defense by picking up linebacker Zach Thomas to go with Mike Vrabel from the Patriots trade. One more line backer would not hurt.

4. Seattle Seahawks- Jason Smith OT (Baylor) – At first I would have put WR Michael Crabtree here but after his combine, his stock may have fallen. The Seahawks need to establish a line with an almost done tackle Walter Jones.

5. Cleveland Browns- Brian Orakpo DE/OLB (Texas) – It would not be a draft if a kid from Texas did not go in the top 10. Orakpo is a great at getting to the QB and is the type of player a defensive can be built around.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Crabtree WR (Texas Tech)- Hands down the best receiver in the draft. His stock fell after having surgery during the combine but that should not scare the Bengals in gaining this future Pro Bowler.

7. Oakland Raiders- Eugene Monroe OT (Virginia)- Oakland needs help to protect QB Jamarcus Russell this season if they want to compete in the AFC.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars- Malcolm Jenkins FS (Ohio State)- The best Free Saftey in the draft. He will help the Jaguars defense with his speed and ability to smother the receivers.

9. Green Bay Packers – B.J. Raji NT (Boston College) – I would not chalk this season up as a disappointment, but more of a step in the right direction. QB Aaron Rodgers did everything he could for Packers fans to try and forget about Favre. Raji could be the steal of the draft.

10. San Francisco 49ers- Marc Sanchez QB (USC) – The second best QB in the draft. Could go to Jacksonville but I believe (like the Lions) with their never-ending circle of QBs, Sanchez will stay in California.

16. New York Jets – Could go either way with Chris Wells, the running back from Ohio State, or Jeremy Maclin, the wide receiver out of Missouri. With Laveranues Coles gone the Jets need a WR but Thomas Jones (RB) is 31 years old.

23. New England Patriots- ILB Ray Maualuga (USC) – With Vrabel gone this would be a nice pick up to put him along side Tedy Bruschi.

29. New York Giants – Knowshon Moreno RB (Georgia) – With the departure of Derrick Ward, Moreno would give the Giants that one-two punch to go with Brandon Jacobs.