Sombor Celtis

Mayhew declined to say much else during a news conference with just under 100 hours left on the clock before the first pick is made Saturday.

"I hope nobody is expecting anything earth-shattering," he said in his opening comments.

Mayhew acknowledged the list of candidates has narrowed, but he wouldn't talk about specific players when he was asked a general question about Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Detroit is expected to draft Stafford, Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry or Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith with the No. 1 pick, hoping one of the college stars will help turn around the NFL's first 0-16 team.

Messages seeking comment were left with agents for Stafford, Curry and Smith. Smith's and Stafford's representatives work for the same company.

Smith said during a conference call from Waco, Texas, that he's focusing on football and letting his agent handle negotiations.

Stafford has made it clear he hopes to play in Detroit.

"I think it'd be an honor to be able to be picked No. 1," Stafford said last month after his pro day in Georgia. "And also, I want to get a chance to turn something around. It'd be a heck of a place for me to be able to go."

Mayhew said there has been some "moderate interest" from other teams seeking a trade for the No. 1 pick, but reiterated that it's not an attractive slot because of the requisite contract demands.

"I think the system is broken," Mayhew said. "The idea, I believe, was to have teams who hadn't been as successful have an opportunity to get better by picking first. Now, if you miss at that pick, or you miss early, which we have, it really sets you back even more."

The Lions are 31-97 since 2001 -- the worst eight-year stretch by an NFL team since World War II -- in large part because the Matt Millen-led front office drafted busts: QB Joey Harrington, WRs Charles Rogers and Mike Williams.