The Detroit Lions started the draft by picking Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford No. 1, but it didn't take long for that news to be buried.

Making a bold jump from No. 17 to No. 5 — in the process trading with their former coach Eric Mangini, now at Cleveland — the Jets selected USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, bringing a roar to the crowd at New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

The Lions, who owned the No. 1 pick in today's NFL draft, opened the draft by picking Stafford first overall.

Stafford and the Lions had already agreed on a six-year deal Friday that will pay the 6-foot-2 7/8, 226-pounder $41.7 million in guarantees and as much as $78 million.

"I'm ready to play football. ... I'm living a dream. That's awesome," Stafford told ESPN.

The St. Louis Rams selected Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith No. 2.

At 6-4, 300 pounds, Smith is considered the safety pick in his draft because of his high character, as well as his overall talent.

Kansas City, picked No. 3, selected Louisiana State defensive end Tyson Jackson.

He joins former college teammate Glenn Dorsey with the Chiefs. The 6-foot-4 1/2, 296-pound Jackson was considered the top base defensive end more suited to a 3-4 defense. The Chiefs are changing to a 3-4 defense this year.

The Seattle Seahawks, needing an outside linebacker with the trade of Julian Peterson, saw Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry fall on their lap.

Some draft services had the 6-foot-1 3/4, 247-pounder with 4.53 speed as the No. 1 prospect overall.

The Jets got their man, and their position, quarterback Sanchez.

Some rated Sanchez ahead of Stafford because of his moxy and "it" factor, which should be a fit in New York.

The Cincinnati Bengals picked Alabama offensive lineman Andre Smith No. 6.

Maturity, not talent, has been the issue with Smith, who left the NFL Combine February without telling anyone.

But the massive 6-4, 325-pounder is a Larry Allen-type blocker who means business when he hits defenders.

The Oakland Raiders, picking No. 7, selected Maryland speedy receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey, at 212 pounds, ran a 4.30 40-yard dash, the fastest receiver at the NFL Combine.

The Jacksonvlle Jaguars, picking No. 8, selected Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe. At 6-5 and 310 pounds, Monroe is considered the best athlete among the offensive tackles.

Picking No. 9, the Green Bay Packers drafted Boston College nose tackle B.J. Raji, a massive, squatty 337-pounder who's hard to block and will be going to the perfect team. The Packers are moving to a 3-4 defense and Raji is a perfect fit.

The San Francisco 49ers, needing an offensive lineman and defensive players, selected Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree No. 10. Crabtree, a 215-pounder with the best hands among the receivers, was considered the top receiver.

The Buffalo Bills, picking No. 11 and needing and outside rush linebacker, picked Penn State outside linebacker/defensive end Aaron Maybin.

The Denver Broncos, at No. 12, selected Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno. During gamedays, Moreno, often compared some of the great backs of the past, was oftentimes the best offensive player on the Georgia team that included quarterback Stafford.

Washington, at No. 13, picked Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo.

The New Orleans Saints, picking 14th, selected Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.

At No. 15, the Houston Texans picked USC linebacker Brian Cushing.

San Diego, picking No. 16, selected Northern Illinois outside linebacker Larry English.

In a trade with Cleveland, which acquired this pick earlier in a trade with the New York Jets, the Tampa Bay Bucs, at No. 17, selected Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman, a 6-6, 250-pounder with a strong arm.

At No. 18, the Denver Broncos, who were in need of a defensive end, selected Tennessee defensive lineman Robert Ayers.

No. 19, the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to pick Missouri receiver Jeremy Maclin. The Eagles acquired this pick from Cleveland, which now has traded out of picks No. 5, 17 and 19.

The Lions, who earlier took Stafford at quarterback, selected big Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew at No. 20.

The Cleveland Browns, who traded three times in the first round, finally made a selection, picking California center Alex Mack at No. 21.

In need of an offensive tackle, the Minnesota Vikings passed on Michael Oher and selected controversial Percy Harvin, a Florida big-play receiver who failed a drug test at the NFL Combine.

Picking No. 23, Baltimore, in a trade with New England, which selected Oher, whose moving story of homelessness and a challenging upbringing have already been chronicled in a book, and soon, a movie.

Atlanta, which went from down and out to the playoffs thanks to the pick of quarterback Matt Ryan, selected Mississippi defensive tackle Peria Jerry at No. 24.

At No. 25, the Miami Dolphins, looking for a receiver and cornerback, selected Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis, the younger brother of San Francisco tight end Vernon.

Green Bay, picking No. 26 in a trade with New England, selected USC linebacker Clay Matthews.

The Indianapolis Colts, picking No. 27, picked Connecticut running back Donald Brown.

Buffalo, with its second pick in the first round, chose Louisville center Eric Wood at No. 28.

The New York Giants, picking No. 29, filled a need at wide receiver with the selection of physical North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks.

At No. 30, the Tennessee Titans selected big receiver Kenny Britt (6-3, 216) of Rutgers.

The Super Bowl runners-up Arizona Cardinals picked Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells at No. 31.

The Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers picked defensive tackle Evander "Ziggy" Hood.